Author Topic: Looking for a first mechanical.  (Read 1688 times)

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Offline Snow_Fox

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Looking for a first mechanical.
« on: Fri, 26 November 2010, 14:32:20 »
I made my way here from OCN. I am looking to hop into the world of mechs. I am pretty open to advice seeing as there is a bit of selection out there. I am currently waiting on a response from Xarmor about how much  the U9BL will be with an educational discount and for black friday. I type regularly on forums, I am in college and although I'm mostly done with paper writing courses, there will be more in the future.I also am going to be a programmer, so even though its not a lot of time typing line for line.. its still a lot of time on the keyboard. In addition to all that, I am also a gamer. I play some of everything. Some MMO, Some FPS, ect ect. I am not looking for anything specific besides a better experience with my keyboard. I don't care if it makes a lot of click click click either.

Infact, I have a 10$ logitech at the moment that I am using.. and I would *RATHER* hear clicking than the "rattle rattle rattle" type noise it makes. Not saying its a well defined rattling but, its the best way I can phrase it because, the keyboard itself does infact make noise when I type. I've had my eyes on the black widow, I am really considering xarmor. USB or PS2 is fine. The main prerequisite I have is that you have a reason for suggesting what you suggest and when I get it, I not feel like I'm still using my 10$ crapboard. (not that I am having any problems with this one.. just really not the funnest to use). I mean, not trying to brag or anything here.. but, my fans in my case are probably the cheapest component and they msrp 20$ (not that I paid that much for em).. SO at the moment the part of my comp I touch the most is also the cheapest...

I prefer to keep the budget under 130$ (before S&h).

I am trying to not cave in to too many gimmicks but, a lot of people like the fact that ps2 ports offer interrupt based speed which means, thats the fastest your going to get.. I don't mind that the black widow has ultrapolling.. even if its slower.. It is still probably better than my current keyboard and it has the added bonus of being usb which means, I won't have to worry about upgrading mobo in 3 years and not having my ps/2 port need to be adapted.

At any rate I'm pretty open so far. BW or U9BL are what I have my eyes on.

I'm kinda leaning towards the U9BL for following reasons.

+Wrist rest. (I don't know if I will seriously end up using it but, I am hoping if I do and I like it, maybe I won't have carpel tunnel XD)

+ NKRO (its not needed and the BW would probably do just as well tbh I've never had any major problems with keys rolling but, never know what button holding games I may need to play in future).

+Not shiny.. I think aesthetically it looks pretty good and I hopefully won't have to clean it daily.


I was wondering if this board sounds like it would work well for me or if maybe I should consider something else?
Also one thing that bugs me is I noticed it and BW both have rubber coating.. I am worried about that wearing down/coming off and looking like crap.  
I was wondering if the rubber does end up looking like a bad case of diarrhea if its possible to replace the keys.. I used a laptop for 3 years almost up till about august. So I'm use to not really being able to replace keys.. (also where the concern for the rubber comes in seeing as the trackpad had rubber coating on the right/left click  and it came off and looked horrible).
However, I see people taking the mech key's off like its nothing. I'm thinking that would be good if I ever needed to clean/replace keys.. I just don't know if they are replaceable.

So. Any advice?

If there is a list of questions I can fill out to help you guys answer sorry I didn't see it x.x if there isn't feel free to ask.

Offline Azuremen

  • Posts: 317
Looking for a first mechanical.
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 26 November 2010, 14:40:28 »
Rosewill RK-9000 or a Filco with Blues.

No high gloss finish, wonderful Cherry Blue sound, and around the budget you laid out.
Filco Tenkeyless Tactile Click ~ Kinesis Professional ~ White label Model M ~ DX HHKB Killer
Mionix Naos 5000 ~ Logitech Mx518
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Offline kidchunks

  • Posts: 496
Looking for a first mechanical.
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 26 November 2010, 14:41:31 »
Quote from: Azuremen;252618
Rosewill RK-9000 or a Filco with Blues.

