Advice on first Mechanical Keyboard.

[JofNorway]

Hey.

I was told this forum was a go-to place for advice on KBs, specifically mechanical ones. I've been gaming on and off both competetively and on a hobby-basis with FPS games for around 10 years, anything from the various incarnations of Quake, UT, CS and the various CoD titles. I game other genres as well but it's mainly FPS games that I focus on, and want a KB that's suited for. Even though I've been gaming for a long while I've never really thought about Keyboards mattering much untill I noticed some nasty KRO issues with my current KB (a Logitech illuminated), and was introduced to a ton of info on mechanical keyboards. I read up a lot but decided to go here to get some opinions on what mechanical keyboard to try out. A lot of the people I've gamed with just seem to say the various Logitech gXX keyboards are "good" but to me they just look like flashy macro machines that don't offer much in the way of actual quality.

From what I understand what keyboard, and switch-type you want is mainly up to personal preference and any opinions on what's "best" is highly subjective.
My main consern is that I want a switch-type that's as quiet as possible (as far as mechanical switches can be "quiet").
I tried MX-Blue keys on a MK-60 Keyboard at a local store and I didn't really like the feel of them. I've also seen that a lot of purists claim the blacks are best for FPS, but since I'm coming off a Logitech Illuminated keyboard I'm used to a pretty flat and sensitive keyboard, I thought I'd start of and try the reds. From what I've read it's a mixed opinion wether they're preferable for FPS games or not. The current Keyboards I'm looking at (that are available close by) are the Q-Pad MK-85, CMStorm Quickfire Rapid (Reds) or the Corsair K60/K90.

My main conserns are this.
- As quiet as possible (I don't need auidble feedback).
- Illuminated is a plus but not a must. Same with macro-capabilities. I can live fine without them but I don't mind getting them.
- I have no experience with tenkeyless KBs. It doesn't matter if it has one or not.

My question is thus, should I go with Reds for my first KB, and does anyone have any experience with the three I listed. Budget isn't a huge issue, but I'd prefer not to order some exotic model from abroad. Any advice is appreciated

[FinancialWar]

Just don't buy Ducky

[Tony]

Corsair got 54 gaming keys (3 modes x 18 keys) but is a hybrid between mechanical and rubber dome keyboard.
If I were you, I would choose CM storm Quickfire rapid Red.

[Kamikaze K]

Ducky no Sucky.... Just unlucky Ducky with the 1xxx.  

Keep all options open OP.  My Ducky is still Plucky. Though I do agree with Tony.

[Kamikaze K]

Nothing's going to be perfect Ripster... Just like Filco.  All I'm saying is that from my experience and from all my mates who have the same board, it's been faultless. I've got the first batch of Ducky Shining's and it's still going strong. I just don't believe in completely writing something off due to one faulty model.    

"Can't we just get along?" hmmm?

[Kamikaze K]

Fair enough. At least you're more eliquent about your dislike than FinancialWar... :focus:

  Though I still have to agree with Tony... Check out the CM Red's OP

[JofNorway]

Seems Quickfire's with Reds weren't in stock at the moment.

Any big no-nos regarding the MK-85s? I know it's not full NKRO but 18 should be more than enough since I only game with two hands and one of my feet..

Unless they screwed up the 18KRO implentation somehow.

[Roguemaster8]

That's just it, from what I heard, I think the controllers with more then 6KRO have issues due to them increasing the rollover.

Are you sure the CM Storm with reds is out of stock, did you check the Cooler Master Store?

[JofNorway]

That would entail shipping from abroad. And from a quick search through their site I couldn't find any webstores in Europe that has it available.

Quick question, I've seen back and forth comment on which switch makes the least noise, blacks and reds. Any ideas?

[Roguemaster8]

Blacks would make the least noise, since they have the heaviest spring. This makes bottoming out on them difficult, ergo; quieter.

[vurt]

They Sucky.

/agree. I just sold the Ducky Shine I bought after only owning it for less than a week. I game frequently [FPS, RTS, MOBA], and I found the build quality to be subpar compared to the Das Keyboard and even the SteelSeries 6Gv2 I owned previously [I had to scrape off extra plastic leftovers on the housing so that the caps lock key would depress properly]. The keyboard overall just felt mushy and unresponsive. This is probably mostly due to the smooth ABS keycaps and Cherry stabilizers, but I would recommend going with something like a WASD or the CoolerMaster QuickFire Rapid. Both ship within the US and are highly regarded amongst most of the GH community. You can get MX Reds with both brands, and any switch type with WASD...and the price is right! The CM QF is around $80 last I looked, the WASD runs about $120. There is also the SteelSeries 6Gv2 for MX Black switches, but the keycaps are proprietary and this will result in lack of customization options, but if you are like me, you could care less about "Smarties" colored keycaps. Anyway, good luck in your search!!

