Author Topic: Help me decide which mechanical keyboard I should get  (Read 1588 times)

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Offline fex

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Help me decide which mechanical keyboard I should get
« on: Fri, 05 December 2014, 08:17:27 »
Howdy,

I want to get a new Keyboard and I definitely want MX Blue switches.

I heard good things about these keyboards:

1. Filco Majestouch 2, I love the looks and heard the build quality is amazing.

2. Das Keyboard Model S, I don't like the glossy finish but heard great things about it. I also heard they recently changed their oem, does that change anything?

3. Ducky Shine 3, I don't really like the looks but heard that it is a great keyboard.

4. Coolermaster Storm QuickFire XT, I really like the looks and the cheap price is a big plus. But I heard there are some issues with soldering, is that true?

Build quality is the most important factor for me. Backlighting is a plus but not necessary. Right now the coolermaster is the most attractive option because of the price, but if it can't compete with the other candidates in terms of build quality it's not an option.

Which one do you think I should get and why?, or should I go with a competely differnt Keyboard?

Thanks in advance for any useful replies

Offline Hypersphere

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Re: Help me decide which mechanical keyboard I should get
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 05 December 2014, 08:56:13 »
Cherry mx switches of any kind are my least favorite of all, but if you want a keyboard with mx blues from the list you have provided, I like the Filco because of its build quality and relative simplicity (it is not backlit, but it does have LED lock indicators on the case). I also prefer Cherry keyboards with Costar-type stabilizers (which the Filco has) rather than Cherry stabilizers. Cherry stabilizers make it easier to change keycaps on stabilized keys, but to me they feel mushy, whereas Costar-stabilized keys feel more even and crisp. It is possible to do a "clip mod" on Cherry stabilizers to make them feel more like Costar-type, but this requires desoldering with plate-mounted switches, which is what the Filco has.

You might also take a look at WASD keyboards -- another brand that uses Costar-type stabilizers.

If you are looking at TKL boards rather than full size, another consideration is whether or not you can create your own Fn key or reassign an existing Fn key. This is something I appreciate about the Filco -- it has a Menu key rather than a Fn key. I remap this as Fn and assign the functions I want to this key. Some TKL boards have a hard-wired Fn key that cannot be remapped. This is another plus for WASD -- their TKL boards have DIP switch settings to toggle Fn and menu.

Finally, if you plan to take off the stock keycaps and put your own set on the board, WASD sells "barebones" versions of its keyboards (no keycaps) at a reduced price.


Offline epzy

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Re: Help me decide which mechanical keyboard I should get
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 05 December 2014, 09:07:50 »
I'd go with the Filco since you don't like the looks of the Ducky and I don't think Das/CM Storm quality is up to par compared to Filco MJ2/Ducky Shine 3. I've had tons of CM Storm boards, 3 Ducky's and two Filco's... I liked my Ducky Shine 3 the most in terms of, well, everything.
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Offline dante

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Re: Help me decide which mechanical keyboard I should get
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 05 December 2014, 09:12:31 »
I'm not a huge fan of MX Blues for less obvious reasons: They can feel completely different from board to board and the switches themselves can feel different from batch to batch.

That being said, the Coolermaster XT that I tried was the most satisfying MX Blue keyboard I've ever typed on.  It felt very, very crisp.  So my suggestion would be - if you have the opportunity to test an XT out of the box and you are happy with it - go for it man.

Offline Geroximo

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Re: Help me decide which mechanical keyboard I should get
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 05 December 2014, 09:29:38 »
Filco for build quality.
Ducky for the LEDs.
CM Storm for the price.


Offline johndavis33

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Re: Help me decide which mechanical keyboard I should get
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 05 December 2014, 09:51:52 »
Filco for build quality.
Ducky for the LEDs.
CM Storm for the price.

Basically this.

I do think the build quality of filcos is a little overstated. The DS3 is about on par, build quality wise, to the MJ2 IMO. For other ducky keyboard, your mileage will definately vary.

