New Keyboard Time - Full Size Clear suggestions?

[Snipeye]

Abbreviated background (because I already typed it once today):

I've currently got an Apple Extended Keyboard MkI - ALPS orange complicated switches, I like 'em, but the keyboard is old and they're gumming up too much.  Fixable, but it's happening in larger and larger volumes and I'm ready to move on.

After a fair bit of research, I was looking at a Ducky Shine III or a Razer Blackwidow Stealth 2013 - I liked the Das model S but I don't want to get blues as I'd like the volume to be a little more manageable.  I was thinking browns, but after seeing that brown actuation was 10-15cN lower than my current alps, I decided to go clears.  I really want the tactile bump (don't like typing on reds, low actuation + linear), but I couldn't find many keyboards that actually offered clears - so now I'm here.

I don't think I have delved as deeply as I can, so I'm asking you guys - what keyboards would you suggest?  Looking for something in the <$150 price range, but if I've got to go beyond that for a good keyboard I know it's worth it.  (Though, that said, would really prefer not to.)

-Full Size - possibly even with extra/re-mappable buttons. I can't type on a crowded keyboard like a 60%.  I need arrows and numpad.

-MUST be at least mac-compatible - will be used mostly on a mac, with occasional windows boots, hardware options for switching alt/windows(command) keys a plus, designed-for-apple-layout a plus.

-Cherry MX Clear switches (Or similar?  Objectives are: medium/high actuation force, not ridiculously loud, at least some tactile bump, not linear - I have strong fingers)

If buying kits/soldering/whatnot is a better option, I'm very comfortable around an iron.  Could be fun to work on something like that, too.

So, apologies if the post is a little jumbled - I'm looking for a lot of information, and while I'm not brand-spanking-new to the mechanical keyboard world, I'm nowhere near as experienced as many, I'm sure.

Thank you!

[Pacifist]

CODE, but hard to get

There was a ducky that had clears, but also hard to find

You could buy a 104 and then swap the switches. But then you'd have to spend $50 more, but then you can get around $25 back from selling the old switches. If you do this, buy something with reds, those usually have the highest resale value

[anoxy]

Have you thought about buckling springs or topre? I love my clears, but a full size board with them is hard to come by.

[Pacifist]

Have you thought about buckling springs?

not ridiculously loud

[Snipeye]

I did come accross the code in my research - should have mentioned that.  Unfortunately out of stock atm.  I found a post indicating that the WASD v2 came with clears, the post was 9 months ago - but clears weren't an option when I was looking to buy one.  Haven't looked in to topres at all.  Links?

[intelli78]

http://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/comments/25x0ki/wtsus_wasd_code_104_mx_clear/?sort=confidence

Not mine.

[rowdy]

Matias have a Mac-specific layout, but I'm not sure how close their custom switches are to MX clear.

DAS Keyboard also has a Mac layout, but AFAIK no keyboards with MX clear.

Having said that, a standard layout keyboard works fine on a Mac - you can use System Preferences to swap Win and Alt.

Heck, even my Model M works on my Mac!

[intelli78]

http://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/comments/25x0ki/wtsus_wasd_code_104_mx_clear/?sort=confidence

Not mine.

And even cheaper http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=56321.0

[Snipeye]

That CODE for $140 is really tempting, and I may just go with that.  Out of curiosity, what would a good keyboard to buy, then replace with clears be?  I gather it would probably be something without a backlight to avoid some soldering... (and I don't need a backlight)

Also, I've looked at the matais boards - the casing, IMO, just doesn't look attractive. Curves in all the wrong places - but that's just my taste.

[intelli78]

Personally, I would go with a Filco. They have a reputation for quality, have lived up to it in my experience, and will be easy to resell if you ever wish to do so.

[Pacifist]

Personally, I would go with a Filco. They have a reputation for quality, have lived up to it in my experience, and will be easy to resell if you ever wish to do so.

On the resell part, I think people are realizing that there are plenty of alternatives that are cheaper, and aren't buying filcos as much. There is a filco camo right now on the classifieds thats been there for a while at $120 shipped. Also a regular filco with blacks for $100 shipped was up there for a few weeks until it was finally sold

[Pacifist]

Matias have a Mac-specific layout, but I'm not sure how close their custom switches are to MX clear.

