Looking for a wired, silent, illuminated keyboard

[scooterlord]

Hello! Just found out about this forum yesterday and was really excited, maybe here I can find my answer!

I am looking for a silent illuminated keyboard to replace my old ms multimedia keyboard - which still runs strong after many many years of usage, but needs keep increasing so.. here goes.

- Only keyboard that almost matches my needs is the Logitech k740 but having second thoughts after reading a few reviews, concerning build quality - however, I guess build quality is something relevant, eg comparing it to a premium keyboard.

- I REALLY like the Steelseries Apex concerning features - customizable lighting, macros - although I never used macros, sound interesting and might be very helpful in my work, but is a mechanical, and even my current keyboard annoys me sometimes because of its noise, let alone my wife complains because I usually work overnight.

- Don't care about usb ports, audio outputs, game buttons.

- From what I have read so far, what would please me would be a mixture of these:

- Matias quiet-pro (http://matias.ca/quietpro/pc/) Like the looks and from the audio test, sounds silent AND have the nice perks of mechanical keyboards (haven't tried one yet)

- Corsair k70 quality

- Steelseries features


I know I am asking for a lot, maybe I missed something that you guys know! Cost IS an issue, meaning I find it ridiculous to pay more than 100-150 euros for a keyboard, but I'd still give it if I am happy with what I get.

[Oobly]

Corsair Strafe RGB Silent is the only one I'm aware of that matches all your criteria, although it's still not actually silent. More like a standard rubber dome level of noise (

). Or you could get a Ducky Shine 3/4/5, desolder the switches and "silent" mod them with trampolines and latex, but that's a lot of work. If you do go this route, you could even replace the switches with Zealios to have a truly top notch board.

Another downside of the Strafe is that it has a non-standard bottom row, so finding replacement keycaps is a PITA. It's possible, but you may have to live with the stock spacebar. Also, most aftremarket high quality keycaps are not "backlit compatible" so although you'll get the background glow, the legends won't light up.

[tararais]

Quietness and loudness depend almost entirely on switch type. Linear switches (red/black) and to a lesser degree tactile switches (brown only) are very silent, but will of course be loud if you hammer down and bottom out hard. Almost any mechanical keyboard is wired, and as for backlighting, if you'd like an RGB, a K70 with red or black switches would do you well. Ducky's Shine 5 is more expensive, but is of better build quality and has some really amazing lighting options, from what I've seen.

[scooterlord]

Thanks for the replies but to be honest I would try to avoid a mechanical keyboard unless an exception like the matias with backlighting appears.

I am so sensitive to sound that what most people consider as silent s AWAY from what I think is silent.

[Oobly]

Thanks for the replies but to be honest I would try to avoid a mechanical keyboard unless an exception like the matias with backlighting appears.

I am so sensitive to sound that what most people consider as silent s AWAY from what I think is silent.

Well... this is primarily a mechanical keyboard enthusiasts forum, so you may not get the responses you desire here. Most GH members also favour typing / switch feel over aesthetics and sound, so...

The Matias Quiet Click switches are very similar to MX silent switches (

), although possibly just a hair quieter. They use the same method for damping. So I actually think the Strafe fits your criteria more closely.

Overall, though, I'd say you won't find quieter than the Logitech K740 very easily.

Here's a video of my DIY silenced MX Browns and Clears:

Trampoline and latex mods: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50632.0

That's what I'd recommend since it gives you great typing feel and is very quiet, but it's a lot of work.

[davkol]

The K740 is a decent keyboard. It feels solid, high-end Logitech scissor switches are great and the backlight is much more even, than you can currently get with any MX-compatible keyboard. My only beef with it is that

• it has a bit more rattly, cylindrical keycaps (compared to spherical on K800);
• the matrix is anti-optimized for gaming on purpose, although it doesn't affect me personally (Logitech essentially disabled Shift-W-spacebar between revisions, in order to support their G-series' sales);
• it's full size (YMMV).

I have a typing recording over at YT, you can compare it to other videos in my channel (because of the same equipment/placement and environment), including the ErgoDox one featuring PCB-mounted MX "vintage ghost black" switches w/ thick keycaps, probably the quietest MX-compatible switches without Uniqey QMX-Clips or an equivalent upstroke-dampening mod (MX Silent switches are easier to bottom out with full force and have much thinner keycaps, plus they're on keyboards with a plate).

