Help with choosing my first mechanical keyboard

[nipnull]

Hello everybody!

This is my first post on GH, so I hope you'll excuse me if this is not the right place to ask this question.

I used my friend's Kinesis Advantage Pro for one day and I decided to switch from membrane (ibm thinkpad x220 tkl keyboard) to mechanic.

I've read info about different types of keyboards and switches and lurking for a lot of mechanical keyboard's models.

I'm a programmer and use pc (windows 7) and thinkpad (linux debian) as main devices. And I want to have one keyboard with necessary functions for all machines.

So here's that i understand for today wishes:
- TKL with 87 keys US ASCII with function to use 'context menu' and basic media hotkeys
- spend no more $200 (max $250 for 'my ideal first keyboard')
- InSwitch White LED or other type of "calm" LED
- Cherry MX Brown or Cherry MX Clear (i'm not sure in other manufactures of switches)
- USB + Bluetooth connection (it's the most difficult wish)
- Front or Top with Front printed keycaps (not so important)
- Ability to switch between paired devices (not so important)
- Not very loud sound

I found some models, which are near my wishes but they have important disadvantages:
Neo Zelia KB-87 - out of stock;
Varmilo VB87M - no USB connection, only charging;
GON NS NerD Crystal TKL - too expensive as first keyboard for me
WASD V2 - no backlight and bluetooth
CODE - no bluetooth
Leopold FC750R - no bluetooth
Filco Majestouch-2 TKL - no bluetooth

I think about Ergo Dox, but i'm not sure about ergonomic design and it has same disadvantages (no bluetooth and expensive).

I can't test and compare different switches by myself and I think about Cherry MX Brown and Clear. What is the difference in using process between them?

Is it possible to modify non bluetooth keyboard with dongle to stable using on windows and linux?

Is it some model that i did not find for these parameters?

So, given all of that, what would you recommend?

Thanks a lot!

[happylacquer]

"I can't test and compare different switches by myself and I think about Cherry MX Brown and Clear. What is the difference in using process between them?"

If your friend has an Advantage those are cherry Brown. Clear feels a lot different. I personally like buckling spring more than either but if you don't like heavier keys (which you might be if you are interested in clears) and Brown feels too light to you on the Advantage board, your fingers will probably be really happy with BS.

Maybe consider a Topre Type Heaven too, those can be had for $120 new often.

[Puddsy]

you can get a bluetooth filco MJ2, which i would recommend very highly

i think browns are one of the worst MX switches, just get reds instead

leopold fc750 and KUL ES87 are also worth considering

[TalkingTree]

you can get a bluetooth filco MJ2

AFAIK, Filco Majestouch 2 Convertible is only made in full size layout, and Filcos are not backlit anyway.

[happylacquer]

The problem with reds is if you're like me and like heavier keys, just resting your fingers on the keys is not even possible because it leads to keypresses. I had to get rid of my MX Red board because everyone thought I was drunk as hell. It was horrible. I don't like blue or brown either, and green isn't heavy enough for me so i gave up on MX's...

I replaced that board with a topre board and it wasn't perfect yet, but far better. I still like Topre a lot and will be buying a hipro soon, but nobody should do that without trying  a  cheaper Topre first. Honestly if you know what the Dell SK8115 feels like and you imagine it being 100x better and not mushy feeling, that's kind of the topre thing, so if that sounds more ideal to you then there's that... If topre is too loud for you then i guess look into silenced mx or silenced topre?