Looking to buy my first mechanical keyboard

[Raddam]

Hi everybody I am brand new to this forum and the mechanical keyboard world! I am looking to buy my first mechanical keyboard. I have a couple of different brands in mind and want your opinions.  So I am looking for a TKL board and mx cherry red switches because I am going to be doing mostly gaming. Some of the brands I have been looking at are a filco magestouch 2 possibly ninja version, a ducky shine 3 TkL, a wasd tkl, or a deck francium. If you can think of any other high quality mechanical please tell me what they are. I also think I want switch out ABS keys for pbt keys. Money isn't really an issue because I like to buy high quality things. Thank you in advanced!

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Careful saying money is not an issue around here - people will suggest silly things

From your list, you can't really go wrong with Filco.  The only downside is that the cable is non-detachable, but that also can be rectified with a small expense and a little time to replace the cable.

For high quality keycaps, you could look at a set of PBT dyesub - they will last nearly as long as the keyboard.

[Raddam]

Thank you for the advice! From what I have heard filco is a good brand.

[rowdy]

Yes, indeed!  But the price is often notably more than other keyboards, which puts a lot of people off.

[Raddam]

I don't really mind the price too much.

[Razor Lotus]

I don't really mind the price too much.

Of course if you're willing to spend you can go for a korean custom....which is a viable option.

Some pictures to let you know what they look like:

http://duck0113.tistory.com/category/MINI%20

http://duck0113.tistory.com/70

http://duck0113.tistory.com/66

http://duck0113.tistory.com/49

Just play around with the links on the website. There're a ton of pictures there

[Raddam]

I'm really liking the looks of those customs! Do you or anybody else know of anyone that used one? id love to have a aluminum casing.

[Raddam]

I can't find any place that sells Korean customs. Does that have to be a group order type thing?

[Raddam]

Any thoughts on the HHKB2?

[luisbg]

I don't really mind the price too much.

Of course if you're willing to spend you can go for a korean custom....which is a viable option.

Some pictures to let you know what they look like:

http://duck0113.tistory.com/category/MINI%20

http://duck0113.tistory.com/70

http://duck0113.tistory.com/66

http://duck0113.tistory.com/49

Just play around with the links on the website. There're a ton of pictures there

Salivating... 

[rowdy]

Oooh those are some nice keyboards!

Those are some nice photos!!

[tribade]

I can't find any place that sells Korean customs. Does that have to be a group order type thing?

We're working on getting a group buy going for the Duck Viper and Eagle.  Elton has been nice enough to facilitate for us!

Here's the link:  http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58074.0

I think that it'll be a great board.  I can speak for Korean customs, as I'm typing on a KMAC right now!  They're wonderful, and once you know what kind of switch you like you can get your board exactly right.  I'm still working to find a perfect switch, but damn these 55g blacks feel nice.

[mougrim]

Any thoughts on the HHKB2?

Well, I think it's not the best for gaming - lack of f1-f12 keys could be devastating... Besides, you'll need to adjust to new layout...
And it's expensive, to boot.

You can try Poker II for 60% layout or Noppoo Choc Mini fot 75% layout, though. I'm pretty sure there are MX Red variants of both boards.

[dustinhxc]

http://www.gonskeyboardworks.com/custom-kbds-w-assembly/66-gon-ns-nerd-tkl-w-tuningassembly.html

GON is a member here, check with him if he can install Reds on his TKL NerD PCB! Im sure it wont be an issue. May take a bit to build though. He is quite popular.

You can also get a KMAC TKL and have someone here build it. There is a list of people who build boards.

If youre looking for non Korean custom. Filco is great then Ducky is also really nice. I like how simple WASD case looks, dont know much about their PCB.

Then you can decide on which keycap profile you like. DCS is my favorite. There is also DCA, Cherry, OEM, etc. There are Group Buys and also stores listed in vendor threads.

Good luck!

[feizor]

Very interesting layout on the lightsaver with dolch.

http://duck0113.tistory.com/66

TKL with numpad and dedicated nav cluster.

[genkidama]

I don't really mind the price too much.

Of course if you're willing to spend you can go for a korean custom....which is a viable option.

