Mechanical keyboards for gaming: Lets list them

[Mussels]

For those who have no idea what this is going to be about:


1. Keyboards go in quality order of:

1. Rubber dome keyboards - even 'high end' keyboards like the logitech G15 and G19 use these.

2. Scissor switches. Better for fast typing, these are 'flat' keys, that many laptops use.

3. Mechanical switches. Tons of flavours, considered the top end of keyboards.


This handy image gives a lot of details on types of mechanical switches:

Spoiler

What i want to get here, is a list of the best gaming grade mechanical keyboards, and where the hell to find them.


At the moment the only two i know of that are easy to find around the world, is the razer black widow, and razer black widow ultimate.


I can summarize these two fairly quickly:

Razer Black Widow: Mid range pricing, Cherry MX blue. Multi media keys. N-key rollover. 5 Macro keys

Razer Black Widow Ultimate: More expensive (similar to G19). MX blue again, Media keys, Blue Backlight, 3.5mm audio and mic jacks. N-key rollover. 5 Macro Keys


And now for Deck Keyboards:
Deck Legend - Ice
Deck Legend - Frost

The Decks use the clear switches (see spoiler) so they may well be much quieter than the razer keyboards. they also seem to be more expensive, but the quality may be higher.

No fancy gaming features here however - no macro keys, no built in sound cards/3.5mm audio jacks

Copy pasta about N-key rollover:

Spoiler

Q. Does Razer BlackWidow have anti-ghosting capability? How about N-key rollover?

A. Yes, the Razer BlackWidow does have anti-ghosting capabilities. The Razer BlackWidow is a USB only keyboard that features a gaming optimized key matrix that allows the recognition of up to six simultaneous key presses. N-key rollover (NKRO) is only possible with a direct connection to a native PS/2 port on the computer which also has other limitations that USB overcomes. The Razer BlackWidow's gaming optimized key matrix serves a similar purpose while using the more modern and readily available USB port.

Can others please list gaming worthy mechanical keyboards with all their features, as well as any personal experience you've had with them. If you're going to list some hard to find board, at least state what countries it can be found in.

This is partly to educate TPU users, and partly cause i'm getting a new keyboard for christmas, the Black Widow Ultimate is my current choice and i want to know if better exists

 

[Fourstaff]

I want a Hall Effect keyboard, but I have not seen one yet and they will most likely cost gazillions of dollars.

Linky to Cherry's website: http://www.cherrycorp.com/index.htm

 

[Soylent Joe]

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. My Eclipse has been screwing up lately and a mechanical keyboard would be a good investment. The Black Widow looks awesome for the price, these type of boards can be really expensive.

 

[Mussels]

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. My Eclipse has been screwing up lately and a mechanical keyboard would be a good investment. The Black Widow looks awesome for the price, these type of boards can be really expensive.

i'm upgrading from an eclipse II myself. after many years of abuse some keys take more force than others to press, and the press detection is a bit iffy on others (the left shift and ctrl mostly) requiring heavy presses.

 

[Soylent Joe]

Here's a Rosewill board using Cherry Blue switches that looks pretty nice. But, it has really no gaming or even advanced user features.

 

[Mussels]

Here's a Rosewill board using Cherry Blue switches that looks pretty nice. But, it has really no gaming or even advanced user features.

mmm.... at that price, you'd be far better off getting the razer one. same switches, but at least it has media keys and macro keys.

 

[MT Alex]

Although I have never used one, I drool over Deck keyboards. Everything I have read about them is flawless, although you pay a premium price for them. A little research led to the fact that Performance PC ships them to AU, but they are curently out of stock. They set the industry standard.

I'm pretty sure Black Panther bought one used from this site.

http://www.deckkeyboards.com/

 

[Mussels]

Although I have never used one, I drool over Deck keyboards. Everything I have read about them is flawless, although you pay a premium price for them. A little research led to the fact that Performance PC ships them to AU, but they are curently out of stock. They set the industry standard.

I'm pretty sure Black Panther bought one used from this site.

http://www.deckkeyboards.com/

i have heard of these. the thing that concerns me is the lack of media keys. i see a Fn key so they might be there, but unless the media keys light up when you press the Fn key like on my dinovo edge, i have no idea where they are


taht said, those keyboards use MX clear switches - these sound kinda appealing, since they DONT make noise when you type.

 

[Radical_Edward]

I've been wanting a deck keyboard for ages.

Sadly, I don't think I'll ever get to own one.

