Help on choosing my first mechanical keyboard

[CapnFalco]

I think I'm way overdue on converting to mechanical keyboards, I've been using a cheap Dynex DX-WKBD due to it feeling good ergonomically and having 21 macro keys down the sides.
I don't know much, if anything, about the difference in mechanical switches.
What I'm looking for above all is something with wider or wider spaced keys for fat fingers, I've tested out a couple Corsair and a Razer Blackwidow my friends own and I can't comfortably reach the ctrl and shift keys comfortably, and while using wasd I have problems getting my middle finger down between my other fingers to the s key due to the a and d keys being too close together.
I like the clicky feedback but I would like the keys to be able to be silenced to some degree to not overpower my mic autodetect.
Definitely has to have a full sized backspace button.
Key cap customization, macro keys, and LEDs are a plus but I can deal without having those.
Any pointers and suggestions are appreciated.

[chyros]

Welcome to GH!

Your main point, the spacing of the keys, might be a bit of a problem. The size of keys is standardised (0.75 inches). Some keys have steeper sides than others, but technically the SPACING is the same on the vast majority of keyboards.

[supamesican]

The key spacing is pretty much standard, unless you want to fab your own board.

As far as quiet and tactile really cant be the matias quiet click(no actual click), topre is a good second option but isnt as quiet.

[CapnFalco]

Yeah I thought the keys would have a standard size since custom key caps are mass produced for most keyboards.
I might just have to find one with some macros on the left side til I decide to put my own together.

[NewbieOneKenobi]

I think key spacing is going to be the same everywhere. You can find a mech ergo board that can be split in two halves dangling on the same cord, but no extra space in between the keys, sorry.

Re: full-sized backspace, that's the default way, so no problems on that front.

For silencing, you want o-rings. And if it really matters to make it as quiet as possible, you want to use non-clicky (linear) switches.

[Leslieann]

Yeah I thought the keys would have a standard size since custom key caps are mass produced for most keyboards.
I might just have to find one with some macros on the left side til I decide to put my own together.

Yeah I thought the keys would have a standard size since custom key caps are mass produced for most keyboards.
I might just have to find one with some macros on the left side til I decide to put my own together.

It's not that the caps are mass produced, the switch itself is almost the same size as the keycap. Even if you shrank the cap, there is only about 1/8in they could be pressed closer together. Remember these are not just a PCB and rubber done underneath, you have an actual mechanical switch to cram underneath that cap. Not just that, but keyboards have been pretty standard for a while.

Regarding macros, very few mechanicals have them, which is funny when you consider how many companies sell them as "gaming" keyboards (and then put Blue switches).

Not be a downer,
Building a complete custom like you're proposing is a lot more difficult than people realize and it's a very expensive road to go down.
Like any project, people tend to GREATLY under estimate the costs when they start, but in this case, it's not like everyone has cad experience  and a cnc mill, laser cutter, waterjet or even a 3d printer in their garage (not a good tool for the job, but doable). If you have to outsource ANY of that, your prices will spiral out of control like you cannot imagine.

While you can get away without using a pcb, the plate and particularly the case can really drive the price up unless you have access to the equipment to do it yourself. If you've never done anything like it before, you can blow through hundreds, if not thousands on an an acrylic case, and a couple thousand on a custom aluminum case. This is on top of what you will spend on switches, controller and caps, which can break $150 without even trying. For keycaps, I would recommend WASD, while it limits you on color options, it would allow you to get matching modifiers. If nothing else, it's where you can get modifier key caps, even if they don't match your primary set.

[FoxWolf1]

Yeah I thought the keys would have a standard size since custom key caps are mass produced for most keyboards.
I might just have to find one with some macros on the left side til I decide to put my own together.

Luckily, left-side macro keys are a very common feature (unless, of course, you limit your consideration to things that people talk about in "enthusiast" communities, in which case the obsession with minimalism and anti-gamer sentiment will have filtered out most things with them). Good luck!

[xtrafrood]

Ok, this might be the first time I can recommend spherical keycaps based on keycap dimensions instead of the vintage appeal. Spherical keycaps (SA specifically) by Signature Plastics have more physical room between each cap because the tops are as you might guess, spherical. Keyboardco sells a basic set of doubleshot Filco keycaps that are the same dimensions as PMK (Pimpmykeyboard, child company of Signature Plastics) tall spherical keycaps (SA is what the profile is called). DSA profile might be ok as well but I think SA keycaps will have more clearance between each cap. For the macros, you could buy a mechanical numeric keypad and set those keys to macros in your game's input settings.

The distance between each keycap won't be drastically different but it might allow you to use practically any cherry mx keyboard without much trouble.

Man I should receive a commission from Keyboardco for all the Filco doubleshot recommendations

[CapnFalco]

Not be a downer,
Building a complete custom like you're proposing is a lot more difficult than people realize and it's a very expensive road to go down.

Price is no issue for me on this path, procrastination is though.

Ok, this might be the first time I can recommend spherical keycaps based on keycap dimensions instead of the vintage appeal. Spherical keycaps (SA specifically) by Signature Plastics have more physical room between each cap because the tops are as you might guess, spherical. Keyboardco sells a basic set of doubleshot Filco keycaps that are the same dimensions as PMK (Pimpmykeyboard, child company of Signature Plastics) tall spherical keycaps (SA is what the profile is called).

This option sounds pretty interesting, I'll definitely look into them.

[supamesican]

Yeah I thought the keys would have a standard size since custom key caps are mass produced for most keyboards.
I might just have to find one with some macros on the left side til I decide to put my own together.

Luckily, left-side macro keys are a very common feature (unless, of course, you limit your consideration to things that people talk about in "enthusiast" communities, in which case the obsession with minimalism and anti-gamer sentiment will have filtered out most things with them). Good luck!

All the more reason to avoid the hardcore enthusiast communities. Minimalism can be nice, but sometimes a model m 122 key is better. Nothing wrong with gaming mechanical boards by say logitech, even linus torvalds use(d?) one.

[fohat.digs]

I think key spacing is going to be the same everywhere.

Not true, but specialty keyboards made for kids and elders are not going to have a conventional layout.

Typically, their pitch (key-to-key dimension) will be 1" instead of 3/4"

A few years ago I had one made by Milton Bradley with simplified white Alps that was not a bad keyboard. I sold it on ebay to a guy who bought it for his grandmother (who had macular degeneration) and she was thrilled to get it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/151828962060?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

[jcoffin1981]

As has been mentioned several times, the spacing between keys is standard.  I do have one suggestion being the logitech illuminated keyboard.  It has scissor switches similar to a laptop computer.  If you hit the edge of the keycap it will still register. 

You did say that you are looking for a mechanical keyboard.  This may mean searching for keycaps with a wider surface area and less space in-between.  This is something you can search around for and browse, or maybe there is somebody that is knowledgable about keycaps and can make a suggestion.