First Mechanical Board Advice Request

[giltyler]

After reading and watching videos I think I am ready to get a nice mechanical KB.
Based on what I have learned my choice would be Full Size with Cherry MX Green switches and blue back lighting.
The firm tactile feel with some click is what I am after.
I really like the Ducky Shine III but would like to hear from the forum.

G

[tp4tissue]

After reading and watching videos I think I am ready to get a nice mechanical KB.
Based on what I have learned my choice would be Full Size with Cherry MX Green switches and blue back lighting.
The firm tactile feel with some click is what I am after.
I really like the Ducky Shine III but would like to hear from the forum.

G

backlight... only choice duck S 3...

Deck has weird looking key font...

Razer has a poor reputation for build quality

All the OTHER taiwanese/ China brand boards are difficult to order online..... 

[tp4tissue]

Green is pretty heavy... 

Check out a model M somewhere in a thrift shop first if you can... They are on par with the Green Force requirement...

[Air tree]

Green is pretty heavy... 

Check out a model M somewhere in a thrift shop first if you can... They are on par with the Green Force requirement...

If i had a dime for every period you write i would be a rich man.


But the ducky shine would be your best bet, Yes.

[Linkbane]

I caution getting the Green first. Lots of people got a Green in the August hype, and loved it for a week, but realised it feels way too stiff. I would recommend getting a Blue and not getting a Green unless you really don't like it. Stiffness is a lot less than it's cracked up to be.

[metalliqaz]

Agree.

[goobus]

Stiffness is a lot less than it's cracked up to be.

Is that what your gf tells you to make you feel better?

[giltyler]

Thanks for the replies folks
I stopped by Fry's this afternoon and tried a few out and the blue felt good to me
Red was a big no go for me they had a board with brown but I did not try it
Since Blue is easy to find I will probably start with one of those

Can Cherry switches can be changed out fairly easy if I want a few keys to be a little stiffer.

[tp4tissue]

Thanks for the replies folks
I stopped by Fry's this afternoon and tried a few out and the blue felt good to me
Red was a big no go for me they had a board with brown but I did not try it
Since Blue is easy to find I will probably start with one of those

Can Cherry switches can be changed out fairly easy if I want a few keys to be a little stiffer.

if they had the brown.. Why didn't you try it.

[Tony]

For first mech keyboard most people here either try blue or brown. You should try both before making a decision. It's your keyboard and decision, so try all before making one.

[tp4tissue]

For first mech keyboard most people here either try blue or brown. You should try both before making a decision. It's your keyboard and decision, so try all before making one.

can't go wrong with blue... the safe bet...

Go Red, if you want something "very different" from what you're used to... because what you're used to can get boring.

When you get used to Typing on Reds, is like a wh000shh feeling.... almost organic..

Typing on Tactile (blue/clear), is like staccato... and you kinda feel like you're waiting to feel the key-press complete... so that you can engage in the next frame.


I think it's best you go back to the store a few times to really get a feel for it... maybe bring a laptop plug it in, and play a few rounds of 10fastfinger/ typeracer.

[giltyler]

The reason I did not try the Brown was 1 was not on display and 2 was a brand I do not ever want to own Logitech.

I just got back from Best Buy where I was just going to look test some other boards and the sales guy convinced me to try a RAZER Black Widow Ultimate on the condition that I could take full advantage of there 14 day return policy. It was $119.00 after a New Egg price match and I had a $5.00 reward point coupon that got it to $114 pre tax
As I type it feels good so far with the keys being spaced farther than the chicklet keyboards I have been using
This has the Cherry MX Blue switches and I dig the clicky feel

Are most mechanical keys tapered top to bottom or is that a RAZER thing

[C5Allroad]

Believe it or not Razer is a good start.. I know, I know, you must be thinking I'm on some heavy drug. It's cheaper and offers back-lighting. It gives the user a nice feel for mech boards and a sneak peak of the money spending addictions you will earn from spending some time on GH. 
Blues sound like the best choice. 

[rowdy]

A lot of people have had quality and longevity problems with Razer, but then there are those who love their Razer boards.

The first modern mechanical board I tried was a Razer, but lurking around GH convinced me to get a Ducky Shine (version 1), and I am still using it today (although swapping out with some of my other keyboards from time to time).  This particular Shine has MX blues and red LEDs - I would probably get blue LEDs next.

Or yellow.

[giltyler]

How does the Ducky Shine key spacing compare to the razer.

[rowdy]

Most mech boards have almost identical spacing.  Otherwise keycaps either wouldn't fit or would have gaps between them.

Ducky is standard layout.

