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Is a buckling spring keyboard good for rts-gaming?

Forum Index > Tech Support
Post a Reply
Gonzalioz
Profile Joined December 2010
Netherlands5 Posts
February 17 2011 20:50 GMT
#1
Hi all,

Does any of you have experience using a buckling spring keyboard for playing rts-games (starcraft 2)?

I am planning on buying the Unicomp Customizer 101 (IBM Model M clone). It's quite cheap and people say it's amazing to type on. Which is great because I am a student. But I can't find a lot about using it for gaming.

I am little bit afraid that double tapping will be hard on this keyboard.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Stoids
Profile Joined August 2010
United States636 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-17 20:56:54
February 17 2011 20:56 GMT
#2
I would never use a keyboard that requires 65-70g of force for actuation. Cherry blacks have 60g actuation force and a lot of people complain it wears out their hands. An actuation force that high is horrible for typing, as you'll fatigue quite easily.

For gaming, cherry browns fall in a nice medium for typing and gaming. Blues are a dream to type on, and some people, including myself, prefer them for gaming.

*Insert Inspirational Day[9] Daily #100 Quote* | Fantasy | qxc, Brat_OK
HuggyBear
Profile Joined November 2010
Australia377 Posts
February 17 2011 21:02 GMT
#3
I have the 6gv2 that has the Cherry blacks and its not so bad. It takes a while for your hands to get used to (my hands hurt after the first 2 days after a long session) but they'll naturally adapt themselves to it.

If you like the feel of it, then I say go for it
"Sleeping with SeLeCT is Standard. Once you've slept with Day9 everything else is just ..." - CatZ
Gonzalioz
Profile Joined December 2010
Netherlands5 Posts
February 17 2011 21:06 GMT
#4
I read the cheery g80 with cherry blues does not type/feel very well. I searched for keyboards using the browns, but I can't find a lot in Europe. Except for the filco which is extremely expensive.

The keycaps of 6gv2 wear off very quickly and they are blacks. So i don't want that one . I am sure it's great to use, but I really want tactile (+click).
Stoids
Profile Joined August 2010
United States636 Posts
February 17 2011 21:12 GMT
#5
On February 18 2011 06:06 Gonzalioz wrote:
I read the cheery g80 with cherry blues does not type/feel very well. I searched for keyboards using the browns, but I can't find a lot in Europe. Except for the filco which is extremely expensive.

The keycaps of 6gv2 wear off very quickly and they are blacks. So i don't want that one . I am sure it's great to use, but I really want tactile (+click).

Whoever told you Cherry Blues don't type well was on crack. They are without a doubt the best Cherry switches for typing. Unless are going to go for Topre's, I have a hard time believing you'll find a better typing experience.

Gaming is where the problem with blues lie. The release point is above the actuation point on the keys, causing some minor problems with double tapping. Additionally, blues are pretty loud with their click, but you are looking for clicky keys.

You said you don't want the 6gv2 because they are blacks. Why is this? The biggest disadvantage of Cherry Blacks is the 60g of actuation force. This setback is pretty much negated if you are comparing it to buckling springs, which require even more force.

If you are looking for clicky/tactile, Cherry Blues are the best answer.

*Insert Inspirational Day[9] Daily #100 Quote* | Fantasy | qxc, Brat_OK
Aim Here
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Scotland672 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-17 22:01:45
February 17 2011 21:55 GMT
#6
I use both the Unicomp Customizer and the Spacesaver, it's not hard at all to quickly spam a couple of keys and hit 300APM in Starcraft 2. How hard it is to actually PLAY sensibly at fast speeds is something I'd leave to someone who can do it.

The 'double tapping' problem, such as it is, is probably not noticeable unless you're actually very good at Starcraft, and it's functionially the same problem that Cherry blues have, you have to lift your finger off the key more than other keyboards before you can press it again. Despite heavy keyboard use, I've never tired out my fingers with this supposed extra 10 grams of activation force, either. Do normal people have really weak fingers or something?

If you're looking for a keyboard to do absolutely nothing but play Starcraft on, there might be better keyboards out there, but a buckling spring keyboard is definitely a very fine piece of hardware; I use, enjoy and endorse the Unicomp BS keyboards.

The biggest disadvantage of Cherry Blacks is the 60g of actuation force.


