Author Topic: Please recommend keyboard for my kids LMAO! (Read 3462 times)

didjamatic · « **on:** Thu, 01 January 2015, 12:58:16 »

Greetings friends, it's been a while.
This is hilarious to me because I have such a massive keyboard collection and could tell you about anything on the vintage stuff but I'm struggling with what to get my kids for a "gaming" keyboard.
For modern boards I use Realforce and Filcos. I've tried quite a few but always go back to Realforce, Filco, IBM or Northgate when I'm in the vintage mood. For the latest models I'm a bit lost.

Basically they want something that's full size with a numpad, has volume controls and possibly backlit but I'm not sure on backlighting with learning to type - it's important they can see the lettering very well in daylight where it's harder to see LED backlighting.

Cherry MX is a must
It should be fairly tasteful looking if the PC is on the edge of our kitchen

They were looking at the CM Storm Devastator but it's not mechanical http://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-Devastator-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B00DKXXAAQ
I've considered these
Corsair Vengeance K70 http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B00CD1FC6G
CM Storm Trigger Z http://www.amazon.com/Storm-Trigger-Mechanical-Detachable-Dedicated/dp/B00O0NV5PW
Rosewill Apollo RK9100 http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-RK-9100xBBR-Backlit-Mechanical-Keyboard/dp/B00HA201UK
Gigabyte Aivia Osmium http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Mechanical-Keyboard-GK-OSMIUM-BRN/dp/B00CNR1GUQ
The "new" Das http://www.amazon.com/Das-Keyboard-Professional-Soft-Tactile/dp/B00JG01QTY

They've been using this amazing Cherry keyboard for over a year (clear MX, double shots) and like it but are ready for something from this century.

Defect · « **Reply #1 on:** Thu, 01 January 2015, 13:24:34 »

Ducky Shine 3

sethk_ · « **Reply #2 on:** Thu, 01 January 2015, 13:30:27 »

I feel like a DAS would work nicely, they aren't very flashy, but they don't have any backlighting. And since you need it with volume controls, the new DAS has them, and it also looks very sleek and nice.

Bromono · « **Reply #3 on:** Thu, 01 January 2015, 13:34:43 »

Das all the way.

Snowdog993 · « **Reply #4 on:** Thu, 01 January 2015, 13:35:20 »

Uh, how old are your kids?

Puddsy · « **Reply #5 on:** Thu, 01 January 2015, 13:35:26 »

Out of your list nothing looks kid-proof (except maybe the trigger Z, but I don't like that board)

Something like a Filco, KUL (only TKL), or a Ducky Shine 4 doesn't have many bits that a kid could break off.

Out of the 3 I listed, my favorite is the KUL, but it only comes in tenkeyless. It's pretty much invincible, though. My foot was in worse shape than the keyboard after I dropped it.

The Filco Majestouch 2 full size is a tried-and-true board, though hard to find in the US.

The Ducky Shine 4 has some nice backlighting options, which could be good for the kids. Pretty lights are always a bonus for kids. I don't know much about the quality of the DS4, but if it's anything like past ducky boards (I have a DS3 and a friend has a DS2) it should be pretty good. I've heard nothing bad about the DS4 yet.'

That's just my $0.02. I'm happy to answer any more questions you've got.

And also give me that cherry board when you're done with it >: )

didjamatic · « **Reply #6 on:** Thu, 01 January 2015, 13:37:19 »

Kids 8-10 so they won't overly abuse it or break things I don't think.

How is Ducky quality? I know early on they had a lot of problems. That space bar is hard for me to look at, but the light features are pretty cool. I remember when they posted demos of the controller with that kind of LED control.

That new Das looks interesting enough that I've thought of trying it myself if I decide to go back to full size keyboards.

I bought a Filco Ninja for a friend last year. It's not a "gaming" keyboard per se but definitely a nice board. Dang those things are spendy in the US.

And sorry but the Reuters Cherry G80 will go onto one of my desks.

Puddsy · « **Reply #7 on:** Thu, 01 January 2015, 13:40:20 »

It should be easy to locate a black 6.25x spacebar. Ducky boards are fairly good, I'd say right inbetween a QFR and a Filco.

Snowdog993 · « **Reply #8 on:** Thu, 01 January 2015, 13:43:17 »

I guess "coolness" rather than comfort is in. In this case, profoundly so. In your list, I still like the Rosewill. I like the 9000 the best, I haven't seen the 9100 or 9200's yet. I did like it.

Puddsy · « **Reply #9 on:** Thu, 01 January 2015, 13:44:01 »

the new rosewills are kale i think

i'd check before you buy anything

Huxley2500 · « **Reply #10 on:** Thu, 01 January 2015, 13:46:42 »

Filco

didjamatic · « **Reply #11 on:** Thu, 01 January 2015, 14:00:57 »

I'm leaning toward a Ducky Shine for the lights, Filco for what I know is excellent build quality or the Das out of curiosity because that new DAS 4 looks incredible.

JDorfler · « **Reply #12 on:** Thu, 01 January 2015, 14:17:31 »

What about a CodeKeyboard from WASD keyboards? If you have a gaming Motherboard it should have a PS/2 port, and the function/media keys work just fine.

