Looking for First Mechanical Keyboard

[matiez]

I just got done building my first High-End gaming PC and am looking for a High-end keyboard to go with it. I decided to go with a Mechanical due to build quality and minimalist design (so, obliviously don't want the Razr Black Widow). I've never used a Mechanical keyboard save for many years ago on an old Mono-chrome.

My gaming centers around all genres, but I tend to play MMOs the most (still, no to the Razr). I don't do a whole lot of typing, but may plan on getting my Master's within the next decade (within the lifecycle of a Mechanical, as I've read).

My current thoughts are between the SteelSeries 6GV2 and the Das Keyboard Ultimate. The fact that the SteelSeries does not allow you to change its angle is almost a deal breaker as I only type with the keyboard stand out. I currently have no complaints about the Das Ultimate.

I was looking for suggestions, testimonials, and overall advice.

[thegunner100]

Why have you limited yourself to those two? What price range are you looking for? Have you thought about getting a filco, leopold, wasd, rosewill, or a cm quickfire? What switches are you looking for as well?

[matiez]

For price range, I don't want to spend over $150.

For switches, I'm not sure what I would prefer. I don't know how each switch feels to make a determination. Overall, I've read that Cherry Brown switches are to be avoided, Cherry Black are stiff and preferred by FPS gamers, and Cherry MX Blue are preferred by RTS gamers. From this perspective, I would say the Cherry MX Blue would be the preferred switch.

I haven't limited my selection to these two keyboards, these are just the two that I have liked so far. I haven't read about WASD, Leopold or CM Quickfire. I looked past Filco because I heard they are hard to find in the US. Rosewill to me speaks mid-range quality. I could be completely off my rocker here, as I have no experience with Rosewill merchandise.

I am open to any suggestions for keyboards other than the 6Gv2 or the Das Ultimate. I mentioned them to get testimonials for those who have used them.

[histevenhere]

Ok, I have had the Das Ultimate for about a 9-10 months. Blue switches are great for RTS games such as SC2 and games like League of Legends because you don't spam the key much like a FPS game. Typing on the blue switches are very good because you can 'feel' when they register, it also makes a fine noise when you bottom out[but I use o-rings with blue to stop the bottoming out when gaming]. Das Keyboard Ultimate is worth the price, however the glossy look does get a bit annoying. I scratched my keyboard about 1mm with a screw driver mistake during modding and I've been bothered by it since. The dust on the gloss isn't a big issue if you leave a cover on it overnight like I do. I'm looking for a red switch keyboard for gaming and thinking about using the Das for specifically typing. Hope this helps you in some way lol.

[Livevil]

I wouldnt really say brown would be avoided, mostly its just your personal preference on what you think you will like. I also just got my first board a filco with blue switch and I have also ordered a brown. I did this becuase my gf sometimes is in the room with me so I think the blues will drive here nuts. But I would say also that depends on your enviroment, if you have people around you blues audable sound mite bug them, but if not and you want a switch with audable and tactile feed back I would go with blues, but if you do mind the audable feed back and only want tactile feed back then go brown. I have also read that black after long game sesions can make your fingers tired due to the force take to press them. Then there are reds witch are harder to find but do not have and audable feed back or tactile they are like the black but without so much force to press down. So basically it ls just your choice on what switch you think you will like the most from these choices there are more switches out there but these are the ones I have read on the most. Sorry if some of this is kinda mixed up, Im writing this up on my iphone.

[thegunner100]

I dont think that you should avoid browns, they're really nice to type on if you like the tactile feedback. But of course, you cant test that unless you actually try one... red switches are very nice for MMOs so that you dont have to deal with the tactility.

Filcos are available on amazon for $150 shipped. WASD and Rosewill have costar boards, so they are similiar quality to filcos. Leopolds are really good quality too, and there's a sale going for the white ones atm at elitekeyboards.

If you intend on going for blues, why not give the CM quickfire a try? NCIX has a sale for them today and $65 is a steal for a mech keyboard. I ordered one for myself to try out MX blues.
 http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=67069&vpn=SGK%2D4000%2DGKCL1%2DUS&manufacture=COOLERMASTER&promoid=1029.

[dreamingftw]

+1 To the CM quickfire with blues. $65 is a steal for a high quality board.

[matiez]

I have to pass on the Quickfire for lack of a num pad. The price is amazing, though. After all of the suggestions and a couple of hours reading reviews on all the suggestions, I think I'm going to purchase the Das Keyboard Ultimate. The decision was made based on the Das having blank keys and being cheaper than the WASD keyboard.

[Dajm]

I bought a Razr Blackwidiow Ultimate (blue switches) about half a year ago for at home and got a Das Ultimate Silent (brown switches) 3 weeks ago for work.

I find both switches great to type on, with a slight personal preference towards the browns right now.

But the main difference for me is the noise. The blues are LOUD. With somebody in the same room or the same appartment, they will definitely notice it and may be annoyed by it. (It even annoys ME sometimes)
If I had to do it again, I'd go with brown switches on the Razr (they have such a version now, but they didn't at the time I bought mine). It's still clicky and loud enough, but much more civilized than the blue switches.

Just my 2 cents...

Oh, and if you decide to go with the Das Keyboard, don't forget to use their 20% educational discount, if you're enrolled in a school.