[BucklingSpring]

No Deck in the list? 

http://www.deckkeyboards.com/products

I have absolutely nothing to complain about my Francium and Hassium. And if not mistaken, those are the only with PBT doubleshots keycaps in the illuminated market.

But if so upset with sounds... Rubberdome or laptop Chiclets are probably the ways to go.

[scooterlord]

Thanks for your wonderful replies people! Looks like I am going for the logitech k740 after all. I'll check for something different for my next keyboard.

...btw I got in touch with MATIAS and they told me that an illuminated keyboards is scheduled for release in 2016...

[sth]

[SamirD]

If you're interested in the Steelseries Apex in non-mech, egagroup.net has a few at really good prices (34.99-54.90 shipped):
http://egagroupusa.net/steelseries-64121-apex-raw-gaming-keyboard.html
http://egagroupusa.net/steelseries-apex-raw-gaming-keyboard-64121.html
http://egagroupusa.net/steelseries-64145-apex-gaming-keyboard.html
http://egagroupusa.net/steelseries-64121-apex-raw-gaming-keyboard-4146.html 

I've ordered several times from this company (their price on the brand new plantronics explorer bluetooth headset is insanely cheap--I've bought 7 already) and they're good to deal with as the products arrive as described and on time.  I just got my logitech bluetooth keyboard for $11 and it was really nicely packed for a used piece.  I thought it was brand new until I examined it closely.

[BrewCaps]

Novatouch with thick PBT keys is pretty quiet.  Massdrop has a barebones version.

[nuzey]

I am surprised why no one suggested this: Why not Logitech G710+? Perfect for you and the keycaps are also standard and not like the ones in K740. Its mechanical too. Very highly recommended for what you are looking for unless you want to buy a set of o-rings and install them on Ducky Shine 5 by yourself which is a little hard work.

[davkol]

I am surprised why no one suggested this: Why not Logitech G710+? Perfect for you and the keycaps are also standard and not like the ones in K740. Its mechanical too. Very highly recommended for what you are looking for unless you want to buy a set of o-rings and install them on Ducky Shine 5 by yourself which is a little hard work.

It's not even close to silent, and the bottom row is incompatible with decent keycaps.

[nuzey]

It's not even close to silent, and the bottom row is incompatible with decent keycaps.

Well no keyboard is really silent but it is pretty good if you want a silent keyboard, especially if you don't bottom out, that thing is pretty silent.

[blueangel2323]

Hello! Just found out about this forum yesterday and was really excited, maybe here I can find my answer!

I am looking for a silent illuminated keyboard to replace my old ms multimedia keyboard - which still runs strong after many many years of usage, but needs keep increasing so.. here goes.

- Only keyboard that almost matches my needs is the Logitech k740 but having second thoughts after reading a few reviews, concerning build quality - however, I guess build quality is something relevant, eg comparing it to a premium keyboard.

- I REALLY like the Steelseries Apex concerning features - customizable lighting, macros - although I never used macros, sound interesting and might be very helpful in my work, but is a mechanical, and even my current keyboard annoys me sometimes because of its noise, let alone my wife complains because I usually work overnight.

- Don't care about usb ports, audio outputs, game buttons.

- From what I have read so far, what would please me would be a mixture of these:

- Matias quiet-pro (http://matias.ca/quietpro/pc/) Like the looks and from the audio test, sounds silent AND have the nice perks of mechanical keyboards (haven't tried one yet)

- Corsair k70 quality

- Steelseries features


I know I am asking for a lot, maybe I missed something that you guys know! Cost IS an issue, meaning I find it ridiculous to pay more than 100-150 euros for a keyboard, but I'd still give it if I am happy with what I get.

Matias quiet-pro is a great keyboard but NOT illuminated if that is a must-have for you.

[neuraxis]

Thanks for the replies but to be honest I would try to avoid a mechanical keyboard unless an exception like the matias with backlighting appears.

I am so sensitive to sound that what most people consider as silent s AWAY from what I think is silent.

Silence is not subjective, it's the complete absence of sound. As far as keyboards go, that doesn't exist.

[davkol]

It's not even close to silent, and the bottom row is incompatible with decent keycaps.

it is pretty good if you want a silent keyboard, especially if you don't bottom out, that thing is pretty silent.

No, it's not, regardless of whether you use the exact definition of silence (unless you're typing in vacuum), or anything subjective (unless you're deaf), because of the undamped upstroke (see my recordings linked above).

