Decisions, decisions...

[thesomnambulist]

Hey guys!  So, I've decided to get a mechanical keyboard.  The last time I bought a keyboard was about 8 years ago, when I got my first IT job during college.  I wanted to spring for something good, so I dropped about $45 on the Saitek Eclipse that I am still using today.  I've gone through several other keyboards(all cheap rubber membrane), but I keep coming back to this one because I like the full keys with a gap in between them(unlike the flat logitech keyboards they use at work).

So now I've decided to get a mechanical keyboard.  Since I don't do any gaming, I've been looking mostly at cherry mx blues(although greens have caught my eye).  I definitely want a 10 key, and I'm thinking my budget should be around $100(I could probably go $150 if it seemed like a big enough difference).  Otherwise, I'm struggling to decide.  The first keyboard I looked into was the das ultimate, but the glossy finish is kindof a deterrent.  I really like the customization possibilities of the WASD, and am looking forward to seeing the 104key v2 when they release it.  Ducky also seems nice.  I like the idea, in theory at least, of dedicated macro keys.  Like I said, I don't game, but I could see setting them up as multiple clipboard copy and paste keys, or something similar.

Right now I'm leaning towards the WASD, but since I can't physically test out all the different options, I'm definitely open to advice.  Any thoughts?

[esoomenona]

WASD. The 104 is the V1, the V2 will be TKL (tenkeyless).

Also, welcome to geekhack. Did you get your name from the book, or were you aware of what somnambulism is?

[SmallFry]

The V2 will also be in full sized, IIRC.

[thesomnambulist]

According to the wasdkeyboards blog in reference to the V2:

- Available in 104, 105, 87, and 88 key variants.

however, as it is not out yet I imagine this isn't set in stone.  I like the close bezel(not even sure if that word applies to keyboards) on the V2, but the only pictures i've seen have been the TKL.  I can't say that I'm familiar with the book you're referring to.  I got the name from the old silent film "The Cabinet of Dr. Calagari".  Thanks for the welcome!  I've been reading this site for a few weeks now in my research phase, and figured I should go ahead and join in the discussion(or at least ask questions).

[thesomnambulist]

Ok, so I emailed WASD for more information about the V2, and they told me pretty much the only thing I needed to know... It won't be out until June.  Instead of waiting 'till then, I went ahead and ordered the V1.  Can't wait 'till it gets here!

[purple_haze]

that all black finish for the v2 tkl is pretty darn seksy.

[yicaoyimu]

Even though you don't do that much of gaming, which I don't do either, I still highly recommend MX Red switch. Once I get used to it, I can hardly switch back to my Leopold with brown switch.

[atomicpookavirus]

Nice Username. I didn't realize The Somnambulist could be a book reference. My initial thought was that old silent film. Cool either way.

[thesomnambulist]

Ok, so I got it in, and i'm typing on it now. I went with the MX blues, and couldn't be happier.  I actually found some deck keyboards at work with the MX blacks, and didn't like it at all.  I do have a question though.  All of the keys on my keyboard have the satisfying click that I was hoping for, except my space bar, which makes an awkward thud instead of the click.  Is this because of the stabilizers that are used, or is there something wrong with it?


EDIT: so on closer inspection, I saw that my space bar wasn't quite as tall as the rest of my keys.  I carefully gripped the edge of it and pulled up, and to my surprise, it actually raised up.  When I pressed it back down, it had the satisfying click.  Apparently, it isn't coming all the way back up after I press it.  Any ideas how to resolve this?  Do I need to lubricate it with something, or do I need to send it back to WASD to get them to fix it?

[thesomnambulist]

UPDATE: FIXED!

I emailed WASD about the spacebar, but I also decided to start playing around.  I pulled the spacebar off, and worked the stabilizer back and forth some, and when I put it back together it worked.  WASD emailed me back, and said that they manually tighten each stabilizer to prevent extra play in it, but that it must have been slightly over-tightened.  Anyway, it was a simple enough fix, and it works like a charm now.