First mech for a noob

[quequack]

I'd like to get a mechanical keyboard and I've narrowed it down (I think) to WASD or Filco.  I'm trying to decide if I want TKL or not.  They seem to be popular.  Do you miss the numpad?  Whats so good about TKL?

Then from there how do I decide between a Filco or WASD?

I will be using it for typing and gaming.  I think I want browns since they are a good middle of the road switch.  Definitely want tactile feel but the click of the blues might be annoying to me.  Don't really need lights or anything fancy like that. Just want a nice mech.

Thanks

[Shikarikato]

Since QFRs are pretty much Filcos for almost half the price (depending at what price you get your QFR for) I'd suggest a QFR. I personally own one and they're built amazingly, honestly it seems a little more robust than my Ducky Shine II and at a fraction of a price whats there not to love.  Since you'd be saving money buying a QFR you could go looking around for PBT keycaps, if that interests you, with the saved money. The change from a Full sized to a TKL really hurts the first week or two, when I changed I would be attempting to type numbers on my desk where my number pad used to lay. TKL mainly has the benefit of having less of a footprint on your desk. I have a drawing tablet on my desk 24/7 and when typing with a fully sized keyboard it feels a little cramped with my KB and tablet there, but with a TKL its much less of a hassle.

[CPTBadAss]

They're definitely NOT Filcos. If you're looking into modding, the QFR PCB isn't nearly as good as the Filco one. And the Filco case is higher quality IMO.

[knotra]

Out of all my keyboards, my favorites are definitely the tenkeyless boards. I don't miss the numpad at all since you still have all the functions with the tenkeyless but it really depends on how often you use the numpad obviously. For gaming and typing, you don't really need the numpad.

I have both a WASD v1 and a Filco. Personally, I feel the WASD brown switches are a little bit lighter than the rest of my brown switch boards. In terms of quality, I prefer the Filco but then again that's in comparison to the v1 of the wASDs and you are probably getting the v2. Both are high quality boards though and I enjoy using them both.

Good luck choosing a board!

[monday]

Soooo when I got my first KB I got a black widow (no good I hate them) Buut.. I got it over a tkl because I thought that I would miss a 10 key but no not the case! I not hate 10 keys I love to have my two arms closer for gaming. all that being said my favorite size is a 60%-75% I use 3 70% on 3 of my 4 computers. On my big gaming computer I use a ttesoprts (mecka G1) I think thats the name it has black switches and a 10key but its only 2 inches bigger then a TKL keyboard.. Ill post a pic 



messy desk >.<

[quequack]

Ya going for a TKL is gonna be a tough decision I wont know if I like it or not until I try it.  The QFR I just really don't like the font on the keys (I know its a dumb reason) plus if Im going mech I might as well get a real good one I figure.  So anymore comparisons between filco and WASD?

[PointyFox]

Build quality is nearly identical between QFR and Filco. 

TKL keyboards give you more desk/mouse room and allow the option of having a separate numpad that you can position anywhere.

[Xenderwind]

Ya going for a TKL is gonna be a tough decision I wont know if I like it or not until I try it.  The QFR I just really don't like the font on the keys (I know its a dumb reason) plus if Im going mech I might as well get a real good one I figure.  So anymore comparisons between filco and WASD?

a lot of people end up replacing the keycaps anyway.  New keycaps change the feel a lot more than you would think.

[rowdy]

Getting a QFR instead of a Filco will save you a little bit of money, and you can spend that on alternative keycaps.  What I did.

Or consider a KeyCool - they come with PBT keycaps out of the box.

If you do lots of number entry, or your life relies on the Enter key on the numpad, get full sized.  Otherwise get TKL.  I tried both, and love TKL.  Not sure I would get full size again.  Besides, you can get a separate numpad.

[eth0s]

Getting a QFR instead of a Filco will save you a little bit of money, and you can spend that on alternative keycaps.  What I did.

Or consider a KeyCool - they come with PBT keycaps out of the box.

If you do lots of number entry, or your life relies on the Enter key on the numpad, get full sized.  Otherwise get TKL.  I tried both, and love TKL.  Not sure I would get full size again.  Besides, you can get a separate numpad.

^ Listen to this man.  +1.

[quequack]

Where do you recommend I get keycaps and what kind (are there many choices)?  And what exactly is PBT?  Also what websites are good for purchasing these keyboards?

Thanks

[SpAmRaY]

Where do you recommend I get keycaps and what kind (are there many choices)?  And what exactly is PBT?  Also what websites are good for purchasing these keyboards?

Thanks

I'm on my phone but there are quite a few recent  threads that answer all those questions.

Just have a look around the forum.

