New Mechanical Keyboard

N

Namtaro

n00b
Joined
Jul 15, 2012
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I know there's a bunch of sites and resources, but it's pretty overwhelming when trying to find a specific keyboard so hopefully you guys can help. I've had my current keyboard, a Microsoft Sidewinder x6 for a few years now and the wear and tear is showing. Oddly enough, I also find myself typing better on my Macbook Pro's keyboard! Maybe it's just because I'm typing more on it that I got used to it, or the Sidewinder is just that bad.
Reading around, it seems that Cherry Blue's are the best for typing? I tried a blackwidow in a store and the sound doesn't bother me at all... just too bad the keyboard wasn't hooked up to a computer for actual testing, but the tactile feedback does feel great.

This keyboard will be primarily be used for typing... I do game, but I don't need any macro keys or any 'game' specific buttons. I do however want a backlit keyboard (Blue preferred) and multimedia keys... multimedia keys kinda optional since I can still assign f-keys to VLC, but would much rather have dedicated media keys.

Looking to spend around 100, but my budget can be stretched if it's a keyboard that's a perfect fit. Closest thing I saw at the store that I liked was the K90 from Corsair. Solid construction, but the keys just didn't have that tactile feedback... and I heard that some of the keys weren't even mechanical? So yeah, any suggestions? :)
 
Corsair K90 has firmware bugs, and also uses a subpar OEM compared to others. You can look into the Coolermaster quickfire rapid if you want a tenkeyless form factor, or a Rosewill RK-9000 if you need full size. Both CM quickfire and Rosewill has the same PCB as Filco, which is a known high quality brand. I did a video review for all 3 of these keyboards, here is the Rosewill and I'll upload the quickfire one in a few days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncB-rvAgrLQ
 
Both CM quickfire and Rosewill has the same PCB as Filco,
Click to expand...

Actually they do NOT have the same PCB!

46yUZ.jpg


They have different pcbs, shells, firmware, keys, cables, boxes, warranties etc....

I believe they DO share the Holtek 82K controller.

This is a rumor spread by lazy Geekhackers.
 
Both the keyboards you suggested don't have a backlit keyboard.. Which is a requirement for me.
 
the ducky shine is well regarded for backlit

I am still waiting for wasd to bust their tenkeyless offering myself
 
If you want backlight - there is Gigabyte Aivia Osmium with Cherry Reds and CM Storm Trigger that can be ordered with any color of switch. I got rid of Osmium, as I found MX Reds were not for me (even though the layout of the keys, media/backlight/volume controls were top notch), now I'm using StormTrigger with Blues, and it is good.
 
Ripster55 said:
Actually they do NOT have the same PCB!

They have different pcbs, shells, firmware, keys, cables, boxes, warranties etc....

I believe they DO share the Holtek 82K controller.

This is a rumor spread by lazy Geekhackers.
Click to expand...

That's right, but they use the same manufacturer which in most cases is what determines the level of quality on soldering and overall construction.
 
get ducky shine or ducky shine II only difference is that the new one has more lightning modes.
 
ShuttleMunky said:
get ducky shine or ducky shine II only difference is that the new one has more lightning modes.
Click to expand...

The Shining 2 also fixes problems the Shining v1 had concerning loss of lighting settings and remaining on when the computer was turned off.
 
Damn, 133 dollars that seems really good! Site seems kinda shady though...

It looks like the keyboard also has media keys... but on the f-keys. Is there a switch to alternate between the two or something?

Tenlesskey is without the numpad right? I don't use the numpad at all... I actually took it off my Sidewinder x6 so that'd actually be a plus for me.


Looking at their site it listed this one
http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=12176

as
Key Characters: English
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue
Layout:US ASCII 87 Tenkeyless
Actuation Force: 50g (60g Peak Force)
Key Plastic: ABS
Tactile: Yes
'Clicky': No
Primary LED: Blue
Special Key LED: Blue


Shouldn't blue keys be 'clicky'? Or is it just a mistake on their part.
 
Last edited:
yeah, I think the blues have an audible click, perhaps they have O ring dampeners pre installed

Why does the site seem shady? I was under the impression tiger was one of the only places to get the Ducky.
 
Tigerimports.net is a parent site for Mechanicalkeyboards.com iirc, it's legit.

