Need help switching from membrane to mechanical keyboard

[Cpt. Velcro]

Hi, I am currently thinking of getting myself a corsair K70 or corsair strafe mechanical keyboard though I don't know which switch to get? I have tested the rapidfire K70 and it wasn' something I liked.  Anyone have any suggestions? Really need some advice.

[katushkin]

Everyone is different.

I dont think that your switch type should be determined by what you use your board for. I game on clicky switches, tactile switches, have done on buckling spring before (not recommended). Depending where you live you have a number of options. You could go into a store that sells mechanical keyboards and try some out and see what you like, you could buy a switch tester from a site such as Coolermaster or off ebay or similar with kailh and cherry switches in, or you could attend a meet up and try some out there.

[Cpt. Velcro]

Hey thanks for that I am currently in school and will be doing some typing and LOTS of gaming on the weekends. What would you recommend? I dont know any good mechanical keyboard places. Where could I test mx red, mx browns, and so on. I went to best buy to try but theres only the rapidfire keyboard and razers. I HATE RAZER to loud. So I am know stuck on what to do.

[katushkin]

Hey thanks for that I am currently in school and will be doing some typing and LOTS of gaming on the weekends. What would you recommend? I dont know any good mechanical keyboard places. Where could I test mx red, mx browns, and so on. I went to best buy to try but theres only the rapidfire keyboard and razers. I HATE RAZER to loud. So I am know stuck on what to do.

Well, I'm a fan of tactile switches. I like the feedback, the fact they aren't too loud, and the weight of lots of them. I really detest linear but like I say, everyone is different. Well, i'm not sure where you live, and being in school you might struggle to travel to somewhere that might have boards, maybe you would be better off ordering a switch tester? I've not tried the new Razer switches so I'm not sure what they are like, but I'm pretty sure now they use their own switches so you wont find them in any other brand's boards.

[_rubik]

When I was in school the k70 with cherry browns was my first mechanical keyboard. That being said, I'm not sure if it was really a good fit for me. I don't ever use a numpad, but I use dedicated arrow keys a lot. As for switches, I love a good tactile bump but high pitched clicks really get under my skin. So.. TKL (or smaller) with tactile switches are my preference. I reiterate... my preference.

I would look, in detail, at what you do or don't like. Like... down to the individual keys. It's all preference. See if you can test various boards in person, or try to get a switch tester if you can't. Keep it simple though and look at switches and layout.. not caps or leds.

[tp4tissue]

- Ergodox

[SamirD]

I went to best buy to try but theres only the rapidfire keyboard and razers. I HATE RAZER to loud. So I am know stuck on what to do.

Actually, you just started on the long road--try switches and see what you like/don't like.  What about the Razers did you not like?  Was it the click?  Was it the sound when the keycap hit the plate?  Once you start figuring out what you like/don't like, then you can start looking around for things you might like and try them.  That's kinda the process and it involves a lot of searching and buying stuff and then selling it off to get something else to try.  But the meetups can be a great way to try out a bunch of stuff.

[Duckyreddy]

I went to best buy to try but theres only the rapidfire keyboard and razers. I HATE RAZER to loud. So I am know stuck on what to do.

Actually, you just started on the long road--try switches and see what you like/don't like.  What about the Razers did you not like?  Was it the click?  Was it the sound when the keycap hit the plate?  Once you start figuring out what you like/don't like, then you can start looking around for things you might like and try them.  That's kinda the process and it involves a lot of searching and buying stuff and then selling it off to get something else to try.  But the meetups can be a great way to try out a bunch of stuff.

I have to agree!  meetups are great for trying out a bunch of switches and getting a taste of everything, as an alternative, you could also find some friends and people at school with Mechanical keyboards and chat them up and even try out their boards! 

[Cpt. Velcro]

Hey thanks everyone for your replies. I got my hands on a razer orange switch which felt good though i dont like build quality so I think browns or the mx speed silver/ rapidfire keys.

[SamirD]

Check out this article.  I think it will help get you grounded in the basics.  The only thing I found wrong with the article was that Topre requires more than 5g of actuation force:
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/mechanical-keyboard-switches,review-4154.html

[matt-taco]

Everyone is different.

I dont think that your switch type should be determined by what you use your board for. I game on clicky switches, tactile switches, have done on buckling spring before (not recommended). De

I wouldn't say BS aren't good for gaming, really worn Ms I'd say no. For a price point, a floss mod ( I cut up a classical guitar's e string since I had helped replace strings on the crappy school guitars) m2 are brilliant for gaming. I had a lot of about 6 broken ones I fixed and sold off 4 of them. I had two friends buy one, one thought it was ok, one loved it. He actually had a k70 with reds he stopped using except for lat night gaming. I personally use a f107 to game, but that's beside the point.

[Tom_Kazansky]

Hi, I am currently thinking of getting myself a corsair K70 or corsair strafe mechanical keyboard though I don't know which switch to get? I have tested the rapidfire K70 and it wasn' something I liked.  Anyone have any suggestions? Really need some advice.

Hey thanks everyone for your replies. I got my hands on a razer orange switch which felt good though i dont like build quality so I think browns or the mx speed silver/ rapidfire keys.

switching from membrane, if you really want to feel the "mechanical" feel, go with Blue switch.

my first board has brown switch (similar to razer orange switch) but it don't feel quite "mechanical", later I switch to blue switch and fell in love with its "mechanical" feel.

my brother have a CM Storm Ultimate blue switch for ~3 years and it still is strong, no problems at all (it's actually a "leftover" from me), so I can recommend you CM boards.
I also owned an IKBC G104 for a while, it's good but I sold it later to build my later board.
I cannot comment on other brands though.