Mechanical Keyboards

[Bodo]

Are they worth it?

 

I'm looking at the Corsair K70 after reading and looking about on youtube. CM seem to make some good ones, too.

 

I've never tried Red/Brown/Black/Blue cherry MX switches but it would seem that red are most common but tailored for gamers whereas brown seem to be the middle ground that a few recommend.

 

Some feedback and thoughts on this would be cool. 120 pounds for a keyboard, though...jeesh...

 

I suppose I should say what I like about the K70. It's the update of the not fully mechanical K60. Over others, it's because I have a reasonable trust with Corsair, there are the multimedia shortcuts that CM don't offer. Ducky, I don't know much about but also seem to lack those features that Corsair has.

[Feuerfalke]

I got the Cherry G80-3000 in an older model. Basically the same MX-technology, but a slightly different design with gold contacts (sorry, label-sticker is long gone).

 

The keyboard is some 17 years old and fresh as day one. I had to replace the cable once - it didn't survive my frequent lanparties. Frequent, yes, andI didn't count how many liters of Coke and Coffee has been spilled on it...

 

I once even gave it a hot shower, dried it and still works fine. :)

 

Try that with a cheap rubber-keyboard :music_whistling:

[EtherealN]

Before i tried them i felt normal boards were just fine. Then tried a Razer Blackwidow Ultimate and got hooked. A while ago i emptied a can of beer over it (oops) and had to let it dry for a few days after cleaning it. Was so horrible i bought another Blackwidow to ensure my backup keyboard is also mechanical...

 

Basically, they are like TrackIR: before you try you feel you are doing just fine. After you try, being without feels horrible.

Edited October 7, 2013 by EtherealN

[AhSoul]

I've got a CMStorm Quickfire. Lovely action and nice and compact. Actually not so good for DCS though since it has no numpad ;)

[Supersheep]

Worth it? You don't yet know what you miss... :p I'm very much with EtherealN here.

 

I have a Qpad 50 (MX Blue) that I use as my main keyboard since I washed my rubberdome and thereby accidentally removed the silicon lube (or whatever) from the keycaps and the keys were very awkward to press (you got that right Feuerfalke! although technically, it still works :/ ).

 

To try the different MX switches, I later got a Compaq (G80-11800LPADE, MX Brown) and a Cherry (G80-1851LPMDE, MX Black), both of which I got on the cheap (USD20? each) off Ebay and despite the price, they are good keyboards, too - you don't have to spend $$$ on it. Recently I acquired an Unicomp Endurapro (Buckling Spring), which is another, different type-feeling. You see, it's a slippery slope.

 

Take a look at geekhack.org or deskthority.net for more info. You'll find plenty comments on the different switch characteristics that I'm not going to repeat here because they are very subjective after all.

Edited October 7, 2013 by Supersheep
corrected an URL

[Bodo]

I was originally dubious about the need for a mechanical keyboard but certainly it seems like a good upgrade and one of those things that once you've experienced it you won't want to go back.

 

I'll have a little think and next pay day I'll probably get the Corsair K70. I just need to try and determine what cherry key I'll be happy with. GOnna try and find somewhere to test this weekend.

 

Thanks for your thoughts! Helpful, cheers!

[Bodo]

So I just ordered a Filco Majestouch 2 Ninja with brown cherry keys.

Will report back tomorrow when it arrives to give my opinions.

I didn't really want anything with lights or macros, although the macros would have helped a little with DCS, I've managed without so far.

 

Will let you know. The Keyboard Company in the UK offered me great support and if I return it in A1 condition then they're happy to refund if I change my mind.

 

Looking forward to testing.

[roob]

Good choice on the Filco :) Browns <3

 

Didn't wanna wait for CM Storm Rapid with Brown to get in stock so I settled for Red. It works... But, the tactile feedback from the clicky browns and beyond are waaaay nicer overall.

[zaelu]

A friend and squadmate of mine send me on Razer Blackwidow to me because he didn't like it... I passed it to another squad mate that apparently loves it.

 

So... it is de gustibus. For me is just old style new crappola... :lol:

[Bodo]

Yeah it feels great to type on. ARMA feels nice to play.

Lot o money and feel like a moron for spending so much on it tho..

 

THis thing is built like a brick so I can see it lasting a long time.

 

Overall pretty pleased. I think I made the right choice with brown keys, too.:thumbup:

[upupandaway]

The K70 sure looks nice. I had been eying that one for a while too. In the end I went for the CM Storm Trigger, which I don´t regret to this day. Don´t underestimate the value of decent lighting on a keyboard - it really bugs me that my laptop doesn´t have it.

Anyway, most of the mechanical keyboards are of very good to excellent build quality and typing is superfast. The devil is mostly in the details (additional features) and you should know what you want out of the keyboard.

