Author Topic: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it  (Read 3808 times)

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Offline aVco

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So, ive had the Logitech Multimedia Elite keyboard for like 10 years and i loved everything about it. its a membrane keyboard with large keys and it was the first and only keyboard that felt like (didnt sound like though) a mechanical one. it was officially a multimedia keyboard BUT it also couldve been used as a macro keyboard.


that keyboard was awesome... up until, unfortunately, i left it apparently too close to the heater and that was it.

i started to check all kinds of keyboards, types and features. as a guy that needs the comfort of macros i eventually decided to get a macro one (checked a little bit about mechanical macro combo but wasnt for me).

so after a lot of searching ive come to a decision: Thermaltake eSports Challenger Ultimate.


it wasnt easy getting used to it, especially because it has the thinner type of keys. the things that are helping me with that issue are its feature flexibility (multiple profiles, on board usb, audio jacks and DC connectors) and the fact that it looks amazing.

here it is now:


what do you think? would you "walk the road" of changing the larger keys (either membrane or mechanical) with the thinner ones if you wanted a keyboard with desired features?

do you have any idea about how to utilize the DC connectors? (not necessarily for power purposes, as i used it for a phone holder).


Thanks for reading :)



« Last Edit: Tue, 21 March 2017, 16:42:53 by aVco »

Offline hking0036

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 20 March 2017, 06:04:11 »
what do you think? would you "walk the road" of changing the larger keys (either membrane or mechanical) with the thinner once if you wanted a keyboard with desired features?
That's part of the reason to get a standard MX mount board. If you want to change the caps you can buy whatever set you want. I don't know many of them with macros that are also standard thanks to corsair though, and it's probably difficult to get replacements for those.
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Offline henz

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 20 March 2017, 06:14:04 »
So, ive had the Logitech Multimedia Elite keyboard for like 10 years and i loved everything about it. its a membrane keyboard with large keys and it was the first and only keyboard that felt like (didnt sound like though) a mechanical one. it was officially a multimedia keyboard BUT it also couldve been used also as a macro keyboard.
Show Image


that keyboard was awesome... up until, unfortunately, i left it apparently too close to the heater and that was it.

i started to check all kinds of keyboards, types and features. as a guy that needs the comfort of macros i eventually decided to get a macro one (checked a little bit about mechanical macro combo but wasnt for me).

so after a lot of searching ive come to a decision: Thermaltake eSports Challenger Ultimate.
Show Image


it wasnt easy getting used to it, especially because it has the thinner type of keys. the things that are helping me with that issue are its feature flexibility (multiple profiles, on board usb, audio jacks and DC connectors) and the fact that it looks amazing.

here it is now:
Show Image


what do you think? would you "walk the road" of changing the larger keys (either membrane or mechanical) with the thinner once if you wanted a keyboard with desired features?

do you have any idea about how to utilize the DC connectors? (not necessarily for power purposes, as i used it for a phone holder).


Thanks for reading :)

well, now a days, if you read into the community a little bit you can find out people here use up to 10 virtual layers on their keyboard.

Me for example uses alot of different sizes and shapes of keyboards, but to be fair i only use about 60% of the layout. What i do instead is using function layers. For example if i hold down space it unlocks another layer of keys, if i release, its back to normal.

So ive bascially gone to great extent to get the layers as i please. I used to be in the same boat as you, loved macro keys that i could record macros with.mostly to have prepared main fucntion while coding in school :D and to make starcraft macros.

Offline SBJ

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 20 March 2017, 06:36:52 »
I've had that Logitech keyboard as well.
Was very satisfied with it, I think it got tossed several years ago because it was just gross. (This was before I took care of my keyboards.)

Offline aVco

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 20 March 2017, 06:44:13 »
what do you think? would you "walk the road" of changing the larger keys (either membrane or mechanical) with the thinner once if you wanted a keyboard with desired features?
That's part of the reason to get a standard MX mount board. If you want to change the caps you can buy whatever set you want. I don't know many of them with macros that are also standard thanks to corsair though, and it's probably difficult to get replacements for those.

yup... thats a big plus

Offline aVco

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 20 March 2017, 06:48:05 »
well, now a days, if you read into the community a little bit you can find out people here use up to 10 virtual layers on their keyboard.

Me for example uses alot of different sizes and shapes of keyboards, but to be fair i only use about 60% of the layout. What i do instead is using function layers. For example if i hold down space it unlocks another layer of keys, if i release, its back to normal.

So ive bascially gone to great extent to get the layers as i please. I used to be in the same boat as you, loved macro keys that i could record macros with.mostly to have prepared main fucntion while coding in school :D and to make starcraft macros.

Virtual layers.... sounds very interesting! id love to learn more about it!

Offline aVco

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #6 on: Mon, 20 March 2017, 06:51:51 »
I've had that Logitech keyboard as well.
Was very satisfied with it, I think it got tossed several years ago because it was just gross. (This was before I took care of my keyboards.)

Lol
yeah, if you arent taking care of your keyboard they can get quite gross

Offline dantan

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 20 March 2017, 07:30:18 »
Sometimes I want to go back to a membrane keyboard. Lots of functionality. But the lack of customization keeps me loyal to mechanicals. NO such thing as simply pulling off keycaps and buying a new set.

