Need help finding a board!

[IdentityNon]

This place seems to know what's going on. I have a godawful rubber dome, since my tolerable K800 shorted when I spilled a mild amount of water on it (I thought) and also thought it only really got on top of the keys because of the way I spilled it. It didn't act up at first. Shorted later. Now everything is fine but the E and . key. So. Not practical at all. I have recently started learning to program, and my birthday was also recent. Time to step it up. Need a good mechanical. I was pretty sold on the Ducky Shine, people seem to rave about it, Ducky seems to have high(er?) quality these days, and I want Cherry MX Blue.

My budget is 100-150. The problem is, I don't like the dual-LED on the Shine 4. Sure, the red and crimson pink sort of colors can look nice. Blue or cyan even. But no white? And why would I want that dull purple? The effects mode seems underwhelming, I'd rather just use software to configure, and the lights themselves seem dull anyway. Meanwhile, there's that blackwidow chroma. My god does it seem beautiful with that backlight bleeding making it look like neon tubing underneath a car or something. Might as well be a rave keyboard. However, I hate Razer, and I'm sure I'd hate the switches, and I'm sure it would only last 3-6 months before something on it broke, because Razer. So now I'm not sure.

I primarily want durability, aesthetics, and budget. In that order. I saw the unitech thread on the next page. Unfortunately it seems I missed my chance...

I'm not opposed to something that is cheap, matte, and fully functional, I just want it to be very high quality build (feels sturdy, types great, good key configuration) and durable.

I do not require any special layouts like ten keyless, but am open to whatever. Not 40 or 60% though, as again, programming.

Most info I can find is dated. I do not trust these trendy gaming brand's RGB keyboards LEDs or build quality, but I love the chroma's look. I want to splurge on something fancy, but nothing has it all.

Do I go hyper budget mode, find something old and flawless but not fancy? Do I wait? Do I do some mod involving putting blue's in a chroma? Do I just get a cheaper ducky or adesso or filco? Do I hunt down a model m? Please help provide a non-bias answer to my solution! I just want a quality constructed mechanical keyboard, but everything seems to be in an awkward transitional phase right now!

[IdentityNon]

Considerations so far:
Blackwidow Chroma - +Bright, fluorescent, and pretty; - Questionable Greens, Questionable longevity.
Ducky Shine 4 - + Features, + Style(ish), Durability - Limited colors, no white.
Adesso Compact MKB125B or AKB-625UB - +Budget, minimal, wire-routing(625); - 6KRO, Ugly font(625), No wire routing(125).
Ducky Premier - Blue + Grey, Cherry MX Blue - Sleek, sexy, probably durable, unlimited NKRO, slightly cheaper, LED WASD/Esc (would probably just replace their keycaps anyway.)

Any insight, peoples?

[keyhopper]

My advice is: don't try too hard to make your first mechanical keyboard your "endgame" keyboard.

These are keyboards that get recomended here often (I haven't tried them):
      Kul ES-87
      WASD V2 and WASD Code
      Leopold FC750R
      CM Storm Quick Fire Rapid
      Ducky Zero or Ducky Shine
      CM Storm Novatouch (topre)
      RealForce 87U (topre)
      Rosewill RK9000

All of those keyboards are miles ahead in quality compared to any rubber dome, and they are compatible with all keycap sets, because they have standard bottom rows (1.25 units of width for CTRL,ALT,Win,Menu, and 6.25u for the spacebar), except for the RealForce but in the case of the RealForce it already comes with some of the nicest stock caps (PBT).
The Kul has now top cases in blue, red and white colors available.
Filcos are harder to get, I didn't put them on the list.
Thermaltake does make mechanical keyboards too, but now has started to use Kailh switches instead of Cherry switches. Corsair, Razer and Steelseries keyboards are not fully compatible with keycap sets because of their bottom rows. If gaming keyboards are all you can get, then there is nothing wrong with that, they are still better than any rubber dome keyboard for the typing experience.

I'm thinking of buying a Kul with brown switches in the near future.

