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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Jiaception on Wed, 14 May 2014, 16:48:48

Title: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: Jiaception on Wed, 14 May 2014, 16:48:48
Hello everyone, I'm wanting to buy a new mechanical keyboard but I don't know which one to get  :'(
I'm planning to get blue switches, and custom key caps. It would be nice if you guys can recommend me some quality brands.

Thanks
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: Razor Lotus on Wed, 14 May 2014, 16:53:03
Budget? $100? $200? $300?

Is your budget for base keyboard only or for the whole set including custom keycaps etc?

Form factor? 60%? TenKeyLess? Fullsized?

Some of the best brands are Filco and Ducky. Seems like you've already decided on what switch you want, so that's great too.

If you're on a lower budget, CM quickfire is a good starter board.

If you want a 60%, you can look at the poker 2 keyboards.

If you're feeling really adventurous, you can go full custom.

Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: Jiaception on Wed, 14 May 2014, 21:04:10
My budget is under $150, and I think I'm getting full keyboard... Do you a god website to buy mechanical keyboard and keycaps?
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: whiskytango on Wed, 14 May 2014, 21:22:57
If you're new to mechanical keyboards, this thread is a good place to start:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40501.msg803569#msg803569 (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40501.msg803569#msg803569)
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: Pacifist on Wed, 14 May 2014, 21:25:24
My budget is under $150, and I think I'm getting full keyboard... Do you a god website to buy mechanical keyboard and keycaps?

mechanicalkeyboards.com
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: Rafen on Wed, 14 May 2014, 21:26:50
Try out mechanicalkeyboards.com for some boards with blue switches. I would recommend Ducky or Cooler Master Quick Fire Rapid. Both of those are really nice boards and well worth the money. They also have "normal" or standard size keys so if you upgrade you can get a set and won't have to worry if they will fit or not.
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 14 May 2014, 22:42:02
Hello everyone, I'm wanting to buy a new mechanical keyboard but I don't know which one to get  :'(
I'm planning to get blue switches, and custom key caps. It would be nice if you guys can recommend me some quality brands.

Thanks

Welcome to Geekhack!

Letting us know what country you are in will help with regional recommendations (if you want to avoid huge shipping cost and customs fees).
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: kohi on Wed, 14 May 2014, 22:43:08
it might be a little hard to find a board and custom keycaps with a budget of ~$150; and depends what type of keycaps - but for the board alone, there are plenty of options that are around that price point ducky, qfr, filco, etc
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 14 May 2014, 22:49:37
it might be a little hard to find a board and custom keycaps with a budget of ~$150; and depends what type of keycaps - but for the board alone, there are plenty of options that are around that price point ducky, qfr, filco, etc

Depending on location: QFR ~ $80, Tai Hao ~ $20 = ~ $100.
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: kohi on Wed, 14 May 2014, 22:52:45
it might be a little hard to find a board and custom keycaps with a budget of ~$150; and depends what type of keycaps - but for the board alone, there are plenty of options that are around that price point ducky, qfr, filco, etc

Depending on location: QFR ~ $80, Tai Hao ~ $20 = ~ $100.

oh yeah, that works. or if you're lazy and you don't want to buy custom keycaps separately, you can look into wasd v2.
but then, what if he wants pbt keycaps :p
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 14 May 2014, 22:56:58
it might be a little hard to find a board and custom keycaps with a budget of ~$150; and depends what type of keycaps - but for the board alone, there are plenty of options that are around that price point ducky, qfr, filco, etc

Depending on location: QFR ~ $80, Tai Hao ~ $20 = ~ $100.

oh yeah, that works. or if you're lazy and you don't want to buy custom keycaps separately, you can look into wasd v2.
but then, what if he wants pbt keycaps :p

Asking for recommendations of a good brand of keyboard suggests less familiarity with available options.

Hence PBT keycaps, although very nice, are not necessarily going to be at the top of the list.

Or get a Ducky board with PBT keycaps :)
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: kohi on Wed, 14 May 2014, 23:00:18
it might be a little hard to find a board and custom keycaps with a budget of ~$150; and depends what type of keycaps - but for the board alone, there are plenty of options that are around that price point ducky, qfr, filco, etc

Depending on location: QFR ~ $80, Tai Hao ~ $20 = ~ $100.

oh yeah, that works. or if you're lazy and you don't want to buy custom keycaps separately, you can look into wasd v2.
but then, what if he wants pbt keycaps :p

Asking for recommendations of a good brand of keyboard suggests less familiarity with available options.

Hence PBT keycaps, although very nice, are not necessarily going to be at the top of the list.

Or get a Ducky board with PBT keycaps :)

so many options, so hard to choose :))
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 14 May 2014, 23:25:40
it might be a little hard to find a board and custom keycaps with a budget of ~$150; and depends what type of keycaps - but for the board alone, there are plenty of options that are around that price point ducky, qfr, filco, etc

Depending on location: QFR ~ $80, Tai Hao ~ $20 = ~ $100.

oh yeah, that works. or if you're lazy and you don't want to buy custom keycaps separately, you can look into wasd v2.
but then, what if he wants pbt keycaps :p

Asking for recommendations of a good brand of keyboard suggests less familiarity with available options.

Hence PBT keycaps, although very nice, are not necessarily going to be at the top of the list.

Or get a Ducky board with PBT keycaps :)

so many options, so hard to choose :))

Yes indeed.

Two things help:

1. Try some different keyboards before you buy, to avoid disappointment with switches, keycaps or layout.

2. Buy something now and enjoy it, rather than waiting and deciding and reevaluating and waiting again ...
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: Defect on Thu, 15 May 2014, 00:24:01
Also switch type doesn't matter because they are very easy to change out.  Layout not so much, and build quality not so much either.
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 15 May 2014, 00:59:42
Also switch type doesn't matter because they are very easy to change out.  Layout not so much, and build quality not so much either.

The average new mechanical keyboard user is probably not looking forward to swapping switches on their first precious keyboard :p

Once they have tried a few switches and settled on one (or two), then comes the time to collect rare keycaps.
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: Novus on Thu, 15 May 2014, 02:47:53
HHKB Type S
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: kohi on Thu, 15 May 2014, 03:03:41
HHKB Type S

LOL or a korean custom
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 15 May 2014, 05:23:26
HHKB Type S

Doesn't have blue switches :(

LOL or a korean custom

Serve OP right for not mentioning his budget :p
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: zflamewing on Thu, 15 May 2014, 10:49:43

Yes indeed.

Two things help:

1. Try some different keyboards before you buy, to avoid disappointment with switches, keycaps or layout.

2. Buy something now and enjoy it, rather than waiting and deciding and reevaluating and waiting again ...

Rowdy has some really good advice.  This is kind of what I ended up doing. 

My wife got a keyboard with Reds and every time I tried it I didn't like it.  I hit up a few local stores and tried blues and browns.  The blues felt the best to me so I ordered a Ducky Shine 2 in Blues.  I also own a CM Storm QFR and XT in blues and greens respectively.

Both brands have done well by me to date.
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: CaptLock on Thu, 15 May 2014, 12:46:21
Filco!
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: motoyuki on Thu, 15 May 2014, 13:11:47
I started with a ducky shine 3 and I love it. Seems solid to me. No problems with it at all so far.
Title: Re: Need help buying a new Mechanical Keyboard
Post by: Novus on Thu, 15 May 2014, 13:18:46
HHKB Type S

Doesn't have blue switches :(

LOL or a korean custom

Serve OP right for not mentioning his budget :p

It can if you mod it! There's no such thing as doesn't have X switch as long as you have a cheery outlook on life and a sonic screwdriver.