Help finding a mechanical keyboard

miniyazz

miniyazz

miniyazz

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Having spent the last 4hrs trying (and failing) to find a suitable mechanical keyboard I'm hoping for some help..

Essentially I'm looking for a mechanical keyboard with a proper UK layout (full height enter key and a '\' between the 'left shift' and 'z'. Oh and a full length backspace key (two normal keys).

The only other essential is backlighting which needs to have the option of being subtle and off, preferably hardware controlled (switch on the keyboard) although not essential.

This will be predominantly for typing as I don't game that much with a keyboard (mostly just non-FPS and using an xbox controller - I'm lazy :)) so although I've not tried any out in person I expect Cherry MX Brown are the best key type for me (I gather Blue are pretty noisy).

Currently I can't tell if I'm ruling a lot of keyboards out due to US standard keyboard layouts in the photo when they may actually ship with 'UK' layouts..
 
Have you checked out the Razer Blackwidow Chroma? The picture of it on OCUK is not correct, it shows the US layout. I can confirm it has full size enter etc.
 
That's the trouble - none of the photos are updated with the actual keyboard! Incredible when keyboards vary so much and it's crucial what they look like..

As it happens I have just bought a Logitech 710+ from a guy on the MM - again this was one I'd discounted because all the pictures showed half height enter keys but his had a proper layout. So thanks for the suggestions, I hope it'll do the job :)
 
miniyazz said:
Having spent the last 4hrs trying (and failing) to find a suitable mechanical keyboard I'm hoping for some help..

Essentially I'm looking for a mechanical keyboard with a proper UK layout (full height enter key and a '\' between the 'left shift' and 'z'. Oh and a full length backspace key (two normal keys).

The only other essential is backlighting which needs to have the option of being subtle and off, preferably hardware controlled (switch on the keyboard) although not essential.

This will be predominantly for typing as I don't game that much with a keyboard (mostly just non-FPS and using an xbox controller - I'm lazy :)) so although I've not tried any out in person I expect Cherry MX Brown are the best key type for me (I gather Blue are pretty noisy).

Currently I can't tell if I'm ruling a lot of keyboards out due to US standard keyboard layouts in the photo when they may actually ship with 'UK' layouts..
Click to expand...

I bought a ducky shine 2 a few years ago, black keyboard, black keys, brown switches and white back lighting.

It still feels like the day it did when I bought it, however I've now replaced the keys with purple ones ;).

They don't have any fancy macros on them but the quality is great, price is a bit steep however.
 
miniyazz said:
Currently I can't tell if I'm ruling a lot of keyboards out due to US standard keyboard layouts in the photo when they may actually ship with 'UK' layouts..
Click to expand...

hi

every ocuk keyboard we sell is UK layout

the only time we sell anything that isn't UK ISO layout I put it in the title of the product so it is clear what you are getting.



Just buy a Ducky Shine 4. you wont regret it.
 
rjkoneill said:
links? to actual good, credible websites?
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Your customer reviews on the website. I think they're credible enough - They've actually purchased the products, rather than being given a 'free' review model.

Lacking somehow
Purchased this just before Christmas very prompt service as usual.

Overall this feels and looks cheaper than the excellent Ducky Shine 3 it was intended to replace. It doesn't feel as well built or sturdy and infact looks like rather dull.

The LED's are quite good but other than that seems a step backward compared to the rather svelte Shine 3 which I have gone back to. On paper it may be technically superior to the Shine 3 but nothing you can feel (other than the dual led's).

In short bland and boring, think I'll try the Orion Spark which seems to have far more going on for roughly the same price and give the Shine 4 to a friend as a late Christmas present.
 
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I also have been looking for a new keyboard and today went to Oc shop to look at some - They have a few on display and all but one was mechanical - I am half deaf and was surprised at clunk they made - There was a gamer keyboard there with separate pad and adjustable arm rests and keypad was brilliant -nice touch and no noise but I need a TKL board.

I did a search for none mechanical boards TKL and none came up that I could see so looks like mechanical and some ring's - just put two game mats under my existing board to see if it makes any difference but can't really tell with my Logitech cheapy.

I have been looking on shop each morning for a month hoping some new boards will come in but as you see nothing yet.

Dave
 
Tom_D said:
Your customer reviews on the website. I think they're credible enough - They've actually purchased the products, rather than being given a 'free' review model.
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bland and boring yes, but so are audis and everyone loves those.
they are underwhelming at first glance, but long term use, you can see that they are hard wearing.

the fact that the reviewer says that he is going for an orion spark shows that a plain black keyboard was never going to impress him as he has gone for the complete opposite 'wikid gamer m8' style to replace a ducky.

I sell both and have used both. the ducky smashes the logitech in terms of build quality.
 
rjkoneill said:
bland and boring yes, but so are audis and everyone loves those.
they are underwhelming at first glance, but long term use, you can see that they are hard wearing.

the fact that the reviewer says that he is going for an orion spark shows that a plain black keyboard was never going to impress him as he has gone for the complete opposite 'wikid gamer m8' style to replace a ducky.

I sell both and have used both. the ducky smashes the logitech in terms of build quality.
Click to expand...

Is the ducky really worth £150 though?
 
Glad to hear all your keyboards are UK layout. The Ducky Shine looks good and minimalist would suit but it's a lot of money for some fancy backlighting that would just distract me unless I turned the fancy stuff off. Anyway like I say I bought a Logitech G710+ 2nd hand from andybtsn which should be arriving soon :)
 
Tom_D said:
Is the ducky really worth £150 though?
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rjkoneill isn't really going to say hey it's only worth £xx really, but we sell it at £150 anyway. Deary Me. Worth and Value are not absolutes and are defined by the consumer, it's subjective.

As for the Ducky, in my opinion, yes worth every penny. No vested interest in the brand either
 
I have the Mionix Zibal 60 keyboard (sadly OCUK doesn't stock this or the higher DPI mouses yet)

So you'd have to get it direct from Mionix.
 
Apem said:
Loki what happend to the MSI keyboard?
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Hi Apem

It has been tentatively launched in other regions but we want to make sure we are 100% confident in the product before opening it up mass market. Although that doesn't fall under my team, I will ask some questions and come back to you.
 
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