Gaming Keyboard

[Kolt]

Hi Geekhackers, a long time ago I posted a thread asking about the best gaming keyboard and the results were somewhat inconclusive.

I have since returned in my quest in finding the best keyboard for a mixture of FPS and SC2 (but mostly SC2).

My criteria are:

- Being robust as all hell (I don't like replacing things often)
- Mechanical
- Good at spamming buttons like crazy

Some keyboards I am currently eyeing are:

QPAD MK-80     (Blue switch)
http://www.corporate.qpad.se/modules/news/index.php?storytopic=11

Filco Ninja        (Brown switch)
http://www.diatec.co.jp/en/det.php?prod_c=772

Filco Majestouch 2     (Brown switch)
http://www.diatec.co.jp/en/det.php?prod_c=757

Feel free to give me your opinions on the keyboards listed or on others that I have not.

Thanks.

[HaiiYaa]

Filco majestouch PING 2 would be the best of those

[arc2]

Sorry to add any more doubt/ complications, but if I were you (which I was 6 months ago) I would get a cherry black keyboard.

It really is in my opinion a superior switch for gaming especially fps, and definitely for spamming buttons.

In terms of recommending boards, where are you located, US, UK, Germany  etc?

[dreamingftw]

If you need a gaming keyboard, then go with a Filco Tenkeyless with Browns. If you need the numberpad, then go with MX browns, any of those Filcos will do depending on the look you like. I currently play SC2 on browns (use to play on blues) and can say that I prefer the browns over the blues. It's much easier to double tap and haven't gone back to my blues since. Hope this helps.

[Kolt]

US.

[arc2]

Well I have a Thermaltake Meka G1 keyboard with cherry blacks which I am currently using for fps gaming, I like it a lot. In saying that there
are other cherry black keyboards out there and perhaps others can advise on their relative merits.

It's not as refined as my cherry blue filco and perhaps not as fun to type on but I absolutely now prefer to use it for gaming, not even close.

As dreamingftw mentioned double tapping was never 100% reliable for me using the blue switches, and my experience using brown switches
albeit on a more dated compaq mx 1800 (lovely to type on) also leads me to believe blacks are superior in terms of gaming.

Personally I think my next mechanical keyboard purchase will be the Mionix Zibal 60 depending on favourable reviews (hopefully by someone here at Geekhack).

Good luck.

[himynameisbunny]

Sorry to add any more doubt/ complications, but if I were you (which I was 6 months ago) I would get a cherry black keyboard.

It really is in my opinion a superior switch for gaming especially fps, and definitely for spamming buttons.

I've just received a couple of Black boards (Deck/TG3 BL83) and I can say that I would rather prefer Reds for gaming, as the Blacks are rather heavy . I haven't tried Reds yet but from what I've heard they're just Browns without the tactile "scratch" and a bit lighter. I'd go for a board with them if possible.

[Astounding]

White Alps!


(like the above posters, I won't give any reasons or proof as to why this is the best choice, just trust me =)

[arc2]

I've just received a couple of Black boards and I can say that I would rather prefer Reds for gaming. I haven't tried Reds yet but from what I've heard they're just Browns without the tactile "scratch" and a bit lighter. I'd go for a board with them if possible.

Fair point, I have never tried reds so can't make a fair assessment here, all I can say is that people complain that blacks are too heavy, and I just can't see (feel) it personally.

[spitfire6000]

I just got a filco ninja BLACK SWITCH keyboard 104 key, its 160 but well worth it. Best gaming keyboard ive ever used, and its much better for gaming than my das brown switch keyboard.

[Tony]

I think Black is good for FPS where you literally punch the WASD and pointer keys to shoot and run for cover, and Red is good for strategy or RPG games like SC2, WoW where you have to think about resource distribution.

[qtan5370]

1. For FPS, NKRO is kind of important depend on what you play
2. For SC2, Brown switches would not be good choice.
3.Balance two gaming and typing, RED would be great. Or, only for gaming, suggest black.

[AndrewZorn]

I had to look up what the Filco Ninja was.

Disappointed to see they figured to remove Scroll/Caps from a lettered board, but left it on a blank board.

