Help with first keyboard :)

[bMind]

Ok..At fist I asked here..but without much feedback so I decided to start my own topic

I want to buy my first mechanical keyboard. I'm opting for Ducky DK9008G2 Pro with PBT caps (when I saw dark gray with blue combo I almost fell from the chair) or a Ducky Shine II/III. Both will come with Browns I guess. For a first mech keyboard I think they will be ok since I use the keyboard like 60% for typing (programming to be exact) and rest is games.

Now the question. Is backlight really worth it or not. I do feel that it's just a gimmick and not a game changer really..but on the other hand it does look so freaking awesome! Price is fairly the same, at least with Shine II, so no significant difference here.

Other thing that is problematic for me is shipping. Well..I'm not living in US so this gets tough. I wrote to mechanicalkeyboards.com and got answer that shipping to Poland will cost around 55$..so almost 1/3 of the keyboard..awesome..

So I started to look for alternatives. I can get a CM Storm QuickFire Rapid or TK here with Browns, but both are TKL and since I will use this keyboard only at home I won't benefit much from the smaller size in terms of portability. So more reasonable is to get full keyboard I guess. I know they have XT, Trigger and Pro, but I'm not convinced to those for some reason. Maybe I just like the Ducky colors and was reading your opinions million times There is also Filco that I try to get somewhere with more reasonable shipping costs maybe (keyboardco.com for example).

Also there is case of stabilizers, Costar vs Cherry ones. Though I think I probably won't feel and be able tell the difference since this will be my first mechanical keyboard. So I guess this is not a point for or against any of the options.

[PointyFox]

Switch choice shouldn't be determined by activity.  It's more about *how* you type and how you want them to feel.

Backlighting is for aesthetics.  Is the coolness worth it to you?  I don't like it personally.  I find it unnecessary. 

Check out keyboardco.co.uk, maybe they offer better shipping.

TKL keyboards have more advantages than portability.  They give you more desk/mouse room and allow the option of having a separate numpad that you can position anywhere. 

XT, Trigger, and Pro don't seem to be as high quality as the QFR.  QFR has the same build quality as Filco.

Difference between stabilizers:

Cherry:
-Stiffer
-Doesn't hold the keys as level
+Easier to swap keycaps
+Gets smoother with use

The differences are pretty minor however.

[rowdy]

Browns are often a good middle ground if you are unsure which switch you prefer, and are not in a position to try different keyboards.

I have trouble getting things shipped to Australia some times.

I did buy a KeyCool from qtan, shipped from China.  Very nice board (look in Reviews for some, well, reviews.  Shipping from China might be a bit cheaper for you.

[Thimplum]

Don't even bother with that other stuff. Get a real keyboard.


Get the G81...

#MY4LIFE

[rowdy]

Don't even bother with that other stuff. Get a real keyboard.


Get the G81...

#MY4LIFE

Have you embraced The Way of the Moose?

[Thimplum]

Don't even bother with that other stuff. Get a real keyboard.


Get the G81...

#MY4LIFE

Have you embraced The Way of the Moose?

No.

I have seen the true light.

[Tony]

I'd get CM QFR brown switch if I were you. Then I buy another USB keypad to use when necessary.

[bMind]

Switch choice shouldn't be determined by activity.  It's more about *how* you type and how you want them to feel.

Backlighting is for aesthetics.  Is the coolness worth it to you?  I don't like it personally.  I find it unnecessary. 

Check out keyboardco.co.uk, maybe they offer better shipping.

TKL keyboards have more advantages than portability.  They give you more desk/mouse room and allow the option of having a separate numpad that you can position anywhere. 

XT, Trigger, and Pro don't seem to be as high quality as the QFR.  QFR has the same build quality as Filco.

Difference between stabilizers:

Cherry:
-Stiffer
-Doesn't hold the keys as level
+Easier to swap keycaps
+Gets smoother with use

The differences are pretty minor however.

Yeah, I do feel the same about the backlight. It definitely is a gimmick and something that is not essential just pure entertainment Never had a keybord with this kind of feature so that's why I'm considering.

I've read the same comments about build quality of XT, Trigger and Pro. Quickfire TK is also an option since it finally is available with Browns in stores in Poland (was out of stock for good few months).

As for stabilizers yeah..I've read that Costar gives more unified experience with non-stabilized keys while Cherry feels stiffer. So generally you can tell the difference when you're hitting Shift and a normal key.

TKL look soo sweet to me But I wonder if it's good as a first experience with mech keyboard. External numpad is good point but still..I don't know..

