[Brultze]

Hey guys, I am finishing my exams soon and want to buy a mechanical keyboard. So I would like to know your favoured mechanical keyboard and what makes you like it

Thank you

[sRFullstop]

I use the Razer Blackwidow. http://store.razerzone.com/store/raz...oryId.35156900

It uses Blue keys and makes a satisfying clicking sound when pressed. It is good for typing because each keystroke is very smooth and you don't need to push down the whole key to register the letter, allowing for faster and more accurate typing. It is great for games too because the feeling is very good and it is comfortable (includes a wrist rest).

The only problem is that if you have a small desk like I do, you might need to compromise space because the keyboard is quite large (cause of the number pad).

[MazEi]

Well I think its more important to look at the switches they use for the keyboards. Like my Razer Blackwidow uses MX Blue keys and they have a profound click to it. Though I really think I would love a keyboard with Red switches. But you never know which one you prefer until you try the keys.

I think Tom's Hardware wrote a nice article about mechanical keyboards.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...oard,2955.html

[TAEdgE]

I can't say much for other mechanical keyboards since i've only tried the Black Widow and mine, but mine (TT Meka G1) is AMAZING for me. Since i don't give a **** about any of the macro keys or anything, it's awesome to have just a basic square design that has awesome keys (doesn't sound insanely loud like the blackwidow either, still loud but it's much more chilled) and the f-keys are placed better than the Black Widow if you use them.

If you like the old basic keyboard design with modern flare, this ones not bad!

Quick Comments

TADivinity:

Have my babies

[sRFullstop]

I think the Filco Majaestouch 2 is not bad either.

[Malik]

dont get the razer black widow that thing is a piece of trash ( as it lacks some basic internals that result in reduced lifespan and inferior perfermonce relative to every other board on the market)

At the end of the day it depends on ur preference but for starcraft mx browns are the best, blues are the worst due to the reset point being quite far from the actuation point i.e. when the key 'fires' it has to travel a long distance before it can fire again meaning that if u want to double tap a key quickly u might not reset therefore resulting in only a single signal being recieved meaning that u dont get done wat u want to get done. In say this mx cherry blues are excellent for typing for this exact reason as it prevents the accidental firing of keys that have been pressed increasing accuracy.

Browns are the best for rts and starcraft in particular as they give a tacitile feedback allowing u to know when the key has gone as well as having a actuation point that is close but not the same as the reset point this means that if when releasing the key it wont result in accidental firing of the key. Also the keys have a much low force profile which means it is easier to use a larger part of the keyboard especially. two leftmost fingers on ur hand which are weaker than the thumb and index finger.

Black mx-cherry are not ideal for RTS gaming but it is a valid choice. the main issue that one runs into with them is that they require a higher amount of force thus it is harder to use the entire keyboard as it is more difficult to depress that buttons. Secondly the lack of tactile feedback makes it hard to know when the key as fired until u bottom out at which point the key has already fired meaning that u are being inefficent with ur key presses as well as resulting in inaccurate commands. e.g. reactor marine rax mean to make two marines but u make 3 as the by the time u bottom out on the second press another signal has been sent causing an additional marine to be built. This may seem somewat hardcore but the little things do make a difference imo. Mx blacks are really good for FPSs as the fhigh force profile reduces the risk of pressing a key by mistake especially since in FPS u rest ur hand on the keyboard rather than in rts where u tend to continually move ur hand around the keyboard.

Therefore i would advise getting the mx browns if u intend to primarlily play starcraft however if u are more fps orientated and play starcraft as well then i would consider getting the mx cherry black as it will be better than a normal keyboard for starcraft.

Alternatively u could do what i did and buy one of each which very expensive resulting in my current lacks of funds (lol) but honestly i feel the difference both with games and when typing for extended periods of time.

Written to you on MX Cherry Blue ^^

Quick Comments

TADivinity:

Currently buying, keep referring to your post. Thanks!

