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geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: GBRL on Mon, 08 September 2014, 18:58:37

Title: Heya! :D
Post by: GBRL on Mon, 08 September 2014, 18:58:37
Hi there! I'm a reddit user and discovered /r/MechanicalKeyboards a couple months ago from the trending subreddit list. I've always had a fascination with keyboards - little did I know there was such a large community!

Anyways, the subreddit made me increasingly jealous until two days ago I found a mechanical keyboard at one of the computers in my school's computer lab (I'm in high school) and I opted to use it over my laptop just because of the feel.

Needless to say, I'm hooked. I'm looking to get a nice keyboard for my birthday next year - currently I have the stock ASUS keyboard that came with my desktop - but until then I'd like to learn a bit more about 1) the tech behind a keyboard, aka just understanding more of keyboard tech and mods and stuff, and 2) how to treat a keyboard when modding / replacing keys / etc.

Anyways, hi :) I don't think my name is too hard to grasp from my username. I hope to see some people around!
Title: Re: Heya! :D
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 08 September 2014, 19:20:14
Welcome to Geekhack!

Little do you know how much money you could end up spending :p

And good luck if you want to wait until next year to get a keyboard - if you can wait that long, I think you'd have more patience than about 99% of the rest of us!
Title: Re: Heya! :D
Post by: GBRL on Mon, 08 September 2014, 19:32:18
Welcome to Geekhack!

Little do you know how much money you could end up spending :p

And good luck if you want to wait until next year to get a keyboard - if you can wait that long, I think you'd have more patience than about 99% of the rest of us!

Aha, unfortunately I don't have the money to just drop my own $200-300 on a keyboard, so I'm pretty much forced to wait until my birthday (end of January, not that bad) to get at least partial compensation.
Title: Re: Heya! :D
Post by: Hundrakia on Mon, 08 September 2014, 19:48:11
Welcome!
Title: Re: Heya! :D
Post by: GBRL on Mon, 08 September 2014, 19:51:22
Welcome!

Thanks! :)
Title: Re: Heya! :D
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 08 September 2014, 19:53:23
Welcome to Geekhack!

Little do you know how much money you could end up spending :p

And good luck if you want to wait until next year to get a keyboard - if you can wait that long, I think you'd have more patience than about 99% of the rest of us!

Aha, unfortunately I don't have the money to just drop my own $200-300 on a keyboard, so I'm pretty much forced to wait until my birthday (end of January, not that bad) to get at least partial compensation.

Jumping in the deep end?

You can get good mechanical keyboards for a lot less than that!

KUL TKL MX black is only $129 ... http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_c1_bbb_al

Of course it depends on what you want to get :p
Title: Re: Heya! :D
Post by: GBRL on Mon, 08 September 2014, 20:25:19
Welcome to Geekhack!

Little do you know how much money you could end up spending :p

And good luck if you want to wait until next year to get a keyboard - if you can wait that long, I think you'd have more patience than about 99% of the rest of us!

Aha, unfortunately I don't have the money to just drop my own $200-300 on a keyboard, so I'm pretty much forced to wait until my birthday (end of January, not that bad) to get at least partial compensation.

Jumping in the deep end?

You can get good mechanical keyboards for a lot less than that!

KUL TKL MX black is only $129 ... http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_c1_bbb_al

Of course it depends on what you want to get :p

Haha, I'm aware that I can get cheaper, but I have two real options. Either I can get one body and deck it out or I get two and make them decent - I'd like to do something more than just buy a keyboard and use it, because that way I feel like I have more part of the creation and it adds a bunch of value to the product, for me. The base keyboards I have my eyes on range between $110 and $180, but keycaps, maybe a cable, maybe a second set of caps, keyboard cleaner & case would probably end up costing me upwards of $200, from what I can see so far. Of course, I'm still so new that I don't really know, but I'll see.

Wait, just searched up and found the CM QuickFire Rapid 2, which looks pretty good. Granted, they don't have it with Cherry MX Clear, which is what I'd like, but I don't know. The Poker 2 doesn't seem to have Clear MX switches either, so either I settle for Brown (can't go clicky 'cause my family would hate me and I wouldn't be able to go portable without pissing everyone off), or pull off a mod which I'd probably muck up.
Title: Re: Heya! :D
Post by: Flyersfan1 on Mon, 08 September 2014, 20:29:56
Welcome to Geekhack!

