My first time

[Tomasz]

Hello guys!

First of all, I would like to say that I really appreciate the fact that you share the knowledge with new users.

I am looking for my first mechanical keyboard and it is not an easy task to find one. It is so hard mostly because I live in Poland and the market is really limited over here. I type and play games. I probably type more than play games but it seems that I need a keyboard that will be good at doing both. Numeric keypad is not necessary as I rarely use it.

I read a lot of good things about CM QuickFire Rapid - unfortunately, it is impossible or nearly impossible to buy it with blue or brown (I guess one of those would be the best choice) switches in Europe.

Can you please tell me what you think would be the best switches for me? Please leave a suggestion what keyboard would be a good choice, as well.

[tp4tissue]

the switches are only a difference in "feel"..

it's very hard to argue that they improve/hurt actual user "performance" in app

you need to just go try the few mx switches and find out which one you like.. be warned, tastes can change... that's why most of us ended up with 5 to 10 different keyboards.

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

There is no "best choice" generically for switches.  Everyone has different preferences, different environment, different requirements, different usage patterns.

As tp said, the best thing is to try some switches for yourself to see which one you prefer.

QFR is a good and relatively inexpensive keyboard to start with.

[Oobly]

In my opinion, the browns are a very good switch to start with. They do everything well enough. If the seller ships to Poland this may suit you:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006EB325O/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3Q830EQQ4UIFT

[C5Allroad]

Yes browns are very nice to start with. They are great for gaming and typing. Reds and blacks are linear, generally better than tactile keys. Browns are great for typing and gaming. 

[tp4tissue]

Yes browns are very nice to start with. They are great for gaming and typing. Reds and blacks are linear, generally better than tactile keys. Browns are great for typing and gaming. 

Just remember this is a "preference" that Hangel is imparting..


There are no real "obstacles" or "tangible advantages" relative to use-and-performance between the different switches..

[Linkbane]

In my opinion, the browns are a very good switch to start with. They do everything well enough. If the seller ships to Poland this may suit you:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006EB325O/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3Q830EQQ4UIFT

My god that price. Someone from the US could probably buy one for about $60 and then send it to you via USPS for less than $30 dollars, in all less than half of what the retailer is asking.

[rowdy]

Yes browns are very nice to start with. They are great for gaming and typing. Reds and blacks are linear, generally better than tactile keys. Browns are great for typing and gaming. 

Just remember this is a "preference" that Hangel is imparting..


There are no real "obstacles" or "tangible advantages" relative to use-and-performance between the different switches..

Show Image

Although with blacks, you might find your fingers becoming tired much more quickly.

[Tomasz]

In my opinion, the browns are a very good switch to start with. They do everything well enough. If the seller ships to Poland this may suit you:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006EB325O/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3Q830EQQ4UIFT

My god that price. Someone from the US could probably buy one for about $60 and then send it to you via USPS for less than $30 dollars, in all less than half of what the retailer is asking.

I actually wanted to say that someone overpriced it. Technically, I have several US friends, so I may ask some of them to buy one and send it to me - just no idea where to find it for around 60$.

BTW
QuickFire Rapid vs QuickFire Stealth - which one is better? Advantages? Disadvantages?

[tp4tissue]

In my opinion, the browns are a very good switch to start with. They do everything well enough. If the seller ships to Poland this may suit you:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006EB325O/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3Q830EQQ4UIFT

My god that price. Someone from the US could probably buy one for about $60 and then send it to you via USPS for less than $30 dollars, in all less than half of what the retailer is asking.

yea.. but you have to consider is waiting 3-4 weeks worth saving $30-40 ?

this is a single serve item after all..  like if you could save $30-40 every month on butter... definitely do that..

[00zeRO]

Very strange that you can't find the switches there, blues and browns are the most popular ones...wait...maybe that's the reason...doh! 

[stancato9]

In my opinion, the browns are a very good switch to start with. They do everything well enough. If the seller ships to Poland this may suit you:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006EB325O/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3Q830EQQ4UIFT

My god that price. Someone from the US could probably buy one for about $60 and then send it to you via USPS for less than $30 dollars, in all less than half of what the retailer is asking.

