Recommend me a gaming keyboard

AnimeJ wrote:
Squee9 wrote:

I got a 10% off coupon so sometime in November I may upgrade from my $5 logitech keyboard the to Razer Black Widow Ultimate Stealth Edition. I have a thing for Razer stuff and blue backlighting, and this thing seems pretty schweet.

http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-keyb...

Any reason to not do this?

I shorted a corsair vengance with a beverage earlier and replaced it with one of the green backlit versions. I like it very much. Bonus points because all the keys are mechanical, to include the macro keys on the right hand side. It weighs a bloody ton(no joke, I swear it weighs as much as my 10 month old does), and I really like the MX Blues that they used, even if they're clicky as all get-out.

So, yea, totally worth doing IMO.

The weight doesn't bother me, as this will go on to my home station desktop computer that never moves.

I'm a very suboptimal keyboard user in general. I use only my ring, middle, and index finger of my left hand for hotkeys and WASD while gaming. Basically my hand can adapt to any configuration.

Squee9 wrote:
AnimeJ wrote:
Squee9 wrote:

I got a 10% off coupon so sometime in November I may upgrade from my $5 logitech keyboard the to Razer Black Widow Ultimate Stealth Edition. I have a thing for Razer stuff and blue backlighting, and this thing seems pretty schweet.

http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-keyb...

Any reason to not do this?

I shorted a corsair vengance with a beverage earlier and replaced it with one of the green backlit versions. I like it very much. Bonus points because all the keys are mechanical, to include the macro keys on the right hand side. It weighs a bloody ton(no joke, I swear it weighs as much as my 10 month old does), and I really like the MX Blues that they used, even if they're clicky as all get-out.

So, yea, totally worth doing IMO.

The weight doesn't bother me, as this will go on to my home station desktop computer that never moves.

I'm a very suboptimal keyboard user in general. I use only my ring, middle, and index finger of my left hand for hotkeys and WASD while gaming. Basically my hand can adapt to any configuration.

Huge thumbs up for the Razer Blackwidow Ultimate Stealth. I actually sold off a CM Storm Quickfire Pro within a week of buying it and got the Razer BWUS as a replacement and never looked back since. Even though they both use MX Cherry Browns, I found using the Razer BWUS to be a far better experience.

I dropped an entire cup of coffee into my 6 year old cheapy Genius keyboard. I wish I could justify a nice mechanical keyboard, but it's impossible sadly.

MrDeVil909 wrote:

I dropped an entire cup of coffee into my 6 year old cheapy Genius keyboard. I wish I could justify a nice mechanical keyboard, but it's impossible sadly.

I did it by having to work through thanksgiving and the winter holidays. There's suddenly money for mechanical keyboards now that I'm not buying plane tickets.

Also, the Razer Blackwidow Ultimate Stealth Edition is the least stealthy keyboard name ever. It's so long it almost mocks itself.

The names for most of these keyboards are beyond ridiculous.

The one mechanical keyboard I can find locally that isn't crazy priced is the Thermaltake Meka. Not too bad, but the switches are Cherry Black which I understand suck for typing, and the layout looks a bit weird. Otherwise, though it's not mechanical, the Razer Arctosa is a super pretty piece of equipment at a decent price.

Still a little rich for me though.

But this AOpen piece of crap I'm using now is driving me mad.

Well, I don't think the Cherry MX Blacks are bad for typing at all. I find them very pleasant and very fast.

The blacks are fine, they just don't have the click.

MrDeVil909 wrote:

Still a little rich for me though.

But this AOpen piece of crap I'm using now is driving me mad.

Consider going for that Monoprice keyboard, then. Sure it doesn't have all the media & macro keys or fancy lighting, but it will be nicest typing experience you can get for that price, guaranteed.

Squee9 wrote:
MrDeVil909 wrote:

I dropped an entire cup of coffee into my 6 year old cheapy Genius keyboard. I wish I could justify a nice mechanical keyboard, but it's impossible sadly.

I did it by having to work through thanksgiving and the winter holidays. There's suddenly money for mechanical keyboards now that I'm not buying plane tickets.

