Sick of my Logitech Illuminated

[Hordak]

Hi guys! I have been using the Logitech Illuminated for a long time now but am finally sick of it's ever decreasing build quality with each new iteration (I had two of them die on me in the last 4 years) and so I decided to give the mechanical a shot. What I'm searching for is a Tenkeyless and it should be backlit with none to minimal bleed. I would prefer a red/orange backlight. Also, the keycaps should not be of the kind that gets all sticky/greasy easily and then can't be properly cleaned, as that's another issue I have with the Logitech (a thorough clean will bring only shortlived relief). Additionally, I'm searching for an appropriate wrist rest to go with the new keyboard. I really like the Illuminati's hard rubberized wrist support and am imagening something similar for the mechanical.

So, based on these preferences, which one would you recommend? Thanks!

[Signature]

Well if you want a quality  keyboard i guess ducky is the way to go. Then it depends on what kind of switches you want on your keyboard, that is crucial! Welcome to GH btw!

[tp4tissue]

Well if you want a quality  keyboard i guess ducky is the way to go. Then it depends on what kind of switches you want on your keyboard, that is crucial! Welcome to GH btw!

it's not "crucial".....

red/black/brown = linear
blue/green = tactile + click sound
clear = tactile

some people will tell you brown is tactile... the answer is "not realllly..." it's "just barely"

Hope you find ur board... if you must have backlight, then ducky is the only choice.. the other choices are kinda weak with the exception of the "deck", but then most people find that keyboard font to be displeasing.

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

Ducky Shine TKL is definitely your best bet.

some people will tell you brown is tactile... the answer is "not realllly..." it's "just barely"

^This. +1

[genkidama]

To find out which switches you like you should order a test-kit with all the switches there are. So you can see, hear and feel the different kind of switches.

But I guess browns would be the first choice to start out with mechs, as everybody will tell you. The first mech won't be the last

[tp4tissue]

To find out which switches you like you should order a test-kit with all the switches there are. So you can see, hear and feel the different kind of switches.

But I guess browns would be the first choice to start out with mechs, as everybody will tell you. The first mech won't be the last

Yes the test kit is one possibility... However I believe it can be simplified to 2 camps

Tactile camp:  Basically you are searching for a "familiar" feeling keyboard that is more/less equivalent to the Rubber dome experience you've had so far...   

____ This is predominantly a search for the switch where the peak bump-resistance is "near the top" of the keystroke,  FOLLOWED by, a sharp drop in resistance.

Linear camp:

____ This is where there's no pronounced bump during the keystroke, and you only feel a reactive force once you've "Hit-the-bottom"...   for most people, this could be very disorienting relative to what they're used to..


Now, some people will tout "Topre".  which is EXACTLY like rubber dome.. so it will feel "very" familiar.. and people enjoy it for that very reason..

___ It is superior to typical rubber dome because it has a thick-round-slider which distributes friction more evenly and preserves the uniformity of the keypress regardless of keystrike-angle..  This is it's advantage over Cherry-MX

If you're in the <$150 range..  ducky has the best quality "as-said" by most of the GH community.

[Linkbane]

For red backlighting and no bleed, the Quickfire TK with reds is a pretty good choice, but it only comes with Reds (linear).
They go for about $100 or so believe, and are great quality. Rubber on the feet, too.

If you have more money, the Ducky Shine series has red backlighting for any keyswitch, but it's *expensive*. Probably about $145, and there's no tenkeyless.

Something else I saw that's also pricy but is pretty darn good quality is MaxKeyboard's tenkeyless, http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-blackbird-tenkeyless-tkl-cherry-mx-backlit-mechanical-keyboard.html, it's got some fanciness that you might or might not like, with red LEDs and either MX Blue or Brown switches. I'd recommend Blue, of course.

[Morwrath]

If you have more money, the Ducky Shine series has red backlighting for any keyswitch, but it's *expensive*. Probably about $145, and there's no tenkeyless.

I was under the assumption that Shine 3 TKL was out now though, am I wrong about this?

[Linkbane]

Oh, didn't know. I heard that it was coming out soon, but if it's already out, super excitement.

[Morwrath]

Oh, didn't know. I heard that it was coming out soon, but if it's already out, super excitement.

You can pre-order it but according to Mechanicalkeyboards.com they will get them very early in November.

Edit: Don't want to derail your thread Hordak sorry.
I would recommend Ducky aswell, you can have red LEDs and still get whatever switch you want.
Got a Ducky Mini and have only positive things to say about it.

