Help choosing mechanical keyboard

[Jimjamesjimothy8]

After experiencing a mechanical keyboard for the first time in my life, I think it's amazing and I want to get one. I don't know what the different switches feel like, so I don't know which one to go for. What switches would be best for both gaming and typing?

 

My criteria for a keyboard are: Must have number pad and arrow keys, must be under $70, and preferably have backlighting (RGB would be nice, but don't know if it's possible).

[MS-DOS Guy]

1 hour ago, TrainFan2019 said:

After experiencing a mechanical keyboard for the first time in my life, I think it's amazing and I want to get one. I don't know what the different switches feel like, so I don't know which one to go for. What switches would be best for both gaming and typing?

 

My criteria for a keyboard are: Must have number pad and arrow keys, must be under $70, and preferably have backlighting (RGB would be nice, but don't know if it's possible).

What are you going to be using your keyboard for? Gaming mainly or typing mainly, or will you be doing a mixture of both. Will you be doing video editing ( so you may need macros ) or photoshop, or anything that falls under those lines. 

[Jimjamesjimothy8]

11 minutes ago, MS-DOS Guy said:

What are you going to be using your keyboard for? Gaming mainly or typing mainly, or will you be doing a mixture of both. Will you be doing video editing ( so you may need macros ) or photoshop, or anything that falls under those lines. 

I will be doing a mix of gaming and typing.

[DailyProcrastinator]

What people prefer in a switch type is totally arbitrary. I only like Cherry MX Browns, reds are okay, everything else I hate. One of my brothers has gotten used to Romer-G's and the other likes MX Blues, both say my MX Browns feel "wrong". So, only you can know what you like, your best bet is to go to a local PC hardware store and try some of the demo keyboards they have out.  

[St. Nick]

Arguably I'd say that sound is almost as important as feel. I love Razer's optical red switches on my huntsman for feel. The sound they make is absolutely atrocious though and off putting enough that I don't want to use it when I am not wearing my headset to drown it out. 

[MS-DOS Guy]

1 hour ago, JM21 said:

What people prefer in a switch type is totally arbitrary. I only like Cherry MX Browns, reds are okay, everything else I hate. One of my brothers has gotten used to Romer-G's and the other likes MX Blues, both say my MX Browns feel "wrong". So, only you can know what you like, your best bet is to go to a local PC hardware store and try some of the demo keyboards they have out.  

Romer-G is the most disgusting switch I've ever felt, it is everything that lurks in the darkness, it is a manifestation of evil. Romer-G is revolting and every keystroke you press with that switch is scratchier then a red mark on my ass. I've never felt Cherry MX Browns, I am typing this out on a Cherry MX Red keyboard and it was sort of odd at first, but I liked them alot at the end as they are great for typing and gaming and there now my favorite switch. My favorite switch would go to those opto-mechanical switches on the Huntsman but I sold it since it was so loud my mother would catch me at night for going on my computer. Otherwise, it would be my favorite switch. I do agree on going to a local PC hardware store and trying some of the demo keyboards, they even have some demo keyboards at walmart and target at the electronics section. 

 

1 hour ago, TrainFan2019 said:

I will be doing a mix of gaming and typing.

I recommend going for this keyboard, it's Cherry MX Red which is great for typing and gaming. It's also quite quiet ( I personally use MX Red myself ). I know it's $10.00 off your budget but for that extra price, it packs some sweet colors and some nice rgb. It has alot more functions ( media keys and volume scroll wheel ), macros etc... which is really nice. It's one of the nicest keyboards under your criteria for your price range in my opinion. Alot of people including myself consider MX Red to be odd at first, but you quickly get accustomed to it. But it is great for typing and gaming. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077YDJWZR/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

[DailyProcrastinator]

1 minute ago, MS-DOS Guy said:

Romer-G is the most disgusting switch I've ever felt, it is everything that lurks in the darkness, it is a manifestation of evil. Romer-G is revolting and every keystroke you press with that switch is scratchier then a red mark on my ass. I've never felt Cherry MX Browns, I am typing this out on a Cherry MX Red keyboard and it was sort of odd at first, but I liked them alot at the end as they are great for typing and gaming and there now my favorite switch. My favorite switch would go to those opto-mechanical switches on the Huntsman but I sold it since it was so loud my mother would catch me at night for going on my computer. Otherwise, it would be my favorite switch. I do agree on going to a local PC hardware store and trying some of the demo keyboards, they even have some demo keyboards at walmart and target at the electronics section. 

 

Dude I know, it feels like clicking shit, but he is the middle child.... So that explains a lot. 

 

Yeah MX Reds and Browns are similar, just slightly different actuation points. And any MX switch type takes a bit to get used to, but definitely team MX Brown for me!

[DailyProcrastinator]

Also the G610 is a great keyboard, I have one with MX browns, you can get it with MX reds as well. @TrainFan2019

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Mechanical-920-007839-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B0793BX22M/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=g610&qid=1576469095&s=electronics&sr=1-3

[Jimjamesjimothy8]

This redragon keyboard says it has "mechanical brown" switches. Is that the equivalent of cherry mx brown?

https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K556-Mechanical-Keyboard-Aluminum/dp/B01NAI2TXC/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=cherry+mx+brown&qid=1576510215&s=electronics&sr=1-5

[nox_]

18 minutes ago, TrainFan2019 said:

This redragon keyboard says it has "mechanical brown" switches. Is that the equivalent of cherry mx brown?

https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K556-Mechanical-Keyboard-Aluminum/dp/B01NAI2TXC/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=cherry+mx+brown&qid=1576510215&s=electronics&sr=1-5

Pretty much, I tried this keyboard and I like it more than cherry mx brown, bit smoother. Anyway, to answer your question, yes, it is the equivalent of cherry mx brown.

[Jimjamesjimothy8]

So to be clear...

Cherry MX blues are loud and tactile.

Cherry MX reds are quiet and non tactile (linear).

Cherry MX browns are quiet but tactile.

 

Correct me if I'm mistaken.

 

Oh, and has anyone tried the G.Skill RIPJAWS KM570? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTQS2SE/?coliid=I146ZC27NE5K2O&colid=3R85XPUDC5OQ2&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[nox_]

49 minutes ago, TrainFan2019 said:

So to be clear...

Cherry MX blues are loud and tactile.

Cherry MX reds are quiet and non tactile (linear).

Cherry MX browns are quiet but tactile.

Blues are clicky and tactile, loud as fuck and not recommended for gaming and browns are relatively quiet but tactility is very weak. You should try the switches in some store, don't buy by only reading about them. Not familiar with this particular board, but other g skill boards are pretty decent.

@TrainFan2019 Consider this keyboard : https://www.amazon.com/CD108-Mechanical-Keyboard-Computer-Keyboards/dp/B076XNTBWY it comes with really nice pbt caps, build quality is good. Now it's available with reds and clears, might pop up in a brown variant. My opinions is that best cherry switches are reds and clears, but it's very personal thing. MX clear is a tactile switch, not as light as browns, they offer greater tactility but are much stiffer plainly speaking.