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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: deadmuse on Sat, 05 April 2014, 05:00:20

Title: Need advice on choosing a new keyboard
Post by: deadmuse on Sat, 05 April 2014, 05:00:20

I bought my first two mechanical keyboards last year: Corsair Vengeance K95 with Cherry Reds for gaming and Keycool 84 White with Cherry Browns. I like them both, but I am thinking about replacing the second one for a couple of reasons. First, I didn't realize how much I use arrows and nav keys, so I want to get a tenkeyless 87. The second is I love the smooth finish of the Corsair keycaps. The Keycool keys are great, but there's a texture to them that perhaps is better because it provides grip, but I want to find smooth caps and Cherry Blues which might be even better for typing than the Browns.

I need suggestions according to my preferences since I can't try any before buying:

• Plain font on caps (cannot stand the Coolermaster font)
• Cherry Blue Switches
• TenKeyless TKL
• Black Keyboard or Black with white caps
• Smooth keycaps like Corsair if possible, not required
• Budget maximum $140 US
• LEDs not required, but prefer white if possible

Title: Re: Need advice on choosing a new keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 05 April 2014, 05:21:14

Welcome to Geekhack!

Ducky Zero?

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=665

Title: Re: Need advice on choosing a new keyboard
Post by: deadmuse on Sat, 05 April 2014, 06:14:02

Thank you!

That Ducky Zero looks really nice and clean. I haven't been able to tell: what's the difference between the Zero series and the Shine series?

Title: Re: Need advice on choosing a new keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 05 April 2014, 06:19:58

Quote from: deadmuse on Sat, 05 April 2014, 06:14:02

Thank you!

That Ducky Zero looks really nice and clean. I haven't been able to tell: what's the difference between the Zero series and the Shine series?

Shine has backlighting, Zero does not.

Although there is a Ducky Zero with backlighting, technically it is not a Shine.

Title: Re: Need advice on choosing a new keyboard
Post by: SSIPAK on Sat, 05 April 2014, 06:37:38

Strongly recommend Filco Majestouch 2
http://www.amazon.com/Filco-Majestouch-2-Tenkeyless-FKBN87MC-EB2/dp/B004WOF7S0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396697740&sr=8-1&keywords=filco+blue

Title: Re: Need advice on choosing a new keyboard
Post by: deadmuse on Sun, 06 April 2014, 20:12:43

Thanks for the feedback. I've made my choice: Ducky Shine 3 TKL with Blue switches and Blue LED. Both the Ducky Zero and Filco looked awesome, but they also made me realize I actually want the backlighting. Seeing the Ducky video demo for the board, I like the many options of making the lights do tricks. I got a great good deal on an open box: $120 including shipping and the regular places are out of stock, so I went for it. Thanks again!