Hello! I need some good advice on buying my first mechanical keyboard

[TimIsABat]

Hey there geekhack community.

So I got hooked on an idea of buying a mechanical keyboard when I returned to gaming a year ago.

I hate playing on my laptop keyboard and I really don't like this membrane keyboard, so I decided that I should get a mechanical keyboard. I dropped the idea of getting a gaming keyboard (like the Corsair K70 or a Blackwidow Ultimate), and decided to go tenkeyless and blank.

So my dilemma goes as such:

I narrowed it down my specifics to price range, brown mx switches (still kind of a maybe), tenkeyless, and blank as stated before.

My price range is from $80-120 bucks for the keyboard.

There are three keyboards that I have been looking at:

• Filco Majestouch 2 (found one on eBay w/ brown switches at a good bidding price, but a $23.00 shipping to the US from Canada)
• Leopold Tenkeyless FC200RT($112.61)
• CM Storm Quickfire Rapid($70-80 on ebay)

I know Filcos are known to be the best, but the price ranges are crazy, but If can get a good bid on the MJ2, I can prolly get it for cheaper than most other retailers. The Leo I've heard is either on par or below par to Filcos, but it's price is better. The QFR seems to be the go to for new mechanical switch users, but I hate branding (I know I'm most likely going to switch the keys out, but there is still some annoying branding on it, plus the build doesn't look as sturdy as the other two). I know there is an otaku version of the Leo, but they aren't selling the otaku in brown at the moment.

With all decisions, I will probably get blank keycaps from wasdkeyboards.com later on in the future (if anyone can suggest where I can still find blank PBT keycaps that would be amazing).

I live in the United States so a good shipping cost is also a big factor. Any thoughts on any of these?

I also wanna know how the Brown Cherry MX Switches are...specifically from any college students here. I game tons and type tons. I was just wondering on how the tactile feel seems like on the Brown Cherry MX switches since I feel is the selling point with them for someone like me.

Anyway, I hope to endeavor deeper into this intriguing world of keyboards and typing fanatics like myself.

SIDE NOTE: This membrane keyboard hurts...
OTHER SIDE NOTE: I live in New Jersey, so does anyone know of any places where I can maybe try some different switches before I commit (since I am using sold books money for this keyboard, it will kinda be a commitment)?

[TimIsABat]

UPDATE:

So I went ahead and made the decision not to get the QFR.

I narrowed it down to:

• Keycool 87 (79.99 w/o shipping)
• Leopold Tenkeyless (99.99 w/o shipping)
• Ducky DK9087G2 PRO TKL (107.00 Free Shipping

The Keycool 87 and DK9087G@ PRO TKL would be with Cherry MX Red switches.

The Leopold would either be with the Cherry MX Brown or Cherry MX Red switches.

The reason for now adding Red switches into the equation is because I have read that the brown feels more like a 'dirty red' rather than really having a sufficient noticeable bump. I wanted the bump because I am a touch-typist that would probably benefit from the tactile feedback, but does it really matter? I game a lot too, so I don't want to feel uncomfortable bottoming it out.

As my money has yet to come in, it starts to get more and more difficult to buy a mechanical keyboard that I will use for quite a while with all this information and opinions that I have been finding.

Any help would be great...

[POFFINGTON]

I have a Keycool 84 with Browns at home and a Ducky with Reds at work. It is a very tough call. I really enjoy both, but I am leaning towards my Reds. I do however think this may be due to Keycool's build quality of the keyboard. When I received my Ducky I was astonished at how much better it felt. Our IT guy at work has a Leopold with Browns and they feel better than my Keycool as well. So I think my recommendation would to spend a little extra cash and get the Ducky or the Leopold. I can tell you that I can defiantly "Feel" a difference between Browns and Reds.

I hope this helps and doesn't confuse the situation. Hopefully some others will throw their two cents in as well.

p.s. I am NOT saying my Keycool is a POS. It is still leagues better than what I had before and a really nice first mechanical keyboard.

[TimIsABat]

I have a Keycool 84 with Browns at home and a Ducky with Reds at work. It is a very tough call. I really enjoy both, but I am leaning towards my Reds. I do however think this may be due to Keycool's build quality of the keyboard. When I received my Ducky I was astonished at how much better it felt. Our IT guy at work has a Leopold with Browns and they feel better than my Keycool as well. So I think my recommendation would to spend a little extra cash and get the Ducky or the Leopold. I can tell you that I can defiantly "Feel" a difference between Browns and Reds.

I hope this helps and doesn't confuse the situation. Hopefully some others will throw their two cents in as well.

p.s. I am NOT saying my Keycool is a POS. It is still leagues better than what I had before and a really nice first mechanical keyboard.

