Okay, it seems I was wrong. Thermaltake Meka G1 is still the best Cherry MX Black

[Viper2]

Okay, this whole mechanical keyboard hunting thing is getting ridiculous.  I got a Steelseries 6Gv2 and it was only mediocre.  The backspace key in particular was noticeably stiffer and had more friction than the Meka G1.  In general, the keys of the Meka G1 have a much superior feel than the Steelseries 6Gv2.  Overall build quality was excellent and equal between both keyboards.  I was a bit over-critical of the Meka G1's fold-out stands underneath it.  They are perfectly fine.  Only problem with the Meka G1 I returned was overly tight USB ports, but that may have just been a defective board I got.

Anyways, my search for a mechanical keyboard is finally over.  I am returning the Steelseries 6Gv2 and getting a Thermaltake Meka G1 again.

[BaconKnight]

$100ish is a substantial amount of money. You want to make sure the board you get is one you'll be happy with, so no shame in going back and forth. Hope you enjoy your purchase.

[Tempy]

no filco comparison here? my first mech board was a fullsize filco with blacks *insert GH filco fayboyism*

[mmmty]

Didn't want to say it but told you : )

Meka G1 stands are exactly the same size as Filco. I didn't have any issue with the USB ports. I would have kept it but trade it in (+extra cash) for noodles' Realforce 86U.

[daerid]

Okay, this whole mechanical keyboard hunting thing is getting ridiculous.  I got a Steelseries 6Gv2 and it was only mediocre.  The backspace key in particular was noticeably stiffer and had more friction than the Meka G1.  In general, the keys of the Meka G1 have a much superior feel than the Steelseries 6Gv2.  Overall build quality was excellent and equal between both keyboards.  I was a bit over-critical of the Meka G1's fold-out stands underneath it.  They are perfectly fine.  Only problem with the Meka G1 I returned was overly tight USB ports, but that may have just been a defective board I got.

Anyways, my search for a mechanical keyboard is finally over.  I am returning the Steelseries 6Gv2 and getting a Thermaltake Meka G1 again.

Nice. Buddy of mine just picked one of those up, he loves it.

[noodles256]

I have a meka g1, I think the usb ports are to tight.

[Viper2]

Didn't want to say it but told you : )

Meka G1 stands are exactly the same size as Filco. I didn't have any issue with the USB ports. I would have kept it but trade it in (+extra cash) for noodles' Realforce 86U.

Yeah, you were right.  The Meka G1's keys feel a heck of a lot better than the Steelseries 6Gv2.  Therefore, since Steelseries 6Gv2 is essentially the same as a Filco Cherry MX Black keyboard (even though the Filco fans on here will probably never admit that), I can't imagine any Cherry MX Black keyboard that could beat the Meka G1.

I am just glad that I am finally done searching for the best Cherry MX Black keyboard.

[daerid]

Having tried both the Meka G1 (my friend's) and the Majestouch 2 w/ Blacks (mine), I must say that the Meka is close in build quality to the Filco. The USB and audio ports give it an edge in features, but in build quality, it's not quite as good. I'd say it's just up there right below a Das Keyboard.

Granted, this is my personal opinion, if the MG1 is the best as far as you're concerned, then rock on!

[Viper2]

Having tried both the Meka G1 (my friend's) and the Majestouch 2 w/ Blacks (mine), I must say that the Meka is close in build quality to the Filco. The USB and audio ports give it an edge in features, but in build quality, it's not quite as good. I'd say it's just up there right below a Das Keyboard.

Granted, this is my personal opinion, if the MG1 is the best as far as you're concerned, then rock on!

The Thermaltake Meka G1 and Steelseries 6Gv2 (and I assume Filco as well since it is extremely similar to Steelseries, and I assume it comes of the same factory also) have equally good build quality.  The main difference is the feel of the keys/switches.  I know this may sound strange since they both use Cherry MX Black switches, but they feel quite a bit different.  The Meka G1's keys/switches are much smoother and simply feel superior.  This has been mentioned a number of times on different reviews I have read on the net as well.  Trust me, I'm not returning my Steelseries 6Gv2 for fun.  IMO, the Meka G1 is simply a superior Cherry MX Black mechanical keyboard.

[foliolio]

It's cos the SteelSeries keycaps are piss-poor (told you so). SteelSeries and Filco don't use the same keycaps.

[Viper2]

It's cos the SteelSeries keycaps are piss-poor (told you so). SteelSeries and Filco don't use the same keycaps.

Yeah, but poor quality keycaps wouldn't cause stiffer keys and slightly more friction, would they?  I assume their has to be something more to it.

And aren't Filco keycaps often criticized on these forums as well?

[Wallach]

Don't worry about it being the best ever, just worry about whether or not you're actually happy with it. If the latter is true the former doesn't matter at all.

