Author Topic: First Keyboard/Starcraft 2 (Read 20936 times)

PlayerZero · « **on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 07:21:02 »

Hey, first time poster here =)
Anyway, I've been looking into buying my first mechanical keyboard. I'll be using it for Starcraft 2 and some typing, so i thought Cherry MX brown switches would be good since I can't afford multiple keyboards. I'm really liking the Leopold FC200RT/AB, which is a tenkeyless with browns. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has this keyboard and likes it. It nicely fits my price range and requirements, but I want to make sure it's good quality. So if anyone wants to steer me away or suggest an alternative (not too much more expensive, if possible) that would be great.
On a side note, I was wondering if the "spamming" (rapidly pressing one key over and over) we Starcraft players do has any affects on keyboards I should know about.

TL;DR: I want to buy a keyboard with browns and want to know if the leopold is good. Also, is spamming bad for keyboards?

Thanks much!

david · « **Reply #1 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 07:35:53 »

I can tell you in a couple days as I was in the same boat as you and ordered that particular keyboard. A couple of my friends who play SC2 a lot more than I do have the keyboard and they really like it!

Zet · « **Reply #2 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 08:02:56 »

First off, welcome to GeekHack.

Soon you will get a reply by brkim who is another sc2 player with more experience with sc2/geming in mechanical keyboards and probably he will tell you that Red switches are the best ones for him, but that browns are really close after them for sc2/gaming. As of tapping/spamming you don't have to worry at all, this is what mechanical keyboards are build for! Just don't get blue switches since at least I, found a people complaining that tapping specifically can give you problems if you do it really fast, but I haven't tried a blue switch for sc2 myself, in this, also brkim will be able to enlighten you.

Filco with red switches probably is the best you can get, but is also way more expensive than the Leopold, so then your next better choice in my personal opinion would be Leopold with brown switches, and then if you can't get it, one with black switches (if those are around, I don't know).
Just go for the Leopold with Browns, filcos are hard to get this days.

Btw what league are you?

I'm always looking for new friends in sc2, I play NA server btw

HaveANiceDay · « **Reply #3 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 08:24:54 »

Really, it doesn't matter what keyboard you get. You get accustomed to everything.
There are some sc2 pro players that use blues too, and they reach 300+ apm without problems. I doubt that you will need more speed than that.

MasterBlaster · « **Reply #4 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 08:26:36 »

you might want to look at Das Professional Silent too , has brown swiches

noodles256 · « **Reply #5 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 08:30:50 »

wlcm 2 gh

godofdeath · « **Reply #6 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 09:03:27 »

Liquidtyler has browns

Zet · « **Reply #7 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 09:27:26 »

Oh also, I forgot to mention, if you stay around this forums too much, theres a high chance you will end up getting more than one mechanical keyboard, so get one and get out if you don't wanna get addicted xD

errol · « **Reply #8 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 09:27:45 »

I use a Filco with blues for SC2. They are Awsome! I feel that the clickyness helps get you into a rhythm. I wouldn't worry too much about double tapping, I can get my APM up over 300 with no double click issues. My only wish was that they were a touch heavier for gaming. I also own a Filco MX Black & I wish I could find a tactile board with a weight in between the blue & blacks.

What's your handle? We should have a Geekhack SC2 meet-up sometime

Mine is KilLy but my identifier# escapes me right now T_T

Index · « **Reply #9 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 12:29:31 »

I play ALOT of sc2, and I own a Leopold Tenkeyless with Browns (mine is the otaku version though). I love it. Some people complain about the "mushiness" feeling on the larger keys (like the shift key), this is due to the cherry stabilizers. For me, it's noticeable, but it doesn't bother me at all.

I love the browns, but I hate blues (too loud for me).

The other options to the Leopold is the Filco. If you have some extra cash and don't mind the Filco Logo, non-detachable USB cord, and no 3-channel cord, then I strongly suggest the Filco Tenkeyless with Browns.

