Author Topic: Which Keyboard? (Thread Disappeared?) (Read 1476 times)

CheddarTrek · « **on:** Mon, 23 April 2012, 04:50:10 »

Hey GeekHack, uh, I made a thread about an hour ago and it seems to have... gone on walk-about? I don't think it got moved, as my User Profile doesn't list it in my "recent posts," so I'm at a bit of a loss. Fortunately I still have it in my browser via the Back Button, so...

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Original Post:
I've been around for a while but haven't purchased a mechanical keyboard yet, mostly due to not having been able to find a place to try them at. I've currently got a Buckling Spring (but not a very nice one) and a Scissor Switch (my standard keyboard), but I'm ready to purchase a mechanical.

I tried Black, Red, and Blue Cherry MX switches at a Microcenter while on vacation recently. None of them seemed to be quite what I wanted, so I've been looking at Browns for my purchase (now that I've eliminated the others as something I want to spend an appreciable amount of money on).

Of these, which would you say is best? I don't care that much about how they look, just the quality and how they perform.

Ducky DK1087 - $80, Tenkeyless, Brown Cherry MX
QuickFire Rapid - $80, Tenkeyless, Brown Cherry MX
Rosewill RK-9000BR - $94, bit more expensive than I want, Fullsize, Brown Cherry MX

Also thought about picking up a Ducky Keyboard from that site with ALPS switches, like this or this for ~$50, but I haven't heard very good things about ALPS switches. I can read about them on this site or elsewhere, but I haven't really seen a good description of which of the Cherry Switches they feel like, if any. Suggestions there are welcome too. Oh -- and there are options for Black, Green, or White ALPS in the sub-$50 price range via that site.

Or is there a better option out there in the ~$80 market? I'm mostly looking at Browns but I'm not set on them. Right now I'm leaning towards the Ducky or the QuickFire. I know I'm probably overthinking it, but I don't want to have to go to the trouble of returning something, or reselling it, or dealing with issues. I'd prefer to get something I'll be relatively happy with the first time, as I'm unlikely to buy another keyboard for years.

Oh, and if there are Clears anywhere in that Price Range that might be awesome too, as I've been slightly concerned that the Browns will be too light, but eh, we'll see.

Still on the fence about Tenkeyless vs Fullsize -- I've never owned a Tenkeyless and don't really see the appeal in not having a Numpad, but if I did have it I might actually prefer the smaller size it would take up. So either/or on that.

Thanks

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Replies:

Quote from: TheProfosist

Why didnt you like all the cherry switches you tried? The reason i say this is because you have tried a few different kinds and just dont like it so possibly you dont like cherry mx switches all together.

Quote from: CheddarTrek

Hm, the complete lack of tactile feedback on the Black/Red switches was... disconcerting? I guess. I could probably have gotten used to it but I just found it to be weird.

The Blues felt better but the amount of clicking was ridiculous, it felt like a lot more than my old Model M used to do, and certainly more than the Black/Red did. I know that's because of the kinds of feedback they give, so it was somewhat expected, but still an irritant.

PixelVandalism · « **Reply #1 on:** Mon, 23 April 2012, 05:00:17 »

I'd go for a QFR, if you can handle the logos.
You can probably find one cheaper than $80

CheddarTrek · « **Reply #2 on:** Mon, 23 April 2012, 05:07:10 »

I don't think the Logo placement will bother me overmuch. I'd prefer not to have them but it's not an issue, as hardly anyone but me ever sees the keyboard anyway. So long as it's somewhat dark colored and not white

Thanks for the recommendation.

PixelVandalism · « **Reply #3 on:** Mon, 23 April 2012, 05:29:58 »

You will love the small form factor of tenkkeyless, I had a full size leopold, when I traded it for my TKL, I was so much happier with it.

captain · « **Reply #4 on:** Mon, 23 April 2012, 06:57:25 »

Yeah, try a CMStormQuickfire. They are almost a Filco for about half the price. Plus the CMSQ has a detachable USB cable, which is one of my biggest beefs with the Filcos. They also have the CAPSLOCK light in the key. They also have a totally different "Star Trek" font on the keycaps (which you'll either like or hate - I like it)

On the downside, I can feel a slight difference in build quality. I also do not like the damn CMStorm advertising all over the face of my keyboard. And the CMSQ don't have rubber feet on the flip-out risers.

Apparently there was YET ANOTHER GORRAM DATABASE ROLLBACK this morning. I'm not sure why I'm even bothering to post. It seems like utterly wasted effort around here these days. :-(

CheddarTrek · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 23 April 2012, 15:12:03 »

So CM Storm > Ducky 1087 all around? Seems to be the concensus, which is good to know! Also I take it that ALPS of Green/Black/White variety aren't popular, given the lack of commentary there, heh, which is also good to know.

FoxWolf1 · « **Reply #6 on:** Mon, 23 April 2012, 17:12:38 »

Avoid Ducky 10xx-series...it's just not well-made. Though, if you're okay with a keyboard where the frame wobbles side to side as you type, where the legs make it slide around crazily, where the bottom left corner cuts into your wrist, where the keys are made of a plastic that gets scratched if you so much as look at it funny, and where functionality begins to be lost after a couple of months of hard use, then by all means, go for it.