[Apth]

I just wanted a decent mechanical keyboard - no macro keys, no fanciness, preferably something without annoying bits of plastic around the edges so it'd be small enough to fit on my desk.

Steelseries 6Gv2. Sexy as hell.

[Aean(:]

Originally Posted by Apth

I just wanted a decent mechanical keyboard - no macro keys, no fanciness, preferably something without annoying bits of plastic around the edges so it'd be small enough to fit on my desk.

Steelseries 6Gv2. Sexy as hell.

Or the noppoo choc mini

[rezyn8]

Just started using the Filco Majestouch 2 (Brown switches) yesterday.

Its quite good but not really used it yet (of course) as I was using a shitty membrane switch keyboard for ages and have been overseas for the past two and half months.

I will have some photos and maybe a do a review of it soon.

[Meatex]

brown switches are the best all round switches I think

Black widow is ridiculously expensive in korea and not worth it then you can get steel series for less
I have a 7g and love it.

[ZergGirl]

I got the black widow ultimate, only because I like shiny lights and it makes a very sexual click when you mash the keys. I wont ever be good enough for a keyboard to really matter so I got what was convenient ;] (no complaints)

[mGGAequitas]

i would love a mechanical keyboard the one im using now is a 10 year old piece of shit

[Brultze]

Hey guys. Thx so much to everyone for giving suggestions and giving info on various keyboards. Currently I am leaning towards keyboards with blue switchs as I really like the clicky sound it makes. My only worry is that when I talk to friends using skype, will it be so loud that my friend will distinctly hear it? I use a turtle beach x11 headset mic(got it from my awesome friends as a birthday present )

[sRFullstop]

Originally Posted by Brultze

Hey guys. Thx so much to everyone for giving suggestions and giving info on various keyboards. Currently I am leaning towards keyboards with blue switchs as I really like the clicky sound it makes. My only worry is that when I talk to friends using skype, will it be so loud that my friend will distinctly hear it? I use a turtle beach x11 headset mic(got it from my awesome friends as a birthday present )

I talk to my friends on skype all the time. I use the Blackwidow which has Blue keys and they complain about clicks all the time. I would say to not put the noise being loud as priority on whether you buy a Blue keyed keyboard or not. As long as you are happy with the noise buy it and you will be using something you like rather than something that you think is better and then not liking it.

[MazEi]

Well my friends do say they can hear the clicks of the keys during Skype calls, so something to keep in mind unless your mic has some sort of noise cancellation thing.

[bigshow]

I currently own 2 kb, 1 blue and 1 brown, Ducky . I find that the build quality is pretty decent for its price, simple look and such. Got mine for around S$100~

And yeah, blue switch is quite noisy, not suitable unless u have really good noise cancellation. My sis keeps complaining about the noise, but w/e lol.

[Zanderax]

I want the marauder keyboard but I have no money.

[inFeZa]

In regards to switch type.

I've used Black, Blue and Cherry Brown.

Blue being my favourite. Its the same as cherry brown but with a click.
Black is too heavy for my liking but for games like LoL and FPS' they would be good. They're harder to press (could make for a good practice keyboard too.

As for Brand - I wouldn't really suggest a razer, I would go with a Filco Majestouch or a Das.
I Have 2 Filcos - 1 for work, 1 for home, and i love them both so much. They are expensive, BUT They will last you for Many computer builds to come, so a fine investment.

Btw Filco just released their majestouch 2.

GL and Happy Deal Hunting.

[MazEi]

Honestly its as I said, you won't really know how each key feels until you try them out. I only got to test Blue keys and it felt like heaven compared to non-mechanical keyboards, so I rushed to buy it. It was the best and worst decision I feel, as getting a mechanical keyboard is a very smart thing to do if you use your keyboard a lot, but not testing out other keys was a really dumb thing to do.

So all in all, if you just want an upgrade over non-mechanical keyboards, any colour key is fine. But if you really want to make the best decision possible, try out the keys for yourself. Some people may say that Blacks are really tough to press and all but if you like it, you like it, just an example.

