Mechanical keyboards are overrated

[AleXXX666]

Before mechanical, everyone used rubber dome and was happy with that, for gaming etc. Since mechanical, rubber dome are the droppings of satans ass. I am always mistyping on my mechanical(K65) and it is fucking noisy, how anyone can handle the clicky fuckers(Had one, ended up dumping it) I don't know. There is no need for them to be so noisy apart from, look at me with my expensive keyboard. I do get the need for lighting, for playing with lights off, but not really RGB.

yeah, lol, i know, for typing for me mech sux too lol,
but for gaming i'm never gonna use membrane again, one love you know lol...
also, i'm bad asmr fan and i now love that clicks you know on mech DD

 

[Sybaris_Caesar]

I just purchased a $50 CAD mech keyboard (some kind of blue switches) from Walmart. Its the Blackweb one.

Only complaint I have about it is the lettering scheme they use on the keys, trying to make it look cool or something but sometimes I have to look at the keyboard if incase I mistype. Anyway, its a pretty good keyboard with a nice feel to it. So I cant complain.

blackweb Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - Walmart.ca

Not available Buy blackweb Mechanical Gaming Keyboard from Walmart Canada. Shop for more PC Gaming Keyboards available online at Walmart.ca

www.walmart.ca

From what I gather font molding to have that professional font is complicated aka costly. So almost all cheap chinese boards have that gamery font where Q, B , 8, A, 0 (zero) and O don't intersect. Since they all use Cherry style keycaps you can buy third party keycap set with the font you want. Funnily enough the keycap set might cost more than your whole keyboard. Try looking at your local chinese banggood, Aliexpress or similar for a better deal. Type backlit/shine-through in the search perimeter if you want the light to shine through. PBT if you want plastic that doesn't wear off after use. Double-shot if you DON't want the letters be merely laser-engraved though it's quite rare nowadays.

 

[ThaiTaffy]

From what I gather font molding to have that professional font is complicated aka costly. So almost all cheap chinese boards have that gamery font where Q, B , 8, A, 0 (zero) and O don't intersect. Since they all use Cherry style keycaps you can buy third party keycap set with the font you want. Funnily enough the keycap set might cost more than your whole keyboard. Try looking at your local chinese banggood, Aliexpress or similar for a better deal. Type backlit/shine-through in the search perimeter if you want the light to shine through. PBT if you want plastic that doesn't wear off after use. Double-shot if you DON't want the letters be merely laser-engraved though it's quite rare nowadays.

Double shots tend to be called pudding keycaps here in Asia I been looking at a black a white set made from pbt for about £6 and they seem to have good reviews but haven't decided to order them yet https://s.lazada.co.th/s.4HeTw

 

[Chomiq]

Double shots tend to be called pudding keycaps here in Asia I been looking at a black a white set made from pbt for about £6 and they seem to have good reviews but haven't decided to order them yet https://s.lazada.co.th/s.4HeTw

Pudding style keycaps are translucent for the 3/4 of their height so the lighting can shine through. Doublshots and pudding are not the same thing.

As for rubber domes vs mechanical. I've been using mechanical for nearly 2 years now and I won't go back. I don't make any more typos than I used. I like the feedback and feel of my tactile switches. I also like the sound. I don't really keep a WPM counter in my head and since I'm self thought it's probably nothing amazing anyway.
I took one of my spare rubber dome Dell out of the storage recently and it was mushy AF.

 

[ThaiTaffy]

Pudding style keycaps are translucent for the 3/4 of their height so the lighting can shine through. Doublshots and pudding are not the same thing.

Ty learn something new everyday.

 

[joemama]

Pudding keycaps look like this picture below, the top and bottom have different colors so it resembles puddings. Doubleshots are keycaps made from 2 kinds of plastic with different colors.

 

[ThaiTaffy]

Pudding keycaps look like this picture below, the top and bottom have different colors so it resembles puddings. Doubleshots are keycaps made from 2 kinds of plastic with different colors.
View attachment 218046

I understand they are different now but but the above description doesnt really make much sense sorry to say. Double shots I'm guessing are the keycaps that are double walled where as puddings are double layered both of which use two different plastics but puddings uses one is opaque one translucent and shots use two opaque.

