Help me choose the perfect (and my first) mechanical keyboard for my needs.

[Fixall]

Ok, so I know this question has been asked a million times, but I've been researching mechanical keyboards (from a consumer standpoint) for a few weeks and haven't found a satisfactory answer.  This forum seems to have a CONSIDERABLE amount of posters well learned on the topic of keyboards...  Help please!

Later this week I'll be picking up my very first mechanical keyboard (hella excited).  Here's a bit on what I'm looking for.

1.  I have budgeted $150 (before tax/shipping) for the purchase but am willing to spend another $50 or so if you really show me something great.

2.  The keyboard will be used for 50% typing and 50% gaming (the games are mostly first person shooters and mmo's, no StarCraft).

3.  I would like tactile switches (Cherry MX black and red linears didn't feel as satisfying as the blue's I've felt) but Cherry MX blues are too loud for me so, I'm thinking either Cherry MX brown or clears (whites if you prefer).

4.  My mouse sits on the tier above the keyboard so a 10-keyless is not necessary.

5.  I would really like an illuminated keyboard.


That's about it on my uses and requirements.

As of now my choice is the Das Keyboard Model S Professional Silent.  I've heavily researched (and in a couple cases tried out) the Filco, Ducky, and Leopold offerings and while they are ALL great keyboards I didn't feel they were worth $50 - $100 more (because of the student discount)  than the Das Keyboard nor did I need the 10-keyless aspects of some of them.  I'm not a huge fan of the shininess (that word looks funny) of the Das but it isn't a deal breaker.

The only thing the Das doesn't have (nor do the other keyboards I've mentioned) is illuminated keys.  And thus the reason I've posted this question.  Does anyone have any ideas?

I know Deck makes illuminated keyboards with Cherry MX clear switches, but I'm not interested.  A friend of mine has a Deck Legend and while the illumination is top notch...  The keyboard just didn't look or feel to me as if it was in the same league as any of the keyboards I've mentioned...  So yea...  No recommendations for Deck's please.

[Gfresh404]

Ok, so I know this question has been asked a million times, but I've been researching mechanical keyboards (from a consumer standpoint) for a few weeks and haven't found a satisfactory answer.  This forum seems to have a CONSIDERABLE amount of posters well learned on the topic of keyboards...  Help please!

Later this week I'll be picking up my very first mechanical keyboard (hella excited).  Here's a bit on what I'm looking for.

1.  I have budgeted $150 (before tax/shipping) for the purchase but am willing to spend another $50 or so if you really show me something great.

2.  The keyboard will be used for 50% typing and 50% gaming (the games are mostly first person shooters and mmo's, no StarCraft).

3.  I would like tactile switches (Cherry MX black and red linears didn't feel as satisfying as the blue's I've felt) but Cherry MX blues are too loud for me so, I'm thinking either Cherry MX brown or clears (whites if you prefer).

4.  My mouse sits on the tier above the keyboard so a 10-keyless is not necessary.

5.  I would really like an illuminated keyboard.


That's about it on my uses and requirements.

As of now my choice is the Das Keyboard Model S Professional Silent.  I've heavily researched (and in a couple cases tried out) the Filco, Ducky, and Leopold offerings and while they are ALL great keyboards I didn't feel they were worth $50 - $100 more (because of the student discount)  than the Das Keyboard nor did I need the 10-keyless aspects of some of them.  I'm not a huge fan of the shininess (that word looks funny) of the Das but it isn't a deal breaker.

The only thing the Das doesn't have (nor do the other keyboards I've mentioned) is illuminated keys.  And thus the reason I've posted this question.  Does anyone have any ideas?

I know Deck makes illuminated keyboards with Cherry MX clear switches, but I'm not interested.  A friend of mine has a Deck Legend and while the illumination is top notch...  The keyboard just didn't look or feel to me as if it was in the same league as any of the keyboards I've mentioned...  So yea...  No recommendations for Deck's please.

I have yet to see a very well built back lit keyboard.
 
I'd go Das - they really do make great keyboards. I had an MX Blue one for a while. And for $100 you really can't beat the value. The only reason I got rid of mine was because I wanted MX Reds in a Tenkeyless Keyboard.

[BaconKnight]

If you're taking Deck Legend's out of the equation, I think only other option might be XArmor U9BL-S.

I don't have any experience with them so I can't say anything to the quality of them. I saw a youtube vid of a guy comparing a Filco to it. He seemed generally pleased with the XArmor though keep in mind he may not be as familiar with mechanical keyboards as most people here are. Also he still ends up saying the Filco just feels higher quality and better to type on after praising the XArmor.

I wanna say I saw a recent post about XArmor boards breaking down on here, but can't say for sure, didn't really read it since it didn't affect me, but you might want to search for that. I'm pretty sure the Das will be higher quality in terms of build quality so you'll have to ask yourself how important the illumination is.

Also on a sidenote, is the education discount for Das that big? I thought it was only $30 off which would bring the board to around $100 which is more or less the same price you could get a Leopold off of EK now. I know you said you don't need tenkeyless because you mouse on a higher level than your board but one thing to consider is, if you did get a tenkeyless, maybe now you can start putting them on the same level with the saved space. I never could do the whole two tier mouse/keyboard thing. Even when I bust out my huge keyboards like my Model M that only leave like 2.5 inches on my tray, I still have to mouse there.

