Whats the best gaming keyboard under 120 dollars?

[frankfrank]

Im looking for a large number of NKRO, at least 6 keys pressed at same time all register.
Also I want a good quality feel when pressing down the rubber dome, and for the keyboard to have a standard sized layout and all keys to be standard sized and spacing.
I hate keyboards that try to use smaller key caps etc. etc.
Any suggestions?
I have heard good things about the Razer BlackWidow Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, its even got 26 nkro and backlighting, but have never tried it hands on myself.
Anyone know what the best board is out there for under 120 bucks?

[Trueepower]

That BWU only has 2 key roll over. I would recommend the Xarmor on Amazon over that, which has blue switches as well (if you like those) and it has blue back lighting. You can get Filco's on amazon which are good, and Leopold's on Elitekeyboards website which are also good. Just depends on what you are looking for switch type, back lighting, and key cap preferences etc.

[spolia optima]

Leopold TKL w/ rollover.

Why?
- Your choice of MX click, tactile, or linear--- with or without key legends.
- The price is right
- Quality is equal to Filco (and with a better controller)
- IMHO more pleasing aesthetics than the competition (simple, modern, and the rounded edges are a nice touch)
- Cherry-spec stabilizers. Almost zero chance of  bending a stabilizer bar. Ppl who ***** about them being harder to press are just nitpicking... that or they have weakass thumbs.
- If you're skiddish about the loss of the 10 key pad- trust me, after a few weeks you won't miss it.

/shameless display of brand loyalty.

[spolia optima]

Oh, and they've only been available in the states for a few months now, so there's the exclusivity factor... if you're into that kinda thing:cool:

[Exoverture]

Just get a Filco.

I would list reasons, but I'm too lazy... don't mess with success.

[spolia optima]

The only way I'd pick a Majestouch 2 over a Leopold is if (A) it was the white model, and (B) it was easy to find in the states.
I'm not knocking Filco, trust me. They're some of the best keyboards in the world.

[Konrad]

I can't find any new Filcos available for under $120.  Then again, I doubt there's any gaming keyboards with 6KRO, regardless of their price.

[N8N]

Have a look at WASD keyboards, their semi-custom is just about $120, or if you don't like etched keycaps but do like blues, the Rosewill RK-9000 (I think that's the right part number) which from all appearances is a rebadged Filco M2 104.  Also Noppoo might be worth a look if you can find one.

[nrd]

I can't find any new Filcos available for under $120.  Then again, I doubt there's any gaming keyboards with 6KRO, regardless of their price.

The Zowie Celeritas is marketed as a "competitive gaming keyboard" and comes with 6KRO (USB)/full NKRO (PS/2). amazon.com currently lists it at $109.99.

I have one, I use it for gaming (FPS) as well as typing and I'm very, very happy with it - but the real question is, what is the definition of a "gaming keyboard" for the OP? If macro keys, backlighting or a fancy LCD screen at the top of the board mandatory for gaming keyboards, then it's no gaming keyboard. Otherwise it's a great choice :smile:

[Lanx]

- Cherry-spec stabilizers. Almost zero chance of  bending a stabilizer bar. Ppl who ***** about them being harder to press are just nitpicking... that or they have weakass thumbs.

wait... there are ppl that have such pathetic thumbs? who actually complains about the awesome bar?

[The Solutor]

Anyone know what the best board is out there for under 120 bucks?

Look for a reclusa if you want to stay with RD.

Or buy an Xarmor or a Qpad

[RiGS]

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:20275

[daerid]

wait... there are ppl that have such pathetic thumbs? who actually complains about the awesome bar?

*raises hand* Me, for one. Cherry stabilizers are the f**kin devil. They change the feel of the key so much that it's distracting. It actually slows my typing down.

[N8N]

*raises hand* Me, for one. Cherry stabilizers are the f**kin devil. They change the feel of the key so much that it's distracting. It actually slows my typing down.

