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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: tytl on Thu, 29 May 2014, 18:10:03
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Hi all,
I am currently looking for a new mechanical keyboard to replace my dell keyboard. I think my only requirements are that it has to have the num pad and Cherry MX brown. I don't really care about backlight and macro keys.
Are there any good keyboards that you guys can recomend? Budget is $170 (I can throw in more if it's really worth it).
Thanks!
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Welcome to Geekhack!
Filco?
Ducky? Ducky Shine if you want backlighting.
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If you say "budget is no problem" people will start recommending Korean custom boards with aluminium cases.
If budget is no problem but you wanna save money, QFR boards can be found around 60 when on sale. Good value for money.
60% boards are nice, too. Personally prefer those.
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Get a Filco, I promise you will not regret it. The build quality is excellent and it's plate mounted with costar stabs so it will type like a dream. It sounds like the model you would want is FKBN104M/EB2 .
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Ok, I've thrown in a budget in my fist post.
I'll take a look at Filco and Ducky.
QFR boards can be found around 60 when on sale. Good value for money.
What's QFR boards?
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Ok, I've thrown in a budget in my fist post.
I'll take a look at Filco and Ducky.
QFR boards can be found around 60 when on sale. Good value for money.
What's QFR boards?
For 170 budget I'd recommend Filco. If you like backlighting I'd recommend Ducky Shine III, or anything Ducky.
If you want to try a gaming-friendly layout, look for Keycool 84's and Choc Mini's.
If you want the aesthetics of a 60%, Poker II.
QFR = CoolerMaster Quickfire Rapid. The cheap version of a Majestouch 2, but still really good quality.
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QFR is Cooler Master's QuickFire Rapid. Here is a link: http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3060 (http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3060)
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QFR is Cooler Master's QuickFire Rapid. Here is a link: http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3060 (http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3060)
OP says must have numpad :p
Filco.
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It was just that the OP was wondering what QFR was. I also got ninja'd by Defect ^-^
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For 170 budget I'd recommend Filco. If you like backlighting I'd recommend Ducky Shine III, or anything Ducky.
If you want to try a gaming-friendly layout, look for Keycool 84's and Choc Mini's.
If you want the aesthetics of a 60%, Poker II.
QFR = CoolerMaster Quickfire Rapid. The cheap version of a Majestouch 2, but still really good quality.
One of the biggest complaints I have against the CM boards are the cheap PCBs. If you ever plan on desoldering switches to swap them out or to install a aftermarket plate you have a much greater chance of ****ing something up on a CM single sided PCB as compared to a higher quality, double-sided PCB like a Filco would have. Also, that awful rubber coating on their boards is a dirt magnet and looks like ass when it wears off in some spots and not others.
IMO, Filco boards really are worth the extra money if you can afford it.
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For 170 budget I'd recommend Filco. If you like backlighting I'd recommend Ducky Shine III, or anything Ducky.
If you want to try a gaming-friendly layout, look for Keycool 84's and Choc Mini's.
If you want the aesthetics of a 60%, Poker II.
QFR = CoolerMaster Quickfire Rapid. The cheap version of a Majestouch 2, but still really good quality.
One of the biggest complaints I have against the CM boards are the cheap PCBs. If you ever plan on desoldering switches to swap them out or to install a aftermarket plate you have a much greater chance of ****ing something up on a CM single sided PCB as compared to a higher quality, double-sided PCB like a Filco would have. Also, that awful rubber coating on their boards is a dirt magnet and looks like ass when it wears off in some spots and not others.
IMO, Filco boards really are worth the extra money if you can afford it.
Many people don't ever bother doing any mods to their keyboards that would involve desoldering, so this is a non-issue for most. I can't speak against the rubber casing though.
Also OP, check out the Quickfire TK - keyboard with a numpad with the size of a TKL board. Be warned that it has nonstandard modifiers though, so if you ever want to replace all of your keycaps, you will have a little more trouble finding a set that will fit your modifiers/spacebar.
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I'd say Ducky as I have good experiences with it. It has backlight but it can be switched off if you don't fancy it. But if you're certain that you would not want backlight then filco would be a good choice. Qfr is alright from what I heard. :D but I defo recommend ducky if you're going that path.
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I'd say Ducky as I have good experiences with it. It has backlight but it can be switched off if you don't fancy it. But if you're certain that you would not want backlight then filco would be a good choice. Qfr is alright from what I heard. :D but I defo recommend ducky if you're going that path.
Can always get a Ducky Zero - no backlighting :)
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As someone who was initially looking a full size boards only, I'd suggest considering a tenkeyless board in conjunction with a separate number pad. That way you get the best of both worlds (plus it seems like there's a greater choice of smaller boards vs. full size ones).
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I'd say Ducky as I have good experiences with it. It has backlight but it can be switched off if you don't fancy it. But if you're certain that you would not want backlight then filco would be a good choice. Qfr is alright from what I heard. :D but I defo recommend ducky if you're going that path.
Can always get a Ducky Zero - no backlighting :)
Ah the zero series. Thing is unlike the shine series, the cables are not detachable. Some might like it some might not. Personally I prefer my cables to be detachable. :D
And the zero series are manufactured in China, (Shine is Taiwan). Not sure if it makes any difference quality wise. *OP - come to the ducky side, we haz cookiez. :p
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Daskeyboard 4
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Daskeyboard 4
I actually second that too ;)
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I'd say Ducky as I have good experiences with it. It has backlight but it can be switched off if you don't fancy it. But if you're certain that you would not want backlight then filco would be a good choice. Qfr is alright from what I heard. :D but I defo recommend ducky if you're going that path.
Can always get a Ducky Zero - no backlighting :)
Ah the zero series. Thing is unlike the shine series, the cables are not detachable. Some might like it some might not. Personally I prefer my cables to be detachable. :D
And the zero series are manufactured in China, (Shine is Taiwan). Not sure if it makes any difference quality wise. *OP - come to the ducky side, we haz cookiez. :p
Well regarded Filco has non-detachable cables :p
For some it would be a plus - no mini USB plug to work its way loose.
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Ducky Preimer or the 9008 pros. Really any ducky with dye sub PBT. About the same price as a Filco, but the caps are leagues ahead of it.
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Thank you everyone for the recommendations.
I think I'm going to get the Ducky Shine 3. I have to wait for my local retail store to get more stock, so in the meantime, I'm still open to suggestions.
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WASD is what I'd suggest for a no frills full size. In your price range, customizable, and slightly better key caps than Filco imho.
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WASD is what I'd suggest for a no frills full size. In your price range, customizable, and slightly better key caps than Filco imho.
I would ONLY recommend WASD for the customization and nothing else. It gets outclassed in pretty much all other fields as far as value goes and even if customization is something OP wants, the thrill of the gimmick can wear off after the initial "oh cool it's not normal!" goes away.
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I would ONLY recommend WASD for the customization and nothing else. It gets outclassed in pretty much all other fields as far as value goes and even if customization is something OP wants, the thrill of the gimmick can wear off after the initial "oh cool it's not normal!" goes away.
Well I own both a Filco and two WASD's. The WASD's are better. Don't own a Ducky or a Das so can't comment.