Help me choose a mechanical keyboard

OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

Soldato
Joined
5 Aug 2006
Posts
11,418
Location
Derbyshire
Hi all,
I've read 'rjkoneill's Keyboard Guide' and whilst I learnt a lot, am struggling to pick a mechanical keyboard.
I currently have a Microsoft Sidewinder X6 and I it is plastered with macro buttons I never use.

I'd say I my PC use is ~80% internet browsing, ~20% gaming (assume all FPS as other games I use 360 pad for) and ~1% report writing.

Initial feelings were for a black switch, but am now leaning a little more towards a red switch, however these cost more. Brown switches sound like the most common switch for newcomers to mechanical keyboards but don't offer much for gamers.
Blue switches don't sound like the offer much aside from being loud. Same goes for white switches.

I live near to OcUK if they have demo keyboards to try out?
I don't know what to spend really. I did want <£70 but red switches are more pricey.
 
Visited OcUK today.

Brown and red were my favourites.
Red is nicest to use but I have concerns over not knowing whether the key has been pressed or not due to no 'bump' feel halfway through the pressing of the ley.
Brown had some tactile feedback and the keys were a little harder to press. Black was nice.

I don't think the blue are for me.

Picking a switch type is difficult as with some there is such little difference between the types.
 
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It is very much down to personal preference. I like black keys the best, but mainly as I play FPS games and I like a bit of resistance. They are a bit of a pain to type on sometimes though.

If you like the bump, then browns are the best all-rounder.
 
I currently also have the x6 and had been considering gigabyte osmium with red switches as it has the best reviews
 
I'm going to be putting a quickfire TK red switch up in the mm as soon as I have enough posts if that's something that interests you?

It's literally brand new although opened and used (received as a replacement for my old quickfire rapid) but after
Some digging around I managed to purchase a new part for my old one which made it work again.
 
Rocking Reds on a Ducky Sine 3 TKL in green and I have to say I love it, right now without a doubt it is the nicest keyboard I have ever used.

Even though small it still has a good solid feel about it.

LED's are nice and clear and the green is very nice to look at :D
 
Qpad MK-85 user here with Cherry Reds.

Personally I love the low actuation force as it means getting out of the habit of mashing keys all the time. I have found it much better for my fingers, with much lower fatigue compared my old Logitech membrane.
 
i really am torn on the mechanical keyboard, i cant seem to find any retailers near me where i can test them. For me its got to be the red or black switches.

Red will be lighter than my current, but black will be heavier, i just dont know!
 
I changed to blacks for a while but Reds are still my preferred now I'm back on them.
 
_syn_ said:
i really am torn on the mechanical keyboard, i cant seem to find any retailers near me where i can test them. For me its got to be the red or black switches.

Red will be lighter than my current, but black will be heavier, i just dont know!
Click to expand...

you could always try and get a switch tester kit. or buy the switches individually (cost about £7) that way you can have a go with them all before you buy.

think this is something ocuk is missing out on as im sure they would sell easily enough as people like to try before they buy.
 
i mainly play fps games, so ive been reading that blacks offer more control, since in theory the spring bounces back quicker. is that the case in practice?

i think its getting to the stage where im going to have to bite the bullet and flip a coin :D
 
I bought a tester kit a few weeks ago. It changed my perception of all the keys pretty much after reading about them all online prior to actually testing them.

I thought the browns would suit me best but they feel kinda sticky/broken. The blues are lovely to type on but would probably annoy me during gaming. I found the blacks to be a little too stiff for typing. The reds seemed quite close to the resistance and noise levels of non-mechanical keyboards and are the ones I prefer.
 
I'm thinking based on a lot of opinions that when it comes to a choice between red or black switches, red will be the "safer" initial foray into mechanical keyboards.

I think ill opt for a QPAD so just need to decide if its either the MK-80 or MK-85.
 
I have the Corsair K70 and its a very solid keyboard with its cherry red switches and backlighting is nice too

Although my boss said it looked like something from the 80's!! .. women!!!
 
Most mechanical keyboards I've seen do look like old Dell freebie keyboards tbh.
 
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