Quality Cooler Master CM Storm Quick Fire Pro

[Element2k3]

Hey guys (and girls)!

I'm still a greenhorn here, but I spent the last couple of days reading geekhack and I hope you can help me. I use a Microsoft Natural 4000 (bought in 2007) which slowly is diying on me. So I got a Sidewinder x4 (seen that it has almost only good reviews on the net) and after typing on it for a day, I decided to send it back. The reason was, that it feels cramped and the spacebar is way too long (have to use a lot of Alt+Gr).
So I thought to get a mechanical - used to own and type on it in the 90's - and I'm pretty sure to exactly know what I want: MX-red. I prefer no clicky noise like the blue and bottom out the keys is fine to me. So, what is my problem? Well, I kinda like the design of the Cooler Master CM Storm Quick Fire Pro which in Europe I could get with reds. But I read that quiet a few users weren't happy with the quality and decided to send it back. Now, was it because they might be spoiled by Filco and so on, or is the keyboard really that bad? So it would be great, if some Pro owners could help me out. On a different forum Carter (the CM guy), confirmed that they got like lots of DOA but in 19 out of 20 it was mainly because people didn't plug the usb cable all the way in (appearantly it makes "click"). Will I be happy for like the next 10 years with the Pro and it's quality or should I get the Trigger and use MX-black instead of reds? And if so, do you think the blacks could be too heavy?

Rapid isn't really an option because it's TKL.


Forgot: I rarely play games and do a lot of 3D (Maya) and coding.

[boredgunner]

I think the problem with the QF Pro might be QC on the part of iOne.  I've had both a QuickFire Rapid (Costar, said to be just as good as a Filco) and a QuickFire Pro.  The quality was excellent on both.  They were both hefty and solid, no flex, scratch resistant, and I couldn't complain about the build quality.  The Pro had better feeling keycaps due to texturing (personal preference).  The only downsides I found were that you can't enter the BIOS if in NKRO mode (not much of a problem though), and it doesn't support PS/2.  I still recommend the QF Pro, and as for blacks being too heavy, that's for you to decide.  Some find them to be too heavy, others say they're just right and reds are too light.

[Element2k3]

So as long as I don't get a bad one, it should be fine...That sounds really good - thanks for that!
Is that with NKRO and BIOS a normal and known thing?

[m00nshake]

I was one of the ones that sent the QF Pro back. The usb cord is tricky to connect in securely, and mine didn't work at first even though I thought I had it plugged in securely. I reconnected the usb again more carefully and it worked. Also, as has already been stated, it doesn't support ps2 at all, I tried it and it didn't work. It's an Ione board where the QF Rapid is a costar board, and I was really hoping on a full deck version of the WF Rapid. Also it only has partial backlighting. I think the main reason I returned it is because if you want to replace the key caps, I couldn't get a regular WASD space bar to fit on it with the alt keys. You could fit the alt keys but not the space bar, or the space bar and not the alt keys. I'm not sure if the space bar is just a slight bit smaller of what. Also the Windows/FN key are 1x1 keys and so any set that you get will have to have some other modifiers on that row otherwise you will have a mismatching set.

[Element2k3]

I see, but for someone like me, who isn't into customising/modding the keyboard, would you reccomend it? And the partial backlight isn't a problem - I actually think it looks good.

[m00nshake]

I see, but for someone like me, who isn't into customising/modding the keyboard, would you reccomend it? And the partial backlight isn't a problem - I actually think it looks good.

Why not just get a fully backlit keyboard? The Ducky Shine 2 is coming to NA in around a week.

[Element2k3]

It looks nice for sure. But I do live in Germany and it is really a pain to get a MX-red for a normal price over here. So my choice is very limited, unfortunately. And after reading about the Vengeance keyboard, my choice of MX-red got reduced to the Pro. That's why I'm so curious about the quality

[m00nshake]

Ok I understand if you don't have many choices. I'm just nitpicking, that's all. It felt solid enough and should fit your needs since you like the back lighting, it's red cherry mx, and it's not too expensive. Go for it, it's not a terrible board or anything.

[Element2k3]

Actually, I really apreciate what you did. I also don't understand why CM sells the pro only with red and the trigger only with black switches. While you guys get all the choice you want.

But thanks to both of you. Looks like I will be ordering a pro then

[stingrae]

You do a ton of data entry? I mean really the rapid is a solid board so sad you can't consider that

[tp4tissue]

Yea dude, iONE is total bullocks. The black widow fiasco till this day, still not fixed. And I believe the Corsair K90 and K60 key problems are also due to iONE's faulty production. AND its impossible to fix the K60 and K90. Very disappointing.

[Element2k3]

You do a ton of data entry? I mean really the rapid is a solid board so sad you can't consider that

Well, not a ton like an accountant but if I have to do anything with numbers, I prefer to use the numpad because I'm pretty fast with it. In that case I would have to order it on amazon and test it. Is the quality difference between the Rapid and the Pro so big and evident? And is the size of the QWERTY the same size as the PRO?

Yea dude, iONE is total bullocks. The black widow fiasco till this day, still not fixed. And I believe the Corsair K90 and K60 key problems are also due to iONE's faulty production. AND its impossible to fix the K60 and K90. Very disappointing.