[daerid]

Well, that's the beauty of opinions. Everybody's entitled to one I'd still take my Filco over the G1. But the G1 is a damn good board, no arguing there.

[mmmty]

Filco>G1>>Steelseries

[Viper2]

Filco>G1>>Steelseries

I disagree.  

For Cherry MX Black keyboards specifically:  G1>(Steelseries=Filco)

[Viper2]

Filco Uber Alles.

Filco Uber Ripoffo

Seriously, Filcos shouldn't cost as much as they do.

Filcos are essentially Steelseries but with more Cherry MX switch varieties available.  And a Steelseries 6Gv2 can be found for approximately $100 USD online, whereas Filcos usually cost considerably more for no good reason.  There was nothing about the build quality of the Filco Majestouch 2 (Cherry MX Brown) I had that was better in any way whatsoever compared to the Steelseries 6Gv2 I had.

Anyways, doesn't matter to me because I like the Thermaltake Meka G1 better than both of them.

[HaveANiceDay]

How do you know that Filco == Steelseries.
And what do you mean by that?

[Viper2]

How do you know that Filco == Steelseries.
And what do you mean by that?

If you ever owned both of them, you would know how extremely similar they are.  They look like they come out of the same factory.  Therefore, I think this talk about Filco Cherry MX Black being much better than Steelseries 6Gv2 is a bunch of nonsense.  Just because the 6Gv2 is inferior to the Meka G1, suddenly some people want to pretend that the Filco Cherry MX Black is nothing like the 6Gv2.  It's just another way to attempt to irrationally defend a product.

Heck, from the reviews I have read and pictures I have seen, I would even take a DAS over a Filco.

[HaiiYaa]

So how is the build quality of the none G1? The tt esport meka

[HaveANiceDay]

If you ever owned both of them, you would know how extremely similar they are.  They look like they come out of the same factory.  Therefore, I think this talk about Filco Cherry MX Black being much better than Steelseries 6Gv2 is a bunch of nonsense.  Just because the 6Gv2 is inferior to the Meka G1, suddenly some people want to pretend that the Filco Cherry MX Black is nothing like the 6Gv2.  It's just another way to attempt to irrationally defend a product.

Heck, from the reviews I have read and pictures I have seen, I would even take a DAS over a Filco.

I'll just wait a week until you change your opinion.
Again.

[daerid]

Filco Uber Ripoffo

Seriously, Filcos shouldn't cost as much as they do.

Filcos are essentially Steelseries but with more Cherry MX switch varieties available.  And a Steelseries 6Gv2 can be found for approximately $100 USD online, whereas Filcos usually cost considerably more for no good reason.  There was nothing about the build quality of the Filco Majestouch 2 (Cherry MX Brown) I had that was better in any way whatsoever compared to the Steelseries 6Gv2 I had.

Anyways, doesn't matter to me because I like the Thermaltake Meka G1 better than both of them.

To each their own, I guess. I personally think Filcos are the best on the market. So I must respectfully disagree, sir.

Therefore, I think this talk about Filco Cherry MX Black being much better than Steelseries 6Gv2 is a bunch of nonsense.

I think this talk about the Meka G1 being much better than Steelseries/Filco is a bunch of nonsense. What now?

Heck, from the reviews I have read and pictures I have seen, I would even take a DAS over a Filco

I don't give two ****s about reviews. I own both, I've used both, and I'd take a Filco over the Das any day of the week.

[mmmty]

I don't have Filco black but I can't imagine it having quality issues and being in the same class as Steelseries. I have 4 Filco keyboards and happy with all of them. I'll take a Filco over DAS any day.

[noodles256]

I'll just wait a week until you change your opinion.
Again.

lol, word

[Mazora]

Do SS offer a tenkeyless keyboard?

If you ever owned both of them, you would know how extremely similar they are.  They look like they come out of the same factory.  Therefore, I think this talk about Filco Cherry MX Black being much better than Steelseries 6Gv2 is a bunch of nonsense.  Just because the 6Gv2 is inferior to the Meka G1, suddenly some people want to pretend that the Filco Cherry MX Black is nothing like the 6Gv2.  It's just another way to attempt to irrationally defend a product.

Heck, from the reviews I have read and pictures I have seen, I would even take a DAS over a Filco.

[theferenc]

Ripster, are you completely incapable of contextual awareness, or do you just like ****ing with people when they use an acronym that you don't like?

[HaveANiceDay]

Ripster, are you completely incapable of contextual awareness, or do you just like ****ing with people when they use an acronym that you don't like?

Yeah. Geez ripster, stop hatin' the Nazis.

[Chobopants]

Ripster, are you completely incapable of contextual awareness, or do you just like ****ing with people when they use an acronym that you don't like?