I actually think that I prefer the Costar stabilizers for feel, but on the flip side, when I changed my Filco to clears I used a grey switch in the spacebar to keep from doing the dreaded thwack every time I used it.  For some reason Cherry Corp. seems to use a heavier spring in the spacebar switch, but nobody else does - and like the keycaps (I like the lower profile; makes the keys feel less wobbly) I think that's one of the things that Cherry got right.  Then again, I started a poll on the spacebar thing, and it would appear that most people actually disagree with me :/

[sordna]

*raises hand* Me, for one. Cherry stabilizers are the f**kin devil. They change the feel of the key so much that it's distracting. It actually slows my typing down.

Even worse than the spacebar is the feel of shift, ender, and backspace keys. On my KBC Poker, these keys feel completely different than the rest of the keyboard. Cherry-stabilized keys feel like having hard o-rings on them!

[sordna]

Leopold TKL w/ rollover.
Why?-
Quality is equal to Filco (and with a better controller)

Can you please elaborate on the controller differences between these 2 keyboards?

[Lanx]

do you guys put them on wrong or something? do you wiggle it in? you know press the far right side down, then press the rar left side down, to make sure the stabilizers are all the way on?

[RiGS]

Leopold does have a better controller if you game with both hands on the keyboard and/or do frequent head plants.  18KRO over USB.

What about the TypeNow Solid?

[The Solutor]

The Filco Gen2 controller is faster though.

True.  Sometimes I have to run all over my house to catch it. :biggrin:

[The Solutor]

Shoulda checked out my OCN post about the Rosewill RK-9000 being back in stock.

Oh wait, you probably did.  It's sold out now.

The touchpad is sold out too, must have a little pcb with a filco writing...:lol:

[keyboardlover]

That's because at OCN they don't know better.

[pitashen]

I prefer cherry style stabilizer just for the sake of easy maintenance. Sure the typing feel is different but when it comes to cleaning my keyboard, I always feel thankful that i can just pop tthose keycap off without worrying the trouble of putting them back on. But lets not confuse OP any further with minor details like controller and stabalizer. They shouldn't be any sort of deal breaker especially for first time mech keyboard user.


To OP, in your mind, what does it take for a keyboard to be a gaming keyboard? 6+KRO? Mechanical switches? bad ass illuminated looking?

[N8N]

I think the most important thing is switch preference.  Tactile or linear?  Clicky or no?  Makes a BIG difference.  e.g. the difference in feel between my Filco w/ clears and my Cherry POS w/ clears is far, far less than the difference between a Filco w/ browns and a Filco w/ blacks.  Haven't seen OP express a preference yet.

[Konrad]

I know it might make me seem like some sort of heavy-fisted Neanderthal wearing Nazi boots, but I actually rather prefer typing on mighty Cherry Blacks for the win. It just doesn't get more tactile than that. Plus the steady machinegun hammering noise eventually annoys everybody around me, I can even pace my keyboard as a percussion instrument while listening to music.

I'd say grab a Filco.  Or a happy hacker if you feel girly.  The only way you'll get much better is by spending the big bucks or modding your own frankenboard with a custom-made controller.

[N8N]

you tried clears yet?  They're like blacks but have all that tactile bumpy goodness.  And for the record, I am not a Nazi, but usually am wearing boots of some sort.

[TheShining]

I know it might make me seem like some sort of heavy-fisted Neanderthal wearing Nazi boots, but I actually rather prefer typing on mighty Cherry Blacks for the win. It just doesn't get more tactile than that. Plus the steady machinegun hammering noise eventually annoys everybody around me, I can even pace my keyboard as a percussion instrument while listening to music.

I'd say grab a Filco.  Or a happy hacker if you feel girly.  The only way you'll get much better is by spending the big bucks or modding your own frankenboard with a custom-made controller.

+1 Mighty Cherry Blacks, they are so hardcore, they retire as Reds.

[Konrad]

When you say it that way you make me laugh.  Manly Cherry Black keyswitches ftw!