DAS Keyboard also has a Mac layout, but AFAIK no keyboards with MX clear.

Having said that, a standard layout keyboard works fine on a Mac - you can use System Preferences to swap Win and Alt.

Heck, even my Model M works on my Mac!

Das would be around $80 tops. Put that with $50 in clears and you get a nice non backlit 100% mac working full size with clears. While the board is apart, you can also paint it to get rid of that fingerprint magnent

[Snipeye]

Where would I get that many clears for $50?  Also, the mac-specific Das might be a bit more.  But if I can resell the blues...

[anoxy]

It's 2014, why do you need a mac specific keyboard? Pretty much everything with a USB port should work with a Mac. You can re-bind keys to whatever you need.

Also, the new Das just came out did it not? Skip that glossy monstrosity and get the new one if you're going that route.

[Pacifist]

Where would I get that many clears for $50?  Also, the mac-specific Das might be a bit more.  But if I can resell the blues...

mechanicalkeyboards.com sell the blues at around 25 cents apeice and get $25 back, so then the $50 in clears goes to $25. Getting a used das shouldn't be hard.

And I just remembered, there are G80-3000's with clears, that are somewhat elusive but when found are $100ish

[tribade]

It's 2014, why do you need a mac specific keyboard? Pretty much everything with a USB port should work with a Mac. You can re-bind keys to whatever you need.

Also, the new Das just came out did it not? Skip that glossy monstrosity and get the new one if you're going that route.

Agreed!  My mechs have worked very well with my mac laptop, with a few keys rebinded.  I think that's probably the best way to do it.  You won't limit yourself nearly as much in your search.  As far as a keyboard that comes with clears standard, I would probably go with the CODE keyboard.  From what I've seen it's pretty good quality, and at a pretty good price as well.

[Oobly]

There are 3 that come to mind:

1. Ducky Shine with Clears... Hard to find. Not sure if there are any resellers with stock at the moment.
2. Code from WASD (http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/code-keyboard/code-104-key-mechanical-keyboard.html#ad-image-0). Out of stock at the moment.
3. Keycool 108 (http://www.banggood.com/KEYCOOL-108-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard-Cherry-MX-White-Switch-p-82971.html)

Boards with Clears are hard to find in general, so a lot of people replace the switches on a board with different MX switches. That costs more and involves quite a bit of work if it's a plate mounted board, though.

So my "recommendation" is to get the Keycool, however ordering through Banggood is a bit hit and miss.. They may not actually have stock even though they allow you to add it to the cart and the shipping can take forever if you choose free shipping. Worth a shot, but pay for tracked shipping if you can. Don't worry too much if you don't like the keycaps, you can replace them with any 108-key ANSI set.

If that doesn't work out, buy whatever board you think is nice with MX switches and get a bag of 110 Clear switches from mechanicalkeyboards. Then spend some time with a solder sucker and iron replacing the switches.

Clears are great

[gir489]

I have a Deck Legend with MX Clears. It's amazing. I can't find anything wrong with the board.

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=94

[Snipeye]

That's a nice looking board, but a little out of my price range.  I'm buying the CODE from AKIMbO, so I'm excited to see how I like clears.

[OnTheBrink]

Personally, I would go with a Filco. They have a reputation for quality, have lived up to it in my experience, and will be easy to resell if you ever wish to do so.

On the resell part, I think people are realizing that there are plenty of alternatives that are cheaper, and aren't buying filcos as much. There is a filco camo right now on the classifieds thats been there for a while at $120 shipped. Also a regular filco with blacks for $100 shipped was up there for a few weeks until it was finally sold

I'd have to agree with Pacifist. Besides, most keyboards come standard with removable USB cables while Filco doesn't and quite frankly (not looking for a flame war), I think Filco is overrated.

I did a comparison to a Ducky Shine 2 on my YouTube last year (Filco Ninja vs DS2) from a beginner's perspective and the DS2 was definitely built better with more attention to detail, more features and a more attractive price for what you get.

ON TOPIC: I think the WASD Code is a great buy. Their new case looks beautiful, their customer support is good and that white plate (behind the keys) looks really nice with back-lighting. It fits the Clear switch MO as well (clear switches, white LED and white plate).