Best Value MECHANICAL keyboard?

[genghisquan]

I've been looking for a cheap (as possible) mechanical keyboard for work because I'm currently using one that comes with those old Dells.

I do graphic design work and communicate with my teammates all day through Skype/emails, so something more typing-friendly sounds good.

Currently, at home, I'm using a Filco Majestouch 2 (Cherry MX RED); I think that's fine for gaming (and typing), but would blue switches make my typing experience at work that much better?

Would the difference of using one switch at work and another at home throw off your comfort?

What's the next best keyboard to get besides the Poseidon Z if I wanted a non-backlit version?

PLEASE HELP!

[wtfxmitchell]

quickfire tk

[DigiKing]

quickfire tk

I can second that

[tbc]

all mx boards will be loud unless you're willing to put on orings/learn to not bottom out.

 

if you want mx and don't want to put the orings on yourself, get the logitech g710+ or the WASD v2 (i THINK they still install the orings for you).  be warned they are firmly in the middle range of mech kb costs.  also, the g710+ is widely regarded as the worst popular keyboard by people who have had 2 or more keyboards.

 

if you want mx and don't want to use orings, get any board with mx clears and learn to feel the bump and then lift immediately so you don't hit the bottom.

 

if you're okay with installing orings, then you can get literally any mx board that is not blue, green, or white.  just stay away from gamer brands like poseidon, logitech, razer, steelseries, etc.  corsair is okay though.  all 'keyboard enthusiast' brand boards have similar quality besides some DAS boards.

 

the quiet and easiest option is to get a topre board.  i recommend the type heaven for cost reasons.  if you're willing to spend 200+, then go for the better made realforce series.

 

not sure why you're concerned about backlights.  if you don't want them, just turn them off.

[Quantum]

 

I've been looking for a cheap (as possible) mechanical keyboard for work because I'm currently using one that comes with those old Dells.

I do graphic design work and communicate with my teammates all day through Skype/emails, so something more typing-friendly sounds good.

Currently, at home, I'm using a Filco Majestouch 2 (Cherry MX RED); I think that's fine for gaming (and typing), but would blue switches make my typing experience at work that much better?

Would the difference of using one switch at work and another at home throw off your comfort?

What's the next best keyboard to get besides the Poseidon Z if I wanted a non-backlit version?

PLEASE HELP!

 

I personally recommend a QFR.  Do you think any of your coworkers will be bothered by the noise blues make?  You should also consider going to a store to try out the different switches to know which one you like personally.  

[genghisquan]

all mx boards will be loud unless you're willing to put on orings/learn to not bottom out.

 

if you want mx and don't want to put the orings on yourself, get the logitech g710+ or the WASD v2 (i THINK they still install the orings for you).  be warned they are firmly in the middle range of mech kb costs.  also, the g710+ is widely regarded as the worst popular keyboard by people who have had 2 or more keyboards.

 

if you want mx and don't want to use orings, get any board with mx clears and learn to feel the bump and then lift immediately so you don't hit the bottom.

 

if you're okay with installing orings, then you can get literally any mx board that is not blue, green, or white.  just stay away from gamer brands like poseidon, logitech, razer, steelseries, etc.  corsair is okay though.  all 'keyboard enthusiast' brand boards have similar quality besides some DAS boards.

 

the quiet and easiest option is to get a topre board.  i recommend the type heaven for cost reasons.  if you're willing to spend 200+, then go for the better made realforce series.

 

not sure why you're concerned about backlights.  if you don't want them, just turn them off.

Well, keyboards with lights add more to the cost. I'd rather not get one with lights if I'm gonna turn 'em off all the time.

 

I personally recommend a QFR.  Do you think any of your coworkers will be bothered by the noise blues make?  You should also consider going to a store to try out the different switches to know which one you like personally.  

I'm not worried about noise. I work in a loud space with 2-3 people on the phone all the time, and the plant's machinery is quite loud. I'm just concerned with having the best typing experience.

 

quickfire tk

Oh, darn. I forgot to say that I want full-sized keyboards. I actually use pretty much everything on them—yes, even the Instert, Delete, Home, End, Page Up, & Page Down. LOL.

[wtfxmitchell]

Well, keyboards with lights add more to the cost. I'd rather not get one with lights if I'm gonna turn 'em off all the time.

 

I'm not worried about noise. I work in a loud space with 2-3 people on the phone all the time, and the plant's machinery is quite loud. I'm just concerned with having the best typing experience.

 

Oh, darn. I forgot to say that I want full-sized keyboards. I actually use pretty much everything on them—yes, even the Instert, Delete, Home, End, Page Up, & Page Down. LOL.

quickfire tk is actually full sized, the numberpad and the delete, home, end page etc... are combined

[genghisquan]

quickfire tk is actually full sized, the numberpad and the delete, home, end page etc... are combined

Yeah, I see that it's combined, but I'd rather have them separate.

