Too picky?

[corm]

Looking for some advice.

I current own a Razer Ultimate with MX Browns and I love it. Yesterday I bought a DAS Model S with MX Browns based on using a friends. Almost instantly I  realized it's not the same quality as his. It turns out his was made in Taiwan and mine is now made in china and has some extra media keys. The main differences seem to be that the wider keys "clack", and do not have a smooth stroke. Im thinking of returning and going with something else, but not sure what...

The main comp store around me doesnt carry ducky or filco, but does have some other gamer brands with mx switches. Should i avoid those and just get a ducky or filco as these seem to be proffered? Any suggestions on keyboards good quality keyboards with MX browns would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Corm

[vun]

If you can find a Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid, commonly referred to as QFR, that's a really good board if you don't need the numpad. Made by Costar, the same company that makes Filco boards, I can say from personal experience that there is virtually no difference in quality between a Filco and the QFR. From what I've heard the fullsize CM Storm board, Trigger I think it's called, is also a fairly good board now that they've started using the same rubber coating as the QFR.

The SteelSeries 6Gv2 is also pretty good value for money if you don't mind the lettering on the caps turning ugly fast. A friend of mine is really happy with his 6Gv2 and so far he's had no complaints about it.

[xyril]

yes im using QFR brown, it felt exactly like a filco but with a better features "mediakeys,detachable usb ,lower  price point, higher found rate (cuz its a gaming product)" . Although quality of a filco is slightly better because of the PCB used.

But theres not much a big of a difference thou. If you want a keyboard with a high quality build for a cheaper price I highly recommended Quickfire Rapid TKL .


I'll make a video soon on how i type on my QFR (brown) vs Razer (blue)

[tp4tissue]

errrm...hmmmmm.. yea, possible.... check the keycaps, if they're poorly molded they can cause the "unsmoothness" that you're feeling. The original razer had this problem because they're super bad quality.

[file_id]

If you're going to be picky then I suggest try doing research there are several options for Cherry MX Browns. Mechanicalkeyboards.com is a good starting point. Sounds like you want a full-sized keyboard.

 

The main differences seem to be that the wider keys "clack", and do not have a smooth stroke.

When you say wider keys, the difference you are noticing are the differences in stabilizers being used in the "wider" keys. The Blackwidow uses type of Costar like stabilizers design, while the Daskeyboard uses co-star stabilizers. If you go with a Ducky keyboard, those use Cherry Stabilizers. Youtube videos usually help.

Try Ducky, Filco, Vortex, or maybe even go with a WASD keyboard.

[nullstring]

The two budget keyboards that often get recommended around here are:
Cooler Master Storm Quick Fire Rapid.
TKL made by Costar.

Rosewill RK-9000
Full size made by Costar. (FYI, there is a recent rumor they switched OEMs.)
I have two of these and they are great.

Both can be often obtained for $60-80.

If you're specifically talking about keys such as shift, space, enter, backspace, then this might be because the Das Keyboard Model S your friend has is made by Costar (Not all of them are).
Costar keyboards use Costar's in-house stabilizers and therefore feel different than keyboards made by different manufactures.

[nullstring]

When you say wider keys, the difference you are noticing are the differences in stabilizers being used in the "wider" keys. The Blackwidow uses type of Costar like stabilizers design, while the Daskeyboard uses co-star stabilizers.

iOne uses costar-like stabilizers? I did not know that.

[JPG]

I have a Filco and I just love it. At the same time, most people say that the CM QFR is almost the same for half the price.

Personally, I would get one of these 2 since they have the best reputation for the build quality.

In the end it's a personnal choice and there is many options on the market, but these 2 are sure values.

[corm]

Thanks for all the replies.

Im looking for a full size.

Is the Full Cool Master Quick Fire Pro (SGK-4010-GKCM1) recommended along side the QFR TKL?

[vun]

Thanks for all the replies.

Im looking for a full size.

Is the Full Cool Master Quick Fire Pro (SGK-4010-GKCM1) recommended along side the QFR TKL?

As far as I know the QFR is the only costar-made CMStorm board, but I've heard good things about the CMStorm Trigger.

[tjcaustin]

Thanks for all the replies.

Im looking for a full size.

Is the Full Cool Master Quick Fire Pro (SGK-4010-GKCM1) recommended along side the QFR TKL?

As far as I know the QFR is the only costar-made CMStorm board, but I've heard good things about the CMStorm Trigger.

No to the Pro, but the Trigger is costar made as well.

If you want a tenkey in the tkl size, there's the new QFTK, too.  http://www.cmstorm.com/en/products/keyboards/quickfiretk/  I haven't convinced myself I need it yet, what with the phantom I'm building, but it's a good option.

You could also join in on the phantom group buy fun going on and build your own, keys programmed how you want them.

[Hyde]

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=35375.0

Yeah your suspicion is right !  We've had a huge debate on wether the new Das Keyboard live up to the quality of the old Das Keyboard.

Some argue it's worse and some argue it's the same.  If you can put some input into it that would be great.

As for the recommendations.  Like people said Filco or CM Storm is pretty safe.  I'd probably not recommend Rosewill because of the rumor that they switched manufacture also that there still seems to be lots of reports on broken mini b connectors even though it's supposebly fixed.

[corm]

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=35375.0

Yeah your suspicion is right !  We've had a huge debate on wether the new Das Keyboard live up to the quality of the old Das Keyboard.

Some argue it's worse and some argue it's the same.  If you can put some input into it that would be great.

As for the recommendations.  Like people said Filco or CM Storm is pretty safe.  I'd probably not recommend Rosewill because of the rumor that they switched manufacture also that there still seems to be lots of reports on broken mini b connectors even though it's supposebly fixed.

Thanks Hyde, i'll give me impressions on differences on the referenced thread.

[Germiphene]

I guess my first question would be, if you have a Blackwidow ultimate with browns, and you love it, why would you get another full sized board with browns as well?  Don't get me wrong, my own computer to keyboard ratio is way to high!  But if you have a usable board with the same switches, why spend the extra money.

[corm]

I guess my first question would be, if you have a Blackwidow ultimate with browns, and you love it, why would you get another full sized board with browns as well?  Don't get me wrong, my own computer to keyboard ratio is way to high!  But if you have a usable board with the same switches, why spend the extra money.

Multiple computers, in this case for work.

[Germiphene]

Ah yes, work.  Work is important  .  I'd suggest ordering a filco then.  It doesn't have fancy stripes or any of the other BS that comes with "gaming" keyboards, and the quality is great.

[corm]

I'm considering a RK-9000BRI based on suggestions from this thread. Would I notice a difference between the RK-9000BRI and say a Filco? Since they are both manufactured by costar are they virtually idential in terms of feel, sound, quality (except for possible usb connector problems), etc?

[Leslieann]

I'm considering a RK-9000BRI based on suggestions from this thread. Would I notice a difference between the RK-9000BRI and say a Filco? Since they are both manufactured by costar are they virtually idential in terms of feel, sound, quality (except for possible usb connector problems), etc?

If you get a good Rosewill, the differences will be minor, but they will be there. Be sure to read up the connector problems though.

Personally, I would get the Cooler Master. Easy to find, good company, good board, good price.

[linkz]

I would recommend Noppoo Choc red switch, but it doesn't come in full size =P
I'm loving it over my Filco black switch because the keys are heavy.

Waiting for my red switch Filco to arrive, hopefully it is just as light as the Noppoo.
Really need that keypad for playing a number games where your left hand have to press Enter and Backspace.
Working with numbers in excel is still very manageable without a keypad with some practice.