First Mechanical Keyboard - Value

[EternalSunKing]

*** I am not looking to build a keyboard ***

 

A buddy let my take his junk membrane keyboard to get me up and running... super potato and nothing to compare against. I currently pick my games based on my keyboards capabilities... I do appreciate laptop or "island" style keyboards as I am fairly familiar with them in recent years. However I do want to jump into a mechanical keyboard. I just fear a lot of key travel may trip me up. I am also happy to wait for Black Friday deals if necessary. I'm not broke, I just like getting a good bang for my buck. Next in line for upgrades would be a desk, new monitor and maybe speakers or more fans for my case.

 

Needs:

mechanical

back lit (I want to see the keys even if my room is dark)

$50-$100 

quality typing experience (all the keys in the right place, nothing too compact)

 

Bonus:

wrist rest ++

100% keyboard (in case I want to work on an excel sheet at home)

wireless

RGB

maybe low profile (open to opinions)

 

I need some help... typing this up was painful. And I'm used to answering emails all day long, five days a week. Thanks for your help in advance.

[GrockleTD]

RedDragon has some decent options for cheap, especially if you are aiming for value https://pcpartpicker.com/product/VhkwrH/redragon-keyboard-k552

[EternalSunKing]

I guess I'm looking for something a little more than that, but I will keep it in mind... i've seen enough people mention it. Maybe it would be a good stop gap.

 

Also, death to all things "blue" as far as I'm concerned. The natural sounds of keys mashing is satisfying enough for me. I'm expecting reds will probably be best for more, though the browns are tempting. I would have to get my hands on a set.

[circeseye]

its 1 dollar more but i love this keyboard
https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Orion-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B00N3OELPU/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Logitech+G910&qid=1570594089&s=electronics&sr=1-2

 

shit you also want wireless

[seon123]

2 hours ago, circeseye said:

its 1 dollar more but i love this keyboard
https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Orion-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B00N3OELPU/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Logitech+G910&qid=1570594089&s=electronics&sr=1-2

 

shit you also want wireless

I think they also wanted a decent keyboard. 

3 hours ago, EternalSunKing said:

quality typing experience

Very subjective. For ergonomics, many prefer 40%-65% keyboards, as well as various ergonomic layouts. 

3 hours ago, EternalSunKing said:

in case I want to work on an excel sheet at home

How often are you going to do that? Do you want to sacrifice your experience 100% of the time for something you'll only do very rarely? Or are you likely to spend a significant amount of time working in excel?

 

Check out the Anne Pro 2 with Kailh Box Reds. It's 60%, but meets the requirements otherwise. Box Reds is probably the best linear option, probably a bit better than the Gateron Red option, and a ton better than the Cherry MX Red option. 

[circeseye]

1 minute ago, seon123 said:

I think they also wanted a decent keyboard. 

 

its a good decent keyboard..what? it not because you say so? gtfo opinions differ

[EternalSunKing]

13 hours ago, circeseye said:

its 1 dollar more but i love this keyboard
https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Orion-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B00N3OELPU/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Logitech+G910&qid=1570594089&s=electronics&sr=1-2

 

shit you also want wireless

First off, I think it's fair to say that I may only get one of of my Bonus Features.

 

Also, this keyboard is straight up wackadoodle with the extra lighting on certain keys. I will have to take a closer look at this one.

 

[circeseye]

1 hour ago, EternalSunKing said:

First off, I think it's fair to say that I may only get one of of my Bonus Features.

 

Also, this keyboard is straight up wackadoodle with the extra lighting on certain keys. I will have to take a closer look at this one.

 

its not extra lighting actually...you can set each individual key to what ever color you want lol

i actually have set depending on game is what keys are lit for, like only keys used in the game are colored and such as i play a lot in a dark room

[geo3]

16 hours ago, circeseye said:

its 1 dollar more but i love this keyboard
https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Orion-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B00N3OELPU/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Logitech+G910&qid=1570594089&s=electronics&sr=1-2

 

shit you also want wireless

Wow. That is quite possibly the most hideous keyboard I've ever laid eyes on. 

