New keyboard....again

[sykozis]

Well, I'm sick of wireless keyboards. I've been looking for a new keyboard for the last few weeks. Every time I wander past a keyboard display in store I have to stop and "play" with the keyboards on display. I'm having a hard time finding a keyboard I like because my desk (keyboard/mouse tray) is very small at just under 24" (or just a tadbit over 60cm). Currently I have an MS Wireless Keyboard 2000 which has issues recording keystrokes from time to time. I want something with a wire...period. I've had nothing but problems from wireless keyboards since moving to this house. So far, the Roccat Arvo and the GEAR HEAD KB1700U are the best options I've found. I'm leaning more towards the Roccat Arvo but wanted to see what people think about Roccat products in general. If you have experience with this particular keyboard, I'd appreciate you sharing it. If there's something better with a similar size, please share.

Opinions, options, facts.....share it all. I'm about ready to start pulling my hair out trying to find a suitable keyboard....

[lehtv]

Logitech Illuminated?

[MM10X]

Leopold tenkeyless with either MX blue(more clicky, louder) or MX brown (less clicky but still tactile, quieter) switches.

http://elitekeyboards.com/products.p...&pid=fc200rcab


After nearly a year behind my razer BlackWidow( MX blues) and months using my leopold tenkeyless otaku for work (MX browns) I can say that I love both for each situation, and they have still not lost any feel or responsiveness since I bought them.

[sirrith]

I really like my razer blackwidow stealth.

[ground_zero298]

Anything but a razer, had 2 key boards, both had driver issues. All they sell is a name, no quality.

[MM10X]

Originally Posted by ground_zero298

Anything but a razer, had 2 key boards, both had driver issues. All they sell is a name, no quality.

My tarantula was pretty bad, but my blackwidow has been flawless.

Compared to the fact the blackwidow was comparably priced to other mechanical keyboards, its actually quite good.

The Cacharias I had lasted 4 years of hard use before the cables started fraying internally, perhaps it was a bit premature but I was not exactly gentle on the cables.
A lot better than the logitech headsets I had that lasted 3-5 months before breaking. (I had 3, they broke like clockwork !!)
Also my Mamba has been pretty good, and I just got a Blackshark that's been pretty phenomenal so far.

Originally Posted by sirrith

I really like my razer blackwidow stealth.

The BlackWidow stealth uses cherry MX brown keys, the regular blackwidow uses MX blues.

[sykozis]

Unfortunately, the Blackwidow is too wide.

The Logitech Illuminated keyboard is wider than my MS Wireless Keyboard 2000....wider isn't an option as my mouse has to fit on the tray with my keyboard.

[MM10X]

Originally Posted by sykozis

Unfortunately, the Blackwidow is too wide.

The Logitech Illuminated keyboard is wider than my MS Wireless Keyboard 2000....wider isn't an option as my mouse has to fit on the tray with my keyboard.

As I said, check out the leopold tenkeyless models, I have one on my desk I just measured 14 1/8" wide.

[Brendruis]

I second the Leopold and they have a matte finish. If I were to buy again I would get it over my current Daskeyboard for that reason alone.

[DSparil]

Originally Posted by MM10X

My tarantula was pretty bad, but my blackwidow has been flawless.

The BlackWidow stealth uses cherry MX brown keys, the regular blackwidow uses MX blues.

^ Exactly this. I have heard some smack about the quality of some Razer products, but I have had absolutely no problem with my Blackwidow. Its of a solid build quality and types VERY well. My model has the Cherry Blues, but like he said the stealth one comes with Browns. I guess the Blues are supposed to be the bomb for typing, while the Browns are supposed to be a balance of "good for typing" and gaming. While this has been great for me, I can honestly say I don't know if the Cherry MX Blues offer any real advantage in gaming.

EDIT: oops, I didn't realize you said the BW is too wide for your work space. Nevermind. Check out the Rosewill or the CM Storm ones, they are affordable and less wide.

[scheherazade]

If I was buying today, I'd go :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823201044

Cheapest NKRO red-switch board around.

-scheherazade

[vavyn]

What about CM storm quickfire rapid. Small enough for your desk.