Also, the Razer Blackwidow Ultimate Stealth Edition is the least stealthy keyboard name ever. It's so long it almost mocks itself.

Relevant:

Stealth is such a great word though. Regardless, this keyboard of infinite superlatives will be mine!

So what do you guys think of Das Keyboard? I'm looking for a mechanical that A) has a numpad, B) has media controls, C) is NOT backlit, D) has a minimalist aesthetic. Das Keyboard looks pretty much perfect...if only they made an ergonomic model. Also, really wish I had somewhere to actually try out the different switches in person, can't decide between them without testing.

Just ordered the Logitech G710+ off of newegg. It was a little pricier than I wanted but it has all the features I want. Also everything I've gotten from Logitech has lasted forever so hopefully that still applies.

I really enjoy my Das Keyboard S. Brown switches feel great for typing or games, sound isn't OUTRAGEOUS. Still kind of loud.

Dysplastic wrote:

So what do you guys think of Das Keyboard? I'm looking for a mechanical that A) has a numpad, B) has media controls, C) is NOT backlit, D) has a minimalist aesthetic. Das Keyboard looks pretty much perfect...if only they made an ergonomic model. Also, really wish I had somewhere to actually try out the different switches in person, can't decide between them without testing.

I was about to correct you on point B, but then I checked their website and they added media keys in a new model a couple of months ago. On the subject of switches, don't sweat the details. Just get their standard "clicky" model and revel in the cathartic response from every keystroke. You might be able to find a Razer BlackWidow on shelves at a store near you. (Usually at a Best Buy here in the US.) They are built with the same Cherry MX Blue switches as the Das Keyboard, and the packaging is designed to let you press the arrow keys to get a feel for the difference it makes.

Dysplastic wrote:

So what do you guys think of Das Keyboard? I'm looking for a mechanical that A) has a numpad, B) has media controls, C) is NOT backlit, D) has a minimalist aesthetic. Das Keyboard looks pretty much perfect...if only they made an ergonomic model. Also, really wish I had somewhere to actually try out the different switches in person, can't decide between them without testing.

I've owned two, and they don't last. Both fell to sh*t very quickly.

Malor wrote:
Dysplastic wrote:

So what do you guys think of Das Keyboard? I'm looking for a mechanical that A) has a numpad, B) has media controls, C) is NOT backlit, D) has a minimalist aesthetic. Das Keyboard looks pretty much perfect...if only they made an ergonomic model. Also, really wish I had somewhere to actually try out the different switches in person, can't decide between them without testing.

I've owned two, and they don't last. Both fell to sh*t very quickly.

Out of curiosity, what were the weak points that caused them to break?

You know, I don't remember anymore. But neither board lasted even six months for me.

Malor wrote:

You know, I don't remember anymore. But neither board lasted even six months for me.

They are pretty simple boards, so if it was just the switches going out, that wouldn't be a Das Keyboard brand related issue. I was curious if it was something else that was tied to the Das Keyboard brand specifically.

I had a switch go out on my Steelseries 7G after about 1 year (S from using WASD a lot). I was easily able to replace it on my own and keep the keyboard going. That's an issue related to any mechanical keyboard using Cherry MX switches.

I looked up that gif of a stick person using a computer and then beating on the keyboard in a sequence of constant escalation until nothing but a bloody heap remains of the person. Then I didn't post it. Then Malor posted "I don't remember anymore" and I kind of want to dig it back up.

Malor wrote:
Dysplastic wrote:

So what do you guys think of Das Keyboard? I'm looking for a mechanical that A) has a numpad, B) has media controls, C) is NOT backlit, D) has a minimalist aesthetic. Das Keyboard looks pretty much perfect...if only they made an ergonomic model. Also, really wish I had somewhere to actually try out the different switches in person, can't decide between them without testing.

I've owned two, and they don't last. Both fell to sh*t very quickly.

Hm. Could you recommend something else that would meet my requirements? Have the keyboards I've seen have too much of a "L33T GAMZOR" look to them (I really hate the look of Razer accessories), and the other half look great but don't have a numpad, which is a must.

