Mechanical keyboard, mainly for typing?

Please keep us posted. I'm kinda in the same boat. Looking for something nice to use to type notes with and do some coding on. Currently still studying, but doing a degree in Politics (massive 5000 word essays) and Computer Programming, so need something that i can type well on, without my fingers cramping too much. Laptop keyboard is a bit ****, and im using an external logitech brand atm. Was looking at the mechanical route. I can pickup the CM Storm Quick fire Pro Cherry MX (Blue or brown) For R900 or so. Just not sure which one to go with. I don't mind the noise tbh, just would like to know out of the 2, which is the best suited one. I don't play hectic games as well, perhaps the odd game of Dota 2.

Thanks
 
Ok, so started checking out reviews on youtube. Found a nice video that compares red and black (non tactile feedback) with the blue and brown (tactile feed back).

From what i gathered, for gaming, people would go the black and red route. They seem to react a bit quicker and allow you to slide a lot from key to key. This is somewhat needed for your more hectic mmorpg games. THey do not provide any feedback or bumps, which as a typist, i kind of prefer. The black is a lot heavier than the red, but that being said, from what i've seen neither of those seem to suite the heavy typer. (BEAR IN MIND I HAVEN'T PHYSICALLY USED THEM, basing this on what i've read + seen).

The blue and brown are the ones which are better suited for typers and provide some form of feedback. The blue's appear to be the louder of the 2, but they have a nice clicky noise to them (personal preference). If you bottom them out, then they will make a noise, otherwise its a nice response. It also has the best weighting of all the keyboards, its right in the middle of the brown and the black. The brown switches are near inaudible (Compared to the blue), but they provide more of a bump response than the tactical feedback.

Personally, i'd choose between the blue and brown switches and I reckon im going to order the blue switches on payday, but its personal preference on whether or not you want tactile feedback or more of a bump.

Last question from me, would people recommend the backlit LED over non? Its about a R200 difference, i've never used a backlit keyboard before so not sure how bright or what the advantages over the non backlit in terms of typing would be?
 
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Funnily enough I've settled on the same keyboard, but I'll probably be going for a the brown switches - the blues are far too loud for me, even if you don't bottom them out. The browns seem to be the perfect balance of feedback vs noise.

I did want a keyboard with a wrist rest like the Trigger as suggested above, but nobody locally seems to have this with the brown switches, so I'll probably just buy a gel wristpad separately.

@Lostears - the backlighting is pretty much a gimmick. There's no effect on typing/functionality - it basically looks cool and allows you to play in the dark if you're so inclined.
 
Lostears said:
Last question from me, would people recommend the backlit LED over non? Its about a R200 difference, i've never used a backlit keyboard before so not sure how bright or what the advantages over the non backlit in terms of typing would be?
Click to expand...

If you use your PC in a dimly lit area or at night it's worth it.
 
I type on a keyboard that uses blue switches (reports of typically 100 to 200 pages). These work really well. I have not tried the brown switches for comparison though.
 
Seeyou said:
Really? I got the impression the blue/browns were the ultimate typing experience over your run of the mill mushy key keyboard. Not correct?
Click to expand...

I suppose its personal preference - but not for me.
I have the 2011 Black widow - so that tells you that Iv had it for a few months short of two years and its uses the MX blue switches - which are more for typers and still I prefer typing (type quicker) on my keyboard at work oppose to my mech keyboard at home - what I do like is the feedback.
 
Seeyou said:
Really? I got the impression the blue/browns were the ultimate typing experience over your run of the mill mushy key keyboard. Not correct?
Click to expand...

I suppose its personal preference - but not for me.
I have the 2011 Black widow - so that tells you that Iv had it for a few months short of two years and its uses the MX blue switches - which are more for typers and still I prefer typing (type quicker) on my keyboard at work oppose to my mech keyboard at home - what I do like is the feedback.
 
Lostears said:
Last question from me, would people recommend the backlit LED over non? Its about a R200 difference, i've never used a backlit keyboard before so not sure how bright or what the advantages over the non backlit in terms of typing would be?
Click to expand...
If you are typist, your fingers memorise position and you don't keep your eyes the keyboard, but on screen. So you don't need backlit at all. However when innitially positioning your hands in low light environment it might help (marks on F and J keys are not helping much). Not worth R200. If you chose a keyboard with white keys (instead of current trend - black), you will easily pickup layout even in low light.
 
sajunky said:
If you are typist, your fingers memorise position and you don't keep your eyes the keyboard, but on screen. So you don't need backlit at all. However when innitially positioning your hands in low light environment it might help (marks on F and J keys are not helping much). Not worth R200. If you chose a keyboard with white keys (instead of current trend - black), you will easily pickup layout even in low light.
Click to expand...

I agree with you, i rarely look at my current keyboard as is. Just need to get used to the new keyboard ofc. I reckon I'm going to order the quickfire with blue switches tomorrow. Was going to buy a 24" screen to watch movies on, but that special ended :/. What online sources do you guys use? Rebeltech has it listed for R837 + R80 shipping (R917) or wootware at R888 + R45 shipping (R933).
 
Just to provide some feedback here - I went with the Quickfire Pro Brown MX as a sort of "test" keyboard, albeit an expensive test. Here's the good and bad.

Keyboard itself is dead simple. The backlit keys and the ability to switch refresh rates from 8ms down to 1ms seems to be pretty gimmicky. I'm betting if they left those out nobody would miss them and it would lower the price by a couple hundred rands.

But, typing on this keyboard is fantastic. I can now understand why mechanical owners swear by them, especially for typing. The browns were a great choice - the feedback and feel of typing is spectacular after years of membrane key use - without the clack clack of the blue switches. I haven't had this much "fun" typing for a while.

