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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Carmageddon on Sun, 29 June 2014, 02:16:46

Title: Need help finding a suitable Mechanical MX Brown Wireless keyboard!
Post by: Carmageddon on Sun, 29 June 2014, 02:16:46
Hello guys!

I am amazed to find there is a specialized forum for.. keyboards  :cool:

I am typing a lot (chats, programmer) - and recently got really tired of the standard keyboard with cable (especially at work, in my configuration the cable is annoying).
So in my search, I read a lot about the Mechanical keyboards and their advantages - probably best choice for me is Cherry MX Brown.

BUT, my problem is all my other requirements:


My attempted search on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_n_feature_keywords_0?rh=n%3A172282%2Cn%3A541966%2Cn%3A172456%2Cn%3A12879431%2Ck%3Acherry+mx+brown%2Cp_n_feature_keywords_three_browse-bin%3A8079836011&keywords=cherry+mx+brown&ie=UTF8&qid=1404024850&rnid=8079835011


Please, help!  :cool:
Title: Re: Need help finding a suitable Mechanical MX Brown Wireless keyboard!
Post by: mapple on Sun, 29 June 2014, 08:31:32
i suposse ur the only one who did found something at all which is wireless, but most of us rather like cables which additionally can be modded:P
Title: Re: Need help finding a suitable Mechanical MX Brown Wireless keyboard!
Post by: Carmageddon on Sun, 29 June 2014, 08:42:23
Quote from: mapple on Sun, 29 June 2014, 08:31:32
i suposse ur the only one who did found something at all which is wireless, but most of us rather like cables which additionally can be modded:P

Why? whats so bad about Wireless keyboard? Granted there are cheap/bad wireless protocol designs which make a wireless mouse nightmare (had one, since then never wanted wireless again), but I found that there are quality wireless mice which work very very well - no reason a good quality wireless keyboard would give me any trouble in typing OR games...

Do you have any ideas for me perhaps? Can I buy some wireless keyboard that suits my needs, and separately by MX Brown "parts", and replace them? how much approx would a set of those Browns cost?
Title: Re: Need help finding a suitable Mechanical MX Brown Wireless keyboard!
Post by: vivalarevolución on Sun, 29 June 2014, 09:33:59
The only full-size wireless mechanical keyboard that comes to mind is the KBTalking Pro, but I think that it did not sell very well and they have not produced any more recently.

http://techkeys.us/collections/keyboards/products/kbtalking-pro-v1-1

Reddit also has this list:

http://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/wiki/wireless-mechanical_keyboards


Title: Re: Need help finding a suitable Mechanical MX Brown Wireless keyboard!
Post by: dorkvader on Sun, 29 June 2014, 10:04:28
I think the bluetooth filco is the only other one that meets all your requirements. Sadly, it is no longer in productions.

Wireless mechanicals are much less common for whatever reason.
Title: Re: Need help finding a suitable Mechanical MX Brown Wireless keyboard!
Post by: vivalarevolución on Sun, 29 June 2014, 10:48:57
Quote from: dorkvader on Sun, 29 June 2014, 10:04:28
I think the bluetooth filco is the only other one that meets all your requirements. Sadly, it is no longer in productions.

Wireless mechanicals are much less common for whatever reason.

I'm guess that it adds production costs that create a price premium the customer is not willing to pay.

Although, I have not used any of them, this forum has plenty of bluetooth mods and modules that can be done to turn your keyboard into a bluetooth keyboard.

 The big question is battery life.  How long will these DIY bluetooths work on one charge or set of batteries?  If I have to charge every few days, that is annoying.
Title: Re: Need help finding a suitable Mechanical MX Brown Wireless keyboard!
Post by: Carmageddon on Mon, 30 June 2014, 02:04:54
Quote from: prdlm2009 on Sun, 29 June 2014, 10:48:57
Quote from: dorkvader on Sun, 29 June 2014, 10:04:28
I think the bluetooth filco is the only other one that meets all your requirements. Sadly, it is no longer in productions.

