Keyboard advice, mechanical worth the hype?

G

Ghost02

Expert Member
Joined
May 16, 2008
Messages
3,749
Reaction score
125
Location
CPT
Hi Guys, I'm in the market for a new keyboard, I occasionally play Dota2, starting to play Tomb Raider and might start playing more games, I'm also a second year computer science student so also do some coding. I'm looking for a keyboard in the sub R1k bracket and I've seen lots of people rave about mechanical keyboards. I live in Durban so I will probably be ordering online. So far it looks like my options are

http://www.takealot.com/computers/c...cat-isku-illuminated-gaming-keyboard,10814833
Non mechanical but looks cool and the Roccat talk feature sounds nice if I get a Roccat mouse too.

http://www.wootware.co.za/coolermaster-sgk-4020-gkcr1-cherry-mx-red-quickfire-backlit-keyboard.html
Mechanical, not many bells and whistles, prefer blue or white back lighting. (not sure which color switches to get)

http://www.wootware.co.za/steelseries-6gv2-gaming-keyboard.html
As above

http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=2453
heard good things but not mechanical, would probably choose the roccat over this

Any input or further suggestions would be appreciated,
Thanks

EDIT: Also, are these worth it or should I stick to my cheapy microsoft keyboard?
 
Last edited:
Why don't you try and get a old IBM one and test that out first.
 
Because I've never heard of that lol. Where would get one to test? I'm assuming its mechanical?
 
I've tried out the Quickfire before, it's worth every cent. The lack of separate directional buttons is a drawback for me because I've been frustrated with the Roccat Arvo, but the backlights and mechanical switches should more than make up for that. The ISKU looks nice, but Roccat's membraneous keyboards have never really appealed to me. They don't feel very stable and have to be bottomed out with each key press.
 
Damn, that's what looked weird in the quickfire's picture, scratch that off the list, I need separate directional buttons, I use them to browse through my code. I've never used a mechanical keyboard so I'm not quite sure what it feels like to not have to bottom out keys. Postman, do you use a mechanical keyboard? If so which one?

Quickfire pro seams to have it http://www.takealot.com/computers/c...kfire-pro-mechanical-gaming-keyboard,11029098.. I wish I could have the look and features of the ISKU with the hype of mechanical keys and not have to wait months for the next roccat keyboard to arrive in SA.
 
Last edited:
I just got the Quickfire Tk (brown switch, white backlight) from PP :)

I too was a little wary of the design but it was the only Cherry Mx brown (what I wanted) KB available at the time in ZA. I am glad I went for it! You can either use the directional keys & lock keys or the numpad at once. In the few weeks that I have had it I think I have used the numpad once and the directional keys the other 99.99% of the time so its no big deal at all.

Mx Brown keyboards are the best IMO. Tactile feedback but not as noisy as the Blues.

Really nice and compact design and the mechanical feel is worlds apart from my other keyboards.
 
And if I took gaming out of the equation? Mechanical for coding?
 
I would probably have one, except that I find them to be too noisy for my liking. I know there are some quieter ones, and you can get little orings to make it even more quiet, but thats not for me
 
Ghost02 said:
Damn, that's what looked weird in the quickfire's picture, scratch that off the list, I need separate directional buttons, I use them to browse through my code. I've never used a mechanical keyboard so I'm not quite sure what it feels like to not have to bottom out keys. Postman, do you use a mechanical keyboard? If so which one?

Quickfire pro seams to have it http://www.takealot.com/computers/c...kfire-pro-mechanical-gaming-keyboard,11029098.. I wish I could have the look and features of the ISKU with the hype of mechanical keys and not have to wait months for the next roccat keyboard to arrive in SA.
Click to expand...

ISKU is absolutely junk.

I have a CM Storm Quickfire Rapid with blue switches.
 
I'd go for
http://titan-ice.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=68_119&products_id=9261

but yea its all about preference. all my gaming hardware is razer and i cant say anything bad :P because my razer anansi + razer naga combo have really improved my gaming capability's my keyboards not mechanical but i assume since u will be coding i guess a mechanical keyboard would be great for you especially with anti ghosting.
 
It doesn't look like it has a dedicated num pad unfortunately :(
 
I just got a Quickfire Storm TK Blue Switches, it's so fun typing on it it's so loud and awesome!
 
I've been told by reputable sources that they are noisy, but 110% worth it. Much faster typing and much more comfortable. It's number one on my PC to-buy list.
 
Looks quite good, was also thinking about raising the budget and just getting the Corsair K90. What are your guys thoughts on the different colour switches?

Pooky, I think I remember you being somewhere in Durban, I'm located in Hillcrest, did you find you keyboard locally? Looking for a store where I can try them out.
 
Ghost02 said:
Looks quite good, was also thinking about raising the budget and just getting the Corsair K90. What are your guys thoughts on the different colour switches?

Pooky, I think I remember you being somewhere in Durban, I'm located in Hillcrest, did you find you keyboard locally? Looking for a store where I can try them out.
Click to expand...

Corsair's range is being revamped soon. I would wait. Plus the current ones aren't fully mechanical, with the 'less used' keys being rubber dome.

Would recommend sticking with CM Storm. Such good quality keyboards. If noise is an issue I would go with brown switches, but if you have a personal space you will probably love banging away on blue switches.

Steelseries seems to only come in black and red, they just aren't as satisfying. No tactile bump and/or click at actuation, just straight down until you bottom out. Blue > brown > red > black IMO.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X