Mechanical Keyboard Noob searches a great keyboard

[Privat344]

Hey,

I don‘t know that much about mechanical keyboards, but I still would like to have a great keyboard.

A few weeks ago I already searched for keyboards online and thought the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 might be good (with the ROG snow switches), but after the AM5 incident Asus had I don’t want to buy anything from them anymore…

 

Can you recommend any Switches and keyboards that I can look for? My budget is about 200€ (preferably less) and the layout must be the normal German layout.

Thanks for helping me in advance!

[AndreiArgeanu]

You can get an RK84 or some similar hotswap kit depending on your preferences for size and layout. And a set of your preferred switches and keycaps for under 200$. I recommend Gateron Yellow/ Milky Yellow if you want a linear switch. 

[ImWilly]

Well, i would recommend non gaming specific keyboard though

 

Assuming you don't wanna wireless, I would recommend this version (with Deutschland specific layout and fullsized)

https://keychron.de/products/keychron-q6-qmk-custom-mechanical-keyboard-iso-layout-collection

 

As for switch, it depends on your taste, linear, clicky, tactile, silent

But in general, some great Switch brand are Holy Panda, Gateron, Cherry MX (especially from German), Equalz Tangerine

[Dedayog]

6 minutes ago, ImWilly said:

Well, i would recommend non gaming specific keyboard though

 

Assuming you don't wanna wireless, I would recommend this version (with Deutschland specific layout and fullsized)

https://keychron.de/products/keychron-q6-qmk-custom-mechanical-keyboard-iso-layout-collection

 

As for switch, it depends on your taste, linear, clicky, tactile, silent

But in general, some great Switch brand are Holy Panda, Gateron, Cherry MX (especially from German), Equalz Tangerine

I second the Cherry MX.

[GOTSpectrum]

1 minute ago, Dedayog said:

I second the Cherry MX.

I third this 

[Donut417]

52 minutes ago, Privat344 said:

Hey,

I don‘t know that much about mechanical keyboards, but I still would like to have a great keyboard.

A few weeks ago I already searched for keyboards online and thought the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 might be good (with the ROG snow switches), but after the AM5 incident Asus had I don’t want to buy anything from them anymore…

 

Can you recommend any Switches and keyboards that I can look for? My budget is about 200€ (preferably less) and the layout must be the normal German layout.

Thanks for helping me in advance!

As far as Switches are concerned its more of a personal preference thing. I have owned two mechanical keyboards in my dad. The first was the Razer Blackwidow Ultimate (2013) that had Cherry MX Blues and the second is the Keychron K6 with Gateron Blues. Blue switches are clicky and tactile. Id say if you have a place local that sells mechanical keyboards it might be a good idea to go there and test out typing on some. 

 

As far as keyboards go. Id look at Keychron if offered in your corner of the world. As I recall my keyboard was under $90 USD. 

[FireLegend]

1 hour ago, Privat344 said:

Hey,

I don‘t know that much about mechanical keyboards, but I still would like to have a great keyboard.

A few weeks ago I already searched for keyboards online and thought the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 might be good (with the ROG snow switches), but after the AM5 incident Asus had I don’t want to buy anything from them anymore…

 

Can you recommend any Switches and keyboards that I can look for? My budget is about 200€ (preferably less) and the layout must be the normal German layout.

Thanks for helping me in advance!

Honestly glorious gmmk 2 / pro and its hot swappable or build your own - really easy nice sounding switches totally recommend 

[191x7]

Razer Blackwideov V4

 

HyperX Alloy with Aqua switches

[saintlouisbagels]

Do not waste your money on gaming brands unless you really really love all-black appearance.

They are not built well and are not friendly for repairing and replacing switches.

 

I would pick any keyboard here

https://keychron.de/collections/keychron-german-iso-keyboards

Be certain it is hot-swappable before purchasing

 

and if you have leftover money in your budget, do some reading and pick up some extra switches here

https://keychron.de/collections/keychron-mechanical-keyboard-switches

[GarlicDeliverySystem]

3 hours ago, Privat344 said:

Can you recommend any Switches and keyboards that I can look for? My budget is about 200€ (preferably less) and the layout must be the normal German layout.

I can recommend the Q6, V6, or K10 Pro from keychron.de

Both come as fully pre-build or as barebones (no switches, no keycaps), just make sure you get the ISO layout option. In terms of keycaps you should be able to find regular ISO DE layout in their store as well.

 

Whatever you do end up buying though, make sure it is hotswap!!

 

In terms of switches there are so, so many options and it is hard to recommend anything particular without knowing your taste. So my general recommendation would be to go with something like Gateron G Pro 3.0. They are great for the price (at least the yellows).

 

I'd also recommend staying away from fancy or expensive switches until you have tried some of the regular standard ones. Reason is simply that it is hard to figure out what you like and dislike in a switch without trying some, and having tried the most common ones allows you to at least look at comparisons. 

So don't expect to find the best switches out there, because that is highly subjective!

 

Cherry MX switches are ok and set the standard in terms of compatibility, but Cherry itself has been overtaken in terms of quality and variety by most other vendors like Kailh or Gateron.

My personal recommendations would be "Gateron G Pro 3.0 yellow" for linears or "Kailh Box White v2" for clicky switches.