[furosuto81]

I replaced my Logitech Illuminated with an MX Brown Ducky Shine, then a MX Black Keycool 87, and finally settled on an MX Red Ducky Shine II TKL. All with White LEDs. Really didn't like the brown switches, the blacks feel great for typing and the reds are great for gaming. Build quality is great on the Ducky. Keycool wasn't bad, but the keycaps & lettering weren't nearly as nice. I'm not sure what all is different with the Shine III, but I love the new spacebar backlighting.

[Linkbane]

I find it impossible that people like black for typing.. Thread derailment, but still. Madness.

OT: If you have the money for it, Ducky is a great choice.
In fact, if backlighting is a want, then few other keyboards can compare with the Ducky. The Quickfire TK is better than a lot of backlits (5 levels, full/wasd illumination, lights the arrows when in use, breathing), but Ducky does some next-generation stuff. You should take a look at the Banana Ducky, that thing is beautiful.
By the by, I think that Ducky makes orange backlit boards also.

[Hordak]

Awesome guys, thanks for all ur input! Unfortunetly, here in Austria I cant seem to find a test-kit. How is the Ducky's quality? Are their keycaps none-greasy? Anyway, I think l'll drop the backlight requirement as it seems these boards all bleed in the sense that you can see the light beeing reflected by the backplate. How do Leopold, Quickfire Rapid and Filco Majestictouch-2 compare or do you have any other suggestions?

[mapple]

please do yourself a favour and buy filco if you can stand none backlight and ducky for for backlight, also buy PBT keycaps doesn't matter which keyboard will you get;). The reason is that if you said "I decided to give the mechanical a shot. " if you will buy something else ur journey will end as fast it started and it's long trip believe me;). TP4 already wrote short description of each cherry so nothing to add. Browns are good entry level also kinda good imagination what could others feel like... (i would start with blues but i do appreciate that click..).

oh and if you decide to start following this path : welcome to wallethack;)

[tp4tissue]

I find it impossible that people like black for typing.. Thread derailment, but still. Madness.

OT: If you have the money for it, Ducky is a great choice.
In fact, if backlighting is a want, then few other keyboards can compare with the Ducky. The Quickfire TK is better than a lot of backlits (5 levels, full/wasd illumination, lights the arrows when in use, breathing), but Ducky does some next-generation stuff. You should take a look at the Banana Ducky, that thing is beautiful.
By the by, I think that Ducky makes orange backlit boards also.

it's not bad if you have NON-cheapo parents that turn up the heat in the winter + hover hand technique..

if you rest your wrist mx black / mx clear / mx green is impossibly heavy.

[PointyFox]

I find it impossible that people like black for typing.. Thread derailment, but still. Madness.

OT: If you have the money for it, Ducky is a great choice.
In fact, if backlighting is a want, then few other keyboards can compare with the Ducky. The Quickfire TK is better than a lot of backlits (5 levels, full/wasd illumination, lights the arrows when in use, breathing), but Ducky does some next-generation stuff. You should take a look at the Banana Ducky, that thing is beautiful.
By the by, I think that Ducky makes orange backlit boards also.

it's not bad if you have NON-cheapo parents that turn up the heat in the winter + hover hand technique..

if you rest your wrist mx black / mx clear / mx green is impossibly heavy.

MX black + wrist rest + hours of gaming = no fatigue for me.  With MX red, I do get fatigue from bottoming out too hard.

[tp4tissue]

I find it impossible that people like black for typing.. Thread derailment, but still. Madness.

OT: If you have the money for it, Ducky is a great choice.
In fact, if backlighting is a want, then few other keyboards can compare with the Ducky. The Quickfire TK is better than a lot of backlits (5 levels, full/wasd illumination, lights the arrows when in use, breathing), but Ducky does some next-generation stuff. You should take a look at the Banana Ducky, that thing is beautiful.
By the by, I think that Ducky makes orange backlit boards also.

it's not bad if you have NON-cheapo parents that turn up the heat in the winter + hover hand technique..

if you rest your wrist mx black / mx clear / mx green is impossibly heavy.

MX black + wrist rest + hours of gaming = no fatigue for me.  With MX red, I do get fatigue from bottoming out too hard.

gaming is alot easier than typing.

[genkidama]

Awesome guys, thanks for all ur input! Unfortunetly, here in Austria I cant seem to find a test-kit. How is the Ducky's quality? Are their keycaps none-greasy? Anyway, I think l'll drop the backlight requirement as it seems these boards all bleed in the sense that you can see the light beeing reflected by the backplate. How do Leopold, Quickfire Rapid and Filco Majestictouch-2 compare or do you have any other suggestions?

Maybe you want to try the Ducky G2 Pro PBT, it has some beautiful PBT dyesub caps. So they are long lasting and they have already a "style" ex factory. Here is a link to duckys page and you can look at how it looks. I also think you can get them with any switches you want.


