Corsair and Coolermaster: what a good Cherry kb should feel like?

[nick[0]]

Hi,

Because my Model M SSK has started glitching and needs to be repaired, I've started looking into Cherry keyboards.  I was fortunate enough to be able to try out MX red, black, blue, brown, and maybe greens at a local store.  Do Corsair and Coolermaster make keyboards that do a good job showcasing what a cherry MX-based keyboard should feel like?

With the exception of the red, all of them felt high friction and slow, and kind of like a dirty and worn out stair-climbing machine.  The blue was better, but to use the stair-climbing machine metaphor:  this one was smooth, but it was like someone was hitting you in the ankles with a stick to tell you to pick your leg up...with every step! ;-)  Seriously, I found it very disturbing!

What really surprised me was the only one I liked was the "DEVASTATOR II" which felt a really nice rubber dome.  Is that kind of like what a 45g Topre feels like?

[quasistellar]

Buckling spring to any Cherry MX is a downgrade for you in my opinion.

If you want something g comparable in quality and feel to your SSK, you'll probably have to step up to a 55g Realforce.
 I say 55g since you're probably used to a heavier switch now.
Or, just fix your SSK

[klennkellon]

Buckling spring to any Cherry MX is a downgrade for you in my opinion.

If you want something g comparable in quality and feel to your SSK, you'll probably have to step up to a 55g Realforce.
 I say 55g since you're probably used to a heavier switch now.
Or, just fix your SSK

I have to agree with this, no Cherry really matches buckling springs.

Linear ALPS are very good if you want to try linear, and of course 55g Topre is great.

[shortround]

You should maybe look into Unicomp boards. 

[FrostyToast]

I would say Model M buckling springs more like climbing a set of stairs as it's sluggish but has a nice smooth motion.
Then tactile Cherry is quick with little resistance but does catch on the upstroke like running through a forest riddled with roots.
And Topre needs no metaphor. They're just high quality domes.

[quasistellar]

You should maybe look into Unicomp boards.

That might be the best suggestion. I keep forgetting about them.

[klennkellon]

Alternatively, for $45 Phosphor will completely refurbish your Model M.

http://phosphorglow.net/

[rowdy]

Alternatively, for $45 Phosphor will completely refurbish your Model M.

http://phosphorglow.net/

+1

Really.

Comes out better than new.

[carmenohio]

I agree with everyone else, but if you do decide on getting a Cherry MX, do not get a Corsair.  Corsair keyboards do not have a standard bottom row, and don't buy into Corsair's bull**** marketing about how their keyboard is a premium product because they have an aluminum top plate, and everyone else has plastic.  Most Cherry MX keyboards are mounted to a metal plate, and have a plastic protective cover on top.  In actuality, Corsair's product is cheaper because they are leaving out a part (the protective top cover).

[FrostyToast]

Didn't realise you said ssk.
You could try and build an F SSK.
Or you could just repair the ssk and be happy with you life.

[Darkshado]

My understanding is that the OP needs something to tide him over until his SSK is fixed.

Depending on how time sensitive the situation is: either a full size Unicomp, or a locally sourced keyboard with (probably) MX switches. (Maybe a fellow GH'er local to him could lend something?)

That Cooler Master Devastator II is a "slider over membrane" keyboard: it has a plastic slider on top of a rubber dome that still needs to be fully depressed to actuate the switch. In this case, the slider is compatible with MX keycaps.

[FrostyToast]

If you're buying a keyboard, don't buy more of the same.
Get something different or else it's a waste of money.

[opensecret]

Corsair boards don't get much love on Geekhack, but I'm very happy with the K95 that I own. With o-ringed Cherry reds, it's quiet and feels light and precise.  (I also get a lot of use of the 18 macro keys on that board.)  I have a Model M, but I gave it to my wife because it feels heavy to me.  I've also got Topre (Realforce) and Alps (Northgate and Matthias) boards that I use regularly.  There's no one board that I think is superior to all other, and I enjoy variety in many things, including keyboards.