[Tony]

The topic starter already made his decision. No help is really needed.

[Fixall]

If you're taking Deck Legend's out of the equation, I think only other option might be XArmor U9BL-S.

I don't have any experience with them so I can't say anything to the quality of them. I saw a youtube vid of a guy comparing a Filco to it. He seemed generally pleased with the XArmor though keep in mind he may not be as familiar with mechanical keyboards as most people here are. Also he still ends up saying the Filco just feels higher quality and better to type on after praising the XArmor.

I wanna say I saw a recent post about XArmor boards breaking down on here, but can't say for sure, didn't really read it since it didn't affect me, but you might want to search for that. I'm pretty sure the Das will be higher quality in terms of build quality so you'll have to ask yourself how important the illumination is.

Also on a sidenote, is the education discount for Das that big? I thought it was only $30 off which would bring the board to around $100 which is more or less the same price you could get a Leopold off of EK now. I know you said you don't need tenkeyless because you mouse on a higher level than your board but one thing to consider is, if you did get a tenkeyless, maybe now you can start putting them on the same level with the saved space. I never could do the whole two tier mouse/keyboard thing. Even when I bust out my huge keyboards like my Model M that only leave like 2.5 inches on my tray, I still have to mouse there.

Yea, I've never handled an XArmor and I'm actually curious about them.  I've read a few reviews going back and forth and in the end it seemed like they weren't as high quality as the others mentioned here.  I haven't found nearly as much info on them as the rest though so if someone has more hands on experience with XArmor's, I'm all ears.

The Das discount is 24% off and free shipping, so it's only about 20 bucks cheaper than the Leopold.  I actually like the looks of the Leopold more than the Das, and to be honest now that I think of it, I HATE using my mouse on the second tier, but my keyboard tray is only 22 inches long.  >.<  Maybe I should look into installing a new keyboard tray and picking up a 10-keyless.  The other thing I've noticed is every time I lean towards the Leopold, I start thinking I should spend the extra $30 and get a Majestouch 1 or 2, and then it ends up being $50 more than the Das, lol.

[Fixall]

The topic starter already made his decision. No help is really needed.

 
Almost!  I guess I'm hoping someone is keeping a gem of a company all to themselves.  I really want backlighting, but it looks like I need to buy a lamp or man up and learn to touch type better.

[BaconKnight]

Leopold tenkeyless is 14.1 inches. That'd leave you with 7.9 inches. Might be big enough to mouse on, can't really say since that'll be up to your mouse sensitivity. Just to give some context, if you wanna look at my gallery, 2nd picture shows the Leopold on my tray which is 24.5 inches, so 2.5 inches bigger than yours (that's me counting the metal side struts to the width). You can also see what I mean when I say with my larger keyboards, like the Model M, I have like 2 inches of clearance for my mouse lol.

Don't have a Filco though I eventually want to get one for my browns funnily enough, but I can say that the Leopold is a fine keyboard and probably very very close to the Filco in terms of quality. This is going off of people's testimonies who have both. Biggest thing seems to be Filco has a more consistent feeling to their stabilizer keys but for me it's not that noticeable but your mileage may vary. Also on the flipside the Leopold has a detachable USB cord instead of a bolted on one which I rather have, just in case the cord breaks, all I have to do is replace the cheapo usb cable. So pros and cons to each.

[Fixall]

Leopold tenkeyless is 14.1 inches. That'd leave you with 7.9 inches. Might be big enough to mouse on, can't really say since that'll be up to your mouse sensitivity. Just to give some context, if you wanna look at my gallery, 2nd picture shows the Leopold on my tray which is 24.5 inches, so 2.5 inches bigger than yours (that's me counting the metal side struts to the width). You can also see what I mean when I say with my larger keyboards, like the Model M, I have like 2 inches of clearance for my mouse lol.

Don't have a Filco though I eventually want to get one for my browns funnily enough, but I can say that the Leopold is a fine keyboard and probably very very close to the Filco in terms of quality. This is going off of people's testimonies who have both. Biggest thing seems to be Filco has a more consistent feeling to their stabilizer keys but for me it's not that noticeable but your mileage may vary. Also on the flipside the Leopold has a detachable USB cord instead of a bolted on one which I rather have, just in case the cord breaks, all I have to do is replace the cheapo usb cable. So pros and cons to each.

I just ordered a Razer Deathadder 3.5G mouse and the small sized Goliathus mouse pad.  I can turn the sensitivity up high enough on the mouse.  I'm currently gaming on an 8" mouse pad anyways, It just never crossed my mind that maybe I'd have enough room on my tray!

I think I may be trimming my mat and going with a Leopold or Filco 10-keyless now, unless someone finds an amazing illuminated board, lol.  Thank you!

[BaconKnight]

Glad to help, whichever one you pick, I know you wont regret it.

[noodles256]

wlcm 2 gh

[Fixall]

I just saw a Majestouch-2 Ninja 10-keyless for the first time.  I think I'm in love!!!

And thank you for the welcome.