Browns are often a good middle ground if you are unsure which switch you prefer, and are not in a position to try different keyboards.

I have trouble getting things shipped to Australia some times.

I did buy a KeyCool from qtan, shipped from China.  Very nice board (look in Reviews for some, well, reviews.  Shipping from China might be a bit cheaper for you.

Oh I definitely have been looking there That's where I found this beauty!



That ruined my whole idea and plan of getting QFR TK or Rapid that I have available in stores in Poland.

KeyCool looks sweet, especially that it also has PBT keycaps and vesrions with/without backlit, TKL and full. Might look into it.

I'd get CM QFR brown switch if I were you. Then I buy another USB keypad to use when necessary.

That was my first plan. Well..second, first was getting QFR TK Still taking it under considerations, but I'm leaning heavily to Duckys.

One thing that I might add..can you recommend any Chinese shops? I realized that my friend is in China and returning next Wednesday..and if I'll be able to find a shop near where he is. If I'll make a decision today and not later than tomorrow I think I'll be able to arrange this.

sp. Sorry for the wall of text..

[bMind]

Sorry for double posting but just wanted to clear my mind a bit.

I think I'm maturing in the process of picking up my first keyboard I'm more and more leaning to Shine III. Reasons for this is that I know I will end up buying TKL either way (I absolutely love Filco with yellow keycaps, or with white ones that are laser etched). But for the first one I think I want something full size, something new and something awesome that I never had And Shine III will be perfect for this. It has leds, but also build quality that allows future mods and gives possibility to use custom key caps and keycaps sets.

Also..I think I realized what turned me down in backlit keyboards. They all come with black keycaps With the lights off it makes hard to read them. I do touch type but still I need to be able to read the keys without much hustle (and turning the backlit on). Solution for this are white keycaps that I've found on one of the Shine II versions. I just hope that they will make Shine III with the same ones. I know I can get keycaps separately but since I'm not living in the US I have much less flexibility with this than you guys. So I need to find the keyboard that will fit my needs (initial ones at least) out of the box.

Ok, end of whining. Getting back to reading GH

[bMind]

First..triple post, sorry

[Wall-Of-Text ON]
Ok. After issues with order of Ducky Shine 3 TKL from Tiger Imports I decided to get different keyboard. Not that I don't want Ducky anymore, but I was kinda fed up with the uphill battle with all the payment and shipping issues I had with TI.

So after lot of thinking..and I mean A LOT And being a pain in the ass for last few days asking a lot of simple/not simple questions (CPTBadAss should get a badge for patience ) I've pulled the trigger and ordered Filco Majestouch 2 with MX Browns from Amazon.

I seriously did consider getting QuickFire Rapid, but in the end decided to go with Filco. There was around $80 difference between them (total cost with tax/shipping). So in the end..why Filco?

First and most lame reason is that I hate the font on QFR Both are ABS, both are pad printed (I think) but at least Filco has the font that doesn't make me want to vomit when I see it I do touch-type for the most times, so it's not an issue while using the keyboard, but I just don't like how it makes the keyboard look. I know what you might say..'get QFR and replace the caps for the same price as Filco'. I agree, but I don't know for how long I will be 'stuck' with the keyboard I choose now. So I might be looking at the same caps for a long time..That's why I want the best 'out-of-the-box experience'.

Second thing is quality. This is subjective and based on information I've found here on GH since this is my first click-clack. I've read numerous posts from you guys about how PCB is double sided, how better are the soldering spots and soldering itself. Or how PCB is screwed to bottom of the case not just sits in place because it's pressed by top being screwed to bottom. Also I liked that the controller is replaceable and not soldered in the board itself. Though this might be also the case for QFR, I'm not sure. I know that those are not big differences and it's not like Filco is twice as good as QFR. I just didn't want to come to a conclusion in few months or more that 'darn, I wish I had bought Filco'. I also like the case of Filco more, even if they are almost virtually the same when it comes to dimensions etc. Also rubber coating is not something I like on computer peripherals. But that's personal point of view, others might like it.

But the most important thing is that whatever keyboard I'll pick I won't get a different one anytime soon. So I can't look at it like I'm getting QuickFire Rapid now but I will get Filco sooner or later. No, I probably wouldn't. Since I have no experience and I'm new to mechanical keyboards world, probably none of the things mentioned above would matter really if I would get QFR. But my curse is being methodological and I couldn't neglect all the things I've read about Filco. It's not some stupid urge of being 'premium'..just trying to be reasonable in my own way. And I kinda believe in one old saying..'poor people can't afford cheap things'
[Wall-Of-Text OFF]

If went through all my rumbling above and you're still here..wow, you're persistent one

I wanted to thank everyone for bearing with me and for all the help and support

[Tony]

Good decision. Filco is a wise choice for the keyboard for the poor who don't have a second chance.