IMO, the only thing the Leopold has over the Filco is this:
- No Logo (which is a big thing for me, I really dislike the loud Filco Logo)
- 3-channel cord (top, left, right)
- detachable usb cable
- ~$40 cheaper

False_Dmitry_II · « **Reply #10 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 13:49:39 »

What, to see if they actually stop working?

ogreofdakka · « **Reply #11 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 14:48:57 »

if you decide to get multiple boards eventually you can always go for a poker with reds, probably the cheapest option for reds right now. or you could always just mod the leopold to ghetto reds

ethics- · « **Reply #12 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 15:07:26 »

I was in the same situation as you just a few days ago. I ended going for a Filco blue from Amazon. It is absolutely amazing for typing, and I have no trouble playing SC2 at a Master's level. I think I'm already spoiled by the blue switches, as I'm typing this on my laptop right now and it just isn't nearly as satisfying.

Bucky · « **Reply #13 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 15:10:26 »

Nice to see the good SC2 crowd here

Anyway most switches should be fine, mostly preference. There are pros that use black (steelseries boards mostly), brown, and blue switches, I dont think there is a consensus on the best.

GL with the new board.

bkforyou · « **Reply #14 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 15:13:02 »

I tried both browns and blues for SC2. I'm using blues as my main for sc2 and i love it. I know boxer uses blues too =D.

Only time I thought the blues got in the way of me gaming was when I was playing a FPS - CS source.

Zet · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 15:46:53 »

Yes, it's nice to know that many sc2 players are around here.

And also, I've saw that boxer uses razer deathadder as his mouse, and someone mentioned he plays with black widow too, but I don't know exactly if this is recently or not, I know deathadder is from old times, due pictures, but idk about the keyboard, probably he uses both now, since Razer sponsors him and all the SlayerS team, but who knows.

All the EG team uses SteelSeries material, since they sponsor them, I know that iNcontroL uses a 6gv2 with black switches. And there was a guy spoted at MLG using a filco, but I couldn't recognize who was exactly, by the looks I think it was TT1

noodles256 · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 15:50:16 »

its all preferenceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee or what you are forced to use

Zet · « **Reply #17 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 16:04:54 »

Quote from: noodles256;349112

its all preferenceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee or what you are forced to use

we are just noting that ones of all our idols use which switch, thats all xD

PlayerZero · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 16:21:05 »

Thanks everybody!
Anyway, I think this board sounds pretty good for a noob like me, so hopefully I'll be able to order it soon. I'll have to check youtube for demonstrations too...
Also, for those of you with this board, is the general build quality and quality in general pretty good? I don't want something terrible.

BTW, my SC2 name is PlayerZero char code #207, and i'm proud to be in bronze league =)

dfoo · « **Reply #19 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 22:16:00 »

I have a brown leopold and a blue filco and I prefer the browns for sc2. spamming keys are a lot easier

epik · « **Reply #20 on:** Fri, 20 May 2011, 22:24:50 »

Quote from: dfoo;349296

I have a brown leopold and a blue filco and I prefer the browns for sc2. spamming keys are a lot easier

You can hold a key to repeat whatever unit. ie. Zerg: s, dddddddddddd, will give you 10+ drones.

PlayerZero · « **Reply #21 on:** Sat, 21 May 2011, 07:01:21 »

Quote from: epik;349300

You can hold a key to repeat whatever unit. ie. Zerg: s, dddddddddddd, will give you 10+ drones.

But that's only if you have the minerals. Spamming is so the unit/building/upgrade starts production the instant you have enough resources

HaveANiceDay · « **Reply #22 on:** Sat, 21 May 2011, 09:53:19 »

Quote from: PlayerZero;349389

But that's only if you have the minerals. Spamming is so the unit/building/upgrade starts production the instant you have enough resources

Try holding down a key in an editor. Yeah, it does that.

dfoo · « **Reply #23 on:** Sat, 21 May 2011, 10:02:29 »

Quote from: epik;349300

You can hold a key to repeat whatever unit. ie. Zerg: s, dddddddddddd, will give you 10+ drones.

and uh if you want 4 drones? lol...

