The mechanical Keyboard thread

[HeK]

I was in the market for a mechanical keyboard, and purchased two different models.

I am starting this thread for people to ask questions, provide info and discuss options and requirements.


I currently own a 1st gen Logitech G15 and Luin has a 2nd gen G15 (she is on her second, as they keep breaking).
I absolutely love the macro keys and the LCD screen, and while you can buy mechanical keyboards with macros, the LCD is unique only to Logitech who doesn't make a mech keyboard at the moment.

So the first question is: What type of keys do you want? Cherry basically owns the mech switch market, but there are also IBM-style buckle-spring keyboards and a few others. A good primer is to read this thread: http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/mechan...oard-guide

Most gamers suggest the Cherry MX Black or Red switches as they are linear. However, linear switches are not the best for typing. I do a fair amount of typing so I picked the Brown switches as they are a good compromise.
I wanted Cherry MX Clear switches as they are stiffer then the browns, but they are impossible to find.

I ordered a DAS Professional S (Cherry MX Blue) for Luin and a FILCO Majestouch 2 Ninja MX Brown for my self. I might write up a review once I receive them.

I was also looking at a Ducky Shine (Brown with white backlighting, almost impossible to find in Canada) or a Unicomp 104 (the current owners of the IBM buckling spring switch patent).

My initial plan was restore an old IBM Model M and graft on my G15 LCD and macro keys. Now that the model M's pull $80-100 on ebay, I abandoned that idea. Instead I'll strip out my LCD and macro keys and make a little box for them to be happy in.

MTF.

[Versus]

i like my steelseries 6gv2, but i'm interested in the das.

[Didzo]

I've been thinking about a mechanical keyboard for a bit, but I've never tested out the different switches side by side. I've never heard of Ducky before, but it has adjustable backlighting, media switches (I don't think I could go back to a barebones keyboard after my logitech G100), and a huge variety of switch types and backlighting combinations. I don't know much about its build quality though, but I might be willing to give it a shot.

Please post pictures of the macro key/ LCD readout project once you start on it though.

[HeK]

From what I have read, Ducky is built just as solid as Leopold and FILCO.

[HeK]

v
The Ninja-ness:


Nifty velcro:


Compared to my old G15:




It weighs 208 grams less then the G15. Still makes it a heavy mofo. I thought it was much lighter when I was lifting it out of the box and did the silly 'it must be stuck' move.

[StolenToast]

this is perfect.

I've been looking at keyboards, and now that Geekhack has been hacked or whatever I am at a loss.

I really like this sexy Ducky Shine with green backlights, but I need to get confirmation on the Shine's build quality before I leap.  Its got everything I want, though: Red switches, green backlight, tenkey, and it looks like a few extra function buttons.

I also looked at a CM Storm Quickfire Rapid.  Its got only one of the things I want - the red switches - but it's universally acclaimed to have solid quality.

Another one I see recommended often is WASD keyboards.  They say they are as good as Filcos (which I guess are the epitome of keyboarding) except they are more stylish.  They only lack the backlighting, but are customizable.

Any thoughts?

[HeK]

The guys at my regular computer store got their hands on a pack of Ducky Shines. They feel the build quality is similar to Leopold.
I have read on Geekhack last week that Ducky is coming out with a new model in a few weeks.

I am so far impressed with the Filco. I was hoping that the Cherry Brown keys would be a tad stiffer. I think I would have been slightly happier with Clear switches. You can, tho barely, feel the switch on the brown.
However, the reaction is very fast and crisp. The space key now acts like a long-throw mouse button, it makes jumping around in game much easier.
One nice thing is that this keyboard is very heavy, combined with good rubber feet, it does not move around at all.

While I don't care about back-lighting at all, I do miss my media keys. Time to hack something up for that.

[Didzo]

I would go with the Ducky since it has media functionality and that glowy goodness, though the WASD keyboards have crazy keycap customizability. There is some seriously cool stuff in their gallery.

[rumsfald]

I really should invest in one of these. I've gone through too many rubber domes to count (ms natural pro and like 3 ms natural pro 4000s).

my usual problem is one breaks on me and then in desperation I pick the best option with fast shipping, and given that I prefer a split-key layout for gaming and media keys and wired (never wireless), that usually limits selection greatly. I'm on a logitech g110 right now, and still not used to the non-split layout.

As far as a media device, I've long lusted for something like a Griffin PowerMate knob but with buttons to launch winamp, play/pause, forward/reverse.

[HeK]

As a Powermate owner, I can attest that their Windows drivers are horrible. They still do not support Windows 7.
Under XP, it could be set to volume (tap for play/pause/launch) and press and turn for next/prev songs.

