Hi, Bah congrats on your new Xarmor purchase. I actually bought a Xarmor U9BL with blue switches. I think the bad build quality for Xarmor is over hyped. I have never tried a BW, but I bet an Xarmor is a lot better. Even though both boards are designed by Ione. I would never trust a razor product, and can never see one being durable, and dependable over time. With that said, they are cheaper. People like the macros on them. So everyone has their own taste.
I thought the design of the Xarmor was good overall. I mean I liked the rubber on the board, and around the keys. It felt pretty good. The wrist rest however was not that good, just because in their first generation Xarmor listened to complaints about the wrist rest being too hard to get off the board. But, Xarmor changed their wrist rest so it just sits inside the groves where there used to be a rod. The wrist rest actually now lifts up the board entirely in the front so the feet don't stick (or at least the one I had did). That really is a major difference between the Filco I am using now.
So that was really the only major complaint I had with my Xarmor before I took it back last month. I really ended up taking it back for multiple reasons. The blue switches were too loud to use on a daily basis. At first it was like "oh cool, a click, and tactile feedback" and then when it was 2am and I was gaming I became annoying by the noise. Blue switches can take their toll.
It was a good idea to get a brown switch. I figure that you probably tried the BW, and wanted a little less noise. That happens a lot, and it happened with me.
The red switch is really nice. I think that it will become be very popular here in U.S at some point. All switches will have a following at some point (really they already do, but everyone hasn't been able to try all the switches yet). There is no keyboard currently available with red switches, and back lighting. But, I can tell you based on my short experience with this red switch board that they will be coming out at some point (my wife loves my board, and preferred the red switch over the blue as well). I am sure there are a lot of people out there that would prefer the cherry red. It is similar to the brown switch (which is arguably the favorite switch of all) and that's a big reason why it will get its own following eventually.
Have fun with your new board Bah! The blue back lighting really is nice in the dark.