[FinancialWar]

Seriously I don't understand why people would want to buy Ducky or other cheaper keyboard of lower quality.

Keyboard is probably the longest lasting component of a computer system. A good quality keyboard can last you a lifetime. Also keyboard is the most personal because it is the only computer component you touch with both of your hands. For an average office worker, they spend most of their time typing on their keyboard and moving move mouse.

If you are going to get one good component for your computer system, get a good keyboard. Because a good keyboard never gets obsolete and you will never have to buy another keyboard, it's a one of investment.

Save money from other areas of life but not from a keyboard. Spend extra $50 and get the Filco over Ducky or ****ty keyboard. The increase in productivity and comfort and the reduction in chance of developing Repetitive Strain Injury is well worth the money.  What is extra $50? For most people it's only extra two hours of work, but the time saving due to increased typing speed and comfort compounded over the next 20 or 30 years is well worth the $50 compounded over the same period of time.

[spikeh]

I guess people who are new to mechanical keyboards and aren't sure if they will like it are reluctant to spend top dolla. After a good experience, then perhaps they will be more willing to buy a nicer keyboard.

All the choice I had at the time was a Filco or a PCB mounted G80, which I did not fancy. If I had more choices available at the time I would've gone for a cheaper plate mounted board. Good thing I liked browns but I could imagine the disappointment if someone dropped £110 on a keyboard and didn't like it.

[Kamikaze K]

Seriously I don't understand why people would want to buy Ducky or other cheaper keyboard of lower quality.

Keyboard is probably the longest lasting component of a computer system. A good quality keyboard can last you a lifetime. Also keyboard is the most personal because it is the only computer component you touch with both of your hands. For an average office worker, they spend most of their time typing on their keyboard and moving move mouse.

If you are going to get one good component for your computer system, get a good keyboard. Because a good keyboard never gets obsolete and you will never have to buy another keyboard, it's a one of investment.

Save money from other areas of life but not from a keyboard. Spend extra $50 and get the Filco over Ducky or ****ty keyboard. The increase in productivity and comfort and the reduction in chance of developing Repetitive Strain Injury is well worth the money.  What is extra $50? For most people it's only extra two hours of work, but the time saving due to increased typing speed and comfort compounded over the next 20 or 30 years is well worth the $50 compounded over the same period of time.

Nice to see you've typed more than just "Ducky Sucky".

  Now I completely agree with you that the keyboard is one of the most important component.  It's our main line of input to the PC and now a days people tend to forget that.  The rise of the rubberdome keyboard in the past didn't help the cause making the keyboards flimsy and cheap which only gave the the perception that it's a disposable part of the PC that people shouldn't pay too much attention to.  I'm all for dropping more than $200 on a board if I deem it worthy.  I'm all for quality any day.  Now what I DON'T agree with you there is that if it's not Filco or it's cheaper than a Filco, it's sh*t!  Going by what you've said and also by your sig I get the feeling it's Filco or nothin' for you.  Mate, there is a whole expanding world out there beyond Filco... Yes in the past Filco was the mecca of mech'boards... but at the time we didn't have the choices we have now (and it's still growing).  Filco's are way over priced and there are cheaper alternatives out there that are on par with Filco.  Companies using OEM Costar's only goes to prove the point that you can have "Filco quality" without the hefty price tag.  NO ONE likes to buy cheap inferior products... all I'm saying is that there is also a sweet spot out there between quality and price.  The latter slowly shifting down.

  Now you have your reasons for your over zealous and blind hatred of Ducky's but a lot of people here as well as beyond GH (yes there is a world out there) that don't have any issues with Ducky's whats so ever (like I've said in the past.. I'm one of them).  Try as you might, you'll never stop people (noobs and veterans alike) from buying, using, and loving Ducky boards because what they are typing and also gaming on tells them the opposite of what you're saying.  Now I won't even attempt to open up the Costar/Cherry stabiliser argument 'cause it's getting close to a religious war but know that there's no such thing as a perfect product... Filco has issues as well.  People tend to be more willing to overlook Filco missteps here for some reason.  I too love Filco boards but the main point I'm getting at is that it's not the "be all and end all" of quality mech'boards.  People have more choices now than compared to 1~2 years ago.

[jellowiggler]

I believe the 9008 series is a pretty nice board. I think the 1087 was not a top product for them. But it was an early product and they are turning out some excellent equipment.