The problem with the "I want an endgame keyboard" mentality is that there is no single keyboard that will give you the combined experience of trying many different switches by itself. Sure, at the end of your journey, there will be one or two keyboards that you use the most, as your daily drivers. Most people here have more than one keyboard and rotate them for inspiration.

I want to add something more: It's very nice that you are getting into programming, but you don't need a mechanical keyboard for programming. Of course you'll enjoy yourself more with a mech, but it is not necessary at all, so beware of using the keyboard hobby as an excuse to procrastinate learning programming   

Cheers and good luck!!
.KeyHopper.

[DrHubblePhD]

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/281007-hubbles-keyboard-recommendations-for-all-price-ranges-check-before-posting-now-live/

[IdentityNon]

Thanks to both of you, I think I've decided to keep it simple and go with one of those WASD keyboards, customize it how I want it. Cherish it. Etc. Thanks!

[keyhopper]

Thanks to both of you, I think I've decided to keep it simple and go with one of those WASD keyboards, customize it how I want it. Cherish it. Etc. Thanks!

That's great!

Also, I forgot to link you to this excellent resource, it is a comprehensive mech keyboard guide that you can sort and filter:

        https://www.keychatter.com/buyers-guide/

Cheers!

[IdentityNon]

That's great!

Also, I forgot to link you to this excellent resource, it is a comprehensive mech keyboard guide that you can sort and filter:

        https://www.keychatter.com/buyers-guide/

Cheers!

Looks nice, will come in handy in the future!

A - http://puu.sh/gWDVr/b594cd9fcf.png ; * Either swap or change WASD/QERF colors
B - http://puu.sh/gWC2A/bbc8754937.png ; * Would grey \
C - http://puu.sh/gWDBE/d78deba929.png ; + Simple, ideal - []\;',. not noticable.
D - http://puu.sh/gWFmD/b889123a34.png ; + Fairly ideal - WASD not quite as noticable.
E - http://puu.sh/gWEFg/ca885d48aa.jpg ; + Pretty - Non-specific highlighting.

Anyone care to help me decide on how to color code these? (They aren't quite finalized.) I'm relatively sold on D.

[keyhopper]

[..]

Anyone care to help me decide on how to color code these? (They aren't quite finalized.) I'm relatively sold on D.

That is a very personal thing 

I quite like what Yoe did to his keyboard, maybe you can find inspiration in this:
         https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=69841.msg1692193#msg1692193
also like:
         https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33569.msg1647577#msg1647577

You may surf the 'media' section of the forum, and keycaps section, which contain lots of pictures.
Note that some of those colors can't be achieved with Wasd configurator, but you may try to approximate them if you like 'em.

Usually the alphas are all the same color, for a cleaner look.

Cheers!

[keyhopper]

I also love the look of blue+grey in the RealForce 10th Anniversary:

        http://www.ebay.com/itm/Topre-Realforce-87-10th-Anniversary-Edition-All-55gram-Tenkeyless-Keyboard-/281541963321

Cheers!

[IdentityNon]

I also love the look of blue+grey in the RealForce 10th Anniversary:

        http://www.ebay.com/itm/Topre-Realforce-87-10th-Anniversary-Edition-All-55gram-Tenkeyless-Keyboard-/281541963321

Cheers!

So for usability's sake:
http://puu.sh/gWFmD/b889123a34.png
Or aesthetic's sake:
http://puu.sh/gWOYN/76e8b3329a.jpg
?

Alternatively:
http://puu.sh/gWSSO/ecfef6c6c1.png
Hyper retro aesthetics edition

Part of me thinks I should just go with the first one for the solid differentiation.

[KHAANNN]

Check this out too: http://support.wasdkeyboards.com/customer/portal/articles/1518370-creating-a-custom-layout

You can send in your own design to be printed, there are some pretty cool ones around, this kind of customisation is only possible with WASD/UV printing\

I went with standard centered black keycaps with my WASD purchases, with just colored Esc keys to add a bit of a color, didn't regret it, colors are risky if you can't get them right, and you seem to be on the risky side :)

Also check this out: http://keyshop.pimpmykeyboard.com/products/full-keysets/dsa-dolch-set-base-set-110-total-keys

I love the Dolch set myself, so I suggest it to everyone, you can pair it with a barebone: http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/wasd-v2-87-key-barebones-mechanical-keyboard.html

[inanis]

It looks like this has already been pretty well covered, and WASD is a great choice, particularly for your first board (it was mine, even!) However, when you go to get your second - and you will, I promise - don't discount 60%. You might think it won't work, but you'd be surprised how effective it can be.

