TKL suggestions

[jesh462]

I'm looking to get my first mechanical keyboard and thus begin the downward spiral..
Can you suggest me one? I'm looking for:

• tkl/75/65% with real arrow keys
• cherry mx reds
• ps2 with no drivers preferred, USB ok though
• dgaf about things like back lighting (adult)
• preferably with an overall curve to key profile like these:

or

or

• the flatter the better, or reverse incline- no crazy wedge shapes like this:

• somewhat easily found replaceable caps (I would like a black base with white keys or a white base with black keys. I think the former would be more easily found, and just switch the keys to white?)
• as good of build quality as possible
• hopefully not hurt wallet too much     

Thanks for your time!

[Blackehart]

This will be tough.
You want cherry but don't want the way cherry keys are laid out (the terraced look).

[Seriously]

Post some examples of "overall curve to key layout?" I have little idea what you mean, unless you're talking ergonomic boards.

[jesh462]

This will be tough.
You want cherry but don't want the way cherry keys are laid out (the terraced look).

How about a linear gator switch? Does that help at all?

Post some examples of "overall curve to key layout?" I have little idea what you mean, unless you're talking ergonomic boards.

I put two pictures already. Just like the profile view of the keys without too much stagger between rows. The HHKB looks great except it has no arrows.

[Blackehart]

By terraced look, I assume you mean the "steps" look between rows.
A gateron is a clone of a cherry switch. So is Kailh and a couple of others.
The vast majority of STANDARD cherry (or clones) keyboards have that terraced look.

The only way, I think, you could avoid the terrace is to get a keyboard with a non-standard layout.
Think ergodox or somesuch.

[jesh462]

Ok. I revised my original post. Scratch the non-terraced part, I'll just look for something without too steep of an incline between rows and that slight cupped look to the keys like on the HHKB.
Is that type of cup something that depends solely on the keys themselves? So I could buy keys like that? It seems like it..

[jesh462]

It's been 24 hours so *bump*
I'll make it easier, I'm looking at the Ducky Zero TKL, Filco Majestouch2 and Leopold FC750R. Are there other notables that I should be including in my decision? Is there a difference in build quality between the Zero and Shine 3-5? I don't care about backlighting, so that isn't an advantage for the Shine. How about the Noppoo Choc Mini? I heard the build quality is inferior to Filco, does that make it inferior to the others? The same for Ducky, I heard Leopold is a cut above Ducky on build quality? How do I decide between Cherry and Costar stabilizers without having access to both?

[lakiozoon]

I would also recommend Coolermaster Quickfire Rapid. It is also a very solid keyboard, but somewhat cheaper.
New version has backlighting, but I would recommend trying to find and older version without excessive visible branding.

Something like this:

[jesh462]

I'm staying away from Coolermaster and Corsair due to numerous complaints on problems with input over the course of a few months- multiple inputs from a single key press and keys not registering when they are activated quickly.

[ADFX_Pixy]

I'm staying away from Coolermaster and Corsair due to numerous complaints on problems with input over the course of a few months- multiple inputs from a single key press and keys not registering when they are activated quickly.

I haven't experienced any problem with the issue that you've mentioned with my Quickfire Stealth. Do you have any sources of information about the key not registering and/or a key activating multiple times when actuated once? I connect my Quickfire Stealth to my PC into the PS/2 connector on my motherboard through the USB-to-PS/2 adapter if that means anything.

[Air tree]

Kul ES-87 seems like a good choice overall. Or the Leopold 750r. Although the Leo is a bit more expensive and harder to find in the US.

[lakiozoon]

I'm staying away from Coolermaster and Corsair due to numerous complaints on problems with input over the course of a few months- multiple inputs from a single key press and keys not registering when they are activated quickly.

Both companies have a "gaming" tag, so people here mostly stay out. Nevertheless, afaik, CM QFR-s are considered as quality boards even on these forums, atleast from what I've read.

[uJalled]

closest thing i can think of is leopold 750r. widebasket sells them on ebay

[jesh462]

I haven't experienced any problem with the issue that you've mentioned with my Quickfire Stealth. Do you have any sources of information about the key not registering and/or a key activating multiple times when actuated once? I connect my Quickfire Stealth to my PC into the PS/2 connector on my motherboard through the USB-to-PS/2 adapter if that means anything.

User reviews. The same on the Choco Mini, actually.

Kul ES-87 seems like a good choice overall. Or the Leopold 750r. Although the Leo is a bit more expensive and harder to find in the US.

Coincidentally I found this board on my own through surfing and totally agree. It fits all of my criteria and the build quality seems impeccable. I just wish it didn't use a lower speed Holtech controller over USB. I also found the Max Blackbird. While it's not quite as beautiful and low profile, it does have a high speed controller and I can leave the lighting off. It is not cheap at all though and I know I'm paying for things I won't use, like the USB hub, lighting, and ridiculous amount of other features.

I've read hundreds of posts on Leopolds and the issues people have had with non letter keys feeling mushy make me feel very uncomfortable. It seems like if you get a Leopold without QC issues it's nicer than a Ducky, but if not, then you just wasted a lot of money.
I'm hesitant to buy a Filco. I won't bottom out my keys so the stabilizer difference doesn't matter to me. I don't want to deal with the super limited availability either.

[jesh462]

Thanks for the input guys! I have decided on the KUL ES-87.
It seems like most of the gaming stuff out there is marketing fluff and latency is all in the same ballpark unless you make your own keyboard, firmware, etc.