So my wife wanted a mechanical keyboard...

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entropism

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So a week or so back I went looking for an ultra-budget board for my wife's first mech. She wanted pink or purple LEDs with blue switches, and I wanted it to be as cheap as possible.

I ended up finding an open box E-Element Eagle Z-77 on eBay for $40 shipped, and it arrived yesterday. I was told there was a cosmetic flaw on it, but I'll be damned if I can find it.

I am SHOCKED at how nice this budget board is. I loved my logitech G710+ (browns) that I got 6 months ago, but this blows it out of the water. Aluminum build, Outemu blues (they're fine for her needs), not true RGB but it does what she wants... I might just have to get another one for myself.

https://i.imgur.com/YRFmGs6.jpg
 
I was honestly considering it when I was installing everything on the new computer, but I value my life. Both my sex life, and actual life.

I will say: The Logitech is really nice, for what it is, and the price I paid for it, which was $50 at Best Buy during black friday. If I was spending $100, I'd definitely be going with something else, like maybe Ducky.
 
Yes, and yes. The wrist guard is plastic, and gets attached by two magnetic pegs. One of the sturdier options I've ever seen. The lights can shift through 7 colors, a bunch of modes, as well as completely off. You can also adjust brightness. Someone also mentioned you can control the colors per key, but we haven't messed with it enough to figure out how. It's not in the manual.
 
That looks a lot like some OEM version of those Corsair K series keyboards, at least as far as the shaping of the shell and wrist guard go.

If that's what it is that's a hell of a good price.
 
It's definitely a similar shape. Corsair boards tend to be kind of hated by the mech community (along with the obvious Logitechs and Razer), so that's the first time I actually noticed they were similar. For "mainstream" brands, Coolermaster seems to be the favorite, then niche brands like Ducky, iKBC, etc.

After a few weeks of use, there's no complaints. It's loud as fuck, but that's what the wife wanted, and her office is across the house from mine, so I don't care. I'll be ordering my new board later tonight, and will shelve the logitech or give it to a friend.

I'll be doing this one, with Gateron Blues (which I've heard are better that Cherry) - https://www.pcgamingrace.com/products/glorious-modular-rgb-mechanical-gaming-keyboard-barebones
 
Man that looks like a Corsair inspired keyboard. I might have to get one to check out...
 
If you want to get one of them, go for the (more bland looking) Z88. The Z77 has ALPS stems on the switches, while the Z88 has normal cherry stems. Makes a difference when you go to replace keycaps.
 
Small update: Keyboard is going strong. Figured out how to do per-key coloring, but the wife is happy with the standard "flowing rainbow" look. The Alps stems are definitely an issue if you want to replace caps, so go for the Z88 instead of the Z77.

In the $100 range, I took delivery of the PCGR board with Gateron Blues, and it's just ridiculously nice. However, save yourself $20 buying their keycaps, go with PBT doubleshots from China, you'll be better off.

Oh, and the moral of the story is: Even a cheap Chinese mech will be a lot better than any Logitech you buy. The End. *closes book*
 
Last edited:
entropism said:
Small update: Keyboard is going strong. Figured out how to do per-key coloring, but the wife is happy with the standard "flowing rainbow" look. The Alps stems are definitely an issue if you want to replace caps, so go for the Z88 instead of the Z77.

In the $100 range, I took delivery of the PCGR board with Gateron Blues, and it's just ridiculously nice. However, save yourself $20 buying their keycaps, go with PBT doubleshots from China, you'll be better off.

Oh, and the moral of the story is: Even a cheap Chinese mech will be a lot better than any Logitech you buy. The End. *closes book*
Click to expand...

I went to BB to test out some different keyboards before I bought a mechanical. You are right about the Logitech ones. I couldn't stand the feel of them at all.

My home keyboard is a Corsair Strafe RGB. Apart from the paint wearing off of the left CTRL, I really like it and have never felt I wanted a different one.

At work I have a Cherry MX Board 6.0. Works great. Only red backlighting, but what does it matter? It is for work.
 
wow that looks nice. good find.

so would you say you're a brown man? Like going to brown town?
 
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