[doc]

I would reccomend the taiwanese brand ducky keyboards. My friend and I have purchased them and have both agreed they were the best investment we made for our computers. When I was researching I was deadset on buying a Filco keyboard as I had problems with razer keyboards in the past (although my deathadder is terrific).

I stumbled upon these ducky keyboards on a mech keyboard forum and purchased a brown switch model, my friend got blue switches which I would have to say was the right choice. You can look at photos on the website, they ship from Brisbane, even the packaging is immaculate. We purchased the DK9008 model, although they have a new backlit model out now if that is more your style.

www.mechkeyboards.com is the website, they sell other brand mech keyboards as well, although not Filcos which I was looking at on www.auspcmarket.com.au

Good luck, no matter what choice you make you will love your new keyboard and will not regret the purchase! hf xD

[Brultze]

Hey guys. Thx SOOOO much to everyone who wrote here giving advice and what not . I think I'm going to get the filco majestouch 2 keyboard with brown switches in the upcoming days. Once again thx for all the advice and suggestions, hopefully this thread can help others as well.

[FLiP]

I got the Filco Majetouch 2 recently and its epic times

[RamboLicious]

I'm using a Blackwidow Ultimate. I'm quite satisfy with it, but if I can choose again, I would want to try the Filco ro a Steelseries 6Gv2.
Reason why:
- Too big to carry, small desk = gg no re.
- I dont need macro ability. In fact, these keys on the left is very annoying and I've removed it all.
- I don't know if it's just me or so. I've tried at least 2 blackwidow, and both find the Backspace key is really annoying.

[sRFullstop]

Originally Posted by RamboLicious

I'm using a Blackwidow Ultimate. I'm quite satisfy with it, but if I can choose again, I would want to try the Filco ro a Steelseries 6Gv2.
Reason why:
- Too big to carry, small desk = gg no re.
- I dont need macro ability. In fact, these keys on the left is very annoying and I've removed it all.
- I don't know if it's just me or so. I've tried at least 2 blackwidow, and both find the Backspace key is really annoying.

I use Blackwidow too and the backspace key is perfectly fine. Maybe it's an issue with Ultimate?

[RamboLicious]

Originally Posted by Fullstop

I use Blackwidow too and the backspace key is perfectly fine. Maybe it's an issue with Ultimate?

used the Expert version as well (I bought both the ultimate and the expert, returned the expert one cause it has massive number of faulty keys including the backspace, which is worst). I don't know whether it's just me or i'm having bad luck

[neon]

I'm considering which one to get also, I'm fairly sure i'll just go with Filco Brown keys to test it out,

Looking at the Leopold keyboards is my reason for posting as I haven't seen them mentioned, -

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...cPath=113_1277

They basically have none of the flare either, very similar to a filco, the only reason I'm still considering a filco is because they don't have red writing on them, which makes it more aesthetically pleasing to me

Check them out as an option too!

[|Erasmus|]

Coolermaster have released their mechanical gaming keyboard now: http://www.cmstorm.com/en/products/k...uickfirerapid/

Tenkeyless and no fancy lights, but a blue/black mech keyboard retailing <$100 AUD is pretty impressive. Not sure about build quality.

[NvRossi]

got the steelseries 7G and enjoying it so far. i tried that coolermaster keyboard at WCG its pretty sick too

[ZergGirl]

I have the ultimate too, no issues with the backspace key :O
bl

[Malik]

dat razer build quality is suspect yo and its shiny and pretty but lacking in endurance and quality.

[EXCL]

I did a massive amount of testing and research before I bought my mech keybaord a few months ago. This is by far the best website and worth the read: http://www.overclock.net/keyboards/4...ard-guide.html

I ended up going with the cherry brown swithes as I felt the blues were too light and the actuation point too far. Totally up to personal preference tho.

My KB is a Leopold Cherry MX brown - quality and design of a filco but way cheaper. PCCasegear are the only place i know that sell them at the moment...

