need some help picking a keyboard

[moounit]

Im looking to get my first mechanical keyboard, but im having some trouble making a decision. I definitely want a tenkeyless. I have been looking at the leopold and the filco tenkeyless boards along with the ducky 1087. Ive also looked at the deck 82 and the noppoo choc mini. Generally speaking, the lower the price, the better (i a college student). The question is, is the filco really worth $40 more than the ducky, ect. ect. I am also looking for primarily black or brown switches as i am a gamer.

Thanks!

[itlnstln]

Maybe not $40 if you get a Ducky with PBT caps, but I would say that many people find the Filco stabilizers to provide a better feel than the Ducky's and Leopold's Cherry-style stabilizers, so perhaps.  If you're trying to save money, I would go with the Ducky (get the redesigned one from Tankguys when it comes out, the ones available now have had some QC issues) or the Leopold.  Otherwise, jump on a Filco (and maybe get some PBT caps for it at a later date).

[Fuzzy Dunlop]

Im looking to get my first mechanical keyboard

Me, too.

I have been looking at the leopold and the filco tenkeyless boards along with the ducky 1087. Ive also looked at the deck 82 and the noppoo choc mini.

I don't own any of the boards you've mentioned personally, however I've done a considerable amount of reading on this site and others. The general consensus seems to be:

Leopold = good quality, technically identical to Filco, but with less flare (no gold name plate, etc.) than Filco, and not as much rarity/caché
Deck = solid build quality, maybe not quite Leopold/Filco, backlit, great if you like the Razer cartoony high-tech aesthetic
Ducky = good quality, not quite Leopold/Filco but not far off, one of the better Chinese boards
Noppoo = decent quality, but not Filco

Out of those I lean toward the Leopold. Elite Keyboard replaced Filco with Leopold which does speak to the board's quality. Part of it is aesthetic. To me, the Leopold's stark appearance suggests an emphasis on strength and function.

Generally speaking, the lower the price, the better (i a college student).

I emailed the sales staff at Elite Keyboards recently. They get b-stock, which are products with minor damage to their packaging or tiny cosmetic defects; also, product returns. They sell them at a significant discount (I'm not sure how much exactly). According to Brian at EK, they have a number of b-stock Leopolds currently.

The question is, is the filco really worth $40 more than the ducky

The Filco price difference is a condition of it being a status symbol. If you're on a limited budget it's really not worth the extra $40 IMO.

I am also looking for primarily black or brown switches as i am a gamer.

What percentage of the time do you game vs. typing? If you're going from a stiff rubber dome keyboard to a mech one you might want to think twice about Black switches. They're ultra sensitive and require very little force to actuate, which is great if you're a hardcore gamer, but maybe not as much for typing school reports, etc. Browns are a nice compromise, not as loud as blues, and forgiving for n00bs.

[False_Dmitry_II]

meh tenkeyless. But yes, if there are PBT keys as an option DO THAT ONE.

[duncan]

If you aren't sure between Blacks and Browns then if the price is the same probably go for the Browns as the more 'medium' choice.

Blacks are a little bit of an acquired taste for many while most people seem to find Browns fairly unobjectionable as a middle of the road compromise.

But as with all things only you and your fingers can make the choice between the two but to do that you need to try both.

No easy answers here.