-
Ever wanted an RSS feed of all your favorite gaming news sites? Go check out our new Gaming Headlines feed! Read more about it here.
-
We have made minor adjustments to how the search bar works on ResetEra. You can read about the changes here.
Got my first mechanical keyboard. These things are kinda fun.
- Thread starter entremet
- Start date
I started with Blues for a few years but switched over to Browns this year, and they are great. The clicking noise from Blues is so freaking loud.
Browns are my favorite from all of the switch types I've typed on, but since I've never ordered a switch tester my exposure is sort of limited -- I've only ever tried out Reds, Blues, Blacks, Browns, and variants of those. I'm curious what some of the niche switches (Topre, Halo) feel like.
Edit: I have a Durgod K320 and highly recommend it if anyone is looking for a solid, straightforward TKL. Surprisingly good build quality for the price.
i'm laptop only (like literally on my lap), so i don't use it anymore, but i used to use an ibm model m, loved loved loved it
Not truly SILENT, but there are quieter switches that can be paired with rubber o ring stoppers and create minimal noise. Look up "silent reds"
Tried to get into them, some sort of nostalgia for ancient keyboards I might have used as a kid maybe.
I tried a few including Filco. But I prefer a basic scissor keyboard. Faster for typing, less effort, less finger movement.
Of the two I tried, both were cherry, it might be I just can't stand cherry switches. I didn't try Topre or Buckling Spring.
I tried a few including Filco. But I prefer a basic scissor keyboard. Faster for typing, less effort, less finger movement.
Of the two I tried, both were cherry, it might be I just can't stand cherry switches. I didn't try Topre or Buckling Spring.
With the pandemic/quarantine this year, I've got deep into the mechanical keyboard world. Currently using a Leopold TKL as my daily, but have a Rama U80-A on order along with some GMK sets. So I'll probably be able to use it sometime in 2025...Got some C3 Tangerine switches sitting a drawer until this thing arrives. This was supposed to be my "end game" but there are already some other boards catching my eye. There is no going back once you start. It's a pretty cool hobby but the wallet drain and waiting game is something else lol.
As far as an off the shelf keyboard, can't recommend the Leopold enough.
As far as an off the shelf keyboard, can't recommend the Leopold enough.
A hot swappable pcb means that you don't have to solder/desolder to put new switches in.
Sounds like an advantage. Are there any differences in quality between the two types?
I'd avoid Razer mechanical keyboards. You can find great keyboards for about the same price that are much, much better made.
Check out mechanicalkeyboards.com and look into Leopold, Ducky/Varmilo.
Just upgraded from the G910 (which served me well) to the G915 TKL Clicky - it feels so nice to use, and the dual connection means I don't have to manage desk space for two full size keyboards (gaming pc and work laptop) anymore
I've heard that hot-swappable keys can be a little less stable in the long run--since they're not directly soldered on the board. But you get to try out a lot and see what you like. It's probably worth it in the long run.
Well, atm the huntsman is $90 on amazon and I didn't see anything from those brands that were cheaper atm. Still looking through options though.
love how minimalist this looks, so compact too.I use a Vortex Race 3 for work and LOVE it
is it backlit?
The Race 3 can be backlit, but it depends on the model. One doesn't have backlighting and for a bit more you can get RGB backlighting.
mechanicalkeyboards.com
Vortex Race 3 TKL Dye Sub PBT Mechanical Keyboard
Switch options: Cherry MX Black, MX Blue, MX Brown, MX Red, MX Clear, MX Silver, MX Silent Red
mechanicalkeyboards.com
Vortex Race 3 RGB LED TKL Dye Sub PBT Mechanical Keyboard
New keycap set features a removed side print from all keys Change layout with 3 pre-programmed key combinations - QWERTY, COLEMAK, and DVORAK 4 layers for programming
mechanicalkeyboards.com
The default keycaps on the RACE 3 are DSA profile and are of excellent quality. They are however NOT shine through. So even if you get the RGB version of the board, the keycaps themselves won't have light up lettering - which can be a big deal for some. It also uses a non-standard layout so the ESC and DEL keys are 1.5U.