Quick Comments

neon:

you know where it's at!

[Malik]

Originally Posted by FaDeEXCL

I did a massive amount of testing and research before I bought my mech keybaord a few months ago. This is by far the best website and worth the read: http://www.overclock.net/keyboards/4...ard-guide.html

I ended up going with the cherry brown swithes as I felt the blues were too light and the actuation point too far. Totally up to personal preference tho.

My KB is a Leopold Cherry MX brown - quality and design of a filco but way cheaper. PCCasegear are the only place i know that sell them at the moment...

just so you know that site is pretty good but it has some small factual errors on it so be careful to treating it as gospel.

[zeffrin]

http://mechkeyboards.com.au

If you want red swtiches, I have two of the Leopold FC500R and I think it's a fantastic keyboard. Price is good too.

Filco of course good, double-triple price of newer competitors though, and ...

Ducky > Filco... same designer, more features, reasonable price.

The Razor Blackwidow is blue switches, though, apparently they're modified blues to have lighter actuation (almost as soft as browns) and the actual/release points are tighter. Also the keys are promised to be more uniform across the board due to the strict tolerances resulting from hunting out the desired characteristics from their particular mx blues.

At the end of the day though, probably almost any mechanical keyboard is better than not.

People don't believe 6-key rollover can be a problem, but I've definately had keyboards over the years that couldn't see particular sets of keys being pressed together... with this Leopold, full n-key rollover... mmmmm

More importantly than that though... because the actuation point is much higher when you're in game casting spells or macroing up not only do your pressed happen that ms or two earlier BUT, they happen every time... if you even half push the key it's registered unlike rubber dome boards... where at least for me, heaps of times I quickly press keys which don't register...

Sometimes one of those keys is like a number, to change to unit with a particular spell like eg... got your phenoix selected, quickly press 1g to throw guardian shield up on your main army except, the 1 didn't register.... Oh **** why is cancel all the way up on ESC... ohwell, im dead now anyway.

[Malik]

Originally Posted by zeffrin

http://mechkeyboards.com.au

If you want red swtiches, I have two of the Leopold FC500R and I think it's a fantastic keyboard. Price is good too.

Filco of course good, double-triple price of newer competitors though, and ...

Ducky > Filco... same designer, more features, reasonable price.

The Razor Blackwidow is blue switches, though, apparently they're modified blues to have lighter actuation (almost as soft as browns) and the actual/release points are tighter. Also the keys are promised to be more uniform across the board due to the strict tolerances resulting from hunting out the desired characteristics from their particular mx blues.

At the end of the day though, probably almost any mechanical keyboard is better than not.

People don't believe 6-key rollover can be a problem, but I've definately had keyboards over the years that couldn't see particular sets of keys being pressed together... with this Leopold, full n-key rollover... mmmmm

More importantly than that though... because the actuation point is much higher when you're in game casting spells or macroing up not only do your pressed happen that ms or two earlier BUT, they happen every time... if you even half push the key it's registered unlike rubber dome boards... where at least for me, heaps of times I quickly press keys which don't register...

Sometimes one of those keys is like a number, to change to unit with a particular spell like eg... got your phenoix selected, quickly press 1g to throw guardian shield up on your main army except, the 1 didn't register.... Oh **** why is cancel all the way up on ESC... ohwell, im dead now anyway.

you do know that the razer blackwidow is only 2 n-key rollover

Quick Comments

zeffrin:

Yeah, sucks Blackwidow ommit the PS2 connector... but actually it's 6-key rollover with the usual wasd matrix to ensure those keys are indepedant

[MazEi]

THEQICBOWNFOXJPOVETHEAZDOG

Blackwidow, holding down both shift keys and trying to type "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog". Though I think my test is somewhat invalid since I'm using USB. And also I use Colemak as a keyboard layout so you would probably get different results when you type on QWERTY, but nevertheless, the test does show something.

