I'm looking for that special someboard...

[OwnageHN]

Hello everyone,

I used to have a bad ass keyboard about 15 years ago.  For what ever reason, I replaced it and I've never had a better keyboard since.  Unbeknownst to me at the time, it was an IBM Model M - a mechanical keyboard.  I still have memories of learning how to type quickly on it and, as a consequence, making a tremendous amount of noise!  Anyway, I am interested in owning a mechanical keyboard again but have ran into some trouble.

Apparently now is a poor time to be looking for a mechanical keyboard, or am I just looking in the wrong places?  Anything I have found that meets all of my criteria is either used or out of stock.  I've been searching for days.  I happened to come across this website multiple times in my search and have looked through it.  However, due to the large amount of time spent doing research outside of this forum and the large amount of information stored within this forum, I'm a little too burnt out to try to search any more than I already have.  Could any of you be generous enough to assist me in looking for that "perfect" keyboard?

Here are my criteria:
1) Since I live in the continental USA, I prefer to purchase from a distributor that makes this enjoyable.  That is, the shipping & handling fee is reasonable/standard/free.  Also it should be in stock and not used/refurbished.
2) According to numerous reviews: since I am heavily involved with writing code and playing competitive computer games, I believe the Brown Cherry MX switches would be best for me.  Although I've never tried for myself, I understand that the linear Black and Red Cherry MX switches are best for gaming, but I want the nostalgic tactile feedback like I had with the IBM Model M but with a little less intensity.  I did not want the Blue Cherry MX switches since I've read that Brown is better for gaming.
3) Since I spend a lot of time on the keyboard, my ABS key caps have received quite a beating.  I want PBT key caps.
4) I want a full (non-tenkeyless) keyboard with a standard US ANSI layout (like that of the IBM Model M but with the added Windows keys and Menu key).  Media keys (like volume controls) and macro keys are OK as long as they do not interfere with the inside of the layout.  That is, a Function (Fn) key right next to the left Ctrl is bad (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008PFDUW2/ref=twister_B008PFABI8?ie=UTF8&psc=1).
5) Backlighting is preferable as long as it can be toggled off with ease.  This is an optional requirement along with the media/macro keys mentioned above.
6) My budget is about $130 after fees and taxes.
NEW:
7) Has labeled keys
8) Is a dark keyboard

Now I understand there are multiple ways of going about this.  For one, I can get lucky and find a keyboard for sale with all of these criteria satisfied.  Or, I can get a nice keyboard with desirable features from a reputable company that offers reasonably priced replaceable Cherry MX switches and PBT caps for its customers.  That is, I could buy an awesome keyboard with what ever color Cherry MX switches and ABS caps then replace them later - while still satisfying the other criteria.  If in your opinion, the latter case seems to be the most appropriate, please offer your advice for which keyboard to get, then guide me to a place to purchase replaceable Cherry MX switches and PBT key caps because I cannot find them easily.  Thank you!

TL;DR:
After spending hours, I cannot find a keyboard that satisfies the following:
1) Ships to/in the continental US at a reasonable price.  In stock and not used/refurbished.
2) Has Brown Cherry MX switches (Optional if the keyboard allows replacing the switches and please provide a link to purchase new switches if this is the case.)
3) Has PBT key caps (Optional if the keyboard allows replacing the key caps and please provide a link to purchase new caps if this is the case.)
4) Non-tenkeyless with standard ANSI US keyboard layout like that of the IBM Model M but with the Win and Menu keys.  Media/macro keys are optional requirements.  No other key should interfere with the layout - like that of the Function key in http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008PFDUW2/ref=twister_B008PFABI8?ie=UTF8&psc=1
5) Backlighting is preferable, optional requirement as long as it can be toggled off with ease.
6) Budget is ~$130 after fees and taxes
NEW:
7) Has labeled keys
8) Is a dark keyboard

Please help me find one!  Thanks!

