Hey guys,
Just want to say I was fortunate to be introduced to the world of mechanical keyboards earlier this year. As I keep telling my friends now, once you go mechanical, you don't go back to rubber dome! I hope they eventually convert as well!
My first mechanical kb: Ducky 1008My first mechanical keyboard was a Ducky 1008, which was a world of difference from my HP DM4 rubber domes lol. I got this from a friend while visiting Taiwan so it has Chinese writings on it. A bit clutter at first, but I'm a decent typer so I got used to it as I don't look at the keyboard much when I type anyway.
My second mechanical kb: KBtalKing ProAbout two months ago I got the new Bluetooth + USB KBtalKing Pro (yes, now available in the USA
http://kbtalkingusa.com) and there's no going back to regular mechanical keyboards! For starters, this BEAST is one of the best feeling, sturdy built mechanical keyboards I've ever used (yes, way better than the Ducky 1008, and right up there with the nice Filcos and Das' in my opinion), but what's more important is that it is the only one on the market that has Bluetooth + USB, and is multi-pairing, so it can quickly switch between up 11 devices (pair up to 10 BT and 1 USB). It can be completely wireless or USB powered. It is incredible to be working on the PC, and then quickly switch to my Android phone and type a succinct text message with the keyboard @ 70WPM, then switch back to working on my PC all without having to stop and pick up the damn phone!
Anyway, I know this beast that does everything is not for everyone as some may just want what a $90 Ducky or CMstorm has to offer. But if you can afford the $169 price tag and can see the value in having an ALL-In-One input device that feels among the best mechanical keyboards out there, this is actually a great deal! The Matias Tactile One is the closest competition that I know of but it pairs one BT device, and needs to be tethered via USB for power and has a higher price tag of $199.99. It does look more modern though.
Here's a nice review by a fellow KBT Pro owner on techpowerup:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175068My third mechanical keyboard?What should be my next mechanical keyboard? It's hard to top the KBT Pro but I think perhaps some kind of a backlit and more compact mechanical keyboard would be a good third keyboard. Could be a compact one with tenkey (arrow keys bunched up into the main section) or a nice tenkeyless. Be great to have a smaller kb I could carry around that also helps me type better in the dark! Any recommendations on what's out right now or coming in the near future?