The're also linear - you don't get the clicky tactile bump so to ensure you're actually hitting the key, you need to 'bottom out', or look at the screen, whereas the users of blues or Buckling springs can feel or hear the key as it activates. Blacks are considered better suited for (FPS) gaming while blues and BS are better for typing, for this reason.
Stoids
Profile Joined August 2010
United States636 Posts
February 17 2011 22:54 GMT
#7
The're also linear - you don't get the clicky tactile bump so to ensure you're actually hitting the key, you need to 'bottom out', or look at the screen, whereas the users of blues or Buckling springs can feel or hear the key as it activates. Blacks are considered better suited for (FPS) gaming while blues and BS are better for typing, for this reason.

That's not a disadvantage, that's just its intended purpose... Don't see how that relates to my quote.
*Insert Inspirational Day[9] Daily #100 Quote* | Fantasy | qxc, Brat_OK
Aim Here
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Scotland672 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-17 22:59:31
February 17 2011 22:58 GMT
#8
On February 18 2011 07:54 Stoids wrote:
Show nested quote +
The're also linear - you don't get the clicky tactile bump so to ensure you're actually hitting the key, you need to 'bottom out', or look at the screen, whereas the users of blues or Buckling springs can feel or hear the key as it activates. Blacks are considered better suited for (FPS) gaming while blues and BS are better for typing, for this reason.

That's not a disadvantage, that's just its intended purpose... Don't see how that relates to my quote.


Sure, it's part of the design, but that's the point - the original poster might want the keyboard for one of the purposes for which the black switches are less suitable, and, if that's the case, that makes it a disadvantage.

Being the best screwdriver in the world is a disadvantage for someone who just wants a hammer...
Stoids
Profile Joined August 2010
United States636 Posts
February 17 2011 23:15 GMT
#9
On February 18 2011 07:58 Aim Here wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 18 2011 07:54 Stoids wrote:
The're also linear - you don't get the clicky tactile bump so to ensure you're actually hitting the key, you need to 'bottom out', or look at the screen, whereas the users of blues or Buckling springs can feel or hear the key as it activates. Blacks are considered better suited for (FPS) gaming while blues and BS are better for typing, for this reason.

That's not a disadvantage, that's just its intended purpose... Don't see how that relates to my quote.


Sure, it's part of the design, but that's the point - the original poster might want the keyboard for one of the purposes for which the black switches are less suitable, and, if that's the case, that makes it a disadvantage.

Being the best screwdriver in the world is a disadvantage for someone who just wants a hammer...

Fair enough.

Moral of this thread is that Buckling Springs provide very little advantage over Cherry Blues, in both gaming and typing.
*Insert Inspirational Day[9] Daily #100 Quote* | Fantasy | qxc, Brat_OK
Aim Here
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Scotland672 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-17 23:54:42
February 17 2011 23:52 GMT
#10
On February 18 2011 08:15 Stoids wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 18 2011 07:58 Aim Here wrote:
On February 18 2011 07:54 Stoids wrote:
The're also linear - you don't get the clicky tactile bump so to ensure you're actually hitting the key, you need to 'bottom out', or look at the screen, whereas the users of blues or Buckling springs can feel or hear the key as it activates. Blacks are considered better suited for (FPS) gaming while blues and BS are better for typing, for this reason.

That's not a disadvantage, that's just its intended purpose... Don't see how that relates to my quote.


Sure, it's part of the design, but that's the point - the original poster might want the keyboard for one of the purposes for which the black switches are less suitable, and, if that's the case, that makes it a disadvantage.

Being the best screwdriver in the world is a disadvantage for someone who just wants a hammer...

Fair enough.

Moral of this thread is that Buckling Springs provide very little advantage over Cherry Blues, in both gaming and typing.


Conversely, Blues don't seem to have much advantage over Buckling springs, unless you need NKRO or you're dead set on the Filco that Fruitdealer/Boxer/Whoever uses. And the Unicomp keyboards are cheaper than most Cherry Blue keyboards. Maybe it's best to just dump facts on the OP and let him decide.
Stoids
Profile Joined August 2010
United States636 Posts
February 18 2011 02:48 GMT
#11
On February 18 2011 08:52 Aim Here wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 18 2011 08:15 Stoids wrote:
On February 18 2011 07:58 Aim Here wrote:
On February 18 2011 07:54 Stoids wrote:
The're also linear - you don't get the clicky tactile bump so to ensure you're actually hitting the key, you need to 'bottom out', or look at the screen, whereas the users of blues or Buckling springs can feel or hear the key as it activates. Blacks are considered better suited for (FPS) gaming while blues and BS are better for typing, for this reason.

That's not a disadvantage, that's just its intended purpose... Don't see how that relates to my quote.