[mauri]

Ducky is standard 6.25 units but IIRC razer, at least used to have 6.0 unit spacebar

[mapple]

The reason I did not try the Brown was 1 was not on display and 2 was a brand I do not ever want to own Logitech.

I just got back from Best Buy where I was just going to look test some other boards and the sales guy convinced me to try a RAZER Black Widow Ultimate on the condition that I could take full advantage of there 14 day return policy. It was $119.00 after a New Egg price match and I had a $5.00 reward point coupon that got it to $114 pre tax
As I type it feels good so far with the keys being spaced farther than the chicklet keyboards I have been using
This has the Cherry MX Blue switches and I dig the clicky feel

Are most mechanical keys tapered top to bottom or is that a RAZER thing

my first mechanical was model m but but then i didn't have clue what piece of art i got my in my hands..... i started my journey like you with blackwidow ultimate - welcome to geekhack aka wallethack:P

anyways after a week/month after fascination will go off do  yourself  a favour and go to ur mate or shop which has top noch quality keyboards such as ducky with pbt or filco and compare with blackwidow......... u'll understand why people are like that for razer keyboards....

[terran5992]

Get a topre board , every thing else is trash

[C5Allroad]

A lot of people have had quality and longevity problems with Razer, but then there are those who love their Razer boards.

The first modern mechanical board I tried was a Razer, but lurking around GH convinced me to get a Ducky Shine (version 1), and I am still using it today (although swapping out with some of my other keyboards from time to time).  This particular Shine has MX blues and red LEDs - I would probably get blue LEDs next.

Or yellow.

Yes lurking here will get you to buy a ducky or want to spend large amounts of money on boards.
Corsair and Razer make starter boards.
[Edit] Ooh so does coolermaster.

[giltyler]

Looking at pictures the razer seems to have a larger gap between the keys and a more pronounced taper from the top to bottom of the key cap together these traits leave a larger gap.
I did remove a key cap to look at it and it really feels very cheap once removed

[IvanIvanovich]

Razer does have a kind of weird keycap shape. I think the keycaps is worst thing about those boards. I find they disturb my typing rhythm, and look hideous as well. If you decide to keep it you can get some much better keycap for it at least. Really though I would return it now that you know you like mechanical and get something better and with standard keycap size arrangement to make aftermarket keycap much simpler.

[rowdy]

I think I've seen a picture somewhere here of someone who refurbished a Razer keyboard - painted the case, replaced all the keycaps, a few other things maybe, and the result looked radically different to a stock BW.

KeyCool also makes reasonable quality cheap keyboards - I've had no problems with mine.

[Linkbane]

Stiffness is a lot less than it's cracked up to be.

Is that what your gf tells you to make you feel better?

My hand can't talk.   
You, on the other hand..

[tp4tissue]

Razer does have a kind of weird keycap shape. I think the keycaps is worst thing about those boards. I find they disturb my typing rhythm, and look hideous as well. If you decide to keep it you can get some much better keycap for it at least. Really though I would return it now that you know you like mechanical and get something better and with standard keycap size arrangement to make aftermarket keycap much simpler.

I've had bws where the bottom curtain of the Top Number row Grinded against the central bezel of the keyboard..

The fact that this can actually happen tells you something about the tolerance they're building the plates to..


Does anyone know if the Supposedly NEW better quality full size BWs have steel plates or plastic plates.

[PadawanGeek]

I think I've seen a picture somewhere here of someone who refurbished a Razer keyboard - painted the case, replaced all the keycaps, a few other things maybe, and the result looked radically different to a stock BW.

KeyCool also makes reasonable quality cheap keyboards - I've had no problems with mine.

Yep, the 'White Widow', awesome customization job, the guy who did it did a damn good job of it. Thumbs up up on the Keycool suggestion as well, Keycool makes excellent mechanical keyboards at a very reasonable price....I have a 84 and a 87 and I love them. Blue is easily available across a whole range of brands and budget range, so pick the one that appeals most to you.....other than Razer of course.

[giltyler]

I will be going to the local Microcenter to look at the Ducky DK2108 they have several different MX versions and I can get an idea on the key spacing.
Who offers a MX key cap with a low(short) wide(very little taper) top profile

[ynrozturk]

Razer does have a kind of weird keycap shape. I think the keycaps is worst thing about those boards. I find they disturb my typing rhythm, and look hideous as well. If you decide to keep it you can get some much better keycap for it at least. Really though I would return it now that you know you like mechanical and get something better and with standard keycap size arrangement to make aftermarket keycap much simpler.

I've had bws where the bottom curtain of the Top Number row Grinded against the central bezel of the keyboard..

The fact that this can actually happen tells you something about the tolerance they're building the plates to..


Does anyone know if the Supposedly NEW better quality full size BWs have steel plates or plastic plates.

