Help picking first mechanical keyboard

[madknight3]

Ok so I've got a Logitech G110 keyboard which seems fine to me. But because it's not mechanical, and everyone raves about mechanical, I just feel like I'm missing out. So I think I'm going to pick one up. I'm just not sure what one to get. So here's my criteria.

 

1. I want a strong back lit keyboard. I find the G110 a little too dull and would like a bit more brightness. I'm not that picky over color and I don't need any fancy lighting effects when you press a key but if they are there it isn't a big deal.
2. I want a full keyboard with numpad (104 keys I guess it's usually called) but I'd rather not have extra programmable keys like the G1 - G12 keys on my current keyboard. I just don't use them so they are wasting space.
3. It doesn't need a wrist rest but if it comes with one, it'll need to be removable.
4. I think I want to go with Cherry MX Brown switches. I game a lot but I also type a lot so I think it'll be a good balance and worth a first try.

 

I think that's about it. I've looked around a little and here are my thoughts on a couple of the commonly recommended keyboards but feel free to recommend others than the ones listed.

 

• The CM Storm QuickFire TK seems like a good keyboard but I don't think I like how they have the num pad combined with the other keys.
• The Ducky Shine 3 looks solid and I don't think I have any complaints about it except for price. I'd prefer something cheaper if it does everything I need.
• The Corsair K70 looks like it could be a good middle ground if it's LEDs are bright enough but I'd like your suggestions.

 

[QcDExtreme]

okay all of those keyboards are incredibly solid however you and alternatively look at the duck shine zero because it's a very similar to the shine 3 but much cheaper with no fancy led effects

[Benjio]

I love my Quickfire TK, got it for cheap and I find the space saving of having the integrated num-pad is worth the trade-off. Build quality is very nice as well, LEDs are pretty vibrant as well. I have mx blues and I love them (I haven't tried any other keys besides reds, which I don't like at all), especially for typing and I don't mind them at all when gaming.

[Flyguygamer]

The led's on the k70 are bright enough. I have the mx blue version. It looks really sharp. 

[AddonCustoms]

 

Ok so I've got a Logitech G110 keyboard which seems fine to me. But because it's not mechanical, and everyone raves about mechanical, I just feel like I'm missing out. So I think I'm going to pick one up. I'm just not sure what one to get. So here's my criteria.

 

1. I want a strong back lit keyboard. I find the G110 a little too dull and would like a bit more brightness. I'm not that picky over color and I don't need any fancy lighting effects when you press a key but if they are there it isn't a big deal.
2. I want a full keyboard with numpad (104 keys I guess it's usually called) but I'd rather not have extra programmable keys like the G1 - G12 keys on my current keyboard. I just don't use them so they are wasting space.
3. It doesn't need a wrist rest but if it comes with one, it'll need to be removable.
4. I think I want to go with Cherry MX Brown switches. I game a lot but I also type a lot so I think it'll be a good balance and worth a first try.

 

I think that's about it. I've looked around a little and here are my thoughts on a couple of the commonly recommended keyboards but feel free to recommend others than the ones listed.

 

• The CM Storm QuickFire TK seems like a good keyboard but I don't think I like how they have the num pad combined with the other keys.
• The Ducky Shine 3 looks solid and I don't think I have any complaints about it except for price. I'd prefer something cheaper if it does everything I need.
• The Corsair K70 looks like it could be a good middle ground if it's LEDs are bright enough but I'd like your suggestions.

 

 

I was asking the same last week, I currently have a Logitech g110, and picking up a corsair K70 Cherry MX REDS tomorrow, I do more typing that gaming as well, when I get the keyboard tomorrow I will use it for a bit, then come and let you know what I think.

[MountainDrew]

Love my K70 with Brown switches 

[madknight3]

okay all of those keyboards are incredibly solid however you and alternatively look at the duck shine zero because it's a very similar to the shine 3 but much cheaper with no fancy led effects

That looks like another good choice. I'll have to look up how it compares to the K70.

 

 

I love my Quickfire TK, got it for cheap and I find the space saving of having the integrated num-pad is worth the trade-off. Build quality is very nice as well, LEDs are pretty vibrant as well. I have mx blues and I love them (I haven't tried any other keys besides reds, which I don't like at all), especially for typing and I don't mind them at all when gaming.

You could be right but I don't think I want to risk it.

 

The led's on the k70 are bright enough. I have the mx blue version. It looks really sharp. 

 

Love my K70 with Brown switches 

Good to know!

 

 

I was asking the same last week, I currently have a Logitech g110, and picking up a corsair K70 Cherry MX REDS tomorrow, I do more typing that gaming as well, when I get the keyboard tomorrow I will use it for a bit, then come and let you know what I think.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[Jun-Kun]

K70s if you want a keyboard to play FPSs and general gaming.
K95s for MMOs.

The switch type is up to you what you prefer. I have mine on MX reds.

[madknight3]

K70s if you want a keyboard to play FPSs and general gaming.

K95s for MMOs.

The switch type is up to you what you prefer. I have mine on MX reds.

K70 is looking like the best choice right now.

 

K95 only comes in MX Red and I think I want to try Browns. Also I think it may be slightly too large for my keyboard tray.

[AddonCustoms]

I was asking the same last week, I currently have a Logitech g110, and picking up a corsair K70 Cherry MX REDS tomorrow, I do more typing that gaming as well, when I get the keyboard tomorrow I will use it for a bit, then come and let you know what I think.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

 

 

I have been using my new Corsair K70 Cherry MX REDs now for an hour or 2, while trying to fix my PC bloody windows 8.1 decided to stop working (did a reinstall that also corrupted, had to get a new USB to install from), anyway, I haven't been typing much on here, but going from Logitech g110, to this isn't as bad as i thought it would be. I am loving the K70 and the MX reds. while typing the only mistakes I am making are missing the keys I want, but I think that is because I have only had 4 hours sleep in the last 2 days.

Haven't got anything planned for tomorrow except playing games, and maybe a bit of coding. So will be using it all day, will update if my views change.

 

what I love

• The BRIGHT LEDS, they look awesome in the dark, even on the dimmest setting they are brighter than the Logitech g110 lights.
• Smaller than the G110, as it has no G keys.
• The USB input on the back is brilliant, I don't need to have my 2tb external drive near the computer any more, I can plug it in the back and get the same speed, as I would with it in the back of the PC.
• The extra 10 keys look (red diamond texture) and feel awesome.
• The space bar feels so nice with its diamond texture
• The sound is really nice, quite if touched softly and also sounds nice when the keys hit the base.
• Really long braided cable. its thick aswell as it contains 2 leeds (Keyboard + Extra USB Port)
• Changeable keys.
• Its Solid and Heavy.

It feels really nice, and i have noticed i am typing faster.

 

What Don't like.

 

• The Price, yes its a very nice keyboard, but £120 (I paid £110 in Sale) is very expensive, but if it lasts me 4 years like my G110 then it will be worth it. In the end you get what you pay for.

That's all I got to say about it at the moment.

 

I Love It.

 

[madknight3]

@Marcus_UK thanks for the review. I think I'm going to pick this up soon with brown switches.

[bob345]

i have a k70 and i am loving it. I have yet to see a better built keyboard than this. i kinda wish i got mx browns though. its really easy to make typo's on mx reds

[SirReallySam]

I would go for the Shine 3, beautiful keyboard! =3

[madknight3]

I ended up picking the K70 with brown switches and it just arrived today. It's quite a different feel to type on, I really like it and it shouldn't take much adjustment. I love how bright the back lighting is compared to my old keyboard so I'm definitely pleased with that. Thanks everyone!