CM Storm QuickFire XT Stealth MX Green vs. FILCO

[Sihastru]

Hi guys!

 

I'm in the market for a mechanical keyboard, but I have a few questions:

 

1. Is a FILCO keyboard worth DOUBLE the price of a similar QuickFire XT Steatlh? Am I guaranteed to get PBT caps on the FILCO? Does PBT vs ABS matter if I get Stealth/Ninja key caps?

2. How much worse is a TK (Ten Keyless) keyboard for an avid coder then a full 104 key layout? Can you code comfortably on a TK keyboard?

3. Does anyone have experience with Green vs Blue MX Switches? I have a feeling that Greens might be better, are there any reasons not to get them?

[GamerDude]

I have a Trigger and a Ducky Shine 3 with Cherry Green switch and I love them. Greens are simply heavier/stiffer Blues which I find to be too light for my taste. Filco doesn't come with guaranteed PBT key caps, not that I know of anyway. I have a couple of Filco MJ2 and they have plain ABS key caps.

[Avratz]

No, the Filco is not worth double. Costar makes both.

 

I'm a programmer and I never use the numpad, so I appreciate the saved space on a TKL. I'm using a QFR with green switches and I love it. Previous keyboard had blacks which I also like. I didn't like blues at all.

 

Only reason not to get greens is if you have girly hands and can't handle the 80g force.

[Sihastru]

I guess FILCO is subject to heavy taxation since they are usually imported from Japan.

 

I do not have girly hands but I don't really have big hands either. Something in between... but I'm just a little worried that it will maybe cause fatigue. I'm hoping that it happens then it will go away after a short while.

 

And I don't know if this happens to you, but sometimes when I'm coding I fall into this sort of trance, where it's just me and the code... and sometimes people around me tell me that I almost uncontrollably and heavily mash keys. This is why I think greens should be better for me, but I can't tell since I've NEVER had a mechanical keyboard.

[Heisenbleurgh]

I'm a programmer and I've had a tenkeyless for almost a month now, if you ever use the arithmetic symbols from the numberpad it can get a little weird, also when you're inputting large numbers quickly, but nothing that really hinders your work. Besides, I feel it's relatively easy to adapt to. I'd recommend getting a tenkeyless, see how you feel about it and if you feel you miss the numberpad buying one and having it to your mouse's right instead of left. Makes the desk layout more comfortable and travel distance between mouse and keys much shorter.

 

I can't really tell you which switch to get, I like blues but I'm not very sure I'd like to go for something heavier myself, at least not without trying it before.

If you're in the USA or Europe I'd try to get this:

http://www.cmstore-usa.com/mechanical-key-switch-demo-board/

http://www.cmstore.eu/cm-storm/keyboards/mechanical-key-switch-tester/

[Sihastru]

I'm in Europe. I thought about getting the demo switch board, but when you take into consideration shipping costs, the total comes in at 35 Euros. That's already almost half the cost of the QuickFire XT Limited Edition Green. I can't really justify it since I don't think it helps too much. You need the full keyboard to get a true typing feel.

[Heisenbleurgh]

I'm in Europe. I thought about getting the demo switch board, but when you take into consideration shipping costs, the total comes in at 35 Euros. That's already almost half the cost of the QuickFire XT Limited Edition Green. I can't really justify it since I don't think it helps too much. You need the full keyboard to get a true typing feel.

Oh, for that price then I don't think it's worth it either then.

I'd never tried a mechanical keyboard or switch before I ordered my first one, so this is what I personally did. I decided that I'd rather have a switch that was too light over one that was too heavy, so although I was considering blues, I got browns. I really liked them but felt I could be ok with a little extra, so my second one has blue switches and they're my current favorites.

If you can easily return a product that you didn't like then just get the greens and see how you feel about them. If you can't, decide whether you'd prefer to risk going too heavy or too light and get greens or blues respectively.

[Sihastru]

So, really, really, REAAAAAAAHEHEHEHEHHEEEELY late update.

 

I got a CM Storm Quick Fire TKL with Cherry MX Green switches. The Stealth version so the legends won't come off too soon. I don't know why people say they're too stiff, they seem perfect for me. I do occasionally reach for the nonexistent NUMPAD, but I'm getting used to it.

 

Happy programmer.

 

Thanks for all your input!

[peaking duck]

i just picked up a quickfire tkl stealth with greens

my immediate reaction to it was "how the hell do people say its much heavier than blues?"
its just perfect in weight.