 

[Jetster]

For the youth here, mechanical keyboards predate computers. They were called typewriters. So people that learned how to type on one, typical like mechanical keyboards. I believe this is why they were developed, that and longevity
I use to love MS comfort curve keyboards which were membrane type. I've had many mechanical keyboards, some I liked and some I didn't. I recently bought a $130 EVGA keyboard, don't really like it. Its just got a weird switch and sometimes it doesn't register the push. But others I love. So I guess what I am saying is it's not that vs this. Its just another tool

 

[Eskimonster]

This hole field of electronics slash hardware is overrated, the buy and bin culture is awefull. Wish people would hang onto their purchases longer.

 

[Palindrome]

My 2 cents that nobody asked for:
I don't think mechanical keyboards are overrated, I personally rate them higher than membrane keyboards simply cause of the typing experience. Sure, I can get by on your run of the mill membrane board, but would I rather type on something where I can feel the keys doing their thing? Absolutely. I mainly hate how membrane feel; to me it feels like I'm assaulting a flattend rubber duck with my 10 fingers rather than typing.

That being said, I've used a fair few different switches and to me there are clear differences between them. If seen from that perspective, I can certainly understand your thread title and I agree with it to some extent. Some of the switches I've had the displeasure of using include GX Reds, Outemo Blues, Aorus Optical Switches (cant remember their exact name, and not mechanical I know), and MX Blues, all for different reasons. Not all mechanical switches are the same though, and those experiences have not made me dislike mechas, but rather helped me find the type of switches I like. I'm typing this on a HyperX FPS Alloy RGB with Kailh Silver Speed switches, and I find it to be very nice and enjoyable to type on, even if it isn't perfect.

Another thing is that the keyboard itself plays a large role in the typing experience too. You can have great switches, but a shoddy frame with loads of deck flex, keycap wobble, rattle, etc. that ruin the general typing experience. Conversely, you can have subpar switches, but a great keyboard to make up for it. Ideally you'd want both the switch type you like, with a good keyboard package to use it in. Thus far my G Pro with GX Browns has been my absolute favourite, my only slight critique is that the switches feel a bit too "dry", but it's not something that really bothers me, merely an observation.

Bottom line, no, mechanical keyboards are not overrated imo. There's just so much variety, so many switch types, manufacturers, price points that you have to sift through quite a lot to find ones that are worth your time and money.

 

[ThaiTaffy]

For the youth here, mechanical keyboards predate computers. They were called typewriters. So people that learned how to type on one, typical like mechanical keyboards. I believe this is why they were developed, that and longevity
I use to love MS comfort curve keyboards which were membrane type. I've had many mechanical keyboards, some I liked and some I didn't. I recently bought a $130 EVGA keyboard, don't really like it. Its just got a weird switch and sometimes it doesn't register the push. But others I love. So I guess what I am saying is it's not that vs this. Its just another tool

Im not old enough to have ever used a typewriter but my family had a commador PET growing up and can vaguely remember it's full stroke keyboard so moving to a membrane when I got my first IBM was a serious letdown. Also I remember getting a virus from a cassette game I bought in the market it didn't do anything that malicious but I remember the space invader bouncing round the screen when word processing.

 

[las]

I don't like tall and brick mech keyboards, had alot of them, never REALLY liked them. However some were better than others.
I have turned to MX Speed low profile keycaps and will never go back to tall keys. Feels so bad for my wrist and wristpad will do more harm than good over time.
Low profile keyboard feels perfect in my hand and are also less noisy.

 

[Chomiq]

I understand they are different now but but the above description doesnt really make much sense sorry to say. Double shots I'm guessing are the keycaps that are double walled where as puddings are double layered both of which use two different plastics but puddings uses one is opaque one translucent and shots use two opaque.