[wtfxmitchell]

Yeah, I see that it's combined, but I'd rather have them separate.

oki

[Verne]

Qpad MK-50 is usually quite cheap and solid. Not all that common in some countries/areas though.

[Heisenbleurgh]

Cooler Master's line is great and at very good prices. I'd recommend the tenkeyless model. QuickFire Rapid. Great value.

And regarding going from red to blue switches, it's night and day. If you don't mind the noise I'd really recommend them. The tactile bump in the middle makes a huge difference while typing.

[Marvzl1357]

Yeah, I see that it's combined, but I'd rather have them separate.

If you want them separate then get the quickfire xt.

Non backlit, full size

[genghisquan]

If you want them separate then get the quickfire xt.

Non backlit, full size

Does that even come in Blues? I only saw Green, Red, & Brown online.

[Marvzl1357]

Does that even come in Blues? I only saw Green, Red, & Brown online.

yes I believe they do

From the coolermaster website it says that switches will vary depending on region.

product code for blue is SGK-4030-GKCL

anyway here's the link http://gaming.coolermaster.com/en/products/keyboards/quickfirext/

[genghisquan]

yes I believe they do

From the coolermaster website it says that switches will vary depending on region.

product code for blue is SGK-4030-GKCL

anyway here's the link http://gaming.coolermaster.com/en/products/keyboards/quickfirext/

I can't seem to find a blue one at all. The Newegg page is confusing because it says Brown on the top summary but then it says Blue at the bottom description. LOL. Anyway, Browns are just lighter in terms of resistance compared to blue, right? I like the low resistance of my current Red switches.

[Marvzl1357]

I can't seem to find a blue one at all. The Newegg page is confusing because it says Brown on the top summary but then it says Blue at the bottom description. LOL. Anyway, Browns are just lighter in terms of resistance compared to blue, right? I like the low resistance of my current Red switches.

Yeah I saw the Newegg site and I was a bit baffled, but I have the MX brown version and I'm quite happy with it, I've touched a mx blue keyboard before and found that there was not much of a "bump" when hitting actuation, but you do get quite a nice bump with the browns, which I like over the click. I typed a good majority of a ~4000 word essay, as well as played some fps games on the brown xt and I was pretty happy the whole way through

[genghisquan]

Yeah I saw the Newegg site and I was a bit baffled, but I have the MX brown version and I'm quite happy with it, I've touched a mx blue keyboard before and found that there was not much of a "bump" when hitting actuation, but you do get quite a nice bump with the browns, which I like over the click. I typed a good majority of a ~4000 word essay, as well as played some fps games on the brown xt and I was pretty happy the whole way through

I'm not too concerned with the actuation bump—more with the stiffness of the keys. I don't wanna use a heavy hand when I type. I wouldn't mind having softer keys and bottoming out.

[Marvzl1357]

I'm not too concerned with the actuation bump—more with the stiffness of the keys. I don't wanna use a heavy hand when I type. I wouldn't mind having softer keys and bottoming out.

Numerically, their actuation force between brown and blue is about the same, which is harder than red. but the mx blues have a slightly (and by slightly I mean half a gram) higher actuation force required.

Have a read of this, because I'm terrible at summaries http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/official-mechanical-keyboard-guide

[genghisquan]

Numerically, their actuation force between brown and blue is about the same, which is harder than red. but the mx blues have a slightly (and by slightly I mean half a gram) higher actuation force required.

Have a read of this, because I'm terrible at summaries http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/official-mechanical-keyboard-guide

Yes, I've seen that OC.net guide. I think I actually might be leaning towards Browns now, since I don't want too much of a force difference between my work keyboard & home keyboard.

And I would really go for Reds again just for consistency, but the Red Quickfire XT is quite a bit more than the Brown when I looked on Amazon O_O

[Marvzl1357]

Yes, I've seen that OC.net guide. I think I actually might be leaning towards Browns now, since I don't want too much of a force difference between my work keyboard & home keyboard.

And I would really go for Reds again just for consistency, but the Red Quickfire XT is quite a bit more than the Brown when I looked on Amazon O_O

huh, that's weird that it there's quite a difference in price. MX browns are good, I personally like them, but then again, they're the only ones I've ever used. ignorance is bliss eh?

[MouseTheLuckyDog]

If you are on NewEgg, and like Filco's look at the Rosewill RK-9000. It's a costar keyboard like the Filco. But it's generally less then $100 and if you luck out timing wise, it can go as low as $50. Most times though it is about $80.

[nj4ck]

+1 quickfire TK