Author Topic: What keyboard would you recommend? (Read 2007 times)

Air tree · « **on:** Tue, 03 September 2013, 13:41:30 »

Well i'm going to buy my first mech keyboard and i was wondering what keyboard that fits these req would you get.

I would prefer Cherry mx blues

Tenkeyless

It doesn't need a backlight but i'm not saying no to one

Budget up to 160-170 dollars

Thanks for any help.

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 03 September 2013, 13:43:06 »

First keyboard? I would recommend a QFR for sure. Great value and a great beginner board.

SeriouSSpotS · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 03 September 2013, 13:45:27 »

Same here, my first board was a QFR, I love it, they are solid boards and not too expensive.

Hypersphere · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 03 September 2013, 14:00:14 »

CM QFR or QFS should be a good choice. An added bonus is that it is available with Cherry mx greens if you would like a very heavy switch.

Some say that the Filco TKL might be of somewhat better quality; for example, the Filco is reported to have a better PCB. Nevertheless CM offers a 2-year warranty, and the price is lower than that of the Filco.

If you were able to spend somewhat more, you might consider a Leopold FC660C with Topre switches. I just got mine last week and I am typing on it now. I didn't expect to like Topre switches, but I like them much more than Cherry switches (I've tried blue, green, black, white, and brown).

Another switch that I like for typing is the Matias tactile version 4. From what I have read, this might be comparable to a Cherry clear, but I have not tried this one.

Finally, if you can find an IBM Model M SSK in good condition, these keyboards have IBM buckling spring switches, which is the only switch that I like as much or more than Topres.

domoaligato · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 03 September 2013, 14:06:35 »

Qfr, keycool 87, or ducky shine tkl.

pagosElite · « **Reply #5 on:** Tue, 03 September 2013, 19:32:04 »

TKL: QFR or QFS
Full: Quickfire XT

This is, if you want to be money efficient. If you're just rich and don't know what to do with your money, get a Filco.

meiosis · « **Reply #6 on:** Tue, 03 September 2013, 19:36:18 »

Budget wise at $160 buy something that'll last years on end. Filco MJ2 TKL

Game Theory · « **Reply #7 on:** Tue, 03 September 2013, 19:38:07 »

Filco MJ2 TKL

pagosElite · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 00:55:37 »

If you want to spend that much and blow it get a Filco MJ2 TKL, if you want to save some and maybe use it on keycaps, painting, mouse, etc, get a QFR.

do_Og@n · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 01:19:23 »

QFR with blues will definitely give you the best quality for the price. If you are willing to spend up to $170 you can get a Ducky board with full lighting & PBT caps, Filco MJ2, and maybe even a customized board with stickers, lube, dampeners, etc.

tp4tissue · « **Reply #10 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 01:21:04 »

You might as well spend an extra $100 to get an assembled Ergodox.

That's the last keyboard you'll ever need to buy..

yasuo · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 01:25:57 »

tissue actually you have ergodox or not? can post in /post ergo keyboard thread/

ynrozturk · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 01:50:09 »

Quote from: Game Theory on Tue, 03 September 2013, 19:38:07

Filco MJ2 TKL

Yeah I'd just skip all others and go with this.

Emospence · « **Reply #13 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 02:00:43 »

Quickfire Rapid or Filco Majestouch 2 TKL

meiosis · « **Reply #14 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 02:01:14 »

Quote from: ynrozturk on Wed, 04 September 2013, 01:50:09

Quote from: Game Theory on Tue, 03 September 2013, 19:38:07
Filco MJ2 TKL

Yeah I'd just skip all others and go with this.

DO IT

norbauer · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 02:38:20 »

qtan usually has Keycools up on eBay that would meet your needs very affordably. I got both a Filco from KeyboardCo and Keycool from Qtan, both with red switches, for my husband and he actually prefers the feel and sound of the Keycool, even though it cost about $60 less, including the shipping from China (which took less than a week!)

Here is one from another vendor that actually has POM keycaps and backlighting for just over $100. The Filco TKL at around $160 + shipping only comes with crappy thin ABS.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Keycool-87-USB-NKRO-LED-backlit-Cherry-MX-Blue-Switch-gaming-Mechanical-Keyboard-/251310893693?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item3a834bea7d

That being said, the Filco housing probably looks to be of slightly higher build quality than the ones used by Keycool. So that might be a slight consideration.

Winther · « **Reply #16 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 06:20:19 »

Ducky is my suggestion if the budget allows!

Belfong · « **Reply #17 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 06:31:25 »

It looks to me that the switches are constant, all of them being Cherry, for example. So the recommendation of one brand over the other eg Filco and Ducky are mainly on the quality of the key caps and the build. Am I right? But what is the quality of the build you all refer to? The housing? Metal plate and such?

jabar · « **Reply #18 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 08:11:25 »

Quote from: Belfong on Wed, 04 September 2013, 06:31:25

It looks to me that the switches are constant, all of them being Cherry, for example. So the recommendation of one brand over the other eg Filco and Ducky are mainly on the quality of the key caps and the build. Am I right? But what is the quality of the build you all refer to? The housing? Metal plate and such?

Build quality does govern all the aspects you mentioned: keycaps, plate, PCB. However, with the sheer amount of mech keyboards on the market now, some brands are less justified now than a few years ago. Filco pioneered the svelte styling and "ninja" caps, but other keyboard manufacturers have similar styling and with PBT keycaps at a more cost effective price range over Filco. Ducky has really graduated recently in their build quality and options offered even on less fancy boards like the G2Pros (not to mention sheer options available).

If I were going to drop $150 on a new keyboard, I would consider most the Ducky G2Pro thick PBT series (while they last) which run between $127 and $144 shipped. If backlighting is a must, the Ducky Shine III would suffice. Above $150, I'd spring for a Leopold FC660C Topre board; lower, I'd recommend Keycool or CM Quickfire Rapid.

Belfong · « **Reply #19 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 09:18:03 »

Now I see why Razer BWU is scoffed at. The key caps are not as sturdy and solid as I don't think they are ABS nor PBT. Based on one review I read it seemed the plate and soldering are pretty solid. So Razer's problem is probably just key caps.

ynrozturk · « **Reply #20 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 09:23:20 »

My new set of key caps for my BW Tournament Edition should arrive tomorrow.

Sadly they're not good caps, either (I ordered a set from the keyboard company) but I don't care. I just want them to be blank. Come to think of it, I don't think the space bar for the set I ordered is going to fit my BW, lol. We'll see how this goes (I'm expecting total failure)

tp4tissue · « **Reply #21 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 09:33:44 »

Quote from: yasuo on Wed, 04 September 2013, 01:25:57

tissue actually you have ergodox or not? can post in /post ergo keyboard thread/

Seriously?

You don't believe I have an ergodox?

why would i start a layout thread.

ask about my missing mcp expander

and post about the m3 risers I got, and ask about the m3 screw sizes, and omg... wtf..

HOW DARE you question my faith.....

jameslr · « **Reply #22 on:** Wed, 04 September 2013, 09:34:41 »

Right now QFRs are pretty expensive if you pay retail ($80 or so). I would look on the classifieds and get one of the many Filco TKLs available that are used. I think they're going for around $100-110 shipped.

I'd get this one for $100 shipped:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47011.0

News:

Author Topic: What keyboard would you recommend? (Read 2007 times)