[MKULTRA]

Why not just buy another Model M?  Or a Unicomp?  Nothing really compares to the feeling of it.

Otherwise, try http://us.ncix.com/search/?categoryid=0&q=Ducky

[OwnageHN]

Why not just buy another Model M?  Or a Unicomp?  Nothing really compares to the feeling of it.

Otherwise, try http://us.ncix.com/search/?categoryid=0&q=Ducky

Thank you for the feedback.  I don't want a buckling spring keyboard since it's too loud.  Simply searching for Ducky does not satisfy all of the criteria I'm looking for.

[Permeability]

At that budget I cannot think of any keyboard that has full backlighting and PBT caps, so you might have to choose which is more important to you.

Option if you prefer PBT caps:
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=407

[bavman]

Generally you won't be able to find a keyboard that's both backlit and has PBT caps since backlit caps are usually done with ABS.

Check out mechanicalkeyboards.com They have a search were you can find exactly what you need:
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/search.php?switch_id=2&size=Full+Size&keyword=&backlit=on&in_stock=on

I like cm boards because they're general very good bang/buck, plus if you look on amazon/newegg they go on sale a lot.

[OwnageHN]

At that budget I cannot think of any keyboard that has full backlighting and PBT caps, so you might have to choose which is more important to you.

Option if you prefer PBT caps:
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=407

I did see this before.  I think I skipped it because Keycool does not list it in its products on its website.  Is Keycool a reputable company?  Also, are white keyboards or black keyboards better for not looking gross after long periods of use without cleaning?

[MKULTRA]

If you aren't a slob, you'll be fine with a white keyboard.  Just wash your hands, don't eat at your kb, etc.

[OwnageHN]

If you aren't a slob, you'll be fine with a white keyboard.  Just wash your hands, don't eat at your kb, etc.

The natural oils on people's hands eventually turn stuff yellow/brown.  This was especially noticeable on white keyboards in the 90s.  They turned yellow just from extended use.  I doubt anyone washes their hands enough to prevent their white keyboard from turning yellow after an extended amount of use.  Do the PBT key caps have some sort of resistance to changing colors?

[digi]

If you aren't a slob, you'll be fine with a white keyboard.  Just wash your hands, don't eat at your kb, etc.

The natural oils on people's hands eventually turn stuff yellow/brown.  This was especially noticeable on white keyboards in the 90s.  They turned yellow just from extended use.  I doubt anyone washes their hands enough to prevent their white keyboard from turning yellow after an extended amount of use.  Do the PBT key caps have some sort of resistance to changing colors?

I believe the keycaps on the model M were PBT and yes, they are known to be resistant to turning yellow from UV light.

[MKULTRA]

If you aren't a slob, you'll be fine with a white keyboard.  Just wash your hands, don't eat at your kb, etc.

The natural oils on people's hands eventually turn stuff yellow/brown.  This was especially noticeable on white keyboards in the 90s.  They turned yellow just from extended use.  I doubt anyone washes their hands enough to prevent their white keyboard from turning yellow after an extended amount of use.  Do the PBT key caps have some sort of resistance to changing colors?

Obviously after extended use they will turn yellow.  But you really shouldn't worry about that, it is natural.

I guess most of us here have multiple keyboards and rotate them so we don't worry about keyboards yellowing.

[BlueBär]

I believe the keycaps on the model M were PBT and yes, they are known to be resistant to turning yellow from UV light.

The Model M keys are PBT. I have a Model M that's older than me, and after a good cleaning after I received it, they show no yellow tint or wear in terms of glossyness at all.
What you also should consider is that pad printed keycaps with white letters on black caps will also get dirty, I have that problem on my KBT Pure, the print on my WASD keys are kind of dirty already after less than a month of use (I'm generally a very clean person but I play Arma missions that often last more than one hour, and I tend to have sweaty hands, so that's where that is coming from).

