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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Papershards on Mon, 17 April 2017, 22:06:55

Title: Is the Corsair Gaming k55 keyboard worth the money I would be typing a lot on it
Post by: Papershards on Mon, 17 April 2017, 22:06:55
So I've been really searching for a nicely priced keyboard around 60$ to use for a bit of gaming and mostly typing. So is this one worth the money here's the link

 https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Gaming-K55-Keyboard-Backlit/dp/B01M4LIKLI/ref=pd_ybh_a_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QW65F7X3ETB8GH2K9JMQ

Also totally off topic but just started playing infocoms games and damn are they fricking amazing. does anyone have recommendations on what ones are the best? lol
Title: Re: Is the Corsair Gaming k55 keyboard worth the money I would be typing a lot on it
Post by: Tactile on Mon, 17 April 2017, 22:22:15
Also totally off topic but just started playing infocoms games and damn are they fricking amazing. does anyone have recommendations on what ones are the best? lol

I enjoyed Planetfall. A Mind Forever Voyaging is pretty popular, I think. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is hilarious but I needed a lot of hints to get through that one.

There are more folks than you might think playing these games and even writing new ones. Have a look here (http://ifdb.tads.org/).
Title: Re: Is the Corsair Gaming k55 keyboard worth the money I would be typing a lot on it
Post by: Papershards on Mon, 17 April 2017, 22:56:00
Also totally off topic but just started playing infocoms games and damn are they fricking amazing. does anyone have recommendations on what ones are the best? lol

I enjoyed Planetfall. A Mind Forever Voyaging is pretty popular, I think. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is hilarious but I needed a lot of hints to get through that one.

There are more folks than you might think playing these games and even writing new ones. Have a look here (http://ifdb.tads.org/).


Thank you so much! Also do you know of any good horror text games?
Title: Re: Is the Corsair Gaming k55 keyboard worth the money I would be typing a lot on it
Post by: Tactile on Mon, 17 April 2017, 23:15:58
Thank you so much! Also do you know of any good horror text games?

I haven't played it but Infocom did do one called "The Lurking Horror".
Title: Re: Is the Corsair Gaming k55 keyboard worth the money I would be typing a lot on it
Post by: Puddsy on Mon, 17 April 2017, 23:43:48
Don't buy Corsair keyboards. It enables bad corporate behavior.
Title: Re: Is the Corsair Gaming k55 keyboard worth the money I would be typing a lot on it
Post by: Papershards on Tue, 18 April 2017, 09:23:03
Don't buy Corsair keyboards. It enables bad corporate behavior.

mind if you elaborate a little
Title: Re: Is the Corsair Gaming k55 keyboard worth the money I would be typing a lot on it
Post by: Petch on Tue, 18 April 2017, 09:58:02
I'm unsure if he has a specific issue in mind, but the general problem with Corsair, Razer, etc is that they charge for their branding and will take cuts wherever possible to reduce the cost for themselves without passing it onto the consumer (Razer when they moved away from Cherry switches is a memorable example).

They also love non-standard size keys and odd bottom rows that make it hard/impossible to get keycaps for. The keyboards aren't terrible by any means, but you can probably do a little better for your money.

Looking at the one you linked, it seems cheap enough so you're probably getting your money's worth, but you're still supporting a company guilty of the things mentioned above... Woops, thought it was a little too cheap, that's not even mechanical! I would avoid it.
Title: Re: Is the Corsair Gaming k55 keyboard worth the money I would be typing a lot on it
Post by: LiquidEvilGaming on Tue, 18 April 2017, 10:18:44
That's a rubberdome board would avoid, if you are looking for a cheap standard sizing mech in fullsize the Velocifire with Zorro Browns is only $39.99 at Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Velocifire-Mechanical-Keyboard-Illuminated-Anti-ghosting/dp/B01M0QEYR4 (https://www.amazon.com/Velocifire-Mechanical-Keyboard-Illuminated-Anti-ghosting/dp/B01M0QEYR4)

It even has stock DOubleshot Medium thick ABS keycaps.

Not winning any top of the line awards but given it's price it's actually a quite decent board.

Title: Re: Is the Corsair Gaming k55 keyboard worth the money I would be typing a lot on it
Post by: Papershards on Tue, 18 April 2017, 10:20:22
I'm unsure if he has a specific issue in mind, but the general problem with Corsair, Razer, etc is that they charge for their branding and will take cuts wherever possible to reduce the cost for themselves without passing it onto the consumer (Razer when they moved away from Cherry switches is a memorable example).