Did you have the Pro or are you talking of your general experience with iONE keyboards? Would it be better to spend the extra 20 Euro and get the Trigger with MX-black instead?

Just found out, that the with the Rapid I could choose between red and black

[Hyde]

Though consider the price $100 then use the coupon code storm_keyboard30 to get 30% off and free shipping.  At $70 you can't get a full size MX Red board anywhere so if I didn't already own a MX Red board I'd totally buy one.  Honestly for $70 you can't go wrong.

Oh keep in mind that Carter mentioned the coupon code is for overclock.net and geekhack community, so don't spread it on other forums

[Element2k3]

Though consider the price $100 then use the coupon code storm_keyboard30 to get 30% off and free shipping.  At $70 you can't get a full size MX Red board anywhere so if I didn't already own a MX Red board I'd totally buy one.  Honestly for $70 you can't go wrong.

Oh keep in mind that Carter mentioned the coupon code is for overclock.net and geekhack community, so don't spread it on other forums

Unfortunately, the code doesn't work in Europe....and here, I can get the Rapid and Pro for 77 Euro each and 98 Euro for the Trigger with MX-black

[tp4tissue]

I don't own the coolermaster PRO, however, I've had 2 broken black widow regulars, and 1x broken black widow ultimate, a k60 and K90 both with repeat key problems, likely produced by iONE based on the layout.

All the razer widows were produced by iONE.  so Fvck iONE>

[ih8]

I didn't like the way the pro felt, the rapid feels 10x better and more solid IMO

[Hyde]

Unfortunately, the code doesn't work in Europe....and here, I can get the Rapid and Pro for 77 Euro each and 98 Euro for the Trigger with MX-black

Ahhhhhhh that sux, in that case then yeah it's up to you.  Personally I don't like MX Black (too heavy for me) and I'm using a MX Red now.  Also I've tried Blackwidow before and I keep hitting the macro key by accident so I know I don't like macro keys.  But I think you mentioned in the original post that you want macro key for gaming right?

Though I'd actually suggest you just get a Filco from Keyboard Company.  I think in the long run it's worth it also shipping shouldn't be too bad on your side I think.  Also based on personal experience if your first board is not Filco, you'll wonder how Filco is and why it's hyped up so much and end up buying it eventually lol.

My first board is Das MX Brown, 2nd board is Filco MX Red.  Now I'm waiting for either a Costar Backlit board to come up or maybe try Topre next year.

[Element2k3]

I don't own the coolermaster PRO, however, I've had 2 broken black widow regulars, and 1x broken black widow ultimate, a k60 and K90 both with repeat key problems, likely produced by iONE based on the layout.

All the razer widows were produced by iONE.  so Fvck iONE>

Gee, no surprise that you don't like iOne. And you guys, you almost convinced me to get the Rapid....

Unfortunately, the code doesn't work in Europe....and here, I can get the Rapid and Pro for 77 Euro each and 98 Euro for the Trigger with MX-black

But I think you mentioned in the original post that you want macro key for gaming right?

Not at all....I actually was looking for one with numpad. So I avoided using the numpad for the last couple of hours...

Btw, looking at the pictures of the Rapid and Pro, the Rapid looks really dark while the Pro looks more greyish. How is it in real?

[boredgunner]

Btw, looking at the pictures of the Rapid and Pro, the Rapid looks really dark while the Pro looks more greyish. How is it in real?

The normal Rapid is grey, while the MX Red version is black.  The Pro reflects more light since the surface is textured plastic, while the Rapid is rubber coated.  The Pro is pretty dark, much darker than the normal Rapid.

[stingrae]

I mean the trigger is also a costar board (confirmed by carter) but it has to use cherry stabilizers (for big keys) which most people dislike the feel of.

I mean as one person said, you probably win in the long run by just going for a filco or a das model s (not the new media version), price sucks but they are really nice boards...simplistic and functionally correct. Also nothing wrong with getting a ninja as keycaps will stay a bit better looking for a while .

If you do however just be happy, or else you end up with 3+ keyboards lol!

[Element2k3]

I mean the trigger is also a costar board (confirmed by carter) but it has to use cherry stabilizers (for big keys) which most people dislike the feel of.

I mean as one person said, you probably win in the long run by just going for a filco or a das model s (not the new media version), price sucks but they are really nice boards...simplistic and functionally correct. Also nothing wrong with getting a ninja as keycaps will stay a bit better looking for a while .

If you do however just be happy, or else you end up with 3+ keyboards lol!

Well, seen that I'm living in Germany, they are really expensive. Would need to get them from the UK. The Ninja Majestouch-2 costs 205 USD without shipping while the TKL costs 195 USD. And that is a bit too much even for a filco. I'm not using the numpad since last night and I'm pretty fine with it. So the Rapid is actually a very strong option which makes the decision even more difficult. The price difference is just a few euro too.

Rapid pro: The Rapid with MX-red looks really, really nice and the build quality seems to be a bit better than the Pro
Rapid contra: Well, not really much...maybe the fact that it only uses usb 1.

Pro pro: The FN-key can be locked so that the media keys can be used like dedicated keys.
Pro contra: The built quality seems to be really good but not as good as on the Rapid.


EDIT:
Just cancelled my standing order for the Pro and ordered the Rapid instead. Looking forward to find out if it was the right decision.