First, Hello, I'm new here.
I've decided to jump into the mechanical keyboard master race club, and have been doing some research as to where to start. This is pretty much what Iv'e found. Yes, I'm a geek, I make charts before purchasing things, you should see my desktop speaker footprint cardboard cutout collection. Back in the 90's I owned a Model M, so I'm not really new to the concept of mechanical keyboards, sadly it died in 1999, and I had to use it to bludgeon inanimate objects, and then hang it from a tree in the local park. Never was able to replace it, and settled for a string of $9 crap keyboards from Frys (I type like a gorilla, so they die quick). Now I have an old, crap, Logitech G11 with a plethora of annoying function keys that I never use but to hit on accident.
I've done a ton of research, and hit a bit of an impasse. I can't really come to a final conclusion since I don't have much experience in these matters, and have obviously never touched the products in question. I can't try them locally either, so... I need to rest on the experience of people who know WTH they are talking about. Namely, you and Reddit.
I'm sorry if this post in annoying or misplaced. Ignore it, or tell me to delete it if it violates some rules, or is just plane obnoxious.
And, thank you, in advance, for your time and help!
Criteria:
+ Has to be a full keyboard (104 key). Need Numpad [ins] for gaming, use numpad regularly.
+ Has to have Cherry Blue switches, want "click" for typing.
+ Blue or no backlight, for consistency.
+ Needs to be sturdy, not paying ~100+ for a keyboard I need to replace.
+ Preferably has media keys, or functions like it.
- No "Gaming" or Macro keys, or at least unobtrusive ones I can ignore.
- Can't be ugly gimmicky looking "gamer" hardware.
- Price range.. $0-$150ish, a bit uncomfortable at the top end.
+ Needs to be from a reputable, US shipping, seller
- Needs to be a trustworthy brand
Models:
- CM Storm QuickFire XT - NONEXISTENT
- CM Storm QuickFire XT Stealth - NONEXISTENT
? Corsair Vengeance K70 Blue/Blue - NONEXISTENT or 129 (is NCIX reputable?)
- Ducky Shine 2 - NONEXISTENT
- Ducky Shine 3 - NONEXISTENT
? Ducky Shine Zero - $109? (is Micro Center reputable?)
+ Das Keyboard Pro - Glossy = Eww?; $129, $139
+ TT eSports Poseidon - Cheap brand? What do you get for slightly more? Backlight looks a bit much; $79, $89
+ WASD V2 - Customizable, Expensive, worth it?; 150
+ Max Keyboard Nighthawk x7 - not many reviews, customizable, expensive; $145+
- Leopold Fullsize Blue - NONEXISTENT
- Filco - Too expensive.
Am I missing something?
Commentary:
Actual options seem to be limited to the WASD, Das Keyboard, and Nighthawk. Might be expanded to K70 is NCIX is a reputable retailer, and the Corsair isn't just gaming claptrap, but also a serious keyboard. Might also include Ducky Zero DK2108S if Micro Center is a reputable dealer, and it is a quality keyboard, I have read some mixed reviews on Ducky.
Both the Nighthawk and WASD are expensive. The Nighthawk doesn't have many reviews, and I don't know if it also made for typists as well as gaming, as both are important (with typing being more important). The Das Keyboard seems to have excellent reviews, but the glossy finish might be a minus. The WASD is generally positively reviews, but it is the most expensive one within my price range, meaning expectations are highest. The Ducky is an entry level keyboard, what exactly does that mean, is there a sacrifice in quality? The "eSports" one is dubious, since I don't really trust the Thermaltake brand, and it is the cheapest by far, making me wonder what was sacrificed for cost.
Both WASD and Max have, by all accounts, good support. I'm guessing this isn't true (by necessity) of the foreign (Ducky) or massproduced ones (Corsair). I might be wrong.