[quequack]

Thanks Ill have a look.  What do you think about getting the WASD v2 barebones and then getting separate caps?  If Id be getting separate caps for the QFR its only an additional 20 bucks.  Is the WASD v2 $20 better than QFR?

[SpAmRaY]

Thanks Ill have a look.  What do you think about getting the WASD v2 barebones and then getting separate caps?  If Id be getting separate caps for the QFR its only an additional 20 bucks.  Is the WASD v2 $20 better than QFR?

Definitely if your wanting to try a non-standard layout.

[quequack]

Are you referring to the switch that allows you to make it something else besides QWERTY?

[quequack]

Ok I decided on a QFR.  I appreciate the help.  I figure it will be a good first mech keyboard.  I saw this post http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=43710.0 where Carter mentions that they will all be coming in black backplates.  Are there any vendors I can order from and know for sure I would be getting a black backplate?

[danrew]

QFR's a good choice. If I recall correctly, the boards with mx blues came in a grey case, while the boards with mx red switches had a red backplate (the v1). I'm not sure but I think the browns have always had a black backplate.

[whiteduck]

Thanks Ill have a look.  What do you think about getting the WASD v2 barebones and then getting separate caps?  If Id be getting separate caps for the QFR its only an additional 20 bucks.  Is the WASD v2 $20 better than QFR?

I'd say yes but I'm a WASD fanboy
I do very much prefer the costar stabilizers.  They can be challenging to swap keys at first but feel much better IMO.  Also you can get clears if interested on the new WASD v2

Also, the customer service at WASD is unrivalled

[SpAmRaY]

Are you referring to the switch that allows you to make it something else besides QWERTY?

Yes

[Xenderwind]

Thanks Ill have a look.  What do you think about getting the WASD v2 barebones and then getting separate caps?  If Id be getting separate caps for the QFR its only an additional 20 bucks.  Is the WASD v2 $20 better than QFR?

I do very much prefer the costar stabilizers. 

Implying QFR's don't have costar stabilizers?

[whiteduck]

Thanks Ill have a look.  What do you think about getting the WASD v2 barebones and then getting separate caps?  If Id be getting separate caps for the QFR its only an additional 20 bucks.  Is the WASD v2 $20 better than QFR?

I do very much prefer the costar stabilizers. 

Implying QFR's don't have costar stabilizers?

My b I guess I didn't swap those keys and check.  Anyway costar stabs ftw. 

[TimIsABat]

If you don't mind 60%, get a Poker X. Easy to mod and keycap options are endless. I love mine and making it my almost perfect 60% board with a switchmoddable plate and lubing ergoclears in the future

[PointyFox]

If you don't mind 60%, get a Poker X. Easy to mod and keycap options are endless. I love mine and making it my almost perfect 60% board with a switchmoddable plate and lubing ergoclears in the future

This, or Poker 2 if you aren't looking for custom switches.

[jonathanyu]

I am using a filco TKL, I choose a TKL because I dont like the numpad on the right side, but I still want to have a numpad, so I got an filco numpad and put it on left side. I think you really need to try both 100%keyboard and TKL keyboard because the feel a little bit different.(but 100% and TKL are almost same price )

[eth0s]

lol, quequack.  I just realized it's a play on Queequeg from Moby ****.  And I was an E. Lit. major in college.  And I'm a Melville fan.  )

[quequack]

I could probably do fine without a numpad but I use the other keys enough where I think a Poker would be too small.

[PointyFox]

You can use FN + WASD for arrow keys and FN + the number keys for  function keys on the Poker 2. You can also change the left WIN to FN.

[Tony]

QFR is good for new mech users, but sooner you will want to try others as well.

If you got enough money, try a Filco. You will get a Filco anyway, so to buy it as the first mechkey saves you time and money in the long run.

[jameslr]

I just bought a new QFR here in the states from Newegg for $45 after $10 rebate (off a great find thread deal, thanks whoever posted it!). It is my first mechanical board, and I love it. From one new mech board user to another, I definitely recommend the QFR. Since I bought this board I have bought a considerably more expensive full sized board because I do like tenkey. However, I'm realizing how easy it is to live without it after using this QFR.

I like the mod options on the Filco, so I'm probably going to get one eventually. The full size board I ordered is the new Ducky Shine III. I'll probably end up trading that one in for a white key TKL version when/if they come out. If you can get the QFR cheap, I'd definitely get it. If you have to pay more to get it you may want to consider something like the Filco. I'm also waiting for the Ducky Mini to come out. Hopefully they're somewhere around the $110 range. I want to try a 60% board, and that Ducky Mini looks awesome!

Edit: unless I'm mistaken - one negative for the Filco unless you're a mac user is no media key support (vol control, pause/play, stop, track changes). The QFR has media keys that work in Windows. I dunno if you use them or not, but I do.

[quequack]

Thanks for your review, James.