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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Veldslag on Thu, 06 February 2014, 13:37:02

Title: Need new keyboard
Post by: Veldslag on Thu, 06 February 2014, 13:37:02
Hello keyboard experts,

I am thinking to buy a mechanical keyboard, as I now am typing on a Logitech K120 and am not amused by it. I was thinking of buying the Ducky Shine 3, but then I heard of the Cherry stabilizers and that they are bad? Does anyone know a good mechanical keyboard with blue switches? I bought a test kit from WASD recently and I like the blue's the best. I thought of buying a CM storm keyboard, are these ones good? It is important for me that the keyboard is good quality, and is available in the Netherlands. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Title: Re: Need new keyboard
Post by: riotonthebay on Thu, 06 February 2014, 13:40:28
There's nothing wrong with Cherry stabilizers. I'm using them now and they're great. I personally prefer Costar given the choice, but I wouldn't ever pick a keyboard just based on the stabilizers. (Unless I was building it from scratch.)

Ducky Shine 3 is a great board, especially if you want fancy backlighting. If you don't care about backlighting, a Filco Majestouch 2 is in the same price range and is regarded as a higher-quality build. If you want to go with something cheaper from Coolermaster, I'd recommend the QuickFire Rapid. Very nice quality given the price and easy to mod. I'd personally avoid the QuickFire TK due to it's non-standard keyset.

Regardless, you're making a good choice ;)
Title: Re: Need new keyboard
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 06 February 2014, 14:23:08
Correct.. As long as you have a decently straight space bar.. the difference between costar/ cherry is small..

Title: Re: Need new keyboard
Post by: PointyFox on Thu, 06 February 2014, 14:36:12
Correct.. As long as you have a decently straight space bar.. the difference between costar/ cherry is small..



Except when you're replacing keycaps.  Cherry stabilizers are easier to work with.
I like Cherry stabilizers.
Title: Re: Need new keyboard
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 06 February 2014, 15:07:30
Correct.. As long as you have a decently straight space bar.. the difference between costar/ cherry is small..



Except when you're replacing keycaps.  Cherry stabilizers are easier to work with.
I like Cherry stabilizers.

um.. costar takes an extra step yes.. but how often do you do this..... enough such that it is a "problem" draining a significant amount time?...


Really a non-issue... (http://www.freesmileys.org/emoticons/tuzki-bunnys/tuzki-bunny-emoticon-022.gif)

Title: Re: Need new keyboard
Post by: C5Allroad on Thu, 06 February 2014, 15:21:31
Ducky makes great keyboards!
Cherry stabs aren't bad! They are easy to work with when swapping caps or cleaning the board... If you don't need backlighting then go for a Filco... (http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/069.gif)
Title: Re: Need new keyboard
Post by: BlueBär on Thu, 06 February 2014, 15:37:01
I am thinking to buy a mechanical keyboard, as I now am typing on a Logitech K120 and am not amused by it. I was thinking of buying the Ducky Shine 3, but then I heard of the Cherry stabilizers and that they are bad? Does anyone know a good mechanical keyboard with blue switches? I bought a test kit from WASD recently and I like the blue's the best. I thought of buying a CM storm keyboard, are these ones good? It is important for me that the keyboard is good quality, and is available in the Netherlands. Any suggestions?

I feel you, my last non-mech was a K120, too :-X
It's good that you already know which switch you want, which form factor would you prefer, tenkeyless, fullsize or 60%? Also do you want a backlit or a non-backlit board?
Title: Re: Need new keyboard
Post by: Veldslag on Thu, 06 February 2014, 16:52:46
Thanks for the replies all, very useful. I indeed forgot to mention some things, I prefer tenkeyless because I never use the numpad. Budget isn´t really an issue, getting a good durable keyboard is more important to me. I also would like a keyboard with backlights, and than preferably in white. It looks like the Ducky Shine 3 is my best option as it, unlike the filco, is available here (some importing store, but is legit according to ducky) Any more keyboard suggestions are appreciated.

And is there a way to remove that annoying verification thing when I want to post?
Title: Re: Need new keyboard
Post by: riotonthebay on Thu, 06 February 2014, 17:03:31
What verification thing? I don't have to do any verification thing to post.
Title: Re: Need new keyboard
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 06 February 2014, 17:08:45
What verification thing? I don't have to do any verification thing to post.

maybe it's a new spam security feature for new members..
Title: Re: Need new keyboard
Post by: gh_pp on Thu, 06 February 2014, 17:27:59
Thanks for the replies all, very useful. I indeed forgot to mention some things, I prefer tenkeyless because I never use the numpad. Budget isn´t really an issue, getting a good durable keyboard is more important to me. I also would like a keyboard with backlights, and than preferably in white.

It looks like the Ducky Shine 3 is my best option as it, unlike the filco, is available here (some importing store, but is legit according to ducky) Any more keyboard suggestions are appreciated.

And is there a way to remove that annoying verification thing when I want to post?

Yeah, new member have to gone through that for the first 20-ish posts. Just keep replying to this thread :)

agreed with riotonthebay, if you are in the US, QFR can be had for $60 on sale.

Since you want backlighting, another option is

http://codekeyboards.com/

but it's only available in black.

Also cooler master is coming out with an updated version of QFR with programmable backlighting.
Title: Re: Need new keyboard
Post by: BlueBär on Thu, 06 February 2014, 17:45:39
Thanks for the replies all, very useful. I indeed forgot to mention some things, I prefer tenkeyless because I never use the numpad. Budget isn´t really an issue, getting a good durable keyboard is more important to me. I also would like a keyboard with backlights, and than preferably in white. It looks like the Ducky Shine 3 is my best option as it, unlike the filco, is available here (some importing store, but is legit according to ducky) Any more keyboard suggestions are appreciated.

The Shine 3 is a solid choice then :thumb:
I don't think there is a white backlit tenkeyless keyboard, but correct me if I'm wrong.
Title: Re: Need new keyboard
Post by: tbc on Thu, 06 February 2014, 18:10:20
shine 3 (and special edition models) and code 87 are the only boards that come to mind.

additionally, the brown mx QF TK comes with white i believe.

Title: Re: Need new keyboard
Post by: n0rvig on Thu, 06 February 2014, 18:24:28

Except when you're replacing keycaps.  Cherry stabilizers are easier to work with.
I like Cherry stabilizers.

I'm surprised but I find Costar stabilizers nicer to swap keys on. Lining up those 3 crosses is easy enough, but I love the satisfaction of getting that wire into the insert.
I like Costar stabilizers.
Title: Re: Need new keyboard
Post by: C5Allroad on Thu, 06 February 2014, 19:07:34
Forgot about max keyboard! They have a TKL blue and red LEDs and come in blues and browns.