First time mechanical keyboard.

[Blizering]

HI guys, after reading a lot of the post and recommendations on this site i decided it was time to start a thread regarding my purchase of a  mechanical keyboard.
It's primary use will be for gaming though i will do a higher lvl of education after my holiday( in Holland there are 5 forms i did 3 and will be doing 4) wich will probably require me to type a lot for school.
The switches i think are most suited for me are either RED or BLACK switches made by cherry.
I am quite strong in m fingers because i play have been playing the piano now for almost 8 years. (16years old atm)
I do not have a lot of money for the keyboard and even if i could afford the keyboard shipping would eliminate it from my list of available mechs, just because it's so darn expensive to get something shipped to Holland.
i have looked at:
CM STORM QFR with red ( 90euro's at the cm store and not available from dutch retailers.
Steelseries 6GV2 which uses black switches. this one is in my budget and i may be able to try it out tomorrow.
i was also looking at the Keycool 87 with reds and black case though i don't know where i can order one.(except for all those asian sites i don't understand =S)
And last i was looking at a Qpad mk-50 with reds (not sure about this one, a lot of ppl seem to be meh about Qpad)
*also ten keyless is not a problem, but the mini layouts seem really cramped to me, do those miss any buttons?*

My budget is around 70 Euro's 80 would really stretch it.
I have also heard about a forwarding service from some members @ GH but i don't know how that would expand my options.

I'm sorry about this epic wall of text but i'm kind of lost in the dark and i need someone to show me the light. =)

[Blizering]

So i went to the store today and i did not get to try out the 6GV2 because they don't have it anymore....fml.
now i don't know how black switches feel like..
I was also thinking that if i get the 6GV2 the only drawback of that board would be the keycaps because i heard they fade quite easily, but getting new caps for the entire board would also be difficult since it uses a biggass enter key if I'm correct lol.
i did see a pic of a 6gv2 with whitecaps some where on GH but can't find it... if someone could point me to that thread or even better tell me what kind of caps those are and where i can order them would be much appreciated
because white keys on a blackbody just looks soooo good
lol

[dbdynsty25]

I think the fact that the 6gv2 uses non-standard keys would sway you from that purchase.  I also think the QF Rapid with either Red or Black switches would be a better purchase.  A few dollars cheaper (at least in the US) and you can pretty much use any keycaps that fit the Filcos/Leopolds/etc. which makes finding them THAT much easier.  I've got a QF Rapid w/ Reds and a Filco TKL w/ Blacks and both boards are fantastic.  So pick the switch that works best and just get a QF Rapid in that variation.  Assuming you don't need the number pad, it'll work out great for you and you won't be disappointed.

[Blizering]

Thanks for the reply,
Ye i siriously considererd the QFR with reds/blacks problem is, no local dutch retailer sells em to me nor do any only store's in europe sell them, that i thought were selling at a good price. =(
Not having a numpad is not an issue for me at all i think i used it once in the 2 years i got my g110 though I'm currently using apple keyboard(sciscorswitch or however that's spelled)
Cmstorm europe had the QFR for 90 euro's atm which is a lot compared to the 68/75 euro mark the 6GV2 is selling at, so does ordering from the USA using the forwarding service benefit me?

thanks again for the reply,new here so i didn't know i would get a reply so soon. =)

[Blizering]

so i searched a bit further,
Cm store USA sells the GFR with Reds for 90 us dollars as of today that's 71,96 euro's or 72 Euro's lol
Cm store NL (the dutch store) only sells the quick fire pro.... so that's a no go.
and then there are like some german retailers with sell it for 90 Euro's....
So it's either get the 6GV2(70 Euro's) with no option to replace the keycaps or,
I import the quick fire rapid from the us at 72 dollars AND shipping costs......decisions....

*edit

After looking some more on the Cm store USA site the Black switches are 10 bucks cheaper, since im quite strong in my fingers maybe that is the better switch to go?
80 US is 63 Euro's which is a VERY attractive price even with shipping that could be the better deal right? or am i missing something?
even if shipping is like 10 dollars i'd be good.

[Zamorph]

I would definitely try out black switches before pulling the trigger.  Most people do not like them, so selling it would be harder if you do not like it.  I feel like you cannot go wrong with blue, brown, or red switches.

[dbdynsty25]

Blacks are pretty easy to get used to if you DON'T try other switches.  Once you start getting the keyboard addiction tho (the first step is joining these boards), then you start trying a bunch of switches and you may find a switch you like better and then yeah, as Zamorph said, it's tough to flip black boards because they aren't for everyone.  That being said, I've got two black boards and a red...and I like all of them equally.  

[The_Beast]

Browns
Reds
Blues

My favorite from what I've personally tried, then again this list could change next week.

[laffindude]

or am i missing something?
even if shipping is like 10 dollars i'd be good.

VAT. Add 19%.

[PixelVandalism]

Get a keycool from qtan?
Would probably be the best option for you.

[Blizering]

thank you guys, will look into the suggestions!
And keycool? is that a good brand for these keyboards? never heard of em.
And vat....FML

[exousia7]

Black switches are pretty nice IMO. If you have tried out red switches before, just imagine the same feeling except for an increase in weight. Before I bought my QFR with black switches I actually tried out the red switch before, I thought it was too light but I liked the linear non-tactile feel, so I knew I would like black switches and the weight was just right for me

[PixelVandalism]

I like my friends keycool.
Just as good as my leopold.

[Blizering]

So i PM'D Qtan and the keycool is 85 US dollars+shipping i don't know if that's a wise decision........ dang it
I think when i get my money back from my razor nostromo(worthless piece of ****) i'll just order a nice 6GV2 and if i don't like it i'll tell the store it's broken and i get my money back, but I'm probably gonna like it lol.

Keycap wear is an issue on the 6GV2 but, i can probably get like an RGB set for modifiers along with maybe white WASD in group buys or something idk..

tnx for the replies!

[Blizering]

Turns out i'm stupid and 85 dollars is the kb with the shipping included lol now it is the exact same price as the steel series but with red switches and no numpad which i wasn't going to use anyway. i think i decided on my new keyboard lol.
now only the store i bought the nostromo from would hurry up and return my moneah, i can get my new kb.
Also because of the standard layout it's easier to replace keys so i think it's the better deal. =)

*edit

i can also get a HPE 87 with REDS, out of these 2 which is the better option?
*1 I'm on an iMac but i use bootcamp for gaming but produce music and browse the web on my osx side.
*2 Are these 2 both mac compatible?
*3 which of the 2 is better build?
*4 Also i learned the key cool uses a weird spacebar that makes getting caps for it a challenge?

i narrowed it down to only these 2, but which one is better??

tnx

[Blizering]

Alright i ordered the keycool, i raged the other day on my apple aluminium.... it won't press more then 2 buttons at the same time! INSANITY wich means i just suck in bf3 cus i cant even run while holding shift and throw a nade for example, i have to let go either shift or W to throw the nade.
ALso, when it arrives would you guys like pictures? i ordered the black body with mx reds.