[Surnia]

Obviously after extended use they will turn yellow.  But you really shouldn't worry about that, it is natural.

I guess most of us here have multiple keyboards and rotate them so we don't worry about keyboards yellowing.

I thought people clean keys that were yellowed with H2O2, or those denture cleaning tablets?

[tp4tissue]

wo wo wo wo wo....

OK...

experts,  Is it UV light, or  OwnageHN's HAND OIL, that turns the keys yellow... I had thought this whole time it was ONLY uv light reacting on the fire retardant in the abs..

is it a combination of both?

[OwnageHN]

I kind of derailed the topic.  I'd like to get more recommendations, please.

[tp4tissue]

I kind of derailed the topic.  I'd like to get more recommendations, please.

there's nothing more to say bro..

buy from amazon, either the quickfire rapid for tkl, or filco for full size..

You DON't want das keyboard, because they've changed to some silly oem quality undetermined.

[OwnageHN]

I kind of derailed the topic.  I'd like to get more recommendations, please.

there's nothing more to say bro..

buy from amazon, either the quickfire rapid for tkl, or filco for full size..

You DON't want das keyboard, because they've changed to some silly oem quality undetermined.

Thanks.  How do I go about ordering PBT replacement key caps for http://www.amazon.com/Filco-Majestouch-2-Keyboard-FKBN104M-EFB2/dp/B004Z0XR2O/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1366790300&sr=1-8&keywords=filco+brown?

[rootwyrm]

Okay, when it comes to the Model M you've basically got four options.

1) Unicomp. Which is made with the original Model M tooling essentially.
2) SMK Cherry-Stem switches. These keyboards can be hard to find, but take Cherry MX keycaps. The SMK switch is about the same actuation force.
3) Cherry MX Green or White. These have slightly more actuation force than the Model M with a tactile click.
4) Alps Clone Whites - about the same actuation force, but forget PBT keycaps, so they're out.

I cannot emphasize this part enough here: all IBM buckling spring keyboards and beam spring keyboards exclusively use PBT keycaps with the only exception being very rare POM. Don't ask me where or why POM either - I've only seen one example ever.

Now all that said, it basically narrows your choices to a big fat zero unfortunately. At least as far as out of the box goes. You could go with the Ducky DK9008G2 Limited Edition with MX Greens and stock PBT keycaps - but they're sold out forever. And that is the only 80cN+PBT out there other than the Keycool Limited Edition 108 Taurus/Mars/Neptune. (Which I think might be POM. And either way is pretty hideous in terms of font and color.)

And I'm gonna be blunt here: your budget will not fit your requirements.

You could go with the Chicony built SMK boards - they pop up in the classifieds now and again - but you'll need to buy aftermarket PBT keycaps. I would recommend IMSTO's thick or one of T's sets if he still has any. That will set you back around $100ish probably all said and done. You could also go with the Ducky DK9008G2 Shine II which is MX Whites, but again, you'll need keycaps separately since stock is ABS. (All backlit keyboards excepting Keycool are ABS - Keycool has some POM.)
As far as MX Brown goes, well there's the Ducky DK9008G2 PBT but no backlighting and I don't know if MK has an ETA. The Tesoro Durandal can be found with Browns, but again, ABS not PBT. And rest assured, typical ABS you'll find these days is even lower quality than the stuff you're wearing through now. We won't even dignify iOne with listing here other than "stay the hell away." Doubly so for the Vortex KBT Oni - see here for the typical Vortex "experience." (Don't blame the folks selling them, blame the manufacturer. This is not a new thing with Vortex.)

So my honest recommendation to you would be to go to Unicomp. You know exactly what you're getting already and it's within your stated budget.

[tp4tissue]

Okay, when it comes to the Model M you've basically got four options.