Wireless mechanicals are much less common for whatever reason.

I'm guess that it adds production costs that create a price premium the customer is not willing to pay.

Although, I have not used any of them, this forum has plenty of bluetooth mods and modules that can be done to turn your keyboard into a bluetooth keyboard.

 The big question is battery life.  How long will these DIY bluetooths work on one charge or set of batteries?  If I have to charge every few days, that is annoying.


Can you refer me to any such BT mods? if I decide I can work with that, it would increase the range of suitable products...

There is one that might be suitable, but I get conflicting answers about the existance of Caps Lock indicator here:
http://www.amazon.com/understand-Indicator-reviews-here-someone/forum/FxMW3ZV5B26V3O/Tx9ARVIS68PJ3T/1/ref=cm_cd_dp_aar_al_a?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B004S862FW
Title: Re: Need help finding a suitable Mechanical MX Brown Wireless keyboard!
Post by: Oobly on Mon, 30 June 2014, 03:18:07
It has the standard Num Lock, Caps Lock, Scroll Lock LED's above the numpad area, from what I can tell:

(http://i46.tinypic.com/rmlhzl.jpg)

It has a non-standard bottom row, though, with an almost impossible to find 6x spacebar, so you won't be able to replace the keycaps (which is a big part of the attraction of using Cherry MX switches, IMHO). Also, the xarmor is not as high quality as many other mechanical keyboards.

I'd rather get a really good mechanical board with a standard layout (like a Ducky Premier for instance) and one of these: http://handheldsci.com/kb

Or just use a cable. What's so bad about a cable? Most good mechanicals have a removable cable, so you can have a cable at each machine you use the board with and just unplug / replug at the keyboard side. That's what I do with my KBT Pure.

With wireless you have the hassle of batteries, some protocols not handling sleep mode / waking up, increased response time (bad for gaming), etc. The batteries make them heavier, too, but that's not a bad thing with a keyboard. IMO, if you're getting a full sized board, wireless is kind of pointless, since it's not really that "portable" anyway.

If you are open to considering a compact layout wireless board, the Filco Minila Air is good.
Title: Re: Need help finding a suitable Mechanical MX Brown Wireless keyboard!
Post by: Carmageddon on Mon, 30 June 2014, 04:25:09
Quote from: Oobly on Mon, 30 June 2014, 03:18:07
It has the standard Num Lock, Caps Lock, Scroll Lock LED's above the numpad area, from what I can tell:

Show Image
(http://i46.tinypic.com/rmlhzl.jpg)


It has a non-standard bottom row, though, with an almost impossible to find 6x spacebar, so you won't be able to replace the keycaps (which is a big part of the attraction of using Cherry MX switches, IMHO). Also, the xarmor is not as high quality as many other mechanical keyboards.

I'd rather get a really good mechanical board with a standard layout (like a Ducky Premier for instance) and one of these: http://handheldsci.com/kb

Or just use a cable. What's so bad about a cable? Most good mechanicals have a removable cable, so you can have a cable at each machine you use the board with and just unplug / replug at the keyboard side. That's what I do with my KBT Pure.

With wireless you have the hassle of batteries, some protocols not handling sleep mode / waking up, increased response time (bad for gaming), etc. The batteries make them heavier, too, but that's not a bad thing with a keyboard. IMO, if you're getting a full sized board, wireless is kind of pointless, since it's not really that "portable" anyway.

If you are open to considering a compact layout wireless board, the Filco Minila Air is good.


Thank you for the response, I asked this question to be sure here, and the answers are actually contradictory:
http://www.amazon.com/understand-Indicator-reviews-here-someone/forum/FxMW3ZV5B26V3O/Tx9ARVIS68PJ3T/1/ref=cm_cd_dp_aar_al_a?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B004S862FW

You raise a valid point - that I wouldnt be able to change the keyboard's keycaps.. hmm, its a nice gimmick.