[Python]

I have the K90... Love it! Wish I'd held off a while longer however as the black K70 is pretty damn sexy. As for the red switches, they take a while to get used to, you barely need to touch them to type. Build quality is great, materials are great, Corsairs after service is superb! Can't recommend one enough. The are expensive but they are worth it. The only con I have found is that typing can be iffy, I find myself making a lot of mistakes so if typing is a priority... try a different switch as red won't be ideal. Perfect for gaming though.

[Supersheep]

Red -> perfect for gaming is a generalization. I do play some games on an IBM Model M, because being dang sure that the key was pressed can be much more important than fast cycle times.

 

There are use cases for linear and for tactile switches, and it comes down to personal preference and the context.

[Bodo]

The K70 is suffering a lot of LED problems but, it looked nice.

 

I'm glad I got my Filco tho..It feels so good to use. I think the brown keys were the right choice for me.

 

Plus, I jazzed mine up with red WASD keys....altho as it's a ninja keyboard (blank keys apart from the front side) it looks great just all black.

 

Considering getting some custom keys from WASD keyboards...I can see it becoming slightly addictive..well, for a short while.

[Supersheep]

Just wait until you hear of Topre switches.

(Oops now I said it... :D)

[ENO]

The K70 is suffering a lot of LED problems but, it looked nice.

 

I've been reading a LOT about that recently as well. They say they've sold SO many that those complaining are the drastic minority- however it's really made me hover on the purchase.

 

The other one I've had a lazy eye on is the Gigabyte Aivia Osmium- a little less mainstream but it reviews well.

 

I suppose at the very least I pay for the additional coverage from my local retailer (memoryexpress here) and it's basically no questions asked replacement covereage for 2 years for 20 bucks...

 

Does anyone have any enhanced vision on what's going on with the K70s or are we all just subject to the reports of people who are generally only submitting feedback because they registered to report a problem while 98% of people are perfectly content.

[Python]

I haven't heard of the K70 problems, I was actually thinking of chucking my K90 in for one even though I've only had it a short while so I'll look into it. I will say this though, I have used Corsairs DRM service twice now, they are probably the best company I've ever dealt with. They will send you a brand new one if you get a fault, it just means being without a keyboard for a few days if anything which is why I kept my old rubbish Cyborg evo. Their keyboards are superb, as is the M60 and M65 mice although they are a little small for my hands which is why I'm thinking of grabbing a Roccat Kone.

[Bodo]

Yeh heard about topre...just a bit tooo much for me..

 

One day may get one to see what it's all about

 

About K70 , well for me I would probably go for one but LEDs scare me and just seem like I'd be destined for trouble..

 

I also think they'd be distracting if on, lighting up WASD might make sense but why not just get coloured keys.

It's all subjective obviously...for LED keyboards I was eventually considering the logitech 710+ and the Ducky Shine 3.

 

Both look nice

 

For Corsair, altho a great brand, I wonder whether they need a bit more experience in this market??

 

I dunno, other than that I hear good things about their supprt, but then again, bad things about their support for the K70..ALtho I responded to a post on anandtech about someone's experience. He seems to have been lamenting about how terrible they are as a company, which isn't true,.

 

 

I'd just stear clear of the possibility of eventually having an expensive keyboard that has a few blown leds and I'd think to myself, why didn't I just get a really high quality LEDless keyboard with some custom coloured keys.

[Python]

About K70 , well for me I would probably go for one but LEDs scare me and just seem like I'd be destined for trouble..

 

I also think they'd be distracting if on, lighting up WASD might make sense but why not just get coloured keys

 

I think it does have coloured and contoured keys as well that you can put on... can't see them in the dark though ;) Since getting a background lit keyboard I would never go back now. My corsair has 3 brightness settings, I use the lowest as it doesn't distract despite being blue. I think the red would be easier on the eyes. Also, The K70 has customisable light up function, you can choose whichever keys you'd like to light up, not just wasd.... In fact I've just talked myself into one lol.

 

Up to you though ultimately, it would be ideal to find somewhere to try a few but that is generally easier said than done unfortunately.

[Bodo]

Heh Python I kinda agree.:)

 

Hey let us know how ya get on with it.

 

I will probably get a Ducky SHine 3 at some future point as I do like the look of their boards with the LEDs and I suppose it's nice to have, yup...at night...I'm not a bad typist tho so I can generally feel my way around but ya have a good point.

 

ANd yeh I'd go for teh black aluminium version with red leds and brown keys!!

[Python]

That's a nice solid looking keyboard. I haven't tried the brown keys, only red. I'd love to have a go before swapping if I do decide to though as the K70 is available with brown switches.