I'm 100% on his side being against stupid acronyms. Outside of writing a long paper where you tell your reader exactly what you mean the first time you use it one should write out the whole word. For people who spend $100-300 on their keyboards you'd think they'd WANT to type more.

Anyway, there is one very, very large problem with the 6Gv2 that makes it a useless keyboard for me: the key layout. I've typed on a 6Gv2 and can vouch for its quality, it is a pretty solid board and will likely last you for a long time. Why in god's name they chose that key layout, however, blows my mind. Some people actually like their backspace and backslash/pipe keys and use them on a regular basis and a ridiculous sized enter key makes zero sense.

[Chobopants]

Oops.  Shouldn't have used WW2.

YIWRCAF

Oops,

Yeah, it was really confusing at first.

[RiGS]

I still believe that the SS is an amazing keyboard for just 60 bucks.
However it is more like a Leopold, because both made in the same factory by Datacomp.

[mmmty]

I was considering Steelseries at first. But the Enter key on SS made me changed my mind. So I ended up with a Meka G1 which was a better choice.

[The Solutor]

The enter key of SS is its main advantage over G1

[onesie]

I still believe that the SS is an amazing keyboard for just 60 bucks.
However it is more like a Leopold, because both made in the same factory by Datacomp.

where is it $60?

[arc2]

Well I own a Filco cherry blue keyboard and also a Meka G1 with black switches. I like both boards.

I would say the Filco is aesthetically more pleasing to the eye with a more sleek and accurate feel.

On the other hand I prefer the black switches and to be honest rarely type on my Filco even though the G1 is not an ISO layout which I prefer.

I'll be buying the Zibal 60 if it ever becomes available in ISO which I am hoping will be perfect for me.

[daerid]

The enter key of SS is its main advantage over G1

Disagreed

[RiGS]

where is it $60?

 
It was a discount recently.

[RiGS]

where is it $60?

 
It was a discount recently.

The enter key of SS is its main advantage over G1

 
+1

[Chobopants]

The enter key of SS is its main advantage over G1

Wrong

[mmmty]

ANSI>ISO IMO

Ripster's gonna hate me for this  

[theferenc]

Yeah, that big enter key is NEVER a good idea. I can kinda see the use of an ISO enter key, but that stupid big ass enter key on the steelseries is just wrong.

[keyboardlover]

Qft ftw


 ,!!!! (talk to the hand)

DTG.

(Don't go there!)

[The Solutor]

Yeah, that big enter key is NEVER a good idea. I can kinda see the use of an ISO enter key, but that stupid big ass enter key on the steelseries is just wrong.

 
Big ass is just the right ISO key, enlarged to fit also the needs of Americans (notoriously short fingered), how stupid must be the average american user to not understand this ?

[HaiiYaa]

Yeah, that big enter key is NEVER a good idea. I can kinda see the use of an ISO enter key, but that stupid big ass enter key on the steelseries is just wrong.

Why does the world always have to adapt to the American style? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout tell me how many are using the small enter key compared to the great big beautiful enter keys

[HaveANiceDay]

No one cares about the BIGASS enter key by itself. The question is, WHY is it on an ANSI layout, which kinda makes it "not anymore".

[daerid]

Why does the world always have to adapt to the American style? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout tell me how many are using the small enter key compared to the great big beautiful enter keys

Tell me what makes a great big enter key so beautiful. As far as how often I hit that key as opposed to the backspace key (which usually suffers from smaller size on keyboards that have large enter keys), I'd have to say it's low on the list.

It just makes more sense to me to have the backspace key be big than the enter key be big.

[mmmty]

MBAEK

Mutated Big Ass Enter Key

[Chobopants]

MBAEK sacrifices the size of the right shift and backslash keys when the enter is ALREADY oversized. Hell, enter could almost be a single key for me as I hit it just a little left of the middle. Dedicating even more room to it, room thats FURTHER away from my pinky, and making the crucial right shift key harder to hit, confuses me greatly.

While ISO is probably still not ideal I've ALWAYS preferred it to ANSI (and especially the mutated ANSI that the 6Gv2 uses).

When I really want to get thrown for a loop I type on my Spanish friend's Macbook. Now that's a weird feeling setup.

[alaricljs]

US ANSI works well for Unix users... I need my big ass pipe key:  |\  !

[Chobopants]

US ANSI works well for Unix users... I need my big ass pipe key:  |\  !

Aye, that key is critical for *nix work.

[The Solutor]

Tell me what makes a great big enter key so beautiful.

 
Maybe the fact that is one of most used keys ?

Surely way more used than backspace that anyway is not short on steelseries, and that makes it one of the (non ISO) keyboards with the best layout.

[Chobopants]

I use backspace WAY more than enter. I also use |\ and right shift a LOT.