/mkg/ - Mechanical Keyboard General
First Edition
Buyer's Guide: http://pastebin.com/QJD7fSGU
FAQs: http://pastebin.com/M5w7QtKp
Inputs welcome.
>>45876816
>be me
>want new keycaps
>there are really cool keycaps on sale for $80
>$80 keycaps lol
>surf around the world wide web a bit more
>find some other keycaps for like $39 and $20.
how much is too much to spend on keycaps
>>45876816
That keboard is nice, but
>No Meta4
>No FN
A bit too minimal for me I think.
>>45876869
On the lowest end you can get key caps for ~$20-$30 either by being used or by some site like Massdrop. If you want "good" key caps, expect to spent minimum $50 and upwards of $150.
The reason why they're so expensive is because no one really mass produces them in such large quantities that the price can be reduced all that much. Tai-hao are looking to change that starting mid - late next year with their mass produced PBT keycaps though.
>>45876816
http://imgur.com/a/xK2Uv
>>45876923
Imagine how heavy those keys are
It must feel like a rusty typewriter
>>45876816
That keyboard has a nice colorscheme to it. does anybody know what model it is? or maybe a good place for tenkeyless MKGs like in OP?
>>45876951
They were made of Zinc, so they weren't heavy at all really. The spacebar was aluminum too.
>>45876916
You have to consider thickness as well. Some thick ABS will feel a lot better than thin PBT. As well as the legend type, with dyesub or doubleshot being preferred.
>>45876966
Its the Duck Viper mechanical keyboard. Its a korean custom, so if you're looking at getting it, expect big money.
>>45876869
If you're talking about the beige set, I'd say go for it. Those kinds of sets don't get made all that often.
Daily PSA:
This exact set and others like it are available in a group buy right now. They're a classic beige PBT set with dye sub, so they won't shine or wear down like normal key caps.
>>45877100
Link to the group buy is here:
geekhack(org)/index.php?topic=66550.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823334013
Would this be a good keyboard? First time purchasing a mechanical. I'm aware of the switches (I like red best) but everything else I'm kinda in the dark about. Any and all feedback would be great.
>>45877148
You're better off with going for a CM Quickfire rapid at that price point. The keyboard you posted has a layout that is more difficult to find keycaps for if you ever want to get an aftermarket set (which most people do).
>>45877100
ive never done a group buy like this before
i just created a profile on geekhack
am i supposed to get an email with my order right after i submit the form or wot
Wish this sampler would hurry the fuck up. From CA to PA
>>45877620
Also, ordered it the 25th
Is there a poorfag keyboard that isn't shit. I was looking at supplies to just build my own (Teensy 3.1, Doides etc etc) but once you add switches it's cheaper to just buy one.
>>45876816
oh man is that the CMYK keycap set? i let that one go because i didn't like the way the diagrams looked but damn it looks good here.
>>45877100
>that windows key
muh dick
Does /g/ approve?
>>45877424
Nope just wait for the end date.
Finished hooking up my switch tester today. No idea what I should program the six buttons to do however. Ideas are appreciated.
>>45877874
just bought my first mechanical. quick fire rapid cherry blue tenkeyless. loving it so far.
sorry if that's a meme keyboard :(
>>45877628
Ducky zero is basic as hell.
I got mine for around 80 cad
>>45877891
What is one of these called?
I'm looking for an extremely portable mech keyboard.
How do people feel about Cherry ML switches? I don't see them mentioned a lot, so I'm not sure if they're just rare or bad.
>buying meme keyboards
>>45877681
Yup it is. Better hope it comes around again. As far as I know there have only been 3 group buys for it ever.
>>45877832
No.
>>45878315
>Cherry ML
They're not bad, its just that they're not available on a lot of boards so we don't recommend them.
>>45876816
Most people buy two mechanical keyboards.
First one has cherry blue switches
The second one does not.
It is possible to save a hundred bucks and skip the cherry blue option.
>>45877894
The QFR is a fine board, especially for the price.
>>45878372
Cool. I want to mod my laptop to use them. I'll see what I can do.
>>45877874
Some ideas:
- Applications
- Switch DEs if you're on linux
- Macros if you play games
- Close all programs and clear cache
>>45878463
Details on keycap set you fucker you
>>45878463
>>45878498
What is this?
>>45878504
DSA Dolch from Signature Plastic with DSA RGB mods you lovely piece of shit.
>>45878517
Its a CODE Keyboard w/ Cherry MX Clears and see: >>45878519
For key cap information.