1) Unicomp. Which is made with the original Model M tooling essentially.
2) SMK Cherry-Stem switches. These keyboards can be hard to find, but take Cherry MX keycaps. The SMK switch is about the same actuation force.
3) Cherry MX Green or White. These have slightly more actuation force than the Model M with a tactile click.
4) Alps Clone Whites - about the same actuation force, but forget PBT keycaps, so they're out.

I cannot emphasize this part enough here: all IBM buckling spring keyboards and beam spring keyboards exclusively use PBT keycaps with the only exception being very rare POM. Don't ask me where or why POM either - I've only seen one example ever.

Now all that said, it basically narrows your choices to a big fat zero unfortunately. At least as far as out of the box goes. You could go with the Ducky DK9008G2 Limited Edition with MX Greens and stock PBT keycaps - but they're sold out forever. And that is the only 80cN+PBT out there other than the Keycool Limited Edition 108 Taurus/Mars/Neptune. (Which I think might be POM. And either way is pretty hideous in terms of font and color.)

And I'm gonna be blunt here: your budget will not fit your requirements.

You could go with the Chicony built SMK boards - they pop up in the classifieds now and again - but you'll need to buy aftermarket PBT keycaps. I would recommend IMSTO's thick or one of T's sets if he still has any. That will set you back around $100ish probably all said and done. You could also go with the Ducky DK9008G2 Shine II which is MX Whites, but again, you'll need keycaps separately since stock is ABS. (All backlit keyboards excepting Keycool are ABS - Keycool has some POM.)
As far as MX Brown goes, well there's the Ducky DK9008G2 PBT but no backlighting and I don't know if MK has an ETA. The Tesoro Durandal can be found with Browns, but again, ABS not PBT. And rest assured, typical ABS you'll find these days is even lower quality than the stuff you're wearing through now. We won't even dignify iOne with listing here other than "stay the hell away." Doubly so for the Vortex KBT Oni - see here for the typical Vortex "experience." (Don't blame the folks selling them, blame the manufacturer. This is not a new thing with Vortex.)

So my honest recommendation to you would be to go to Unicomp. You know exactly what you're getting already and it's within your stated budget.

hey rootwyrm, what is the " T's " set

[OwnageHN]

Okay, when it comes to the Model M you've basically got...

Thank you for your detailed response and I learned a lot!  I'm actually not that interested in a buckling spring keyboard strictly because of the loud noises it creates.  I live with others and am usually up later than them.  The reason why I'm so interested in the Brown Cherry MX switch is because it's relatively quiet and supposedly good for gaming yet still tactile.  The Ducky DK9008G2 PBT that you mentioned is basically what I'm looking for, except it's out of stock.  Leopold Brown is another example of what I want but is also out of stock.  These were the models I was referring to in my OP.

I want a WASD keyboard.  I noticed some old news about WASD releasing their V2 soon.  However, I'm not sure if that time will actually come soon.  I would hate for the V2 to be released within the month after purchasing the V1.

I've always been a fan of Logitech peripherals and I've recently discovered that their G710+ uses Brown Cherry MX switches with sound dampeners.  However, I kinda want to shop for quality if I'm going to be spending this much on a keyboard.  Ironically, most mechanical keyboard owners I know of have more than one.

I don't know what I'm going to do yet.  In the mean time, I've ordered the WASD sampler kit so I can confirm for sure (as much as I can without actually having a mechanical keyboard) which switch I actually want.

May I get more second opinions from others, please?

[tp4tissue]

Okay, when it comes to the Model M you've basically got...

Thank you for your detailed response and I learned a lot!  I'm actually not that interested in a buckling spring keyboard strictly because of the loud noises it creates.  I live with others and am usually up later than them.  The reason why I'm so interested in the Brown Cherry MX switch is because it's relatively quiet and supposedly good for gaming yet still tactile.  The Ducky DK9008G2 PBT that you mentioned is basically what I'm looking for, except it's out of stock.  Leopold Brown is another example of what I want but is also out of stock.  These were the models I was referring to in my OP.