This might help:

The Ultimate Guide to Keycaps

The Ultimate Guide to Keycaps We spend a lot of time discussing the switches that we type on. But what about the keycaps- the part of the keyboard that is in direct contact with your fingers? The reality is that not all keycaps are the same and the quality of your keycaps can have a huge impact...

x-bows.com

So yeah technically every pudding cap is doubleshot but not every doubleshot keycap is pudding.

 

[ThaiTaffy]

This might help:

The Ultimate Guide to Keycaps

The Ultimate Guide to Keycaps We spend a lot of time discussing the switches that we type on. But what about the keycaps- the part of the keyboard that is in direct contact with your fingers? The reality is that not all keycaps are the same and the quality of your keycaps can have a huge impact...

x-bows.com

So puddings are just a variety of double shot

That's why I didn't understand the quote earlier.

 

[silentbogo]

1) Steelseries is objectively garbage. OP's problem is not that he bought a mechanical keyboard, but that he bought an overpriced low-quality keyboard before reading its reviews. Good spec ≠ good quality.
2) There are good keyboards with pretty much any switch mechanism(even membrane and "membranical"). I'm perfectly happy with my cheap-ass Modecom KB (kailh choc, low-profile TKL), but I'm just as happy with my old Logitech PS/2 KB in the office, or my former favorite G15, and I love Thinkpads. For most it's a matter of preference.

 

[The red spirit]

Legendary as in many people's introduction to mech boards for gaming. For comparison according to google, Corsair which is very popular mech keyboard brand debuted their first board in 2014, 4 years after 6GV2. Other old and well known board brands like Ducky and Das also debuted in 2008 and 2005 respectively. But obviously they didn't have the brand recognition SteelSeries had.

Jesus, how old it is? I knew in store that it certainly wasn't the latest model, but 4 years before Corsair is 2010 and considering that I found it in stock in 2019 brand new is crazy. But despite being so old, was it any good or was it just a popular brand at time?

(They probably named that brand that way, because 6GV2 is built like a tank. It's made of Nokia 3310s. They weren't greedy with metal in it and it's quite heavy for keyboard, but I would trust it more than actual wood bat in combat. If you throw this at a concrete wall, it will likely damage the damn wall, meanwhile the keyboard itself would only be scratched.)

MX Black actuation force is usually high compared to the original color switches (red, blue, brown). Only trumped by the heavy version of MX Blue, the MX Greens.

It's more a fault of keyboard. Tall key caps and long travel distance are bad at being fast in games. The force itself is not a problem to me as even MX Black feels rather light to me.

As for rubber domes vs mechanical. I've been using mechanical for nearly 2 years now and I won't go back. I don't make any more typos than I used. I like the feedback and feel of my tactile switches. I also like the sound. I don't really keep a WPM counter in my head and since I'm self thought it's probably nothing amazing anyway.
I took one of my spare rubber dome Dell out of the storage recently and it was mushy AF.

It depends on keyboard if it's mushy or not. Dell ones and some HPs have a reputation of being rather mushy, meanwhile something like my cheap A4Tech has some very tactile and springy rubber domes, so not all of them are created the same.

 

[ThaiTaffy]

It depends on keyboard if it's mushy or not. Dell ones and some HPs have a reputation of being rather mushy, meanwhile something like my cheap A4Tech has some very tactile and springy rubber domes, so not all of them are created the same.

Exactly!!!!!! Not all keyboards are created the same be it scissor, mech, optical, dome or any other type I have missed.
Just because someone has tried a handful of a certain type doesn't mean they are all made that way.

 

[The red spirit]

1) Steelseries is objectively garbage. OP's problem is not that he bought a mechanical keyboard, but that he bought an overpriced low-quality keyboard before reading its reviews. Good spec ≠ good quality.

SS keyboard is built very well and works as it should be, the whole thing is super though, rugged, meanwhile switches are very smooth. It's good in specs and overdelivers in quality. It's just that in performance it doesn't seem to have any advantage over cheap membranes. I found it at decent price of 60 EUR, which in 2019 for full mecha keyboard, not from some third tier brand, was rather exceptional. Even today, that's not a bad price for mechanical keyboard from a well known brand.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
My G710+ is the greatest keyboard in the world it's like my guns you can take it out of my cold dead hands lol
Just bought my third
Now my G910 is a pos.