I'd be very happy with the purchase if it wasn't for a very subjective problem, which is that after years of using an MS Natural 4000, typing on a normal keyboard for long lengths of time actually hurts my wrists. I thought it wouldn't be a problem, but I can feel that carrying on with it would eventually lead to something unpleasant.

After scouring the net for an ergonomic mechanical keyboard, I'm convinced there's a huge hole in the market for something decent here. All the companies offering mechanical ergo solutions out there seem to have lost their minds, or gone overboard with outlandish designs. I would pay some good money for a mechanical MS Natural 4000-like keyboard, but it doesn't seem to exist.

Anyway - just wanted to provide feedback. Great keyboard, am a newly minted fan of mechanical switches, but I can't use the current crop.
 
You have my agreement here. Love the feel of mechanical keyboards but "straight" keyboards hurt my wrist.

There no shortage of entrepreneurs out there so I hope it's just a matter of time.
 
Lostears said:
Ok, so started checking out reviews on youtube. Found a nice video that compares red and black (non tactile feedback) with the blue and brown (tactile feed back).

From what i gathered, for gaming, people would go the black and red route. They seem to react a bit quicker and allow you to slide a lot from key to key. This is somewhat needed for your more hectic mmorpg games. THey do not provide any feedback or bumps, which as a typist, i kind of prefer. The black is a lot heavier than the red, but that being said, from what i've seen neither of those seem to suite the heavy typer. (BEAR IN MIND I HAVEN'T PHYSICALLY USED THEM, basing this on what i've read + seen).

The blue and brown are the ones which are better suited for typers and provide some form of feedback. The blue's appear to be the louder of the 2, but they have a nice clicky noise to them (personal preference). If you bottom them out, then they will make a noise, otherwise its a nice response. It also has the best weighting of all the keyboards, its right in the middle of the brown and the black. The brown switches are near inaudible (Compared to the blue), but they provide more of a bump response than the tactical feedback.

Personally, i'd choose between the blue and brown switches and I reckon im going to order the blue switches on payday, but its personal preference on whether or not you want tactile feedback or more of a bump.

Last question from me, would people recommend the backlit LED over non? Its about a R200 difference, i've never used a backlit keyboard before so not sure how bright or what the advantages over the non backlit in terms of typing would be?
Click to expand...

I don't really see the point of backlights. My QuickFire Pro has some but they're perma-disabled. If you type enough to warrant the pricetag on a mechanical keyboard you should be touch typing anyway in which case it makes zero difference :).

PS if anyone knows if it's possible to buy keysets here in SA (just the keys) please give me a shout. I'd like to get a blank set sometime.
 
What happened in the end?

Seeyou said:
Just to provide some feedback here - I went with the Quickfire Pro Brown MX as a sort of "test" keyboard, albeit an expensive test. Here's the good and bad.

Keyboard itself is dead simple. The backlit keys and the ability to switch refresh rates from 8ms down to 1ms seems to be pretty gimmicky. I'm betting if they left those out nobody would miss them and it would lower the price by a couple hundred rands.

But, typing on this keyboard is fantastic. I can now understand why mechanical owners swear by them, especially for typing. The browns were a great choice - the feedback and feel of typing is spectacular after years of membrane key use - without the clack clack of the blue switches. I haven't had this much "fun" typing for a while.

I'd be very happy with the purchase if it wasn't for a very subjective problem, which is that after years of using an MS Natural 4000, typing on a normal keyboard for long lengths of time actually hurts my wrists. I thought it wouldn't be a problem, but I can feel that carrying on with it would eventually lead to something unpleasant.

After scouring the net for an ergonomic mechanical keyboard, I'm convinced there's a huge hole in the market for something decent here. All the companies offering mechanical ergo solutions out there seem to have lost their minds, or gone overboard with outlandish designs. I would pay some good money for a mechanical MS Natural 4000-like keyboard, but it doesn't seem to exist.

Anyway - just wanted to provide feedback. Great keyboard, am a newly minted fan of mechanical switches, but I can't use the current crop.
Click to expand...


Hey, so what did you do in the end? Did you keep it/get rid of it?


I'm literally in the same boat as you: I have been using a MS Ergo 4000 for about 7 years now, and I just ordered this CM Storm Quickfire Ultimate, with the Cherry Blues.

I game a lot, but, like you, type for a living. So I'm quite excited. What I'd really really like is to be able to replace my Ergo 4000's keys with mechanical ones. Alas...
 
I recently got the Meka TT E-Sports keyboard with Cherry Black keys.

I honestly can't complain about them other than it taking a bit of time to get used to the typing with them as I sometimes miss a key.
In general though it is a far more enjoyable experience.
 
I also recently bought a mechanical keyboard, CM Storm quickfire TK with brown switches. One of the best choices I have made in my life. The keyboard is simple, practical, and compact. The cherry mx brown switches strike a balance between gaming and typing, which is really useful for someone who does both. Had it for a few days already, and falling more in love with it everyday!
 
Electric said:
I recently got the Meka TT E-Sports keyboard with Cherry Black keys.

I honestly can't complain about them other than it taking a bit of time to get used to the typing with them as I sometimes miss a key.
In general though it is a far more enjoyable experience.
Click to expand...
How do you find the black switches?
 
HDS said:
How do you find the black switches?
Click to expand...

Well it's the first mechanical keyboard I've had so I don't have anything to compare it to other than a normal membrane keyboard.
The keys are great, the black switches don't have to loud of a click and have a decent spring to them when pushed.
 
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