Little do you know how much money you could end up spending :p

And good luck if you want to wait until next year to get a keyboard - if you can wait that long, I think you'd have more patience than about 99% of the rest of us!

Aha, unfortunately I don't have the money to just drop my own $200-300 on a keyboard, so I'm pretty much forced to wait until my birthday (end of January, not that bad) to get at least partial compensation.

Jumping in the deep end?

You can get good mechanical keyboards for a lot less than that!

KUL TKL MX black is only $129 ... http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_c1_bbb_al

Of course it depends on what you want to get :p

Haha, I'm aware that I can get cheaper, but I have two real options. Either I can get one body and deck it out or I get two and make them decent - I'd like to do something more than just buy a keyboard and use it, because that way I feel like I have more part of the creation and it adds a bunch of value to the product, for me. The base keyboards I have my eyes on range between $110 and $180, but keycaps, maybe a cable, maybe a second set of caps, keyboard cleaner & case would probably end up costing me upwards of $200, from what I can see so far. Of course, I'm still so new that I don't really know, but I'll see.

Wait, just searched up and found the CM QuickFire Rapid 2, which looks pretty good. Granted, they don't have it with Cherry MX Clear, which is what I'd like, but I don't know. The Poker 2 doesn't seem to have Clear MX switches either, so either I settle for Brown (can't go clicky 'cause my family would hate me and I wouldn't be able to go portable without pissing everyone off), or pull off a mod which I'd probably muck up.
Hi GBRL!
Welcome!! Senators fan? I promise I come in peace if so! :)
Title: Re: Heya! :D
Post by: GBRL on Mon, 08 September 2014, 20:36:32
Quote
Hi GBRL!
Welcome!! Senators fan? I promise I come in peace if so! :)

Haha, actually a Leafs fan! I know, it's blasphemy, but I was born in Toronto. I don't watch much hockey but when I do it's Toronto :) ~~And yourself?~~ Oops - Didn't see your username!
Title: Re: Heya! :D
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 08 September 2014, 21:04:36
Welcome to Geekhack!

Little do you know how much money you could end up spending :p

And good luck if you want to wait until next year to get a keyboard - if you can wait that long, I think you'd have more patience than about 99% of the rest of us!

Aha, unfortunately I don't have the money to just drop my own $200-300 on a keyboard, so I'm pretty much forced to wait until my birthday (end of January, not that bad) to get at least partial compensation.

Jumping in the deep end?

You can get good mechanical keyboards for a lot less than that!

KUL TKL MX black is only $129 ... http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_c1_bbb_al

Of course it depends on what you want to get :p

Haha, I'm aware that I can get cheaper, but I have two real options. Either I can get one body and deck it out or I get two and make them decent - I'd like to do something more than just buy a keyboard and use it, because that way I feel like I have more part of the creation and it adds a bunch of value to the product, for me. The base keyboards I have my eyes on range between $110 and $180, but keycaps, maybe a cable, maybe a second set of caps, keyboard cleaner & case would probably end up costing me upwards of $200, from what I can see so far. Of course, I'm still so new that I don't really know, but I'll see.

Wait, just searched up and found the CM QuickFire Rapid 2, which looks pretty good. Granted, they don't have it with Cherry MX Clear, which is what I'd like, but I don't know. The Poker 2 doesn't seem to have Clear MX switches either, so either I settle for Brown (can't go clicky 'cause my family would hate me and I wouldn't be able to go portable without pissing everyone off), or pull off a mod which I'd probably muck up.

KUL TKL MX clear is only ... $129 http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_cc_bbb_al

But yes, adding everything together can get expensive very quickly.

You could get the keyboard now, then just keep an eye out for bargains on keycap sets and other things.
Title: Re: Heya! :D
Post by: redpandasocks on Tue, 09 September 2014, 09:59:15
Have you checked out Massdrop yet?  Or the group buy forum?  It might be something that can help you keep the cost down if you're looking to get multiple sets of keycaps and other extras.

Oh and welcome.  :D
Title: Re: Heya! :D
Post by: chrisq on Tue, 09 September 2014, 10:12:13
Welcome to Geekhack!

Little do you know how much money you could end up spending :p

And good luck if you want to wait until next year to get a keyboard - if you can wait that long, I think you'd have more patience than about 99% of the rest of us!

Aha, unfortunately I don't have the money to just drop my own $200-300 on a keyboard, so I'm pretty much forced to wait until my birthday (end of January, not that bad) to get at least partial compensation.

Jumping in the deep end?

You can get good mechanical keyboards for a lot less than that!

KUL TKL MX black is only $129 ... http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_c1_bbb_al

Of course it depends on what you want to get :p

Haha, I'm aware that I can get cheaper, but I have two real options. Either I can get one body and deck it out or I get two and make them decent - I'd like to do something more than just buy a keyboard and use it, because that way I feel like I have more part of the creation and it adds a bunch of value to the product, for me. The base keyboards I have my eyes on range between $110 and $180, but keycaps, maybe a cable, maybe a second set of caps, keyboard cleaner & case would probably end up costing me upwards of $200, from what I can see so far. Of course, I'm still so new that I don't really know, but I'll see.

Wait, just searched up and found the CM QuickFire Rapid 2, which looks pretty good. Granted, they don't have it with Cherry MX Clear, which is what I'd like, but I don't know. The Poker 2 doesn't seem to have Clear MX switches either, so either I settle for Brown (can't go clicky 'cause my family would hate me and I wouldn't be able to go portable without pissing everyone off), or pull off a mod which I'd probably muck up.

Welcome!

The Poker 2 is on sale with MX Clears for the thirdish time right now, it might be back by april:
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/kbc-poker-2-clear

The CM QFR is also good though, I have one myself with green switches and I'm very happy with it, can't go wrong either way.  :thumb:

I would recommend that you try the switches at Best Buy or similar store before deciding on a switch if you haven't already. You might be surprised at what you like. In my experience most non-enthusiast people prefer brown switches, while I prefer clears except for gaming. Gaming switches for me have to be browns or reds.
Title: Re: Heya! :D
Post by: GBRL on Tue, 09 September 2014, 20:26:06
Welcome to Geekhack!

Little do you know how much money you could end up spending :p

And good luck if you want to wait until next year to get a keyboard - if you can wait that long, I think you'd have more patience than about 99% of the rest of us!

Aha, unfortunately I don't have the money to just drop my own $200-300 on a keyboard, so I'm pretty much forced to wait until my birthday (end of January, not that bad) to get at least partial compensation.

Jumping in the deep end?

You can get good mechanical keyboards for a lot less than that!

KUL TKL MX black is only $129 ... http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_c1_bbb_al

Of course it depends on what you want to get :p

Haha, I'm aware that I can get cheaper, but I have two real options. Either I can get one body and deck it out or I get two and make them decent - I'd like to do something more than just buy a keyboard and use it, because that way I feel like I have more part of the creation and it adds a bunch of value to the product, for me. The base keyboards I have my eyes on range between $110 and $180, but keycaps, maybe a cable, maybe a second set of caps, keyboard cleaner & case would probably end up costing me upwards of $200, from what I can see so far. Of course, I'm still so new that I don't really know, but I'll see.

Wait, just searched up and found the CM QuickFire Rapid 2, which looks pretty good. Granted, they don't have it with Cherry MX Clear, which is what I'd like, but I don't know. The Poker 2 doesn't seem to have Clear MX switches either, so either I settle for Brown (can't go clicky 'cause my family would hate me and I wouldn't be able to go portable without pissing everyone off), or pull off a mod which I'd probably muck up.

Welcome!

The Poker 2 is on sale with MX Clears for the thirdish time right now, it might be back by april:
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/kbc-poker-2-clear

The CM QFR is also good though, I have one myself with green switches and I'm very happy with it, can't go wrong either way.  :thumb:

I would recommend that you try the switches at Best Buy or similar store before deciding on a switch if you haven't already. You might be surprised at what you like. In my experience most non-enthusiast people prefer brown switches, while I prefer clears except for gaming. Gaming switches for me have to be browns or reds.

Sweet, thanks for the info :) Since the sale isn't that massive a sale I think I'll still wait for when I was waiting anyways.
Title: Re: Heya! :D
Post by: Hundrakia on Tue, 09 September 2014, 22:00:32
I purchased my Poker II on Massdrop about two days before the clears became available lol.
Title: Re: Heya! :D
Post by: dustinhxc on Mon, 22 September 2014, 02:11:58
Welcome! :D GH FTW!