Razer Black Widow Stealth vs Leopold

[BarryGordon]

After doing some research I've come to a decision that maybe it's time to try out a new keyboard. I've gotten used to Apple's Aluminum keyboard (I use Apple and use bootcamp for win 7) but I want something else for gaming (Starcraft 2). I tried using a logitech K520 and hate the way the buttons feel, it's like pushing down on foam. I'm not a fan of gloss so that makes things a bit easier to decide. Now my question is which keyboard you would recommend since there are no stores around where I live to test out Mx Browns and Blacks. After watching some youtube videos it seems like brown is my type but I won't know until I actually try.

Anyhow these are the keyboards I've been looking at and I'm having trouble deciding which to get.

(Not sure about the Macro keys on the left seeing how I might hit them on accident)
Razer Black Widow Stealth $79 + shipping = $94

(I like the simplicity but not sure about the lights and small Ctrl button)
Leopold Tenkeyless Tactile Touch Keyboard Cherry MX Brown $109 + Tax and Shipping = $130

Since SteelSeries is having 30% off I'm even considering *mx black* the 6Gv2 (out of stock actually) $69

Or if it won't make a difference should I just stick to the Apple keyboard?

[Chobopants]

If you don't mind 104s, which it seems you don't, a lot of people are enjoying their WASD keyboards and they have some sweet features for the price: http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/

[N8N]

there's a huge difference in feel between the Apple, blacks, and browns.  Apple uses scissor switches so there's going to me much less key travel.  Cherry MX switches have close to if not in actuality twice the travel.  And the blacks are WAY stiffer than the browns, so even if you decide you like MX, you still need to narrow it down.  It's a shame that you don't have the opportunity to try before you buy, but it is in fact difficult to find any store that sells mechanical keyboards.  Only one I've ever seen on the shelf was a SIIG clicky Alps board (not counting Akibahara...)

[noodles256]

wlcm 2 gh

[PlayerZero]

Plenty of progamers play on rubber domes, although I'm not sure about scissor switches.  Personally I really like blues for Starcraft 2, but those are all I've tried...

[Chobopants]

My switch preference for SC2:

Brown > Red > Topre > Blue > Black

[IvanIvanovich]

I would recommend the Leopold over Razer any time. It's not that much more expensive, and the build quality is far better. For switch type it's more difficult to recommend, but brown is usually the safest choice for first mx as it's pretty neutral. I've had all of the common mx and my order of preference is red, blue, brown, black. Which is nearly the opposite order I got them in (black, brown, red, blue). I like the red most for gaming as it is light and smooth, it's also fine for me for typing, but for just typing I like the blue better as I seem to make less errors with some good feedback. Brown is sort of halfway between. Blacks are ok, but I personally like the lighter red much more for a linear switch.

[BarryGordon]

Any other mac users switch from the apple keyboard to Leopold brown here? So far I'm aiming towards the Leopold Tenkeyless MX Brown seeing that the razer is already out of stock.

[The Solutor]

Going from a relatively good scissor board to a brown keyboard would be more or less a downgrade.

they feel like linear switches with lube problem rather than tactile switches.

Go for blue (if you aren't scared by the click), or for clears if you want a decent tactility, or for red if you want to try a totally different typing experience, browns are just a compromise, a bad compromise.

[BarryGordon]

I don't like loud clicks and I have hardwood floor that bounces sound all over my house so I'm going to stay away from blues.

[Chobopants]

Going from a relatively good scissor board to a brown keyboard would be more or less a downgrade.

they feel like linear switches with lube problem rather than tactile switches.

Go for blue (if you aren't scared by the click), or for clears if you want a decent tactility, or for red if you want to try a totally different typing experience, browns are just a compromise, a bad compromise.

Browns are ****ing amazing.

[The Solutor]

I don't like loud clicks and I have hardwood floor that bounces sound all over my house so I'm going to stay away from blues.

The perfect choice exist and is called ergo clears, tactile almost like the blues, soft like the browns, but you can byu this kind of switch you have to made them yourself. I did it, but I can understand that not all the users are happy with modding.

BTW on PCB mounded boards is a relatively quick task, that can be accomplished with almost zero tools and skill.

[Chobopants]

The perfect choice exist and is called ergo clears, tactile almost like the blues, soft like the browns, but you can byu this kind of switch you have to made them yourself. I did it, but I can understand that not all the users are happy with modding.

BTW on PCB mounded boards is a relatively quick task, that can be accomplished with almost zero tools and skill.

All of this is opinion. I highly recommend people try as many switches as they can and come up with their own opinions. If you listen to the crazies on this forum you're going to end up salvaging boards to make ergo clears or buying 300 dollar rubber domes from Italy.