Some pictures to let you know what they look like:

http://duck0113.tistory.com/category/MINI%20

http://duck0113.tistory.com/70

http://duck0113.tistory.com/66

http://duck0113.tistory.com/49

Just play around with the links on the website. There're a ton of pictures there

Damn those are real nice keyboards... Right now I'm gasping for just one of 'em 


As for the FP, I guess the TKL version of the Shine 3 is the same to the full sized Shine 3 and I really like this. You get some nice backlighting and good build quality. As for me in my country the Filco was significantly more expensive as to the Shine 3. I guess this is not such a popular opinion, but when buying a Filco you just pay for the brand/name and you can get a good mech with the same build quality and quality in general from other manufacturers.
But damn those boards above 

P.S.: I'm sorry for my english, it's kinda hard to switch to english right now and I don't want to sound rude or anything.

[Raddam]

Thank you everyone so much for the feedback! But just wow my head might explode from all these choices.

[Raddam]

http://www.gonskeyboardworks.com/custom-kbds-w-assembly/66-gon-ns-nerd-tkl-w-tuningassembly.html

I love this keyboard you showed me and I am highly considering it I am just a little confused with some of the options if you or someone wouldn't mind helping me out with that would be awesome

[mougrim]

http://www.gonskeyboardworks.com/custom-kbds-w-assembly/66-gon-ns-nerd-tkl-w-tuningassembly.html

I love this keyboard you showed me and I am highly considering it I am just a little confused with some of the options if you or someone wouldn't mind helping me out with that would be awesome

Ask! Most of choices are pretty obvious

P.S. 500 bucks for a keyboard? You'd probably could find AT Model F NIB for this

[Razor Lotus]

http://www.gonskeyboardworks.com/custom-kbds-w-assembly/66-gon-ns-nerd-tkl-w-tuningassembly.html

I love this keyboard you showed me and I am highly considering it I am just a little confused with some of the options if you or someone wouldn't mind helping me out with that would be awesome

I'm not exactly sure with the LED options so I don't want to say something to mislead you especially since it's $500..

But for switch tuning, basically for "lub" I think he means lubricated. And stickered. They have special stickers which you stick inside the switches to make it feel much better, with less sideways action and a much smoother downward motion.





You can see the coloured stickers in the switch there.

Spring type: he has 50, 55, 62, 67. It's basically how stiff you want the springs in the keyboard to be. 50 can be quite light and 67 might be too heavy. Of course, it's just personal preference. There're many people who like 50 and 67. Just that most people seem to prefer 55 and 62.

Switch type: black, blue, clear or brown. Well black is a linear switch. There's no tactile feedback except when you bottom out.

Blues is those clicky and tactile switches that you can find on old razer blackwidows. If you've never felt this before, go to your electronics store and find a razer blackwidow. They have a small cutout for you to try it. Make sure it's the old version though. The new version uses their own green switch. (not cherry MX). If you're using this in a working environment, take caution, your colleagues might hate you for this. It's fun to press and it makes a nice clicky sound but i'm sure alot of the people around you will think otherwise. I've had people saying they can't type their essays and listen to their music cause the clicky sound distracts them too much.

Browns and clears are basically the same thing. Both are somewhat silent but they are tactile. Main difference is that clears have a bigger tactile bump.

The general consensus in the community here is that browns suck. Cause their bump is so small it just feels like they're really gritty, even though they've been lubed. Clears are a better option to browns.

Basically if you have to choose one of the 4, choose either black, blue or clear, not brown. That's what I think.

Anodizing type: Generally accepted that hard anodizing is superior and more resistant to scratches than soft anodizing although it limits your choice of colours. If you want your colours, choose soft. If you're gonna get grey or something, you might wanna think about hard anodizing.

CapsL switch position. Either centred of offset capslock.

Middle one is centred. bottom one is offset. Only for the capslock keys. Again, up to you. Personally, I'd go with centered. Easier to find keycaps. But offset gives you the option to put stepped caps lock.



Stepped:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/eddie84/OCN/Mech%20keyboard%20club/key%20caps/DSC06861.jpg

Right shift layout: Look at the right shift for the two keyboards below. That's what he's asking for.

http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/35122654/aview/PBT-2.JPG

or

[Raddam]

Thank you this helped me out a lot the only thing im little confused about are the last couple of options

[Razor Lotus]

Thank you this helped me out a lot the only thing im little confused about are the last couple of options

This is that a 1x1 backspace is:



Unless you want it/find it cool/must have it/etc, I'd say don't get it.

