Das Professional Silent or something else?

[kgrizz]

I've been researching new mechanical keyboards for hours it seems with no luck on what to buy.  I've been reading up on the following:

2013 Razer Blackwidow Ultimate Stealth (MX Brown) - They are currently out of stock for the next month or so.  Plus I've learned that they have the worst quality, so I'm most likely not going this direction.

Das Model S Professional Silent (MX Brown) - I was about to buy this before I saw many of the comments complaining about Spacebar + Backspace problems.  I decided to look around for other products before buying.

Filco Majestouch 2 (Brown) - I saw this and my eyes lit up because all the reviews are positive and it had a matte finish which I vastly prefer over the glossy Das design.  Then I learned how impossible these are to get in the US (I live in NY) and my hopes of finally ending this keyboard chase ended.  Couldn't find anything unless I paid like $210 and had it shipped from Japan...god knows when it would actually arrive.


So I've spent an insane amount of time trying to decide what to get.  Obviously I want a MX Brown keyboard with a standard layout (preferably matte finish) with a highly positive feedback rating.  Since I'm willing to spend $150 I really don't want to have this thing break quickly or have some keys function abnormally compared to the rest.  I REALLY want a Filco Majestouch 2 with Brown switches but I seriously cannot find anything available.  I've also looked into Ducky and they seem to be just as hard to get as Filco.  As of now I'm leaning towards the Das Professional since it's pretty much the only thing I can actually get my hands on at this point.

Can anyone here please help me out?  Since I'm sure most of you are experts on mechanical keyboards; can you rank the top 5?  I've read a few posts here that say the CM Storm Quickfire XT is very good (surprising because its pretty cheap compared to the others I listed).  I want to get this order done today.  I never would have thought buying a mechanical keyboard would be this much of a painful process.

Edit - Looking to buy new.  Also prefer to have a Numpad.

[CPTBadAss]

Looks like there's a Filco with Browns here.

Otherwise, you can try a CoolerMaster QFR, XT, or StormTrigger.

If you're looking for a matte keyboard, the DAS is definitely not the way to go. It's a fingerprint magnet.

[Linkbane]

What do you mean by hard to get? You can get Ducky boards from mechanicalkeyboards.com easily, and Filcos from several (haven't looked into them much) as well. Ducky actually has excellent quality at your price point.

[kgrizz]

@Linkbane, yea I'm pretty new to the scene I guess so I'm not aware of all the top websites to order from.  Also, I see that you have several keyboards I've mentioned.  What do you think about the CM boards?

Also, is Ducky high quality?  I'm a bit skeptical on those since I couldn't find too many user reviews, or videos...

[SpAmRaY]

@Linkbane, yea I'm pretty new to the scene I guess so I'm not aware of all the top websites to order from.  Also, I see that you have several keyboards I've mentioned.  What do you think about the CM boards?

Also, is Ducky high quality?  I'm a bit skeptical on those since I couldn't find too many user reviews, or videos...

There are very many of us who are perfectly content with our ducky's!

[rowdy]

CM, particularly the QFR and QFS, are amongst the most highly recommended keyboards on GH.  I have one of each - great boards.

Ducky has also come a long way in terms of quality and reliability.  Occasionally someone reports an LED going dim on a Ducky Shine, but such reports are few and far between.  I also have three Duckys - all are great!

[kgrizz]

Oh I forgot to mention that I really don't care about back-lit keys...that would just be icing on the cake.

As far as overall quality and overall typing/gaming experience goes, how do the CM keyboards match up against Filco/Ducky and other reputable brands?  After hearing all those negative reviews with the Das Model S having some keys stick (Backspace/Spacebar) I was wondering if that problem persists with other brands as well?

@Rowdy, I see that the QFR is tenkeyless.  Also the QFS seems to be unavailable...that one is a full standard keyboard with the numpad, correct?  "CM Storm Quickfire Stealth" being the full name?  I'd greatly prefer to have a full sized standard keyboard.

Are those the only CM ones that are highly recommended?

[rowdy]

QFS is essentially the same as QFR - tenkeyless, but with ninja (front-printed) keycaps.  I swapped keycaps out on both boards anyway.

[Linkbane]

@Linkbane, yea I'm pretty new to the scene I guess so I'm not aware of all the top websites to order from.  Also, I see that you have several keyboards I've mentioned.  What do you think about the CM boards?

Also, is Ducky high quality?  I'm a bit skeptical on those since I couldn't find too many user reviews, or videos...

Hey! So my second board was the TK, which I think is still of good quality. Never had a durability issue (despite some occasional episodes of keyboard-smacking) with it in about a year of very heavy typing.
I recently got the Ducky, but so far its quality can be seen to exceed the TK by quite a bit; it's sturdy, heavy, and obviously has the really nice LED modes. However, they're both plate-mounted keyboards, and it's very unlikely you'll have a durability issue with them even after a long time.

The reason that the BW is seen as unreliable is not because it's not sturdy (also plate-mount), but because the soldering is shoddy and can result in faults. Honestly I would not doubt a CM or Ducky keyboard for reliability. it's just that one is built better than the other. Whether that's really necessary is up to you. The thick PBT on the Yellow edition is really nice though, I will say.

