nothing fancy, but i used to get carpal tunnel when i was a SW engineer and surprisingly using this helped out a lot.

http://www8.pcmag.com/media/images/1...board-4000.jpg

i found it to be the best keyboard i ever used.

^I loved that keyboard, but it got too mushy too fast. Pressing space bar was a chore ("chore") compared to using a mechanical.

My dream keyboard is that layout with mx-browns. The ones available are so much $$ though.

http://imageshack.com/a/img534/7110/v26u.jpg

Ducky Shine 2 Purple LED w/ cherry mx blues. It's fantastic to type on this and even though many people don't like playing games on blues, I love it!

I am using Razer Blackwidow Ultimate for work and home... both have Cherry Brown and made a huge difference in both gaming and typing.

I personally have not been using the macro keys much. The only reason I got the ultimate version was because the white color would come off the keys of the normal version while the ultimate has the etched keys.

One thing is for sure, I'll never use blues for gaming again.

my keyboard is customized with a layer of white/clear film

Since we are on keyboard, does anyone have experience with Optimus Maximus keyboard or its derivatives (smaller/cheaper version)?

All reviews I have read focus mainly on how cool the OLED keys are. But barely discussed how well they feel when typing.

It's way out of my price range, but I'm always curious how it performs.

Are Ducky's worth the price tag? $120?~

It uses Cherry ML keys, which are basically a low profile version of MX Brown. Bloggers have said that it is very 'clicky' though, and requires a lot of force. And the bigger keys have problems if you hit them off center. Most of these bloggers say it sucks as a typing keyboard

Using a Filco majestouch cherry mx red. Love it!
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I'm looking at the mini six or an Optimus Aux to use it as custom hot-keys. But damn even these aren't cheap and rarely comes on second hand market.

I guess if it's MX brown, it should be ok.

I'm fine with using a lot of force... a reason I went for black. :D

If you want to get in on mechanical for cheap

http://images.monoprice.com/productl...ages/94331.jpg

Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - Cherry MX Blue - Monoprice.com

Use code BONUS15 and it's just $43 + shipping

Also I may be selling my Razer soon if anyone is interested.

Have a couple Deck keyboards coming in. Backlit with PBT keycaps. AFAIK they are the only ones who do that

anyone tried a cheap mechanical keyboard vs a premium one? Eg, Monoprice vs Filco/Ducky?

Logitech's mechanical keyboard is actually pretty good too if anybody is shopping for a mech kb.

Are you a supplier or something?

How about you do some giveaways on your stream, I could use a new keyboard :lawl::troll::troll:

Yeah, its perfect if you want a superior quality keyboard w/ leds that doesn't have the extra macro keys. I love the simplistic layout it has.

I got mine even before NCIX stocked it, so it was much more expensive than $120 so to me, that price is a steal.

whats the deal with ducky shine 3 mx browns, being out of stock for 2 months

Razer switching from Cherry MX to a former china knockoff brand to do their own switches:

Razer Announces Self-Branded Mechanical Keyboard Switches

The mechanical keyboard 'community' is very anti-Razer, so the feedback has been negative. But I think if they fixed the main problem with MX blues (discussed in this thread) they could have a good product.

Topre RealForce 87U 55g Tenkeyless Keyboard Review

http://www.hardcoreware.net/wordpres...lforce-87u.jpg

I am interested in buying a mech keyboard... looking at the Razer Widow....

Was wondering the difference and what are the "cherry red" "blue" "brown" switches.

Generally speaking, there are two types of key switches

Tactile - you feel a bump right when the key is activated
Linear - The key just slides up and down smoothly

Speaking of MX Cherry, they have several models. The most common are 4 models, 2 linear and 2 tactile.

MX Blue - Tactile with a click - 55g actuation force

http://cdn.pcper.com/files/fixed/MX-Blue.gif

As you can see, the switch actually has 2 pieces inside. After it hits the 'bump' (tactile) it sends a piece of plastic to slam into the bottom of the key, creating a 'click' sound.

MX Brown - Tactile, no click - 45g actuation force

http://cdn.pcper.com/files/fixed/MX-Brown.gif

It looks exactly the same, but only has 1 piece of plastic. This means you get the bump, but not the click. Any sound you hear is from you hitting the bottom of the key.

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/media/g...ph-mx-blue.jpg http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/media/g...h-mx-brown.jpg

The difference between these two is hysteresis. Both keys (and most keys in general) travel 4mm.

Look at the blue - the key doesn't activate until it is 2.5mm down. The brown activates at 2mm

From there, look at where they reset. The blue has to be lifted off all the way until it can be 'clicked' again, where the key is 1.5mm from being completely let go. The brown resets at the same point it activates. This is the main difference between the two, besides the noise.

MX Red: Linear - 45g actuation force

http://cdn.pcper.com/files/fixed/MX-Red.gif

As you can see, there is no 'bump' it just slides up and down. It has the same 2mm actuation point, but the reset point is also at 2mm. Since you will be bottoming out the key all the time, you don't have to worry about hitting a dead spot.

MX Black - Linear - 60g actuation force

http://cdn.pcper.com/files/fixed/MX-Black.gif

Black is just like red, for the most part, but has a much stiffer spring inside. It all comes down to preference.

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/media/g...aph-mx-red.jpg http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/media/g...h-mx-black.jpg

They both activate and reset at nearly the same point.

The Blues are marketed as the 'typing key'. It is really not that suitable for gaming, but a lot of people still like it. It is very noisy, and will bother everyone around you, especially if you type fast for long periods of time.

Red and Black are the 'gamer' keys, at least in terms of marketing. I am typing this on a red right now, for the first time, and I actually find it to be really good!

Brown is supposed to be the 'hybrid' key. It basically feels like a red, but with a very slight tactile bump. It's hardly noticeably really, when you compare it to an MX Blue or a Topre which I have been using for a month.

My recommendation is to try several types, and see which one you like best. It all really comes down to preference. I didn't expect to like the reds at all for typing, but as I write this, it is really very nice. Then again the keyboard I am using (Deck Francium) is a very high quality board, with high quality keycaps.

Hope this helps a bit! For more info check out my reviews.

Anyone have a comparison or have used a Filco and/or Das Keyboard?

Debating between a Filco Majestitouch 2 Brown vs Das Keyboard with Browns. Currently using a Razer Blackwidow with Blue and my friends complain that its too loud when I game with them :(

This is more than great, very very helpful. Learned the differences and with this info I can try out what to get :D

Now the last question, if I want a blackwidow do I look for one that is "red" switch? Or do companies make 1 keyboard as "red" and sell it only as red... or if I want a red switch keyboard there are only Razer (XXX) and (XXX) to choose from?


I am very excited since it has been a while since I have purchased a brand new gaming desktop and now just buying other toys for it :)

i'm also in the market for a mechanical keyboard as well

it really depends on the product if it's available in different colours and switches

ncix (burnaby) has a sample board with different switches that you can try to see which one you like best

it's similar to this but with more keys to press on
http://maxkeyboard.com/images/detail...er-Kit-004.jpg

It will say which switch it uses. Razer has their own switches though, based on MX Blue and MX Brown. You can read more about them here.

Upcoming KB reviews :fullofwin:

http://i.imgur.com/NRpyi2j.jpg

From top to bottom:

Vortex Poker II - 60% board with MX Browns and blue LED
Vortex Race II - 75% board with MX Browns and green LED
Deck Francium - 80% board with MX Reds and blue LED
Deck Hassium - 100% board with MX Browns and white LED

I really like having a numpad, but man it takes up a lot of space :okay: