Mechanical keyboards anyone?

Akvavit

I have been looking a bit for a better keyboard - the membrane one I have been using for a while now drives me crazy.

Only real criteria is backlit and etched keys - however I am not sure if that (backlit) would ruin all the things that are positive with a mechanical one?

Price is not that much of a factor, but let's say <150€ - as I know that a great keyboard can be with you for 10 years, so I think it would be money well spent.

Real world suggestions would be appreciated - as review sites often can be a a bit brand biased...

uncle_sam_ie

I have been researching this for a while now and went for the Qpad MK-85 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-001-QP I think it's the best one at the moment. I bought it at Overclockers UK, I should have it Wednesday. It was 10 pound cheaper at Scan but I found out that Overclocks will price match if you call them. Cost me 129 pound including shipping. If you don't like red switches or if you want the cheaper MK-80 without the loud blue switches you can order direct from Qpad they'll sell them with the switches you want. http://www.qpad.com/
They have US versions you can get shipped http://www.maxkeyboard.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=2 ,http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10850&cs_id=1080906&p_id=9181&seq=1&format=1&ref=cj#largeimage and here http://www.ergogeek.com/max-keyboard-nighthawk-x9-red-backlit-mechanical-keyboard.html Another Keyboard I was considering was the Ducky Shine http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=87, love the purple. The shipping cost from all the sites was about 50 to 55 dollars. You need to add import duty to that as well. And, If anything is faulty it's going to end up cost a lot more in the end sending it back.
If you want something cheaper then the Qpad then the Coolmaster Storm trigger is a good one to go for http://www.scan.co.uk/products/coolermaster-cm-storm-trigger-mechanical-gaming-keyboard-with-backlit-brown-cherry-switch-keys I can't find the link but I was reading that it is a Filco under the hood. Filco make very good mechanical keyboards.
If you can wait the new Gigabyte Aivia Osmium USB 3.0 is coming out soon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dddTthqbjrE Looks very nice.
The Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Keyboard (uses the loud blues but, I think it comes with Browns too) is what I wanted at first but, I read too many bad things about its quality http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_-MTaFbQvc
Anyway have fun. Researching this for me was like going down a rabbit hole. There is a lot to consider.

farna_boy

Third time posting this information:

farna_boy wrote: »

Hey all,

I did a good bit of reading about this not so long ago so just to add a few things to what has been said already.

First of all, apparently that overclock link is wrong/inaccurate about a few things (I'm not sure exatcly sure what) but it is based on a longer more accurate piece on geekhack that can be found here

The next thing that may be of interest is Ducky keyboards (in particular the 9008 keyboards )are generally considered one of the best mechanical keyboards you can buy. They come with all types of keys i.e. Blue, Brown, Black and Red. You can buy one from a Taiwanese website that is linked below and each keyboard will cost about 3790 Taiwanese dollars which is about €100 and shipping is another $20 to Europe. I have never used this website but I know others have without any problems. Still you might want to check that they will send t Ireland (although I can't see why not). Anyway here are the full list of keyboards and associated links.

Blue Backlit:

MX Browns

MX Blue

MX Red (Taiwanese only)

MX Black (Taiwanese only)


Red Backlit (All red backlit options only have Taiwanese letterings on the keycaps, for now)

MX Red

MX Black

MX Brown

MX Blue

Final Note:
Taiwanese keyboards are very similar to US/QWERTY keyboards but just have more alternative letterings. A picture and description of these difference can be found on Wikipedia

uncle_sam_ie

farna_boy wrote: »

Third time posting this information:

Yeah , Ducky's are good but, Das Keyboard,Topre, Filcos, WASD, Leopold and Deck are all top notch in build quality as well. I like the Ducky but the reason I didn't go with it is because the Qpad has full N-Key roll over via USB and customizable profiles, programmable keys and macro recording. Which is what you want for gaming. Also, They don't sell them in Europe and I would worry about being unlucky and getting a faulty keyboard. Having to send it back to Taiwan or the US would be a nightmare.
Also,
I looked at the Corsair K90 and K60. They look fine but not being fully mechanical bothered me. But, it might be OK for you OP http://www.komplett.ie/Komplett/product/gaming_keyboards/20098414/corsair_vengeance_k90_gaming_keyboard_usb/details.aspx
And,
The Mionix looks good too with green back lighting but, it has black switches which from reading I here can be fatiguing and it cost the same as the Qpad. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-002-MI&groupid=702&catid=23&subcat=2107

SpannerMonkey

i went for the Razer Blackwidow Ultimate Stealth , nice keyboard with excellent backlighting , and has the brown switches which feel really nice but arent stupidly loud like the blue

http://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/en_US/pd/productID.235197900/categoryId.56943600

Akvavit

Hey guys, thanks for the replies - while I am still not 100% set on which one i will end up with - it has given me some directions and input as to what to look for.

Das Keyboard especially looks great, but the lack of backlit is a bit of a deal breaker though.

But once again - thanks for all your suggestions - they are much appreciated!

Skylinehead

uncle_sam_ie wrote: »

I have been researching this for a while now and went for the Qpad MK-85 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-001-QP I think it's the best one at the moment. I bought it at Overclockers UK, I should have it Wednesday. It was 10 pound cheaper at Scan but I found out that Overclocks will price match if you call them. Cost me 129 pound including shipping. If you don't like red switches or if you want the cheaper MK-80 without the loud blue switches you can order direct from Qpad they'll sell them with the switches you want.

Did you get the blue switches? The MK-50 I'm getting off Scan has reds, not sure how good they'll be for typing but we'll see soon enough.

uncle_sam_ie

No, the MK-85 comes with reds. The Mk-50 is the same as the 85 only you don't get the back lighting, full N-Key roll over via USB and the macro key recording. The MK-50 is a good keyboard though and at very good price. I went with MK-85 because I really needed the back lighting. The Mk-80 is the one that comes with the blues. The blues suppose to be the best for typing on.

I should have mine tomorrow.

Skylinehead

uncle_sam_ie wrote: »

No, the MK-85 comes with reds. The Mk-50 is the same as the 85 only you don't get the back lighting, full N-Key roll over via USB and the macro key recording. The MK-50 is a good keyboard though and at very good price. I went with MK-85 because I really needed the back lighting. The Mk-80 is the one that comes with the blues. The blues suppose to be the best for typing on.

Can't justify paying more than I already am on the MK-50, so I'll get used to the reds. Have a backlit keyboard on my Studio 1555, so that'll do me. Think the MK-50 supports N-key rollover via PS2 anyway so that's fine.

uncle_sam_ie

Skylinehead wrote: »

Can't justify paying more than I already am on the MK-50, so I'll get used to the reds. Have a backlit keyboard on my Studio 1555, so that'll do me. Think the MK-50 supports N-key rollover via PS2 anyway so that's fine.

Yeah, it does support it over PS2 so you'll be grand. My Mboard doesn't though. This will be my first mechanical keyboard so, I really hope it does justify the cost. But, everyone I speak to about it says once you go mechanical you don't go back.
I'll soon see.

Akvavit

uncle_sam_ie wrote: »

No, the MK-85 comes with reds. The Mk-50 is the same as the 85 only you don't get the back lighting, full N-Key roll over via USB and the macro key recording. The MK-50 is a good keyboard though and at very good price. I went with MK-85 because I really needed the back lighting. The Mk-80 is the one that comes with the blues. The blues suppose to be the best for typing on.

I should have mine tomorrow.

Looking forward to hear your thoughts on this one when you have had it for some time. It seems to be everything I need...