 

[Mussels]

ahah, the razer keyboards media keys are on the F keys like the dinovo.

you could pull that off one handed, thumb on the FN key and your mid-digit to hit the appropriate media key

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

I am a huge fan of mechanical keyboards, in fact, I own 10+ IBM model M keyboards of various makes. They are that good. Last year I got a modern USB model M made by Unicomp, who bought the old molds off IBM and Lexmark. Totally worth it. However, people around you might not like the clicking, but I love it!

Picture is related: My keyboard:

 

[Homeless]

I'm using a das keyboard w/ cherry brown switches atm. Took about a month to get used to but it's one of the best purchases i've made in a long time

 

[erixx]

Fn/media keys of the Black Widow Ultimate may not be illuminated...

 

[DanishDevil]

I actually picked up a Black Widow from Fry's about a week ago. I f*ing love it! I loved my Logitech Illuminated Keyboard, but this keyboard has me considering bring it to class so I can type on it instead of my laptop's keyboard!

I hate all of the gloss black, and it gets really dirty really quickly, and I don't care about the macro keys, but the media keys were a must. It's too bad that the media, symbol, and some other labels are silkscreened on there, though.

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

but this keyboard has me considering bring it to class so I can type on it instead of my laptop's keyboard!

I brought my Model M to the library. After having people run across the second floor to get away from the "mysterious clicking" I was asked to leave. Bad plan if the clicking on that Widow is loud.

 

[Mussels]

I brought my Model M to the library. After having people run across the second floor to get away from the "mysterious clicking" I was asked to leave. Bad plan if the clicking on that Widow is loud.

it might well be, thats something i really want to hear about.


i;ve got a cherry scissor switch keyboard atm that sounds like my dinovo edge, and i find its clicking to be quite acceptable. you can hear it and it may annoy people next to it, but those in another room wont hear it at all.

i'm hoping the black widows are like that.

Fn/media keys of the Black Widow Ultimate may not be illuminated...

the secondary features arent, but the keys themselves are. so the F5 will be illuminated, while the play/pause symbols wont be.

 

[DanishDevil]

If you want a decent idea of what it sounds like,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK5FAZqsYzM

That seems pretty close to what it sounds like to me. Probably going to be louder than what you normally have your volume at. My girlfriend had a VERY hard time taking a nap while I was playing Stacraft 2 while she was dead tired.

 

[Mussels]

If you want a decent idea of what it sounds like,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK5FAZqsYzM

That seems pretty close to what it sounds like to me. Probably going to be louder than what you normally have your volume at. My girlfriend had a VERY hard time taking a nap while I was playing Stacraft 2 while she was dead tired.

that sounds very similar to my scissor switch atm, maybe slightly higher pitch.

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

If you want a decent idea of what it sounds like,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK5FAZqsYzM

That seems pretty close to what it sounds like to me. Probably going to be louder than what you normally have your volume at. My girlfriend had a VERY hard time taking a nap while I was playing Stacraft 2 while she was dead tired.

That does not sound anywhere near as bad as my Model M. I mean that thing makes a higher pitch of noise (not by much) and makes it louder. It is extremely soothing however.

 

[caleb]

http://i.frazpc.pl/pliki/2002/board_graf/115123446874956099.jpg
NOT mechanical but very good @ gaming cause I can spam 5 buttons at once in the shift+WSAD zone. Its half the height of normal keys so I guess scissors.
Was thinking of getting some mechanical one a while ago but I'm not willing to pay that much as this one could do the job for 10e.

 

[Soylent Joe]

I hate all of the gloss black, and it gets really dirty really quickly, and I don't care about the macro keys, but the media keys were a must. It's too bad that the media, symbol, and some other labels are silkscreened on there, though.

Do you have a feeling the media symbols are in danger of rubbing off?

Also, how is the software that comes with the board for the macro keys?

 

[BumbleBee]

http://i.frazpc.pl/pliki/2002/board_graf/115123446874956099.jpg
NOT mechanical but very good @ gaming cause I can spam 5 buttons at once in the shift+WSAD zone. Its half the height of normal keys so I guess scissors.
Was thinking of getting some mechanical one a while ago but I'm not willing to pay that much as this one could do the job for 10e.

the Keycap profile looks too high for scissor switches.

Do you have a feeling the media symbols are in danger of rubbing off?

Also, how is the software that comes with the board for the macro keys?

the printing is laser etched not pad printed.

 

[Red_Machine]

I have a Saitek Cyborg V1, what kind of board is this?

 

[BumbleBee]

I have a Saitek Cyborg V1, what kind of board is this?

you mean switches? rubber dome.

 

[Red_Machine]

So membrane, effectively? (think Sinclair Spectrum+ and QL, standard keys with rubber domes underneath on top of a contact circuit board)