Looking for the best MX Brown switch keyboard (< $210)

[dilgehon]

Hey guys!

I've been looking for a good keyboard for a week ever since my Rosewill mechanical keyboard broke and I still can't find a decent one.
The one that does come close is Ducky Premier Blue & Grey, but they are OOS everywhere. They do sell the White & Green version, but it looks ugly and I hate white keys 'cause of yellowing and they are more noticeable when dirty.

I was wondering if you guys could help me find a keyboard that fits my requirements on my next keyboard.

Requirements:
- PBT key caps (or at least a very good ABS set)
- Full-sized
- Cherry MX Brown
- Less than < $210
- Non-white key caps

Absolutely zero interests (doesn't matter if they feature or not):
- Backlit LED
- Key customization

Mainly used for:
- Programming
- Gaming (Dota 2, CS:GO and many other single player games that doesn't come in factor)

EDIT: I forgot to mention, I live in US.

[Oobly]

Option 1: Buy the CCnG Ducky Premier and choose a set of keycaps from here that you like: http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?pg=1&l=product_list&c=40

Option 2: Buy a CoolerMaster QuickFire XT and choose a set of keycaps from here that you like: http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?pg=1&l=product_list&c=40

The Ducky has better build quality and the caps it comes with are excellent. Both will be better than the Rosewill they're replacing.

The Ducky has Cherry stabilisers. IMHO they're better than Costar for a number of reasons (easier to change keycaps, no problems with thick keycaps, etc). If you feel like they're "mushy" when you bottom out, you can easily clip the little bendy bits off the bottom.

The CoolerMaster has Costar stabilisers like your Rosewill.

If I may ask, why fullsize? If you can live with smaller, I'd recommend a KUL ES-87 TKL. And why Browns? I would recommend to rather get Clears (larger tactile bump).

[dilgehon]

Option 1: Buy the CCnG Ducky Premier and choose a set of keycaps from here that you like: http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?pg=1&l=product_list&c=40

Option 2: Buy a CoolerMaster QuickFire XT and choose a set of keycaps from here that you like: http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?pg=1&l=product_list&c=40

The Ducky has better build quality and the caps it comes with are excellent. Both will be better than the Rosewill they're replacing.

The Ducky has Cherry stabilisers. IMHO they're better than Costar for a number of reasons (easier to change keycaps, no problems with thick keycaps, etc). If you feel like they're "mushy" when you bottom out, you can easily clip the little bendy bits off the bottom.

The CoolerMaster has Costar stabilisers like your Rosewill.

If I may ask, why fullsize? If you can live with smaller, I'd recommend a KUL ES-87 TKL. And why Browns? I would recommend to rather get Clears (larger tactile bump).

I prefer Costar stablizers 'cause I like the solid bottoming out feel that Costar stablizers offer. This is also why I prefer PBT keycaps aside from their durability. I wasn't aware that the Ducky comes with Cherry stablizers... Now that puts me off from the Ducky.
The reason I like going for the fullsize is that I tend to use the numpad a lot. A lot of my work involves balancing for games I develop in which heavily I constantly do maths and changing numbers of statsitics. Also, there are certain games that require the numpad. I own about 600 games on Steam, and I've only yet to encounter 3 of them which the keypad is required (2 of them does not provide remapping), but they were significant games that I enjoy quite a lot.

I had to go through two replacements with the Rosewill for connectivity issues and I'm never buying their products again (Their PC case I bought also broke).
The keyboard finally broke after 2 years, and now it's out of warranty.

As for preferring Brown, I've only had experience with Brown and Blue and I hated Blue so much. I also like Brown a lot. I like it not for the tactile bump, but for how soft they are to press.
Considering how often I make typing mistakes with the Brown, I just figured that I wouldn't like Red even though I know Reds are softer.

After the Rosewill, I just am looking for a full-sized keyboard with an amazing build quality. I've considered Das Keyboard 4, but I heard they switched their manufacturer from Costar to something else which now is in China so I decided against it.