 

[Colddecked]

Yes a keyboard is a keyboard and if for office work/typing imo it doesn't matter too much.

But for gaming? Mechanical feels way nicer to use as they are far more precise and predictable than membrane. I can't imagine going back to membrane for gaming.

 

[Liquid Cool]

I like my keyboards black with no bling(well, maybe a few RGBY keycaps)...so I only buy iKBC keyboards. They're a little more than $50, currently $79.99.



Are they worth it? To me they are because they're well made and they just work. My only misgivings about mechanical keyboards are the different choices. I immediately went for the blues because I type more than game(if you can believe that) and noticed my fingertips starting to hurt as I was typing out a chapter from my book. So...I tried browns as a happy medium? I kept missing key's, almost lost 20 wpm because I kept fumbling around with the keyboard.

You guessed it...I then tried reds...and finally found the keys that fit my typing style perfectly. I even found a "Silent" Red Cherry keyboard, so my keyboard is quiet, games well...types well. I like it. I "planned" on keeping it 'til I'm dead...although, I also recently upgraded from an 87 key to a 108 key.

Here's the problem. I now have a small collection of almost brand new iKBC keyboards I don't know what to do with. A blue and a brown 108 key and a silent red 87 key.

Maybe I just didn't plan well? It was a little expensive to get where I am...but I'm actually glad I made the trip.

Before I started buying mechanicals, the only other two keyboards I've used in the last 20 years were an IBM Model M that I purchased new and the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard(K740). The Model M is my all time favorite, unfortunately I let someone sucker me out of mine for a $100. I'd really like it back....

Buckling spring over MX Switches in my book...

Before the model M there was only ALPS in my life...but that's a whole 'nother can of worms.

Best,

Liquid Cool

 

[The red spirit]

Yes a keyboard is a keyboard and if for office work/typing imo it doesn't matter too much.

I disagree. That's where it matters the most. If you just work and type documents, then keyboard is the most important component of your setup. If you have to type 25 pages or input a lot of data into Excel, uncomfortable and unpleasant keyboard is going to make your experience poor and likely slow you down.

But for gaming? Mechanical feels way nicer to use as they are far more precise and predictable than membrane. I can't imagine going back to membrane for gaming.

For gaming keyboard matters much less, as long as you are fast with it, then it's fine. For gaming you certainly don't need mecha. A good scissor switch keyboard is totally fine there. It's rather objective advise as the shorter travel distance and lower profile, as well as instant actuation feedback makes click perception and click registering faster. All mechas have way too long travel distance. Maybe with O rings and short actuation travel, mecha may come close, but scissor switch keyboard is most likely faster and much cheaper.

 

[ThaiTaffy]

It's all down to how fast you actually are if your reaction time and hand movements are slow you can use anything but of your stroke speed is insane (my wife doesn't think mines very good) linear optical switches are claimed to be faster than anything out there.

 

[Chomiq]

So you had problems with 140 gbp keeb?

 

[Colddecked]

I disagree. That's where it matters the most. If you just work and type documents, then keyboard is the most important component of your setup. If you have to type 25 pages or input a lot of data into Excel, uncomfortable and unpleasant keyboard is going to make your experience poor and likely slow you down.


For gaming keyboard matters much less, as long as you are fast with it, then it's fine. For gaming you certainly don't need mecha. A good scissor switch keyboard is totally fine there. It's rather objective advise as the shorter travel distance and lower profile, as well as instant actuation feedback makes click perception and click registering faster. All mechas have way too long travel distance. Maybe with O rings and short actuation travel, mecha may come close, but scissor switch keyboard is most likely faster and much cheaper.

I just switched out my office kb back to a membrane kb strictly due to the noise and because I type just as well on membrane. I miss the clicks, but I'm sure my office mates don't. I don't need it to be precise or super responsive, just quiet and a num pad.

For gaming, I prefer something with feedback.