Rosewill RK-9000 (BRI): Still junk or ready to roll?

[legodt]

I am currently looking for a fullsize, non-ricey cherry brown keyboard for under or close to 100 USD. The Rosewill RK-9000 looks nice, but I have heard frightening things about the USB board. Is this still an issue? Is it easy to repair? Will it only require repair once?
Thanks for your guidance in advance.

[whiskytango]

YMMV, but I have had mine for about 9-10 months and I have disconnected and reconnected the USB cable many times. I have not had any problems.

[SpAmRaY]

Cooler master xt with browns is another option.

[CommonCurt]

I personally would go the CMstorm Quickfire XT. It uses a full size USB input on the back.

[legodt]

On the XT, is the bottom function row of keys the same as the Rosewill product? I have a Tai Hao set coming in and I don't want any compatibility problems.

[legodt]

Beyond that, that board looks excellent. I will gladly trade the style and kickassery of the white case for the customer service/FULL USB I MEAN DAMN SON of the XT

[Emospence]

I think that they have fixed the mini USB problems with recent batches?

[elttaboi]

I've had a RK-9000 with reds for a while now and it's been rock-solid. I've taken it apart to see what could possible fail around the USB connector, but can't see anything that could really be a problem unless you yank on the USB cord. Perhaps some earlier boards were just defective.

[Lu_e]

On the XT, is the bottom function row of keys the same as the Rosewill product? I have a Tai Hao set coming in and I don't want any compatibility problems.

Yep standard bottom row

[Neebio]

Got an RK-9000RE myself.  It's been rock solid for a good while now.  Admittedly, my indicator LEDs seem to be bugging out a bit, but there doesn't seem to be any ill effect on the use of the board otherwise.

I recommended my buddy get one as well when it was on sale.  His did end up having issues (again with the indicator LEDs as it turned out).  His indicator LEDs would cut out/dim/etc, but it would actually affect the operation of the board oddly enough.  Anyways, it turned out to be a super easy fix (resolder the LEDs) and while I was at it, I resoldered the usb connector to the PCB to ensure he never had any issue with it in the future.

The RK-9000 is a nice keyboard, even with it's issues.  If you do encounter issues with it, and have any electronic handywork experience, you should have no issues repairing it.

[SpAmRaY]

Here is a pic of an XT

[Hyde]

+1 on QuickFire XT.  Only drawback is that I'm not sure if MX Brown is available yet.

MX Blue and Red are out now though. 

[legodt]

Thank you all for your responses.

I may end up being lame and going for the less sexy xt just to for that extra layer of security no matter how false it may be.

Both are around the same price point and ship with prime from amazon.

[whiskytango]

The XT also has function layer built in. If they're the same price, I'd get the XT. I am typing this on a 9000, but I am really used to the volume control shortcuts on my QFR and I miss them when I am on the Rosewill. The XT seems to have the same function layer as the QFR. You lose your menu key but who uses that anyway?

[Emospence]

Thank you all for your responses.

I may end up being lame and going for the less sexy xt just to for that extra layer of security no matter how false it may be.

Both are around the same price point and ship with prime from amazon.

The XT is pretty damn sexy IMO.

[CommonCurt]

+1 on QuickFire XT.  Only drawback is that I'm not sure if MX Brown is available yet.

MX Blue and Red are out now though. 

So far I have seen Amazon carry the XT with  MX - Blues, Reds, Browns, & Greens