Offline dantan

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 20 March 2017, 07:31:50 »
Thought I might just add, membranes seem to be all 104+++ key items. Seems as though no membrane keyboard maker ever though of making a Poker size + a few macro keys.

The only small membranes out there, are all 100% unsuitable for gaming or typing fast due to their tiny keys and terrible feel.

Offline Rayoui

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 20 March 2017, 08:38:43 »
Thought I might just add, membranes seem to be all 104+++ key items. Seems as though no membrane keyboard maker ever though of making a Poker size + a few macro keys.

The only small membranes out there, are all 100% unsuitable for gaming or typing fast due to their tiny keys and terrible feel.

How about the HHKB Lite2? It's a traditional rubber-dome membrane 60% with dedicated arrow keys. Not really a gaming keyboard but great for typing and relatively inexpensive.
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Offline aVco

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 20 March 2017, 10:58:51 »
How about the HHKB Lite2? It's a traditional rubber-dome membrane 60% with dedicated arrow keys. Not really a gaming keyboard but great for typing and relatively inexpensive.

And looks beautiful.

Offline aVco

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 20 March 2017, 11:08:33 »
Thought I might just add, membranes seem to be all 104+++ key items. Seems as though no membrane keyboard maker ever though of making a Poker size + a few macro keys.

The only small membranes out there, are all 100% unsuitable for gaming or typing fast due to their tiny keys and terrible feel.

hey, how about that Monoprice one?

Offline VGVisionary

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 20 March 2017, 11:13:20 »
The keyboard I completely adored was a similar Logitech keyboard, the Logitech Internet Navigator SE Y-BF38 Black. Still have it, it's been loyal for almost 15 years, but my Corsair K70 took over as my first mechanical keyboard since september last year and I never looked back. My parents have the regular white Internet Navigator and I always get nostalgic when I type on it haha.

This whole discussion about 60% ones is awesome, since I'm looking for one to travel with (I travel a lot for work but my laptop keyboard is tiring for the amount of typing I have to do).

Offline digi

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #13 on: Mon, 20 March 2017, 11:21:00 »
That smartphone holder increases APM by 27%, BADASS

Offline tp4tissue

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #14 on: Mon, 20 March 2017, 12:04:46 »
That smartphone holder increases APM by 27%, BADASS

Also increase Tinder hot babe matches by 27%..

Double WIN. !!

Offline aVco

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #15 on: Tue, 21 March 2017, 16:31:37 »
The keyboard I completely adored was a similar Logitech keyboard, the Logitech Internet Navigator SE Y-BF38 Black. Still have it, it's been loyal for almost 15 years, but my Corsair K70 took over as my first mechanical keyboard since september last year and I never looked back. My parents have the regular white Internet Navigator and I always get nostalgic when I type on it haha.

This whole discussion about 60% ones is awesome, since I'm looking for one to travel with (I travel a lot for work but my laptop keyboard is tiring for the amount of typing I have to do).

i can relate to the nostalgic part :) thats awesome you still can use it.

Offline aVco

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #16 on: Tue, 21 March 2017, 16:35:15 »
That smartphone holder increases APM by 27%, BADASS

That smartphone holder increases APM by 27%, BADASS

Also increase Tinder hot babe matches by 27%..

Double WIN. !!

LOL thanks? haha

Offline OfTheWild

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #17 on: Wed, 22 March 2017, 02:25:25 »
Corsair K95 RGB, used on eBay. Thats my 2cents to get started into mech boards but also have some really comprehensive software and macro setups. Its awesome for gaming.
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Offline aVco

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #18 on: Sun, 26 March 2017, 14:38:57 »
Corsair K95 RGB, used on eBay. Thats my 2cents to get started into mech boards but also have some really comprehensive software and macro setups. Its awesome for gaming.

Looks awesome!
most of the guys here are into smaller boards as far as i can tell, whats your opinion on the matter?

Offline OfTheWild

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #19 on: Sun, 26 March 2017, 21:33:50 »
I have a handful of keyboards that I use regularly. I enjoy the small form factor boards just as much as my full sized. Truth is that I tend to really like one or two keyboards for certain tasks. I rotate through keyboards at home every couple of days usually - i literally have 8 different (working) keyboards on my desk right now. But for gaming, I ended up taking it a step further and am now hand wiring a "game pad" much like this one that /u/that_canadian did https://i.imgur.com/7mqpVq1.jpg
-Dana

Offline aVco

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #20 on: Mon, 27 March 2017, 05:34:11 »
I have a handful of keyboards that I use regularly. I enjoy the small form factor boards just as much as my full sized. Truth is that I tend to really like one or two keyboards for certain tasks. I rotate through keyboards at home every couple of days usually - i literally have 8 different (working) keyboards on my desk right now. But for gaming, I ended up taking it a step further and am now hand wiring a "game pad" much like this one that /u/that_canadian did https://i.imgur.com/7mqpVq1.jpg

wow... good luck man!
your enthusiasm is admirable.

Offline justinmtype

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Re: I know you are all into mechanical keyboards... this post isnt about it
« Reply #21 on: Mon, 27 March 2017, 09:57:45 »
I am not a fan of that keyboard.