[Belfong]

Ah, I saw this thread a bit too late. I wanted to tell you to start with a cheap keyboard first because you will definitely want a better keyboard in a month and you can surely make your way up. But now that you started with one of the better ones, Filco, I guess it's inevitable that you will want that HHKB! Your poor poor wallet.

[bMind]

Good decision. Filco is a wise choice for the keyboard for the poor who don't have a second chance.

Yeah. That's the case, I won't have a second chance for some time. And by 'some time' I don't mean weeks but more like months. But I know I will definitely upgrade at some point. Probably not to Ergodox, but maybe full custom board.

Ah, I saw this thread a bit too late. I wanted to tell you to start with a cheap keyboard first because you will definitely want a better keyboard in a month and you can surely make your way up. But now that you started with one of the better ones, Filco, I guess it's inevitable that you will want that HHKB! Your poor poor wallet.

Thanks Belfong, no worries. I know that I will another board, but not in a month, two or even five..because of my poor poor wallet And yeah, I know I narrowed my possibilities of progression, or rather not narrowed, but rushed But I believe I will be happy Also I think I won't get an upgrade as a next keyboard. I'm thinking about getting a backlit keyboard, like Ducky, Keycool or something, especially I've seen there is Keycool87II with magenta leds and I'm kinda crazy about that color lately But I would like to experiment with different switch type maybe since my Filco will come with Browns.

[Nakapfao]

When I bought my first mech, I first ordered a switch sampler and then waited forever to find a keyboard that I would like with the switches I chose (browns). I spent so damn long looking at different nice keyboards, though, that two months in I was just as lost as I had been before. Then I just decided to not break the bank, and got a QF Stealth for $60. It was a very snap decision, but since the board has come in, I never regretted it.

So, while I'm not going to recommend a specific board for you, my advice is to not get too obsessed with looking at every single board currently in production. As long as you get a mechanical keyboard with a decent reputation, you will be satisfied.

[bMind]

Yeah, I was considering keysampler. But what is killing me is the shipping cost to Poland, so I couldn't afford to get the sampler and then the keyboard in separate order. So I based my decision regarding switch type on what I was able to find on GH and on other forums. I picked MX Browns since they the safest pick I guess and a reasonable compromise between typing and gaming.

Either way Filco MJ2 is already on it's way (or rather will be) and I can't wait Also ordered white PBT keyset and RGYB modifiers from Banggood.com Can't wait for them too!

[bMind]

Yeah..well..no Filco for me I guess..

I recieved an email from Amazon seller Star Japan that the're out of Filcos and I should cancel my order. Which is load of crap beacause they still show 3 keyboards in stock. What is different is that it's not $188 as I bought it but $246! And this is the real reason if you ask me.

I dunno guys...but atm this is f*** annoying..

[Phillip_J_Fry]

Yeah..well..no Filco for me I guess..

I recieved an email from Amazon seller Star Japan that the're out of Filcos and I should cancel my order. Which is load of crap beacause they still show 3 keyboards in stock. What is different is that it's not $188 as I bought it but $246! And this is the real reason if you ask me.

I dunno guys...but atm this is f*** annoying..

I was going to advice you to order filco from keyboardco.com but I see that shipping + tax = £37.... =/

[Tony]

Try some other good online shop in China. I have bought 2 Choc mini remotely, and they turned out fine.

[bMind]

I was looking at TaoBao, but I don't get it Google translate doesn't help that much

I think will get either QFR with browns directly from Amazon ($114 with tax and shipping) or grab Keycool 87 II from somewhere (it does look sexy). I might also wait for Ducky 3 TKL but I don't know..I just want a good keyboard that will decent and give me options to mod

[Tony]

I was looking at TaoBao, but I don't get it Google translate doesn't help that much

Very easy. Google translate only makes it more difficult.

Here are the legends:

白色 / 黑色: white/black case colour

青轴 / 红轴 / 黑轴 / 茶轴 : blue/red/black/brown switch

You can search "Filco 黑色 茶轴" for example

[bMind]

Thanks! I'm affraid my search returns many results that look the same and all have "Filco 黑色 茶轴" on them And finding the keyboard is just first step, then I have to order it and don't mess up along the way I really wish they had an international site like Banggood (yeah I know I know..).

