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Mechanical Keyboard Guide

My Blackwidow Ultimate has been acting strange lately, random keys decide to stop working at different times, and the W key either doesn't work, or double taps.

My first mechanical keyboard was a Filco Majestouch with brown switches, but the W and G key don't always work.

I'd really like to go with the Deck, but it's not that cheap. Should I just unsolder the bad Filco keys and replace those with say....Scroll lock and Pause break?
 
Good to know! Thanks for the info.

Edit: Ordered 5 switches for a little over $10 shipped
 
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I should have mentioned, although this shouldn't matter in your case. Cherry has two types of switches I believe (For each color), ones for plate-mounted and ones for PCB-mounted. WASD sells plate-mounted boards, so I believe those are the plate-mounted switches.

Filco and Blackwidow are plate-mounted, so they should be fine too.
 
Blazestorm said:
WASDKeyboards has lots of parts...

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keyboard-parts-1.html

Cheap shipping too, they'll do first-class which is like $1-3 for small stuff.
Click to expand...

Wow, switches now too. If they start selling PBT caps and TKL boards, they'll be very competitive.

Ripster55 said:
Announcing a new source of daily keyboard news!

And of course this [H]ardforum thread is linked to from it!

http://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/

And if there are any trackball fans....

http://www.reddit.com/r/Trackballs/
Click to expand...

Nice
 
imyourzero said:
Impulse and I agree once again. :)

I know I've said it before in this thread, but Browns were my favorite for a while...until I became retarded and purchased my Realforce. But I had always been curious about Reds (they are MUCH more common/available now than they were 1-2 years ago) so the newest kid on the block for me is a Leopold with Reds and I haven't switched off of it since I've had it. I don't know why, really. Like Impulse and others, I find typing (and gaming) with the Reds to be an enjoyable experience but that's not really saying much because I enjoy typing with all of the switches I've used...except for the Alps switches in the ABS M1 (shudder). The Reds are similar to the Browns in terms of force required, and yeah the tactile bump isn't very pronounced. It's there, but I tended to notice it more when pressing the keys slowly and feeling for it. Not so much when typing fast. It did kind of help in games though, because you could "preload" the key by pressing it until you felt that small bit of resistance where the actuation point was and then you knew you were at the brink whereas with Reds the actuation point is kind of a guessing game at first until you get used to them and learn the point during their travel that they register a key press.

I've shied away from the stiffer keys such as Blacks and Clears because I too am not sure I'd like the higher pressure. I know some love them and say they prevent accidental key presses, but I've not had that issue with Reds or Browns after getting used to them and the reports of finger fatigue with Blacks were one reason I've skipped them. I would definitely like to take one for a test drive just to see for myself, but then again I'm happy with the 5 mechanical boards that I already have and don't really need an excuse/reason to buy another. :p
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IMO your suspicions are correct re: MX Blacks. I've found that the blacks (typing on it right now) are too stiff. I notice significantly more fatigue in my wrists typing extensively on the blacks than on the reds, which I use at home. Its actually a decent keyboard for the price (Monoprice gaming keyboard), I just wish they made it in browns. The only reason I'm still using it is because I'd rather use this than the crappy membrane keyboard the office gives me.
 
I had the same suspicion with the black switches. I'm typing on a KBT Pure LE with reds right now and I find it really comfortable even though I'm still in the process of retraining my muscle memory. 45g Topres and blue cherries are the other switches that intrigue me. This is my first mech keyboard since I was a little kid.
 
Activate: AMD said:
IMO your suspicions are correct re: MX Blacks. I've found that the blacks (typing on it right now) are too stiff. I notice significantly more fatigue in my wrists typing extensively on the blacks than on the reds, which I use at home. Its actually a decent keyboard for the price (Monoprice gaming keyboard), I just wish they made it in browns. The only reason I'm still using it is because I'd rather use this than the crappy membrane keyboard the office gives me.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I don't understand why they don't have more options. They look like nice boards, but it from what I've seen you can only get a non-backlit with blacks and the backlit version with reds. I'd like to see them offer blues and browns and maybe different colors of backlighting. Maybe they are just testing the waters...odd that they didn't go with blues or browns since those seem to be the most popular options. Although blacks have their following and reds have grown in popularity since they've become more readily available.
 
Thanks to this guide. I checked information on all the links and I ended up buying Razer Black Widow Ultimate Mechanical Keyboard.
Still love the feel and the lighting.
 
Can someone link me to a site where I can buy a KBC Poker with Cherry MX Black switches? The links in the OP don't work.

SLFCore said:
Thanks to this guide. I checked information on all the links and I ended up buying Razer Black Widow Ultimate Mechanical Keyboard.
Still love the feel and the lighting.
Click to expand...

