Peripherals Mechanical Keyboards

There are links on the first few pages to full guides

 

Might buy a mechanicalkeyboard for work... haven't read all the thread yet. Will do on lunch.

 

I went to Scan for their GTX 680 launch last weekend and tried out the few mechanical keyboards they had (mainly Corsair K60s). I didn't like the feel of any of the linear switches, but I found a Razer BlackWidow (MX blue) and that instantly felt amazing just to type on it (my brother felt the same, so it's not a placebo effect). Blues are certainly a bit too loud for me as they were clearly audible in the busy store, but they didn't have any keyboard with brown switches so I couldn't evaluate those.

While I like its typing action, I certainly won't go for the Razer as it's too glossy and it seems like the keytop writing will wear away over time as has happened with my X4. I'll probably spring for the Filco brown after my exams.

 

Do cherry browns have a similar feel to blue's (with the click) just quieter ? As i thought i wanted cherry blues but they seem very loud.

Would this be a better choice..


UK Filco Majestouch-2, NKR, Tactile Action Keyboard - Browns

And can you get custom keycaps for the filco keyboards ?

 

Somewhat similar, but also different feeling. Browns is much softer as the tactile bump is smaller, there is not click. Only the 2 piece stem MX switch (blue, green, white) have click.
I don't see why people think blues is so loud. Sure it makes some noise, but it's like someone popping bubble wrap not banging pans.

You can get custom caps for any MX boards, but full aftermarket sets are much more available on ANSI than ISO.

 

Took the plunge on a cherry G80 with blue switches for work as i do a lot of typing. Hope it isn't too loud! But then the guy next to me is really loud as a person, so I have ammunition!

 

Anyone have an opinion on the coolermaster quick fire pro? 87 bucks for mx browns (not sure how they feel but blues were nice but loud, reds were alright also, blacks way too stiff for my liking). Has back lighting which I was looking for and very reasonable price. The quick fire pro also comes with reds, not sure which I'd prefer, though I tried a corsair k90 and a blackwidow and I liked how the blackwidow felt lighter BUT disliked the noise.

 

My keycaps finally arrived from China!
Looks pretty sharp, if I may say so myself.

If you mean build quality, then I expect they're very solid. The browns should be very similar to the blues but lighter an a little quieter.

 

Think once NCIX has the new coolermaster board in store I'll go check it out. Apparently the one with browns was just released at the end of March so might be a few weeks before anyone has in store stock to actually press / try out.

 

New CM boards are made by iOne, like Razer. I would not expect top quality. The CM to go for is the Rapid, which is made by costar like Filco and has tons of very good review and can be had for around $70.

 

Awesome. Definitely doing this to my keyboard. Think i want a silen das keyboard professional for home. There is only certain keys I can remember though so don't want to go full blank either.

 

What kind of replacement keys are they? PBT or ABS? I was thinking when I get my WASD TKL keyboard, I'm going to buy it naked and get my own keycaps


BTW I love my brown switches, they feel nice for gaming and typing. However I can't judge them against any other switch type since this is the only mech. board I have right now. However I will be getting a TKL with reds or blacks when WASD puts one out

 

They're ABS keycaps.

 

So the quick fire rapid is good, but the quick fire pro is cheaper? Would the blues be alright for gaming and typing? I spent a lot of time doing homework / on the internet, I also play a lot of games.

 

Blues are fine for everything. Different switch only exist for preferences, not much difference in actual function, just feeling. Rapid is cheaper in US, not sure about current Canada pricing but NCIX has had Rapid on sale a few times for $65 for blues model.

 

Lysol, are PBT keys worth it? What makes them special?


Also, I've said this many times but I think browns are excellent for gaming, blues seem like they'd be ok and I'll be trying reds or blacks when WASD comes out with a TKL. A gaming friend of mine got a Rosewill board with reds and he really loves it.

 

I believe the razer blackwidow had blues and it felt phenominal, and I think I could learn to deal with the noise / get the o-rings, but I'd get the CM one before razer. Not impressed that my lycosa is dying after 2 years of use. I also tried a corsair k60 and k90 and the keys felt nice but not as nice as blues, and I tried some expensive board with blacks and I did not like them at all, felt too stiff and heavy and would make extended typing sessions difficult, after only a few seconds of trying it at the store I didn't like them already. My friend keeps trying to tell me "blues are the worst for gaming" but the way I see it is the keyboard feels miles better than my traditional dome one, so I think it will be just fine. Once my exams are done at the end of April I'll be treating myself to a new keyboard and mouse!

 

I game on browns, I have a black board too and I hate it, it doesn't make gaming better for me.

Getting a blue board next week, can't wait!

 

@mansueto, yes the blackwidow uses MX blues.

longweight you are in for a proper treat - I will only ever use MX blues

 

Keycaps material is another preference thing. I prefer slicker feel of abs or pom. Feeling of pbt is too 'dry' to me and I didn't like it. I don't like rough texture either. I personally wouldn't spend so much money on pbt, except for dyesub ones maybe.

Yeah, there is no such thing as 'gaming' MX as much as marketing departments want to make you believe it. Some like heavy switch, some click, etc. It's all just preference in feeling.