...and I can't think of any switch being bad for SC2. Playing it now on Cherry Blue. I've done it with Black, actually very nice, I want to get a decent PS/2 adapter so I can try it again. I can't think of why Brown or anything else would be detrimental.
Mind as well just shop for something FPS oriented.

[pederlol]

Since a lot of SC2 pros (Tester, Nestea etc.) use Browns, I don't think you can say that it wouldn't be a good choise. It all comes down to personal preference...

[substract]

I've only tried brown and blues so I can't comment on blacks but I prefer browns. In games where you have to spam keys a lot (MMO's) the lighter switches of the brown feels so good. I can ride the actuation point easily thanks to the bump. It also makes my fingers less fatigue due to the lightness.  Plus it feels amazing to type on.

[~Blood~]

fruitdealer used brown switches too.

[Chobopants]

1. For FPS, NKRO is kind of important depend on what you play
2. For SC2, Brown switches would not be good choice.
3.Balance two gaming and typing, RED would be great. Or, only for gaming, suggest black.

 
I've played a lot of SC2 with every single one of my boards and have to say that Brown is still my favorite with Black being a close second (already played about 20 games on my Black and enjoying it but I'm still faster on my Brown). So yeah, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

Brown switches are so amazing because they're decently good at everything. People that complain about them confuse me.

[AndrewZorn]

I can't wait for my Choc Mini. KBC Poker Red showed up today (I think), so I'll have the SC2 report on that.

[IvanIvanovich]

I love my Poker red. Best gaming board ever. Red switches feel so nice and smooth, and the small board makes it so comfortable as my arm isn't far to one side. I don't play rts at all though, mostly fps but also some 3rd person action/rpg. Obviously people who use Fkeys a lot would not like it though.

[Zhuni]

I love my Poker red. Best gaming board ever. Red switches feel so nice and smooth, and the small board makes it so comfortable as my arm isn't far to one side. I don't play rts at all though, mostly fps but also some 3rd person action/rpg. Obviously people who use Fkeys a lot would not like it though.

That was the biggest think for me when I tried my friends HHKB. I only play FPS games and I use around 30cm-40cm/360 and the difference a poker size board makes was huge for me. So comfortable.

[The Solutor]

QPAD MK-80     (Blue switch)
http://www.corporate.qpad.se/modules/news/index.php?storytopic=11

I've just received this board today, great board, but if you don't plan do do switch modding I suggest to go with the brown Xarmor (same board, different switches, different fonts on keycaps).
Browns are better for gaming and keys feels less wobbly, more solid.

[qtan5370]

I've played a lot of SC2 with every single one of my boards and have to say that Brown is still my favorite with Black being a close second (already played about 20 games on my Black and enjoying it but I'm still faster on my Brown). So yeah, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

Brown switches are so amazing because they're decently good at everything. People that complain about them confuse me.

It just a kind of feeling. But I have never hear any sc pro gamer use Brown switches so far.

[Tohveli]

It just a kind of feeling. But I have never hear any sc pro gamer use Brown switches so far.

JulyZerg seems to

JulyZerg used a Zowie Celeritas; with nearly all the keycaps swapped for red ones. (I'll post a pic up when I get home)

Found someone had posted an image of July's keyboard, slightly blurry, but a start.

Show Image

Pics or didn't happen so here are pics

[mmmty]

Looks like he's getting paid for it too. Look at his sponsor badges.

[Chobopants]

It just a kind of feeling. But I have never hear any sc pro gamer use Brown switches so far.

Then you're not paying attention...We've named at least 4 pro SC2 players that use Brown switches and I bet you there are loads more. I was a top WC3 player and am shooting for at least high Masters in SC2 and I prefer Brown switches as well. So yeah, think you're on drugs man.

Re: Reds. They're 95% the same as Brown switches and are just as good for typing and gaming. I give Browns just a slight edge because the tactility is nice once you get accustomed to it.

