Anybody here got a mechanical keyboard?

Brian · 06-07-2011 06:50PM #1

I'm thinking of buying a Noppoo Choc Mini with Cherry MX Red switches, seems to be quite a tidy bit of kit! Price is around €85 shipped.

Noppoo Choc Mini (Cherry Brown) review

Numpad-less which is ideal for gaming. I just bought a $5 one off DealExtreme that I'll put to the left of the keyboard if needs be.

Check out Geekhack.org for more info on switch types and mechanical keyboards in general. Quite a pricey hobby, it seems.

heid · 06-07-2011 07:31PM

Mechanical keyboards are usually noisy, like a typewriter and this wpuld get on my nerves.

Tea_Bag · 06-07-2011 08:33PM

just been on Geekhack.org... still wondering.... wtf is a mech keyboard?

trout · 06-07-2011 08:39PM

http://webwit.nl/input/kbsim/

:pac:

I have a few Model M keyboards from the late 80's ... in PMO. My current fav is a Das Keyboard, purely because it has the USB ports out.

-> http://www.daskeyboard.com/

PseudoFamous · 06-07-2011 08:39PM

We used to have one in the house, but I din't really like it due to the clackclackclack it made. It was great for typing, but it pissed everyone off from the noise. Also, the mouse in the background (Razer Naga) is bloody great, it has SOOO many buttons.

Monotype · 06-07-2011 09:29PM

Tea_Bag wrote: »

just been on Geekhack.org... still wondering.... wtf is a mech keyboard?

They're those loud clacky ones. If you open most keyboards up, you'll see a thin circuit board and the keys are resting on flexible pieces of rubber/plastic. This makes them a lot cheaper to make. The mechanical ones have got metal hinges in them. They're usually nosier and bulkier but very durable. They're more of a speciality item now and usually cost a bit more.

Brian · 07-07-2011 12:12AM

PseudoFamous wrote: »

We used to have one in the house, but I din't really like it due to the clackclackclack it made. It was great for typing, but it pissed everyone off from the noise. Also, the mouse in the background (Razer Naga) is bloody great, it has SOOO many buttons.

I have already bought a DealExtreme scissor switch special for night-time computing

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/78-key-compact-slim-usb-keyboard-black-160cm-cable-44378

heid wrote: »

Mechanical keyboards are usually noisy, like a typewriter and this wpuld get on my nerves.

The Red switches are linear-type, which should mean they produce quite a bit less noise than the classic typewriter-style Blue switch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYK03ltDcqM

VenomIreland · 07-07-2011 12:12PM

http://www.overclock.net/keyboards/491752-mechanical-keyboard-guide.html

Guide for everyone.

I'm waiting for the Steelseries 7G to be in stock on Amazon, then I'm buying it.

Brian · 07-07-2011 12:53PM

Steelseries keyboards have some weird mongrel ANSI/ISO layout. I'd prefer pure ISO since that's what I'm used to and I have my gaming binds based around that, but the only tenkeyless mechanical in ISO seems to be the Filco Majestouch which is double the price of the Choc Mini, doesn't have MX Reds, and is out of stock.

VenomIreland · 07-07-2011 03:49PM

Baza210 wrote: »

Steelseries keyboards have some weird mongrel ANSI/ISO layout. I'd prefer pure ISO since that's what I'm used to and I have my gaming binds based around that, but the only tenkeyless mechanical in ISO seems to be the Filco Majestouch which is double the price of the Choc Mini, doesn't have MX Reds, and is out of stock.

What MX Black keyboard would you recommend? The 7G seems perfect for me as it has everything I want in a fullsize keyboard (passthrough USB and Audio, Wrist Rest, Media Keys and MX Black switches).

Brian · 07-07-2011 04:10PM

I don't really know of any Black switch keyboards except the silent Das Keyboard, which has a USB hub but lacks the other features you mention. I'm sure you'll get used to the Steelseries layout.

VenomIreland · 07-07-2011 04:42PM

Baza210 wrote: »

I don't really know of any Black switch keyboards except the silent Das Keyboard, which has a USB hub but lacks the other features you mention. I'm sure you'll get used to the Steelseries layout.

Alright, looks like I'll just have to wait until it's back in stock now

Kadongy · 07-07-2011 05:07PM

Are there any perceived advantages to this apart from the durability? Or is it more a matter of personal taste?

Brian · 07-07-2011 05:44PM

N-key rollover, as well as key recognition without bottoming out which can be less fatiguing on your fingers.

VenomIreland · 13-07-2011 08:01PM

After consideration I think I'll go for the Das Keyboard Professional Silent, only problem is I can't find a place that stocks it and ships to here, any help?

Brian · 13-07-2011 08:32PM

Try PMing Ross/CuLT, he has two of them

CuLT · 13-07-2011 08:35PM

VenomIreland wrote: »

After consideration I think I'll go for the Das Keyboard Professional Silent, only problem is I can't find a place that stocks it and ships to here, any help?

Getdigital.de stocks em, be prepared for a hefty shipping fee on top of the keyboard though. Bout 150 quid all in.

darego · 13-07-2011 08:56PM

i really recommend getting one mate! i got a razor blackwidow with my new rig a few weeks ago and i love it! they feel great, last longer and they have way better response times(better for gaming) than normal ones. well worth the money imo. regarding them sounding like a typewriter, hardly! haha tiny bit more louder than most of the normal ones.

here's the one i have
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/razer-black-widow-mechanical-gaming-keyboard-usb-wired

Brian · 13-07-2011 09:22PM

The Das Keyboard Silent uses the Cherry MX Black switches. If the price Ross mentioned is too much for you, might be worth checking out the Steelseries 6Gv2. I think it is under €100. Just be careful you get the UK/ISO layout, I think Overclockers UK have it.