Quick Comments

zeffrin:

Valid test.. Blackwidow is indeed not really n-key, still ok kb tho

[Malik]

Originally Posted by mazei

THEQICBOWNFOXJPOVETHEAZDOG

Blackwidow, holding down both shift keys and trying to type "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog". Though I think my test is somewhat invalid since I'm using USB. And also I use Colemak as a keyboard layout so you would probably get different results when you type on QWERTY, but nevertheless, the test does show something.

yeah fundamentally though the reasonis because it lacks a 2 dollar transisyor that is important in allowing for a high n-key rollover so even if got a usb to ps/2 adaptar it wouldnt make a difference.

also the gaming cluster WASD isnt really true n-key rollover it just a software workaround and yeah its inferior to have true n-key rollover imo.

[TADivinity]

The absolute best source is geekhack.com

It is a site dedicated to mechanical keyboards. ALL the information is there, and its definately reliable.
They are friendly so long as you ask an educated question (Naturally), and are basically Mechanical enthusiasts.

Edit:
Also, I just bought the Filco Majestouch 2 Ninja with browns Tenkeyless (Thats a mouthful ahah). I would have liked the Ducky Shine, but they dont seem to come in Tenkeyless and I have limited desk space

[Brultze]

hey guys, i just got my filco majestouch 2 with brown switches . hope to write a short review on it in case anyone out there is thinking about buying one

[zeffrin]

Originally Posted by Brultze

hey guys, i just got my filco majestouch 2 with brown switches . hope to write a short review on it in case anyone out there is thinking about buying one

Nice let us know... I've had a chance to feel blue switches and I decided I don't like the actuation point difference however, it's not as pronounced in the brown switches combined with lighter touch it's probably somewhat less noticeable.

But yeah, because options for a mx red tenkeyless are limited browns are a consideration.

[Mayo]

I currently use the Tt eSPORTS MEKA G1 Mechanical Keyboard, it is also used by White-Ra and PiG.

- Cherry Black Keys
- 1000hz polling rate
- 6 key rollover
- Extra thick cable that allows 2x 3.5mm jacks and 2x USB ports on the board to work (so its not Audio USB which stuffs up other stuff)

Always said I would _never_ part with my old model G15 (blue back lighting) but when I tried a mechanical out I fell in love

Product page: http://www.ttesports.com/products/product.aspx?s=13
Pricing in Au: http://staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/sear...MEKA+G1&spos=3

If you want a tenkeyless, thats cheaper too - http://www.ttesports.com/products/pr...g=feature&s=19
If you want it all USB + macro's and lighting - http://www.ttesports.com/products/product.aspx?s=23

[iMSystem]

Just got myself a Steelseries 6GV2, pretty sick and glad I got it for $88 :P

Great pickup, and I am absolutely stocked that I got it finally

Quick Comments

|Erasmus|:

what a cool guy... has the same keyboard as me.

[iRLpuku]

i'm using blue keys filco at the moment. It's all up to personal preference. make sure u try the keyboards before buying them.. That's all. Get one that really suits u. U dun wanna end up regretting splashing >$100 for a keyboard that you dun really like.. but once again. Once u go mech, u cant go back. :P

most ppl go for browns/blues cos they feel natural, rather than blacks with no tactile feedback but are supposedly better for gaming. blue keys have a problem with the actuation points so double tapping is more difficult but you will get around it after a few games. Doesnt affect much imo. blues are also considerably noiser compared to browns. so if u dont have your own room, i will suggest going for browns if not your roommate will want to kill u if u game in the middle of the night. Personally, i like the clicks too so i went for blue. but some ppl hate them and go for brown instead. Afterall, its all up to personal preference! have fun getting your first mech keyboard!

[Mayo]

How come you think blacks don't feel natural?

[ZergGirl]

Originally Posted by Mayo

How come you think blacks don't feel natural?

Originally Posted by zeffrin

Blacks feel unusual at first because the difference in pressure required from top of the stroke to the bottom increases...

oh baby..!