No high gloss finish, wonderful Cherry Blue sound, and around the budget you laid out.


+1 on the Rosewill RK-9000
Topre || BS > *
my root : kidchunks[dot]com

Offline kidchunks

  • Posts: 496
Looking for a first mechanical.
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 26 November 2010, 14:45:01 »
You can also try browns since I see you're doing a little of everything.
Just be warned! Brown switches are LIGHT to the touch.
« Last Edit: Fri, 26 November 2010, 14:55:06 by kidchunks »
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Offline Snow_Fox

  • Thread Starter
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Looking for a first mechanical.
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 26 November 2010, 14:54:26 »
I've actually been reading about them for quite some time.

Lack of back lighting is in no way a major deal breaker.

I also for what it is worth don't mind paying a bit more for back lighting.

To clarify. I am a pretty good typist.. I've even considered getting a blank keyboard because, I don't look 90% of the time anyway and, no keys just means I would learn the symbols I don't already know.

However, to be honest, I am something of a sucker for aesthetics.

I have to admit, I feel stupid.. But, I actually like the look of the BW ultimate and the U9BL if priced right would be very nice as well.

I hate to be as picky as I am however,  if I'm spending close to 100$ on the keyboard already that I expect to last me a long time.. another 20$ or so really isn't going to hurt if I'm going to appreciate it aesthetically more.

For what is worth, I don't exclusively find that stylish things are always more expensive, however styling is something I am willing to pay a little bit more on if possible.

While I'm not holding my breath on it, I do want to ask (I love to have a good idea of what I'm getting before hand). If the xarmor guys get back to me and tell me the U9BL with educational discount is 100$ even.

Would there be any major differences in quality between the rosewill and U9BL?

Offline kidchunks

  • Posts: 496
Looking for a first mechanical.
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 26 November 2010, 15:02:05 »
Quote from: Snow_Fox;252632
Would there be any major differences in quality between the rosewill and U9BL?

I'm sure the U9BL is build well(never owned one).
I love my rosewill rk-9000.
Check out the review on the rosewill rk-9000 and find one for the U9BL

Make your choice then :P
Topre || BS > *
my root : kidchunks[dot]com

Offline Azuremen

  • Posts: 317
Looking for a first mechanical.
« Reply #6 on: Fri, 26 November 2010, 15:08:51 »
If you are wondering about how the BW compares to the Rosewill, I should be able to give a comparison soon. A friend of mine ordered the Razer BW after trying out my Rosewill for a bit, but I've heard the stabilizers are kind of iffy on the BW. He'll for sure let me test out the BW, though that won't be for a few days at least.
Filco Tenkeyless Tactile Click ~ Kinesis Professional ~ White label Model M ~ DX HHKB Killer
Mionix Naos 5000 ~ Logitech Mx518
Flickr

Offline Snow_Fox

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  • Posts: 18
Looking for a first mechanical.
« Reply #7 on: Fri, 26 November 2010, 15:18:01 »
@kidchunks

Do you know how the keycaps for the rosewill are made? Is there any rubber coating or anything?

Offline Snow_Fox

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Looking for a first mechanical.
« Reply #8 on: Fri, 26 November 2010, 15:43:20 »
Well... I suppose it all comes down to price now..

I've seen quite a few good reviews on both saying they are both worth it.

I may just be impatient but, I emailed xarmor long before their business hours this morning asking if their educational discount stacks with the black friday discount..

I am beginning to wish I'd have gotten the rosewill on that sale though.

Offline laden3

  • Posts: 594
Looking for a first mechanical.
« Reply #9 on: Fri, 26 November 2010, 16:24:27 »
Quote from: Snow_Fox;252670
Well... I suppose it all comes down to price now..

I've seen quite a few good reviews on both saying they are both worth it.

I may just be impatient but, I emailed xarmor long before their business hours this morning asking if their educational discount stacks with the black friday discount..

I am beginning to wish I'd have gotten the rosewill on that sale though.


Hopefully it stacks...please tell us if it does...
I rrrove brrracks.