Recommend a Mech. Keyboard w/ Blues?

J

Jellyfishpudding

Limp Gawd
Joined
Oct 12, 2006
Messages
243
Looking for a nice keyboard with either Cherry or Kailh blue switches. Backlit is fine as long as it can display a single hue across the board (white preferred) but it's not required. I'm a writer more than I am a gamer, so something that doesn't look like its from outer space would be great. I like the feel of Razer's Ornata Chroma, but something less gamey in appearance would be cool.

While I know kind of what I want, I'm not very familiar with who produces quality and crap. So far, I'm thinking the AZIO MGK1 looks interesting. Any help you can provide toward my selection would be an asset.

Thanks!
Eddie
 
Kailh aren't great, I would stick to Cherry or Gateron. If you want something that doesn't look like a gaming board, I'd look at Ducky, Leopold, even Logitech (the 610) because of their fantastic warranty. Azio isn't great, but they're known as a halfway decent budget board. Thermaltake makes an OK RGB board with Kailh blues for $110, but they're mainly considered simply because they have a 5 year warranty. No idea how good they are at honoring it though.

https://www.amazon.com/Tt-eSPORTS-Poseidon-Mechanical-KB-PZR-KBBRUS-01/dp/B018AX3I0C?th=1

If you want, here's a good place to start - https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=12

The site is highly respected, and they don't sell crap brands.

Not sure of your budget, but if I was buying one now and had the money to spend, I'd probably buy a Ducky Shine 5, but I'd want an RGB board. Non-RGB are definitely cheaper, more to wards the $100-120 range.

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1366
 
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entropism said:
Kailh aren't great, I would stick to Cherry or Gateron. If you want something that doesn't look like a gaming board, I'd look at Ducky, Leopold, even Logitech (the 610) because of their fantastic warranty. Azio isn't great, but they're known as a halfway decent budget board. Thermaltake makes an OK RGB board with Kailh blues for $110, but they're mainly considered simply because they have a 5 year warranty. No idea how good they are at honoring it though.

https://www.amazon.com/Tt-eSPORTS-Poseidon-Mechanical-KB-PZR-KBBRUS-01/dp/B018AX3I0C?th=1

If you want, here's a good place to start - https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=12

The site is highly respected, and they don't sell crap brands.

Not sure of your budget, but if I was buying one now and had the money to spend, I'd probably buy a Ducky Shine 5, but I'd want an RGB board. Non-RGB are definitely cheaper, more to wards the $100-120 range.

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1366
Click to expand...

Awesome. I'd never been to that site before. After browsing, I'm leaning toward either the Duck One White/Gray or the V100 from KBParadise with the same color scheme. Still shopping. Thanks a bunch!!!
 
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If you haven't used a keyboard with blues, I suggest you try one out- had the original Razer Blackwidow with blues, and I cannot stand them; moved on to browns right quick.
 
IdiotInCharge said:
If you haven't used a keyboard with blues, I suggest you try one out- had the original Razer Blackwidow with blues, and I cannot stand them; moved on to browns right quick.
Click to expand...

Yeah, my wife commented negatively when I showed her a sound test on YT. I'll consider the brown as well.
 
entropism said:
Kailh aren't great, I would stick to Cherry or Gateron. If you want something that doesn't look like a gaming board, I'd look at Ducky, Leopold, even Logitech (the 610) because of their fantastic warranty. Azio isn't great, but they're known as a halfway decent budget board. Thermaltake makes an OK RGB board with Kailh blues for $110, but they're mainly considered simply because they have a 5 year warranty. No idea how good they are at honoring it though.

https://www.amazon.com/Tt-eSPORTS-Poseidon-Mechanical-KB-PZR-KBBRUS-01/dp/B018AX3I0C?th=1

If you want, here's a good place to start - https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=12

The site is highly respected, and they don't sell crap brands.

Not sure of your budget, but if I was buying one now and had the money to spend, I'd probably buy a Ducky Shine 5, but I'd want an RGB board. Non-RGB are definitely cheaper, more to wards the $100-120 range.

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1366
Click to expand...


Do some keyboards have their switches set further apart than others? Any way to detect this other than looking at pics?
 
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I'll throw in another brand: Deck. I've owned two, with Brown and Red switches. Very solid build quality. PBS double shot key caps. Some dislike the font, but I've always thought it was pretty unique. Available with blue, white, or red backlighting options.
 
Jellyfishpudding said:
Do some keyboards have their switches set further apart than others? Any way to detect this other than looking at pics?
Click to expand...

Most of them share a layout, and in the US it's ANSI. Europe usually uses ISO. ANSI has the smaller enter key, ISO has the ridiculous, hooked enter key. In addition, you also have differences in the bottom row, but these are mostly grouped up two ways: Logitech/Corsair and everyone the fuck else. Basically the spacebar is sized differently, along with the Windows and menu keys. This link will describe it better than I can:

http://blog.maxkeyboard.com/faqs/keycap-compatibility-and-size-chart/

The second picture is the US Standard, the top and 3rd are the Corsair/Logitech mess. Only really becomes an issue when you replace the keycaps, you just have to choose the right set. Standards, obviously, are easier to find.