[SpAmRaY]

Oh I forgot to mention that I really don't care about back-lit keys...that would just be icing on the cake.

As far as overall quality and overall typing/gaming experience goes, how do the CM keyboards match up against Filco/Ducky and other reputable brands?  After hearing all those negative reviews with the Das Model S having some keys stick (Backspace/Spacebar) I was wondering if that problem persists with other brands as well?

@Rowdy, I see that the QFR is tenkeyless.  Also the QFS seems to be unavailable...that one is a full standard keyboard with the numpad, correct?  "CM Storm Quickfire Stealth" being the full name?  I'd greatly prefer to have a full sized standard keyboard.

Are those the only CM ones that are highly recommended?

the full size coolermaster is the XT

[Linkbane]

Oh I forgot to mention that I really don't care about back-lit keys...that would just be icing on the cake.

As far as overall quality and overall typing/gaming experience goes, how do the CM keyboards match up against Filco/Ducky and other reputable brands?  After hearing all those negative reviews with the Das Model S having some keys stick (Backspace/Spacebar) I was wondering if that problem persists with other brands as well?

@Rowdy, I see that the QFR is tenkeyless.  Also the QFS seems to be unavailable...that one is a full standard keyboard with the numpad, correct?  "CM Storm Quickfire Stealth" being the full name?  I'd greatly prefer to have a full sized standard keyboard.

Are those the only CM ones that are highly recommended?

the full size coolermaster is the XT

Righto, and the full-size backlit is the Pro/Trigger.

[kgrizz]

Wow, the feedback on this site is awesome.

Now I'm leaning towards the CM Storm QuickFire XT since it's full sized which I prefer (for now at least). However, I see a LOT more people on this site recommending the CM Storm QuickFire Rapid...is the quality the same as the XT?  Just without the numpad?  I don't understand how CM boards could be so highly recommended on geekhacks considering they're so much cheaper than Ducky/Filco =X

As long as all the keys function the same without some keys sticking more than others, that would be a huge problem for me, heh.


Thanks again guys

[rowdy]

Many here prefer smaller keyboards - they are easier to transport, take up less desk space (so the mouse can be a bit closer to the keyboard improving ergonomics, although there are a few who dispute that), and also slightly cheaper for buying replacement keycap sets.

QFR is surprisingly good value for money - when on special and perhaps with rebates too, they can be as cheap as $50 or $60.

CM also provide replacement case tops, so the QFR is often used as a base for customisation.

[kgrizz]

QFR is surprisingly good value for money - when on special and perhaps with rebates too, they can be as cheap as $50 or $60.

CM also provide replacement case tops, so the QFR is often used as a base for customisation.

Do you happen to know if the CM XT would be of the same quality as the QFR?  I'm on the verge of buying the CM Storm QuickFire XT.  I'm sure it is just as good...just wanted to make sure before I go ahead and buy it =)

[SpAmRaY]

QFR is surprisingly good value for money - when on special and perhaps with rebates too, they can be as cheap as $50 or $60.

CM also provide replacement case tops, so the QFR is often used as a base for customisation.

Do you happen to know if the CM XT would be of the same quality as the QFR?  I'm on the verge of buying the CM Storm QuickFire XT.  I'm sure it is just as good...just wanted to make sure before I go ahead and buy it =)

The quickfire XT is a very solid board, nice weight and finish. I'm not super crazy about the odd full size female USB plug but thats just how they made it.

[kgrizz]

Went ahead and ordered the CM Storm QuickFire XT.  Seems to be exactly the same as the Quickfire Rapid while being a full sized keyboard instead of Tenkeyless.


Spam, I saw that you had original owned a Quickfire XT in a different thread and sold it?  Were there any reasons in particular why you sold it?

Can't wait to try this sucker.  I've been using a really crappy keyboard lately, heh



Thanks to everyone who posted in this thread.  Helped a lot

[Linkbane]

Spam, I saw that you had original owned a Quickfire XT in a different thread and sold it?  Were there any reasons in particular why you sold it?

Heh, he probably sold it because he (among many) finds it uncomfortable to use a full size. I thought I would like a full-size, until I went back from a TKL and it just felt awful reaching that extra distance and being so far from the mouse. It also hogged all of my desk space and was generally uncomfortable.

[SpAmRaY]

Went ahead and ordered the CM Storm QuickFire XT.  Seems to be exactly the same as the Quickfire Rapid while being a full sized keyboard instead of Tenkeyless.


Spam, I saw that you had original owned a Quickfire XT in a different thread and sold it?  Were there any reasons in particular why you sold it?

Can't wait to try this sucker.  I've been using a really crappy keyboard lately, heh



Thanks to everyone who posted in this thread.  Helped a lot

Actually I find it hard using anything besides a full size board.

I still have my XT with whites, I did sell the one with greens however.

I like the XT just prefer the clear switches in my ducky shine 2.

[kgrizz]

Ok thanks for the fast responses guys, very nice.

The reason I need a full keyboard is that I actually play a game where I occasionally use numpad keys.

Can't wait until this thing gets here.


Thanks again to anyone who posted