Keyboard selection advice.

[Vadimk]

Well, I've come to the conclusion that my ideal keyboard doesn't exist, so after killing my old Logitech, I picked up the $10 special until I can find what I want.

What I'm looking for is:
mx cherry: blue or brown
6+ macro keys (12 to 18 would be perfect)
I'd like backlighting for the keys, preferably with no light escaping around them (I work in the dark sometimes).
I treat my desk as a work bench, so I'll often go from grinding or the like to typing, so I'm fairly hard on keys, I wore right through the touchpad on my last laptop.

so dye sublimation or dual-shot molding would be great, but as far as I can all the backlight ones are just painted and etched.

I've tried the reds, and though better then the dome ones, I like some tactile feedback, I've also used, and like the IBM buckling spring, (I used to have a couple model Ms, but made the mistake of storing them at my parent's, they where tossed) I think I'd prefer the blue.

I've though a bought making my own from scratch, but the cheapest I can find the switches is $.69, though the price drops to $.2149 if you buy 3200 (damn there's a lot of mark up), know 20 other people that want some (my I should by them and sellem on ebay)? lol

But I guess I'll have to sacrifice backlighting for dye sublimation, and I guess I can make an add-on for the macro keys.

But thoughts?

[IvanIvanovich]

Closest thing I can think of is Cherry G80-2100 or 2551. They have extra keys you can program macros on with something like autohotkey. They come with doubleshots. No backlight, and as far as I know only comes in blacks but pcb mount switch is easy to open and swap out stem and springs. 2551 can often be had for fairly cheap.
Otherwise I suppose the only other thing that is close is Razer Black Widow Ultimate. You could always replace the keycaps with a doubleshot set, though it makes backlight more or less pointless.
Getting a nice board, and a programmable keypad like an Access or Genovation might be a better idea in the long run.

[Tony]

BWU seems to be the only candidate, though I do not suggest it because of the glossy surface and poor quality of Razer keyboards.

[Vadimk]

BWU seems to be the only candidate, though I do not suggest it because of the glossy surface and poor quality of Razer keyboards.

I had thought of that one, but my concern was wearing through the paint on the keys.
I did a ton of research, I was just hoping the experts knew of something I missed.

I guess I could cast my own double-shots, and build one with cherry mx blues.

I'd have to cast blank keys using opaque black epoxy, cnc out the letters (better then having 120 molds) and re-cast with transparent epoxy.

[N8N]

Maybe get a pos board for your programmable keys? Won't be backlit but other than that I can see you using a rawko board....

[IvanIvanovich]

Good call on POS boards, KSI Wombat, very nice price. MX blacks though but hey... 141 programmable keys for that cheap.

[Vadimk]

Looks neat, though missing the direction keys.

Hmm, well, are there any backlit ones with mx blues and 12 or so macro keys?
I'll just put a damn clear coat on the keys.

Maby a Corsair Vengeance K90 with mx blues (would cost $60 to convert it).

[Vadimk]

Edit: found one that'll work,
The Deck Legend has dye sublimation, and I can mod it with 18 or so macro keys when I want (Arduino tied into it).

Not my perfect keyboard, but close, also a little more expensive then I'd like, but I'll pay that to get rid of this junker.

or the XArmor U9BL