Picking a Keyboard

[timoseewho]

Hello, I'm in the market for a keyboard, preferably a gaming-oriented between the price range of 50-$100, not looking for anything super fancy with macro keys built-in. Anyone pick up a keyboard recently and are super happy with it? What's so great about mechanical keyboards? And how do I tell the difference when I'm purchasing one (besides it being labeled one)? Thanks.

 

[lehtv]

Mechanical keyboards are nice to type on (and game on) and the switches last long. In that price range you could consider Razer Blackwidow $75, Tt eSports MEKA $80 AR. There are more options in the >$100 range, such as Blackwidow ultimate, MEKA V2, Zowie Celeritas and Das Keyboard.

 

[timoseewho]

I've tried my friend's once, and I did enjoy the clicking on the mechanical. One thing I noticed is that all mechanical keyboards tend to have that 'bare' look (with the keys popping out so to say), is that one way to tell if it's mechanical? There are some that aren't labeled mechanical but also look that way.

 

[Rainey]

There is a way it says it in the description usually...not trying to be an ass at all. I myself am a big big fan of Peripherals in general lol. I am liking the SteelSeries Shift myself and have heard nothing but awesome reviews on it. If you like mechanical I would go with the Razer Blackwidow. But I have been looking at this other company and I really do think that the Roccat keyboards...they are sexy

 

[QuantumPion]

I've tried my friend's once, and I did enjoy the clicking on the mechanical. One thing I noticed is that all mechanical keyboards tend to have that 'bare' look (with the keys popping out so to say), is that one way to tell if it's mechanical? There are some that aren't labeled mechanical but also look that way.

That's just a function of the spacing between the keys and the key shape. Most mechanical keyboards and typical OEM/office keyboards use cylindrical keys with wide spacing, giving that "classic" keyboard appearance. Apple keyboards have flat keys with wide spacing, giving them a distinctive appearance. Laptop keyboards or similar low-profile keyboards have flat keys with small spacing.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

Another highly regarded budget mechanical is the Rosewill RK-9000.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...40&Tpk=rk-9000

You might also be able to get a Das Model S from Metadot for around $100 if you're eligible for an education discount.

I bought a Das with Cherry Brown switches a few months ago and am now totally hooked. In fact, I just ordered another mechanical keyboard the other day to replace my Logitech at work. Different strokes for different folks and all, but for me the difference is night and day... can't see myself going back to rubber dome.

If you do decide to buy a mechanical, do your research. There are lots of options and switch types to choose among. Geekhack is kinda the internet HQ for mechanical keyboard aficionados.

 

[Justinator]

I just bought a Steelseries Merc Stealth today and it's fantastic!!! Best bang for buck I would say.

Those logitec gaming keyboards almost got in my home but I stoped and thought about it more and they really offer nothing in terms of comfort and who the heck is really gonna "use" a monitor on their keyboard????

The Merc Stealth is under $100 and also caters to First person shooters with its extra gaming pad attached on the left side instead of using the WASD keys.

It has great reviews. Oh, and it lights up too for night gaming...

http://steelseries.com/products/keyboards/steelseries-merc-stealth

 

[Rainey]

Okay, I like all the SteelSeries Keyboards but I'm not sure what you are exactly gonna be using your keyboard for...If you wanna game I would check out the SteelSeries or Roccat. Their Keyboards are affordable, unique, and they perform awesome! I myself use a SteelSeries Shift Cata Edition. The Logitech Keyboards only get good reviews too and I have a Logitech g13 and I enjoy it! It's screen is very useful if you are an mmo person. If not the screen won't do too much for you, unless you happen to use windows media player and would like your music/movie to be displayed on the screen. I am gonna leave u with this. There are many awesome keyboards out there. Trust me I have been through many I have fallen in love with many lol. I am almost anxious to try out the new Corsair keyboards...I havent heard much about them but They are good looking keyboards lol

 

[cmdrdredd]

Ok guys between the Vengeance K90 from Corsair and the Razer Black Widow Stealth which is the better keyboard? The K90 seems to have a better build quality as far as I can tell, but will the keys last? I don't mind paying for quality products. I don't think the K90 is released to retail yet though so I'd have to wait if I wanted that one.

My Logitech G15 is on its last legs I think. The lighting is very faded and I never use the screen, while a few keys are starting to stick or not work unless I press pretty hard. I was thinking of getting the Corsair K60 because it is more geared toward FPS but I need a keyboard that is also comfortable to type on (fill wrist rest area) and I need back lit keys as well. I got so used to having lighting that I miss it when I can't read the keys lol.

If you have other suggestions I'm willing to entertain them. I play FPS games, some RPGs, type lots, and require back lit keys.

Sorry to ask in this thread OP, I felt like asking the same question in another thread would be silly.

 

[GarfieldtheCat]

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/

You can get a semi-custom or full custom keyboard, and change any/all of the lettering and colors of the keys if you want to make yours unique. Full mechanical as well.

 

[timoseewho]

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/

You can get a semi-custom or full custom keyboard, and change any/all of the lettering and colors of the keys if you want to make yours unique. Full mechanical as well.

Damn that seems pretty awesome, will look into it more.