HaveANiceDay · « **Reply #24 on:** Sat, 21 May 2011, 10:12:52 »

Quote from: dfoo;349415

and uh if you want 4 drones? lol...

Don't know if you play Zerg, but we mostly build units in bursts. So it's not common to build just a few units.
Now you may want to mix units of course, then you would be hitting 4 times D for 4 Drones then hold down Z for Zerglings.
But again, you want to focus on one aspect at a time, economy or army.

dfoo · « **Reply #25 on:** Sat, 21 May 2011, 10:19:35 »

Quote from: HaveANiceDay;349416

Don't know if you play Zerg, but we mostly build units in bursts. So it's not common to build just a few units.
Now you may want to mix units of course, then you would be hitting 4 times D for 4 Drones then hold down Z for Zerglings.
But again, you want to focus on one aspect at a time, economy or army.

yea exactly. that's where the reset point for blues is bothersome for some people.

edit: ultimately, what keyboard you use isnt going to affect your play all that much. brood war pros used to and some still do use generic samsung membrane keyboards.

Bucky · « **Reply #26 on:** Sat, 21 May 2011, 17:55:24 »

Many SC2 korean pros (a few foreigners too) use the Qsenn DT 35, which is just a cheap generic keyboard. I believe it came from them being the typical keyboards in PC cafes when most of them started playing BW.

oVo · « **Reply #27 on:** Sat, 21 May 2011, 18:08:40 »

I love listening to destiny stream, his keyboard sounds wonderful on stream. His keys sound louder when he is focused/pissed

Example

he uses a blue switch Das Ultimate

Zet · « **Reply #28 on:** Sat, 21 May 2011, 23:53:59 »

Quote from: Bucky;349605

Many SC2 korean pros (a few foreigners too) use the Qsenn DT 35, which is just a cheap generic keyboard. I believe it came from them being the typical keyboards in PC cafes when most of them started playing BW.

exactly, that's why they use the Qsenn DT 35 in fact, its considered an old school keyboard.

@@oVo: ROFLMAO what an epic video, xDDD thanks for posting it!

Moratorius · « **Reply #29 on:** Sun, 22 May 2011, 04:56:38 »

I'm a low-level Diamond player; got there using brown switches (Das Keyboard Ultimate Silent, Noppoo Choc Mini) with no issues. I actually prefer them to my Topre RF 86U switches, because the variable weights feel a little odd when gaming.

PlayerZero · « **Reply #30 on:** Sun, 22 May 2011, 12:30:17 »

Quote from: Moratorius;349755

I'm a low-level Diamond player; got there using brown switches (Das Keyboard Ultimate Silent, Noppoo Choc Mini) with no issues. I actually prefer them to my Topre RF 86U switches, because the variable weights feel a little odd when gaming.

Just curious, where did you get your Choc Mini?

Also, I was wondering: Are blue switches and brown switches the same other than the click with the blues?

Moratorius · « **Reply #31 on:** Sun, 22 May 2011, 17:04:31 »

Quote from: PlayerZero;349843

Just curious, where did you get your Choc Mini?

I got my Choc Mini off a member here at GH. I like the "poo" key inscriptions; the keys are almost blank in low-light environments. Not to mention they feel really nice too :typing:.

PlayerZero · « **Reply #32 on:** Sun, 22 May 2011, 17:48:06 »

Quote from: ripster;349845

Completely different. Surprisingly so. See the Cherry MX wiki.

Sorry, but I'm not quite sure I get it... Is the difference just more tactileness from blues (and the obvious click)? I get the "Jumping Bean" part but i'm not totally sure wat that does

roknir · « **Reply #33 on:** Sun, 22 May 2011, 23:36:56 »

I was in the same boat and went with the Das Model S Ultimate (which has Cherry MX Blue switches). The silent version has Cherry MX Brown switches. I find it very good for SC2.

david · « **Reply #34 on:** Tue, 24 May 2011, 20:24:49 »

Hey guys - finally received my Leopold Tenkeyless with browns... it's freaking awesome. Seriously. First 'modern' mechanical keyboard that I've ever owned and I am loving the added resistance (or at least compared to the Red switches)...