I am using a wireless mouse on all my computers now (bought 3, 1 big MS 5000, and 2 Logitech M705 all work perfectly).
So I thought not having the cable on keyboard would be great, but I changed my desktop configuration now and the cable is a bit less annoying.

I am a programmer, so I CANT use a non-standard - only a full layout.

After some thoughts, I am willing to consider a wired keyboard - any recommendations? I dont need gimmicks that cost money, not media buttons etc.. but standard MX Browns with keycaps I can exchange, and if possible with LED without overpaying, would be nice :)
The LED backlight works for alternative keycaps as well?
And of course, indicator lights for NumLock and CapsLock is a must... cant be without it.
Title: Re: Need help finding a suitable Mechanical MX Brown Wireless keyboard!
Post by: spiceBar on Mon, 30 June 2014, 05:02:41
Quote from: Carmageddon on Mon, 30 June 2014, 04:25:09
...
I am a programmer, so I CANT use a non-standard - only a full layout.
...

Let me rephrase this for you: you are a programmer who cannot use a non-standard layout.

I would add: probably because you have not really tried.

I'm a programmer (that's all I have been doing for more than 30 years) and I use several keyboards, including a 60% one (take a full-size keyboard and cut everything but the alphabetic cluster: that's a 60%) and a "Ten Key Less" one (a full-size keyboard without the numeric pad).

There are many people here who are programmers/developers or use their keyboards heavily all day long for whatever they do, and they use 60% or TKL keyboards or even more exotic layouts.

Be warned: it may also happen to you some day! :)

About your OP: I think the KBTalking Pro is exactly what you are looking for. It will be powered by USB if you connect it to USB, or by 2 AA batteries if unplugged. It has a LED for CapsLock. The only thing is I don't know if the LED works when powered by the batteries. I would guess the LED would be turned off after a while if you don't use the keyboard in order to save batteries.

Now if you relax your requirements and accept a wired keyboard, you have LOTS of very good choices. You have a whole universe of keyboard pleasure waiting for you. :)

For full-size keyboards, I would recommend Filco. But there are many other good manufacturers.

Welcome to Geekhack.
Title: Re: Need help finding a suitable Mechanical MX Brown Wireless keyboard!
Post by: Oobly on Mon, 30 June 2014, 05:07:51
If you want the cable detachable, the best option IMHO, is the Coolermaster Quickfire XT. It is a standard layout, plate mounted, full size board with a full-size USB port at the back. It's stronger than a Mini USB port (can handle more insertions / removals) and mounted in a good spot. With most full size keyboards with removable cable, the socket is Mini USB and located in a recess that requires you to put the connector in at an angle, which isn't great for durability. It's not backlit, though. Good bang for your buck, low price but good quality.

For fixed cable, I'd get a Filco Majestouch 2. Just great quality boards.

Somewhere in between in terms of cable connectivity is Ducky. They have the recess where the plug goes in, but otherwise really good quality boards. If you don't need backlighting, I recommend the Premier since it comes with very nice keycaps (thick PBT). The Shine 3 is backlit (with all kinds of fancy modes) and comes with more standard ABS keycaps. The Zero is their basic model. There is a Zero version with basic backlighting, too.

There's also the WASD Code keyboard. It only comes with Cherry MX Clear or Green switches, though. Clears have a bigger tactile bump than Browns and stronger springs, so they require a bit more pressure. Greens are like Blues with stronger springs, too. White backlighting, plate mount, standard layout, etc.. Good board, if a little pricey. Removable cable like the Ducky's.

P.S. - I'm also a programmer and I use a 60% board (KBT Pure)  ;) I got used to using the Fn layer quite quickly, but I have always used the number row for numbers and I don't use Alt codes often, so I can manage. It used to have Brown switches, but now has ErgoClears (Clear switches with softer springs).

Good luck on your keyboard hunt.. The journey to find the right board for you can be fun as long as you have a relatively clear picture of what you want and good info... This forum can hopefully help to provide the latter.