Finally someone helping me out on this thread  ) . This does help in-terms of comparing quality. So far that is 1 for browns in terms of feeling that difference. In pictures the Keycool 87 looks bigger than other TKL boards. Do you find that to be so?

I see that the keycap for the capslock on the Ducky DK9087G2 PRO has a little LED hole...does that cause a problem for customizing it to blank keys?

Hopefully more people chime in!

[TimIsABat]

Nobody seems to be liking me here on geekhack .

I've been reading that the Cherry MX Browns are a good goto for nubz like me, as opposed to getting the reds. What is bumming me out is that there are more keyboards that offer reds more than browns nowadays.

Should I still get a keyboard with Cherry MX Browns as a starter board instead of reds?

[Halverson]

Nobody seems to be liking me here on geekhack .

I've been reading that the Cherry MX Browns are a good goto for nubz like me, as opposed to getting the reds. What is bumming me out is that there are more keyboards that offer reds more than browns nowadays.

Should I still get a keyboard with Cherry MX Browns as a starter board instead of reds?

I like you. I'm just too lazy to read.

Just think of it this way, you'll only be getting more boards with other switches sooner or later

Oh and, blacks ftw!

[TimIsABat]

Nobody seems to be liking me here on geekhack .

I've been reading that the Cherry MX Browns are a good goto for nubz like me, as opposed to getting the reds. What is bumming me out is that there are more keyboards that offer reds more than browns nowadays.

Should I still get a keyboard with Cherry MX Browns as a starter board instead of reds?

I like you. I'm just too lazy to read.

Just think of it this way, you'll only be getting more boards with other switches sooner or later

Oh and, blacks ftw!

d'aww thanks! Laziness for the win.

Truth that I could see it like that. I just got a summer job (pretty sure this board knows my life now), so maybe I'll invest in a second board if I have spare money after getting a new laptop so I can game better. Maybe a realforce ... most likely a leopold or filco with reds. One for gaming and one for typing. Maybe I can get another board and go ergo-clear so I can rule both worlds with one epic keyboard!

[Grim Fandango]

To find a set of white blank PBT keycaps have a look at feng's or qtan's shops. They are known and trusted sellers over here. If I am not mistaken, blank PBT comes both in the normal and "thick" variety (the thick ones are a lower profile than the normal/thin ones).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KBC-White-Blank-Thick-PBT-104-Keyset-Cherry-MX-Keycaps-/230957623025?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c625a6f1
http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/
I think a normal set of PBT blanks (could not find them in the stores atm, maybe ask they sellers) is about as expensive as the ABS from WASD keyboars, and most likely the better option.

The decision of reds or browns is a tough one to make without trying them. You will find people that will say browns feel like "dirty reds" but also people who feel like reds are browns with the satisfying tactility removed that aids in not bottoming out and prevents accidental keypresses. Which one you like best is up to you. You could buy a sampler kit from WASD keyboards http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/sampler-kit-1/wasd-sampler-kit.html , but one switch will not really tell you how an entire keyboard will feel. It will however provide you with some idea of what to expect. Personally I prefer browns, for what it is worth.

[TimIsABat]

To find a set of white blank PBT keycaps have a look at feng's or qtan's shops. They are known and trusted sellers over here. If I am not mistaken, blank PBT comes both in the normal and "thick" variety (the thick ones are a lower profile than the normal/thin ones).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KBC-White-Blank-Thick-PBT-104-Keyset-Cherry-MX-Keycaps-/230957623025?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c625a6f1
http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/
I think a normal set of PBT blanks (could not find them in the stores atm, maybe ask they sellers) is about as expensive as the ABS from WASD keyboars, and most likely the better option.

The decision of reds or browns is a tough one to make without trying them. You will find people that will say browns feel like "dirty reds" but also people who feel like reds are browns with the satisfying tactility removed that aids in not bottoming out and prevents accidental keypresses. Which one you like best is up to you. You could buy a sampler kit from WASD keyboards http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/sampler-kit-1/wasd-sampler-kit.html , but one switch will not really tell you how an entire keyboard will feel. It will however provide you with some idea of what to expect. Personally I prefer browns, for what it is worth.

The keys say KBC, but I am assuming that it can be used for any other keyboard? I want the all black blanks.

[Grim Fandango]

KBC is just the brand.  They fit any standard ANSI layout,  such as those found on a filco.  Some keyboards have some non-standard keycapsizes. Usually the space bar.  If you are looking into using other keycaps this is something you may want to take into account.

[aUStzA]

•Ducky DK9087G2 PRO TKL (107.00 Free Shipping)

I -JUST- bought one of these. When it comes in and if you're still wondering, I'll refer back to this post and let you know how I'm enjoying it. I should have it by Friday. It is the TKL model with Cherry MX Red.