[nuzey]

Obviously we are talking about silent being subjective here. There is no silent keyboard. So it is highly dependant on the user to deduce if a particular board is loud or silent.

To answer OP's question, I suggested the G710+ because it is relatively silent to other cherry mx board and it is wired and illuminated. Nothing comes at stock at this level of silent unless you put your own silencing mods such as o-rings, landing pads, etc or a matias silent for mechanical board.

So there ya go. Hopefully OP can post what he chose to get so we all know what kind of silent is silent.

[tararais]

Obviously we are talking about silent being subjective here. There is no silent keyboard. So it is highly dependant on the user to deduce if a particular board is loud or silent.

To answer OP's question, I suggested the G710+ because it is relatively silent to other cherry mx board and it is wired and illuminated. Nothing comes at stock at this level of silent unless you put your own silencing mods such as o-rings, landing pads, etc or a matias silent for mechanical board.

So there ya go. Hopefully OP can post what he chose to get so we all know what kind of silent is silent.

 
 
QMX switches are all less noisy. You can get them directly from Corsair or you can buy a PCB-mounted board and buy the QMX clips from massdrop pretty cheap.

[Oobly]

Obviously we are talking about silent being subjective here. There is no silent keyboard. So it is highly dependant on the user to deduce if a particular board is loud or silent.

To answer OP's question, I suggested the G710+ because it is relatively silent to other cherry mx board and it is wired and illuminated. Nothing comes at stock at this level of silent unless you put your own silencing mods such as o-rings, landing pads, etc or a matias silent for mechanical board.

So there ya go. Hopefully OP can post what he chose to get so we all know what kind of silent is silent.

 
 
QMX switches are all less noisy. You can get them directly from Corsair or you can buy a PCB-mounted board and buy the QMX clips from massdrop pretty cheap.

The first problem with that is to find a good PCB mount board. G80-3000's are really flexible and weird feeling. Also, "pretty cheap" is subjective. $29 is more than any orings. Heck, with PCB mount I'd just add trampolines and latex to the switches. Cheaper, works with all LED's and keycaps and no need to solder (like you have to with plate mount).

Also, I was not aware that Corsair sold GMK products....   MX Silent switches and GMK's QMX dampers are different products and MX Silent are not available direct to the public yet.

Matias Quiet and Corsair Strafe Silent are quieter than the G710+ and damp the release sound as well. The K740 is a whole lot quieter than all of those.

[FrostyToast]

The Strafe seems interesting and would be a decent option. Definitely a more solid option than the G710+ that was mentioned before.
I would just recommend o rings to go along with the strafe as it seems Corsair's implementation is not good at dampening the bottoming out noise.

QMX clips are also something I would look into, however I don't know of an accessible backlit PCB mount keyboard.

It's a bit hard to go into a lot of detail since there is a lot to the keyboard world you have to take in.
That is, assuming you have no prior knowledge of mech boards.

[tararais]

Obviously we are talking about silent being subjective here. There is no silent keyboard. So it is highly dependant on the user to deduce if a particular board is loud or silent.

To answer OP's question, I suggested the G710+ because it is relatively silent to other cherry mx board and it is wired and illuminated. Nothing comes at stock at this level of silent unless you put your own silencing mods such as o-rings, landing pads, etc or a matias silent for mechanical board.

So there ya go. Hopefully OP can post what he chose to get so we all know what kind of silent is silent.

 
 
QMX switches are all less noisy. You can get them directly from Corsair or you can buy a PCB-mounted board and buy the QMX clips from massdrop pretty cheap.

The first problem with that is to find a good PCB mount board. G80-3000's are really flexible and weird feeling. Also, "pretty cheap" is subjective. $29 is more than any orings. Heck, with PCB mount I'd just add trampolines and latex to the switches. Cheaper, works with all LED's and keycaps and no need to solder (like you have to with plate mount).

Also, I was not aware that Corsair sold GMK products....   MX Silent switches and GMK's QMX dampers are different products and MX Silent are not available direct to the public yet.

Matias Quiet and Corsair Strafe Silent are quieter than the G710+ and damp the release sound as well. The K740 is a whole lot quieter than all of those.

 
Hoho, whoops. Thanks for the correction. Regardless, the MX Silent switches (with whatever wizardry they do) should be a worthwhile investigation, or the QMX clips. Are there any custom PCB mount boards?

[BrewCaps]

Just don't add the plate.