[noisyturtle]

I've got a Filco Yellow edition for sale, and it definitely doesn't have white caps
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=60753.0

[Oobly]

Option 1: Buy the CCnG Ducky Premier and choose a set of keycaps from here that you like: http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?pg=1&l=product_list&c=40

Option 2: Buy a CoolerMaster QuickFire XT and choose a set of keycaps from here that you like: http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?pg=1&l=product_list&c=40

The Ducky has better build quality and the caps it comes with are excellent. Both will be better than the Rosewill they're replacing.

The Ducky has Cherry stabilisers. IMHO they're better than Costar for a number of reasons (easier to change keycaps, no problems with thick keycaps, etc). If you feel like they're "mushy" when you bottom out, you can easily clip the little bendy bits off the bottom.

The CoolerMaster has Costar stabilisers like your Rosewill.

If I may ask, why fullsize? If you can live with smaller, I'd recommend a KUL ES-87 TKL. And why Browns? I would recommend to rather get Clears (larger tactile bump).

I prefer Costar stablizers 'cause I like the solid bottoming out feel that Costar stablizers offer. This is also why I prefer PBT keycaps aside from their durability. I wasn't aware that the Ducky comes with Cherry stablizers... Now that puts me off from the Ducky.
The reason I like going for the fullsize is that I tend to use the numpad a lot. A lot of my work involves balancing for games I develop in which heavily I constantly do maths and changing numbers of statsitics. Also, there are certain games that require the numpad. I own about 600 games on Steam, and I've only yet to encounter 3 of them which the keypad is required (2 of them does not provide remapping), but they were significant games that I enjoy quite a lot.

I had to go through two replacements with the Rosewill for connectivity issues and I'm never buying their products again (Their PC case I bought also broke).
The keyboard finally broke after 2 years, and now it's out of warranty.

As for preferring Brown, I've only had experience with Brown and Blue and I hated Blue so much. I also like Brown a lot. I like it not for the tactile bump, but for how soft they are to press.
Considering how often I make typing mistakes with the Brown, I just figured that I wouldn't like Red even though I know Reds are softer.

After the Rosewill, I just am looking for a full-sized keyboard with an amazing build quality. I've considered Das Keyboard 4, but I heard they switched their manufacturer from Costar to something else which now is in China so I decided against it.

Ah, okay. Thank you for the explanations. I think your reasoning for choosing Browns is just right. And you're right about DAS, the 3 had some build quality issues, not sure about the 4.

I think a full size Filco will be a good match for you. Great quality, comes with Browns, Costar stabs, standard layout so any keycap sets fit.

Then choose a set of keycaps from here that you like: http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?pg=1&l=product_list&c=40   

[frosty]

consider the filco. a quickfire xt is a solid choice as well. finish em' off with thick pbt from vortex/imsto/bsp!

[dilgehon]

Thanks guys. I will look into Filco.
I was told they were overpriced and overrated so I never considered them.

Are Cherry stablizers that bad at bottoming sound? What is your experience with them?

[SpAmRaY]

For PBT keycaps I have been enjoying these http://www.ebay.com/itm/281377716241

[Puddsy]

KUL

and instead of browns get clears

because clears are what browns are meant to be

[nobee]

Are Cherry stablizers that bad at bottoming sound? What is your experience with them?

Yes. I absolutely hate them. They definitely don't feel as crisp as costars. I have a KUL with clears and I really want to do the clipped stabilizers mod on them since I much prefer costar.

KUL

and instead of browns get clears

because clears are what browns are meant to be

OP seems to prefer costar stabilizers so not sure if he would want a KUL with cherry stabilizers.

I have both Filco with Browns and KUL with clears, and although I don't mind the clears too much (still a bit heavy for me), I find the Filco with mx brown is absolutely fantastic to type on. I have an NCIX store near where I live so I was lucky enough to do some test typing on a few brown boards and the Filco by far was the best feeling brown out of all of them. The Quickfire XT is similar to the Filco I think, but if it's build quality you're after, go for the Filco.

[Oobly]

Thanks guys. I will look into Filco.
I was told they were overpriced and overrated so I never considered them.

