Potentially buying my first mechanical keyboard

[Atranox]

First off - noob here in terms of mechanical keyboards.  I have been doing a lot of reading, especially on these forums & the wiki.  However, it's a hell of a lot of knowledge to take it and it's really difficult to make decisions without having ever having used one before.

I've only ever used rubber dome boards...and quite frankly, I don't have any issues with them.  I use a Saitek Eclipse II right now and I can't claim that I have any any concerns with it feeling "mushy" or gimmicky.  With that said, a lot of people have told me to look in to mechanical boards - and while I'm sure it's very subjective, I figure it's worth trying one.

As for what I'm looking for -

1. Mechanical keyboard for under $200 USD.  Lower is of course better...but I don't want anything cheap.  Will be used primarily for gaming - mostly MMO's, but also for some RTS, FPS, and RPG's.

2. Cannot be loud (this probably eliminates blues).  I have looked at a lot of videos trying to get a grip on how loud the different switches are, and I have been unable to really figure this out.  If mechanical boards really are much louder than rubber dome, I probably cannot get one.  My g/f sleeps pretty close to where the PC room is, and I really don't want to keep her up despite the fact that she told me not to worry about it.  For what it's worth, I do mash the keys pretty hard and I'm sure I'll be bottoming-out with a bit of force.  It's fairly audible even when I type on my Saitek...though the keys pretty pretty loose and the majority of the sound does not come from the key bottoming-out.  How do browns & blacks compare to rubber domes in terms of sound?

3. I would prefer backlighting.  It's not an absolute must, but it's a pretty large preference.  I don't look at the keyboard when I type, but my g/f does when she uses the PC.  The room is pretty dim and night and the case & mouse also have some subtle lighting.

4. Would prefer media keys, but it's not the end of the world if it doesn't have them.

With all of this said - does anyone have any suggestions?  I was looking at the Razer Black Widow Ultimate, but since it has blues and I need something fairly quiet, this may not be ideal.  I was also looking at the Deck boards - both linear & tactile.

Thanks!

[CeeSA]

compare the sound of blues / browns:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9H7ofIshZ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSPtsNSQaEk

i think the loudest part is the bottom out and not the click from the blues
both not quiet imo


realy quiet is the MS X4 as ripster advised

[tonyklo]

I have the MS X4 SideWinder, it's def. a great keyboard.

I've tried SteelSeries 6Gv2.  Didn't like it so much.

My next buy would be the new ZOWIE Celeritas (BROWN+ cool features)

should def. check it out : ) coming out soon.

[Minskleip]

Wow this is so racist

[elbowglue]

I know right? I'm so offended too!

[Lanx]

Wow this is so racist

are u a N'avi is that why your so affected by the blue racism?

[Minskleip]

are u a N'avi is that why your so affected by the blue racism?

No I'm not indian, I'm Norwegian.

[msiegel]

Same thing to an American.

MW, is that you?

[LaneWeaver]

I was in the same position you were in. I was afraid the keyboard would be too loud for either myself or my gf in my small ass dorm. She sleeps in my bed often, but I've never really woken her up from my typing - at least, I don't think I have. The keys sound really loud when you're up close but if you don't bottom out every key-press, the blue's clicks are pretty relaxing from 4-5 feet away. I even fell asleep to her typing one time, and I'm a pretty light sleeper. I do have to add that my gf and I are comp sci majors, and she loves using this keyboard. Your gf may or may not like them so much.

Oh, I forgot to mention have a BlackWidow. I imagine if you go with a keyboard with brown or black switches, and if you don't try to kill every key, you'll be okay. I learned not to bottom out in about a day or so and it didn't take any effort at all.

I think the first thing you should do is maybe take her to a retail outlet and have the both of you try out a mechanical keyboard on display, and see if she likes them. I'm fortunate enough to live in NYC and be able to try out a Das with her in J&R.