I actually wanted to say that someone overpriced it. Technically, I have several US friends, so I may ask some of them to buy one and send it to me - just no idea where to find it for around 60$.

BTW
QuickFire Rapid vs QuickFire Stealth - which one is better? Advantages? Disadvantages?

Go for a QFR

Advantages of Stealth
- Learn to touch type / increase efficiency by seeing less of the legends
- No legend fade
- Subjectively better aesthetic
- Shine may be more noticeable

There are really no advantages that stand out with the non stealth version, other than the fact that you will have clearly visible legends. This can help with some of the less common keys.

Seeing as you are already on this forum, I don't think the choice will matter too much in the big picture - you will be buying a new set of caps very soon.

Like others have said, switches are highly subjective. If you want that popular "clicky" feel, go with blues. Blues will also provide you with the most difference in feel coming from a membrane keyboard. This will actually help justify the purchase I personally really like reds for gaming but blues are very satisfying, especially as a gateway into the mech kb world.

[Tomasz]

Very strange that you can't find the switches there, blues and browns are the most popular ones...wait...maybe that's the reason...doh! 

Nah. As far as I know European distribution of QuickFire Rapid was limited to Red and Black switches.

QF Stealth is actually not available in Europe at all. I think about buying one from US tho.

[eth0s]

my advice? try Topre.

[Linkbane]

My god that price. Someone from the US could probably buy one for about $60 and then send it to you via USPS for less than $30 dollars, in all less than half of what the retailer is asking.

I actually wanted to say that someone overpriced it. Technically, I have several US friends, so I may ask some of them to buy one and send it to me - just no idea where to find it for around 60$.

BTW
QuickFire Rapid vs QuickFire Stealth - which one is better? Advantages? Disadvantages?

Had both, zero difference besides that you can use NKRO and get them in MX Green. If you like the style, go for it.
As far as price, the $60 QFR prices usually come around when Newegg has sales on them, which is pretty often to my experiences.

yea.. but you have to consider is waiting 3-4 weeks worth saving $30-40 ?

this is a single serve item after all..  like if you could save $30-40 every month on butter... definitely do that..

Show Image

I suppose, you're right. If on a budget and impatient (which you probably are) then it might be better to look at a European retailer; for instance, mechkeyboards.eu sells a Ducky Zero for 100€ (http://www.mechkeyboards.eu/#!product/prd1/1281765091/ducky-zero-azerty-brown-switch), but otherwise you might be served well by looking on ebay.

[Tomasz]

I haven't bought anything yet but I realised today that the new product has been released in Poland - CM Storm QuickFire XT MX Brown.

Given that I would to have a keybord with MX Brown switches and the only CM options in Poland are CM Storm QuickFire TK, CM Storm Ultimate and CM Storm QuickFire XT. Which one of them would be a good choice? Let's forget about the size and think about the layout etc.

I haven't found too many opinions about CM QF XT - is this a decent keyboard?

[noisyturtle]

In my opinion, the browns are a very good switch to start with.

Agreed, browns are a great reference point for getting into the mechanical keyboard game.

QF XT review, seems like a decent board: http://techgage.com/article/cm-storm-quickfire-xt-mechanical-keyboard-review/

[ynrozturk]

There's no such thing as "better" really, it all comes down to preference. I think Browns would be a good place to start since they are extremely comfortable to type on for most users, and they are also good for gaming since they do the double tap thing better than MX Blues.

I feel your pain, though - I live in Istanbul and the only options here are Razer, Zowie and Logitech. I had to import pretty much all of my keyboards.

