Keyboard Reccomendations

[johnno124]

Hi guys,

 

Sad day as my current keyboard has started to die. I Currently have a Cougar Ultimus RGB with Cougar Red Linear Switches that i purchased in 2019 and Left Shift, z and x keys have stopped working. If i could i would be buying another ultimus to replace but alas, it has been discontinued.

So what i am looking for is a replacement recommendation. 

Preference is a full size board since i regularly utilised the numpad in a few simulators. 

Defs want RGB, (Does anyone know if there are any keyboards that have a similar effect to the Vanish effect on this keyboard (Keys are different colours and when pressed they turn off and change colour on release))

Still prefer Linear Switchs over Tactile/Clicky

 

Budget is roughly $150AUD (willing to go a bit higher for a good quality keyboard)

 

I thank all in advance.

[johnno23]

I used so many keyboards cheap and expensive but I always had issues with the keycaps fading etc.

I last year dumped my logitech Pro for a steel series APex pro and have never looked back half the price double the quality and even the keys are tactile so via settings  I can adjust the depth of the key stoke on any individual keys to avoid mis clicks in game...totally awesome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[johnno124]

6 minutes ago, johnno23 said:

I used so many keyboards cheap and expensive but I always had issues with the keycaps fading etc.

I last year dumped my logitech Pro for a steel series APex pro and have never looked back half the price double the quality and even the keys are tactile so via settings  I can adjust the depth of the key stoke on any individual keys to avoid mis clicks in game...totally awesome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Probably should have added in the main post, But would prefer a Linear Switch.

[johnno23]

https://steelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-pro#:~:text=The Apex Pro features SteelSeries patented OmniPoint Adjustable,need to travel before registering as a keypress.

the switches do not have the physical bump so to speak maybe my use of the term tactile was misplaced. I should have said sensitivity as the keys can be individually set to the depth of stroke needed to actuate that the user defines. Also for typing the board is very easy to use.

 

[SorryBella]

1 hour ago, johnno124 said:

 

Sad day as my current keyboard has started to die. I Currently have a Cougar Ultimus RGB with Cougar Red Linear Switches that i purchased in 2019 and Left Shift, z and x keys have stopped working. If i could i would be buying another ultimus to replace but alas, it has been discontinued.

Have you consider just getting replacement switches? Looks like the most average cherry MX form factor to me, you can just swap the switches out from the board for something more widely available. Try to measure the switch, see if it fits within a 15x15mm square.

[johnno124]

12 minutes ago, SorryClaire said:

Have you consider just getting replacement switches? Looks like the most average cherry MX form factor to me, you can just swap the switches out from the board for something more widely available. Try to measure the switch, see if it fits within a 15x15mm square.

Unfortunately i dont think i can remove the switches. At least not confident i wont break it more. RGB still works on the keys but dont get a response out of them. it looks as though the switches are soldered to the PCB

 

[SorryBella]

1 hour ago, johnno124 said:

it looks as though the switches are soldered to the PCB

Because it is. Hotswap sockets are relatively new to the scene, even a lot of mainstream boards are still soldered. If you already have a decent desoldering pen or gun and small desoldering and desoldering skills, youre qualified for the job. And besides, if you know itll break anyway, this would be atleast a hail mary unless if you are a particularly sentimental person.

 

[johnno124]

15 minutes ago, SorryClaire said:

Because it is. Hotswap sockets are relatively new to the scene, even a lot of mainstream boards are still soldered. If you already have a decent desoldering pen or gun and small desoldering and desoldering skills, youre qualified for the job. And besides, if you know itll break anyway, this would be atleast a hail mary unless if you are a particularly sentimental person.

 

Unfortunately i don't have access to a solder nor have i ever done it before. I also don't have much free time to try and repair. It just feels like more effort than i feel is worth with no guarantee i will be able to use it after the fact.

 

On the other hand does anyone have any experience with the ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate/Flare II. These are really catching my eye.

 

[SorryBella]

Just now, johnno124 said:

Unfortunately i don't have access to a solder nor have i ever done it before. I also don't have much free time to try and repair. It just feels like more effort than i feel is worth with no guarantee i will be able to use it after the fact.

 

On the other hand does anyone have any experience with the ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate/Flare II. These are really catching my eye.

 

I see, bummer. Id definitely wouldnt do it without desoldering practices, they can be a pain.

 

For the board though, ROGs have been making some very solid tray mount board that is very set and forget. The issue being the fact that theyre tragically expensive compared to the competition that they have. 

[DEADPOOLSMOM]

Keychron V1

[johnno124]

2 hours ago, ShawtyT30beTHICCC said:

Keychron V1

Unfortunately this does not seem to come in a full size version. nor does it have RGB which i would like.

[johnt]

Have you looked at anything from Corsair? Just keep it simple.

[johnno124]

3 hours ago, johnt said:

Have you looked at anything from Corsair? Just keep it simple.

do you have any reccomendations. none of there products really jumped out at me so didn't really look deeper

 

[johnt]

3 hours ago, johnno124 said:

do you have any reccomendations. none of there products really jumped out at me so didn't really look deeper

 

The K70 is generally a popular model. Metal top plate, plenty of switch options from Cherry MX (the real deal, not just "Cherry" style), RGB is very consistent and pretty. I'm not sure how much it would cost after USD to AUD version, but it generally runs around $150 USD but dips to $100 every now and then. 

 

In my opinion the biggest downsides are soldered switches and they are not lubricated. If these matter to you at all, then you might want to consider a cheaper custom board from Epomaker or Glorious that you can build in about 30 minutes. Again... not sure if these are available to you. Gateron Pro Yellow switches are my go to for linear, and they are factory lubed, and you can pretty much go up and down the spectrum for key caps. If you want to keep it simple, Steel Series and Corsair sell PBT keycaps in a variety of colors that are perfection for normal usage. Thick, grainy texture... they are a surprise and also widely available.

[johnt]

So what did you go with?