Edit: http://overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-026-ST

I would check that it is indeed the UK layout.

Edit2: Komplett also have it http://komplett.ie/Komplett/product/ZKB_01COM/17_MOUSEKB/05_GAMINGK/productdetails/20088935/Steelseries_6Gv2_Wired_Macro_Keys/64225/default.aspx

VenomIreland · 14-07-2011 08:20PM

CuLT wrote: »

Getdigital.de stocks em, be prepared for a hefty shipping fee on top of the keyboard though. Bout 150 quid all in.

The only Silent one they have is the Ultimate Silent

Baza210 wrote: »

The Das Keyboard Silent uses the Cherry MX Black switches. If the price Ross mentioned is too much for you, might be worth checking out the Steelseries 6Gv2. I think it is under €100. Just be careful you get the UK/ISO layout, I think Overclockers UK have it.

Edit: http://overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-026-ST

I would check that it is indeed the UK layout.

Edit2: Komplett also have it http://komplett.ie/Komplett/product/ZKB_01COM/17_MOUSEKB/05_GAMINGK/productdetails/20088935/Steelseries_6Gv2_Wired_Macro_Keys/64225/default.aspx

I was thinking of going for that instead of the 7G ( can get aftermarket USB Hub and Wrist rest for less than what the 7G costs), but the Komplett one is the US layout, and I can't find anything about the layout of the Overclockers one

Brian · 14-07-2011 10:21PM

This is the layout of one bought from OCUK: http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/7082/img0391g.jpg

And this is my work desk with my new keyboard

http://i.imgur.com/9QjFW.jpg

srsly78 · 14-07-2011 10:31PM

I use a Das Silent professional, it is awesome to type on and incredibly durable. HOWEVER: even the "silent" version is very loud. Also note that if connected via USB N-key rollover doesn't work, only 6 keys will register. This is only an issue when 2 people are playing Street Fighter or whatever on same keyboard tho... I got the ultimate version too, with no keys printed

I had a logitech K800 scissor switch keyboard before, which is very nice to type on. However, scissor switch mechanism is very delicate... The flimsy pieces of plastic break easily, and any kind of spill will gum them up. End result = in the bin after 3 months

Also, for lulz, sometimes I have to use a Bloomberg keyboard, which costs £10,000 per year but is AWFUL

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4436079/images/IMG_20110609_182106.jpg

Brian · 14-07-2011 10:51PM

Choc Mini has NKRO USB, it registers as multiple keyboards in device manager.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLr9dDMm5Sw (mute the music)

Effluo · 15-07-2011 09:32AM

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:14962

I was worried I would get accidental key presses, but i can see now that is not going to be an issue. Typing on this thing feels great, especially once you build up a good flow, you can feel your typing speed increase. Once you get into a nice rythem, it feels like your fingers are having sex with the keyboard.

Interesting concept :pac:

VenomIreland · 15-07-2011 09:47AM

Baza210 wrote: »

This is the layout of one bought from OCUK: http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/7082/img0391g.jpg

And this is my work desk with my new keyboard http://i.imgur.com/9QjFW.jpg

Is that the 6GV2 or the 7G in the first picture?

Brian · 15-07-2011 09:53AM

6gv2 http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=19193984&postcount=27

About the swapped keys, you can probably flip them around quite easily with some intervening software.

VenomIreland · 15-07-2011 10:06AM

Baza210 wrote: »

6gv2 http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=19193984&postcount=27

About the swapped keys, you can probably flip them around quite easily with some intervening software.

I don't think those swapped keys would bother me, they are keys I rarely need to use anyway.

Now to just actually save up for it

ScumLord · 15-07-2011 01:13PM

VenomIreland wrote: »

http://www.overclock.net/keyboards/491752-mechanical-keyboard-guide.html

Guide for everyone.

That has to be the geekiest link I've ever read. I can't believe I spent nearly an hour going through it all.

I have a good few of those Dell boards they talk about, they come free with servers.

Brian · 15-07-2011 03:45PM

Turns out my Choc Mini actually has Brown Switches. Kind of annoyed. It still feels good but I paid extra for the Reds, will be getting the seller to send me the proper one ASAP. Hopefully he doesn't mind me trying both of them side by side.

Griffin87 · 14-12-2011 01:12PM

Baza210 wrote: »

Turns out my Choc Mini actually has Brown Switches. Kind of annoyed. It still feels good but I paid extra for the Reds, will be getting the seller to send me the proper one ASAP. Hopefully he doesn't mind me trying both of them side by side.

hey Im thinking about buying choc mini with reds did you get them in the end ?

kfish2oo2 · 14-12-2011 05:40PM

I have one of these and I love it. I've used "true" mechanical keyboards too, but I can't really tell the difference. It is, however, streets ahead of any laptop style keyboard I've ever used. Had it 5 years now and not a single issue.

I use it for gaming and programming and its just perfect. Key travel is nice - a bit of resistance but not enough to cause any noticeable fatigue in extended play or programming sessions. It makes a bit of noise - more so than a laptop keyboard but not quite as much as a true mechanical keyboard. I've had a few keyboards over the years but I always come back to this one - it just feels much more responsive and the layout is superb (surprisingly enough). Best of all, its cheap and cheerful - you can find them online for less than €20.

Anybody here got a mechanical keyboard?

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