Author Topic: Battle of Budget TLK Boards! (Read 5375 times)

Pinkachu · « **on:** Wed, 10 February 2016, 16:05:21 »

Now that I've settled my personal kb (pok3r clear), my wife wants one, but she uses arrows a lot, so TKL it is! She doesn't feel like a keyboard should ever be as expensive as I will pay for the Pok3r, so we are looking at budget boards. She's not picky about switches. Doesn't really like reds, but anything else is fine.

Of course the CM Storm QFR comes to mind, but about half that price there are QUITE a few TKL mechanicals (with Khail, Gateron, OUTEMU, etc) to consider, some even having backlighting!

Has anyone tried any of these ~$40 boards? I tried the AULA Demon King (Gateron Blue, $39) and personally couldn't live with the keycaps and OEM profile, but other than that it seemed great value). I also tried a Magicforce Smart 68 that is TKL without F keys which is nice but she needs F keys for her work.

I have seen good reviews on Amazon for the Redragon K552 which claims to be aluminum (maybe that's just the plate?) and has red LEDs. Looks sturdy in pics, but I am sick of buying and returning keyboards!! Not doing it anymore.

Thanks, community! Any boards I end up trying that aren't reviewed here, I will definitely write something up for anyone who travels this same road after me

wilks · « **Reply #1 on:** Thu, 11 February 2016, 01:56:08 »

Take a look at Ozone Strike Battle. Cheap (at least in EU), TKL, available with 4 types of cherry mx switches. I'm waiting for mine, so cannot speak from personal experience, but reviews look promising.

KRKS · « **Reply #2 on:** Thu, 11 February 2016, 02:17:28 »

But I can(I have one with browns), and it's really great.

Corsa1r · « **Reply #3 on:** Thu, 11 February 2016, 02:52:45 »

The Ganss G.S-87 with Cherry Browns I just bought might be perfect for her. It also comes in Blues, Reds, and Greens. I'm not sure what your max budget is, but this thing cost me around 65 bucks and they're genuine Cherry, steel-plate-mounted boards. You can even see my review on it (I'm the one with the picture of Ducky dye-sub PBT on it)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ganss+g.s+87

Pinkachu · « **Reply #4 on:** Thu, 11 February 2016, 02:53:21 »

Quote from: wilks on Thu, 11 February 2016, 01:56:08

Take a look at Ozone Strike Battle. Cheap (at least in EU), TKL, available with 4 types of cherry mx switches. I'm waiting for mine, so cannot speak from personal experience, but reviews look promising.

Looks ok, but not available in US for normal pricing. (like $200)

Pinkachu · « **Reply #5 on:** Thu, 11 February 2016, 02:58:15 »

Quote from: Corsa1r on Thu, 11 February 2016, 02:52:45

The Ganss G.S-87 with Cherry Browns I just bought might be perfect for her. It also comes in Blues, Reds, and Greens. I'm not sure what your max budget is, but this thing cost me around 65 bucks and they're genuine Cherry, steel-plate-mounted boards. You can even see my review on it (I'm the one with the picture of Ducky dye-sub PBT on it)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ganss+g.s+87

Board looks nice with those caps! For that price, though, is it better than the CMS QFR? CM has rebates this month that bring it cheaper than this, but it looks quality. Not sure if CM has steel plate...

But she WANTS to go cheaper... I might just get her something around $75 in the end and be done with it... She is accident prone and doesn't like to have nice things, they end up not lasting. She gets nice gaming mice and they last her a couple of years while I can use the same mouse for 8 years until the scroll wheel falls off. But I digress...

Corsa1r · « **Reply #6 on:** Thu, 11 February 2016, 03:03:14 »

I've only ever typed on a QFR a few times, so I can't attest to the quality differences or longevity. After all, I've only had this for a month or so. But I simply like the case and logo branding more than the CM, even though I think they make quality stuff. Figured I would try something different, so I went this route. The one thing I'd say a QFR definitely may have better out of the box versus this is the keycaps. The keycaps that come stock on the Ganss are pretty thin, but the worst part is the pad-printed legends, which I don't think would last too long and rub off. The QFR seems like a very safe bet if you just want to get her something that works great out of the box.

EDIT: I do believe that QFR has steel-plate but don't quote me.

Also, I think the QFR has a disconnectable USB cable and management routing, which alot of people really dig.

saxophone · « **Reply #7 on:** Thu, 11 February 2016, 06:43:05 »

Spyder lolita lol

FoxWolf1 · « **Reply #8 on:** Thu, 11 February 2016, 11:13:20 »

Mm. I don't do TKLs personally-- spent more than enough years on laptops to know that I really miss the numpad when I don't have it-- so I don't speak from personal experience, but I think that, if I were in the market for such a thing, I'd probably give serious consideration to the Rantopad MXX, which upgrades you to Gateron switches and gets you backlighting as well.

spanyam · « **Reply #9 on:** Thu, 11 February 2016, 11:26:35 »

I've used a QFR with blues for about 3 years, and I can attest that it's a really solid board. The feel is really quite nice, and the board sits solidly on the desk. I've not tried any other cheaper TKL's.

