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Author Topic: First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase  (Read 4304 times)

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Offline charliexjustice

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« on: Sun, 06 March 2011, 21:33:16 »
After a few hours of browsing the geekhack forums and google, I am still not sure which mech keyboard to buy.

I would appreciate anyone's input/advice, you all seem to be impressively knowledgeable about keyboards :)

I am looking for a tenkeyless board in the 100$ range, probably referred to as a "mainstream" mechanical keyboard according to the forum guide.

My uses are primarily gaming and secondarily writing.

The new leopolds look nice and reasonably affordable, although I'm not sure what the shipping costs will be like.

I suppose the major choice to make is between mxbrown and blue. I live with other people and game late into the night while others sleep in rooms next to me. Is there any reason the louder blue keys are more advantageous for gaming? All things being the same, I'd prefer quieter ones.

Any other 100$ range tenkeyless boards anyone can recommend besides the leopolds? I really want to avoid spending 150ish on a keyboard if at all possible. If I could spend 100 total including shipping that would be great.

Also, I'm totally open to used keyboards as well.

thanks for reading!
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Offline Jasonszion

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 06 March 2011, 21:36:56 »
If you are in the US I would say the Leopold is going to be the way to go... EK is one of the best companies that I have ever dealt with.. You should be happy!
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Steelseries 6Gv2 (Cherry Blacks) <<<On desk for gaming...
Compaq MX 11800 
DAS old style w/cherry blues

Offline Chobopants

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 00:05:16 »
Quote from: Jasonszion;306587
If you are in the US I would say the Leopold is going to be the way to go... EK is one of the best companies that I have ever dealt with.. You should be happy!


EK has only treated me well and the price point of the Leopolds is VERY compelling. I'm going to be ordering one tomorrow myself and I'd wager you wouldn't be disappointed.
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Realforce 87UW 45g - Filco Blue 87 - Filco Linear R - Filco Brown 104

Offline Armando Penblade

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 01:29:58 »
Blues aren't better for gaming. Some people would claim they're worse (hard to doubletap), but I've been using mine for a few days now without any issue whatsoever. Of course, I'm not a pro gamer and my APM is probably lower than my postcount, but c'est le vie ;)

Browns do have a smaller tactile "bump" as you move the key down, so if you were hoping to have something very significant there, they may not be the best choice, but they're still quite different in feel than a regular old rubber dome keyboard and will last you a very long time without much/any degradation in feel or quality.

While you could get an Adesso MKB125/135B or a Scorpius iOne shipped for under $100USD, there have been a few quality concerns about each posted here and elsewhere. One of those Quality Control scenarios: some keyboards are fine, others are not. Unless you've got a good warranty, it could be riskier than a higher-end brand.

The Razer BlackWidow is in your price range, too, but it's got noisy blue keys and some people (fewer than the Adesso/iOne) have concerns about it, too, mostly in terms of keycap wear (a problem for most Razer boards). That said, it is a "gaming" keyboard, so it's got macro keys and media keys and whatnot. . . that may be a nice thing for you. Definitely doable for much less than $100 shipped.

A tenkeyless Leopold will probably run you somewhere between $110-$120 shipped depending on where in the US you are compared to EliteKeyboards' shipping facilities; if you're outside the US, it will be much more expensive than that. They're designed by the same guy as the popular, well-made Filco Majestouch line and people who've imported them from Asia have had good experiences thus far. I would recommend a tenkeyless in brown when they're available (probably later today!).

The last option you could consider is the Rosewill RK-9000, which is in many respects a rebranded Filco with a US distributor (Newegg), good quality, and a good price tag when it's on sale ($70-$80 isn't unheard of). On the other hand, it's got noisy blue keycaps and has been out of stock for a couple of weeks now with no official word about availability from Newegg going forward.
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Filco Majestouch 104-US, Metallic Blue, with Chery MX Blues  //  Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000, 104-US + Media Keys & Browser Controls  //  iRocks RF-6570 Cordless 104-US, 2.4GHz Wireless, White  //  SteelSeries 6Gv2 104-US, Black, with Cherry MX Blacks

Offline charliexjustice

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 03:08:48 »
Thank you guys very much for your quick and informative replies!

Much respect to you all and this forum.

Any and all other opinions are welcome, I will read each post from top to bottom.

