CM Storm Quickfire Rapid.

[Loganmo]

Hey everybody, this is my first mechanical keyboard and i was looking for suggestions on which switch people preffer. Blue or Red. i know that one is tactile and one is linear but i just cant decide. The only switch i have felt is the cherry mx red and it was pretty nice. i felt the keys on a corsair k90. i will be gaming on this board along with everyday pc use such as web browsing. The Quickfire seems to be highly regarded around here, and was wondering if i should jump on the version with the blue switch because it is on sale at NCIX USA. Or i could spend the extra $30 for the red version from coolermasters website.



Thank you, all suggestions are welcome just try to keep the price around $100 US.


Thanks again!

[wompwomp]

I hate to be that douche, but it is all personal preference. We can't really tell you what switch YOU will like most. All I can say is the red switches are lighter than blues and as for tactile vs. linear, it seems like you've already done your research. What I can suggest is that since you've already tried reds, and since you live in the US, you can go to your local Fry's, Micro Center, or BestBuy and look for the Razer Blackwidow. They have a little cut out where the keyboard's arrow keys are so you can test out the blue switches.

[Roguemaster8]

If you like clicky, buy a Quickfire with blues.

If you don't like clicky, buy a Quickfire with reds.

[prava]

IF you already tried the red one...and liked it, then go for it. Mx Blue is much heavier and not as good for gaming (double-tapping) so I'd deffinitely go for red.

[shogrran]

I agree with the blues not so good for double tapping. And I also agree that you go look for a shop that has the mxblues and then try it out. MxBlues are fun because of the click so I think you'd enjoy that too. The mxblue cmstorm qfr feels different than the mxblue razer blackwidow. So if you plan on getting the cmstorm brand then try the exact keyboard you want.

[boredgunner]

Flip a coin?  

[Kamikaze K]

Okay another consideration... As well as thinking about all the above.  Have a think about who lives with you at home and if the clicking of the Blues will annoy anyone there... I love Blues but I can see if you have your computer in the bedroom and you live with your girl (or boy... lets be PC here) it couls drive them bonkers with the clicking during those late gaming session while they are trying to sleep.  You can hear the clicks of the blues through thin walls as well... SOmething to consider if you haven't already.

[Loganmo]

Thanks a lot guys my family would definately get annoyed by the clicking so now my options are to get the red quickire or a keyboard with cherry mx browns.

[rknize]

+1 about the noise.  If it's not something you have dealt with before, you might consider steering clear until you can/want to afford a 2nd board for typing.  It's a very personal choice.

[mickd]

One thing to note as a difference between the browns and the reds. Besides the browns having slight tactile feedback, when you get close to bottoming out the reds (after they actuate), they seem to require a bit more force than the browns. I personally didn't like that feeling, but you might.

[alaricljs]

CM rep said to expect brown's at the end of March.... Filco's are out of stock on Amazon... There's always EK with Leopolds.

Personally I'd wait for the CM browns, hoping NCIX gets them and shows the love like they have w/ blues.  

[Kamikaze K]

One thing to note as a difference between the browns and the reds. Besides the browns having slight tactile feedback, when you get close to bottoming out the reds (after they actuate), they seem to require a bit more force than the browns. I personally didn't like that feeling, but you might.

I don't know... I think the browns feels easier 'cause you have that tactile bump right at the start that require just a little more force than a linear hence the travel after the bump has the illusion of being lighter whereas the linear is just one constant resistants along the whole key travel.... Just a hypothesis.

[boredgunner]

Waiting is difficult.  Go with the reds!  I like the look better as well... all black with some red highlights rather than a grey board with black keys.

[alaricljs]

If you go with reds, you should just go bonkers and jump on the Ragnarok doubleshot groupbuy Red on black keys  

They are purty.

[mickd]

I don't know... I think the browns feels easier 'cause you have that tactile bump right at the start that require just a little more force than a linear hence the travel after the bump has the illusion of being lighter whereas the linear is just one constant resistants along the whole key travel.... Just a hypothesis.

I'm not sure, it could be an illusion. On this site they say it isn't (but that's not to say the guy that wrote that article wasn't being tricked by the tactile bump too).

http://peterhallam.com.au/which-mechanical-keyboard-switch-should-i-get-cherry-mx-red-keyswitch/#actuation-force-measured-in-centinewtons (under actuation force)

"with resistance increasing marginally towards the bottom of the keystroke when the spring is under maximum compression"

If you go with reds, you should just go bonkers and jump on the Ragnarok doubleshot groupbuy Red on black keys  

This is why I bought a quickfire with red switches!

[rknize]

Same here.  Actually, I wanted to get "Blood" from R4 before it got dumped.

[Kamikaze K]

Yeah the only thing though is that the scrlk and caplock led's won't show up since the red lettered keycaps don't have windows on them... This is unless you want to do a bit of keycap modding with them.  A lot of effort though.  The other option id to just keep the original caps for those keys.

