New Mechanical Keyboard

[Rooster212]

Good afternoon everyone,

I have just had to RMA my Razer Blackwidow Ultimate, due to one of my keys LEDs giving up. I'm sending it off soon, but I want a different keyboard. I am not a big fan of the Cherry Blue as it is noisy, and I want to get a different switch type keyboard, just to try it out. I am a programmer and gamer but it is more important that it is a good typists keyboard.

Looking at switches, I think a Brown switch is the most suitable. Does anyone have any recommendations? They don't have to be sold by Overclockers, but a name of any keyboards people can recommend would be great. I am using my Apple Wireless Keyboard at the moment and I must say that it is nothing like my keyboard can't use this for too long!

 

[Rooster212]

I have been looking around, have seen this, the Gigabyte Aivia Osmium keyboard, looks pretty good!

 

[Rooster212]

Or, look what just turned up.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18456242

I think that orange strip is hideous, and also the WASD keys are wonky which would be no good for gaming (not that I have the time to game much at the moment but if i'm spending this much money on a keyboard it has to be right).

 

[Rooster212]

If you hate noise, you're pretty much stuck with Brown. You can order different cherry switch types from the keyboard company just to try out; and there's also Topre if you don't mind trying under 7 days DSR.

I don't hate noise but my Blackwidow could keep the neighbours up, I didn't mind as such and to be honest it won't be a deal breaker at any stretch.

 

[Rooster212]

I like the look of the Ducky Shine II, however if i have to import one from the USA then it would add expense, but it does look nice... and I have a choice of switches then too i still have to wait until Razer accept my RMA request and send me back a new keyboard to sell on really so I have a while yet, although this Apple Wireless keyboard is making me grind my teeth... i thought I quite liked it on my MacBook but on a desktop this is just no good.

edit: Ducky Shine really is expensive, probably to the point of too expensive. I would think anything over £100 is pushing it unless there is a very good reason.

 

[Rooster212]

Ok that's good to know! Haha is that so i won't tell!

The Deck keyboards don't look my style. The CM Quickfire looks good but as you say, no LEDs is quite a biggie for me, I would rather have LEDs but I think, in the end, it wouldn't be a deal breaker if it didn't have LEDs because it will be cheaper, but I do want them!

 

[Rooster212]

Thats looks hugely distracting to type on

BUT... does your keyboard do that?

No i wouldn't buy a keyboard that does that, but it would be cool. The keyboard itself looks good though, with backlit blue or white LEDs would be perfect for my needs but it is an incredibly expensive keyboard!

 

[Rooster212]

With all that said, in Ducky "homeland", Shine 2 is ~100GBP; and I doubt Ducky Nordic price would be anything lower than ~120 GBP but they do have some nice design (only for Nordic - I'd dig up some link laters) if you want to wait.

Yeah drop any links in, I don't think I'll buy one for a month or so

 

[Rooster212]

The ducky nordic site isn't up yet but:

<snip>

G9008 + White lasered PBT keycap. I'm guessing it'll be limited time offer only (I got a limited - regional launch of Ducky a year ago (PBT engraved keycap + bonus Black on black keycap, same price as the normal version)).

If backlit is a must then there's few choices, Shine 2/Shine Year of the Dragon; Deck Legend and KBT Race/Pure if you need desk space. There's also various cheaper options but they either have issues/quirks, or the build quality isn't comparable to the aforementioned.

Careful about mentioning competitors

Desk space is hardly a big concern, the Razer Blackwidow is hardly a small keyboard, and it is the only thing I have on my desk apart from the other computer peripherals (2 monitors, mousemat, mouse, desk lamp and the tower). There was plenty of room for the Razer so I think these ones will be fine.

I love the look of that keyboard, I'll have a look into pricing now as you say.

 

[Rooster212]

I've just been looking around, I have found a website that sells the Ducky keyboards, I have found one with Blue switches and Blue LED backlights, with the num pad, which looks very tempting... £115 though I would pay it I think it is a great looking keyboard.

 

[Rooster212]

Not a fan of the Red LEDs unfortunately. However the Blue switch one might be good, I'm not quite sure about switches still... I know it is all personal preference but there isn't really a way that I can tell which one I will prefer until I have tried all of the switches, I love typing on the Blues but want to try another switch. So the Qpad is an option for sure. The world of mechanical keyboards is a wild one for sure

So far my list is

• Ducky Pro (choice of switches)
• Qpad MK-85 (Red switches)
• Just use the new Blackwidow when it arrives (blue switches)
• Gigabyte Aivia Omnium (red switches)

 

[Rooster212]

Hello everyone again, I got my RMA accepted today and I have a brand new shiny Blackwidow Ultimate 2013 edition on the way. I'm not sure what to do now, it's a beautiful keyboard, should be with me in a few days, think I will keep it for now, unless anyone has any new recommendations?

 

[Rooster212]

Do you mean this keyboard? I came across it earlier, I like the look of it, shame it isn't blue backlit cause that would be my preference i will keep that one in mine, I thought reds would be too light as you say.

 

[Rooster212]

Have you tried the Q-Pad MK-80. Similar to the MK-85 and has a blue back light.

I'll be honest, I love the look of this keyboard I think I might end up getting that in all honesty. I'm just a bit indecisive