Quote from: Armando Penblade
Browns do have a smaller tactile "bump" as you move the key down, so if you were hoping to have something very significant there, they may not be the best choice


I don't quite understand what you mean. Are you saying that the smaller tactile bump is worse for gaming somehow? Or for some other reason?

The Adesso MKB125/135B or a Scorpius iOne both look solid to me. I'd be down to take a risk to save some money, but I couldn't find tenkeyless versions of them. Do tkl versions exist? Right now my main requirement for a new board is that it be tkl, because the awkward desk setup I currently have is causing me wrist/shoulder issues and I need to save the space. A friend of mine had a similar problem and fixed it with a tkl filco board that is now unfindable, haha.

I actually have had very good experiences with Rosewill, I bought 2 computer cases that are both of excellent quality for VERY cheap (Rosewill Challenger and the Destroyer), but as you said that board is also unfindable.

One last question: if the shipping tacked onto the leopold really adds up, would I be better off spending a bit more and just getting the filco majestouch? Example: 100$ leopold +30$ shipping = 130, 139$ filco + free shipping = 139.

Are the mxblack keyswitches the best of both brown and blue worlds? Or is the leopold about the same as the filco majestouch?

Thanks again! Charlie
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Offline pm_

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 03:10:33 »
The clicks on blues are a higher pitch and more intrusive than the browns.  However, the browns aren't really quiet either...just less intrusive.  Blues and browns have both been great for FPS gaming, and while I don't play RTS games, I think they'd play well there, too (and a lot of GHers will tell you that).

Regarding feel, browns have a more subtle tactile bump that blues and require less activation force. I don't necessarily view it as a pro or con, as it's more personal preference.  Personally, I like the browns a little more right now.  Both are great switches though and I don't think either one would be a bad choice from a feeling/responsiveness standpoint.
« Last Edit: Mon, 07 March 2011, 03:12:42 by pm_ »
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Offline charliexjustice

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #6 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 03:13:44 »
One more question: how fast do you think the preorder will sell out?

I would like to find out the time window I have to make a decision.
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Offline pm_

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 03:20:58 »
Quote from: charliexjustice;306684

One last question: if the shipping tacked onto the leopold really adds up, would I be better off spending a bit more and just getting the filco majestouch? Example: 100$ leopold +30$ shipping = 130, 139$ filco + free shipping = 139.

Are the mxblack keyswitches the best of both brown and blue worlds? Or is the leopold about the same as the filco majestouch?
Thanks again! Charlie


This is what happens when we're posting at the same time. :p

Filco and Leopold are supposed to be comparable in quality, but have a few design differences.  Sharper edges on the Filco, LEDs in the keycaps on the Leopold.  They are both designed by the same person, or so we've been told.  As far as I know, the standard Amazon return policy applies to the Filco's, so if you are fearful you may get it and not like it, you can return it.  Elite Keyboards does not accept returns, only exchanges for defective goods, so you would be stuck with the Leopold, although it is perfectly resellable.  I just pre-ordered a Leopold 10keyless with browns, a keycap puller, and the lavender WASD keys.  The amount from Elite Keyboards was $108.50 + $12.50 shipping (standard ground shipping to IL from CA), for a total of $121.

Black switches are NOTHING like browns or blues, and don't represent a happy medium at all.  I'd even call them the evil medium, as I think they are pretty sucky.  When looking at Cherry switches, I think at least 80% of Geekhackers prefer brown and blue switches to blacks (there are several polls to back that up). They require noticeably more activation force and are, for a lot of people, fatiguing to type and game on.
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Offline Armando Penblade

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 08:23:45 »
Blacks (and reds) are what they call "linear" switches; when you're pressing it down, there's no "bump" that says "Hey, you just pressed the key!"

Both the browns and blues have such a bump in the downward motion of the key. . . the resistance is higher, pushing against your finger slightly, and then the key feels like it "gives way" a little bit, bump! The black just has high resistance all the way down.

Reds are like low-resistance blacks: no bump, but a lot easier to push down. They will fatigue you less than blacks, but it might also be easier to accidentally press a key by holding your finger on it, and they are (currently) sort of difficult to come by cheaply in the US.
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Filco Majestouch 104-US, Metallic Blue, with Chery MX Blues  //  Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000, 104-US + Media Keys & Browser Controls  //  iRocks RF-6570 Cordless 104-US, 2.4GHz Wireless, White  //  SteelSeries 6Gv2 104-US, Black, with Cherry MX Blacks

Offline charliexjustice

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 09:39:57 »
Thanks again guys. Sorry about the simultaneous posts!