They also love non-standard size keys and odd bottom rows that make it hard/impossible to get keycaps for. The keyboards aren't terrible by any means, but you can probably do a little better for your money.

Looking at the one you linked, it seems cheap enough so you're probably getting your money's worth, but you're still supporting a company guilty of the things mentioned above... Woops, thought it was a little too cheap, that's not even mechanical! I would avoid it.

Do you have any recommendations for what I can with around 60$ honestly I wouldn't mind going up 20 more bucks or so.
Title: Re: Is the Corsair Gaming k55 keyboard worth the money I would be typing a lot on it
Post by: Papershards on Tue, 18 April 2017, 10:24:08
That's a rubberdome board would avoid, if you are looking for a cheap standard sizing mech in fullsize the Velocifire with Zorro Browns is only $39.99 at Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Velocifire-Mechanical-Keyboard-Illuminated-Anti-ghosting/dp/B01M0QEYR4 (https://www.amazon.com/Velocifire-Mechanical-Keyboard-Illuminated-Anti-ghosting/dp/B01M0QEYR4)

It even has stock DOubleshot Medium thick ABS keycaps.

Not winning any top of the line awards but given it's price it's actually a quite decent board.

would it be pretty good for long ish typing sessions?
Title: Re: Is the Corsair Gaming k55 keyboard worth the money I would be typing a lot on it
Post by: Tactile on Tue, 18 April 2017, 10:34:56
I can't tell you which switches to choose but these (https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/search.php?keyword=&brand=55&switch=&size=Full+Size&led=&capmat=&capprint=&model=&availability=in_stock&show_kb=off&show_kb=on&show_acc=off) will do what you want.
Title: Re: Is the Corsair Gaming k55 keyboard worth the money I would be typing a lot on it
Post by: LiquidEvilGaming on Tue, 18 April 2017, 11:17:03
That's a rubberdome board would avoid, if you are looking for a cheap standard sizing mech in fullsize the Velocifire with Zorro Browns is only $39.99 at Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Velocifire-Mechanical-Keyboard-Illuminated-Anti-ghosting/dp/B01M0QEYR4 (https://www.amazon.com/Velocifire-Mechanical-Keyboard-Illuminated-Anti-ghosting/dp/B01M0QEYR4)

It even has stock DOubleshot Medium thick ABS keycaps.

Not winning any top of the line awards but given it's price it's actually a quite decent board.

would it be pretty good for long ish typing sessions?

I'm still in the process of working out a review on it soon, but thus far it's been pretty nice to type on given the price and the stock keycaps are fairly nice given the cost.  They are very comparable to Ducky's Doubleshot ABS backlit keycaps which are 30-35$ on their own.

You also had a good recommendation from @tactile in the Kaihua keyboards linked at $59.99 and those have a few more switch options.  It would be wise to do a little research first and see which style of switch you want.

Reds= Linear no tactility light switches

Browns = very light tactility but silent tactile IE no click fairly light switches

Blues = Clicky tactile a slight bit stiffer than browns but not much but emit a click noise when depressed

That's a very brief summary among the switches mentioned in the boards you have been linked anyways.  The one I linked only has Browns as an option, they also have a TKL option for $29.99 if you don't want/need a Numpad.
Title: Re: Is the Corsair Gaming k55 keyboard worth the money I would be typing a lot on it
Post by: davkol on Tue, 18 April 2017, 14:18:29
Don't buy Corsair keyboards. It enables bad corporate behavior.
mind if you elaborate a little
Marketing over function/quality.
Community presence (e.g., the tramp-stamp logo and consequent communication issues).
False advertising (e.g., early Cherry MX RGB keyboards).
Title: Re: Is the Corsair Gaming k55 keyboard worth the money I would be typing a lot on it
Post by: Puddsy on Tue, 18 April 2017, 14:47:51
That's a rubberdome board would avoid, if you are looking for a cheap standard sizing mech in fullsize the Velocifire with Zorro Browns is only $39.99 at Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Velocifire-Mechanical-Keyboard-Illuminated-Anti-ghosting/dp/B01M0QEYR4 (https://www.amazon.com/Velocifire-Mechanical-Keyboard-Illuminated-Anti-ghosting/dp/B01M0QEYR4)

It even has stock DOubleshot Medium thick ABS keycaps.

Not winning any top of the line awards but given it's price it's actually a quite decent board.

would it be pretty good for long ish typing sessions?

it's probably fine

just comes down to preference

i'd say start with this and branch out once you know a little more about what you like