Looking for a mechanical keyboard

[PointyFox]

First of all, I'm not sure what type of switch to get.  I have tried browns and blues.  I do not like the reset point being above the activation point for the blues.  I liked the lightness of the browns compared to my rubber dome keyboard, but found myself occasionally pressing keys without realizing it, though this is not too much of a concern for me.  I liked knowing where the activation point was with the tactile bump so my typing can be lighter, but didn't like it being slightly beyond the bump as opposed to the middle.  I'm leaning towards reds, but am also considering blacks and browns.  The main reason I am switching from rubber dome is that if I push my rubber dome keys off-center, they take a lot more force to actuate.

I like how the Filco multicam keyboards look, but they do not seem to come with red switches.  I am also interested in the CM Storm Rapid, but I can not find those with reds right now.  I tried CM Storm Pro and hated the quality.  I am leaning towards TKL, even though I love numpads for data entry.

Here are my criteria for a new keyboard:
-Solidly built
-Heavy
-PS/2
-Easy switch replacement

I would prefer it did not have bells and whistles, except media keys.

[zorphon]

To get the Quickfire Rapid w/Reds, just order from http://cmstore-usa.com/.

It's ~$100 shipped, and I literally just ordered mine under an hour ago.

[PointyFox]

I'd rather not pay the MSRP for the QuickFire Rapid.  The other switched Rapids are usually on sale for around $68.

[PointyFox]

So my two options right now are getting a Quickfire Rapid red for $101 (MSRP=$89.99), or a filco multicam mx black for $149. I think the filco may be better value, though I'm not sure I will like black switches.

[stingrae]

Quickfire Rapid is the better value.

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=73 $92 (+9) for QFR red switches..

I'd say the multicam and qfr are pretty close in quallity only niggle I have with my qfr is the keycap printing method.

Then again I wouldn't be buying reds or blacks :x

Good Luck.

[zorphon]

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=73 $92 (+9) for QFR red switches..

I'd say the multicam and qfr are pretty close in quallity only niggle I have with my qfr is the keycap printing method.

Then again I wouldn't be buying reds or blacks :x

Good Luck.

Don't like laser etched?

And definitely in terms of value, the Quickfire Rapid. Reds > Blacks for me personally, not many people like the hard springs in the blacks. But then again some people don't like the soft ones in the reds either, but still. Quickfire Rapid Red from CM-Store would probably be your best bet. Mine's going to arrive on Wednesday.

And to stingrae, why would he pay $1 more for the Quickfire Red, and not even get it directly from Cooler Master? Less chance of custom support and $1 more expensive. Weird to recommend that.

[PointyFox]

http://slickdeals.net/f/4685396-CoolerMaster-Store-20-off-everything-including-reduced-refurbished-items?&page=2

Quote from hp79 View Post :
Ordered a quickfire keyboard with Cherry Red switch.

http://www.cmstore-usa.com/quickf...ed-switch/

Subtotal: $89.99 USD
Coupon Code (mass100kdiscount): -$18.00 USD
Shipping: $10.23 USD
Grand Total: $82.22 USD

I hope this is a good deal for the red.
i believe i've seen it cheaper than this before, in the 60-70 dollar range shipped but hey, who cares if you need/want it nowz

I think I'll wait until they have another sale.

[zorphon]

http://slickdeals.net/f/4685396-CoolerMaster-Store-20-off-everything-including-reduced-refurbished-items?&page=2


I think I'll wait until they have another sale.

Understandable. A part of me kind of wishes I waited too, but at the same time I figured if I'm going to make a computer related investment that I use so much such as a keyboard, what is $20 honestly in the long-run. I'll just try to drive less and car pool for a week and there's the $20 back into my wallet.

[PointyFox]

I got to try reds and blues.  I didn't like the reds since I couldn't tell where the activation point was; and I didn't like how I could barely feel them.  The blues were slightly harder to double tap with than browns, but I enjoyed their clicking and more prominent actuation point.  So I guess I'm looking for blues.  Not really sure if I will like blues or browns better for gaming.  I'll probably get a QuickFire Rapid.

[rowdy]

Cool change from the first post disliking blues to the last post preferring them :-)

I was not sure how I would go with blues, but they are the closest to the old NEC mechanical keyboard I used years ago, and having had this Ducky with MX blues for a few days it is great!

It is a bit louder than another APC-H4100E I found recently (in both key clicks and bottoming out sound), but it feels more solid.  I don't have a problem with the reset above activation point, a quick double-tap to backspace 2 characters (or more) has worked every time.  Minecraft uses a double-tap to run - that also has worked every time.

[PointyFox]

Hmm.. Quickfire or Filco.. I like the price and removable cable of the quickfire, but I like how the filco looks more.  I wish I could find a TKL blue switch filco multicam on Amazon.  I remember seeing them about a week ago.

[PointyFox]

Well, I couldn't find any Filcos I wanted, so I got a CM Storm QuickFire Rapid (blue switches) for Amazon for $71.37.  I also got some orings to reduce travel height to see if I like them.

I'm slightly worried about double tapping on blues, but they activate with more precision (don't have to over a soft hump then a little past it to activate, rather just a harder hump) than the browns and provide an audio cue, which I like.  I'll probably replace the keycaps with these: http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?32025-IC-Double-shot-keyset-for-Filco-Camouflage!

[PointyFox]

I liked the blues, especially with the o-rings, but I had a problem with the stabilizer clips popping out of the spacebar on one side or the other.  I was about to get a replacement, but I found a Filco Multicam TKL with Cherry MX Black for a good price and bought it.  The keys seem pretty light to me, despite what everyone else says about them. Even with these I still find myself occasionally holding down a key accidentally.  I'd definitely think the reds would be too light.

[TypicalKeyboardJockey]

I just got my UNICOMP Ultra Classic and i am in love!