I would not recommend black switches, I tried them out on the SteelSeries 6Gv2 and for me they were to heavy to press. My fingers got tired really fast and I was just typing a bit for about 5mins. So I would recommend other switches or if you like the more heavy black switches than go for it son

[Oobly]

Hi, you can get Duckys in Europe from here: https://www.teraset.net/product_catalog.php?c=245

Or you may find them locally, too.

I think browns are a really good choice for a first mechanical. You can work out then if you want stronger / weaker springs, more / less tactile, etc..

[uJalled]

QFR is the same build as a Filco MJ2, just without the name. I sprang for a Filco because it has a more minimal look (I don't like the weird font on the QFR keycaps, and the rubberized coating) and I wasn't willing at that time to buy keycaps. Leopold is also a solid choice, but personally, I canceled my order with them last minute because of the rounded edges (I know it sounds ridiculous, but I'm very picky about the shape and design of my keyboards). 

[Hordak]

Hi, you can get Duckys in Europe from here: https://www.teraset.net/product_catalog.php?c=245

Great thx 

It's probably best if I go as cheap as reasonable first, since I don't know what switch-type will fit me best. I see the Quickfire Rapid (all black, new version?) with MX-Brown switches is on sale at amazon.com, so I'm thinking about ordering that one. On a side note: I don't want to order locally because I'd like to try the us instead of the german layout and hope I can adjust to the smaller (single row) enter button.

Is anyone familiar with the Logitech Illuminated and can tell me which switches come closest in push-down-force required?

[rowdy]

You can (and probably soon will) replace keycaps, so don't let the legends put you off.  You may find you prefer Cherry profile over OEM anyway.

Personnally I prefer blacks over reds - I found I accidentally pressed reds a bit too much.  OTHO I have fairly strong fingers, so blacks don't phase me at all.

[Linkbane]

Hi, you can get Duckys in Europe from here: https://www.teraset.net/product_catalog.php?c=245

Great thx 

It's probably best if I go as cheap as reasonable first, since I don't know what switch-type will fit me best. I see the Quickfire Rapid (all black, new version?) with MX-Brown switches is on sale at amazon.com, so I'm thinking about ordering that one. On a side note: I don't want to order locally because I'd like to try the us instead of the german layout and hope I can adjust to the smaller (single row) enter button.

Is anyone familiar with the Logitech Illuminated and can tell me which switches come closest in push-down-force required?

For the four basic switches (red/black/blue/brown), there are two weights. Not heavy and heavy. Black is heavy, and despite having strong fingers, I hated blacks absolutely because I'm used to Blues. Everything else goes with a very light touch.

[C5Allroad]

Duckies or keycools are nice keyboards. Browns are nice switches too. If you play games they aren't really a hindrance since they are almost linear. Reds are very smooth and no feeling wonderfull for playing games. But if noise isn't an issue and you type a lot. Blues offer tactility and a click. Browns have a slight bump and is nice for typing too.

[Hordak]

Thanks all, I've ordered the Quickfire Rapid with MX-Brown's as I do not play FPS games, do a lot of typing and if it all pans out as I hope, I will be taking the board to the office, where quieter boards are prefered.

One more question to anyone who's got the QFR: I'm gonna try a wooden wrist rest and would like to know what the height of the QFR's front is without the keycaps? Thanks!

[Linkbane]

Congrats, hope you love your new board! I'm wanting to try out a tactile switch myself. 

[C5Allroad]

Congrats on the new keyboard! 

[genkidama]

Gratz on the order! Give us a feedback how you like her

From googling I got this info on the height: 30mm (1.2 inches approx)
Not quite sure if it's with or without keycaps. I'd bet without, but you can look it up from where I got it. Cookie

[Hordak]

Awesome, thanks genkidama! Will report back when I have the board, which will sadly take at least till the 5th of November.

[rowdy]

Awesome, thanks genkidama! Will report back when I have the board, which will sadly take at least till the 5th of November.

While you're waiting, why not check out the wonderful opportunities that will present them to yourself in the way of customisation, such as novelty keycaps, customised keycap sets etc.

[terran5992]

Awesome, thanks genkidama! Will report back when I have the board, which will sadly take at least till the 5th of November.

While you're waiting, why not check out the wonderful opportunities that will present them to yourself in the way of customisation, such as novelty keycaps, customised keycap sets etc.

Speaking of customisation? Why not build a custom keyboard to your liking

[Hordak]

Would love to try different keycaps, but it's not in my budget atm and I have to hold back just in case I can't handle the browns. Keycaps also seem not to be so easy to get here in Europe.