[Oobly]

I hope this doesn't throw a big spanner in the works, but you can get Ducky keyboards and accessories here: https://www.teraset.net/product_catalog.php?c=245

They are based in Europe, so no import duties and low shipping costs.

[Linkbane]

Thanks! I'm affraid my search returns many results that look the same and all have "Filco 黑色 茶轴" on them And finding the keyboard is just first step, then I have to order it and don't mess up along the way I really wish they had an international site like Banggood (yeah I know I know..).

轴 = axis (switch). Make sure that you're looking at the thing before this, because that indicates key switch color rather than '光', which indicates light.
黑 = black
茶 = tea (brown)
红 = red
青 = blue
绿 = green

[goobus]

I was looking at TaoBao, but I don't get it Google translate doesn't help that much

I think will get either QFR with browns directly from Amazon ($114 with tax and shipping) or grab Keycool 87 II from somewhere (it does look sexy). I might also wait for Ducky 3 TKL but I don't know..I just want a good keyboard that will decent and give me options to mod

If you want to mod I definitely do not recommend the Ducky S3, or any LED board for that matter. It is a real pain to desolder LEDs.  Also paying that much for a QFR, you may as well go Filco.

Another thing that may be relevant is if you want a white keyboard, filco's "white" is actually an off-white that I find quite disgusting.  Keycool makes pure white boards and also used costar stabilizers if that's your thing.

For TaoBao, I highly highly recommend going through a proxy like qtan. There are many frauds out there and some sellers even post items for which they have no stock. You can easily get scammed.

[Linkbane]

I haven't had issues with taobao before.
Also if you want to go with a certainly reputable vendor, CM still sells white TK's, which I wish I saw.
http://www.cmstore-usa.com/cm-storm-quickfire-tk-white-body-mid-size-led-mechanical-gaming-keyboard/
However, some don't like the layout. I like it, but again it's all preference.

[bMind]

Thanks! I'm affraid my search returns many results that look the same and all have "Filco 黑色 茶轴" on them And finding the keyboard is just first step, then I have to order it and don't mess up along the way I really wish they had an international site like Banggood (yeah I know I know..).

轴 = axis (switch). Make sure that you're looking at the thing before this, because that indicates key switch color rather than '光', which indicates light.
黑 = black
茶 = tea (brown)
红 = red
青 = blue
绿 = green

Thanks Linkbane! This is awesome Only problem is that finding the item is only the first step. Than all the shipping options, payment etc. That what scares me

If you want to mod I definitely do not recommend the Ducky S3, or any LED board for that matter. It is a real pain to desolder LEDs.  Also paying that much for a QFR, you may as well go Filco.

Another thing that may be relevant is if you want a white keyboard, filco's "white" is actually an off-white that I find quite disgusting.  Keycool makes pure white boards and also used costar stabilizers if that's your thing.

For TaoBao, I highly highly recommend going through a proxy like qtan. There are many frauds out there and some sellers even post items for which they have no stock. You can easily get scammed.

Well..I wouldn't say that Filco is close in terms of price. The cheapest I've found it on Amazon for $209, plus tax etc..So it's almost double the price. The order I was forced to cancel was $210 with shipping (express) and tax, so it was decent.

I haven't had issues with taobao before.
Also if you want to go with a certainly reputable vendor, CM still sells white TK's, which I wish I saw.
http://www.cmstore-usa.com/cm-storm-quickfire-tk-white-body-mid-size-led-mechanical-gaming-keyboard/
However, some don't like the layout. I like it, but again it's all preference.

I was considering QFTK, but came to conclusion that this integrated bumpad makes it cramped and I want standard TKL board.

Anyway..I'll ask qtan about Filco/Keycool and we'll see

Thanks again everyone for your contribution!

[goobus]

You should never be paying more than $150 pre-shipping for a Filco..try http://keyboardco.com/ since you're in Europe it may be your cheapest bet.

I don't think qtan will have Filcos but he definitely has KeyCools.  He also has the Noppoo Mid 87 which is an even cheaper option if you're not sure which switch you like..you could get 2 Noppoos for the price of 1 Filco.

He also has the Keycool 84 in stock, and I find that layout interesting for SC since the F row is so much closer to home row.  I have a Keycool 84 in white and it is pretty awesome.  Plate mounted, costar stabilizers, PBT (if white version) and POM (if black) keycaps.  Just a suggestion.

Try his online store here: http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/ or you could also PM him here.