Author Topic: Keyboard Choice (Read 4201 times)

theLiminator · « **on:** Tue, 10 January 2012, 16:50:53 »

Hi, I was looking for some help on choosing a mechanical keyboard.

Should I get a Razer Blackwidow or a Coolermaster QuickFire Blue

I like how both have media keys.

Both are the same switches, so i figure the typing experience is similar. I like the typeface on the QuickFire better, but I like how the Blackwidow has a numeric pad? But possibly I would like tenkeyless, so I'm unsure. I also heard the CM Quickfire is sturdier and it's built in the same factories as Filco as opposed to the Blackwidow being less sturdy. I can get both at around $62 ea. So I was looking for recommendations on which to purchase.

Thanks

pitashen · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 10 January 2012, 17:00:54 »

Henry Allen Venture · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 10 January 2012, 17:51:35 »

Its really up to you, and which keyboard you think looks better, whether you'd rather a numpad, etc. etc.

Of the two you mentioned, based on sheer potential, I personally would get the BlackWidow. I'd have to sand the housing back and paint it, though. Partly for fun, but mostly because the shiny finish on the original housing would drive my psuedo-OCD wild. I'd be wearing gloves while typing to avoid fingerprints.
Someone else on here is probably in a better position to comment on the BlackWidow build quality, but I don't think theres much reason, if any, to expect that it will be anything less than acceptable.

Based on the keyboards as they are, I'd go QuickFire. If I was going to buy a QuickFire, I'd probably get the MX Red one with the different coloured housing, too.

theLiminator · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 10 January 2012, 21:09:57 »

Anyone with experience with both of these boards? I'd like to know which one feels more comfortable, and which ones feels like a an overall better experience. For gaming I mostly play sc2. I type a lot too. I don't do a lot of data entry, so tenkeyless doesn't really affect me, but i'm not sure if i'd regret that in the future. Also, which one is a better deal when I can buy them both at $62 each?

lightsout714 · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 10 January 2012, 21:16:57 »

There are many posts you will find questioning the quality of the razer keyboards. From what I read the quickfire build quality is on par with a filco. Easy choice here for me, grab the quickfire (mine will be here in a couple days.)

theLiminator · « **Reply #5 on:** Tue, 10 January 2012, 21:50:49 »

I've got another question. Do all cherry MX blues roughly feel the same? Or does having them in a different board cause a large difference in the typing feel? I've actually tried a Razer BW and it felt pretty good, but haven't gotten to try a quickfire yet.

Tony · « **Reply #6 on:** Tue, 10 January 2012, 22:11:55 »

Typing feel = switch + keycap + build.

Different boards bring different feel, since they are built different.

So with the same Cherry blue switch, Filco or Ducky blue usually got a better typing feel than Razer Blackwidow, which has worse build.

If you buy expensive PBT keycaps, you get better typing feel too.

pitashen · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 03:26:57 »

Other than the switch itself texture of the cap as well as the thickness of the plastic material will change the overall experience of typing. With or without a metal mounting plate will make quite a bit of difference as well.

Armando Penblade · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 10:12:42 »

I'd argue that if you had two ABS-cap, metal-plate-backed, Cherry MX Blue boards, most people would be hard-pressed to find a significant difference in feel unless one had a serious manufacturing defect (like, say, a broken switch that wobbled heavily when pushed). Sound can still be slightly different as different companies will use different kinds of metals for the backing plate and different thicknesses and amounts of plastic in the body that would change the resonance/insulating qualities.

BlackWidow gets some knocks for build quality. I seem to recall hearing people complain about the coating on their keycaps; ripster contended earlier today he's never heard that. AKA, dueling anecdotes!

The BlackWidow will be MUCH bulkier. Not only does it include the numpad, it also has the extra macro keys on the left side of the keyboard. If you have a small desk or like having a lot of room to move your mouse around, you will notice a significant change due to these size differences between the two.

QuickFire's gotten a lot of praise. BlackWidow's gotten a lot, too, but also a lot of heat. Maybe it's because it's older and had more time for units to break down for people, or maybe it's because people dislike Razer. . . or maybe it's because they really do have problems making the darn things well. Hard to say without hard evidence which I know that Razer would never release

That said. . . if you buy the Razer, say you did it because you know they sponsor TeamLiquid and Team SlayerS in pro-Starcraft. Maybe they'll get a kickback

theLiminator · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 17:47:41 »

Ultimately at 60 dollars each, which one do you think makes a better buy?

lightsout714 · « **Reply #10 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 19:07:42 »

I would go quickfire. I actually did at $50 more then the $60 price your quoting.

Henry Allen Venture · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 19:14:27 »

Quote from: theLiminator;488223

Ultimately at 60 dollars each, which one do you think makes a better buy?

The QuickFire is probably the smart buy, but I want to make myself a WhiteWidow, so if it were me I'd be getting a BlackWidow.

lightsout714 · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 19:53:07 »

Quote from: Henry Allen Venture;488263

The QuickFire is probably the smart buy, but I want to make myself a WhiteWidow, so if it were me I'd be getting a BlackWidow.

Whoa that thing is pretty sick.

FinancialWar · « **Reply #13 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 19:58:59 »

Is it true that Quickfire lets you press as many keys at once? That's way better than filco's six keys

theLiminator · « **Reply #14 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 20:02:22 »

Yep, the QuickFire has NKRO when using PS/2, but overall, im leaning towards the blackwidow, as macro keys might be useful since im an engineer, and i could possibly use them in whatever engineering programs i use. The only thing i'm worried about is durability, as some have stated that it's not as durable as most mech keyboards. BTW, that mod looks really sick.