If you really want to know about the build quality of a filco, there's a teardown a guy on youtube does of a TKL MJ2 and a QFR, comparing and contrasting all the little things.

If you're gonna compare prices, you might want to take keycaps into account. All 3 of these boards have some thin crappy ABS caps. If you plan on replacing them, then why not try the deck hassium/francium? If you can get over the font, it's got doubleshot backlight compatible PBT keycaps, which are kinda like unicorns.
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Offline TopreFan333

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Re: Help me decide which mechanical keyboard I should get
« Reply #6 on: Fri, 05 December 2014, 11:06:40 »
If you plan on replacing them, then why not try the deck hassium/francium? If you can get over the font...

Those keycaps would have to be made of unicorn ivory before I'd ever let that font onto my desk.

Offline Puddsy

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Re: Help me decide which mechanical keyboard I should get
« Reply #7 on: Fri, 05 December 2014, 12:06:52 »
KUL ES-87 if you don't want backlighting
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Offline fex

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Re: Help me decide which mechanical keyboard I should get
« Reply #8 on: Sat, 06 December 2014, 17:51:44 »
Thank you everybody for the replies!
I am really overwhelmed by your answers! Sorry if I mislead you or if I just ended up in a too specialized forum. I have made a post on the Anandtech forums and they directed me here for any questions concerning mechanical keyboards.
Think of me as a filthy amateur concerning mechanical keyboards! XD
All I want is a keyboard with mechanical switches, that I can plug in and have a great typing experience.
In my original post I wrote that I want to have MX blue switches, but the only reason for writing that was that I have only tried two different types of switches in my life. The Mx blue and MX brown. I was asking for a keyboard featuring the mx blues because I really enjoyed the tactile feel and the click! If there is another type of switch that has that clicking sound and the tactile feel I would probably be pleased just as much!
Can you please recommend some keyboards for an amateur/beginner like me? All I care about is the build quality, the sound, and the feel. Unfortunately I have no store in close vicinity that has a selection of mechanical keyboards. I can't try before I buy.

Offline rowdy

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Re: Help me decide which mechanical keyboard I should get
« Reply #9 on: Sun, 07 December 2014, 03:48:37 »
What don't you like about the looks of the Ducky?  It is if the backlighting, you can keep it turned off, or just get Ducky Zero, which doesn't have backlighting.

Apart from that, I'd suggest the Filco.  Costs a little bit more and the cable is not removable, but very few people have problems with them.
"Because keyboards are accessories to PC makers, they focus on minimizing the manufacturing costs. But that’s incorrect. It’s in HHKB’s slogan, but when America’s cowboys were in the middle of a trip and their horse died, they would leave the horse there. But even if they were in the middle of a desert, they would take their saddle with them. The horse was a consumable good, but the saddle was an interface that their bodies had gotten used to. In the same vein, PCs are consumable goods, while keyboards are important interfaces." - Eiiti Wada

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Offline zshang

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Re: Help me decide which mechanical keyboard I should get
« Reply #10 on: Sun, 07 December 2014, 18:26:00 »
Filco +1
they make the best Cherry MX Blue keyboards

Offline Hypersphere

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Re: Help me decide which mechanical keyboard I should get
« Reply #11 on: Sun, 07 December 2014, 18:55:20 »
If you don't want to venture into new territory, such as Matias tactile/click switches, and you want Cherry mx blue, I join with others who have recommended Filco.


Offline minh278

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Re: Help me decide which mechanical keyboard I should get
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 08 December 2014, 21:44:02 »
You could also try to get a ducky shine 4 which is basically the shine 3 (since they took out the knobs) with red and blue variable leds under each key. If you want to try topre you could get a type heaven around $150(it is made in china though versus a realforce is made in japan), I went with topre and i dont regret it, i vote for the ducky though if you want cherry mx.
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Offline PocoLoco

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Re: Help me decide which mechanical keyboard I should get
« Reply #13 on: Tue, 09 December 2014, 11:44:52 »
From my personal experience i woul highly recommend the filco you can never go wrong with one just make sure you buy the keys you are used to :)