[rowdy]

Awesome, thanks genkidama! Will report back when I have the board, which will sadly take at least till the 5th of November.

While you're waiting, why not check out the wonderful opportunities that will present them to yourself in the way of customisation, such as novelty keycaps, customised keycap sets etc.

Speaking of customisation? Why not build a custom keyboard to your liking

Sometimes it is easier to try a few different pre-built boards to find what switches you prefer, and the layout, and even keycap material.

Once you know the components, there might be more incentive to buy the parts separately and assemble it yourself.

Otherwise it's a lot of effort to go to for something that you might not like.

[Reomero]

Keycaps also seem not to be so easy to get here in Europe.

The Classifieds, GB section, and vendors here at GH make it too easy.

[rowdy]

Keycaps also seem not to be so easy to get here in Europe.

The Classifieds, GB section, and vendors here at GH make it too easy.

Depends where in Europe - there are some countries where shipping costs are prohibitive, or customs too restrictive.

[Hordak]

Alright guys, it finally arrived and I'm quite satisfied. The browns feel super to me though they are louder than expected, but anyway, it's quite an awesome sound! Am curious to see how these will work out in the office, hope my coworkers enjoy the sound as much as I do

The Quickfire Rapid itself looks & feels great. It seems to be a new revision, all black and beautiful, except for the medicore font and the rubber coating, which feels great but seems to suck up fingerprints like there's no tomorrow. Will see how good the keycaps gonna hold, I'm not expecting much though, they kinda feel like grease sponges. Atm though they feel awesome, but so they do on most new keyboards. For example, the caps on my Illuminated felt equally great for about 3 month till they gave in and became all greasy, resisting any cleansing there after. I must say though, the browns feel much better and much more satisfying  when pressed than the Logitech's scissor keys. I'm impressed and have high hopes. Can I expect them to feel the same in a year, or will they become mushy like the Illuminati's?

Ok, here I gotta take a break and tell you: holy cow this touchtype feeling is frikin wikkid, I can't stop!!

Back on topic again One thing I'm missing is the illumination. Quite sucks when it's all dark in the room. Hmm, probably gonna have to get an illuminated one next as I anyway need a second keyboard for my cave. Another thing I'm missing is the palm rest. Atm my wrist is bent way too much cause it's laying on the desk, but I couldn't decide on which rest to get as of yet. Originally, I wanted the Filco leather rest, but I don't appreciate all the chemicals they seem to have treated it with. Holy cow this keyboard feels awesome to type I gotta tell you, one last time

[rowdy]

The first thing most people do with a QFR is replace the keycaps.

Haven't heard of the rubber costing being a fingerprint magnet.  Mine is not.

Do you have unusually damp or oily skin?

[berserkfan]

Let me give you a suggestion if you want illumination and Cherry switches. Buy a Razer. Secondhand.

The great thing about Razers is that they are so uncool and downright hated by geekhackers and keyboard pros, they command a very low resale value. Furthermore many Razer sellers on ebay are kids and don't realize that their 'broken' spacebar or 'not working LEDs' can be very easily fixed.

For someone who wants to mod his keyboard and doesn't want to ruin a perfectly good Filco or Deck, the Razer is the lowest cost choice.

Alright guys, it finally arrived and I'm quite satisfied. The browns feel super to me though they are louder than expected, but anyway, it's quite an awesome sound! Am curious to see how these will work out in the office, hope my coworkers enjoy the sound as much as I do

The Quickfire Rapid itself looks & feels great. It seems to be a new revision, all black and beautiful, except for the medicore font and the rubber coating, which feels great but seems to suck up fingerprints like there's no tomorrow. Will see how good the keycaps gonna hold, I'm not expecting much though, they kinda feel like grease sponges. Atm though they feel awesome, but so they do on most new keyboards. For example, the caps on my Illuminated felt equally great for about 3 month till they gave in and became all greasy, resisting any cleansing there after. I must say though, the browns feel much better and much more satisfying  when pressed than the Logitech's scissor keys. I'm impressed and have high hopes. Can I expect them to feel the same in a year, or will they become mushy like the Illuminati's?

Ok, here I gotta take a break and tell you: holy cow this touchtype feeling is frikin wikkid, I can't stop!!

Back on topic again One thing I'm missing is the illumination. Quite sucks when it's all dark in the room. Hmm, probably gonna have to get an illuminated one next as I anyway need a second keyboard for my cave. Another thing I'm missing is the palm rest. Atm my wrist is bent way too much cause it's laying on the desk, but I couldn't decide on which rest to get as of yet. Originally, I wanted the Filco leather rest, but I don't appreciate all the chemicals they seem to have treated it with. Holy cow this keyboard feels awesome to type I gotta tell you, one last time