Help request: First time purchase

[Difesa]

Hi GH!

I'm looking into buying my first mechanical keyboard.  I've lurked around a bit and done some googling and I think the best option for me is the WASD v1 with red switches and o-rings.  I've only ever used laptop keyboards and a logitech K120, and to be honest one of the few reasons I've decided to upgrade is because i spilled coke on the K120, otherwise I'm fairly content with it.  My question is whether or not there is something different I should be looking at; be it something with better features, better construction/ QC, better ergonomics, etc.  I went ahead and filled out the first time buyer sheet if that helps.

General Questions

1) What is your budget?
$200 USD

2) Where (country) will you be buying this keyboard and keyboard language layout?
USA, English QWERTY

3) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you don’t really like?
a.Like: -
b.Dislike: Razer

4) Would you consider keyboards that are used?
Near mint condition, sure

5) What are the primary tasks you will be performing with this keyboard?
Typing (prose, no programming), music recording/ production, and gaming

6) Will you be playing games on your keyboard? What type of games?
Yes.  An even spread of FPS, RTS, RPG, and MOBA

7) Would you prefer to see the keyboard you’re considering before purchasing it or buying a keyboard online without seeing it is OK?
Would like to see photos at least.

Will the keyboard be used for Windows, Mac, Linux, etc...?
Windows primarily with occasional Mac use

9) What other keyboard(s) have you used before and why are you not using it/them anymore?
Laptop keyboards (dell inspiron and macbook) and (currently) a Logitech K120 (spilled coke across the keys)

Build Quality and Design

10) What size keyboard would you prefer?
I would mildly prefer a tenkeyless, but it doesn't matter that much

11) Are the keyboard’s looks and stylishness important to you? If so, describe any physical features such as color, material appearance, etc...
I want as plain jane as i can get.  Maybe interchangable keycaps.

12) When are you buying the keyboard?
asap

13) How long do you want this keyboard to last?
As long as possible

Switch Questions

14) What key sound do you want?
Dont care

15) Do you want tactile feel?
no

16) Do you want clickiness?
no

17) How strong are your fingers?
Strong


Keyboard Components

18) PS/2 or USB
Either

19) Media keys? Macro Keys? Backlight? USB Hub?
None necessary

Customization
Interchangeable keycaps?

Thanks!

[whiskerBox]

I would say a red mx or black mx leopold tkl from elitekeyboards

[Difesa]

Ive read that the costar stabilizers that WASD uses are a lot better than the ones on the Leopold, or is that just a matter of preference?

[alaricljs]

Stabilizer choice is primarily a preference.  If you are starting out there's a decent chance Cherry stabs won't bother you.  Costar stabs don't noticeably modify the feel of the keys they are used on, whereas Cherry stabs can change how the key bottoms.

[fossala]

Ive read that the costar stabilizers that WASD uses are a lot better than the ones on the Leopold, or is that just a matter of preference?

Costar stabilizers don't change the feel of the switch. Cherry ones dampen the feeling of the switch, but I don't really notice unless I am trying to.

[Difesa]

Leopold doesn't have a model with landing pads/ o-rings.  If I decided to disregard the TKL design factor, is there any reason i -shouldn't- buy a WASD?

[rknize]

You can put pads/rings on yourself.

[enoy21]

Based on your Criteria:

For full size I would suggest a WASD Custom v1 in Black switches.  ( or red )  (Allows customization and every bit as good or better than Filco)

For a TKL I would suggest a Filco in Black from Amazon (Red switch is very hard to find)

For a TKL Red I would suggest a CMStorm Rapid Fire from PCHOME.



FYI , the tactile bump in browns are so slight as to be a great " all around" switch with a feeling of pressure between a black and a red.


Welcome to GH

[hazeluff]

Red or Black Cherry MX switches.

CMStorm
Filco
Leopold

You have a big budget. Just go for the right switch and whatever board you like.

In general Filco is at the top of the chain.

Like some others, I would like to suggest to you Brown switches too. They are slightly tactile, and you may actually like them. Its very subtle tactility. I at first thought I'd be going for reds, but ended up getting browns because I liked the feel of them.

Welcome to GH.

[Difesa]

I went ahead and ordered the WASD with red switches.  I did think about the browns, however I tried some blues once and I absolutely hated them; while I know browns are extremely different, I figured I would go as far in the opposite direction from those I could.  

At worst I'll resell and possibly try a Filco brown.

Will update when it comes in; I'm sure each of you wait with bated breath to hear how I like my keyboard.

[Tony]

Filco/WASD red or brown will be your choice.

I am using a Filco brown and I like it very much. I heartily recommend it for a first purchase.

[Ovoxo]

Based on your Criteria:

For full size I would suggest a WASD Custom v1 in Black switches.  ( or red )  (Allows customization and every bit as good or better than Filco)

For a TKL I would suggest a Filco in Black from Amazon (Red switch is very hard to find)

For a TKL Red I would suggest a CMStorm Rapid Fire from PCHOME.



FYI , the tactile bump in browns are so slight as to be a great " all around" switch with a feeling of pressure between a black and a red.


Welcome to GH

You can purchase the CMStorm Rapid Fire w/ Red switches directly from CM Store now. $89.99 plus shipping.