Help with MX Browns for a first time buyer

[spanyam]

Hey guys, so I've finally decided to make the switch to mechanical. After doing a lot of reading up, listening to sound clips, and typing on the exposed arrow keys of a Blackwidow Ultimate at the store, I feel that MX Browns are the best switch for me. MX Blues are very tempting too, since I do like auditory feedback. But browns seem to have sufficient clickiness to them and are more recommended for a hybrid of development / gaming.

So what I need help with is choosing a good first keyboard. The Das Pro Silent, Filco, Ducky, and Leopold seem to be the popular choices for the browns. Out of those, is there any one that you would recommend over the other for a first timer? Extremely solid build quality is not too huge of a concern because I am generally clean, gentle at typing, and very careful with equipment.

Thanks for the useful resources so far.

[quickcrx702]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Nobody ever got fired for buying a Filco.

ROFL...  As an IT professional that drinks the Cisco kool-aid, and also digs nice keyboards, I really had a good laugh about you changing Cisco to Filco.

[spanyam]

Okay, thanks! I'm sure I wouldn't mind eventually spending the $150 US for a Filco if it comes to it, but I'm wondering if any of the Leopolds or even the Rosewill RK-9000 are comparable to the Filco. If the feel and quality are similar, I wouldn't mind foregoing an extra USB plug or two for a lower price. How do they compare?

[quickcrx702]

Only appropriate.  Cisco stole it from IBM.

Nice - I didn't know that.  Now I know, and knowing is half the battle.  LOL.

[rknize]

The Rosewill is supposedly a Filco knock-off.  One of the review threads show "Filco" on the controller PCB.  I just got a Rosewill RK9000BR and it is very solidly built and fairly compact.  Steel plate and removable cable.  I have somewhat mixed feeling about the MX Brown overall, but that is my opinion.  I prattled on about it here:

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?26988-Model-M-Vet-gt-Cherry-Brown&p=507910#post507910

[spanyam]

I've looked around a bit for the Filco Tenkeyless Tactile, but I am having trouble finding one that is at a comfortable price for me to pay. I thought I found one on PCHome for $120+10, but that turns out to be the chinese version. The English one they have comes out to $142 after shipping. Amazon is fully out of stock on the basic Tenkeyless Tactile, and KeyboardCo is way too expensive.

Unless anyone here knows another place to get Filco's in the US, I might have to settle for a "lower" model. Since this is my first keyboard anyway, I am not overly picky. Are there any other good models that come out to around $120 - $130 USD shipped?

[catcherintherye]

CM Quickfire Browns are supposed to show up in the CM store in a little bit, according to the rep.

[RedTed]

The Leopold sold by elitekeyboards is a very solid machine but less expensive than the Filco.

There are extensive debates / flamewars about the relative merits, but all the debaters agree that they are discussing the relative merits of two very solid keyboards.

Otherwise, you may be able to find a tenkeyless Ducky or a Chinese Filco on PCHome with brown keys. I know the CoolerMaster with brown has a model number but has not been showing up in stores in the US or in Asia.

Good luck, and remember that the hunt is half the fun.

[lightsout714]

Are you looking for tkl or full layout? If full I'd snag a rosewill. Very similar to Filco.

[megnin]

spanyam,

You will be very happy with either the Leopold or the Rosewill at the lower price.  If you want a Tenkeyless then you are down to only the Filco and the Leopold.  You will love your new Leopold.  ;-)  I love mine even though the MX Clears are a bit stiff for my taste; they make my finger tired.  So I ordered two more Leopolds, one with Browns and I couldn't pass up one with Reds because I love my Rosewill with Reds.

I have and use Filcos, a Leopold and two Rosewills (one with Reds and one with Blues) and I have a DAS Pro (clicky Blues).  I don't have any experience with the Ducky.

Newegg has the Roswills with MX Browns for $109.99 and $7.87 shipping.  (with MX Reds for $119.99)
EliteKeyboards has the Leopold Tenkeyless with Browns for $89.00 and $13.61 shipping (to Florida).  $102.61 shipped!

[HeavyArms]

Bite the bullet. Buy a filco. These things are tanks.

[Internetlad]

TKL Leopold browns in white plastic are 89 bucks on http://www.elitekeyboards.com right now. Might wanna bite?

[catcherintherye]

Leopolds have Cherry stabilizers, you might prefer costar

[spanyam]

Thanks for all the input! Whatever preferences I cite are probably nitpicks at this point, since all these boards have a lot of people using them and enjoying them. I'm also not overly picky, since I have no frame of reference with this being my first board. Like RedTed said above, the hunt is definitely fun. I've learned a LOT about this entirely new WORLD which I didn't even know existed merely 2 weeks ago.

As for the suggestions, the Rosewills seem great, but I would prefer a TKL board, since I almost NEVER touch the numpad. TKL Leopold browns look nice, but I'm not much of a fan of white keyboards. I am very much intrigued by the CM Storm Browns that are supposedly coming out soon. The Blue and Red versions seem to have fantastic reviews so far, and everyone who has used them says they feel very solid. For $80-90, that seems like something worth holding out for. So since I am in no particular hurry, I wouldn't mind waiting a bit until the Quickfire Browns show up on the market.

[lightsout714]

You said you weren't a fan of the white leopold. Just to make sure you are aware the Brown switch CM storm is going to be gray not black. I am actually typing on one right now. They are great boards. People complain about the logos so thats for you to decide.

I see your point that you don't have anything to compare to. With cherry stabilizers you will notice right away that the larger keys like enter and shift will have a totally different feel then the rest of the keys. Not a huge thing but something I realized right away and did not like. The CM storm won't have this "issue" (if you want to call it that) as it uses Costar stabilizers.