[The Solutor]

All of this is opinion.

You may not be aware that discussion forums are meant to post/and read opinions.

BTW is a fact that while I've tried the stupid browns you are too lazy to try the great ergoclears.

buying 300 dollar rubber domes from Italy

And that idiotic sentence where came from ?

Olivetti boards are surely some of the best boards available, but while you are so crazy to spend 500$ for a 25 years old model M, in Italy an old board is considered an old board, you can easily get one for 5€ or even for free.

And no, there isn't any need to have the Italian citizens to understand this.

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?21293-Surprised-by-rubberdome

[BarryGordon]

I was indecisive about the keyboards I've listed on my original post but now I'm just confused. I just want a simple keyboard and I don't want to pay extra to mod anything.

[The Solutor]

I don't want to pay extra to mod anything.

Is not matter of money, is matter of work and time, two cherry boards good to made an ergo clear are way less costly than a single filco, and in the some  price range of single a black widow.

[Chobopants]

You may not be aware that discussion forums are meant to post/and read opinions.

BTW is a fact that while I've tried the stupid browns you are too lazy to try the great ergoclears.



And that idiotic sentence where came from ?

Olivetti boards are surely some of the best boards available, but while you are so crazy to spend 500$ for a 25 years old model M, in Italy an old board is considered an old board, you can easily get one for 5€ or even for free.

And no, there isn't any need to have the Italian citizens to understand this.

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?21293-Surprised-by-rubberdome

There's opinions and then there's you posting that they should just buy a rubber dome in every thread someone asked about if they should buy a blue or brown switch keyboard. It's kind of ridiculous.

I don't WANT a tougher spring in my key. Ergo clear is the wrong direction. I like reds just as much as browns but for a different reason. I tried blacks and know what tough springs feel like and I do not like them.

[RiGS]

Ergo clears has the same spring as browns blues or reds.

[The Solutor]

There's opinions and then there's you posting that they should just buy a rubber dome in every thread someone asked about if they should buy a blue or brown switch keyboard. It's kind of ridiculous.

I couldn't care less if you are a mech taliban, I look for good keyboards and I don't care if they are good because a scissor switch a rubber dome or an ergo clear switch.

Fanboysm is ridiculous, typing pleasure is not.

I tried blacks and know what tough springs feel like and I do not like them.

FYI the black spring have another compression radio and is different than black (is softer at the top and stiffer at the bottom of the keystroke) and I like a softer spring too, that's why I have an ergo clear board, but if I had to choose between that pointless browns and a plain clear i went for the latter w/o any doubt.

[Chobopants]

Ergo clears has the same spring as browns blues or reds.

Yeah sorry, been working 14+ hours a day this whole week (big release coming up). I'm so tired I can't think straight. Should just stay off GH in the meantime.

[nala]

Everything except the BWU. I had to RMA it three times to get one that properly worked and by that time I already bought a Filco MJ2 TKL w/ Blues. I only used it like a week but I'm keeping it in case I have to take the Filco to work and piss off my coworkers.

The BWU is a great keyboard to get into mech keyboards. If you really get into mech keyboards, a BWU will never be your main keyboard. At least that's what happens the most.

[BarryGordon]

Since Steelseries is having a deal for 30% off I think I'm going to buy the 6Gv2 and give it a try because they give a 30 day money back return policy. If I'm not happy with it then i'll aim towards the Leopold Tenkeyless Mx Brown.

[Chobopants]

Since Steelseries is having a deal for 30% off I think I'm going to buy the 6Gv2 and give it a try because they give a 30 day money back return policy. If I'm not happy with it then i'll aim towards the Leopold Tenkeyless Mx Brown.

Good call. Just realize that Black switches and ISO key layout (look at that enter key!) are not for everyone.

[RiGS]

Iso layout has short left shift and additional key. It is closer to Ansi.

[Chobopants]

Ok, be wary of the most gigantic enter key you'll see this side of the Mississippi!

[RiGS]

Lol, sure it is impossible to miss it.

[BarryGordon]

The only way to find out is to actually try and feel the keyboard, reading reviews and watching youtube videos is driving me nuts.

[The Solutor]

The only way to find out is to actually try and feel the keyboard, reading reviews and watching youtube videos is driving me nuts.

You have to test at least one keyboard, then will be easier to understand sentences like "stiffer than browns", "close to blue but less clicky" or whatever...

[MissileMike]

Of the keyboards the OP is picking from, the Leopold is worth every penny of the extra money spent vs those two keyboards.