On a side note...  Just plugged my CM reds back in... They feel nice but after typing on the Topre for over a month the cherry's feel a bit rough!  Saying that though, I'm enjoying the "mech switch" feel again as opposed to the cushy heaven of the Topre. It's a nice change of pace.

[Loganmo]

Thanks again guys. I might do what one of the previous posters suggested. Get the red switches for gaming , then later on for a second board get blue switches. Idk too much about key caps. Can Somebody please direct me to the group buy. Ive never seen one before and it may be something that interests me. One more question lol. The cm brown board will have the same look as the cm blues correct?


Thanks and sorry for all the questions.

[Kamikaze K]

Mate, don't apologise for the questions... thats one of the reasons why we have forums... apart from all the *****ing/whinging.

To my knowledge, the browns will look like it's Blue and Black brothers... Only the Red is a different colour scheme.  Red looks the best out of the lot.  Grab it I when you can... where are you located anyway?  There's a few places in Australia I can direct you to.... well ONE anyway if you want the CM's.

[Loganmo]

I'm in the US. California to be exact. Only the reds and blues are available here. I think I'm going to order the cm reds really excited.

[Kamikaze K]

Do it..... DOOOOO IIIIIT!  You won't regret it... I love mine to bits.  Great for gaming and I personally love typing on them too.  That and my Topre. :lock1:

[Loganmo]

Hey Kamikaze,

One more thing. Why does everybody around here love tenkeyless so much. I personally don't use the numbpad, but why not have it lol? I've heard that people like to put their mouse where the numbpad typically is? Is this true?

Thanks.

[gladiusgg]

If you go with reds, you should just go bonkers and jump on the Ragnarok doubleshot groupbuy Red on black keys  

They are purty.

haha this is exactly what i did. the keycaps costs almost as much as the keyboard itself, after including shipping to my country.

to TS, you will have feel it out for yourself. choosing the type of switch to use is a personal thing.

[Kamikaze K]

Yeah mate.  I tried it out when I got my Filco and haven't looked back.  The only full deck I got is my Ducky Shine (They're yet to bring out a TKL Shine).  The main reason why a lot of people love it including myself is of the ergonomic benefit of having your arms closer together when using the PC... At a glance it's not that much more space sans numpad but believe me you can tell.... Especially when it comes to gaming.  Having the Numpad forces your arms into a less natural position.  When you get yours you'll see!

The other benefit is that it frees up desk space as well for those like me who don't have that much room where they've got their PC.  Also it's a neater PC profile... but thats just a superficial benefit.

If you're someone who uses Excel for work... it may be wise to stick with the full deck.  Eventhough I used my numpad sporadically before, adjusting took no time whatsoever.  Since you don't use yours anyway you'll be sweet!

[Loganmo]

Thanks for all your help man.

[Kamikaze K]

All good bro.  Happy to help.

[alaricljs]

And to answer that last Q about the Ragnarok group buy, today is the last day to get in on it  HERE

[patrickgeekhack]

One thing to note as a difference between the browns and the reds. Besides the browns having slight tactile feedback, when you get close to bottoming out the reds (after they actuate), they seem to require a bit more force than the browns. I personally didn't like that feeling, but you might.

I am with you on this. Because of this feeling, I have the impression the brown Cherry is lighter than the red Cherry.

[rknize]

To help you a bit with the GB, you just need the base "Ragnarok" set for the CM Storm because it is TKL.  Now, if you want the flexibility to use those caps on a full 104 key board, then you want the 104 add-on kit too.

[Loganmo]

To help you a bit with the GB, you just need the base "Ragnarok" set for the CM Storm because it is TKL.  Now, if you want the flexibility to use those caps on a full 104 key board, then you want the 104 add-on kit too.

For the ragnarock group buy I only see 25 50 75 100 keyset options. Do I want the 75 one? Were are the other keys? Pretty sure tkl boards have more than that lol. Also how often do these ragnarock group buys occur because I really like them, but don't know If I can get it this time.

[rknize]

I think you are reading the posting wrong.  Those are the prices per set, depending on how many people order sets.  Scroll down to the bottom and you will see that the counts are:

Ragnarok- 131
Tsangan- 65
104- 42
ISO- 12

You want "Ragnarok" for your TKL and "104" for the additional keys that a 104 keyboard has.  Unfortunately, the GB has *just* closed.  If you really want it, PM him now and maybe he will let you in.

[alaricljs]

And as for how often, well.. That's the first time and likely the last for a LONG time for red on black.  But there's going to be lots of other color options as the months go by

[Loganmo]

hahahahahah thank you. I most definately was reading the wrong thing. Making me believe the keys were $45. Maybe someday ill be able to afford the right ones lol.