Mechanical keyboard?

GoogalyMoogaly

GoogalyMoogaly

GoogalyMoogaly

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Hey all, me again!

Is there a forum section for keyboards?

I'd like to get a really nice gaming keyboard as I'm using a pretty cheap Logitech media keyboard at the minute.

I'm just not sure what to go for. I've heard good things about mechanical keyboards, but also a lot of people have said they are loud to type on. I don't want a loud keyboard.

So are all mechanical keyboards loud or is it just specific ones?

What about if I don't go with a mechanical keyboard, what are my best options then? Logitech seem to do some nice ones, but they're not cheap!
 
Not all mechanical keyboards are loud and the loud ones really depends on the type of switch used. I bought an old IBM Model M and got rid of it because the buckling spring switch in those sounds like an old vickers machine gun when you get up a good typing speed.

Most of the modern mechanical keyboards now use Cherry switches. The four main types are blue, brown, black and red. Blue is the loudest. But how loud it is seems to be sensationalised. Blue cherry switches are nowhere near as loud as IBM buckling springs.
 
OhEsEcks said:
Not all mechanical keyboards are loud and the loud ones really depends on the type of switch used. I bought an old IBM Model M and got rid of it because the buckling spring switch in those sounds like an old vickers machine gun when you get up a good typing speed.

Most of the modern mechanical keyboards now use Cherry switches. The four main types are blue, brown, black and red. Blue is the loudest. But how loud it is seems to be sensationalised. Blue cherry switches are nowhere near as loud as IBM buckling springs.
Click to expand...

Yet cherries are louder than rubber dome keyboards, which are louder than scirror switches (laptop / UltraX Premium / Logitech Illuminated Keyboard / Apple keyboard).

It's all relative.
 
Pretty much narrowed this down now to the Qpad MK-50, the Razer Black Widow Expert or the Logitech G510 (I know this isn't mechanical, I'm still worried about the noise).
 
If you go Blackwidow Ultimate make sure its STEALTH as it has Cherry Browns over Cherry Blue's if you want pretty good quietness Cherry Blacks or Clears though Clears are damn hard to come by.
 
GoogalyMoogaly said:
Media and to a lesser extent macro keys are handy.
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My new CM Storm Quick Fire Rapid has media keys and black switches. They do clack whenever the key hits bottom, but you can apparently get rubber rings to reduce the noise they make.
 
j6m said:
... you can apparently get rubber rings to reduce the noise they make...
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I've seen foam pads that sit around the switch under the key. You can get them in various thicknesses and density to suit your needs.

I'd go mechanical every time. I was a little sceptical myself before buying mine, but I'd never go back to a membrane keyboard now.

Considering the cost of the G19 and the G510, I think you'd mad to buy either over a mechanical keyboard at that sort of price.

As for switches, I own black and have used red and blue. Blacks are best for gaming, reds are a nice balance once you get used to how light they are for gaming, and blues were very nice for typing, but felt a little strange in games to me.

GoogalyMoogaly said:
Pretty much narrowed this down now to the Qpad MK-50, the Razer Black Widow Expert or the Logitech G510
Click to expand...

The MK-50 gets my vote for all round use based on my experience with reds. The Black Widow uses blue switches, and the G510 uses rubber domes.
 
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