geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: LiquidEvilGaming on Tue, 23 August 2016, 18:23:24

Title: Considering a new TKL Sized Blue switch keyboard..something i have not owned b4
Post by: LiquidEvilGaming on Tue, 23 August 2016, 18:23:24
So I am considering a new TKL sized Blue switch keyboard, however I'd like to try a keyboard i have yet to own.  I will list the brands/models i have owned in TKL before and what i am looking for in a board and then feel free to have at me with suggestions.


Thus far i have owned the following

Kul 87 ES
WASD Code
Corsair K65
CM Quickfire Rapid
CM QUickfire Rapid-i
Tesoro Tizona Elite
Razer BlackWidow TE (Thank god this one is a previously owned)
Rosewill RGB 80


Ideally, I'd like to try something different I have not yet owned, i have tried several other brands but these are the ones i have owned (Not all with Blue switches of course)

What i am looking for in a board is the following (In order of importance)

1. Build quality (This board is going to stay at work and get HAMMERED both by gaming in freetime at work and for inventory/new recipe entering etc)  So it's important this thing is not fragile.  Since i will be purchasing the board should i ever leave my current job it will be coming home with me so I'd also rather it not be a POS. 

2. Though not a requirement a non removable cable may be a plus given the harsh usage this board will see.  Some of my employees are none too gentle and they also will be using the keyboard.

3. Backlighting would be nice as the area this board will be in isn't the brightest and while i can even use Blanks my co workers are not as savvy.  It is again however not a requirement just a "nice to have"

4. I'd prefer Blue switches for my own selfish reasons however Brown switches are also acceptable if need be

5. Price wise as long as it's under $150 I am ok with it.


That's about it really, I do not care about what stock keycaps it comes with as i have several cheap doubleshot PBT and or ABS sets i can put on the board that I don't care about as much.  Currently i have an old cheap Cherry ML board with a touchpad (the model escapes me) i am using for this purpose but the ML switches drive me insane to be honest.


So for those of you who bothered to read all of this thank you for having the patience of a saint, and fire away with the recommendations.


Title: Re: Considering a new TKL Sized Blue switch keyboard..something i have not owned b4
Post by: daerid on Fri, 26 August 2016, 11:24:00
My personal opinion is WASD, no contest. Those boards are tanks, and have great features (media keys, built in mac, dvorak, and colemak modes - see here (https://www.wasdkeyboards.com/media/v2-user-guide.pdf))

I'm about to pull the trigger on a brown v2 (I already have 4)
Title: Re: Considering a new TKL Sized Blue switch keyboard..something i have not owned b4
Post by: LogicLoop on Fri, 26 August 2016, 13:16:27
The Filco Majestouch 2 TKL (top-printed or the side-printed "Ninja" version) perfectly suits those needs, with the exception of backlighting: yet I don't see it on your list.

Do Filco really have this much of a distribution problem in the US?
Title: Re: Considering a new TKL Sized Blue switch keyboard..something i have not owned b4
Post by: Screwdriver on Fri, 26 August 2016, 13:20:59
I have a Deck Hassium Pro in Browns and it is a very solid board. Their Francium Pro is a TKL. Some don't not like the legends, but they don't bother me. Key caps are PBT double shot and feel great. Also, I have never owned a Filco and want to give them a try someday.
Title: Re: Considering a new TKL Sized Blue switch keyboard..something i have not owned b4
Post by: LiquidEvilGaming on Fri, 26 August 2016, 14:05:36
I have a Deck Hassium Pro in Browns and it is a very solid board. Their Francium Pro is a TKL. Some don't not like the legends, but they don't bother me. Key caps are PBT double shot and feel great. Also, I have never owned a Filco and want to give them a try someday.

The Deck is actually one i have been looking into but I've never actually seemed to find anyone that has owned one.

FILCO was a thought but there is just nothing stand out about them for the price, other than to review a board i have yet to review.
Title: Re: Considering a new TKL Sized Blue switch keyboard..something i have not owned b4
Post by: LiquidEvilGaming on Fri, 26 August 2016, 14:06:26
My personal opinion is WASD, no contest. Those boards are tanks, and have great features (media keys, built in mac, dvorak, and colemak modes - see here (https://www.wasdkeyboards.com/media/v2-user-guide.pdf))

I'm about to pull the trigger on a brown v2 (I already have 4)

I had the WASD CODE at one point and it was alright but felt semi flimsy compared to the KUL and had AWFUL pinging sounds.

Are the V2's an improvement? I have never used one.
Title: Re: Considering a new TKL Sized Blue switch keyboard..something i have not owned b4
Post by: Screwdriver on Fri, 26 August 2016, 14:40:45
I have a Deck Hassium Pro in Browns and it is a very solid board. Their Francium Pro is a TKL. Some don't not like the legends, but they don't bother me. Key caps are PBT double shot and feel great. Also, I have never owned a Filco and want to give them a try someday.

The Deck is actually one i have been looking into but I've never actually seemed to find anyone that has owned one.

FILCO was a thought but there is just nothing stand out about them for the price, other than to review a board i have yet to review.

I am using a KUL-87 MX Red now. But used the Deck for a year+. Heavy gaming and typing and it shows zero wear. I'll never sell it. It is a very solid and well built board. The only thing I wish it had was a removable cable, but the one it has it thick and braided. If I ever needed another board, Deck would always be an option for me.
Title: Re: Considering a new TKL Sized Blue switch keyboard..something i have not owned b4
Post by: LiquidEvilGaming on Fri, 26 August 2016, 14:50:38
I have a Deck Hassium Pro in Browns and it is a very solid board. Their Francium Pro is a TKL. Some don't not like the legends, but they don't bother me. Key caps are PBT double shot and feel great. Also, I have never owned a Filco and want to give them a try someday.

The Deck is actually one i have been looking into but I've never actually seemed to find anyone that has owned one.

FILCO was a thought but there is just nothing stand out about them for the price, other than to review a board i have yet to review.

I am using a KUL-87 MX Red now. But used the Deck for a year+. Heavy gaming and typing and it shows zero wear. I'll never sell it. It is a very solid and well built board. The only thing I wish it had was a removable cable, but the one it has it thick and braided. If I ever needed another board, Deck would always be an option for me.

High praise, definitely added to my short list of board considerations.   Thanks
Title: Re: Considering a new TKL Sized Blue switch keyboard..something i have not owned b4
Post by: klennkellon on Fri, 26 August 2016, 16:29:18
I have a Deck Hassium Pro in Browns and it is a very solid board. Their Francium Pro is a TKL. Some don't not like the legends, but they don't bother me. Key caps are PBT double shot and feel great. Also, I have never owned a Filco and want to give them a try someday.

The Deck is actually one i have been looking into but I've never actually seemed to find anyone that has owned one.

FILCO was a thought but there is just nothing stand out about them for the price, other than to review a board i have yet to review.
Deck is great but that font is like a combination of Papayrus and Comic Sans

I am using a KUL-87 MX Red now. But used the Deck for a year+. Heavy gaming and typing and it shows zero wear. I'll never sell it. It is a very solid and well built board. The only thing I wish it had was a removable cable, but the one it has it thick and braided. If I ever needed another board, Deck would always be an option for me.