Seriously good stuff - cheap keyboard too IMO. I think I'm going to order the RealForce 87U silent version now

PlayerZero · « **Reply #35 on:** Wed, 25 May 2011, 07:03:28 »

Quote from: david;351026

Hey guys - finally received my Leopold Tenkeyless with browns... it's freaking awesome. Seriously. First 'modern' mechanical keyboard that I've ever owned and I am loving the added resistance (or at least compared to the Red switches)...

Seriously good stuff - cheap keyboard too IMO. I think I'm going to order the RealForce 87U silent version now

Cool. Hows the general build quality of the board?

uff0 · « **Reply #36 on:** Wed, 25 May 2011, 07:42:03 »

I personally use a Das Keyboard Ultimate with Browns, and I'm loving it. Never tried anything else though so can't compare. I would like to get my hands on a Tenkeyless though.

david · « **Reply #37 on:** Wed, 25 May 2011, 11:18:11 »

Quote from: PlayerZero;351211

Cool. Hows the general build quality of the board?

Amazing - way more solid that I expected, seriously. Doesn't feel flimsy, certainly feels solid. I'd so just go for it. For $100ish dollars, you really can't go wrong.

sndstrm · « **Reply #38 on:** Wed, 25 May 2011, 15:08:34 »

Got my Filco Tenkeyless w/ Reds in a couple of days ago so I have been making the transition from browns. Fell in love with it the first time I played FPSs, but its taking a bit of getting used to with SCII. I think thats mostly from the Filco having a slightly different layout from my Desko "Elbowglue". It's hard to explain but I feel like I have so much more control with the reds.

godofdeath · « **Reply #39 on:** Wed, 25 May 2011, 15:39:39 »

Quote from: PlayerZero;350008

Sorry, but I'm not quite sure I get it... Is the difference just more tactileness from blues (and the obvious click)? I get the "Jumping Bean" part but i'm not totally sure wat that does

blues are heavier
you can feel the bump easier on the blues and its clickyyyy

daerid · « **Reply #40 on:** Wed, 25 May 2011, 15:46:30 »

I'm so torn between reds and browns... I almost don't even want to touch my blues anymore

nasus · « **Reply #41 on:** Wed, 25 May 2011, 17:24:19 »

Hi guys, I'm a first time poster too. I stumbled across geekhack earlier this year when researching what keyboards SC2 pros used, and it's amazing. I wish I'd found out about this stuff years ago. I'm relatively new to RTS games, but I can't describe the frustration I've had playing competitive FPS (mostly CSS) and having to deal with inconsistent membrane boards with limited key rollover.

My first mech board is a Leopold with MX Browns I picked up during the preorder from EK, and I love it, especially for typing. The biggest complaint I have is that the tactile bump is too subtle. While gaming I find myself bottoming out much harder than necessary to make sure the keypress registers. It bothers me that the key activates in the center of the press, but that most of the feedback I get happens at the bottom(that's when it makes the most noise too).

Like they say, it's probably all preference, but now I have an excuse to get something with Cherry MX Blues in it... still haven't been able to rationalize buying something like a Realforce without being able to try it first. Did someone say meetup?

vun · « **Reply #42 on:** Wed, 25 May 2011, 17:27:47 »

Quote from: nasus;351420

Hi guys, I'm a first time poster too. I stumbled across geekhack earlier this year when researching what keyboards SC2 pros used, and it's amazing. I wish I'd found out about this stuff years ago. I'm relatively new to RTS games, but I can't describe the frustration I've had playing competitive FPS (mostly CSS) and having to deal with inconsistent membrane boards with limited key rollover.

My first mech board is a Leopold with MX Browns I picked up during the preorder from EK, and I love it, especially for typing. The biggest complaint I have is that the tactile bump is too subtle. While gaming I find myself bottoming out much harder than necessary to make sure the keypress registers. It bothers me that the key activates in the center of the press, but that most of the feedback I get happens at the bottom(that's when it makes the most noise too).

