If you want LED's go Ducky Filcos are built pretty damn solidly without much frills(I myself own 3 because of their reliability) Keyboardco offers free shipping to CONUS only via their Amazon Store. I think they charge you a high shipping cost if you order directly from their store.
I'd personally go for the Filco if it's going to be your first board. It was my very first board and I have never regretted a single moment of it. My friend has a Ducky Shine and he loves his keyboard too. It's all a matter of personal preference. Both are pretty solidly built keyboards.
I am thinking about ordering a Noppoo Choc Mini from amazon, with red.
It will be my first mechanical keyboard on a very very long time (like... 10 years ?), so i am not really sure (because i am ignorant about them right now, even if i read all the guides in the OP).
Do you think a new guy should go for one of them ? If i get the spacebar problem can i contact somewhere ?
Any other keyboard i should be checking ? (i have kinda short fingers, so i prefer small layouts like the mini).
Thank you in advance guys.
Oh found this from Medrea
Noppoo Choc Mini fits that description really well.
It has Cherry Red Keys, which are the best for double tapping (lowest force required for activation plus non clicky). And the function keys are directly above the numbers which makes hotkeying camera spots very simple for people without big hands like an NBA player.
I guess i will go for it then :D
Anybody knows if it's possible to get one from other place than Amazon ?
On December 26 2012 08:03 Frionel wrote: I have a problem with mx reds... I have recorded a video. Check it out. Does anyone experienced this before? I loose a lot of actions because this....
The issue is not double tapping. You haven't let go of the key long enough before tapping the second time. So instead of double tapping, the keyboard just senses that you're holding the key down.
To go into a little more detail, every key has an actuation point. If the key goes below the actuation point, the computer system declares it as "activated".
When you press a key, the key is activated when it goes under the actuation point, and then you release the key and the key goes above the actuation point.
When you hold a key, the key is activated when it under the actuation point, and stays under the actuation point however long you hold it.
What you're doing here is double tapping so quickly that you haven't let the key come above the actuation point, so instead of it counting as 2 presses, you actually get a hold, because the key hasn't gone above the actuation point.
The solution here is to let go of the key when you double tap. I don't think you need to double tap quite that quickly in any case.
On December 26 2012 08:03 Frionel wrote: I have a problem with mx reds... I have recorded a video. Check it out. Does anyone experienced this before? I loose a lot of actions because this....
What Blisse said,
Also you can be as fast as you want on the double tapping, just make sure your finger is above the actuation point when you are raising your finger. The cherry mx red has no "clicks" so you can't tell where the actuation point is, but its somewhere in the middle of from the top to where you bottom out. If you want something to tell you where the actuation point is, blues and browns are better for that "click".
In the market for a mechanical keyboard right now, and I'm leaning toward Brown switches (blue would be fine, but noise is an issue atm), and I'm facing a realy annoying problem:
Brown switches are rarely in stock anywhere. I was specifically looking for Filco Majestouch and Ducky Shine 2s with Browns and everything was out of stock. Are they that popular as switches?
On December 26 2012 11:47 HoboWithAGlock wrote: In the market for a mechanical keyboard right now, and I'm leaning toward Brown switches (blue would be fine, but noise is an issue atm), and I'm facing a realy annoying problem:
Brown switches are rarely in stock anywhere. I was specifically looking for Filco Majestouch and Ducky Shine 2s with Browns and everything was out of stock. Are they that popular as switches?
There's a Das S on sale for $110 at the moment while supplies last.
I believe the Browns are down in stock at the moment because of the holidays, and everyone who's buying a keyboard for their friends wants the most generic mechanical keyboard, which is the Brown version. Blacks and Blues are seen as opposite ends of the spectrum, while Browns are seen to sit near the middle. Just a theory.
On December 26 2012 11:47 HoboWithAGlock wrote: In the market for a mechanical keyboard right now, and I'm leaning toward Brown switches (blue would be fine, but noise is an issue atm), and I'm facing a realy annoying problem:
Brown switches are rarely in stock anywhere. I was specifically looking for Filco Majestouch and Ducky Shine 2s with Browns and everything was out of stock. Are they that popular as switches?
There's a Das S on sale for $110 at the moment while supplies last.
I believe the Browns are down in stock at the moment because of the holidays, and everyone who's buying a keyboard for their friends wants the most generic mechanical keyboard, which is the Brown version. Blacks and Blues are seen as opposite ends of the spectrum, while Browns are seen to sit near the middle. Just a theory.