Sure, it's part of the design, but that's the point - the original poster might want the keyboard for one of the purposes for which the black switches are less suitable, and, if that's the case, that makes it a disadvantage.

Being the best screwdriver in the world is a disadvantage for someone who just wants a hammer...

Fair enough.

Moral of this thread is that Buckling Springs provide very little advantage over Cherry Blues, in both gaming and typing.


Conversely, Blues don't seem to have much advantage over Buckling springs, unless you need NKRO or you're dead set on the Filco that Fruitdealer/Boxer/Whoever uses. And the Unicomp keyboards are cheaper than most Cherry Blue keyboards. Maybe it's best to just dump facts on the OP and let him decide.

Ughh besides the 15g less activation force required, which is a a pretty big thing, Razer Blackwidow is a budget Cherry Blue. I agree let him decide, but I don't think you've used a Buckling spring if you think that it isn't painful to use for gaming or extended typing.
*Insert Inspirational Day[9] Daily #100 Quote* | Fantasy | qxc, Brat_OK
Ancestral
Profile Blog Joined August 2007
United States3230 Posts
February 18 2011 03:15 GMT
#12
On February 18 2011 05:56 Stoids wrote:
I would never use a keyboard that requires 65-70g of force for actuation. Cherry blacks have 60g actuation force and a lot of people complain it wears out their hands. An actuation force that high is horrible for typing, as you'll fatigue quite easily.

For gaming, cherry browns fall in a nice medium for typing and gaming. Blues are a dream to type on, and some people, including myself, prefer them for gaming.


Completely wrong. Have you ever used a buckling spring keyboard? I own one, and it's much less fatiguing than my Northgate Omnikey with complicated white alps switches.

It's fine for SCII, and has never given me trouble. However, I think most people who buy them are typists not gamers. They're certainly not flashy. But the feel is great. Very very loud too...
The Nature and purpose of the martial way are universal; all selfish desires must be roasted in the tempering fires of hard training. - Masutatsu Oyama
Aim Here
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Scotland672 Posts
February 18 2011 03:15 GMT
#13
On February 18 2011 11:48 Stoids wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 18 2011 08:52 Aim Here wrote:
Conversely, Blues don't seem to have much advantage over Buckling springs, unless you need NKRO or you're dead set on the Filco that Fruitdealer/Boxer/Whoever uses. And the Unicomp keyboards are cheaper than most Cherry Blue keyboards. Maybe it's best to just dump facts on the OP and let him decide.

Ughh besides the 15g less activation force required, which is a a pretty big thing, Razer Blackwidow is a budget Cherry Blue. I agree let him decide, but I don't think you've used a Buckling spring if you think that it isn't painful to use for gaming or extended typing.


Read above. I have two of those keyboards, and I use them heavily and exclusively, and no, they are NOT painful to use, the idea is just ridiculous. Do you seriously think it's going to be much more painful to press down 65 grammes at a time than 50 grammes? If someone is finding the blacks painful to use, my guess is that it's not the activation force, it's because they're bottoming out when typing (i.e. pressing the key as far as it goes, rather than just pressing until they hear the click or feel the bump. The lack of click on the black-switch keyboards means that it's more likely to happen there, and I imagine hammering your fingers repeatedly until they hit some hard plastic/metal plate might hurt your fingers after a while.)
Gonzalioz
Profile Joined December 2010
Netherlands5 Posts
February 18 2011 15:54 GMT
#14
Thank you very much everyone for your replies. I don't really worry about keys being too heavy. I am sure i'll get used to it.

I love the classic design of the unicomp customizer. Just so cool to take with you to a LAN party. Maybe a bit irritating for your neighbours though.

I just found out the shipping costs of a customizer are ridiculous. It's $51! Total it will cost me EUR 95,40.

The Filco with brown switches will cost me EUR 153,95. That's quite a lot more money. But brown switches is better for gaming and the quality is much higher.....

Cherry G80-3000LSCGB-0 costs EUR 74,07. I don't know a lot about this keyboard. But I think this uses blue switches.


Based on these prices, which one would you choose? The cheap and bad looking Cherry, the amazing looking Unicomp or the expensive pro Filco ?


ps: Can you hear the clicking of a Unicomp Customizer outside a room with the door closed?
ReadySteady
Profile Joined July 2010
Netherlands34 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-18 16:16:21
February 18 2011 16:15 GMT
#15
Its up to you to decide actually. I bought the leopold for ~150 euro including customs tax..back then I thought it was damn expensive and thought of a bad buy but when I type now at the moment I am so happy I bought the board. It is definitly worth the money ^^

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