@Rainey, not doing anything crazy, just casual gaming (specifically WoW/SC2. I did come across the Corsair ones too, but it seems to early and we'd just be lab rats.

 

[Justinator]

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/

You can get a semi-custom or full custom keyboard, and change any/all of the lettering and colors of the keys if you want to make yours unique. Full mechanical as well.

The price is ridiculous. Then you add tax and shipping... :thumbsdown: :\

 

[birthdaymonkey]

The price is ridiculous. Then you add tax and shipping... :thumbsdown: :\

This was the keyboard I just ordered to replace my Logitech at work.

The price is high compared to a "normal" keyboard... especially after I got the O-ring mod installed: $159 plus tax and shipping.

The value for money depends on your point of view though. It's a custom board with the colours and font I wanted (went for a retro terminal look), keycaps that can be replaced, and switches that are rated for millions of keystrokes. I'll still be using this thing long after the GTX 560 Ti I paid more money for is collecting dust. Like a good monitor, it can last many builds.

Also, compared to the price of a Topre board (starting at $265 on elitekeyboards), the WASD was downright cheap!

The guy who runs WASD is great too... quick to repsond to emails. He accidentally printed me two sets of keycaps and since he didn't have another use for them, he included them (normally $59 per set) in the shipment.

I'm super excited to get this keyboard... more so than any other part I've ordered in recent months. From what I've heard on other forums, the build quality is also impeccable.

For me it's a :thumbsup::awe:

 

[Bill Brasky]

Razer Blackwidow $75

The keys on this keyboard are so incredible. I'm currently saving my money for one right now. This and an ssd...

timoseewho, just a thought here, but can you not find any of the these products locally? Typing on them yourself would be the best indicator.

 

[GarfieldtheCat]

Ohhh....my keyboard shipped, and there is a pic of it up on the WASD facebook page

Link

 

[oogabooga]

I kinda wished WASD had an ergonomic keyboard option. I love my Filco, but I loved the layout of my MS Natural 4000 so much.

BlackWidows are pretty decent, if you can swing the extra money, I'd try to go for a DAS/Filco/WASD - one of the "better build" - they feature less plastic parts, and are just basically really well built "normal"(Boring Sorta) keyboards.

The one thing about BW is there are lots of complaints about the keycaps - that they aren't always consistent and this could cause problems while typing, some keys might get stuck, happens on some boards. Not a huge issue, probably affects a small percentage of users, but people complain about it.

I think their keycaps are a little smaller. It wasn't as pronounced to me as other people complain about, but they did seem just a tad bit smaller.

 

[gorb]

The price is ridiculous. Then you add tax and shipping... :thumbsdown: :\

Not ridiculous at all. Good price on a good board.

 

[GarfieldtheCat]

Not ridiculous at all. Good price on a good board.

Agree 100%. Filco's and other quality boards are a similar price, and you get to customize the colors and text of the keys.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

Just got my WASD today. No buyer's remorse here... worth every penny. In fact, it kinda makes typing on my Das seem a bit dull now (blue switches vs. brown).

 

[timoseewho]

@Bill Brasky, yeh I've gone to Best Buy and tried out a few of those mainstream ones, still thinking about it, not sure why I can't seem to set my mind on one. I've had my Logitech Elite for ages too haha, still kicking!

This might just be the crazy in me talking but I'm really digging the Blank preset from the WASD guys haha, maybe just color the main keys a different color for a sense of locale.

 

[jhansman]

The price is ridiculous. Then you add tax and shipping...

If you treat it right, that keyboard will last a good 10 years (or longer). That's what, maybe $15/yr. for something you depend on every day? A good keyboard is worth paying for.

 

[imaheadcase]

The new Corsair keyboard looks really sweet. Check it out.

 

[R4in]

If you are more into the mechanical feel when you type then dont get the Steelseries Shift.

I use the Shift and I love it to death but its not a "click click click snap snap" that most people love when they type. It has more of a smooth feeling, like...like your typing in quick sand.

Its very quiet which is good for gaming while the wife sleeps. It does have macro keys but hey, just cause they are there doesnt mean you have to use them.

 

[jhansman]

If you are more into the mechanical feel when you type then dont get the Steelseries Shift.

Most of the recommendations I've seen for the SteelSeries have been for the 6GV2, also on my short list. What I miss on these keyboards is the "reverse L" shaped Enter key. My Focus 2001 has one, it will be sorely missed when it goes.

BTW, for those of you who enjoy such things, some vintage boards:

http://keyboardporn.com/

Am beginning to lust for the WASD Semi-Custom. Must resist...

 

[GarfieldtheCat]

Just wanted to add, that I got my WASD keyboard last week, and after about 5 days of using it, I really love it. Looks, great, and is way smaller then the G510 it replaced ( duh!).

Got mine with Blues, so it is clicky, but it isn't too loud, and the keys are soooo light to press. Build quality seems very good, but am not a keyboard expert with a bunch of other keyboards to compare against. I think I will get a wrist rest, since my other keyboards had built in ones, and I kind of miss that.

The only real issue I have is that the USB cable is a bit on the short side, so I have it plugged into my monitors USB hub, since it can't reach my PC. I guess I will get a USB extension cord.