Affordable mechanical keyboard?

[JoshB2084]

What is a good mechanical or optical keyboard for typing? I'm a mechanical noob, this will be my first experience using a mechanical keyboard. Need somewhat affordable 60% to 65% and must have the arrow keys.

Update: I decided to bring steering wheel back, and my membrane keyboard is crap out. So I need a new keyboard badly.

[Middcore]

There is no point in trying to purchase a mechanical keyboard specifically for racing games if you are intending to use the keyboard to drive the car. Any keyboard will be equally bad compared to a racing wheel or even a gamepad. Binary inputs and racing games more complex than Mario Kart don't mix. 

[tkitch]

Joysticks, gamepads with analog sticks, or wheels are better for racing games.  Keyboards are not the best there.

[jaslion]

What keyboard doesn't matter really. Any keyboard will be equally bad for racing games as you will only have 0 or 100% input instead of the gradual control you need in almost any racing game.

[kelvinhall05]

Wooting boards are objectively the best for racing games because the switches can function as analog controls and emulate a controller. That being said, either a real controller or a dedicated wheel/pedal combo would be ideal.

[JoshB2084]

I have a cerebral palsy, My left hand is lost in focus and weaken.  I had wheel/pedal combo, but  hardly used it. Joysticks, gamepads with analog sticks  are out of options.  That's why I using arrows keys more....

[Middcore]

4 minutes ago, JoshB2084 said:

I have a cerebral palsy, My left hand is lost in focus and weaken.  I had wheel/pedal combo, but  hardly used it. Joysticks, gamepads with analog sticks  are out of options.  That's why I using arrows keys more....

 

Then short of the exotic keyboard kelvinhall05 mentioned above with analog key switches, it doesn't matter. Any other type of keyboard is just a binary on/off input with a slightly different actuation feel. Go to a store like Micro Center, test some of the keyboards on display, pick the type of switch you like best but don't expect it to make any appreciable difference in how well you can play. 

[tkitch]

for a game like racing, the difference between mechanical and membrane will be nearly zero.  Just get a decent keyboard you like.  

 

If you're unfamiliar with the different keyboard witches, pick up a switch tester online and play with it.  (Or see what Best Buy or something has out to play with)

[Skiiwee29]

IF, you want to use a keyboard for driving/racing games, you should look getting one with Analog control so it has some degree of flexibility instead of either on or off and nothing between. Analog ones will give you steps you can use to determine the degree of turn like you would with say a race wheel or controller joysticks. 

[JoshB2084]

39 minutes ago, Skiiwee29 said:

IF, you want to use a keyboard for driving/racing games

I have played racing games with keyboard for almost 30 years, i have no problem with it. Why everyone against it?

[Skiiwee29]

Just now, JoshB2084 said:

I have played racing games with keyboard for almost 30 years, i have no problem with it. Why everyone against it?

Not natural and can be very very hard to control and the level of precision isn't there. 

[Middcore]

1 minute ago, JoshB2084 said:

I have played racing games with keyboard for almost 30 years, i have no problem with it. Why everyone against it?

 

Because it is simply not possible to accurately and precisely replicate analog controls (like a gas pedal or a steering wheel) with binary/digital controls that can only be either fully on or fully off. In a real car you don't drive with your foot either completely off the accelerator pedal or mashed all the way to the floor with no in between.

 

In older, more arcade-style racing games it was possible to do OK, and I'm sure if you're used to it that helps. But you will never be able to play as well as an equally skilled person using analog controls. 

[JoshB2084]

2 minutes ago, Middcore said:

In older, more arcade-style racing games it was possible to do OK, and I'm sure if you're used to it that helps. But you will never be able to play as well as an equally skilled person using analog controls. 

OK, I guess I should back to steering wheel, but arcade-style racing games doesn't play nice with steering wheel for me.

[JoshB2084]

2 hours ago, Betterthanever said:

A good racing steering wheel and pedals is what you should be looking for at the end of the day though  I know what I am saying as I used to Play DIRT Rally with such a set and I won't forget it back 16 years ago...

I have Thrustmaster TMX somewhere in my house. I will bring it back.

 

Sorry,  please read OP again. And thank you.

 

 

[JoshB2084]

5 hours ago, Betterthanever said:

Ok, then if you are just looking for a good keyboard without fireworks then I can honestly recommend you the one I use currently:

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Keyboard-Dedicated-Controls-Spill-Resistant/dp/B01K48R5V4

Works well for me for everyday usage.

 

Mmm, I'm afraid that it might be no room for that G213, my desktop is 23in deep. My TMX is sort of big.  Any other suggestions?