[IdentityNon]

Thanks guys! Going to actually get the 104 key and do something really cool with it. Can't wait to post a screenshot.

First, however...I wait for MX blues to get back in stock. I'd get brown but I feel they wouldn't be noob friendly and I actually want the click and good feedback so.

Anybody know if this is a days weeks or months kind of thing?

[KHAANNN]

My opinion with playing all of them is that the clears are the most friendly, noob or not

Clickers don't click homogeneously, if you're obsessive they can be very hostile, red and browns are too soft, might be hard to get used to the softness, black is too hard for a linear, since there is no feedback, the clear seems risk-free, that's probably why clears go out of stock pretty quick on all keyboards, It's likely because a lot of people just settle on clears after a while

You should email WASD, they reply quick, and give ETA's

[IdentityNon]

My opinion with playing all of them is that the clears are the most friendly, noob or not

Clickers don't click homogeneously, if you're obsessive they can be very hostile, red and browns are too soft, might be hard to get used to the softness, black is too hard for a linear, since there is no feedback, the clear seems risk-free, that's probably why clears go out of stock pretty quick on all keyboards, It's likely because a lot of people just settle on clears after a while

You should email WASD, they reply quick, and give ETA's

Clear would probably push me out of budget. Blue wouldn't be okay you think? I have little interest in red/brown apart from trying them, and black seems like a outright bad idea haha.

How are greens? I feel very wary about them.

[KHAANNN]

They are harder blues, very fun to press, the hardness is addictive, I went from greens to reds temporarily, the reds seem too soft, I really enjoyed greens, but the clicks sometimes become disturbing

I think you should get blues or greens as you intend to do, and see how it goes, assuming you have future funds to make another keyboard purchase

[IdentityNon]

Greens it is! Clickier, sounds more fun. Apparently people love them. AND they are in stock.

[KHAANNN]

Good choice, I would say Green >> Blue, they are certainly very very fun, but sometimes after having too much fun, one seeks some solitude

I think green's might be the best starter mechanical switches, as they are the most mechanical ones among the mx spectrum and when you are just starting out, you kind of want the mechanical aspects to stand out, the clicks and the clacks, later on you might seek mx clear's

[Huxley2500]

Clicky switches rule.

[IdentityNon]

I hope so! I'm very happy with the layout I chose, and I hope it looks good in person.

[IdentityNon]

Oh man, the MX Greens just went up to 15$. Lucky!

[Touch_It]

Clicky ftw.  Never tried greens personally but souls like s great starter switch imo.

[IdentityNon]

Clicky ftw.  Never tried greens personally but souls like s great starter switch imo.

Yes, the fated day approaches, so I did a little more research on if this meant the end to my casual gaming or not.

Apparently the hysteresis is improved from blues, so dodged a bullet, and the higher activation makes it even less of an issue, so #doubledodged.  It still seems to be mostly a typist keyboard, but some people don't recommend it for gaming and some very much think it works well all in all, and all in all I think I will be very happy. I wanted to get this to type and code with, slightly discourage gaming while also making it a bit easier at the same time (no accidental keypresses, extra keypresses, etc.) so I think this will be perfect!

On an unrelated note to your post:

http://puu.sh/gYbWo/5a5be449c5.png

I went with this color scheme! I think I will be VERY happy with it. Clean, modern, still colorful, highlights everything I wanted very well.

If it isn't obvious, it's inspired by the New 3DS with it's Super Famicom inspiration and the whole modern-with-retro-touches vibe it has going on. Boy will it be awkward if they actually do never come stateside though, but I'm sure they will sooner or later. Anyway, it would be good if somebody could point out if I did make a huge mistake with such high contrast colorful differences. Also, will the white be hard to clean?

