LF new keyboard - MX Brown vs MX Red?

[Valenciente]

Hey TPU.

My "trusty" ol' Logitech G15 is nearing the end of it's days. Some keys need to be pressed hard to register and such.

So I'm looking for a new keyboard in the near future. I've been wanting a mechanical one for a while now, albeit I've never actually used a modern one. After looking around for a while, I think I want to get either the Cherry MX Brown or the Cherry MX Red switches. However I can't really decide.

From what I read, the Reds are very "smooth", with very little sound and no tactile feedback.

That sounds nice and all, but I think I'd actually prefer something with some tactile feedback. I read however, that the Browns can feel "sandy". Is that true? I would definitely hate if they felt like there was sand stuck under the keys; Though that sounds unlikely given how popular it seems they are.

I've considered the Blues as well, but as I'll always be sitting in the same room as my girlfriend, I think she might be annoyed by the sound. The Browns sound a little more toned down.

I mostly play a few MMORPGs, RPGs and the odd FPS or two. Nothing too action-y really. Apart from that I am also a hobbyist programmer, blogger and forum owner, so I'll be writing a lot on top of the gaming.

Any recommendations on the switch types? At the moment I'm probably looking at getting one of these keyboards:

CM Storm QuickFire TK (Red or Brown switches; Comes with Blues too)
Corsair Vengeance K70 (Red switches)

I don't really mind the brand, and it doesn't have to be a "gaming keyboard"; I don't care much for all those extra "macro keys". Doesn't need to have back lighting either.

As long as it looks nice, and has a numeric keypad, it's all good really.

Mostly though, I'd like advice about them switches

Thank you.

P.S. Sorry for all the text

tl;dr: MX Brown vs MX Red switches for gaming and typing?

 

[manofthem]

Well I have browns and blacks. Blacks should be similar to reds, just requiring a little more to actuate while reds are lighter.

I haven't experienced the "sandy" feeling you described with the browns. I used to prefer the blacks, but now the browns have really grown on me. Since you mentioned noise, my wife will sometime complain about the browns' noise from the other night, usually when it's late at night.

For gaming, I've decided the browns are my preference now; I've decided the tactile feedback is nice

 

[Batou1986]

are you me ?
My g15 is dying.
I hate blue switches especially the loud clicking decide reds would best fit me.
Looking at same two keyboards as replacements.

I'm leaning towards the TK its compact size and simplicity look to be a better quality product then all the gimmicky stuff on the Corsair.
Secondly the corsair looks to be made in a similar way to Razers black widow which requires a tremendous amount of work to swap switches or led's if I ever wanted to.

Please post back after you decide on one i would like to hear more about either of them before i make my decision.

 

[red_stapler]

tl;dr: MX Brown vs MX Red switches for gaming and typing?

I typed on both and couldn't really tell much of a difference. Ended up going with reds since the board was a bit cheaper.

*Edit* none of the keys are "quiet" if you bottom out while typing like I do.

 

[Aquinus]

I just got a keyboard with blues in them and they're a pleasure to type with. I'll play the occasional FPS or RTS game, but for typing they're good. So I'm not sure how often you game versus how often you're typing, but I wouldn't dismiss the blues if you type more than you game... unless you need to double tap keys a lot. I like having the tactile feedback to know when my finger has actuated the switch because you don't need to bottom out the keys to activate the switch.

I've never heard about browns feeling sandy, but the browns seem to be pretty popular. I hear they're good to type on and good to game on. I can't imagine that you could type nearly as fast using the red switches though, which is fine if you game more than you type. Being a programmer and a TPU addict I spend a lot of time typing which makes me love the blues. They keys go down like butter.

 

[Batou1986]

i really wish someone sold a cheap stick with just 4 switches on it with one of each type so you could try them all

 

[sneekypeet]

there are more than four switch types, even if just talking about Cherry's.

I would look into the Logitech G710+.
Browns
Silence of operation
O-rings installed so that the caps dont bottom out
Layout and software you are already used to

Just has a great feel and the limited noise is very nice. In my opinion, reds are too weak, and without activation points, they sort of feel muddy to me, but I am from the complete other end where I love my heavy Cherry MX Greens!

 

[Valenciente]

Yeah, I realize there is a lot more switches to choose from, the above was just what I got it narrowed down to.

I'll probably stick with the brown switches. I wont be getting the Logitech G710+, mainly because I really don't like how it looks (nor do I my G15 anymore). It's also pretty expensive compared to the QuickFire TK.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

 

[sneekypeet]

I would still suggest the o-rings, even if you go with the TK.
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/cherry-mx-rubber-switch-dampeners.html

The logitech has the black ones and they have a nice feel.

 

[Valenciente]

I'll be sure to look into that

 

[Batou1986]

I would still suggest the o-rings, even if you go with the TK.
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/cherry-mx-rubber-switch-dampeners.html

The logitech has the black ones and they have a nice feel.

18 bucks for rubber o rings
thanks for the recommendation tho i don't like the g710 either.
I will prob get the dampers for the TK if i get it.