The ALPS themselves, though, at least the green ones I had in my 1008XM, actually felt pretty good. Mind you, they weren't terribly useful to me, since the wobbliness and high activation point meant I was getting a lot of accidental extra letters, but they definitely had a nice click to them.

CheddarTrek · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 23 April 2012, 17:24:58 »

Good to know! No Ducky for me.

Last concern -- the Browns don't feel like Rubber Domes do they? Just read someone complaining that their Browns felt hardly any different from typing on a Rubber Dome, and it scared me. I can't stand Rubber Domes, heh.

fstop · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 23 April 2012, 18:05:02 »

Quote from: CheddarTrek;580261

Good to know! No Ducky for me.

Last concern -- the Browns don't feel like Rubber Domes do they? Just read someone complaining that their Browns felt hardly any different from typing on a Rubber Dome, and it scared me. I can't stand Rubber Domes, heh.

Not at all.

I can't think of any MX switch that feels like rubber dome. Topres, on the other hand, feel similar to rubber domes (they are rubber dome switches after all).

smknjoe · « **Reply #9 on:** Sun, 29 April 2012, 00:12:59 »

I just got a Ducky 1087 with brown switches and it seems to be very sturdy. Definitely doesn't feel like rubber domes. I don't understand all of the hatred for the 1xxx series compared to the 9xxx series. How could there be such a huge difference in quality when it's the basically the same board without a numpad, or is it a completely different design?

One thing surprising to me was the feel, or lack of feel from the browns. I expected more of a "bump." It's there, but it's extremely faint and toward the bottom of the keystroke instead of the middle. Bottoming out is difficult to control when typing at any speed (for me.) Admittedly, this is my first mechanical keyboard in several years.

laffindude · « **Reply #10 on:** Sun, 29 April 2012, 00:29:00 »

It is a different case design. 1087's build quality is laughably bad compared to the 9000 series.

smknjoe · « **Reply #11 on:** Sun, 29 April 2012, 00:45:34 »

Reference please. Side by side would be nice.

laffindude · « **Reply #12 on:** Sun, 29 April 2012, 00:51:15 »

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:13122 Search moar.
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?13655-Ducky-9008-PBT-Mixed-Cherry-%28Blue-Black-Brown%29-with-Double-shots!
edit forgot the 2nd link.

smknjoe · « **Reply #13 on:** Sun, 29 April 2012, 01:08:50 »

Quote

1087's build quality is laughably bad compared to the 9000 series.

I've read this a hundred times on different sites (especially this one) and haven't seen any real proof - just reiterations.

Quote

Search moar.

I've already seen these posts. They still don't back up your claim. And the comparison in the first link is to a Filco not a 9000 Ducky (a pretty favorable comparison at that.)

laffindude · « **Reply #14 on:** Sun, 29 April 2012, 01:14:51 »

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5225087243_9f9d25e407_z.jpg oh did you?

How about I had both in my hands? [strike]If you want to go on believing your board is as good as quality as 9000 series or even other boards. Feel free.[/strike]
If you like it. Good. Don't let me stop you enjoying the board.

smknjoe · « **Reply #15 on:** Sun, 29 April 2012, 01:24:48 »

Quote

Overall this keyboard has a better overall quality feel than my Ducky 9008.

...from the Panda-r review you linked. http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:13122

I just don't see how there could be that big of a difference amongst the majority of opinions when comparing the 9000 and 1000. The only difference I have seen is the lack of a numpad. I have no proof other than pictures and specs. Do you have both boards? If so, what's the difference between the boards besides the numpad?

laffindude · « **Reply #16 on:** Sun, 29 April 2012, 01:40:42 »

I own/owned (GF use it as desk decoration) a 9008G2 Rabbit year edition, and looked at 1087 when I was at the shop. 9000 series had quality problems here and there as well. Look closely at the top surface of the 9000 series. It is a double clamshell that fits together. 1000 series uses a bottom clamshell and a top plate, and bad fitment is obvious there on some boards. Look between ESC and F1 since that's the most obvious place of where it fits together. Some people's mini USB connector are really badly aligned on the 1087.
As for the variable reviews. Look in that CM Storm thread, where someone claim Filco is vastly superior to the Rapid. That's laughable since I have both on my desk at this moment.

tp4tissue · « **Reply #17 on:** Sun, 29 April 2012, 01:43:09 »

Quote from: laffindude;585380

I own/owned (GF use it as desk decoration) a 9008G2 Rabbit year edition, and looked at 1087 when I was at the shop. 9000 series had quality problems here and there as well. Look closely at the top surface of the 9000 series. It is a double clamshell that fits together. 1000 series uses a bottom clamshell and a top plate, and bad fitment is obvious there on some boards. Look between ESC and F1 since that's the most obvious place of where it fits together. Some people's mini USB connector are really badly aligned on the 1087.
As for the variable reviews. Look in that CM Storm thread, where someone claim Filco is vastly superior to the Rapid. That's laughable since I have both on my desk at this moment.

The review said you can get a keyboard in china town, I've been to China town, I've never seen keyboards sold anywhere.

laffindude · « **Reply #18 on:** Sun, 29 April 2012, 01:44:37 »

I been to a town in China that sells keyboards. Does it count?

smknjoe · « **Reply #19 on:** Sun, 29 April 2012, 02:04:15 »

Are you sure you weren't in the "International District"?

Thanks for playing guys.

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Author Topic: Which Keyboard? (Thread Disappeared?) (Read 1476 times)