Keyboards - Mechanical again or not?

Gixer

Gixer

Gixer

Associate
Joined
28 May 2004
Posts
2,340
Location
Southampton
I bought a Roccat Vulcan AIMO 120 a few years ago now and I've had enough. It seems every Autumn / Winter I have keystroke issues. These consist of keys not working unless the button is pressed hard or double outputs occurring. Once the weather warms up though things usually return to normal. It's bizarre, though I had a Logitech mouse that had buttons that did the same. Current Logitech mouse though is perfect all year round as was my previous cheapy keyboard.

So question is do I stick with a mechanical keyboard (not a Roccat though) or go back to using a cheaper keyboard? I do like the feel of mechanical keyboards I just can't put up with one only working properly for 6 months of the year.

Anyone else had similar issues with their keyboard?
 
I imagine that the switches are soldered onto the PCB, they probably aren't hot swappable? I had a look on the Roccat website and it doesn't make it clear what it is.

Depending upon how good you are at soldering, you could try removing one or two switches and soldering on a replacement, I imagine that the switches are either worn out or in need of some lube.
 
Last edited:
TangoEchoAlpha said:
I imagine that the switches are soldered onto the PCB, they probably aren't hot swappable? I had a look on the Roccat website and it doesn't make it clear what it is.

Depending upon how good you are at soldering, you could try removing one or two switches and soldering on a replacement, I imagine that the switches are either worn out or in need of some lube.
Click to expand...

It has had this problem since day dot. It's just a tosh keyboard! I wouldn't buy Roccat again. Another odd thing is you can get two inputs from every key if you half push button briefly stop, then continue to press. That's also annoying as sometimes double outputs just happen regardless of button press speed. This isn't anything to do with repeat function either, I can set that to the longest duration and it'll still double output.
 
Gixer said:
It has had this problem since day dot. It's just a tosh keyboard! I wouldn't buy Roccat again.
Click to expand...
Yeah, may well be. I had an awful Corsair keyboard once, really couldn't understand what all the fuss was about.

Currently in the process of getting stuff together ready for my first custom mechanical keyboard, currently spending Saturday afternoon lubing switches.
 
Been using DAS keyboards for years with no issues. One on the work laptop and another on the home / personal projects / gaming PC.

Not done any major maintenance bar taking them outside and using the air blower to blow crumbs and dust out. Occasionally use the key puller and wipe gunk off when needed.
 
I have similar issues with my Asus Cerberus RGB....Kalih black switches I think. It often double or triple enters on a lot of the keys, or occasionally fails to register.
My Qpad MK85 (with Cherry Reds) on the other hand, is lovely and works perfectly, I only changed it because the backlight is the wrong colour for my set up :D

So I think it's just luck of the draw/rubbish QC....and I wish I just returned the Asus as soon as I noticed the issue, but don't let it put you off mech boards! I don't think I could go back to membrane now.
Gonna try another cheap-ish board soon and if that doesn't work I might have to consider a custom or something higher end (DAS/Ducky)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom