Looking for first headset, mechanical keyboard and mouse. Need advice.

[icewizard64]

Hi guys,

 

Pretty much what the title says, i'm looking for a new headset, mechanical keyboard and mouse and could use some suggestions.

 

I do a mix of both typing and gaming. I'm a writer and play a mix of MMO's and FPS games and need a good all round keyboard. Design doesn't particularly matter but i do prefer black matte keyboards over the glossy or steel/grey ones and i like a full key layout. I haven't used a wrist rest before but have been told they're good to have. As for switches, i'm open to suggestions but would like something fairly quiet and backlighting would be nice but i don't really need RGB backlights but i would like lighting that's reliable and not prone to blacking out and breaking.

 

For the mouse, i don't have any particular requirements but am wondering if it's best to get the same brand or if another brand of mouse would work with a different brand keyboard? I guess an all round mouse would work. Something that's easy to use.

 

With the headset, audio quality must be good and i don't need a microphone on it. I want this for sound design work using Pro Tools and the like but the main thing that matters to me is the keyboard.

 

If there's anything i missed or you have any questions please let me know so i give you more details to help me narrow down the spectrum of products out there.

 

Thank you.

 

 

------

 

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

 

I think i've decided on a keyboard - The CM Storm QuickFire Ultimate Mechanical keyboard - seems like a good fit and it looks pretty solid and for the mouse i'm thinking about the Logitech G502 which also seems to be a very good item even if a little odd at first look. I've got white LED's in my rig too so the keyboard would even match and i guess it doesn't matter if the mouse has blue LED's.

 

Does anyone have any experience with these two items? Are they good to use?

And will a high end mouse pad make a difference in the overall experience of using the mouse?

 

I'm wondering if i should get a decent one since i'm updating my gear. Should probably get some new speakers too while i'm at it. I'm currently using a $2 mouse pad and $10 set of speakers that i got just to have something to use when i built my computer. Logitech seems good for speakers, maybe something from them?

 

Thanks again for your help

[brandon8890]

For the keyboard, I would go for the ducky shine 3 in your case, I have felt it before and it is amazing. I would suggest cherry MX Browns as they are the best mix between typing and gaming and they are quiet for mechanical keyboards. For the mouse, I would honestly suggest the Deathadder 2013 because it feels amazing, it has an optical sensor meaning that it's amazing for Gaming. It has great software to go along with it. For your headset, it there is a wide range for you to chose from. And it also depends on what kind of sound quality you're looking for. Super loud bass or amazing mids and highs. It really matters on preference. But I personally have the Audio Techinca ATH M50x. They are basically the best I have ever heard.

[Tafel_Kafel]

Budget?

[kwljunky]

Audio technica audio technica ath-700x or beyerdynamic dt 880 pro and then just get the mod mike if you need it! 

 

I had a corsair k70 with blues, but get yourself a decent switch test kit and see what you like the feel of, in the end of the day it is up to you. 

 

There is a few of these samplers around, cooler master do one: http://www.cmstore-usa.com/mechanical-key-switch-demo-board/

 

 

Basically just see which switch type you like and then go from there. I personally just ordered a Code Keyboard with Greens from the UK using massdrop. 

 

Check out the massdrop mechanical keyboard sections and then get some decent discounts. 

 

For the mouse, again so much to choose from it comes down to subjective looks/ "feeling", so how the thing feels in your hand. I got the Glossy white Corsair M95, I hate the rubberized mouses because I scratch at them when I'm board. 

[Archangel1994]

Audio technica audio technica ath-700x or beyerdynamic dt 880 pro and then just get the mod mike if you need it! 

 

I had a corsair k70 with blues, but get yourself a decent switch test kit and see what you like the feel of, in the end of the day it is up to you. 

 

There is a few of these samplers around, cooler master do one: http://www.cmstore-usa.com/mechanical-key-switch-demo-board/

The fun thing about that switch tester is this:

As an added bonus, any purchase of a CM Storm Key Tester provides a $15.00 discount towards your purchase of a CM Storm mechanical keyboard from our store. Simply log into your account order detail to view the coupon code once your order has shipped or simply view the coupon code in your included packing slip. 

 

Not bad if you want a CM STorm keyboard

[kwljunky]

The fun thing about that switch tester is this:

As an added bonus, any purchase of a CM Storm Key Tester provides a $15.00 discount towards your purchase of a CM Storm mechanical keyboard from our store. Simply log into your account order detail to view the coupon code once your order has shipped or simply view the coupon code in your included packing slip. 

 

Not bad if you want a CM STorm keyboard

They have a good selection of switch types, I wonder if the Nova-Touch is included with that offer, since it's not on the tester? Or if it just applies to them all in general. 

 

Anyways it's a win win situation if you like the look of CM. 

[Archangel1994]

They have a good selection of switch types, I wonder if the Nova-Touch is included with that offer, since it's not on the tester? Or if it just applies to them all in general. 

 

Anyways it's a win win situation if you like the look of CM. 

Well the topre keyboards should be included because it does not say that the CM Storm Mech keyboard that has the discount needs to be cherry MX so I would assume that the topre keyboards are included. That said I do not recommend topre personally. Its actuation point (at least in the one I tried) was incredibly soon (LIke 40mm to bottom out, 7mm to actuation point) which felt horrendous to me. However this is personal preference.

[kwljunky]

Well the topre keyboards should be included because it does not say that the CM Storm Mech keyboard that has the discount needs to be cherry MX so I would assume that the topre keyboards are included. That said I do not recommend topre personally. Its actuation point (at least in the one I tried) was incredibly soon (LIke 40mm to bottom out, 7mm to actuation point) which felt horrendous to me. However this is personal preference.

Ah I see, well discounts are great especially considering the price of a mechanical keyboard v.s membrane stuff. that's cm deal is nice! To me typing on membrane, now after getting used to blue cherry, feels like dipping your fingers into porridge (mushy feeling). Did the Topre switches feel mushy at all? 

[Archangel1994]

Ah I see, well discounts are great especially considering the price of a mechanical keyboard v.s membrane stuff. that's cm deal is nice! To me typing on membrane, now after getting used to blue cherry, feels like dipping your fingers into porridge (mushy feeling). Did the Topre switches feel mushy at all? 

Can't really explain it to you. Try going to a local store and see if you can try one with CM Storm Novatouch Topre switches

[kwljunky]

Can't really explain it to you. Try going to a local store and see if you can try one with CM Storm Novatouch Topre switches

Will definitely have a look see when I get a chance! 

[icewizard64]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

 

I think i've decided on a keyboard - The CM Storm QuickFire Ultimate Mechanical keyboard - seems like a good fit and it looks pretty solid and for the mouse i'm thinking about the Logitech G502 which also seems to be a very good item even if a little odd at first look. I've got white LED's in my rig too so the keyboard would even match and i guess it doesn't matter if the mouse has blue LED's.

 

Does anyone have any experience with these two items? Are they good to use?

And will a high end mouse pad make a difference in the overall experience of using the mouse?

 

I'm wondering if i should get a decent one since i'm updating my gear. Should probably get some new speakers too while i'm at it. I'm currently using a $2 mouse pad and $10 set of speakers that i got just to have something to use when i built my computer. Logitech seems good for speakers, maybe something from them?

 

Thanks again for your help

[ixiboneheadixi]

Audio technica audio technica ath-700x or beyerdynamic dt 880 pro and then just get the mod mike if you need it! 

 

I had a corsair k70 with blues, but get yourself a decent switch test kit and see what you like the feel of, in the end of the day it is up to you. 

 

There is a few of these samplers around, cooler master do one: http://www.cmstore-usa.com/mechanical-key-switch-demo-board/

 

 

Basically just see which switch type you like and then go from there. I personally just ordered a Code Keyboard with Greens from the UK using massdrop. 