I'm interested in why you chose that one out of many others.
 
...you asked for a Poker in MX Blacks, they carry a Poker in MX Blacks, and you're considering buying something else "instead of waiting"? I'm confused.

Also look at the Race and Pure from KBT, as well as the Noppoo Choc Mini.

As for eBay, that's strange, there were tons of them on there a couple months ago, but I'm not finding any now either.
 
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silent please forgive me, I didn't know it was the Vortex company, I was confused myself.

Anyway I love that Noppoo Choc Mini, I think I'm going to buy that.

Thank you very much for replying.
 
No worries. :)

Only thing to remember about the Choc Mini is it's not fully Apple compatible, so if you're using it with PCs no worries, but Apple may be problematic.
 
silent-circuit said:
No worries. :)

Only thing to remember about the Choc Mini is it's not fully Apple compatible, so if you're using it with PCs no worries, but Apple may be problematic.
Click to expand...

Yep it won't be used on an Apple computer, but I appreciate the warning.

I ordered the keyboard with that link you sent. Now I just have to hope it arrives with no issues :D
 
Let us know how you like the choc mini I've been eyeing that keyboard for quite some time.
 
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Eiolon said:
I bought the CM Storm QuickFire and have been using it for about a week

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master...=UTF8&qid=1343660132&sr=8-1&keywords=cm+storm

I like the response but I hate the noise. I have also determined I use the 10 keypad more than I thought I did. So what recommendations do you have for a full size mechanical keyboard that has less noise?
Click to expand...

This one looks pretty sweet.


I think you might want to get a set of rubber dampers to keep the noise down as well. :cool:
 
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WSAD makes good boards. I'd ask where most of the noise is coming from -- give it some time, as with blues you should be able to avoid bottoming out noise fairly easily but the "click" from the switch itself will always be there. If it's mostly bottoming out noise focus on learning not to bottom out, and failing that get some o-rings as pwrusr suggested. If it's mostly switch noise, sell the board (you want a numpad anyway, right) and get a full size in MX Browns instead.
 
silent-circuit said:
WSAD makes good boards. I'd ask where most of the noise is coming from -- give it some time, as with blues you should be able to avoid bottoming out noise fairly easily but the "click" from the switch itself will always be there. If it's mostly bottoming out noise focus on learning not to bottom out, and failing that get some o-rings as pwrusr suggested. If it's mostly switch noise, sell the board (you want a numpad anyway, right) and get a full size in MX Browns instead.
Click to expand...

This. I'd opt for something with Cherry MX Browns if I couldn't stand the noise of the MX Blues and wanted the tactile feedback. I actually like Cherry MX Blues and prefer them over other switch types but that's just me.
 
Well, at the last minute, I went completely the other way. I skipped the Filco, and went for the Unicomp EnduraPro. I missed my old Trackpoint IV from IBM.



**Edit. Cancelled the order. Stupid Paypal screwing things up.


Before I place another order, any opinions on Filco vs EnduraPro?
 
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They really are completely different keyboards. I prefer buckling springs to plate mounted mx blues. Its all personal preference really. They are both quality keyboards. At this point in time I would find it hard to go with a filco over a rosewill or wasd keyboard which are quite a bit cheaper with comparable quality.
 
With all the good would of mouth about mechanical keyboards I'm definitely gonna get one eventually and not without it being a one that lits up
 
batteriesnotincluded said:
Well, at the last minute, I went completely the other way. I skipped the Filco, and went for the Unicomp EnduraPro. I missed my old Trackpoint IV from IBM.



**Edit. Cancelled the order. Stupid Paypal screwing things up.


Before I place another order, any opinions on Filco vs EnduraPro?
Click to expand...

I get the impression you are in a similar place as I.


I have a black IBM M13 Trackpoint II, and I love the thing. Problem is keycaps are wearing out and neither Unicomp nor anyone else I can find seems to be making any more of them in black :(

I absolutely love the buckling spring keys, but I just find the mixed color scheme that Unicomp now uses to be FAR too ugly.

I have been considering doing a custom WASD keyboards build, using dampened plate mounted cherry MX blues, but I know that it won't be the same and I will probably be disappointed.

If only Unicomp or some 3rd party vendor could be persuaded to make black model M keycaps... I have tried every custom keycap molder I can find online, without any luck, most balking at the cost it would take them to make double shot molds, or not wanting to pad print keys as it wears away too quickly.

(the dye sublimation process used on lighter keys does not work on black. This problem is likely why Unicomp discontinued their black keycaps.)
 
Question to the owners of the Choc Mini, did it look like when you received the package that it looked used? And there's black marker over the name "Noppoo" on the package and keyboard. Why?