For the ANSI or ISO enter, put it simply, ANSI is standard US layout, ISO is the UK layout. Notice the Enter keys.

ANSI: http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/35122654/aview/POKER2-1.jpg

ISO: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71YHH6wxD2L._SL1500_.jpg

Right shift I've already mentioned earlier. Left shift is the same thing but for the left side.

For the bottom row layout, the first option is pretty much the standard one, 1.25x, 1.25x, 1.25x, 6.25x, 1.25x, 1.25x, 1.25x. 1.25x.

7.0x means longer spacebar: http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q603/magicmeatballs/Private/DSC_0459_zpse6e56e3f.jpg

6.0x means shorter spacebar: http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b345/DarthLars/Keyboard/ToplessPhantom_zpse0cc6471.jpg

[gir489]

One thing that wasn't explained to me properly by Ducky fanatics is that all Duckys and most mechanical keyboards use plate mounted switches.

The problem with this, is that if one of your switches pings, they all ping. So unless you're willing to go back to 1950s era Christmas light-style check each one of the ****ing things until they all work kinda bull****, go with a PCB or wafer mount. Using a plate mounted switch cuts down on production costs, but remember, these things last forever. Do you really want to hear a high pitched ping for the rest of your keyboard's life?

t=647 Turn up the volume. Only certain people can hear it, it's a really high pitched ping that rings out after every key press he does. If you don't hear it, then by all means go for a plate mount. But if you do, keep in mind, all plate mounts will do this.

If you're paying $100+ for anything, it shouldn't require 2nd hand maintenance just to not piss you off.

I have a Deck Legend with Cherry MX Clears, and it's the perfect embodiment of what I imagine a mechanical keyboard to be.

Although I kinda expected this, a lot of people that I talked to that made the transition from dome to Mechanical, is that mech keyboards are usually taller than most keyboards. I had a Model M prior, so I expected this...

[CPTBadAss]

The Ducky I'm working on has PCB mounted switches.

Sorry, that's a mistake. You're right, the stock switches were plate mounted. But the PCB has holes that will accept PCB mount switches, which is what I'm swapping into the board.

[Defect]

Thank you this helped me out a lot the only thing im little confused about are the last couple of options

Those would be additional comments you want to leave for GON.

Or are you talking about bottom row modifier sizes?

You should look up http://deskthority.net/wiki/Adapter_kit

Most commonly you'll see 3x 1.25 unit keys left of the spacebar and 4x 1.25 unit keys to the right of the spacebar.

Less common but still common are 2x 1.5 unit + 1x 1 unit to the left etc etc typing is boring

[dustinhxc]

Dang lotus replied with great answers for you!! Good job!

For LEDs. He has LED strip options for the side of the casing. I myself don't like that but many do. Look in the post your GON or post your Korean threads.

Switch LED color, each switch will have that color light.

Number lock and caps lock keys can also have a different color or some prefer to only put LEDs on these keys and not all switches.

I can't wait to get my GON. I prefer 60% boards myself but if you like TKL this is the one to get.

Check out GONs vendor thread for tons of information and asking questions to him even.

[mougrim]

It seems that this configurator can help you to get the keyboard of your dreams

[Razor Lotus]

Dang lotus replied with great answers for you!! Good job!

For LEDs. He has LED strip options for the side of the casing. I myself don't like that but many do. Look in the post your GON or post your Korean threads.

Switch LED color, each switch will have that color light.

Number lock and caps lock keys can also have a different color or some prefer to only put LEDs on these keys and not all switches.

I can't wait to get my GON. I prefer 60% boards myself but if you like TKL this is the one to get.

Check out GONs vendor thread for tons of information and asking questions to him even.

Thanks haha... I told myself I was too tired to study for my finals tomorrow so i decided to take a break and come to GH. And i can't believe I put all that out there. And now I'm too tired to study again xD

[mougrim]

Dang lotus replied with great answers for you!! Good job!

For LEDs. He has LED strip options for the side of the casing. I myself don't like that but many do. Look in the post your GON or post your Korean threads.

Switch LED color, each switch will have that color light.

Number lock and caps lock keys can also have a different color or some prefer to only put LEDs on these keys and not all switches.