>>45878526
Sweet mother of god...
>>45878519
>>45878519
Well fuck me in the ass please
Cheap mechanical keyboard?
>>45878585
Budget?
Hey /g/, I was considering buying a mechanical keyboard from WASD. Essentially, this:
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/mechanical-keyboard/wasd-v2-87-key-custom-mechanical-keyboard.html
With cherry mx blues and possibly o-ring dampeners, except I'll buy the rings for cheaper elsewhere, and I'll buy the board and key caps from WASD separately (it's a bit cheaper like this).
My question is: where can I get a better buy?
In particular, are there boards with blue switches whose caps I can replace? If so, what brand of keyboard, and where do I find the key caps?
I was thinking about getting a QFR with blues and replacing the caps - anyone know where to find caps?
>>45878594
I think I can afford from 40-50 bucks
>>45878681
For $40 - 50 here are your best options:
- Something used
- Used Model M
- Data911 (its a cherry MX black keyboard that cops use in their cars)
- Something on a really good sale
Theres also a CM Quickfire rapid. I've seen it go on sale for as low as $55 which is just above your range, but well worth it.
How is a mechanical keyboard going to be any better than my default HP keyboard?
>>45878681
Used CM storm from ebay. You can pull off the keys and wash them in a tub, then vacuum out the food and hair from the interior.
You're not going to find a new mechanical keyboard for less than 80.
>>45878679
>With cherry mx blues and possibly o-ring dampeners
This is a strange combination. The dampeners are used to make your keyboard more quiet, but you have an extremely loud switch with blues. What is your goal here?
>where can I get a better buy?
For a keyboard or keycaps? WASD keyboards are fine boards, they're just a tad expensive. If you want to save some money go for a Quickfire Rapid, but otherwise there is a big list of good boards in the buyer's guide.
>anyone know where to find caps?
For keycaps, the best ones are always from group buys on geekhack, theres a link to one going on right now here >>45877113
Theres also group buys on pimpmykeyboard.com and other similar sites.
>>45878728
>How is a mechanical keyboard going to be any better than my default HP keyboard?
It's not objectively better. However with as much time as the average /g/tard spends in front of their computer, it makes sense to splurge a little for a different experience. A clicky keyboard is IMO more satisfying to type on, a model M is IMO more fun to bang on.
It's like a Herman Miller chair vs a Walmart office chair. Both will serve their purpose equally well, but if you're going to spend 8+ hours in your chair every day, that extra inch of adjustment goes a long way.
>>45878805
So it just makes more noise? That's the appeal?
>>45878855
Not necessarily. I'm not a fan of noisy switches, I enjoy the feeling and the customizability.
>>45876816
Nice guide. You might want to link to the fairly comprehensive OCN guide too http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/official-mechanical-keyboard-guide
Just bought this beauty here. Won't get here in a month, though.
Kinda new to this but i've been looking to get something with a light color like off white or beige. Custom caps down the line would be nice.. any reccomendations? I really like the look of the rapid but i wish it wasn't all black
What if I want to use a small TKL portable keyboard for when I use my laptop like in bed?
I want something like pic related, but if you happen to know the one in the pic, that would be perfect.
>>45878984
That's a Poker II
>>45878855
NKey rollover is #1 appeal for me.
Your standard keyboard won't even allow certain combinations of just 3 keys.
I was playing borderlands and can't do something as fucking basic as crouch (control) + move right (D) + move forward (W).
And that's a very basic 3 key press, god forbid you try playing a flight sim where you need 3-4 keys for movement but you also want to be shooting two sets of different weapons and adjusting your throttle.
Many combinations of keys in video games are simply impossible on the standard budget keyboard.
It's common to get a mechanical keyboard that you can press absolutely any keys at same time and they work (NKR or N-Key Rollover)
>>45878991
Thanks.
>>45878984
He posts in these threads all the time, you'll get a reply from him eventually. I don't remember exactly what he's got.
>>45878984
anyone ever put the tong key pulls in there bum and try to pick up pencils?
>>45878984
http://keypuller.com/granite/ I do know the caps though.
>>45879014
Yeah
Thinking about getting quickfire rapid blues with backlit, but I keep hearing about how fast the leds die on them. Should I risk it or just go with the standard quickfire rapid?
>>45879034
Avoid CoolerMaster.
>>45879041
CM keyboards are great...no idea what you're talking about
>>45879030
Thanks. Pretty sure it's just a Happy Hacking with new caps.
