Best mechanical RGB keyboard is..?

Upgrade · 8 Jan 2015 at 17:36

In your opinion?

I really like the RGB keyboards coming out lately. I've also never had a mechanical keyboard before, so I haven't any experience with the different types of switches. Can anyone ELI5 about the different colour/switches? What's the most popular?

So yeah, which RGB keyboard do you recommend? ^_^

Price range ~£150!

Loxa · 8 Jan 2015 at 18:14

Upgrade said:
In your opinion?

I really like the RGB keyboards coming out lately. I've also never had a mechanical keyboard before, so I haven't any experience with the different types of switches. Can anyone ELI5 about the different colour/switches? What's the most popular?

So yeah, which RGB keyboard do you recommend? ^_^

Price range ~£150!

YOUR BASKET
1 x Razer Blackwidow Chroma Mechanical Gaming Keyboard £149.99
1 x Corsair K70 RGB MX Brown Switch - Limited Edition 'Sails' Logo (CH-9000093-UK) £139.99
Total : £299.58 (includes shipping : £8.00).

I am in the same situation, the most popular MX Cherry keys are Red/Brown without a doubt but getting hold of a keyboard like the Corsiar K70 RGB anytime soon wont happen.

Upgrade · 8 Jan 2015 at 18:20

Not in a rush

Just looking at options until I buy one either in this month or the next.

Raumarik · 9 Jan 2015 at 14:06

Just remember than the more LEDs you add, the more points of failure you have. I've given up on backlit mechanicals as both my Ducky and Corsair have had failed LEDs more than once. Fixed under warranty but that's not the point tbh.

Loxa · 9 Jan 2015 at 14:08

I just ordered a Razer Blackwidow Chroma so i will be able to give a bit of feedback tomorrow.

Deviant-4 · 9 Jan 2015 at 14:44

I've recommended the Gigabyte Osmium KB in another thread, and will continue to do so.

The build quality is fantastic, it weighs a tonne, anything that can survive having fizzy drinks spilled on them (not just once but 4 times !!), is incredible.

Anything that can survive being stripped, washed in the kitchen sink to remove the super sticky residue left by the aforementioned fizzy drinks, and STILL works, unbelievable but true.

The only problem is that OcUK no longer stock them, and forum rules prohibit me linking to a competitor.

Ryan-3 · 9 Jan 2015 at 14:47

Only problem with the Osmium is that is not available with RGB backlighting.

dacads · 9 Jan 2015 at 14:55

Halfmad said:
Just remember than the more LEDs you add, the more points of failure you have. I've given up on backlit mechanicals as both my Ducky and Corsair have had failed LEDs more than once. Fixed under warranty but that's not the point tbh.

What's the technical explanation for this? I though LEDs are meant to have a long life time, I'm guessing in this case it's related to their size because the bigger light bulbs you have in rooms don't go out this regularly.

Is it a case with every keyboard or just the odd few out of a hundred? There's always going to be quality problems..

rjk · 9 Jan 2015 at 16:06

wait for the Apex Mech before making a decision.

pigeonguyuk · 9 Jan 2015 at 16:59

rjkoneill said:
wait for the Apex Mech before making a decision.

Completely Agree Wait on the SS Apex.

Interested In this one myself

Loxa · 9 Jan 2015 at 17:48

Yeah if your having problems finding the space bar the Apex is a good choice.

Frenzy · 10 Jan 2015 at 00:25

Loxa said:
Yeah if your having problems finding the space bar the Apex is a good choice.

Lol, spacebar looks a bit odd to me too.

Disco Boy · 10 Jan 2015 at 11:43

pigeonguyuk said:
Completely Agree Wait on the SS Apex.

Interested In this one myself

They're releasing a mechanical apex? Awesome!

I love my apex raw and would like to try mechanical.

Edit: I just looked up the m800 mechanical, and it isn't the same form factor as the apex raw... Which is a shame because I really like the wrist rest of the apex raw.

Upgrade · 11 Jan 2015 at 01:52

Steelseries Apex looks kinda nice - also much cheaper than the likes of Chroma, etc. Spacebar looks really odd, though.

alau8 · 12 Jan 2015 at 10:18

The new Cosair RGBs' leds are housed differently to avoid led failures, one of the many reasons I bought one. Plus the COLOURS!

Aikon359 · 12 Jan 2015 at 10:38

I have spent just a over week now with the Corsair K95 RGB (MX Browns) and i have to say its by far the best keyboard i have ever had!.

Its still a bit clicky despite being an MX Brown but i have some "o" rings on their way from OCUK to fix that.

The customisation options are mind blowing!!!!. and if the lighting customisation software is a bit daunting for you, there are plenty of pre set lighting profiles that can be downloaded form a couple of forums.

So far, i cant really fault it. nice weight, hard wearing, amazing feeling keys, good software (and if you like tinkering, that softward goes deeeeeeeeeep into customisation!).

so based on my feel for this keyboard, id be happy to recommend the K70.

(Actually, theres a forum member in the for sale forum that has a K70 up for grabs right now with mx red switches for a good price!. £95 i thinks)

Upgrade · 14 Jan 2015 at 03:21

Don't have access to mm. I don't think I like the idea of using a 2nd hand keyboard.

TwsT · 14 Jan 2015 at 08:08

if buying a second hand mech check the trust of the seller see if hes sold other stuff and how it's arrived.

How you care for your hardware will be the same across the board just more obvious on a Mech if you let it get dirty due to how often you touch it etc.