best Mechanical Gaming Keyboards

[FreedomEclipse]

Originally Posted by drdeathx

Nobody is going to give a top 10 or top 5. Take the recommendations from the thread and make your choice.

[Killer_Rubber_Ducky]

i was just on NCIX forums and they mentioned this : Azio Levetron KB577U MECH5

Any one have any experience with this board?

[manofthem]

Originally Posted by Killer_Rubber_Ducky

i was just on NCIX forums and they mentioned this : Azio Levetron KB577U MECH5

Any one have any experience with this board?

Yes sir, I have one of those. It's a very solid keyboard, very nice. It has the black switches, which are a little heavier than the other cherry switches. If you don't mind the extra slight weight, it's great! I love the included built in wrist rest!!!

Keypad can be detached completely and removed, it can be moved to the left side, or it can float wherever with the little extra cable.

[SaltyFish]

Originally Posted by Jstn7477

Gigabyte Aivia Osmium owner here (Cherry MX reds), and this keyboard rocks. It's my first mechanical keyboard and I've had it for a week, but it is leaps and bounds better than my mushy Logitech G15. Backlighting is fully dimmable, all keys are independently lit and mechanical, and it has built in USB 3.0 and headset pass through extensions. Supposedly it handles 64 simultaneous keys being pressed as well. If you are looking for a really heavy, tough feeling keyboard, I would check this one out. Some people are put off by the 45g actuation force of the MX Reds but I game most of the time and I don't type the proper way you are "supposed to."

Probably one of my only complaints is that there is no indent on the caps lock so I hit it randomly when gaming. It's also a little easy to hit adjacent keys as they "seem" a little bit closer together.

Thanks for mentioning the Osmium. I'll go look into that. I'm looking for a good Cherry MX Red keyboard. Corsair's K60 and K90 looked good, but the fact they were not fully mechanical put me off. WTF, Corsair? Did you really have to cheap out like that?

Killer_Rubber_Ducky, have you taken a look at mechanical keyboard FAQ in my sig? Might help you in what you're looking for.

[Killer_Rubber_Ducky]

I don't know what to think. Linus Tech Tips responded to my tweet to him about the keyboards. he told me my best bet was to get a Logitech G710 on sale. Id kinda like to step away from logitechj this time. so IDK

[newtekie1]

Linus is probably one of the few people that have actually used all the keyboards we've suggested, and he really knows his stuff. So I wouldn't take his suggestion lightly.

If you want to move away from Logitech that puts the Corsair keyboards out as well, since they are made by logitech and the software is even just the rebranded logitech software.

[gumpty]

Ducky I don't own a mechanical keyboard myself (although it's on my wishlist), but I think I've found the only mechanical keyboard that is appropriate for you.

Killer_Rubber_Ducky's new keyboard.

[Killer_Rubber_Ducky]

Originally Posted by newtekie1

Linus is probably one of the few people that have actually used all the keyboards we've suggested, and he really knows his stuff. So I wouldn't take his suggestion lightly.

If you want to move away from Logitech that puts the Corsair keyboards out as well, since they are made by logitech and the software is even just the rebranded logitech software.

where did you hear that Logitech makes Corsair's keyboards?

[Binge]

Originally Posted by drdeathx

I have K90. Nothing bad to say about it. Good Mech. keyboard

As a good keyboard that may be, but K90 are not good mechanical keyboards.

Originally Posted by Killer_Rubber_Ducky

where did you hear that Logitech makes Corsair's keyboards?

Logitech uses OEMs just like Corsair for some boards. The statement is without merit, unfortunately.

As for mech keyboards if you want to save money get good quality go with coolermaster or the rosewill rk9000 (non backlit) series. If you are ok spending the money you might want to consider other options.

::EDIT:: Coolermaster Rapids are the exact same guts as Filco uses on their tenkeyless models. People pay nearly $160 for them new.

[Killer_Rubber_Ducky]

Originally Posted by Binge

As a good keyboard that may be, but K90 are not good mechanical keyboards.



Logitech uses OEMs just like Corsair for some boards. The statement is without merit, unfortunately.

As for mech keyboards if you want to save money get good quality go with coolermaster or the rosewill rk9000 (non backlit) series. If you are ok spending the money you might want to consider other options.

::EDIT:: Coolermaster Rapids are the exact same guts as Filco uses on their tenkeyless models. People pay nearly $160 for them new.

ok, so lets say im willing to spend the extra coin. what should i be looking at. I will keep the g710+ in reserve as well. Not sure if red or brown switch though.

[erocker]

Cooler Master CM Storm Quick Fire Pro SGK-4010-GKC...

On sale. Go for it. 54.99 after rebate.

[Binge]

Originally Posted by Killer_Rubber_Ducky

ok, so lets say im willing to spend the extra coin. what should i be looking at. I will keep the g710+ in reserve as well. Not sure if red or brown switch though.

So for gaming most people prefer Blacks, Browns, and Reds. Browns are more comfortable all around than the other two, but some people say otherwise. It is very subjective as to the usefulness of full linear or tactile. Browns are hardly tactile (say compared to blues, greens, clears or Matias switches) so they are your safest bet. You will NOT regret a keyboard with brown switches.

For high end boards you have,

WASD Keyboards V1
Ducky Shine II and non LED versions
KBT Pro
Filco Majestouch 2
Matias Quiet Pro
OLDER Das Keyboard models before they sourced iOne as their OEM.

There are a few exotics you could attempt to get but usually you need an agent in China, Korea, or Japan. For example a KMAC LZ, Plum 96, and Topre Realforce which are not exactly all in the same category of keyboards but are all exotics.