NorrisB · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 20:02:28 »

Id pass on both

NorrisB · « **Reply #16 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 20:03:00 »

Quote from: dvorak;488285

Is it true that Quickfire lets you press as many keys at once? That's way better than filco's six keys

Thats called NKey rollover and almost every mechanical has one

FinancialWar · « **Reply #17 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 20:07:38 »

Quote from: NorrisB;488290

Thats called NKey rollover and almost every mechanical has one

I know it's called NKRO, that's was not my point. My point was Filco only has a limit of six keys at once while QuickFire has unlimited.

NorrisB · « **Reply #18 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 20:09:42 »

Quote from: dvorak;488292

I know it's called NKRO, that's was not my point. My point was Filco only has a limit of six keys at once while QuickFire has unlimited.

Filco has NKR get your facts straight

FinancialWar · « **Reply #19 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 20:15:46 »

Quote from: NorrisB;488293

Filco has NKR get your facts straight

Do you have comprehension difficulty?

piken · « **Reply #20 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 20:31:18 »

Quote from: dvorak;488297

Do you have comprehension difficulty?

No, but you seem to. Filco and the QuickFire are both NKRO and 6KRO. NKRO is only when in ps/2 while 6KRO is in usb. The only board I know of that can do more then 6KRO in usb right now are the leo's.

Tony · « **Reply #21 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 20:37:10 »

And Choc mini keyboards got 18kro through usb by emulating 3 keyboards x 6kro to Windows OS simultaneously.

FinancialWar · « **Reply #22 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 20:41:13 »

Quote from: piken;488307

No, but you seem to. Filco and the QuickFire are both NKRO and 6KRO. NKRO is only when in ps/2 while 6KRO is in usb. The only board I know of that can do more then 6KRO in usb right now are the leo's.

That's what I was asking and NorrisB fails to mention it and keeps on NKR...

NorrisB · « **Reply #23 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 21:00:04 »

If thats what you were asking you should have specified USB

Henry Allen Venture · « **Reply #24 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 21:02:38 »

Quote from: theLiminator;488286

Yep, the QuickFire has NKRO when using PS/2, but overall, im leaning towards the blackwidow, as macro keys might be useful since im an engineer, and i could possibly use them in whatever engineering programs i use. The only thing i'm worried about is durability, as some have stated that it's not as durable as most mech keyboards. BTW, that mod looks really sick.

I'm an engineer, too.
I do miss the macro keys from my old G110, but that thing was awful to type on.
They do come in handy. I used to use them a bit, and it took a while to adjust, but I'm fine again without them.

Getting them back is one of the reasons I want to buy a BlackWidow, but I hate the glossy finish.
As I said, I'll buy one and mod it when I've got the time to spare.

NorrisB · « **Reply #25 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 21:13:27 »

As an Electrical Engineer I dont even use the numpad

theLiminator · « **Reply #26 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 21:14:45 »

Yeah, that mod was absolutely beautiful. Too bad I think I'd wreck my keyboard if I tried it

. Now, I'm pretty sure i'll get the BW, just gotta cross my fingers and hope for a durable one.

jellowiggler · « **Reply #27 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 21:19:27 »

If you don't like the glossy finish and 2kro you can get a BW stealth edition where those issues are fixed.

Only available at the razer online store.

Henry Allen Venture · « **Reply #28 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 21:30:56 »

Quote from: NorrisB;488341

As an Electrical Engineer I dont even use the numpad

Ha. I hated both of the electrical engineering units I had to do in first year. Definitely helped convince me that my true calling was structural.

Quote from: jellowiggler;488344

If you don't like the glossy finish and 2kro you can get a BW stealth edition where those issues are fixed.

Only available at the razer online store.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that to the OP. I think he wanted MX Blue switches, though. (Stealth Edition has MX Browns only, from memory).
He won't be able to get it for the cheap price he's quoting here, either.

NorrisB · « **Reply #29 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 21:38:48 »

Quote from: Henry Allen Venture;488351

Ha. I hated both of the electrical engineering units I had to do in first year. Definitely helped convince me that my true calling was structural.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that to the OP. I think he wanted MX Blue switches, though. (Stealth Edition has MX Browns only, from memory).
He won't be able to get it for the cheap price he's quoting here, either.

And yet you're on a forum for devices that are made by Electrical Engineers

Henry Allen Venture · « **Reply #30 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 21:51:24 »

Quote from: NorrisB;488363

And yet you're on a forum for devices that are made by Electrical Engineers

I don't mind tinkering with electrical stuff, or mechanical stuff for that matter. Doesn't mean I want to do either for a living.

piken · « **Reply #31 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 21:59:26 »

I am a software engineer by trait working for a large company in big data. I spend my days writing code, and most of it never sees the light of day.

I write some days upwards of 5-6k lines of code along with running tons of linux commands and build commands. I have a Das pro silent on my desk that I use. I haven't touched the keypad since I got it and miss the room on the desk from the filco tkl with blues I was using there till I sold it due to noise complaints and for $99 with free shipping from newegg it was a quick replacement.

theLiminator · « **Reply #32 on:** Wed, 11 January 2012, 22:00:25 »

Woot! Another Civil here

Mech keyboards are so awesome! Just gotta love that clicky sound.

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Author Topic: Keyboard Choice (Read 4201 times)