The "Majestouch 2" Filco TenKey-less is what I wanted, cherry MX blue switches. I wanted it in this colour too, sadly these only come with the brown switch D;

+ Show +

On the other hand the standard black mj2 filcos look nice, luckily they come with blue switches.

+ Show +

If anyone knows where/if I can get the first one with blue switches, let me know. please.

[TADivinity]

Originally Posted by ZergGirl

If anyone knows where/if I can get the first one with blue switches, let me know. please.

PCCaseGear in Sydney.

Bought mine from them, i received it on the same day that i ordered it with their Sydney-based shipping.

Not sure how much longer it would take to get to WA.

[zeffrin]

Blacks feel unusual at first because the difference in pressure required from top of the stroke to the bottom increases... people let that affect them too much anyway...

It's kind of good they get harder to soften the blow when you bottom out... eventually you get used to only kind of half pushing all the keys while you're typing anyway

Once that happens rubber dome feels 'unnatural'

[iRLpuku]

it's all up to personal preference and whether u like to bottom out your keys.

[Mayo]

I use a Cherry black @ home and rubber dome at work, tis fine for me

[eCKo`Tazerenix]

My personal keyboard is the Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate

Cherry MX Blues, very very VERY nice typing keyboard and i've had no problems gaming on it. I also got some white keys from wasdkeyboards.com and put them on

http://i.imgur.com/j6jZT.jpg

If your doing lots of typing along with your gaming, a das keyboard is a great choice.

[zeffrin]

the Das keyboards look hell nice, but they look like (in the photos) fingerprint and dust would be too obvious... how is it actually?

[syfMiley]

Originally Posted by zeffrin

the Das keyboards look hell nice, but they look like (in the photos) fingerprint and dust would be too obvious... how is it actually?

Under light it's pretty obvious but it just takes a quick wipe to get rid of it, doesn't bug me but bugs a lot of people from what I have heard.

[Brultze]

Hey guys I finished my review thingy if you want to look at it , heres the link: http://www.sc2sea.com/showthread.php?t=2668

Thanks everyone who gave me advice when choosing my mechanical keyboard . Hope that this review thingy helps other

[ZergGirl]

@TADivinity

I can't find the pink MJ2 tenkey-less (with the Cherry MX blue switches) on PCCaseGear, link? :/

[TADivinity]

Originally Posted by ZergGirl

@TADivinity

I can't find the pink MJ2 tenkey-less (with the Cherry MX blue switches) on PCCaseGear, link? :/

Oops. Totally meant AusPCMarket.
And they only have it with Browns too sry - thought they were Blue.

That post was just full of inaccuracies :P

[TAPelican]

Originally Posted by TADivinity

Oops. Totally meant AusPCMarket.
And they only have it with Browns too sry - thought they were Blue.

That post was just full of inaccuracies :P

come on now, you dont make mistakes!

[ZergGirl]

Originally Posted by TADivinity

Oops. Totally meant AusPCMarket.
And they only have it with Browns too sry - thought they were Blue.

That post was just full of inaccuracies :P

This is why I don't have nice things

[jobberz]

I used black widow which has Cherry MX Blue switches - its a little too clicky. Not good in voip situations but good when you are just on your own.
Macro keys on left are nice but throw you off a bit - you may be used to referencing the edge of keyboard. I kept hitting macro key instead of ctrl ... but now I am used to it I love this - so accurate. You definitely don't make mistakes or miss keys in hot battle micro as often on this.

Quick Comments

zeffrin:

Oh.. about referencing position by edge... omg huge point

[zeffrin]

I bought logitch g17 I think it is, the one after g15 but without the colour lcd... I used it for months and it was pretty good (for a standard keyboard lols)

but I just could never get used to finding the right keys because with every other keyboard I have I leave my pinking like on the far left edge of the leftmost key it turns out... whether thats capslock or a macro key

[CZE]

As most people have said, the razer BW really isn't very good.

Filco Majestouch with MX Browns is definitely the way to go.