I see. Though since Black switches need the most force, isn't that not a good thing for a mechanical keyboard? I guess I could understand Red since they're quiet and you don't need to bottom out but Black is beyond me.

DERPDERP

Kyrgyzstan189 Posts

October 25 2013 17:46 GMT

#6523

On October 26 2013 02:09 Incognoto wrote:
I see. Though since Black switches need the most force, isn't that not a good thing for a mechanical keyboard? I guess I could understand Red since they're quiet and you don't need to bottom out but Black is beyond me.

Well it's a little thing called preference, some like it light like red, stiff like black or death for fingers like dark grey

Xiron

Germany1233 Posts

October 25 2013 17:59 GMT

#6524

Blacks are suited for people who hit the keys hard and with alot of force. You won't accidentally press a button. The first thing I noticed when I switched from black to red was that I would constantly press buttons that I just brushed with a finger tip, which I wasn't used to at all with the blacks. Yet I prefer red ones now.

Ropid

Germany3557 Posts

October 25 2013 18:06 GMT

#6525

Black and red are the same. Black has a stronger spring, so it should be easier to not bottom out with those. Those black switches were the very first MX switches Cherry made, I think. Then clear and blue.

I've always only seen black when I saw a mechanical keyboard in Germany, never the other types. All those special keyboards Cherry makes with card scanner or programmable keys etc., if they were mechanical, those were always black switches.

Brown and red are something recent and were both some sort of custom order at first and got popular. So the engineers themselves thought the hard feel of black and clear would be normal, not brown. Only blue was using a light spring.

Here's an animation of IBM's buckling spring: + Show Spoiler +

Blue is intended to be some sort of simulation of those: + Show Spoiler +

Sovano

United States1503 Posts

October 25 2013 21:48 GMT

#6526

On October 26 2013 01:42 Incognoto wrote:
I don't see the point of Black or Red switches on a mechanical keyboard. Granted I'ver never used a mechanical keyboard before so it's not like my point of view is worth anything (yet), but I thought that what we really wanted in a mechanical keyboard was that bump.

Nope. Mechanical keyboards is for people who want to type comfortably. There are just different types of switches to appease people of different interests. Linear switches like the red and blacks are pretty nice, but I still prefer my browns and blues. I think it's a bit exaggerated how people say the blacks are pretty stiff and reds are pretty light, but that's just me.

B_Type13X2

Canada122 Posts

October 25 2013 22:55 GMT

#6527

Went from blues to reds and difference for me was more of a noise thing. I press hard, and have heavy hands so a black switch might be more up my alley. Finding a key type you like is important but more important is build quality; you buy a mechanical keyboard expecting to get years out of it.

RiceAgainst

United States1849 Posts

October 27 2013 06:38 GMT

#6528

Ended up getting a Quickfire Trigger, MX Blues, for ~$85, shipped, on Amazon. Seller seemed to have good reviews ("The Nerds"). Don't know too much about the quality of it, but since it's CM, I assume it's decent. Blues for a gamer, eh, not really sure, but hopefully my friend's brother appreciates it. It is a gift after all.

Davkaus

United Kingdom368 Posts

October 27 2013 19:42 GMT

#6529

Looking to get my first mechanical keyboard, I've seen the qpad mk80 with red switches that I quite like the look of. anyone have any opinions on this board? Reviews mostly seem positive.

DERPDERP

Kyrgyzstan189 Posts

October 27 2013 20:00 GMT

#6530

On October 28 2013 04:42 Davkaus wrote:
Looking to get my first mechanical keyboard, I've seen the qpad mk80 with red switches that I quite like the look of. anyone have any opinions on this board? Reviews mostly seem positive.

The spacebar isn't universal afaik, if you're thinking of custom keycaps, acquiring a fitting spacebar may prove challenging

Davkaus

United Kingdom368 Posts

October 29 2013 20:26 GMT

#6531

Just got the MK80 above after deciding I probably won't replace keycaps anyway.

It takes some getting used to, I could see myself potentially going for blue switches now, even though I didn't like the sound of them before I tried the reds, but I'm still very pleased with the board. Typing just feels so much cleaner and smoother than rubber dome.

Slydie

1927 Posts

October 30 2013 11:53 GMT

#6532

Is it me, or is the recommended keyboards guide in the op outdated? The ducky keyboards listed are basically all old models that are really difficult to get hold of these days.

DERPDERP

Kyrgyzstan189 Posts

October 30 2013 12:50 GMT

#6533

On October 30 2013 20:53 Slydie wrote:
Is it me, or is the recommended keyboards guide in the op outdated? The ducky keyboards listed are basically all old models that are really difficult to get hold of these days.

Not really, for example the 9008 can be found by the name of ducky g2pro, the 9008 is just a product code or something.

TT1

Canada10011 Posts

October 31 2013 02:11 GMT

#6534

does anyone know where i can find a leopold fc700r?

Gamegene

United States8308 Posts

October 31 2013 02:23 GMT

#6535

short answer: you'll have to look for group buys on sites like geekhack since there's almost no way for you to get one outside of asking a friend from korea or australia.

hopefully elitekeyboards finally decides to restock on the newer models but they have stated that the fc700r production is stopped so they probably won't be selling them -_-

Zorgon

United States211 Posts

October 31 2013 03:06 GMT

#6536

They also go in and out of stock at Gmarket, currently the only one in stock is black bezel with red switch and Hangul legends. I picked up my black bezel with brown switches a couple months ago though.

TT1

Canada10011 Posts

October 31 2013 04:56 GMT

#6537

T.T