MX Blue are tactile + clicky the site probably just has it labeled wrong since even adding o-rings to blues doesn't remove the <click> it just dampens the <clack> from bottoming out (and the only Cherry MX boards that come with sound dampeners installed are the new Logitech G710+).
 
Skull_Angel said:
That's right, but they use the same manufacturer which in most cases is what determines the level of quality on soldering and overall construction.
Click to expand...

Not really. Geekhackers need to learn what ODM and OEM mean and the difference.

Diatec/Filco used a contractor named Carl Matsu to design the keyboard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_design_manufacturer

Rosewill I am certain just slapped a label on a CST-104.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_equipment_manufacturer

All the Senior Geekhackers left that site so you need to question what they say.
 
Ripster55 said:
Not really. Geekhackers need to learn what ODM and OEM mean and the difference.

Diatec/Filco used a contractor named Carl Matsu to design the keyboard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_design_manufacturer

Rosewill I am certain just slapped a label on a CST-104.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_equipment_manufacturer

All the Senior Geekhackers left that site so you need to question what they say.
Click to expand...

I think you missed out on what I said; I didn't mention anything about using similar designs/designers, what I did say is that they use the same manufacturer.

When comparing different boards, finding out the manufacturing company will give you an idea of the over all quality of construction and that's about all.
 
I have noticed that on some boards, like new PLUM, Keycool, KBT and a few others. The soldering quality seems higher than it use to be on other Chinese boards (that or people posting pictures got lucky boards).
 
Ripster55 said:
Actually they do NOT have the same PCB!

They have different pcbs, shells, firmware, keys, cables, boxes, warranties etc....

I believe they DO share the Holtek 82K controller.

This is a rumor spread by lazy Geekhackers.
Click to expand...

I figured you could read between the lines, but I guess not.

I never said they were identical. The point is that both Rosewill and Filco's core electronics are associated with Costar. They're not from completely different manufacturers like Costar and iOne that implies differences in quality.
 
The only thing that different manufacturers really guarantees is that the construction will be of similar quality. Often times this can be a great determining factor for the finished product though.

Bad soldering can cause all sorts of problems and occurs normally in a lot of electronics. Mainly because lead alloys have been pushed out of most solder going into consumer products; alternative alloys require higher temps that have greater potential of damaging the components. Most companies try to run their machines nearly too cold, but apparently QC checks elude some companies after this process and batches full of cold solder points end up making it to final construction and get shipped out to retail.
 
Definitely true but Chinese manufacturers are getting better each year.

Don't underestimate them.

Ducky has improved dramatically to the point I never hear anybody even MENTION Deck any more.
 
Ripster55 said:
Definitely true but Chinese manufacturers are getting better each year.

Don't underestimate them.

Ducky has improved dramatically to the point I never hear anybody even MENTION Deck any more.
Click to expand...

I like the way Deck's keycaps are manufactured, I just wish they'd use a decent font and sell cap sets. They'd probably make a killing offering key cap sets again (why'd they even stop in the first place?).
 
Skull_Angel said:
I like the way Deck's keycaps are manufactured, I just wish they'd use a decent font and sell cap sets. They'd probably make a killing offering key cap sets again (why'd they even stop in the first place?).
Click to expand...

They also lack switch choices.
 
Yeah, though they are one of easiest to find sources of MX Clears (though buying a Deck board to harvest the switches would be nearly as bad as buying them individually at consumer prices :eek:).
 
Geekhackers keep calling the Deck Keys Doubleshots. They are actually NOT doubleshots.

http://imgur.com/a/LLDTG#0

Not sure why they stopped making these but I it's like they disappeared from the Mechanical Keyboard Business JUST as it went mainstream. Now it's all Ducky and Logitech and Razer and soon to be a jillion Chinese Clones.
 
There's already a good handful of chinese backlits out there, they seem decent enough and not all that many complaints about LED issues. The keycaps don't seem to be done as well as Ducky's, but they do look comparable to Razer's on most.

QWERKeys are now doing something similar in their B series, but the face isn't printed negatively (I don't think they're dye sublimated either).

I've heard that Ducky is going to start producing colored keycaps for backlit boards, but haven't dug too much into it myself (I'm actually more interested in the non-backlit Keycool 84s right now since they've swapped to using POM and PBT caps).
 
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