Corsa1r · « **Reply #10 on:** Thu, 11 February 2016, 21:32:28 »

I'd never seen the Rantopad that Foxwolf1 mentioned, but that thing looks quality for what you get.

Pinkachu · « **Reply #11 on:** Thu, 11 February 2016, 22:00:53 »

Yeah, I've come across if a few times searching Amazon, and almost tried it for myself, but again at around $75 I would rather stay with a tried and true standard like the CM QFR line.

I guess the people who spend $50 or less on a mech are not the types to be frequenting this kind of forum, eh?

As I said, I tried the MagicForce Smart and AULA Demon King (both under 40) and will review them. If anyone has tried the Redraggon mechs or any other off-brands, I would love to hear about them! I don't recomend the Aula unless you really want that look. Magicforce is probably fine if you're ok with that form factor (no F keys) so it gets the thumbs up from me for $40 for sure!

I know there are some other sub-$50 boards floating around Amazon and places like that... Where do people sell used keyboards? Like a CODE or a Ducky or something - can that be found under 50? And then I'd get some new caps for the wife in a nice solid color like Rosewill sells for $10?

Corsa1r · « **Reply #12 on:** Thu, 11 February 2016, 22:17:45 »

Hmm, I recently found out about this place for buying/selling/trading:

https://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/?count=100&after=t3_44hke3

You can also look in the classifieds on these forums.

The first thing that popped up on there when I looked was a CODE with greens... it hasn't been sold, going for $115 shipped, which is definitely not your budget from what you said, but I've seen things go for really cheap to go quick.

Leslieann · « **Reply #13 on:** Thu, 11 February 2016, 22:27:48 »

I would say QFR or Rosewill if you just want cheap.

However, one thing you should explain is that these aren't like a cheap keyboard where if something happens you throw it out. These can be repaired and should be looked at as an investment. The bummer as you are finding is finding a good, but cheap board with good caps.

Used is not a bad option, but check with her FIRST, we can be a bit weird about used things we touch. Used from you is different than used from a stranger.

Pinkachu · « **Reply #14 on:** Fri, 12 February 2016, 00:24:06 »

Quote from: Leslieann on Thu, 11 February 2016, 22:27:48

Used is not a bad option, but check with her FIRST, we can be a bit weird about used things we touch. Used from you is different than used from a stranger.

True. But replacing the caps (and selling whatever it comes with after soaking them in detergent) should be a good way to keep it pretty sanitary (that's what I'd do for myself, at least, and clorox wipe the case and cable down too... I'm a germophobe.)

Leslieann · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 12 February 2016, 00:35:04 »

Quote from: Pinkachu on Fri, 12 February 2016, 00:24:06

Quote from: Leslieann on Thu, 11 February 2016, 22:27:48
Used is not a bad option, but check with her FIRST, we can be a bit weird about used things we touch. Used from you is different than used from a stranger.

True. But replacing the caps (and selling whatever it comes with after soaking them in detergent) should be a good way to keep it pretty sanitary (that's what I'd do for myself, at least, and clorox wipe the case and cable down too... I'm a germophobe.)

You can soak them or whatever, doesn't mean she will be comfortable with it.

Pinkachu · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 12 February 2016, 01:41:25 »

Quote from: Leslieann on Fri, 12 February 2016, 00:35:04

You can soak them or whatever, doesn't mean she will be comfortable with it.

No no, I'll soak the used ones before selling them. I would give it to her with brand new caps on it, something bright and colorful like Miami or whatever she picks out.

Macsmasher · « **Reply #17 on:** Fri, 12 February 2016, 03:52:00 »

The only question I have is, how much time does she spend on her computer? Budget is relative. If she only checks Facebook, etc., get her something cheap. If she actually uses her computer, cheaping out is not the question. If she's a heavy user, the question is, what will help enjoy what she does. A good quality input device lasts for years, maybe decades. Get her something that she'll use and enjoy using, for many years. An extra $50 or $100 is irrelevant at that point.

Dext · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri, 12 February 2016, 09:22:10 »

What if you buy a 100% keyboard for 15 euros and cut the num pad?

whmeltonjr · « **Reply #19 on:** Fri, 12 February 2016, 09:41:52 »

Quote from: saxophone on Thu, 11 February 2016, 06:43:05

Spyder lolita lol

I have one of these, it's not a bad board really. The name is awful, but it's not a poorly made board by any stretch of the imagination. The Kailh switches feel fine too (reds do anyway).

reallifetim · « **Reply #20 on:** Fri, 12 February 2016, 09:47:59 »

I just got a QFR on sale for $70 brand new. I like forward to getting a Frosty Flake and the build quality has been great so far.

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Author Topic: Battle of Budget TLK Boards! (Read 5375 times)