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Sub-$100 gaming keyboards

V

variant

Gawd
Joined
Feb 17, 2008
Messages
942
Does anyone have any opinion on sub-$100 gaming keyboards?

I generally don't use WASD, and use the arrow keys for physical comfort. I have been looking for a keyboard with a lot of keys nearby. I don't like the number pad arrow keys as I like to use my thumb on num key 0 (from my grappling hook days of Quake 2 CTF).

Any suggestions?
 
I was able to get my Razer Blackwidow Ultimate for $103, if you cant swing that, go for the regular Blackwidow for like $70-80. It will convert you to mechanical keyboards for life.
 
I was looking into various ones. The steelseries Merc looks interesting with the dedicated gaming keys, but I remember Ideazon being really crappy.
 
variant said:
I was looking into various ones. The steelseries Merc looks interesting with the dedicated gaming keys, but I remember Ideazon being really crappy.
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Thats all just marketing rubbish, look into a real keyboard, one with mechanical key switches, it will convert you for life.
 
yeahhh, blackwidow is a good entry level mechanical keyb, it's pretty hard to find substitute
 
The X-Armor U9BL is a great entry-level mechanical keyboard as well. It would be my preference over the BW or BWU. It's about $120...but if you're a student or in education, you can get a nice discount.
 
Aecursis said:
The X-Armor U9BL is a great entry-level mechanical keyboard as well. It would be my preference over the BW or BWU. It's about $120...but if you're a student or in education, you can get a nice discount.
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Can you elaborate please? I am a student and I also work in a college. How can I get a discount?
 
MrBucket said:
I was able to get my Razer Blackwidow Ultimate for $103, if you cant swing that, go for the regular Blackwidow for like $70-80. It will convert you to mechanical keyboards for life.
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I honestly don't see one thing that the Blackwidow does better than my Unicomp Spacesaver. I find this board so much more comfortable to type on and I really like it for gaming too. It's a very solid all around board.
 
BababooeyHTJ said:
I honestly don't see one thing that the Blackwidow does better than my Unicomp Spacesaver. I find this board so much more comfortable to type on and I really like it for gaming too. It's a very solid all around board.
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I never heard of the other keyboard, but is it mechanical and does it have backlighting? usb passthrough? headphone/microphone passthrough? ability to record macros in hardware on the fly?
 
Microsoft Sidewinder X6 is cool. You can swap the num pad to either side or remove it all together (which doesn't look to be your preference) :p

+1 for another fellow Q2 spider monkey :p
 
The primary function I want on a keyboard are macros. Specifically, to get it to recast buffs in an MMO over and over.

Zepher said:
Grab a Logitech G13,
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/keyboards/keyboard/devices/5123
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I've considered it, but I am not sure it will have ultimately enough programmable keys.

BurntToast said:
Microsoft Sidewinder X6 is cool. You can swap the num pad to either side or remove it all together (which doesn't look to be your preference) :p

+1 for another fellow Q2 spider monkey :p
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There has never been another FPS multiplayer like Q2 CTF. :(

Serpico said:
Steelseries 6Gv2 or Razer BlackWidow.

Mechanical or bust. ;)
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I've looked at some steelseries products before and they usually get 3 stars or eggs, or have so few reviews that one can't judge. Do these two keyboards feel different in any way? The steelseries doesn't seem to be programmable.

Ultimately, aren't mechanical keyboards loud? I will probably never know the hype until I actually try one out. Also, as it is easier to actually press the keys, wouldn't accidental key presses become more common?

Edit: Now that I am looking at the Razer, I have to say that the font they use on the keyboard is abhorrent. The 'R' is not even an 'R'. :/
 
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Another + for the BW, once you go mechanical cant go back to anything else, the cherry blues are feel very accurate have not had any issues with accidental key presses, also..yea the BW font is ugly but under 100 its the best bang for the buck
 
While I'd say go mechanical I really have to put my opinion into Saitek eclipse.

Don't go steelseries keyboards (at least 6 and 7g) because they're crap quality.
 
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variant said:
Which Eclipse and why the Eclipse specifically?
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1st or 2nd one, Why? Because they are REALLY well built compared to Logitech and Razer competition. They have the same features as most of "the competition" but built like a tank.

I use it as my LAN keyboard as its stupidly cheap and I don't have to worry about replacing it.. However, I haven't had to do that yet and its been YEARS. Its been dropped, scratched, tossed into and carried in bags more times than I can count and its still going strong.

I would carry my mechanical with me but $150+ is just too much to risk.

Also just edited my post.. Don't know why I said newegg over steelseries LOL.
 