Like they say, it's probably all preference, but now I have an excuse to get something with Cherry MX Blues in it... still haven't been able to rationalize buying something like a Realforce without being able to try it first. Did someone say meetup?

If you think browns are too subtle for SC2 you should definitely try blues. I usually prefer my browns for general use, but whenever I play SC2 I get my blues on. I find them fantastic for RTS gaming.

Edit: You wouldn't happen to have your name from LoL, or am I just making up connections that don't exist here?

PlayerZero · « **Reply #43 on:** Wed, 25 May 2011, 20:28:45 »

Quote from: nasus;351420

Hi guys, I'm a first time poster too. I stumbled across geekhack earlier this year when researching what keyboards SC2 pros used, and it's amazing. I wish I'd found out about this stuff years ago. I'm relatively new to RTS games, but I can't describe the frustration I've had playing competitive FPS (mostly CSS) and having to deal with inconsistent membrane boards with limited key rollover.

My first mech board is a Leopold with MX Browns I picked up during the preorder from EK, and I love it, especially for typing. The biggest complaint I have is that the tactile bump is too subtle. While gaming I find myself bottoming out much harder than necessary to make sure the keypress registers. It bothers me that the key activates in the center of the press, but that most of the feedback I get happens at the bottom(that's when it makes the most noise too).

Like they say, it's probably all preference, but now I have an excuse to get something with Cherry MX Blues in it... still haven't been able to rationalize buying something like a Realforce without being able to try it first. Did someone say meetup?

Yeah, I've really been thinking about getting a board with blues now that I've looked into it some more. People seem to like them for RTS, and I hear they are great for typing, too. I'll probably go with a Das because Amazon doesn't have any Filcos with blues, and the Leopolds with blues are out of stock. I hear good things about the Das.

Bucky · « **Reply #44 on:** Wed, 25 May 2011, 20:37:07 »

I just got the Das (albeit with browns) a few days ago and I can say that it does feel wonderful. I would definitely recommend it.

The look is much nicer than I expected too, it is fairly minimalistic, even though it attracts dust like crazy (so as long as you dont care/are willing to keep it clean, its no big deal).

nasus · « **Reply #45 on:** Wed, 25 May 2011, 22:22:28 »

Quote from: vun;351421

Edit: You wouldn't happen to have your name from LoL, or am I just making up connections that don't exist here?

The Nasus from LoL is just a coincidence. But he has a spell called "Soul Eater", so you can tell he's a baddass.

Zet · « **Reply #46 on:** Wed, 25 May 2011, 22:44:45 »

can't wait till monday to get my filco m2 with reds and hardcore play sc2!!! I want to check on how will my APM improve!

daerid · « **Reply #47 on:** Wed, 25 May 2011, 23:20:45 »

Quote from: Zet;351489

can't wait till monday to get my filco m2 with reds and hardcore play sc2!!! I want to check on how will my APM improve!

Where'd you get yours? The Keyboard CO?

Evil_Spork · « **Reply #48 on:** Wed, 25 May 2011, 23:26:10 »

I've been using my Filco Red for SC2 recently and I have to say it is amazing. I like it better than my brown switch board by a bit, but browns would work great too.

MasterBlaster · « **Reply #49 on:** Thu, 26 May 2011, 04:28:23 »

just got at work my new das professional silent (Das with browns) , atm typing on it

and i love it , its pure typing pleasure but its still too loud if you work in an open office environment like me . Cant wait to get home to play some sc...i was forced to play with my logitech g19 as my steelseries 6v2g broke down and you start to notice the small things that you didnt notice before ,like caps and shift are harder to press then the rest of the keys, like how bad a rubber dome key feels like **** when pressed

. Only thing i miss about the rubber dome keyboards is the wristpad , i dont understand why they dont make them for mecanical keyboards

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Author Topic: First Keyboard/Starcraft 2 (Read 20936 times)