Which First Mechanical Keyboard? Info inside!

[MakerPWNZ]

Hey, I´m looking for my first mechanical keyboard and I narrowed it down to these options, either Ducky Shine 3 which I like the most tho the cheapest I can get it is 210$, I can also get Filco for 200$, Max 200$, Das 180$, Quickfire Ultimate 150$, ZA0100 Topre Type Heaven 210$. I want it to be Full Size, I don´t care about customizable keycaps, Lighting would be nice, Brown Switches. I´m from Europe, Czech Republic. Do you think it is worth it to pay so much for Ducky? or Should I just go with Quickfire or something else? Thanks in advance to all of you:3 !

[luis911]

Have you personally tested any switches yet? What draws you to the brown switches if I may ask? In terms of quality, Ducky and Filco are really good, but I can't speak for the rest.

Realforce boards are also supposed to be really good, however I hear the Type Heaven doesn't really compare to a nice 104UB.

[MakerPWNZ]

I have not, Just from what I have read, I think the brown would be best for me. I want it both for typing + gaming, I don´t want them to be that noisy. I think brown fits perfectly into that, but before buying I´m able to test brown switches on quickfire tk, so I will do that and see wheather they really are the best for me. I want to keep it around 150-200$ mark.

[berserkfan]

Hey, I´m looking for my first mechanical keyboard and I narrowed it down to these options, either Ducky Shine 3 which I like the most tho the cheapest I can get it is 210$, I can also get Filco for 200$, Max 200$, Das 180$, Quickfire Ultimate 150$, ZA0100 Topre Type Heaven 210$. I want it to be Full Size, I don´t care about customizable keycaps, Lighting would be nice, Brown Switches. I´m from Europe, Czech Republic. Do you think it is worth it to pay so much for Ducky? or Should I just go with Quickfire or something else? Thanks in advance to all of you:3 !

Don't look at the prices. It's misleading. Consider the switches. If you think you like browns, you may like clears or ergo clears even more.

I gave away all my spare clear switches already, but maybe someone in your region will be willing to mail you a switch sampler.

Whatever it is, don't buy a mechanical keyboard via mail order/ internet until you have at least tried a switch sampler. Too many people REGRET because they didn't like a switch or keycap type.

[Slowdiving]

If I were you, I'd stick to the Quickfire stuff first before committing to a spendy board.  Just box it up and return it once you've found the switch you prefer.  Or you may even get attached to it

Use o-rings/etc. if you don't want noise.

DS3 looks cool but I don't like the idea of LEDs contributing to screen glare, personally.  If you operate it without the LEDs, then it defeats the purpose of the 3, so you might as well get a 2.

[luis911]

If I were you, I'd stick to the Quickfire stuff first before committing to a spendy board.  Just box it up and return it once you've found the switch you prefer.  Or you may even get attached to it

Use o-rings/etc. if you don't want noise.

DS3 looks cool but I don't like the idea of LEDs contributing to screen glare, personally.  If you operate it without the LEDs, then it defeats the purpose of the 3, so you might as well get a 2.

LEDS on a keyboard dont emit enough light to have a measurable affect on screen glare.

[Puddsy]

If I were you, I'd stick to the Quickfire stuff first before committing to a spendy board.  Just box it up and return it once you've found the switch you prefer.  Or you may even get attached to it

Use o-rings/etc. if you don't want noise.

DS3 looks cool but I don't like the idea of LEDs contributing to screen glare, personally.  If you operate it without the LEDs, then it defeats the purpose of the 3, so you might as well get a 2.

I agree with this guy (minus the screen glare thing, that's false)

Get the cooler master things, they'll last, and they're really really good.

If you really want to get something super expensive first, get the Filco. They're so good I bought 2.

As for switches, I'd say reds just because I like them a lot right now. It really doesn't matter though.

[MakerPWNZ]

Ye, I will try brown switches first before buying from internet shop. I´m used to low profile keyboard so I think brown is better then Clear for me.
Since I´m not going to become collector, I´d like to stay with this new keyboard for next 3-5years, so I think it would be better if I commit a little bit more money into it and get what I like. I don´t see any advantage in getting Filco except that they will propably last longer.

[Slowdiving]

If I were you, I'd stick to the Quickfire stuff first before committing to a spendy board.  Just box it up and return it once you've found the switch you prefer.  Or you may even get attached to it

Use o-rings/etc. if you don't want noise.

DS3 looks cool but I don't like the idea of LEDs contributing to screen glare, personally.  If you operate it without the LEDs, then it defeats the purpose of the 3, so you might as well get a 2.

I agree with this guy (but the screen is negligible for people who aren't in a pitch-black room like Slowdiving)

FTFY
It's not your fault, there's no way for you to know I work/live in a dungeon In here, I can see the LEDs on my G600 reflect off my display when the lights are off.  Probably negligible but I'm really picky (we're on geekhack, right?)

[phxn]

I'd go for the Realforce 87U Tenkeyless 55g, it's on offer at Elite Keyboards for $199.

It has PBT keycaps and dye-sublimated legends, far better than the Filco Majestouch 2 (which I also own with Cherry MX Blue switches).

I'm in the UK and thanks to the GBP/USD currency conversion I've paid less ordering from the US than I would have ordering from The Keyboard Company in the UK - not to mention The Keyboard Company didn't have the 55g Uniform in stock.