 

Check out the massdrop mechanical keyboard sections and then get some decent discounts. 

 

For the mouse, again so much to choose from it comes down to subjective looks/ "feeling", so how the thing feels in your hand. I got the Glossy white Corsair M95, I hate the rubberized mouses because I scratch at them when I'm board. 

 beyerdynamic dt 990 pro ftw IMO much better then 880

[kwljunky]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

 

I think i've decided on a keyboard - The CM Storm QuickFire Ultimate Mechanical keyboard - seems like a good fit and it looks pretty solid and for the mouse i'm thinking about the Logitech G502 which also seems to be a very good item even if a little odd at first look. I've got white LED's in my rig too so the keyboard would even match and i guess it doesn't matter if the mouse has blue LED's.

 

Does anyone have any experience with these two items? Are they good to use?

And will a high end mouse pad make a difference in the overall experience of using the mouse?

 

I'm wondering if i should get a decent one since i'm updating my gear. Should probably get some new speakers too while i'm at it. I'm currently using a $2 mouse pad and $10 set of speakers that i got just to have something to use when i built my computer. Logitech seems good for speakers, maybe something from them?

 

Thanks again for your help

 

Ultimate is a good keyboard, which switches are you considering? I would definitely get that switch sampler as it also gives you a discount like ArchAngel1994 suggested! So you pay for it, decide the switch and present the receipt to cooler master who hack off a bit of the price from the keyboard. That way you don't get something you don't want! 

 

I think it's blue, browns and red's. So it's deciding time for you! 

 

I don't have experience with the mouse, did you check out Linus's review of it? 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl25wpMoEtY

 

 

I would have a gander at amazon review's and newegg and Ncix reviews, and maybe just do a general search of it on youtube of other people unboxing their own, you are bound to find some, so you can get somewhat of a feel for what it might be like. 

 

 

I always have a mouse pad with a wrist rest, although it's up to you and whether your on a desk and the height of your chair ect, I think get something that matches the theme of your build. Maybe if you like a game that much or if it means a lot to you, get a mouse mat that has some relation to it, in the end the sensor in that mouse can be run on any surface, so if you wanted to you can use it on your lap..although it might be uncomfortable, but the mouse will work!

 

I'll make an admission and say I barely use my speakers anymore since getting my headset, it does not disturb anyone else, so I can game at night, but your situation may be different so yeah Logitech seems like a good path Creative seem to have a couple of interesting things as well. The really decent ones, are really expensive and I personally would put the money into a decent headphone/headset! 

[kwljunky]

 beyerdynamic dt 990 pro ftw IMO much better then 880

 

I heard good things about it, I was picking between the 770, 880 and 990, I chose the 880 in the end because I was put off by a review saying they easily broke! I might try them when I get the chance to someday! 

[atavax]

zowie fk1 is a great simple to use mouse with a great sensor and comfortable design. Zowie mice require no drivers. Its plug and play. If you want to change dpi, there is a button on the bottom to change between several dpi selections.

[atavax]

That said I do not recommend topre personally. Its actuation point (at least in the one I tried) was incredibly soon (LIke 40mm to bottom out, 7mm to actuation point) which felt horrendous to me. However this is personal preference.

 

I think that is part of the point of Topre. The actuation point is very soon which means a greater distance between actuation and bottoming out and leads to either not bottoming out or bottoming out with less force which creates less stress on your joints and is more ergonomic. Despite the actuation point being very short, i mistype a lot less on topre then mx cherry blues and reds i've owned because topres require most of the force at the very beginning to get it moving. With cherry if you nudge a key to the side, it moves and sometimes actuates. With Topre, when i nudge a key to the side, it doesn't move, and doesn't actuate.

[ixiboneheadixi]

I heard good things about it, I was picking between the 770, 880 and 990, I chose the 880 in the end because I was put off by a review saying they easily broke! I might try them when I get the chance to someday! 

quality is the same on all of them, 990 has a bit better base and its completely open back so i prefer it a bit more