For me -

Gaming: Brown > Red == Black == Topre > Blue

Typing: Red > Brown > Blue == Topre > Black

The noise from Blue switches actually really bothers me after a while, even when I'm alone. When I really get going I type pretty quickly and it just gets a little irritating. The pure feel of the switch is amazing and I'd move it up above Brown and maybe even tied with Red if the noise didn't bother me so much.

And, for fun, how much I enjoy the sound of the keys:

Topre (thock thock, so nice sounding) > Red == Brown (a good constant gentle clack) > Black (really nice if you want quiet, almost silent!) > Blue (novel sound at first, irritating after too long though)

Hmm, I gotta get around to writing that switch review now that I have all the core switches that people use.

[Tohveli]

That quote + pic was taken from a thread that discusses keyboards and mice that pro sc2 players use, might wanna check that thread out...

[jpz]

Kolt it really depends on what you like.  If you like the smooth feel of a switch go with a black or red(red being the lighted version).  If you like a tactile bump when pressing the key then go with the brown switch.  You are going to find that people the people in this forum are going to recommend the filco keyboards because they very solidly built and have had very little problems other than the pinging problem.  If you wanted to go old school then go with a unicomp model m which is as heavy as a black switch but with a tactile click.

[Jago]

1. For FPS, NKRO is kind of important depend on what you play
2. For SC2, Brown switches would not be good choice.
3.Balance two gaming and typing, RED would be great. Or, only for gaming, suggest black.

Completely untrue.

[AndrewZorn]

I'm just now using my KBC Poker Red, and I love it. Just like black switches, but not as difficult to push down (I think??? feels pretty stiff to me...).
I think I just replaced my HHKB.
Don't like the lettering at all, though.

One thing worth mentioning, that I should have looked into first: there is no left Fn key, so I can't use my left hand to do F1 anymore in SC2. This is not good news. I'm going to have to remap, or not use this keyboard for SC2.

EDIT Esc also missing, in favor of `. This is good and bad, because I intended to use ` for a remap (backspacing between bases) but now do not have an easy way to cancel buildings.

It's so tiny and neato though, hard to hate it, even if it won't work out for SC2. Wish it was blank though, or dark-lettered.

REALLY feels like Cherry Black, though. I wonder if there's some way to confirm.

Just figured out the spacebar modifier lock dealie. This is very nice. I'll have to see how often I really use right Shift, may be able to leave it like this.

EDIT: Nah, I think I need the right Shift.

[Adhesive_X]

I've recently switched from blues over to reds. The reds are amazing!!!

I never noticed how much the click and bump of the blue took me out of the game.
The movement with the linear switch seems more organic. I'm just moving, with the blues
i was more consious i was making the movement.

I only play FPS tho...

[The Solutor]

I've recently switched from blues over to reds. The reds are amazing!!!

 
I'm an ergo clear user so anything else feels unpleasant to me, but reds have their own appeal, a completely different feeling, but overall a nice feeling.

[ichitz]

i think to sum up, different ppl like different things. It's all subjective. I play sc2 on blacks and i love it. Also feels great for fps like crysis2 and stuff.
The only downside is i might need to get a 2nd keyboard for typing now..

[Chobopants]

i think to sum up, different ppl like different things. It's all subjective. I play sc2 on blacks and i love it. Also feels great for fps like crysis2 and stuff.
The only downside is i might need to get a 2nd keyboard for typing now..

This is usually what all these threads turn into.

I always say: Just buy a brown at first. It's totally middle of the road and there are zero downsides to it. If you want to try other boards out after go ahead but the brown will always be there for you.

[qtan5370]

Then you're not paying attention...We've named at least 4 pro SC2 players that use Brown switches and I bet you there are loads more. I was a top WC3 player and am shooting for at least high Masters in SC2 and I prefer Brown switches as well. So yeah, think you're on drugs man.

Re: Reds. They're 95% the same as Brown switches and are just as good for typing and gaming. I give Browns just a slight edge because the tactility is nice once you get accustomed to it.

For me -

Gaming: Brown > Red == Black == Topre > Blue

Typing: Red > Brown > Blue == Topre > Black

The noise from Blue switches actually really bothers me after a while, even when I'm alone. When I really get going I type pretty quickly and it just gets a little irritating. The pure feel of the switch is amazing and I'd move it up above Brown and maybe even tied with Red if the noise didn't bother me so much.

And, for fun, how much I enjoy the sound of the keys:

Topre (thock thock, so nice sounding) > Red == Brown (a good constant gentle clack) > Black (really nice if you want quiet, almost silent!) > Blue (novel sound at first, irritating after too long though)

Hmm, I gotta get around to writing that switch review now that I have all the core switches that people use.

Could you name those 4 gamers? I just interesting, for me it have been a long time not stay with player since I stay in U.S.

July using the Zowei one, and he got paid to use that and Zowei has "RTR 8x"? It might be different than other brown switches? Anyway, this keyboard is going to be stock soon(First time come with lots of problem and got recalled, now back again.). I may take a look at on that.

[peda]

Could you name those 4 gamers? I just interesting, for me it have been a long time not stay with player since I stay in U.S.

July using the Zowei one, and he got paid to use that and Zowei has "RTR 8x"? It might be different than other brown switches? Anyway, this keyboard is going to be stock soon(First time come with lots of problem and got recalled, now back again.). I may take a look at on that.

from this tread: Nestea, Tester, Fruitdealer and July

and from what i know: Tyler (Filco) and Socke (Cherry) also use brown switches.

[Kolt]

Thank you everyone for your input. I can plainly see that there is a lot of division in terms of what people like as it really is down to preference. I think I'm going to end up going with a brown switch keyboard as I really dislike the sound of blues and would prefer a tactile bump.

[kriminal]

other than browns or blacks, i'd say topre may trump it for gamers, i personally use blacks from my deck KB

[Chobopants]

Could you name those 4 gamers? I just interesting, for me it have been a long time not stay with player since I stay in U.S.

July using the Zowei one, and he got paid to use that and Zowei has "RTR 8x"? It might be different than other brown switches? Anyway, this keyboard is going to be stock soon(First time come with lots of problem and got recalled, now back again.). I may take a look at on that.

from this tread: Nestea, Tester, Fruitdealer and July

and from what i know: Tyler (Filco) and Socke (Cherry) also use brown switches.

If you just read all the posts above yours you would have seen that we were listing players that used Brown switches from the beginning.

It's a really good switch and there's a reason that everyone recommends it to first time buyers.

[Trueepower]

It's hard to recommend a switch type, its all about taste. The Filco ninja is a good board with those types of keys which will never show wear. A lot of people complain about the Filco keys getting glossy, or wearing down. That would solve it.

[IvanIvanovich]

@AndrewZorn - I thought they felt heavy at first too, but then pulled out my g80-3000 with blacks, no contest. Was clearly not the same. For your fn key, you can change the left winkey to left fn via dipswitch put 4 on. Probably better for gaming without the winkey anyway.

[AndrewZorn]

@AndrewZorn - I thought they felt heavy at first too, but then pulled out my g80-3000 with blacks, no contest. Was clearly not the same. For your fn key, you can change the left winkey to left fn via dipswitch put 4 on. Probably better for gaming without the winkey anyway.

WOW. I never noticed the DIP switches! I thought what you were saying was either directed to my HHKB or a joke about the HHKB.
So cool! Going to set it up the same way I did the HHKB.

Funny, SC2 has an option to suppress the Windows key, but it doesn't work for me. This will!

Thanks so much!

EDIT still too far over to be as nice as the HHKBs...

ZOMG CAPS CONTROL! I have Windows remapped anyway, so it makes switching between boards great too, but still, this is great.

EDIT again! spoke too soon! Also has a Windows/Alt switcher!
I was trying to decide whether or not to put blank or Korean Filco caps on this, if anything, I think I need to do blank for consistency.

Can't figure out what the difference is between 1 and 4 though, pretty much no translation on included paper.
EDIT found an English version, http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=304

Is this really the Miniguru?

Also disappointing I can't do Fn+RShift for up arrow, etc. Those are only for the lock. Makes no sense.

[Zhuni]

AndrewZorn how do you rate the Poker next to your HHKB? I'm about to order the HHKB but was a little tempted by the poker. I've used the HHKB and thought it was superb.