It feels great to type on and makes a satisfying sound. It uses Topre switches rather than Cherry.

Check some YouTube videos, this is a good one:

[MakerPWNZ]

It would be 260dolars for me becouse of the expensive shipping, that´s way out of my budget.
The only affortable Topre would be Type Heaven 104-key Keyboard.

[nubbinator]

Ye, I will try brown switches first before buying from internet shop. I´m used to low profile keyboard so I think brown is better then Clear for me.
Since I´m not going to become collector, I´d like to stay with this new keyboard for next 3-5years, so I think it would be better if I commit a little bit more money into it and get what I like. I don´t see any advantage in getting Filco except that they will propably last longer.

If you're anything like me, you'll come to despise Browns.  I'd take the wobbliest of Alps and even Topre or some good rubber dome keyboards over Browns after using them for a month with a Das Keyboard. If you could imagine typing on pain and sorrow, that's what Browns are like.  If you want tactile, get Clears or do an Ergo Clear mod.  If you want Clicky, Blues and Greens are great as are Model F buckling spring keyboards.  If you want linear, I love my Blacks, but some people prefer Reds.  Anything is better than Browns though.

[Rewind]

I recommend going for a board with topre switches.

After your first board, which is probably going to be an mx brown board, you will definitely become curious and try more boards and/or switches.

A lot of people, including me, end up sticking with topre. See this thread for reference. Most topre boards are very expensive, but if you jump straight to topre you will save money in the long run.

[nubbinator]

I wouldn't recommend the leap straight to Topre.  It's expensive and not everyone likes it, so if they hate it, they just wasted $200-300.  I'd only make the leap if someone loaned you a Topre keyboard for a week and you loved it.  Personally, I prefer my Ergo Clears, Blacks, and Ghost Blacks to Topre.

[Rewind]

I wouldn't recommend the leap straight to Topre.  It's expensive and not everyone likes it, so if they hate it, they just wasted $200-300.  I'd only make the leap if someone loaned you a Topre keyboard for a week and you loved it.  Personally, I prefer my Ergo Clears, Blacks, and Ghost Blacks to Topre.

While I agree it's somewhat of a gamble to see if you like it, you can always sell it.

Not everyone likes mx brown switches either so the same problem applies.


I want to try ghost blacks!

[MakerPWNZ]

Well It would either be Browns or Reds, not sure. Is it worth buying switch test sampler for 16$ ?

[nubbinator]

I'd say yes.  You might find you hate both.  I thought I would love Browns and Reds and I can't stand either now.

[Rewind]

Well It would either be Browns or Reds, not sure. Is it worth buying switch test sampler for 16$ ?

Definitely worth it. Keep in mind that a switch tester will not feel exactly the same as typing on it. Try hitting the switches with your pinky fingers as well

[POMPyro]

Might not be a common issue but a few ppl have had probs gaming on a DS3.
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48053.0

[Zeal]

Might not be a common issue but a few ppl have had probs gaming on a DS3.
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48053.0

That user had problems with the DS3 cause they had repeat delay/time set on another value from default (1x). It's an intended feature of the DS3...

[mapple]

hey, in your country i supose it will be easy to get hand on with cherry mx blue and brown......... so based on that you can connect that feeling with additional internet desc and you will have your switch:).

I mean those two are kinda giving overall view in cherry....... like green equals to blue+more force

red -less force brown -bump
black - more force brown -bump and so on and so on......

[noodles256]

wlcm2gh

I personally recommend a Ducky over a Filco, but you might want to stick with Razer since they are more readily available

[MakerPWNZ]

I´m either getting QFU for 150$ or Ducky for 186$. Still undecided.

edit: i might be getting ducky from qtan

[mapple]

please whatever you choose don't take razer (***i'm not tyring to change topic). ducky and qfu will have simillar quality but more features on ducky

[MakerPWNZ]

Ok I will be getting Ducky Shine 3 from Qtan for 186$, which I think isn´t to bad. (tho still undecided between brown and red switch, I already tried brown and tomorrow I´ll be trying red).

[pichu23]

Ok I will be getting Ducky Shine 3 from Qtan for 186$, which I think isn´t to bad. (tho still undecided between brown and red switch, I already tried brown and tomorrow I´ll be trying red).

Browns are fine. I love browns. They're the first switch I picked on my Shine 2.
Loving it.

[Melvang]

My vote for first time into the mech board is almost always brown switches unless you can get your hands on a switch tester.  My first mech board couple years ago and still my daily driver is my costar built Das.  It had browns in it up until a couple months ago when I tried some egro clears.  I really like them but switches are very much personal preference.  There is no "this switch is best for typing and this switch is for gaming".  Professional gamers and professional typists all use about all the switches.  The one exception I can think of is a lack of topre in the professional gaming world.  But I feel that this is mostly due to keyboard manufacturers and sponsors. 

For the record return periods are NOT for buyers remorse or test periods.  I really wish people here would stop suggesting this practice.  All this does is cost the distributer more money and in the end causes the price for products to rise.  If you don't like a particular board fine.  Wait until you have the requisite number of posts and sell it in the Classifieds.  Mechanical keyboards don't lose value that fast.  Most times if a geekhacker buys a keyboard they don't like they can usually sell it here for less of a loss than what return shipping and restocking fees would cost.