Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard?

[WakeMeIPlan]

I have a friend who's on a budget and he wants one. Preferably cherry.

[CPTBadAss]

If layout doesn't matter and used keyboards are fine, there are TG3 keyboards that go for like $30-40 on eBay. I think Monoprice has a keyboard that I've seen at about $40 too.

[SpAmRaY]

currently $25 free shipping, mx blacks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-USB-TG3-Electronics-Keyboard-w-Touchpad-Mouse-Buttons-KBA-nBLTA-QTY-AVAIL-/121266006222

[WakeMeIPlan]

Sorry, layout matters. What's the cheapest full sized?

[IvanIvanovich]

Those TG3 are pretty sucky really. G80-8200LPBUS at least has NKRO so can be used for gaming and is much more standard. Or can spend more for other version with MUCH nicer doubleshot keycap.

[Linkbane]

Sorry, layout matters. What's the cheapest full sized?

Rosewill has some really cheap boards, and Newegg usually has some steep discounts. I've seen them for under $50, and it's got a standard layout.

[heedpantsnow]

I've demoed a Rosewill board, and the quality wasn't bad.

[intelli78]

The CM Storm QFR, of course, is commonly considered the best "bang for your buck." It's not dirt cheap (~$80), but if he can budget a little more, he'll probably be a lot happier.

[Linkbane]

The CM Storm QFR, of course, is commonly considered the best "bang for your buck." It's not dirt cheap (~$80), but if he can budget a little more, he'll probably be a lot happier.

$80 is exorbitant for a QFR, it's mostly worth it when you buy for $50 or so on discount. Also he did ask for a full-size.

[1pq]

Those TG3 are pretty sucky really. G80-8200LPBUS at least has NKRO so can be used for gaming and is much more standard. Or can spend more for other version with MUCH nicer doubleshot keycap.

^^
listen to this guy
that 8200 with doubleshots is much better than anything else you'll get for $65. I believe it's PCB mounted as well so if you ever get into modding, it will make your life a lot easier.

[aref]

The CM Storm QFR, of course, is commonly considered the best "bang for your buck." It's not dirt cheap (~$80), but if he can budget a little more, he'll probably be a lot happier.

+1 on the CMQFR. Last I looked, MX Blue switches are the lowest priced on this KB. Market demand/trend seems to affect price on Cooler Master's keyboards.

[dorkvader]

Those TG3 are pretty sucky really. G80-8200LPBUS at least has NKRO so can be used for gaming and is much more standard. Or can spend more for other version with MUCH nicer doubleshot keycap.

^^
listen to this guy
that 8200 with doubleshots is much better than anything else you'll get for $65. I believe it's PCB mounted as well so if you ever get into modding, it will make your life a lot easier.

I have bought several (4 or 5) of the 8200s with doubleshots, and I don't like them. The PCB flexes in the middle and is not well supported. The case is also pretty cheap. The switches, keycaps and cable are very well made; whereas the PCB, case and internal connectors are very cheap and poor.

That said, they can be had for cheap, and will get you NKRO. Used cherry browns are pretty decent switches to start with as well.

[MissMurd3r84]

The CM Storm QFR, of course, is commonly considered the best "bang for your buck." It's not dirt cheap (~$80), but if he can budget a little more, he'll probably be a lot happier.

$80 is exorbitant for a QFR, it's mostly worth it when you buy for $50 or so on discount. Also he did ask for a full-size.

Lol. They were over $100 here in Australia.

[Linkbane]

The CM Storm QFR, of course, is commonly considered the best "bang for your buck." It's not dirt cheap (~$80), but if he can budget a little more, he'll probably be a lot happier.

$80 is exorbitant for a QFR, it's mostly worth it when you buy for $50 or so on discount. Also he did ask for a full-size.

Lol. They were over $100 here in Australia.

I feel for you Australians, but doesn't mechkb sell boards at decent prices there?

[Tony]

I bought two Compaq MX 11800s for $20 each.

[MissMurd3r84]

The CM Storm QFR, of course, is commonly considered the best "bang for your buck." It's not dirt cheap (~$80), but if he can budget a little more, he'll probably be a lot happier.

$80 is exorbitant for a QFR, it's mostly worth it when you buy for $50 or so on discount. Also he did ask for a full-size.

Lol. They were over $100 here in Australia.

I feel for you Australians, but doesn't mechkb sell boards at decent prices there?

Their prices aren't too bad. No idea why Australia got stuck with such big QFR prices though, not that anywhere seems to still stock them.

[Hak Foo]

Gotta agree on the 8200... it's a big board, and it flexes pretty badly.  You also have a mildly nonstandard layout in the numpad area and the ISO Enter.

You might look at the DSI ASK-6600U; it's more conventional and pretty cheap, but has ALPS switches instead of Cherry.

[dorkvader]

Gotta agree on the 8200... it's a big board, and it flexes pretty badly.  You also have a mildly nonstandard layout in the numpad area and the ISO Enter.

You might look at the DSI ASK-6600U; it's more conventional and pretty cheap, but has ALPS switches instead of Cherry.

Not all have ISO enter. A small number of them have ANSI enter. They are harder to find though.

[thesentinel]

I'm not sure if this is a good suggestion, but I've heard good things about the Poseidon keyboard. It costs 80 bucks and is a full sized board and I haven't heard one bad thing about it.

EDIT: Er, turns out it only comes in brown and red. Though unlike the competitor (CM Storm), it has less branding and a less hideous font. And backlight, which is either good or bad.

[Charizard^]

Monoprice with Cherry MX Blues is sub $60. I have heard that they are OK. Its also fullsize.