[mightygoos]

OK so I am looking for a mechanical DVORAK as my first mechanical. Preferably cherry MX blue switches (from what i have read on mechanical keyboards, they are preferred for primarily typing use). my other requirement is linux compatibility. My searches have only turned up MALTRON ergonomic keyboards and they look a little bit too pricey/ too wtf for my taste. does anyone have any suggestions, are my assumptions about the cherry blues correct, is there anything else i should know?

[Tony]

OK so I am looking for a mechanical DVORAK as my first mechanical. Preferably cherry MX blue switches (from what i have read on mechanical keyboards, they are preferred for primarily typing use). my other requirement is linux compatibility. My searches have only turned up MALTRON ergonomic keyboards and they look a little bit too pricey/ too wtf for my taste. does anyone have any suggestions, are my assumptions about the cherry blues correct, is there anything else i should know?

Get any mechanical keyboard (Filco/Ducky/WASD/Rosewill/CM Quickfire/Corsair) you want and buy keycaps with Dvorak/Ninja keycaps. Most keyboard suppliers will ship the Qwerty keycaps only.

I am a Colemak user and I use Ninja keycaps.

[Daniel Beaver]

Nothing's going to be perfect Ripster... Just like Filco.

I'm confused. Filcos are perfect

[Kamikaze K]

I'm confused. Filcos are perfect

lol.  Yes.. yes sure they are!  :bolt:

[mightygoos]

http://www.daskeyboard.com/model-s-ultimate/ so something like this?? then i would just change to the dvorak layout in linux?

[hcry4]

That should be just fine.

[AeneaS]

I ordered myself http://global.pchome.com.tw/english/?mod=item&func=exhibit&IT_NO=DCAH28-A58428401&SR_NO=SBAE0P&ROWNO=3&tm=e (CM Storm Quickfire Rapid with mx-reds)
The keyboard you linked is with MX blue switches so those are not going to be silent at all ^^

The quickfire rapid is basically a rebranded Filco but even cheaper... (same manufacturer) and with MX Reds which are silent and have less resistance than Blacks (and also hard to find at least for me in europe that is... Only available board with MX Reds is the Corsair K60/K90 which is a hybrid between MX switches and Rubber Dome... Which is subobtimal in my opinion ^^)
Waiting for my shipment =]

[mightygoos]

I ordered myself http://global.pchome.com.tw/english/?mod=item&func=exhibit&IT_NO=DCAH28-A58428401&SR_NO=SBAE0P&ROWNO=3&tm=e (CM Storm Quickfire Rapid with mx-reds)
The keyboard you linked is with MX blue switches so those are not going to be silent at all ^^

The quickfire rapid is basically a rebranded Filco but even cheaper... (same manufacturer) and with MX Reds which are silent and have less resistance than Blacks (and also hard to find at least for me in europe that is... Only available board with MX Reds is the Corsair K60/K90 which is a hybrid between MX switches and Rubber Dome... Which is subobtimal in my opinion ^^)
Waiting for my shipment =]

silent was not one of my specifications. I like having a separate number pad, so your link isn't my style, but thank you for the response.

[hella]

Seriously I don't understand why people would want to buy Ducky or other cheaper keyboard of lower quality.

Keyboard is probably the longest lasting component of a computer system. A good quality keyboard can last you a lifetime. Also keyboard is the most personal because it is the only computer component you touch with both of your hands. For an average office worker, they spend most of their time typing on their keyboard and moving move mouse.

If you are going to get one good component for your computer system, get a good keyboard. Because a good keyboard never gets obsolete and you will never have to buy another keyboard, it's a one of investment.

Save money from other areas of life but not from a keyboard. Spend extra $50 and get the Filco over Ducky or ****ty keyboard. The increase in productivity and comfort and the reduction in chance of developing Repetitive Strain Injury is well worth the money.  What is extra $50? For most people it's only extra two hours of work, but the time saving due to increased typing speed and comfort compounded over the next 20 or 30 years is well worth the $50 compounded over the same period of time.

While I agree a good, quality keyboard is important Filco's much more well built than ducky keyboards.  While there may be few exceptions neither of these boards will consistently last 20+ years of use like the IBM and model M variants.

[mickd]

While I agree a good, quality keyboard is important Filco's much more well built than ducky keyboards.  While there may be few exceptions neither of these boards will consistently last 20+ years of use like the IBM and model M variants.

The moment you get a mechanical keyboard you'll fall so in love with them that within a year, you'll probably have 5 anyways

[Nunez]

The moment you get a mechanical keyboard you'll fall so in love with them that within a year, you'll probably have 5 anyways

Sad part is how true that is