I thought I read on amazon that the Felco Majestouch was equipped with mx blacks? Perhaps I misread. They sound like something I need to avoid, haha. Thanks for the heads up!

Any idea if the leopold preorder will sell out, or end very quickly? I'm trying to estimate my time window for a decision on a keyboard.

The info about amazon vs EK is very helpful too, thanks!
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Offline rustybarnacle

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 11:27:30 »
Quote from: charliexjustice;306584


I am looking for a tenkeyless board in the 100$ range, probably referred to as a "mainstream" mechanical keyboard according to the forum guide.

My uses are primarily gaming and secondarily writing.

I suppose the major choice to make is between mxbrown and blue. I live with other people and game late into the night while others sleep in rooms next to me. Is there any reason the louder blue keys are more advantageous for gaming? All things being the same, I'd prefer quieter ones.



You want tenkeyless, quiet, and sub $100?  Pretty easy choice - leopold tenkeyless w/brown switches from elitekeyboards.com  Now you just have to decide if you want printed keys or not, but that is definitely your board.
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Offline charliexjustice

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 16:56:09 »
Ahhhh, thanks Ripster, sorry I must have misread Amazon. They do indeed have the browns.

It looks like the Leopold is definitely the right choice for me.

Is the printless keys feature an advantage or disadvantage for gaming?
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Offline wongster

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 17:00:50 »
It all depends on whether or not you look down at your keyboard to find keys while gaming. Otherwise, it's purely an aesthetics/coolness thing.
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CM Storm Cherry MX Red Tenkeyless - Black Engraved PBT, SC2, Novelty, RGBY, Red Esc Doubleshots
Leopold Cherry MX Brown Tenkeyless - Stock
IBM Model M #1390120 - March 11 1986

Offline rustybarnacle

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #13 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 17:43:56 »
Quote from: wongster;307139
It all depends on whether or not you look down at your keyboard to find keys while gaming. Otherwise, it's purely an aesthetics/coolness thing.


it also makes lesser gamers afraid to touch your stuff, which is a huge plus
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Offline wongster

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #14 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 18:06:45 »
True, true! Blank keys are for the leet-factor, but not very practical. I would settle for dark lettering on black keys though. It has the subtlety and clean look of blank keys, but still has letters in case you need them.
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CM Storm Cherry MX Red Tenkeyless - Black Engraved PBT, SC2, Novelty, RGBY, Red Esc Doubleshots
Leopold Cherry MX Brown Tenkeyless - Stock
IBM Model M #1390120 - March 11 1986

Offline Tony

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #15 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 20:31:57 »
When you are using blank keys, you are getting rid of the bad habits of looking at the keyboards while typing. In a month you will type faster, around 5-10wpm.

Trouble is that when you are holding the mouse or telephone in one hand, and have to type with the other. So a dark lettering on black keys are the most sensible.
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Keyboard: Filco MJ1 104 brown, Filco MJ2 87 brown, Compaq MX11800, Noppoo Choc Brown/Blue/Red, IBM Model M 1996, CMStorm Quickfire Rapid Black
Layout: Colemak experience, speed of 67wpm

Offline charliexjustice

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #16 on: Tue, 08 March 2011, 16:39:26 »
Thank you all very much.

With shipping/tax, the Leopold will cost 118$. The total cost of the Filco Majestouch would actually be 139. For some reason EK has tax and amazon does not :/

I am now debating on whether I should spend an extra 20$ to get the keyboard about a month earlier (and that might be better?), or wait it out for the preorder of the Leopold.

I realize I am discussing this to death, and will not resent an absence of replies at this point, but any more opinions/thoughts are welcome :)
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Offline rustybarnacle

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #17 on: Tue, 08 March 2011, 19:07:13 »
They don't have l33t blank keys in the leopold on amazon afaik.  Go leopold!
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Offline charliexjustice

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First Mechanical Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #18 on: Thu, 10 March 2011, 15:56:37 »
Just ordered a Leopold with Brown switches, can't wait for it to come! Too bad it will probably be at least a month till it arrives :(

Thanks everyone for all of your help!!!
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