[Killer_Rubber_Ducky]

Originally Posted by Binge

So for gaming most people prefer Blacks, Browns, and Reds. Browns are more comfortable all around than the other two, but some people say otherwise. It is very subjective as to the usefulness of full linear or tactile. Browns are hardly tactile (say compared to blues, greens, clears or Matias switches) so they are your safest bet. You will NOT regret a keyboard with brown switches.

For high end boards you have,

WASD Keyboards V1
Ducky Shine II and non LED versions
KBT Pro
Filco Majestouch 2
Matias Quiet Pro
OLDER Das Keyboard models before they sourced iOne as their OEM.

There are a few exotics you could attempt to get but usually you need an agent in China, Korea, or Japan. For example a KMAC LZ, Plum 96, and Topre Realforce which are not exactly all in the same category of keyboards but are all exotics.

ok, any with somthing similar to G keys? I used ACRE with TeamSpeak for ARMA II. It binds to a macro key like a G key. Im not concerned about media keys since i dont use them. I primarily play BF3, ArmAII, planetside 2. FPS gaming with sparse RTS.

[Binge]

Originally Posted by Killer_Rubber_Ducky

ok, any with somthing similar to G keys? I used ACRE with TeamSpeak for ARMA II. It binds to a macro key like a G key. Im not concerned about media keys since i dont use them. I primarily play BF3, ArmAII, planetside 2. FPS gaming with sparse RTS.

If anything some of the better keyboards have less keys. Using AHK would save you the trouble of needing to buy something that has a macro system.

[Killer_Rubber_Ducky]

Originally Posted by binge

if anything some of the better keyboards have less keys. Using ahk would save you the trouble of needing to buy something that has a macro system.

ahk?

[erocker]

Originally Posted by Killer_Rubber_Ducky

I primarily play BF3, ArmAII, planetside 2. FPS gaming with sparse RTS.

Most of the more expensive keyboards won't make much sense if it's primarily for gaming. That Coolermaster I linked fits the bill pretty well.

[manofthem]

Originally Posted by erocker

Most of the more expensive keyboards won't make much sense if it's primarily for gaming. That Coolermaster I linked fits the bill pretty well.

Indeed, I can vouch for this as I use it to type now. I linked it a little earlier, and it's a lot cheaper than it was when I purchased not long ago.


OR if you're interested in that Levetron Mech 5 you mentioned earlier, give me a PM.

[Killer_Rubber_Ducky]

Originally Posted by erocker

Most of the more expensive keyboards won't make much sense if it's primarily for gaming. That Coolermaster I linked fits the bill pretty well.

thanks. admittedly, I have been a little wary of coolermaster in terms of keyboards since they dont strike me as a keyboard manufacturer.

[PatoRodrigues]

Well, to choose a mechanical keyboard certainly you need to know about the switches.

After you choose one (MX Blue, MX Red, MX Brown, MX Black), then go for the reviews.

Personally, the MX Brown switches are the best. Tactile as MX Blue but not clicky. Not linear as MX Black, that gives you no feedback. MX Brown also has release & actuation points really close, so you can double tap a lot faster. Comparing to MX Black, you don't need to press harder. However, MX Black helps when you give accidental presses during a game.

Silence, quickness, feedback. To me, seems perfect for gaming and typing.

[PatoRodrigues]

To take the oportunity...

Anyone here has a Logitech G710+? That board looked really good in some reviews out there. Some thoughts from owners would be nice...

[Binge]

Originally Posted by Killer_Rubber_Ducky

ahk?

auto hot key

Originally Posted by PatoRodrigues

To take the oportunity...

Anyone here has a Logitech G710+? That board looked really good in some reviews out there. Some thoughts from owners would be nice...

Nothing bad, nothing particularly stellar, a lot of glue (not a fan of that for a keyboard), and horrid looks imho

[PatoRodrigues]

Well, i think the looks get to more personal opinion.

But experience-wise, a CM QuickFire Pro with MX Brown switches would be better?

[exodusprime1337]

Despite the fact that razer is taking a lot of crap lately. I love my razer black widow ultimate. I'm a linux sys admin so when i'm not fragging i'm typing furiously at a terminal. As such i use this for my work computer and for a home gaming computer. I love the way the key's react and feel, the build quality is unmatched imho. Also the blue isn't all that intrusive and the sound although audible and quite loud, is more impressive than it is annoying.

[Binge]

Originally Posted by PatoRodrigues

Well, i think the looks get to more personal opinion.

But experience-wise, a CM QuickFire Pro with MX Brown switches would be better?

Quickfire pro is not as high quality as the Rapid or TK. Keep that in mind.

Originally Posted by exodusprime1337

Despite the fact that razer is taking a lot of crap lately. I love my razer black widow ultimate. I'm a linux sys admin so when i'm not fragging i'm typing furiously at a terminal. As such i use this for my work computer and for a home gaming computer. I love the way the key's react and feel, the build quality is unmatched imho. Also the blue isn't all that intrusive and the sound although audible and quite loud, is more impressive than it is annoying.

When you tear apart that board and compare it to something substantial then you will know about build quality. Cherry switches are the most high quality component in the BWU and that is no lie. Their plates are not stainless steel so they will rust in certain environments, their controller is mediocre, and PCB/plate mounting leaves something to be desired. This isn't against you defending razer, but more so that instead of defending them just admit you love blue switches.

[Killer_Rubber_Ducky]

does anyone know of a mech keyboard that has multiple types of switches on the board? Kinda like how the Gigabyte Avia K8100 has different force reqs on different keys.
**I am really looking at the Levatron Mech 5. Newegg combo comes with a mouse too.