That's probably a good guess. A few of my friends got browns because they didn't like the linear nature of blacks/reds while they were also afraid of how noisy blues might be. At least from my brief experiences with a few browns (Razer BW Stealth, Ducky Shine II, and CM Storm QF Rapid) I didn't really feel that there was any tactile feedback and considering how much I like the tactile feedback, I don't think I will ever get browns over blues. Personal preference, of course.
Ducky Shines are usually sold out for everything except for less popular LED colors (like yellows) and less popular switch types (black) because Mechanicalkeyboards and Tigerimports only seem to get them in small batches, so that probably isn't a holiday thing.
On December 26 2012 16:03 HoboWithAGlock wrote: I'd be totally willing to go for blues, but I find that the sound is not only way too loud, but not nearly as appealing to me as mx browns.
Does the sound get loud enough with blues to bother people around you significantly?
Honestly, if you've tried blues in person and you can't stand the noise, then you should stay away from it let alone worrying about people around you. Is it the "click" or the "clack" noise that bother you? I have a few friends who own browns and they love their keyboards. Keep in mind though that the tactile feedback on brown will be very mild.
I have my own place right now and I'm normally not doing something on my keyboard while guests are over, so I can't tell you if my friends and acquaintances would be bothered by it. At least there's been no complaint from my neighbors, and I'm often up at 4am smashing my keyboard while playing starcraft
No complaints during skype chat either. I'm sure that depends a lot on mic placement/quality though. Out of my gaming friends, the one with the loudest keyboard by far (on skype) has a brown filco.
I love Blues for their clickiness and also Reds for the stealthy linear actions while still feeling "mechanical". Different one for different mood I guess.
On December 26 2012 16:03 HoboWithAGlock wrote: I'd be totally willing to go for blues, but I find that the sound is not only way too loud, but not nearly as appealing to me as mx browns.
Does the sound get loud enough with blues to bother people around you significantly?
If you bottom out people will notice both. Blue's aren't extraordinarily loud but obviously very noticeable even if you don't bottom out.
mechanical switch type: Cherry MX Blue LED backlighting: green
My previous experience with mechanical keyboards: none What do I use this keyboard for: SCBW, minimal typing
As many have said, if you're coming from a membrane keyboard to a mechanical one, you'll most certainly like it no matter the switch type; and this is true for me. So far I am really liking this keyboard. As of the time of writing this review, I've only been using it for one day and I'm sill sort of getting use to the feel of the Cherry MX Blue switches, but I am enjoying it. I love the clicky sound of the Blues, and I'm usually home alone so there's no one nearby to get annoyed by it.
First impressions: One of the first things I noticed upon opening the box was the weight of the keyboard itself (1.4kg according to the manual that came with). It just feels heavy and sturdy. The keyboard is fairly simple and clean in its aesthetics; no unnecessary ornamentation. It is perfectly rectangular in shape with no curves or angles. It's an all black keyboard with black keycaps. None of the keycaps are printed; they are all clear and backlit. The base of the keyboard is thick (about 0.75 inch) and solid-looking. The Ducky logo appears on three keycaps (the left and right Windows keys and the spacebar) and no where else. The Ducky logo on the spacebar is actually on the front-facing side of the keycap, rather than the top face.
Most websites that sell this keyboard give you the basic specifications so I'm just going to give a few additional details that may not be covered elsewhere.
What exactly comes in the box: 1. The keyboard itself along with the clear plastic protective form-fitted covering for the entire face of the keyboard. I intend to keep and use this covering to protect my new keyboard from food splatters, as I often eat in front of my computer. (It even has the Ducky logo embossed in the upper right corner.) 2. A detachable USB-to-micro-USB cord. This cord comes with a Ducky brand black/dark gray velcro strap for convenient cord management and storage. 3. A small ziploc bag containing a black plastic key puller and additional red "W" "A" "S" and "D" keycaps to swap out if so desired 4. The Chinese/English manual with a brief summary of the specialized functions of the keyboard. Note: The manufacturer's and retailers' websites mention both USB and PS/2 connections when talking about 6KRO and full NKRO, but the only cord that is included is the USB cord.
The keyboard has a full-size 104-key standard layout, plus 4 additional shortcut keys in the upper right (Calculator, My Computer, Mail, and Home). Standard multimedia shortcuts (Mute, Volume Down, Volume Up, Play/Pause, Stop, Previous, Next) are accessed via the Fn key.