If you go mechanical, also give the $100 Rosewill RK-9000 a look. That's what I'm using and I couldn't be happier with it. Newegg sells them and Amazon gets them in and out.
 
Any keyboard I get, needs to be programmable, it is the key reason I am upgrading. Neither the steelseries nor the Rosewill is, so I will have to pass on those.

As for mechanical. I really hesitate getting a keyboard that really clicks. My headphones are open for the the large soundstage and if it is too bad while playing, it could get annoying.

Honestly, I am leaning towards just getting a G13, though I want to test how comfortable it is.
 
Serpico said:
I 1000% disagree, I have two 6Gv2s and they're fantastic. IMHO they are also better quality than the Filco that I had.
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That must be why the only two Steelseries products that I have owned has gone bad within a year. One of which is a G6v2. Their customer service is also among the worst that I have ever experienced. I won't buy anything form SS other than the cheap QCK+ again.
 
I am a non-WASD user as well. Here's my personal experience...

1. Razer - TERRIBLE quality control on their keyboards. I went through 3 lycosas (made Razer replace them all free of charge). The cicuitry would cause keys to randomly not work or act like they were continually being pressed when they weren't. The only solution was to unplug and plug it back in.

Their mice are fine though. I love my Deathadder and I should probably buy another and put it in a closet for when this one finally gives out.

2. Logitech - Owned the G110. Using it right now. It's ok I guess. Nothing spectacular. The G keys on the left really throw me off though. I end up hitting them instead of CTRL.

3. Dell - No complaints. I always keep a few Dell keyboards around to plug into my server or other computers I need to work on. But they never feel like they have any weight to them which is an issue for me.

4. Steelseries - Purchased one on Friday, waiting for it to come in. Looking forward to it based on reviews (it's NKRO compliant which for us non-WASD users is important since most gaming keyboard manufacturers only focus on WASD anti-ghosting).
 
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I just can't seem to justify spending that much on a keyboard. I paid ten bucks for my current one.
 
Spilly said:
I just can't seem to justify spending that much on a keyboard. I paid ten bucks for my current one.
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Mechanical switches make typing a much better experience. I found the investment to be well-worth it and I won't ever switch back to a membrane-based keyboard.
 
tgs said:
I am a non-WASD user as well. Here's my personal experience...

1. Razer - TERRIBLE quality control on their keyboards. I went through 3 lycosas (made Razer replace them all free of charge). The cicuitry would cause keys to randomly not work or act like they were continually being pressed when they weren't. The only solution was to unplug and plug it back in.

Their mice are fine though. I love my Deathadder and I should probably buy another and put it in a closet for when this one finally gives out.

2. Logitech - Owned the G110. Using it right now. It's ok I guess. Nothing spectacular. The G keys on the left really throw me off though. I end up hitting them instead of CTRL.

3. Dell - No complaints. I always keep a few Dell keyboards around to plug into my server or other computers I need to work on. But they never feel like they have any weight to them which is an issue for me.

4. Steelseries - Purchased one on Friday, waiting for it to come in. Looking forward to it based on reviews (it's NKRO compliant which for us non-WASD users is important since most gaming keyboard manufacturers only focus on WASD anti-ghosting).
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Razer isnt actually the one making the Blackwidow Ultimate, its iOne that makes it for them so I wouldn't worry about reliability on it.
 
Pretty much every product I've ever bought from razor, 1 keyboard, 3 mice, died within a year of use. And then when I went to RMA it, it was a royal PITA. So I can't recommend anything from razor. And I don't think I could stand FPS gaming with cherry blue switches. I've been using a filco w/blacks for 2 years now and I like it, but the keys are definitely stiff for random friends who come over and try to use my computer.
 
sok0 said:
Pretty much every product I've ever bought from razor, 1 keyboard, 3 mice, died within a year of use. And then when I went to RMA it, it was a royal PITA. So I can't recommend anything from razor. And I don't think I could stand FPS gaming with cherry blue switches. I've been using a filco w/blacks for 2 years now and I like it, but the keys are definitely stiff for random friends who come over and try to use my computer.
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Same here, the Razer Lycosa was hands down the worst PC peripheral I've ever bought.
 
I've had decent luck with Logitech stuff. The G15 has treated me well, and when I say I live at my PC...I mean it. Keys still look great, its reasonably responsive...at least for a membrane keyboard, and has tolerated numerous spills. The screen is useful to me for monitoring things like temps (coretemp app), and email...especially when I'm watching a full screen movie.
Before this I had a G11 for a couple years, and it was wonderful too.
 
How is the Steel Series 6Gv2 holding up? It looks very well made and has all the basics for a solid mechanical gaming kb.
 
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