I should take my Tournament Edition apart but I'm far too lazy for that right now. Not to mention it's 5am.

The thing does feel very solid though. I played around with a few older Blackwidows and they did indeed feel flimsy. Space bar was sticking on one of them, too.

[rowdy]

I will be going to the local Microcenter to look at the Ducky DK2108 they have several different MX versions and I can get an idea on the key spacing.
Who offers a MX key cap with a low(short) wide(very little taper) top profile

Shortest keycaps would probably be DSA, but then the profile is the same on all rows, which you might not like.

Apart from that Cherry is probably the shortest conventional profile.

Quite a few places provide both, including SP, Originative, and various GBs.

[Linkbane]

It seems like nobody likes tall profile keycaps. Is that because Cherry is just the standard and everyone likes it, or is there a difference in feel? I personally like the look of tall caps, but I'm not sure if it affects typing any.

[rowdy]

It seems like nobody likes tall profile keycaps. Is that because Cherry is just the standard and everyone likes it, or is there a difference in feel? I personally like the look of tall caps, but I'm not sure if it affects typing any.

Not necessarily that nobody likes OEM profile, most just prefer Cherry, possibly due to the wider range of colours and styles that are available in Cherry or similar profile.

Plus a lot of OEM profile keycaps are usually made as cheaply as possible, and/or with horrible legends, so people ditch them as soon as possible after getting a new board.

[Linkbane]

It seems like nobody likes tall profile keycaps. Is that because Cherry is just the standard and everyone likes it, or is there a difference in feel? I personally like the look of tall caps, but I'm not sure if it affects typing any.

Not necessarily that nobody likes OEM profile, most just prefer Cherry, possibly due to the wider range of colours and styles that are available in Cherry or similar profile.

Plus a lot of OEM profile keycaps are usually made as cheaply as possible, and/or with horrible legends, so people ditch them as soon as possible after getting a new board.

Ah, makes sense, so it's a quality issue rather than an aesthetic preference.
Hopefully the keycaps I'm getting soon will be well-made.

[rowdy]

It seems like nobody likes tall profile keycaps. Is that because Cherry is just the standard and everyone likes it, or is there a difference in feel? I personally like the look of tall caps, but I'm not sure if it affects typing any.

Not necessarily that nobody likes OEM profile, most just prefer Cherry, possibly due to the wider range of colours and styles that are available in Cherry or similar profile.

Plus a lot of OEM profile keycaps are usually made as cheaply as possible, and/or with horrible legends, so people ditch them as soon as possible after getting a new board.

Ah, makes sense, so it's a quality issue rather than an aesthetic preference.
Hopefully the keycaps I'm getting soon will be well-made.

No, it's probably more aesthetics than quality - most of them are reasonable quality, but the legends are what put a lot of people off.  Plus most OEM keycaps are available in any colour you want, as long as it is black.

[proxy2gate]

I've used every single type of keycap for at least some time and I'd recommend starting with browns. It's the most well rounded keycap by far

[rowdy]

I've used every single type of keycap for at least some time and I'd recommend starting with browns. It's the most well rounded keycap by far

Brown keycaps?

Or brown switches?

The wrong word in the wrong place might confuse some

Or perhaps SA profile?

[ynrozturk]

Pretty sure he meant Brown switches.

[zoolzoo]

I will be going to the local Microcenter to look at the Ducky DK2108 they have several different MX versions and I can get an idea on the key spacing.
Who offers a MX key cap with a low(short) wide(very little taper) top profile

Going to a brick and mortar store to try out a Ducky keyboard. Unheard of in Connecticut.

There used to be a compusa near me, it closed. Now Bestbuy is all I can really think of.....

I wish a Microcenter would open up around here.

[Linkbane]

I will be going to the local Microcenter to look at the Ducky DK2108 they have several different MX versions and I can get an idea on the key spacing.
Who offers a MX key cap with a low(short) wide(very little taper) top profile

Going to a brick and mortar store to try out a Ducky keyboard. Unheard of in Connecticut.

There used to be a compusa near me, it closed. Now Bestbuy is all I can really think of.....

I wish a Microcenter would open up around here.

Heh, thanks to my moving to downtown, there's a Microcenter five miles away from where I live, and a Fry's a little over twelve. They have Ducky, Razer, CM, Gigabyte, and Corsair as far as mechanicals go, got to try out Browns again and sort of like them, and tried out Blacks again and realized that they aren't that horrible.

[rowdy]

Pretty sure he meant Brown switches.

That's what I thought, but a search linking to that post might give someone the wrong impression.

[goobus]

I don't think anyone makes brown keyboards. At least, I hope not. Can you imagine a dark brown Filco with white on dark brown keycaps? *shudders*