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Author Topic: Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?  (Read 3625 times)

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Offline HowToKeyboard?

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« on: Sun, 11 September 2011, 09:34:41 »
I am looking for a mecahnical keyboard that costs about £60 (97$) and I have heard that keyboards in this range are all crap... I need opinions about this.

I would prefer to not buy second hand and the keyboard I have in mind is this - Razer RZ03-00390500-R3W1 Black Widow Gaming Keyboard (UK Layout) - (Can't post the URL so search that in amazon if you feel like it...)

I wouldn't mind not having macro buttons and I don't mind losing the numpad, but what I do want is high quality buttons with good switches and the ability to register atleast 5 button presses simultaneously would be nice. (Would like switches that are good for typing and gaming. Ideally, browns but I have heard that people game with blue's just fine)

So is a cheap mechanical keyboard noticeably better than a stock rubber dome board?

Suggestions of cheap keyboards that are decent would be VERY helpfull.

If it's not worth getting a cheap mech keyboard should I consider buying second hand?

Thanks in advance for any help :)
« Last Edit: Sun, 11 September 2011, 10:09:00 by HowToKeyboard? »
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Offline mbc

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 11 September 2011, 09:53:37 »
You can get a new cherry g80 for that price
Or a used with dobleshot keys for less..
But they usually only have 2kro.

If your into gaming keyboards just keep your eyes open on ebay..
Or in the classifieds here or over at deskthority.net.
You should get a good used keyboard for that money.. if u dont mind different layouts...

Sent from my Milestone using Tapatalk
Edit...edit...
« Last Edit: Sun, 11 September 2011, 10:02:45 by mbc »
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Offline HowToKeyboard?

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 11 September 2011, 10:08:04 »
I spell checked my post but not my thread title... *Feels great shame*

Now, other than grammar nazi'ing all up in my face can you halp meh? Is the Razer keyobard (Intentional that time) decent?

I checked out cherry g80's on Amazon and something doesn't fill me with confidence. This is copied from the page "Membrane contact switches with rubber-mat technology for individual use." Not sure if mechanical...
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Offline redpill

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 11 September 2011, 10:08:46 »
If NKRO is not an issue for you, there are a number of options at that price point.
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Offline N8N

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 11 September 2011, 10:13:26 »
that membrane contact thing sounds like G81s... very similar in appearance and keycaps (they're actually MX compatible) but the switches are awful.

G80s use the same MX switches that you know and love from all the other "premium" keyboards, main difference being that Cherry PCB mounts their switches while pretty much everyone else plate mounts them.

I guess the main question is are you wedded to the UK/ISO layout, or would you consider US/ANSI?  I can think of a couple good options available in the US that are at or only slightly higher than your price point.  (Rosewill and WASD come to mind)  I have no experience with the Razer as it is not easily available here.
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Offline HowToKeyboard?

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 11 September 2011, 10:13:44 »
Quote from: redpill;414375
If NKRO is not an issue for you, there are a number of options at that price point.

Mind pointing me in the right direction to find something worth buying?

So far I have been using pretty much only Amazon which doesn't tell you the switch type on alot of boards or even if they're machanical...

And thanks for some really fast replies all of you.
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Offline alaricljs

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 11 September 2011, 10:20:47 »
Interestingly, a member here recently posted his own website with this.  Please note that some of those sellers are here and you can ask them questions :)
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Offline HowToKeyboard?

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #7 on: Sun, 11 September 2011, 10:28:34 »
The Keyboard Company needs a new website... I would like to browse their stuff but I think i'm getting a headache...

I think i'm going to get the Cherry G80.

Less than an hour from posting this thread to having all my questions answered. Really thank you guys :D
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Offline HeavyArms

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #8 on: Sun, 11 September 2011, 10:35:23 »
My advice would be to keep an eye on the great finds located in the GeekHack classifieds. I was looking for a pretty specific keyboard and ended up finding one in a little less than a week that matched my price range and was exactly what i wanted, that is probably your best bet. As far as the blackwidow goes, I can't really say much about it.
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Offline redpill

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #9 on: Sun, 11 September 2011, 10:36:30 »
Quote from: HowToKeyboard?;414388
I think i'm going to get the Cherry G80.