[Brendruis]

Originally Posted by scheherazade

If I was buying today, I'd go :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823201044

Cheapest NKRO red-switch board around.

-scheherazade

Yeah but apparently it has rampant QC issues look at the reviews there

The switches on them are nice but I think they need an entire product that is good before charging $80 US

[Sever]

i went for a ducky shine with cherry reds. its more or less the same as my old leopold fc500r except this has a few extra keys/functions and has full led backlight.

[lehtv]

Originally Posted by sykozis

Unfortunately, the Blackwidow is too wide.

The Logitech Illuminated keyboard is wider than my MS Wireless Keyboard 2000....wider isn't an option as my mouse has to fit on the tray with my keyboard.

CM Storm Quickfire Rapid $70 AR. Compact and simple mechanical keyboard with NKRO, modular wire, multimedia keys. It has no numeric pad so it's only 14 inch wide, leaving 10 inches for your mouse.

[sykozis]

I've added the CM Storm Quickfire Rapid to the list of potential purchases. The wife shot down the Leopold due to the $100 price tag.

Current list is:
ROCCAT Arvo
CM Storm QuickFire Rapid

[vavyn]

Originally Posted by sykozis

I've added the CM Storm Quickfire Rapid to the list of potential purchases. The wife shot down the Leopold due to the $100 price tag.

Current list is:
ROCCAT Arvo
GEAR HEAD KB1700U
CM Storm QuickFire Rapid

Quickfire rapid $64.99 +free shipping from amazon.

[sykozis]

The Arvo is $54 shipped from Newegg...

The Gear Head keyboard has been removed from the list

[sirrith]

I would not go for CM storm products again, although I've only experienced their mice. First one was horrible (issues with skipping etc...), second one just died for absolutely no reason after 2 years of moderate use (got up to get a drink, came back and the sensor was completely dead).

[sykozis]

Seems the only complaint I've found for the CM Storm Quickfire Rapid is the noise from the mechanical key switches (Cherry MX Blue switches).

Being that I typically just walk into BestBuy and grab whatever keyboard is cheapest, I don't know **** about these Cherry MX switches and what exactly the colors mean other than blue seems to be rather loud and a lot of people seem to prefer brown.

[Sever]

Originally Posted by sykozis

Seems the only complaint I've found for the CM Storm Quickfire Rapid is the noise from the mechanical key switches (Cherry MX Blue switches).

Being that I typically just walk into BestBuy and grab whatever keyboard is cheapest, I don't know **** about these Cherry MX switches and what exactly the colors mean other than blue seems to be rather loud and a lot of people seem to prefer brown.

reds have ~45g actuation force, linear response, no click. blacks have ~60g actuation force, linear response, no clicks.

blues, iirc they have ~50g actuation force, theres a clicking noise, and it has a bump in the feel when the buttons are depressed 2mm to let you know the key has been activated.

i think cherry browns have the bump in the feel, but no clicking noise. cherry clears are similar to browns iirc.

generally they all activate with about 2mm of travel (max 4mm travel), but on the reds and blacks, you dont feel a bump when it activates, whereas you would feel the activation bump with blues and browns.

i prefer cherry reds because theyre light and spammable, which works well for my play style.

[DSparil]

Originally Posted by sykozis

Seems the only complaint I've found for the CM Storm Quickfire Rapid is the noise from the mechanical key switches (Cherry MX Blue switches).

Being that I typically just walk into BestBuy and grab whatever keyboard is cheapest, I don't know **** about these Cherry MX switches and what exactly the colors mean other than blue seems to be rather loud and a lot of people seem to prefer brown.

Here are two great resources for you with excellent descriptions of all Cherry MX key switches:

http://www.daskeyboard.com/blog/?page_id=1458

http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/me...keyboard-guide

I have blues myself, and they do have that tactile click, but I've grown to love it for typing.

[lehtv]

A clicky keyboard may seem like a bad idea, but some people find it comforting .

[saud1]

i know u won't like it...buy its my favorite Logitech G19

[sykozis]

Originally Posted by lehtv

A clicky keyboard may seem like a bad idea, but some people find it comforting .

my computer is in my living room, 3ft to the right of my TV....."clicky keyboards" would just piss my wife off.