I can't wait to get my GON. I prefer 60% boards myself but if you like TKL this is the one to get.

Check out GONs vendor thread for tons of information and asking questions to him even.

Thanks haha... I told myself I was too tired to study for my finals tomorrow so i decided to take a break and come to GH. And i can't believe I put all that out there. And now I'm too tired to study again xD

All students like this. They can do an incredible amount of work on anything - if they do it INSTEAD of studying

[Raddam]

One thing that wasn't explained to me properly by Ducky fanatics is that all Duckys and most mechanical keyboards use plate mounted switches.

The problem with this, is that if one of your switches pings, they all ping. So unless you're willing to go back to 1950s era Christmas light-style check each one of the ****ing things until they all work kinda bull****, go with a PCB or wafer mount. Using a plate mounted switch cuts down on production costs, but remember, these things last forever. Do you really want to hear a high pitched ping for the rest of your keyboard's life?

t=647 Turn up the volume. Only certain people can hear it, it's a really high pitched ping that rings out after every key press he does. If you don't hear it, then by all means go for a plate mount. But if you do, keep in mind, all plate mounts will do this.

If you're paying $100+ for anything, it shouldn't require 2nd hand maintenance just to not piss you off.

I have a Deck Legend with Cherry MX Clears, and it's the perfect embodiment of what I imagine a mechanical keyboard to be.

Although I kinda expected this, a lot of people that I talked to that made the transition from dome to Mechanical, is that mech keyboards are usually taller than most keyboards. I had a Model M prior, so I expected this...

I see what you mean about the pinging noise. It is pretty annoying and i think that would get on my nerves.

And lotus thank you for everything you have posted in this thread you have given me a great idea of what to get!

[gir489]

One thing that wasn't explained to me properly by Ducky fanatics is that all Duckys and most mechanical keyboards use plate mounted switches.

The problem with this, is that if one of your switches pings, they all ping. So unless you're willing to go back to 1950s era Christmas light-style check each one of the ****ing things until they all work kinda bull****, go with a PCB or wafer mount. Using a plate mounted switch cuts down on production costs, but remember, these things last forever. Do you really want to hear a high pitched ping for the rest of your keyboard's life?

t=647 Turn up the volume. Only certain people can hear it, it's a really high pitched ping that rings out after every key press he does. If you don't hear it, then by all means go for a plate mount. But if you do, keep in mind, all plate mounts will do this.

If you're paying $100+ for anything, it shouldn't require 2nd hand maintenance just to not piss you off.

I have a Deck Legend with Cherry MX Clears, and it's the perfect embodiment of what I imagine a mechanical keyboard to be.

Although I kinda expected this, a lot of people that I talked to that made the transition from dome to Mechanical, is that mech keyboards are usually taller than most keyboards. I had a Model M prior, so I expected this...

I see what you mean about the pinging noise. It is pretty annoying and i think that would get on my nerves.

And lotus thank you for everything you have posted in this thread you have given me a great idea of what to get!

I had a K70 with MX Reds. It was OK, but I noticed that even resting my hands on the keys, like in Dota, I'd toggle the key even from just residual pressure. Not fun when you're weaver, constantly hitting the time lapse key by accident.

Even for Gaming, the MX Reds kinda sucked, because I had no feedback of pressing the button, so it was hard to judge when the depression stage happens.

I'd go with MX Brown for gaming, even if you're hardcore. The bump provides an exact location of the depression stage, and makes spamming a key that much faster.

[Razor Lotus]

I had a K70 with MX Reds. It was OK, but I noticed that even resting my hands on the keys, like in Dota, I'd toggle the key even from just residual pressure. Not fun when you're weaver, constantly hitting the time lapse key by accident.

Even for Gaming, the MX Reds kinda sucked, because I had no feedback of pressing the button, so it was hard to judge when the depression stage happens.

I'd go with MX Brown for gaming, even if you're hardcore. The bump provides an exact location of the depression stage, and makes spamming a key that much faster.

I guess your comment just shows are alot of these are just personal preference. I play dota 2 on mx reds and I love them.