DirtyB said:
Let us know how you like the choc mini I've been eyeing that keyboard for quite some time.
Click to expand...

Trying it tonight, let you know tomorrow.

FWIW I also own the Corsair K60 so I can report differences on red and black switches if you like.
 
Would love to hear how blacks feel coming from reds, black is the only switch type I've yet to try (well, and clears).
 
I will do my best to accurately describe both.

Now for the folks who are going to order the Choc Mini or waiting until my assesment to purchase (if mine is a positive one), I received the following email from the seller about the black marks on the packaging and keyboard (and it supposedly looking used):

Hi,
Thanks for your email.
This is absolutely new because we are a primary agent in China and we ordered it directly from the factory of Noppoo China.

As you know,different places have different agents and different prices.
There are agents of Noppoo in your country.
And it will be hold at the customs forever if we do not smear the brandmark with black pens.
You can erase the scratches on the keyboard with water if you think it is ugly.

Please feel free to contact us if any other questions.

Best Regards
Jessie
Click to expand...

So there you have it, I don't know nearly enough about customs to know if what was said above is not true, but I'll believe it for now. I'll may give scrubbing the black marks off with water because I do like to see the logo, but that's just being nitpicky.

Impressions tomorrow. I will say on the surface that the MX Red switches do feel very light when pressed than the blacks and almost seem to "spring" back faster than the black. In fact the feeling is so light on the Reds that you may not know a key actually registers depending how less of a tacitle force you use. The blacks do require more force, but before I say how much let me have some more time with this Choc Mini.
 
thesecond said:
Theyre terrible. Tiring to use. Stick with the reds, theyre just so lovely to touch.
Click to expand...

I don't understand the appeal of linear mechanical switches.

To me the main selling point of mechanical switches is their tactility.

But that's probably why I am still sticking with IBM's buckling spring design.
 
Zarathustra, I have a question regarding the SB X-Fi Titanium HD that you list in your sig. Would it be ok to send you a PM about it?
 
thesecond said:
Theyre terrible. Tiring to use.
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It's funny how this lie has perpetuated after someone posted a lot of nonsense about 'MX blacks are designed for gaming, not for typing.' Was it the fault of that guide on OCN that the author ripped off from Geekhack and then added their own arbitrary opinions?

The origin of this myth doesn't really matter, the MX design is from way before gaming, and particularly before PC gaming was in any way significant. Nobody ever thought about designing a key-switch specifically for gaming keyboards, no such thing exists. All MX inc. the blacks are designed to be typed on, inc. in data centres where the keyboards are being used 24rs a day, 365 days a year and they are for operators pulling 12-16hrs shifts.

The only place you may find gaming switches is on the game pads designed by Sony & Nintendo, even then most of the switches are chosen from 'off the shelf' (it's usually way cheaper to do that than tool a factory)

I'd also like to point out that MX blacks have an actuation force very similar, or slightly less than the buckling springs that are so favoured by many users. If pressing either of these keys is actually tiring then perhaps it's time to see a doctor? maybe you have emphysema or cancer or something else serious to worry about.
 
IanM said:
It's funny how this lie has perpetuated after someone posted a lot of nonsense about 'MX blacks are designed for gaming, not for typing.' Was it the fault of that guide on OCN that the author ripped off from Geekhack and then added their own arbitrary opinions?

...

If pressing either of these keys is actually tiring then perhaps it's time to see a doctor? maybe you have emphysema or cancer or something else serious to worry about.
Click to expand...

Ian, you make some valid and factual points in your post but I don't think I can agree that the fact that someone posted "They're terrible. Tiring to use." is a lie. Obviously it's an opinion and not a fact that will apply to everyone, but that opinion is shared by some (not all) people who have used and/or owned keyboards with Black switches. I recall several posts from people who said that they noticed more fatigue in their fingers when using Black switches for long periods of time. Are they wrong? Probably not; perhaps they lack the finger/hand strength that others possess. That shouldn't evoke the common response of "Then you need to go to the gym more." People are biologically different. Do they have emphysema, cancer, or some other debilitating disease that would make using the switches tiring? Let's hope not! :)

There is generally no right and wrong when it comes to switches, and we are lucky to have so many to choose from in order to suit our individual tastes. You may not think Blacks are tiring to use, but obviously others do, and I think it's wrong to call it a "lie." You might not agree with it -- I'm sure the stiffness doesn't bother everyone -- but it's wrong to label someone's opinion as a lie because you don't agree with it.

I don't understand how Zarathustra[H] doesn't understand the appeal of linear mechanical switches, but that's his opinion. :D I like them because sometimes it's nice not to have to feel that tactile bump/click if you want a smooth typing experience, and they offer a far superior feel and durability vs. membrane switches.
 
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