Are Cherry stablizers that bad at bottoming sound? What is your experience with them?

Cherry stabilisers have little bendy tabs on the bottom which hit before bottom out and bend, creating a softer landing. Some people don't like this feeling. I do like it, since I have installed trampolines in my switches for softer landing, too, so they match quite well.

You can "fix" this by clipping the tabs off. Then they feel just as crisp as Costar stabs, but they rattle less, are easier to remove keycaps from and put on again, don't have fiddly little inserts and IMHO are more solid and stable.

I much prefer Cherry stabs to Costar, mainly because I change keycaps fairly often (I have 7 sets and 2 boards with more keycap sets on their way). The only reason I have heard from people who have tried both and choose Costar is the bottom-out feel. If you're not interested in swapping out keycaps a lot and you don't want to fiddle with modding the stabilisers, then Costars are just fine.

Filco has Costar stabs and better quality parts (PCB, electronic components, etc) and higher build quality (soldering, etc) than CMStorm QuickFire XT. Recommended.

[samwisekoi]

I have choices from my keyboard collection, and am a big fan of Brown switches and full-size keyboards.

For my money, the 'best' full-size keyboard with Browns and PBT is:

 Filco Majestouch
 Imsto thick PBT keycaps.

Ducky PBT comes in second.  Mine has Greens, so I find it tiring for daily use.

However, I have to give a shout-out to a Unicomp 104.  Buckling Spring like the old IBM Model M, but brand new. Full-size and always PBT keycaps.

If you are in California, come try all three at my office.

And welcome to GeekHack!

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[jameslr]

Are Cherry stablizers that bad at bottoming sound? What is your experience with them?

Yes. I absolutely hate them. They definitely don't feel as crisp as costars. I have a KUL with clears and I really want to do the clipped stabilizers mod on them since I much prefer costar.

KUL

and instead of browns get clears

because clears are what browns are meant to be

OP seems to prefer costar stabilizers so not sure if he would want a KUL with cherry stabilizers.

I have both Filco with Browns and KUL with clears, and although I don't mind the clears too much (still a bit heavy for me), I find the Filco with mx brown is absolutely fantastic to type on. I have an NCIX store near where I live so I was lucky enough to do some test typing on a few brown boards and the Filco by far was the best feeling brown out of all of them. The Quickfire XT is similar to the Filco I think, but if it's build quality you're after, go for the Filco.

Not to mention KUL only makes TKL boards. OP wants a full size board. His best option as it stands is probably a barebones WASD V2 and a set of imsto PBT or my favorite (and spamray's too) the Leopold thick PBT from widebasket on ebay.

Edit: looks like the WASD V2 is out of stock in MX brown.

Do you think you would like Topre? I loved MX brown before I switched to Topre, and it is by far my favorite switch. I know you are posting for brown keyboard, but maybe you could be another Topre convert. A full size Topre board is around $210. Bro Caps has a 104UB-DK board for sale at $225 shipped and I think those are uniform 45g boards (about the same weight as brown). It has PBT caps on it already. Beautiful board too, I want one but I don't care for full size boards.

[dantan]

Hey guys!

I've been looking for a good keyboard for a week ever since my Rosewill mechanical keyboard broke and I still can't find a decent one.
The one that does come close is Ducky Premier Blue & Grey, but they are OOS everywhere. They do sell the White & Green version, but it looks ugly and I hate white keys 'cause of yellowing and they are more noticeable when dirty.

I was wondering if you guys could help me find a keyboard that fits my requirements on my next keyboard.

Requirements:
- PBT key caps (or at least a very good ABS set)
- Full-sized
- Cherry MX Brown
- Less than < $210
- Non-white key caps

Absolutely zero interests (doesn't matter if they feature or not):
- Backlit LED
- Key customization

Mainly used for:
- Programming
- Gaming (Dota 2, CS:GO and many other single player games that doesn't come in factor)

EDIT: I forgot to mention, I live in US.

With your budget I am sure you can buy any keyboard. Is there a keyboard apart from Topre that costs more than $210?