[spanyam]

They are grey, huh. That sounds okay, actually. I am not keen on white for a couple of reasons: dust and other marks are very prominent on white, and the look doesn't match at all with the rest of my equipment. Both of these are EXTREMELY minor reasons, though. The main reason I'm interested in the CM storm is the costar stabilizers that are supposedly more solid. The reasoning is like this: "I'm in no hurry, the CM Storm boards are about the same price (or cheaper), and they are said to be more solid than the Leopolds, so why not wait it out and try the higher reputation board first up?"

[lightsout714]

I personally wouldn't say they are more solid them leopolds. I have had both and they are both very solid. But I definitely prefer the costar stabilizer of the CM. I agree with you the price of the CM is awesome. Especially if you find it on sale somewhere. Don't want to be a broken record but I scored mine with blues for $78 shipped. Hopefully the brown version sells at places besides the CM store. I'm sure you've seen it but this is the gray version.
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 39788[/ATTACH]

[spanyam]

Very nice price. Yeah, I'm hoping it'll be available in other places too. That image is broken, btw.

[lightsout714]

Tried a different one.

[modulor]

Go for the Leo!

[spanyam]

Sure why not.

1) What is your budget?
$100 - $130

2) Where (country) will you be buying this keyboard and keyboard language layout?
USA, ENGLISH, QWERTY

3) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you don’t really like?
a.Like: --
b.Dislike: --

4) Would you consider keyboards that are used?
Yes if they are very lightly used.

5) What are the primary tasks you will be performing with this keyboard?
Programming / Gaming

6) Will you be playing games on your keyboard? What type of games?
Yes. Mainly RPGs, some TF2, and a few FPS's (nothing overly competitive)

7) Would you prefer to see the keyboard you’re considering before purchasing it or buying a keyboard online without seeing it is OK?
Without seeing is OK if it's a reputable board

Will the keyboard be used for Windows, Mac, Linux, etc...?
Windows

9) What other keyboard(s) have you used before and why are you not using it/them anymore?
Logitech Wave. Just want to upgrade to a Mech


Build Quality and Design

10) What size keyboard would you prefer?
a.Full-Size (with number pad)
b.Ten-Keyless (without number pad)
c.Don’t Care

11) Are the keyboard’s looks and stylishness important to you? If so, describe any physical features such as color, material appearance, etc...
Not really that important so long as it's grey, brown, or black.

12) When are you buying the keyboard?
Whenever I find something I like. No rush.

13) How long do you want this keyboard to last?
5-10 years or more


Switch Questions

14) What key sound do you want?
a.Quiet
b.Medium
c.Loud
d.Don’t Care

15) Do you want tactile feel?
a.Yes
b.No
c.Don’t Care

16) Do you want clickiness?
a.Yes
b.No
c.Don’t Care

17) How strong are your fingers?
a. Very Weak
b. Weak
c. Medium
d. Strong
e. Very strong
f. Doesn't matter


Keyboard Components

18) PS/2 or USB
Both

19) Media keys? Macro Keys? Backlight? USB Hub?
All are nonessential bonuses as far as I'm concerned. I wouldn't be paying extra for them.

[shogrran]

if you're tight on budget there are a lot of boards similar to filco... i'm using the cmstorm quickfire rapid browns.

I really like the silvery-grayish finish as I have stated in one  of my previous threads. They are really resistant to finger marks and sweat and oil marks.

In photos, the keyboard looks as if its overly decorated with the cmstorm logo and I have read comments of quite a few people who do not like that factor of the board. I too initially had doubts on buying a board that looks like a sponsored racing car. But after I got it it doesn't really hurt the eyes much. But anyway... that's a personal choice.

[Forin]

Leopold/CM Storm/Noppoo

mx blue with orings / mx brown

Sure why not.

1) What is your budget?
$100 - $130

2) Where (country) will you be buying this keyboard and keyboard language layout?
USA, ENGLISH, QWERTY

3) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you don’t really like?
a.Like: --
b.Dislike: --

4) Would you consider keyboards that are used?
Yes if they are very lightly used.

5) What are the primary tasks you will be performing with this keyboard?
Programming / Gaming

6) Will you be playing games on your keyboard? What type of games?
Yes. Mainly RPGs, some TF2, and a few FPS's (nothing overly competitive)

7) Would you prefer to see the keyboard you’re considering before purchasing it or buying a keyboard online without seeing it is OK?
Without seeing is OK if it's a reputable board

Will the keyboard be used for Windows, Mac, Linux, etc...?
Windows

9) What other keyboard(s) have you used before and why are you not using it/them anymore?
Logitech Wave. Just want to upgrade to a Mech


Build Quality and Design

10) What size keyboard would you prefer?
a.Full-Size (with number pad)
b.Ten-Keyless (without number pad)
c.Don’t Care

11) Are the keyboard’s looks and stylishness important to you? If so, describe any physical features such as color, material appearance, etc...
Not really that important so long as it's grey, brown, or black.

12) When are you buying the keyboard?
Whenever I find something I like. No rush.

13) How long do you want this keyboard to last?
5-10 years or more


Switch Questions

14) What key sound do you want?
a.Quiet
b.Medium
c.Loud
d.Don’t Care

15) Do you want tactile feel?
a.Yes
b.No
c.Don’t Care

16) Do you want clickiness?
a.Yes
b.No
c.Don’t Care

17) How strong are your fingers?
a. Very Weak
b. Weak
c. Medium
d. Strong
e. Very strong
f. Doesn't matter


Keyboard Components

18) PS/2 or USB
Both

19) Media keys? Macro Keys? Backlight? USB Hub?
All are nonessential bonuses as far as I'm concerned. I wouldn't be paying extra for them.

[spanyam]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! I've decided to wait for the CM Storm Browns to be available in USA. That sounds quite suited to what I'm looking for.