Puddsy · « **Reply #13 on:** Thu, 01 January 2015, 14:28:34 »

Quote from: JDorfler on Thu, 01 January 2015, 14:17:31

What about a CodeKeyboard from WASD keyboards? If you have a gaming Motherboard it should have a PS/2 port, and the function/media keys work just fine.

Overpriced. I peg it below a ducky, but it's more expensive.

Quote from: didjamatic on Thu, 01 January 2015, 14:00:57

I'm leaning toward a Ducky Shine for the lights, Filco for what I know is excellent build quality or the Das out of curiosity because that new DAS 4 looks incredible.

The new Das has all those volume knobs and things that kids can break. I'm sure they're durable, but I've never used one so I wouldn't know.

Ducky has media controls through an FN layer, which kids should be able to figure out no problem.

faceyourfaces · « **Reply #14 on:** Thu, 01 January 2015, 17:45:27 »

Quote from: didjamatic on Thu, 01 January 2015, 13:37:19

How is Ducky quality?

Their keyboards are built very well and feel sturdy. The LEDs? Not so much.

MOZ · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 02 January 2015, 02:02:31 »

Ducky Shine 4.

Oobly · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 02 January 2015, 04:04:02 »

Do they really need the numpad? TKL is much better ergonomically as it allows you to have the mouse closer in and the typing area more central to the display.

If they're used to Clears, Browns are the closest of the more commonly available switch types, but they're lighter and have a smaller tactile bump, so are not as tactile, although they could be seen by some as better for gaming due to the lightness.

If you want a board with Clears, WASD sell the Code keyboard (backlit, http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/code-keyboard.html) and there's also the standard WASD V2 (unbacklit, http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/mechanical-keyboard.html). If you already have some nice MX keycaps you can order a barebones.

There's also the KUL ES-87 with Clears. Top tier build quality, media keys, etc, but only TKL.

Otherwise I'd go with a Ducky. The layout is completely standard (so you can use any Cherry MX keycap set), there are backlit (Shine and Zero Shine) and unbacklit (Zero, Premier (only has LED's on the WASD and ESC IIRC), etc) models and they are built very well.

epzy · « **Reply #17 on:** Fri, 02 January 2015, 04:18:41 »

I'd go with the Ducky. I've had a few Ducky's and a few Filco's and I can't say any of the Ducky's were inferior to any of the Filco's in terms of quality. No clue about the Das.

didjamatic · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri, 02 January 2015, 08:34:29 »

Numpad is definitely required as they learn it in school and are tested on it.

Snowdog993 · « **Reply #19 on:** Fri, 02 January 2015, 09:42:51 »

Don't take my word for it. Read the tech report. I have personally used this keyboard before.

http://techreport.com/review/23405/rosewill-rk-9000-series-mechanical-keyboards-reviewed

If you can get your hands on the RK9000, get it. I won't be a troll and say OMG ZAXXXORS Ultimate stuff.
I think it will be fine.

Edit: It was the brown switch. Pretty nice feeling.

Grendel · « **Reply #20 on:** Fri, 02 January 2015, 13:22:33 »

Rosewill Helios' guts are just about Filco quality for around $100 (got mine for $65 on a sale), comes in different MX flavors and BL colors. One of the boards w/ the best price/performance ratio out there. The RK-9000 is a great board but less reliable than the Helios since it's based on a single sided PCB.

jameslr · « **Reply #21 on:** Fri, 02 January 2015, 13:42:02 »

I'd go with the Ducky Shine 3 or 4. The Das looks nice but too pricey. Corsair RGB is decent as well if you don't mind the bottom row being incompatible with aftermarket keycaps.

Puddsy · « **Reply #22 on:** Fri, 02 January 2015, 14:14:25 »

Quote from: Snowdog993 on Fri, 02 January 2015, 09:42:51

Don't take my word for it. Read the tech report. I have personally used this keyboard before.

http://techreport.com/review/23405/rosewill-rk-9000-series-mechanical-keyboards-reviewed

If you can get your hands on the RK9000, get it. I won't be a troll and say OMG ZAXXXORS Ultimate stuff.
I think it will be fine.

Edit: It was the brown switch. Pretty nice feeling.

RK9K is shoddy quality, and i don't know how violent his kids will be with the keyboard

Hence why I think ducky would be better

Snowdog993 · « **Reply #23 on:** Fri, 02 January 2015, 21:37:53 »

Quote from: TacticalStache on Fri, 02 January 2015, 14:14:25

RK9K is shoddy quality, and i don't know how violent his kids will be with the keyboard

Hence why I think ducky would be better

Let's talk about quality.
Yeah okay. I guess they can get several of these and have no worries at all. Hell, get 10 of them!
http://www.outletpc.com/ma3616-monoprice-9277-wired-usb-keyboard.html#

I stated my opinion and I am sticking with it. I would NEVER recommend a "shoddy" keyboard.
*** Footnote: The Rosewill Keyboards have a 3 year parts / 1 year labor warranty.

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Author Topic: Please recommend keyboard for my kids LMAO! (Read 3462 times)