[TimIsABat]

•Ducky DK9087G2 PRO TKL (107.00 Free Shipping)

I -JUST- bought one of these. When it comes in and if you're still wondering, I'll refer back to this post and let you know how I'm enjoying it. I should have it by Friday. It is the TKL model with Cherry MX Red.

That would be pretty great dude let me know how the MX Reds are!

KBC is just the brand.  They fit any standard ANSI layout,  such as those found on a filco.  Some keyboards have some non-standard keycapsizes. Usually the space bar.  If you are looking into using other keycaps this is something you may want to take into account.

Will they fit a Leopold space bar? I've read that the build for Leopold's space bar is different.

[TimIsABat]

UPDATE:

So I lost my ability to get a Filco Majestouch-2 under $150.

So it has come down to:

• Leopold ($112+ with shipping/mx red or brown)
• Ducky DK9087G2 PRO ($101.00 free shipping/mx red only)
• Ducky DK9087G2 PRO Chinese Version ($101.000 free shipping/mx brown only)

Two questions about the Ducky:

• Are the keycaps easy to customize even though they are backlit (I can careless about the backlight...I just want blank black keycaps with a blank red escape key)?
• Besides there being different print on the keycaps, is there a difference between the Chinese version as opposed to non-Chinese version?

Depending on how much money I get from these books, I would might have to settle for a Ducky brown if the Chinese version isn't any different...When I get more money I will probably get a Leopold in the red.

But if I do have enough money...I'll probably settle for the Leopold as I heard the quality is great.

HUGE UPDATE EDIT:
So C4B is only giving me $85.05
(They took off a book for "water damage")

Should I just settle for a $50.00 Leopold FC660m with an auction that might end soon? It has Cherry MX Red Switches.

[Internetlad]

note that the leopolds have an oddly designed spacebar which are, to my knowledge, incompatible with other designs (including most groupbuy designs)

other than that they're good.

incidentally until you try each and every style and design of switch, you'll never be happy. I suggest trying to find somebody who has a switch tester keypad (ie a modded calculator keypad with the most popular switches on one board.) I don't know who has it now but if you ask around i'm sure you'll find it.

Check out the "Great Deals" section, you can often find new and used boards at a good bargain. I think the best i'd seen today is a QFR with blues for 55 bucks, new from the 'egg

[TimIsABat]

note that the leopolds have an oddly designed spacebar which are, to my knowledge, incompatible with other designs (including most groupbuy designs)

other than that they're good.

incidentally until you try each and every style and design of switch, you'll never be happy. I suggest trying to find somebody who has a switch tester keypad (ie a modded calculator keypad with the most popular switches on one board.) I don't know who has it now but if you ask around i'm sure you'll find it.

Check out the "Great Deals" section, you can often find new and used boards at a good bargain. I think the best i'd seen today is a QFR with blues for 55 bucks, new from the 'egg

I ended up buying the fc660m for 50 cause it was the cheapest one that seemed like a good build. I'm just going I hope that qtan can help me with getting blank pbt caps then that would be awesome.

Does anyone know how I might be able to get a tester like litster's cause It would help me pick whether I want to get a brown for my next keyboard.

[aUStzA]

note that the leopolds have an oddly designed spacebar which are, to my knowledge, incompatible with other designs (including most groupbuy designs)

other than that they're good.

incidentally until you try each and every style and design of switch, you'll never be happy. I suggest trying to find somebody who has a switch tester keypad (ie a modded calculator keypad with the most popular switches on one board.) I don't know who has it now but if you ask around i'm sure you'll find it.

Check out the "Great Deals" section, you can often find new and used boards at a good bargain. I think the best i'd seen today is a QFR with blues for 55 bucks, new from the 'egg

I ended up buying the fc660m for 50 cause it was the cheapest one that seemed like a good build. I'm just going I hope that qtan can help me with getting blank pbt caps then that would be awesome.

Does anyone know how I might be able to get a tester like litster's cause It would help me pick whether I want to get a brown for my next keyboard.

Hey bud,

my Ducky 9087G2 Pro came in today, been using it for the past few hours. I decently the Reds, they are VERY sensitive! Almost a bit -too- sensitive. I might go browns for my next keyboard as well. The Ducky is the same as any other keyboard, and very sturdy. It seems you've already bought a keyboard, but I figured I'd still chime in with this in case you wanted your own sometime.

[POFFINGTON]

Hope the Leopold works out! It should be a nice board to get used too, simple and clean

ps. $50 bucks! That was a steal!

[TimIsABat]

Hope the Leopold works out! It should be a nice board to get used too, simple and clean

ps. $50 bucks! That was a steal!

Shpanks! I am already looking to get a KBC Poker II as my second board with Browns XD

[ShakeR]

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/first_mechanical_keyboard.php

[Internetlad]

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/first_mechanical_keyboard.php

"You chose: I'd prefer to have no USB ports.
We recommend keyboards without USB ports."

helpful.