Solid choice, enjoy!
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Offline Lanx

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #10 on: Sun, 11 September 2011, 14:54:19 »
the cherry g80's that i have had and modded feel like junk, worse than a childs toy. Actually it's been my assumption that because of the inferior build quality and construction of the cherry g80's is why there are more boutique options that say they have better build construction. But that is subjective i guess even this kinesis that retails for over 200 feels cheap and light.
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Offline theferenc

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #11 on: Sun, 11 September 2011, 16:20:01 »
Personally, if I'm using a Cherry MX based board, I vastly prefer the PCB mounted switches to the plate mounted. I still don't like them that much, but I don't hate them as I do the plate mounted versions.

To answer the original question, no, inexpensive mechanical keyboards are not bad at all, but may not be what people exactly want, if that makes sense. Personally, I would go with an inexpensive old Model M that I refurbish over a new (almost) anything. But that's because I genuinely enjoy typing on them. Try your G80. You may really like it. Price isn't always indicative of quality, after all.
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Offline Weapon

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #12 on: Sun, 11 September 2011, 16:36:37 »
I cant really game on a Model M x.x it hurts my fingers after 10 minutes or less. I think TKL ducky's on PCHOME sell for like $74 and ship to UK for like $20.
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Offline theferenc

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #13 on: Sun, 11 September 2011, 16:37:56 »
True, I don't game, which is a big difference in my use compared to many here.
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HHKB Pro 2 -- Custom UNIX layout Unicomp Customizer 101 -- IBM Model M 1391401 (modded to UNIX layout) -- IBM 1397000 (also UNIX layout) -- SSK in UNIX layout -- Model F 122 key in UNIX layout (Soarer USB "native")
 
CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline AlleyViper

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #14 on: Sun, 11 September 2011, 17:33:54 »
Quote from: Lanx;414525
the cherry g80's that i have had and modded feel like junk, worse than a childs toy. Actually it's been my assumption that because of the inferior build quality and construction of the cherry g80's is why there are more boutique options that say they have better build construction. But that is subjective i guess even this kinesis that retails for over 200 feels cheap and light.

I beg to differ, G8X-1000 with double shots feel solid enough, unlike G8X-3000 case derivations. Older 1800 should also be comparable.

OP, that rubber mat description if for the RD G83, p.e. 6000 series.
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Offline N8N

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #15 on: Mon, 12 September 2011, 08:14:54 »
Quote from: Lanx;414525
the cherry g80's that i have had and modded feel like junk, worse than a childs toy. Actually it's been my assumption that because of the inferior build quality and construction of the cherry g80's is why there are more boutique options that say they have better build construction. But that is subjective i guess even this kinesis that retails for over 200 feels cheap and light.

 
I have a couple Cherry POS boards and where I think that they feel inferior to a plate mounted board is with heavier switches like clears or blacks.  You can detect noticeable flex in the PCB assembly whereas with a metal plate the keyboard feels much better screwed together.  a Cherry board with browns really doesn't bother me that much, but I'm not a huge fan of the browns, they feel too light to me.  I haven't tried a Cherry board with blues, but I expect that that would also feel reasonably acceptable unless you slam the keys all the way to the bottom anyway.
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Filco Majestouch-2 with Cherry Corp. doubleshot keys - Leopold Tenkeyless Tactile Force with Wyse doubleshots - Silicon Graphics 9500900 - WASD V1 - IBM Model M 52G9658 - Noppoo Choc Pro with Cherry lasered PBT keycaps - Wyse 900866-01 - Cherry G80-8200LPBUS/07 - Dell AT101W - several Cherry G81s (future doubleshot donors) (order of current preference) (dang I have too many keyboards, I really only need two)

Offline sordna

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #16 on: Mon, 12 September 2011, 10:23:33 »
HowToKeyboard, the standard Razer BlackWidow is a fine choice for a cheap mechanical keyboard. If you like its looks, just go for it.
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Offline pitashen

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #17 on: Mon, 12 September 2011, 11:40:23 »
If you are in Europe, seriously, get Cherry. Much better quality. As long as you can look past the looks of it.
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Offline godly_music

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Honestly, is a cheap mechanical keyboard that bad?
« Reply #18 on: Mon, 12 September 2011, 11:58:25 »
A cheap keyboard is possibly just as good as an expensive one. Unless you use your keyboard by flexing it repeatedly.
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