I have no regrets spending too much money on a silenced 45g uniform Topre keyboard almost a decade ago at this point.
It eliminated the pain I was getting in my fingertips from typing all day, practically overnight.
I could never go back to non-mechanical, low-profile keyboards. It's like hammering your fingers into the desk all day long.
I only wish that I had picked up one or two of the Cooler Master NovaTouch keyboards when they were still available, as they were affordable uniformly-weighted Topre keyboards which were compatible with Cherry keycaps.
They were teasing bringing them back earlier this year, but I don't think anything ever came of it.
The keyboard I chose has a very compact layout, and there are occasionally times I do regret that due to the use of modifier keys for some standard functions; but not the choice of switch.
I only wish its space bar was properly silenced. Not sure what is up with that, but it seems to be common for them not to be, and to use different materials.
Though I do prefer other mechanical switches to membrane keyboards, I've yet to find anything I like half as much as these Topre switches.
It eliminated the pain I was getting in my fingertips from typing all day, practically overnight.
I could never go back to non-mechanical, low-profile keyboards. It's like hammering your fingers into the desk all day long.
I only wish that I had picked up one or two of the Cooler Master NovaTouch keyboards when they were still available, as they were affordable uniformly-weighted Topre keyboards which were compatible with Cherry keycaps.
They were teasing bringing them back earlier this year, but I don't think anything ever came of it.
The keyboard I chose has a very compact layout, and there are occasionally times I do regret that due to the use of modifier keys for some standard functions; but not the choice of switch.
I only wish its space bar was properly silenced. Not sure what is up with that, but it seems to be common for them not to be, and to use different materials.
Though I do prefer other mechanical switches to membrane keyboards, I've yet to find anything I like half as much as these Topre switches.
Most KAT sets have alternative kits for Colemak, Dvorak, European alphabets etc...
My HHKB Type-S is almost completely silent, quieter than a laptop keyboard
If anyone's interested in getting into customs, this is a great, inexpensive option that should ship fast (Q1 2021) https://ramaworks.store/products/kara
My first computer was an IBM with a Model M... there's just nothing like that feeling.
I got a HyperX keyboard with Cherry Reds in it, without really doing my research, and I hate it. I don't know if it's the keys or the switches, but they have the absolute worst, mushy, hollow feeling to them. And the switch activates when the key is only about halfway down which made it impossible to adjust to.
Which switch is most likely the Model M?
I got a HyperX keyboard with Cherry Reds in it, without really doing my research, and I hate it. I don't know if it's the keys or the switches, but they have the absolute worst, mushy, hollow feeling to them. And the switch activates when the key is only about halfway down which made it impossible to adjust to.
Which switch is most likely the Model M?
That's cool, didn't even know that existed and it has dual connection, neat! Yeah, the G910 is huge even on it own, luckily I have a wide slide out desk tray so it fits perfectly fine.
Don't fall down this rabbit hole. Next thing you know, you're going to be soldering boards, lubing stabs and getting into group buys for key caps 12+ months out...
they are pretty good. Used the freestyle 2 for sometime before this one. The advantage to the advantage is the hand wells and matrix layout. It really reduces your total pain levels if you have problems with typing at your job.
There are plenty of "silent" switches you can choose from.
And if you go custom you can lube the switches and have something like mute silicone pad between switch plate and pcb to make them even more quiet.
I think my mechanical keyboard is quieter than membrane keyboards in my office (those are mostly loud because of rattle sound of longer keys though) and I don't even use silent switches, just lubed linear switches and silicone pad.
GMMK should be pretty good for cheaper keyboard though it's still around Razer price range.
If you're willing to splurge a bit though, I'd recommend checking out GMMK Pro. That thing's spec is like a $300+ board at $170. Yeah, it's pretty expensive compare to other prebuilt, but they are competing in the custom scene where $300 is the norm so the value is pretty insane. You'll need to get switches and keycaps separately though so it'll add up a bit more.