I'm not sure what could have "fell to sh*t" on a Das. I used one for a decently long time and liked it. I sold it to Boogle around this time last year and as far as I know he's been using it ever since.

Dysplastic wrote:

too much of a "L33T GAMZOR" look

The bar on that look has been raised (or is that lowered?) Madkatz has announced their latest abomination, the STRIKE 5.

Steelseries 7G! Being extremely heavy and having that big plastic shroud makes it feel like it's part of the table. It's very simple and clean looking.

Dysplastic wrote:

Hm. Could you recommend something else that would meet my requirements? Have the keyboards I've seen have too much of a "L33T GAMZOR" look to them (I really hate the look of Razer accessories), and the other half look great but don't have a numpad, which is a must.

I haven't found anything modern that I really like. I'm presently using a Model M on my desktop, and I'd buy a Unicomp in a heartbeat if they did N-key rollover, which is the major drawback to those keyboards. (just like the Model M.)

As far as I can tell, a Model M appears to have a service lifetime longer than most humans.

All I can say for sure, in reference to the Das Keyboards, is that I was an early adopter, and I felt badly burned when the second keyboard stopped working correctly. I wish I could remember more specifically what the problem was, but I can definitely say this: I have owned two Das units, and I am now using a Model M.

Dysplastic wrote:

Hm. Could you recommend something else that would meet my requirements?

Perhaps a Ducky? No personal experience with them, but they seem to be universally liked by anyone that has owned one.

Just got my G710+ in. I'm really liking it so far. Way more solid construction than any of the cheapo keyboards I've owned over the years. I'll have to get used to the fact that all the shiftable keys have the two symbols reversed to match with the backlighting. I also can't use the G keys yet since they haven't put the drivers up on the webpage yet. Can't really blame them on the last one since I don't think the keyboard is officially released yet. Glad they stuck with a simple look even though it's a gaming keyboard.

Squee9 wrote:
AnimeJ wrote:
Squee9 wrote:

I got a 10% off coupon so sometime in November I may upgrade from my $5 logitech keyboard the to Razer Black Widow Ultimate Stealth Edition. I have a thing for Razer stuff and blue backlighting, and this thing seems pretty schweet.

http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-keyb...

Any reason to not do this?

I shorted a corsair vengance with a beverage earlier and replaced it with one of the green backlit versions. I like it very much. Bonus points because all the keys are mechanical, to include the macro keys on the right hand side. It weighs a bloody ton(no joke, I swear it weighs as much as my 10 month old does), and I really like the MX Blues that they used, even if they're clicky as all get-out.

So, yea, totally worth doing IMO.

The weight doesn't bother me, as this will go on to my home station desktop computer that never moves.

I'm a very suboptimal keyboard user in general. I use only my ring, middle, and index finger of my left hand for hotkeys and WASD while gaming. Basically my hand can adapt to any configuration.

I didn't intend the weight as a con; I like that it weighs a ton. I find that it moves around on my desk less than any other keyboard I have owned, which is absolutely a good thing.

As for the name? Yea, definitely a mile long, and there's nothing at all stealthy about these keys. I swear that they could wake the dead. But I really do like the feel of them.

@Falchion: Which model do you have? I've got the new model and it's using MX Blues, not Browns.

AnimeJ wrote:

@Falchion: Which model do you have? I've got the new model and it's using MX Blues, not Browns.

Mine is the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Gaming Stealth. It's exclusive to the Razer online store.

For some reason, Razer doesn't seem to come right out and tell us what Cherry MX keys are in use. However the description given here is:
- Full mechanical keys with 45g actuation force
- Silent, tactile feedback on key press

And there is only one type of Cherry MX keys that match that: Brown

I asked one of my Military unit reserves buddies who is a mechanical engineer working for Razer if this was true and he confirmed it.

If you look on the box it should say. I've got the Ultimate 2013 edition and it says that it uses Blues.

All the Ultimate versions uses the Blues. It's the Stealth versions that uses the Browns.