I was looking at a Logitech G13 as an addition to my Filco for the screen and macro keys. It lacks the media keys, but that can be mapped via macro.
I'm going to see how far I get with my G15 teardown and rebuild. I am tempted to cut out the actual keyboard part and leave behind a L-shaped macro-media frame.

[StolenToast]

As a Powermate owner, I can attest that their Windows drivers are horrible. They still do not support Windows 7.
Under XP, it could be set to volume (tap for play/pause/launch) and press and turn for next/prev songs.

I was looking at a Logitech G13 as an addition to my Filco for the screen and macro keys. It lacks the media keys, but that can be mapped via macro.
I'm going to see how far I get with my G15 teardown and rebuild. I am tempted to cut out the actual leopard part and leave behind a L-shaped macro-media frame.

Maybe if these guys would actually finish this mofo I would buy one.

[at0m]

[quote author=HeK link=topic=6407.msg248627#msg248627 date=1341084396]
As a Powermate owner, I can attest that their Windows drivers are horrible. They still do not support Windows 7.
Under XP, it could be set to volume (tap for play/pause/launch) and press and turn for next/prev songs.

I was looking at a Logitech G13 as an addition to my Filco for the screen and macro keys. It lacks the media keys, but that can be mapped via macro.
I'm going to see how far I get with my G15 teardown and rebuild. I am tempted to cut out the actual leopard part and leave behind a L-shaped macro-media frame.

Maybe if these guys would actually finish this mofo I would buy one.
[/quote]They did, and built it into the Razer Blade. It's actually not that great, because it's on a chiclet key keyboard, and the view angle from the keys is terribad.

[HeK]

[quote author=HeK link=topic=6407.msg248627#msg248627 date=1341084396]
As a Powermate owner, I can attest that their Windows drivers are horrible. They still do not support Windows 7.
Under XP, it could be set to volume (tap for play/pause/launch) and press and turn for next/prev songs.

I was looking at a Logitech G13 as an addition to my Filco for the screen and macro keys. It lacks the media keys, but that can be mapped via macro.
I'm going to see how far I get with my G15 teardown and rebuild. I am tempted to cut out the actual leopard part and leave behind a L-shaped macro-media frame.

Maybe if these guys would actually finish this mofo I would buy one.
[/quote]

I sell a low cost version of exactly that.

[StolenToast]

Ordered the green backlight Red switch Ducky Shine.

Should be here thursday!  glee.jpg

[StolenToast]

(new post for continuity)

I now have my Ducky and it is delicious.  If you frequent the IRC channel then you probably have noticed that my typing has been abysmal recently.  Typing on Reds from a shallow dome keyboard is pretty damn tricky.

I want to take some pics or even video of it to show you all.  Possibly soon. ._.

[Didzo]

(new post for continuity)

I now have my Ducky and it is delicious.  If you frequent the IRC channel then you probably have noticed that my typing has been abysmal recently.  Typing on Reds from a shallow dome keyboard is pretty damn tricky.

I want to take some pics or even video of it to show you all.  Possibly soon. ._.

What was your old keyboard and what's making typing tricky?

[StolenToast]

[quote author=StolenToast link=topic=6407.msg249731#msg249731 date=1342335377]
(new post for continuity)

I now have my Ducky and it is delicious.  If you frequent the IRC channel then you probably have noticed that my typing has been abysmal recently.  Typing on Reds from a shallow dome keyboard is pretty damn tricky.

I want to take some pics or even video of it to show you all.  Possibly soon. ._.

What was your old keyboard and what's making typing tricky?

[/quote]

My last keyboard was a regular rubber-dome number with short key travel, while these red switches have long travel.  Also, the actual keyboard and the keys are a little smaller so my hands have to re-learn the motions to memory.  The biggest problem, though, is the sensitivity.  The keys actuate very early so if i accidentally tap another key just BARELY it will register.

[HeK]

Well, Cherry MX switches only travel 2mm until activation.

[exanimo2]

Are the browns really that non-tactile? Were you disappointed in them?

I'm in between the DAS Brown and the Unicomp Classic at the moment, but if the browns can't be felt, I'm now thinking Blue for the DAS. How does Luin's feel? Better than the Browns? More responsive?

I feel like Unicomp would be perfect, but I'm afraid of the game-ability and shoddy build quality.

[HeK]

You can feel the brown switches, but they are very light compared to the blues.
The browns are stiffer then a standard dome and have a distinct notchy feel.

The blues on the other hand are extremely firm and have a very sharp click feel and sound.


The response is about the same between blues and browns, the travel is as well. Since you need more force on the blues, I like the browns better for gaming and they are still nice to type on.
I did install some o-rings under my shift, space and left control. They really shortened the travel distance and make the keys feel more solid and more 'instant'.