[EternalSunKing]

17 hours ago, seon123 said:

I think they also wanted a decent keyboard. 

Very subjective. For ergonomics, many prefer 40%-65% keyboards, as well as various ergonomic layouts. 

How often are you going to do that? Do you want to sacrifice your experience 100% of the time for something you'll only do very rarely? Or are you likely to spend a significant amount of time working in excel?

 

Check out the Anne Pro 2 with Kailh Box Reds. It's 60%, but meets the requirements otherwise. Box Reds is probably the best linear option, probably a bit better than the Gateron Red option, and a ton better than the Cherry MX Red option. 

You are correct, if I'm going to spend the money I would like to buy a board I don't have to think about for a long while. (wireless is one of those bonus perk I feel may be more beneficial long term if not today.

 

Regarding excel. Sometimes I work on presentation projects that are largely driven by excel spreadsheet which take time. Time in the office I could be using to communicate with our customer or other coworkers. Having the option to sit at home, drinking a beer or watching Linus while I mindlessly moving numbers around just makes me a more valuable employee. The true answer is, not very often.

 

In direct response to your recommended Anne Pro 2. I immediately like the high angle, blue tooth and the ability to set my "back light" to any color I like. My biggest concern is having never used a 60% board before. I see the solution for the arrows keys by I'm leery about loosing the delete key. Definitely looks like a solid option though.

[EternalSunKing]

4 hours ago, circeseye said:

its not extra lighting actually...you can set each individual key to what ever color you want lol

i actually have set depending on game is what keys are lit for, like only keys used in the game are colored and such as i play a lot in a dark room

I'm not sure seon123 was looking to bash your offer (feel free to chime in). Just that I am willing to poke around a find a solid board for my needs. Sure I could go pick up and Corsair, Cooler Master or HyperX board that is shoved in front of you during most tech videos on youtube... but wouldn't I have already bought one of those if I was satisfied with their value at their price points?

 

I think the extra lighting on these key caps is clever. I did watch a quick review the see what you mean by changing the lighting for just the keys you use. That is nice. A quick look should get you back on track or to that one key you need.

 

[EternalSunKing]

4 hours ago, geo3 said:

Wow. That is quite possibly the most hideous keyboard I've ever laid eyes on. 

It's not your every day keyboard for sure. Do you have any recommendations?

 

Again, I really appreciate any thoughts or discussions that come from this thread. Maybe there is someone else out there in a similar scenario to me.

[EternalSunKing]

I have also decided to poke around the secondary market. Anything thoughts about the board? Red back light only, $60. Still has the original box and extra key caps.

 

[geo3]

19 minutes ago, EternalSunKing said:

It's not your every day keyboard for sure. Do you have any recommendations?

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3620

[circeseye]

53 minutes ago, geo3 said:

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3620

yea ducky keyboards are really good...its a clean, basic, just right sized keyboard and well built.

[circeseye]

1 hour ago, EternalSunKing said:

I have also decided to poke around the secondary market. Anything thoughts about the board? Red back light only, $60. Still has the original box and extra key caps.

 

thats not bad for 60
thing with mechanical. its really going to be what you want on it, size, you can get most with what cherry's you want or what not. like me the basic size dont work. i prefer the larger, extra keys and big palm wrest. (it sits in my lap in a recliner  ), where others want compact or no keypad.

[EternalSunKing]

1 hour ago, geo3 said:

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3620

no muss, no fuss.

 

Why do you recommend it?

[circeseye]

25 minutes ago, EternalSunKing said:

no muss, no fuss.

 

Why do you recommend it?

if you like the design id recommend ducky keyboards. they are really built well and solid. hell ever since he started making them he couldnt keep up because everyone wanted them. other companies actually started copying his design because it was so popular. 

[geo3]

3 hours ago, EternalSunKing said:

no muss, no fuss.

 

Why do you recommend it?

It's close to your budget and has above average build quality and PBT caps.  If you were willing to spend more I'd recommend Filco or Leopold.