One thing about the sound profile - You can dampen any switch with little rubber O-Rings, they sell them for like $5 for enough for a whole keyboard. Definitely helps with the bottoming out when you type.

That being said, I bought a board with browns, and I like it, but I definitely want to give blues a shot. My wife, however, insists she get blues for her first board.
 
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I personally like browns more than blues.. but (WAIT FOR IT) I actually prefer reds... yeah whatever I said it... REDS!!!! 4Life... but I digress

keyswitch choice is a pretty individual preference kinda thing... you can reduce the sound of a MX board quite a lot with the use of rubber o-rings cost like $6 on amazon or $10~ with a wire key cap puller (get a wire key cap puller then plastic ring ones are garbage..)

https://www.amazon.com/Akwox-Keycap...d=1483751892&sr=8-8&keywords=keyboard+dampers

I have a couple observations ...

1. in addition to key switch type another matter of preference is cherry vs costar stabilizers ... I hate cherry stabilizers a lot (ducky, Leopold, Cherry(duh?) and others use the cherry stabs.

Costar Stabilizers are on : Filco, Rosewill, WASD.... etc

If possible try to demo the stabilizers first and see if you have a pref.

2. FILCO... !!!! no seriously not cheap.. and the stock keycaps are crap..but sooo good.. if you need to keep your wife from murdering you they (filco) have a silent red you could buy.

3. you could also pick up a barebones WASD V2 and buy your own key caps (see point 4)...

4. KEY CAPS... your fingers touch these so find something you like... try to buy a keyboard with good compatibility with replacement key caps sets
(Filco, ducky, Rosewill...etc) main choice is ABS (BLAH.. no just kidding some people like these??? ) or PBT (YES)



here is my keyboard I have had for awhile now ... Filco MajestTouch 2 TKL (REDS!!!!) w/ Vortex PBT double shot key caps.
Filco3.jpg
 
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Sweet! Love the Filcos. After scouring a few sites, I've landed my sights on the Moda Pro from Nixeus. I require a tenkey and found its steel yet minimalist look rather appealing. I had some Amazon points built up so I ordered both the Blue and Brown switch models along with some o-rings. The cherries would have been nice, but the $50+ price difference was a bit nicer. Cherries on keyboards with similar builds were nonexistent on Amazon. So I'll have some fun with these when they arrive on Sunday and report back. Thanks for all your help!!!

2016-MODA-PRO-Front-Left_w_600.jpg
 
Well, I went in expecting to decide on the blues and ended up choosing the browns. Both feel and sound great. It was the more natural sound that I was drawn to the most. Typing is so much more enjoyable now. I can't believe I'm just now experiencing a true mechanical board. Loving it!!!!

Thanks for all your help! I appreciate it big time!
 
Jellyfishpudding said:
Well, I went in expecting to decide on the blues and ended up choosing the browns. Both feel and sound great. It was the more natural sound that I was drawn to the most. Typing is so much more enjoyable now. I can't believe I'm just now experiencing a true mechanical board. Loving it!!!!
Click to expand...

I can relate to how you feel:

When I was shopping for my first mechKB a couple/few years ago, I was borderline hellbent on getting Cherry Reds, since I didn't want the audible clicky-clack of the Blues, and a majority of my PC usage is for gaming. I spend many hours in local stores such as Best Buy trying to get a feel for the different switches on their display units, and eventually got to the point of hemming and hawing between the Reds and Browns. The staff was nice enough to let me hook up a mechKB bearing each switch type to one of their floor model PC's, so I could actually use the keyboards the way I was going to, instead of playing "air guitar" on a dead display model. For my typing style, the Browns won out far and away, since the Reds were a bit too light under my fingers and I was constantly having to utilize the backspace to correct typing mistakes due to accidental key presses from the way my fingers float on/across the keys.

Then the even harder part came along: which mechKB do I settle on? The only criteria I had was: a) red backlighting, b) Cherry Browns, and c) dedicated volume control. I took a shot with the Corsair K70, and I have never been so impressed over a...damn keyboard. Brick shithouse level of quality. I'm in my early 40s now, and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if this thing lives longer than I do. My only keyboard dilemma going forward is to figure out if I pass it along to one of my kids or keep it to put it in my casket in 20+ years. :LOL:
 
Love my Max Keyboard Nighthawk x7. Normal looking black keyboard with white LED backlighting. Cherry MX Blues. Came with a wrist wrest too, which I actually like. Very nice braided cable and it has headphone / mic / USB. I like having USB on the keyboard so I can plug in my mouse's receiver and not worry about it being too far away for reception.

http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-nighthawk-x7-backlit-mechanical-keyboard.html

I think it's been superseded by a new model with RGB lighting, but it looks pretty much the same. They go on sale a couple of times a year...I think I got mine for less than $100. Been going for 3 or so years now and I still love it. Can't see myself buying another keyboard unless this one breaks.
 
Pretty sure that I have the Nighthawk, black with white backlighting, and browns with dampeners.

I will put out one word of caution- do NOT spill anything on it. I'm still recovering.
 
I like my CM Storm Quickfire Rapid, tenkeyless, with blues. A nice mech keyboard you can find for less than $100.
 
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