[Tomasz]

The question now is not about the switches as I think I will go for blue. The question is which one of those CM products that are available in Poland with MX Brown switches would be the best:
CM Storm QuickFire TK, CM Storm Ultimate and CM Storm QuickFire XT

[mooswa]

Depends.  Do you use numeric keypad?  Do you need backlight?  Do you want to force yourself to touch type and go with blank caps?  Do you type or plan to switch to non-querty layouts (blanks would be good for this)? I personally would go with TK stealth if those were the only options.  On the other hand, are you into modding your keyboard?  I am currently very much enjoying varying layouts on my QFR with a custom firmware and a daughter board from bpiphany.  If so, it would be prudent to check if any of these keyboards are compatible.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46700.msg1083984#msg1083984

[Emospence]

My first time was the first time for her too

[Tomasz]

I do not need numpad. I may have it but it is not necessary.

The reason why I have not decided yet is the fact that both QuickFire TK and QuickFire Ultimate lack NKRO in PS/2 mode, at least I think so since Cooler Master says only about NKRO in USB mode. So that is the main issue with those two comparing to QuickFire XT that has NKRO in PS/2 mode.

On the other hand, QuickFire XT is only a bit heavier than QuickFire TK... that is weird because technically it is bigger and I would expect XT being a bit heavier than it really is. That makes me afraid about durability.

BTW
Am I right that QuickFire XT uses the standard layout/size keycaps so it can be replaced with ease?
.

[Linkbane]

The reason why I have not decided yet is the fact that both QuickFire TK and QuickFire Ultimate lack NKRO in PS/2 mode, at least I think so since Cooler Master says only about NKRO in USB mode. So that is the main issue with those two comparing to QuickFire XT that has NKRO in PS/2 mode.

BTW
Am I right that QuickFire XT uses the standard layout/size keycaps so it can be replaced with ease?

Wait up right there, you need to learn how PS/2 works. There is no such thing as PS/2 rollover because it sends signals rather than use polling like USB, therefore it is impossible for it to miss a stroke, no matter how many are used.

Also, any mechanical keyboard uses standard size keycaps besides maybe the bottom row. From the picture, the spacebar appears to be 6.25x or 6x, and the rest of the keys look normal.

[Tomasz]

Wait up right there, you need to learn how PS/2 works. There is no such thing as PS/2 rollover because it sends signals rather than use polling like USB, therefore it is impossible for it to miss a stroke, no matter how many are used.

Also, any mechanical keyboard uses standard size keycaps besides maybe the bottom row. From the picture, the spacebar appears to be 6.25x or 6x, and the rest of the keys look normal.

Does it mean that every keyboard that I plug in via PS/2 - no matter what CM says - will support full NKRO via PS/2? I am asking because e.g. CM website says nothing about Full NKRO in PS/2 mode for QuickFire TK keyboard. It says only about full NKRO via USB.

[kfmfe04]

You definitely need to go try them out.

If you can, find the model of keyboard you like with the switch that you like (switches may actually feel different depending on the brand of keyboard you buy).

Next best is to try the switch in a different brand.

If you can't get that, try the switch in a sampler set (I even find the sampler set not so useful since I prefer to touch type with all my fingers on a keyboard).

Before I went out to try for myself, I thought I would like blues, because I thought I liked clicky keyboards.

Then I predicted that I would like browns as a compromise between reds and blues.

To my surprise, when I tried them out in a shop, I liked reds by far the most (smooth light action I like for touch typing), then blues, and then browns last.

[czarek]

Do yourself a favour and get a Filco from keyboardco.com, you won't regret it.

[Linkbane]

Wait up right there, you need to learn how PS/2 works. There is no such thing as PS/2 rollover because it sends signals rather than use polling like USB, therefore it is impossible for it to miss a stroke, no matter how many are used.

Also, any mechanical keyboard uses standard size keycaps besides maybe the bottom row. From the picture, the spacebar appears to be 6.25x or 6x, and the rest of the keys look normal.

Does it mean that every keyboard that I plug in via PS/2 - no matter what CM says - will support full NKRO via PS/2? I am asking because e.g. CM website says nothing about Full NKRO in PS/2 mode for QuickFire TK keyboard. It says only about full NKRO via USB.

Please read what I wrote instead of asking the same thing again. There is no such thing as rollover over PS/2. No matter how many kepresses you put in, it will display.