Last edited:
The freestyle edge is probably a better choice for gaming and has the same tenting functionality + RGB lighting + anti ghosting. The price is pretty similar to the pro with no real drawbacks from what I can see.
Sort of
There's switches from Zelio that are far more silent, and there's ones like Niz which are electro static and sound almost like a membrane. The plate the keys sit on can be a big factor in how it sounds as well
Jesus, this thread made me realize I too felt down the rabbit hole...
I got a Kumara, fnatic, corsair k95, razer optical, razer mini, durgod hades, ducky one 2 SF, a Keychron k3 and GMMK pro both on pre order....
I need to stop!!! There should be a rehab group for mech keyboards addicts lol.
I got a Kumara, fnatic, corsair k95, razer optical, razer mini, durgod hades, ducky one 2 SF, a Keychron k3 and GMMK pro both on pre order....
I need to stop!!! There should be a rehab group for mech keyboards addicts lol.
Ok, you fuckers convinced me. I guess I'll grab a Keychron K2? I'm in Thailand, so I need to find one I can buy local. They have a Keychron Thai site.
I do contract drafting for work, so I guess brown switches make the most sense? I wake up at 4am for work, so I don't want to wake my wife with clacking keys from my office down the hall.
What do y'all think? I actually enjoy the flat, Surface Pro keyboard style. Will a mechanical be a huge mistake?
I do contract drafting for work, so I guess brown switches make the most sense? I wake up at 4am for work, so I don't want to wake my wife with clacking keys from my office down the hall.
What do y'all think? I actually enjoy the flat, Surface Pro keyboard style. Will a mechanical be a huge mistake?
I'm on the same boat as you my friend. It's really tempting until I check the prices.
Is there any sort of "entry level" good mechanical keyboard? Or is it like espresso machines where the entry level is already extremely expensive?
had a corsair cherry red for a long time with some keys destroyed by finger nails. This thread reminded me I want to get a tenkeyless one for new table. Looking at ducky one 2 tkl right now, but hoping ikbc mf87 comes back in stock soon. Just heard back from ikbc, apparently it's at end of life product and won't be restocked again.
There's options in three brackets. Basically $10-$100 is a basic keyboard you'll get basically cherry switches (not branded ones but basically ones that feel the same). The Redragon K552 is probably the one I see mentioned most. With red switches (and a blue switch options) it's a really cheap offering at $30 to $40. I had one and the typing was pretty good but the led keys programming is weird to figure out (basically you have to read an online guide) and I spilt water slightly on it within a week of having it and it broke which admittedly would probably happen to any mechanical keyboard.
Then there's the nicer ones that are usually $100+. Here is where you find you're keyboards with plates of actual brushed aluminum and overall better feel and build quality (and name brand switches). Ducky is a well respected brand though they tend to be mid to higher $100's. The razer huntsman edition is a keyboard I considered for a long time as it's a very low profile tkl keyboard though it uses razers own interesting switches.
And then you get into enthusiast boards where you get things like hot swapping for switches and build your own keyboards but you're also looking at $200- whatever you can think it might cost.
If you just want a clicky keyboard there's nothing wrong with the cheap options and they're a good way to try out mechanical keyboards without too much commitment money wise
That's actually not that bad! 40-50 bucks seems an okay price to know how these things feel. Thank you very much for your answer!!
What's the best full (not ten keyless) mechanical keyboard out there under $100? I'm leaning towards a Logitech K845 with brown switches.
I have a WASD Keyboards CODE 10keyless with Cherry MX Clears that I use for work. It was very difficult to find a prebuilt keyboard that could use a Mac layout and had a normal not gamer-y legend on it.
Got my first too just this summer. Wanted a Logitech G915 originally but didn't want it for $250 though. Ended up getting a Keychron K1 104 key for less than $100 and its been amazing. Felt odd at first getting used to the keys but after a while I went back to my original membrane one and couldn't believe how much I no longer like it. I have Gateron Low Profile Red's on mine
I've got a Logitech K840 here at work and I like it a lot. Nothing fancy but better than the cheap, non-mechanical keyboards.