The linear keys are very good for repeatedly pressing down the keys, for example when you're trying to activate bkb right after getting caught in a naga song. Yes, there is no tactile feedback, but I just like it that way. I have a switch tester that I keep beside me on my desk and when I'm not doing anything, I press the keys alot like how I would when I play dota and I guess the only other switches which would feel good would be the clears or the whites. But linear is still the best. Browns is ok too for me I guess since if you're pressing repeatedly, you wouldn't really think about bottoming out. I don't think that browns are really the best for me, but they aren't the worst too. I think the worst are the greens and the blues for gaming.

Have you tried playing games on blacks yet? Could help with your problem of bottoming out during gaming.

Or maybe clears too, if you like the browns. Try the clears.

[Raddam]

Thank you for everyone's feedback! I love all of the input from everyone, I find it amazing how all of you know so much! However I think i will go with the HHKB. Something about it just catches my eye. That being said however I doubt it'll be my last. I love the fact that every keyboard has a different feel from one another and a seemingly different style. I want to be able to own a lot of different styles and be able to switch quickly. Thanks again everyone! Feel free however to keep posting other keyboards because i wont be ordering one untll about midway through June. So maybe one of you could still change my mind.

[Av180]

The HHKB is always a great choice when you go with topre! For a first board, it will be amazing.

[Razor Lotus]

I wish I had that liberty to buy keyboards as well

[Raddam]

I wish I had that liberty to buy keyboards as well

Trust me lotus its going to take me a while to get a repertoire of different keyboards haha

[rowdy]

I wish I had that liberty to buy keyboards as well

Trust me lotus its going to take me a while to get a repertoire of different keyboards haha

Don't be so sure )

[luisbg]

I wish I had that liberty to buy keyboards as well

Trust me lotus its going to take me a while to get a repertoire of different keyboards haha

Don't be so sure )

rowdy, you have too many keyboards. excessive. obscene really.

[dustinhxc]

Lol you said ten keyless.. Glad you're going w 60% that's the only way to go. But myself I would get a 60% GON if I were you. Enjoy the HHKB though!

[rowdy]

I wish I had that liberty to buy keyboards as well

Trust me lotus its going to take me a while to get a repertoire of different keyboards haha

Don't be so sure )

rowdy, you have too many keyboards. excessive. obscene really.

Only 12 - I am just a beginner

[Razor Lotus]

I only have 1 lol

[mougrim]

Four I'm REALLY a beginner... oh, but if WYSE terminal board I want teenified counts, then it's five...

[genkidama]

I only have 1 lol

I also got only 1 \o/ But I guess we can say we are lucky as we have room to get more boards
Although I'm kinda into making one board myself, just to try something out and create my own 60%. But I'm still gathering stuff and in search for a time frame ^^

[luisbg]

I wish I had that liberty to buy keyboards as well

Trust me lotus its going to take me a while to get a repertoire of different keyboards haha

Don't be so sure )

rowdy, you have too many keyboards. excessive. obscene really.

Only 12 - I am just a beginner

shut up. you are kidding yourself 

[Razor Lotus]

I only have 1 lol

I also got only 1 \o/ But I guess we can say we are lucky as we have room to get more boards
Although I'm kinda into making one board myself, just to try something out and create my own 60%. But I'm still gathering stuff and in search for a time frame ^^

I'm thinking of buying another 60% though to put some orange on charcoal if originative still sells them

[dustinhxc]

I only have 1 lol

I also got only 1 \o/ But I guess we can say we are lucky as we have room to get more boards
Although I'm kinda into making one board myself, just to try something out and create my own 60%. But I'm still gathering stuff and in search for a time frame ^^

I'm thinking of buying another 60% though to put some orange on charcoal if originative still sells them

You can never have enough 60%

[rowdy]

Four I'm REALLY a beginner... oh, but if WYSE terminal board I want teenified counts, then it's five...

I am including my Link terminal keyboard with MX blacks.

[Defect]

Lol you said ten keyless.. Glad you're going w 60% that's the only way to go. But myself I would get a 60% GON if I were you. Enjoy the HHKB though!

Feel the same way.  If I drop over 200 on another board it's definitely MX

[Raddam]

Recently I have gotten into smite and you need the f1 keys. The hhkb doesn't have this row and I do need a dedicated row. So I have been looking at 2 other keyboards. The choc mini with red mx or the tkl realforce 45u. Whats your guys opinion on what to get

[user 18]

Are you happy with the topres on the hhkb?  If so, go with the realforce.  If not, go with a ducky/filco rather than the choc.