>>45879065
Its a Poker II, not a HHKB. You can tell because of the layout and corners of the board.
>>45879092
Whoops. My bad, I was looking at this.
>>45879182
Same guy, he posts them both. Usually with a cherry esc.
>>45879182
Actually that isn't a HHKB either, but its a common mistake since the layout was inspired by it.
Its a Duck Viper, a korean custom made to mimic the HHKB2 with cherry switches.
I want to buy a mechanical keyboard and am thinking about getting a cm quickfire rapid but I can't decide on blues or browns. Also is there any better keyboards under $100?
>>45879231
Blues are loud. Browns are quieter. Buy a sampler, they're a few dollars.
Yes, get a used keyboard.
>>45879231
The QFR is one of the better ones you can get for lower prices. You can always try to get a used one like this anon said >>45879246
Mechs hold up pretty well so there isn't much to be afraid of.
>>45879215
Oh, sweet. The Duck Viper looks just as compact, with a sweeter price tag.
Good thread, guys.
>>45879321
>duck viper
>sweeter price tag
Huh?
I sure wish that mine was less than my HHKB!
>>45878717
Different anon here, just want to say thanks for informing me of the Data911's existence - just pulled the trigger on one. It'll make a perfect HTPC board, plus it has massive appeal to my inner m/o/torist.
>>45879777
No problem anon. This is optional but there is a spill guard installed by default. While its nice and handy, it makes pressing the keys feel mushier. You can easily remove it by first taking off they keys and just removing the plastic layer.
>>45876816
>mkg
Are you retarded?
>>45876816
Will a mechanical keyboard benefit someone with or prone to RSI?
I got one of those Unicomp monster 122 key boards on ebay. I'm using it with a Microsoft Trackball Explorer.
>>45880168
Not really. the only thing that will really help that is by learning to type "properly", not in the home row sense, but the good for your body sense.
my poker 2
>>45878984
>>45879182
You bastards.
If you're posting my keyboards, what am I supposed to post?
Also, Happy New Year.
>christmas bucks das keyboard ultimate in transit
Wouldn't normally have considered it but on sale it was less than a ducky shine would have been over here without a god-knows-how-long backorder wait
>keep coming across model M's
>always end up selling them in a pinch
Unless I some day come across a space saver. I'd never let that go.
amazon might still have quickfire rapid browns still, i managed to order one yesterday
$90 free shipping
>>45878900
You're long gone, but what is that mat you use?
>>45881023
It's actually black posterboard from walmart.
>>45878984
Eh I just have one of those cheapo logitech wireless keyboards with the touchpad on the side for stuff like that. Getting a whole other mkb just for browsing youtube in bed seems overkill.
>>45881036
Ah, so it's just for pictures, huh?
Also, have you ever posted your battlestation anywhere?
>>45881048
If I have it's been a long time.
I desperately need a new desk.
>>45881090
I know that feeling.
For now, I just dropped a closet door on top of my old one.
>>45876869
I believe there's another Tai Hao group buy on GH. Doesn't get any cheaper than that.
>>45881169
gamer spotted
I bought one of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823162030
Cause it was $60 at the time and I wanted muh LEDs
a couple threats ago someoe posted a keyboard that was like in between 60% and TKL
idk what it was
anyone
>>45881401
Post a link from the archive.
Got a G710+ For christmas...
>Feelsgood.jpg
Anyone here got one, any recomendations? Debating removing the dampening rings. Also is this compatible with any random fucking MX Switch Cap seller out there in case i want to make my keyboard have multiple colored caps like OPs pic *maybe not that style, but you know*?
>>45881401
That was probably me.
It could be any one of these:
Noppoo Choc Mini
Keycool 84
KBT Race II
Leopold FC660M
Noppoo Lolita
>>45881439
>Leopold FC660M
that was it tyvm
>>45878526
Sweet jesus, that font >>> (also nice color scheme)
>>45878984
I love the design of these keyboards, but it bothers me for whatever reason, like more than i hate the fact that muh tenkeys are gone, but it's 'too' minimalist too me, *although these ones with the detachable wires are absolutely great
>>45876916
>spending 150$ on key caps
>>45881487
>not spending 2-400 bucks on key caps.
Mmm, delicious DSA Granite rounds 1 and 2...
>>45880450
Thanks. Then I will invest in the Healty typing DVD.
Oh noice I just got in for the brobot sale
Finally got one
>>45881455
No problem anon.
