Just picked up a mech keyboard, newbie to the hobby. How'd I do?

[NegaYouDontKn0wMe]

Picked this cheapo board up 20 bones - https://ebay.to/2RlguFN

How'd I do?

[ArchDill]

Welcome to Geekhack!

[no, the other guy]

The color overkill hurts my eyes, but at least the font is readable. The switches leave room for discussion.
Welcome to geekhack.

[NegaYouDontKn0wMe]

The color overkill hurts my eyes, but at least the font is readable. The switches leave room for discussion.
Welcome to geekhack.

Any other blue switch clones you can recommend under 30-40?

[no, the other guy]

I, personally, would never buy a blue Cherry (or a clone thereof) again. But that's on you.

[ArchDill]

I, personally, would never buy a blue Cherry (or a clone thereof) again. But that's on you.

Don't listen to this guy. Enjoy your first mech. There are many things to try and it can be fun and expensive.

If you are interested in buying other switches, I recommend getting s switch tester.

And to answer your question.. you could probably find some  Gateron switches for close to that price. They are pretty good.

[NegaYouDontKn0wMe]

I, personally, would never buy a blue Cherry (or a clone thereof) again. But that's on you.

Don't listen to this guy. Enjoy your first mech. There are many things to try and it can be fun and expensive.

If you are interested in buying other switches, I recommend getting s switch tester.

And to answer your question.. you could probably find some  Gateron switches for close to that price. They are pretty good.

any specific models? I was also thinking about picking up one of those cherry mx black cop keyboards as a beater.

[ArchDill]

I, personally, would never buy a blue Cherry (or a clone thereof) again. But that's on you.

Don't listen to this guy. Enjoy your first mech. There are many things to try and it can be fun and expensive.

If you are interested in buying other switches, I recommend getting s switch tester.

And to answer your question.. you could probably find some  Gateron switches for close to that price. They are pretty good.

any specific models? I was also thinking about picking up one of those cherry MX black cop keyboards as a beater.

For Linear you could get Blacks, Blues if you like Clicky and Browns for Tactile.

One of my favorite aspects of the hobby was trying different switch parts together. You can change housings, springs and stems.

My favorite so far has been Cherry vintage black stems in Gateron housings with 62g Stainless Steel springs and thin lube.

Here is a decently priced switch tester:

https://kono.store/products/kono-switch-tester

[BundleOfJoysticks]

The color overkill hurts my eyes, but at least the font is readable. The switches leave room for discussion.
Welcome to geekhack.

Any other blue switch clones you can recommend under 30-40?

Velocifire and Qisan are arguably the best brands in that range.

$17 shipped for an actual mech is pretty incredible. At worst you can take it apart and use it for solder practice. Have fun.

[ander]

Picked this cheapo board up 20 bones - https://ebay.to/2RlguFN... How'd I do?

Welcome to the wacky Mechanical Keyboard world, and never being normal again!

Some members may be tempted to put down boards this inexpensive. However, it's amazing how much MK you can get for under $30 now. I posted this GH thread a while back about my $24 TKL ("tenkeyless", no number pad) Turbot board. The switches (like yours, clones of Cherry MX Blues) are unusually loud and chattery—but for those of us who're fond of clicky, clacky keebs (why many of us wanted MKs in the first place), it's delightful, and you could easily pay more for just a key set with no actual keyboard!

The variety of MKs is so alluring, it seems impossible for anyone to own just one. You too may end up with at least one example of each major switch type, including the various Cherry MX colors and/or their clones, Alps, and Topre.

And if you really want to call yourself an MK-ist, you must own at least one IBM buckling spring board like the Model M, or its predecessor the Model F. Buckling springs are unlike any other switch, and generally considered the standard to which other switches are compared.

You can buy a used vintage Model M on eBay, in decent shape, for just $50-75. They were so well made, all they usually need is some cleaning (and we have many tips about that here) and you'll have a world-class, classic MK that'll last as long as you do.

Cheers, A.

P.S.: If you want a real education on the various types of mechanical switches and keyboards, check out Thomas's Keyboard Reviews on YouTube. We know him here as Chyros.

[jamster]

Picked this cheapo board up 20 bones - https://ebay.to/2RlguFN

How'd I do?

Like a colourful rainbow, by the looks of it.

Welcome.

Some members may be tempted to put down boards this inexpensive. However, it's amazing how much MK you can get for under $30 now. I posted this GH thread a while back about my $24 TKL ("tenkeyless", no number pad) Turbot board. The switches (like yours, clones of Cherry MX Blues) are unusually loud and chattery—but for those of us who're fond of clicky, clacky keebs (why many of us wanted MKs in the first place), it's delightful, and you could easily pay more for just a key set with no actual keyboard!

That is excellent, a board randomly named after a flat fish. Reminds me of my first motherboard, which was the Trout. I shall have to investigate further!