EDIT: Should point out I did go with all centered, not the blank, although I think it looks cool, and considered going all blank many a time. Also REALLY wish I could have done just the symbols for the numkeys.

[KHAANNN]

As I mentioned earlier, you can determine whatever you want to be printed, check the link if you're interested

You shouldn't be worried if it's too late though, WASD is a decent company, they might help you with additional keys to correct your preferred layout, it should cost <$40, as the entire keyset is ~$40

Greens are just blues with stronger springs, so the hysteresis is same, I like hysteresis, it's enjoyable, it was enjoyable, the clicks on the other hand got to me

Off topic, I also have a 3DS that I just use to play the pokemon games, still as fun as ever, wish I bought the plain black version tho
Black is always risk-free

[IdentityNon]

As I mentioned earlier, you can determine whatever you want to be printed, check the link if you're interested

You shouldn't be worried if it's too late though, WASD is a decent company, they might help you with additional keys to correct your preferred layout, it should cost <$40, as the entire keyset is ~$40

Greens are just blues with stronger springs, so the hysteresis is same, I like hysteresis, it's enjoyable, it was enjoyable, the clicks on the other hand got to me

Off topic, I also have a 3DS that I just use to play the pokemon games, still as fun as ever, wish I bought the plain black version tho
Black is always risk-free

Oh no, I'm very happy with how I went, I'm just worried in person some sort of psychological effect colors have or layout science would determine it's detrimental. I'm sure it's fine haha.

I may one day get a code with clears and really customize it, but I figured since this one is a new keyboard and my first mech, I should be able to look and see where the keys are until I learn it well.

As for the hysteresis, I'm worried it will make double tapping hard. I use it a lot to self-cast in dota, and with my dome, find it sometimes hard, since you have to do it quite fast...anyway, apparently with greens, there's a 1mm difference, with blues 1.5. Also, because of the force I think it helps push you back up more, thus kind of fixing the problem anyway.



New 3DS mmm. Everything in the USA these days is glossy black, so matte white anything just looks so smooth and appealing to me.

[IdentityNon]

It has arrived and it looks and sounds beautiful! It will take some definite adjustment, but it feels great. It takes little force compared to my rubber dome, which is a bit surprising.

The keys feel a bit weird, like there's a residual gunk or slime. Oddly sticky. Which might be intentional. Or perceived. The only problem I have with it is there's not much feedback from the spacebar.

I will take pictures tomorrow!

[KHAANNN]

It has arrived and it looks and sounds beautiful! It will take some definite adjustment, but it feels great. It takes little force compared to my rubber dome, which is a bit surprising.

The keys feel a bit weird, like there's a residual gunk or slime. Oddly sticky. Which might be intentional. Or perceived. The only problem I have with it is there's not much feedback from the spacebar.

I will take pictures tomorrow!

The tactile feedback is mx green's ~ mx brown's - mx clear's on the other hand are closer to some rubber dome pre-activation bumps, still lower tho

Never heard such a description of an mx green, pretty interesting, the stem has 2 parts, so what you are describing could be the hysteresis, there is an action delays during double taps

[IdentityNon]

The tactile feedback is mx green's ~ mx brown's - mx clear's on the other hand are closer to some rubber dome pre-activation bumps, still lower tho

Never heard such a description of an mx green, pretty interesting, the stem has 2 parts, so what you are describing could be the hysteresis, there is an action delays during double taps

Oh no the switches are great, I meant the keycaps, and I think my rubber dome is just that bad that it's horribly fatiguing and requires a lot of force. It's like a 5 year old HP pavillion one.

[KHAANNN]

hearing hp pavilion is very repulsive, I haven't used any of their products, however they screwed a generation hard when laptop's were just mainstreaming, all of their devices failed, also they look pretty bad, I'm glad I dodged that bullet however other bullets found their way

what you describe as squishy is the uv coating, indeed it's slippery, it causes increased sweating, yet on the pro-side it's extremely easy to clean

the signature plastics DSA keycaps are textured for example, so your fingers can get a strong grip

I honestly enjoy WASD keycaps after trying many other keycap types, the profile is nice, the texture is bearable, overall it's pretty mellow