LED Lighting modes: 1. Main portion of keyboard lit: everything in a rectangle from tilde(~) at the top left to the bottom right Ctrl (except Caps) is always lit. 2. All LEDS lit. 3. Pulsing Mode: all LEDs (except Caps, NumLk and ScrLk) automatically oscillates between the brightest and dimmest intensity in a cycle of about 5 seconds. 4. Reactive Mode: LEDs (except Caps, NumLk and ScrLk) individually light up only as the keys are pressed/held down. 5. Scrolling marquee: the entire top row of keys from Esc in the top left to the 'home' shortcut key in the top right (except ScrLk) displays a left-to-right-to-left scrolling light up pattern in a cycle of about 3 seconds. 6. All LEDs off. Customization Mode: The keyboard allows the user to setup and store two custom LED lighting setups as CM1 and CM2. Instructions for setting these up are included in the manual (it's very simple). Note: For all of the above light modes except Pulsing and Off, you can adjust the brightness of the LEDs in 5 different intensity settings.
There are four Dip switches on the underside of the keyboard. Here is the description from the documentation: 1. Dip 1: Left Ctrl & CapsLock (ON to exchange position, OFF to retain position) 2. Dip 2: Left Alt and Left Windows Key (ON to exchange position, OFF to retain position) 3. Dip 3: ON to Lock Windows Key, OFF to keep Windows Key active 4. Dip 4: On for USB N-Key Rollover, OFF for USB 6-Key Rollover
One minor thing I noticed with my keyboard is that the "T" key feels and sounds just a little bit off. The key works just fine; I can type with it no problem. But it just feels ever so slight softer and the clicky sound is noticably softer in volume than other keys. It's almost as if the mechanical switch is worn out or something. I only notice it if I'm actually paying attention to it, though. No big deal, I guess. Everything else with this keyboard seems perfectly fine.
So overall this is a very positive review of this keyboard and I would recommend this to anyone in the market for a mechanical keyboard with these particular features. But, again, I am coming directly from a membrane keyboard with no prior experience with other mechanicals. And I have only been using it for one day so far.
On December 26 2012 16:03 HoboWithAGlock wrote: I'd be totally willing to go for blues, but I find that the sound is not only way too loud, but not nearly as appealing to me as mx browns.
Does the sound get loud enough with blues to bother people around you significantly?
I bought an quick fire rapid with blue switches at the begging of the summer and brought it with me to an internship everyday. Worked on it in a smallish room that always had at least one to 3 other people working in it(sometimes wear earbuds listing to music, sometimes not), and never received any comments about it other than the look of the keyboard(white keycaps ftw). People noticed the sound of the keyboard, but it never seemed to bother anyone. Even played some Brood war against the computer spamming around 200 apm, still didn't bug anyone. The girl who was in the room with me the most said she didn't notice a decrease in sound with o-rings(50A iirc) installed either.
Obviously some people will be different, but for most the sound of a mechanical keyboard just kinda falls into the background the same way a the sound of a normal keyboard does.
i bought a CM Storm Quickfire Pro like a week ago.First mechanical keyboard i have and so far im loving it. I have to say those cherry mx red switches feel sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo awesome. I RECOMMEND EVERYBODY TO TRY IT OUT!
On December 26 2012 16:03 HoboWithAGlock wrote: I'd be totally willing to go for blues, but I find that the sound is not only way too loud, but not nearly as appealing to me as mx browns.
Does the sound get loud enough with blues to bother people around you significantly?
My dad could here the sound from the blues on my old keyboard from across the basement, even with my door closed. So yes. I would say go with browns.
On December 26 2012 08:03 Frionel wrote: I have a problem with mx reds... I have recorded a video. Check it out. Does anyone experienced this before? I loose a lot of actions because this....
Your computer is not behaving properly. No way should key presses lag to appear like they seem to do here. I'm guessing virus (keylogger) or problems with the USB port/drivers.
Personally I can tell you that all my key presses are immediate and nothing is missed. At least that goes for single key presses. If I press more than six keys at once it starts getting derpy a little bit. (not using n-key rollover, have to use USB)
Since you are in the UK, check out http://www.keyboardco.com and get a Filco. Most of em are around £100 and they are more or less the best. As for noise, you could get O-rings like these here. With o-rings, MX browns, reds, blacks make pretty much the same noise, blues might be louder. Also you can check out the video at the bottom of the page to see what i'm talking about.
EPT