I want a WASD keyboard.  I noticed some old news about WASD releasing their V2 soon.  However, I'm not sure if that time will actually come soon.  I would hate for the V2 to be released within the month after purchasing the V1.

I've always been a fan of Logitech peripherals and I've recently discovered that their G710+ uses Brown Cherry MX switches with sound dampeners.  However, I kinda want to shop for quality if I'm going to be spending this much on a keyboard.  Ironically, most mechanical keyboard owners I know of have more than one.

I don't know what I'm going to do yet.  In the mean time, I've ordered the WASD sampler kit so I can confirm for sure (as much as I can without actually having a mechanical keyboard) which switch I actually want.

May I get more second opinions from others, please?

Sounds like you need sound dampened ergo clears... 

[OwnageHN]

Sounds like you need sound dampened ergo clears... 

Possibly, but I haven't been in the 'mechanical keyboard scene' long enough to know what that is and how it differs from sound dampened Brown Cherry MXs.  A quick Google search didn't turn up too much either.

I also can't bring myself to spend a little under $200 on a Filco keyboard as my first mechanical keyboard.  I mean, we're close enough to consider getting a Topre keyboard at that point.  However, I read somewhere that Cherry MX switch keyboards last 3 times longer than Topre keyboards.  Then I get further confused.

Since I spend so much time on the computer, getting a mechanical keyboard seems to be so obvious now.  However, it's so hard to figure out which one you want to get before trying them out.  It's nearly impossible to legitimately try them out since mechanical keyboards are so rare.  I doubt our local Best Buy would have a Blue, Red, Black, and Brown Cherry MX switch display keyboard to test.

[Larken]

rootwyrm's post basically covered it extremely well.

as it stands, there's no NIB production keyboard that fits all your requirements and your budget except the keycool which you've already dismissed. A decent set of PBT keycaps can cost about 40-50 bucks bought on its own, just for blanks. A good thick set like the imsto thick pbts that were linked, would go over 100 including shipping. I'd say either you need to lower your expectations, or increase your budget. Otherwise, you're basically asking someone to pull a rabbit out of the hat for you; reputable, good build quality, PBT, backlit and new in box for under 130 is a tall order, unfortunately.

The last update with the WASD v2 mentioned it would come mid-May. I suggest if you're interested in it (and you should be, as the v1 is probably one of the best rated boards in terms of quality), you should check directly with them about the release date. It's probably worth the wait if you don't need the keyboard urgently.

[OwnageHN]

So I found one that I really want, but it is too expensive and not even PBT (Filco Majestouch 2).  One thing that I didn't mention in my OP is that I want visible labels on keys.  I've found several "Ultimates", "Ninjas" and "Otakus" but legendless keys seem like a bad idea.  I can type without looking at the keyboard.  However, I doubt more than 1% of keyboard users can find any key on a label-less keyboard faster than one with a labeled keyboard.  I'm not within this speculated 1%.

So, does anyone have a cheaper alternative to this $200 keyboard that has:
1) Legends on keys
2) Black/dark keys (Not like this, please.)
3) Less than $10 shipping to continental US.  In stock and new.
4) Brown Cherry MX
5) and Standard full-size keyboard layout?

Thanks!

[OwnageHN]

Since I'm a first time buyer and I don't think I would ever buy a mechanical keyboard if I waited for the perfect one to hit the market - I ended up going for a CM Storm Trigger with Brown CHERRY MX Switches (SGK-6000-GKCM1-US).  I bought this one because it fit most of my requirements and it got great reviews.  Also since I currently don't have enough money or time to invest into the mechanical keyboard scene (as a hobby, per se), I figured this would give me a taste of the potential of mechanical keyboards.  If this works out, I know plenty of people who would start purchasing mechanical keyboards by my recommendation.  I can only imagine that this would create more demand so we can see more mechanical keyboards offered!

Thanks again to all those who helped me and taught me the intricacies of mechanical keyboards!