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Any inexpensive mechanical keyboards?

N

nine9s

Senior member
What is a good inexpensive mechanical keyboard? No funky keys (media control nor power sleep etc.), just a normal layout and good crisp key feel.
Anything in $50 range?
 
nine9s said:
What is a good inexpensive mechanical keyboard? No funky keys (media control nor power sleep etc.), just a normal layout and good crisp key feel.
Anything in $50 range?
Click to expand...

The closest you'll get is a Cooler Master Storm, which is considered to be an exception value in the world of mechanical keyboards.

Or you could checkout geekhack.org and try to pick up a used board on the cheap.
 
There's a decent guide here. It's a bit old, but will give you a rough price/breakdown of a lot keyboards.

In reality they seem to start around $70, but if you hunt you should be able to find something for less.
 
i wish retailers would sell the cooler master storm in cherry mx reds. im a huge of tenkeyless keyboards, and cooler master is priced very well!
 
Is this the Quickfire Rapid you guys are talking about? The one without numpad.

...I wouldn't even consider that over a SteelSeries 6gv2
 
There was a guy on geekhack selling some ABS M1s for $30+shipping. They use black Alps (or some sort of Alps), but if you've ever stopped by Fry's and tried one of the Siig mechanicals (also with Alps) they're clicky and loud as hell. To my ears they were louder than Cherry blues, but I don't know of the actual specifications.

Get one from the Geekhack classifieds. That's where I got mine. And be sure not to go into the group buy section, lest your wallet be raped big time.
 
richaron said:
there are some hardcore keyboard guys. I feel a bit dirty now, but it's awesome stuff
Click to expand...

Well, they do know their stuff. I'm not going to obsess over it as much as some of them do, but it's an invaluable resource when it comes to something so many of us skimp on.

Plus I get to look at my awesome keycaps 😀
 
DigDog said:
CM storm tenkeyless, red, /thread
Click to expand...

Crisis averted. I forgot everyone wants less of a keyboard, with an inferior build quality, for the same price as other options.

Edit: Sorry for getting dragged off topic. Damn hipsters.
 
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nine9s said:
Any experience with them?
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Depends. Do you have a wife? Do you like having sex with her? If so, you probably want to avoid any buckling spring keyboard...

🙂

I've tried one out, and I loved the feel of the springs. I couldn't get past the noise, though. My Cherry browns already make enough as it is. People over at Geekhack usually have good things to say about the Customizers. You could always check ebay for a better deal, I almost bought an Endurapro for $36 shipped until I realized I had no use for it.
 
chubbyfatazn said:
Depends. Do you have a wife? Do you like having sex with her? If so, you probably want to avoid any buckling spring keyboard...

🙂

I've tried one out, and I loved the feel of the springs. I couldn't get past the noise, though. My Cherry browns already make enough as it is. People over at Geekhack usually have good things to say about the Customizers. You could always check ebay for a better deal, I almost bought an Endurapro for $36 shipped until I realized I had no use for it.
Click to expand...

I do not mind the noise. Is everything besides noise ok? Good feel? sturdy and well made?

They only come in PS2 or USB. I would rather have PS2 but I guess for future proofing I should get USB in case hard to get motherboards with Ps2. Any downside to that - I know gaming keyboards only have n-key roll-over via PS2, whereas in USB it is like 6 keys. Any draws backs to USB besides gaming?
 
Customizers are bad gaming keyboards. They are fantastic to type on by they have serious issues with key roll over. I had one for a while and you could not press shift, W, and D at the same time.
 
I'd love to have a buckling spring keyboard, but there's no chance I'm buying Unicomp before they sort out the rollover. It's plain weird that Unicomp hasn't bothered to offer a NKRO board by now.
 
Devastated that the ABS-M1 isn't being made anymore! I recently moved back to the states and left mine behind figuring I'd just pick up a new one because it was so affordable. There doesn't seem to be a replacement to the M1 in that price-range, so nothing cheaper than about $60 for a mechanical.

A shame really.
 
I'm a disagreeable sort. BLACKS ARE FOR REEL MEN.

...Or more importantly I'll answer the OP. They didn't ask for a cut down ~brand name~ keyboard, with red baseplate, and 'QUICK FIRE' written on the space bar.
 
chubbyfatazn said:
+1

If you want a tenkeyless the Noppoo Choc Mini isn't bad at all.
Click to expand...
Noppoos are not standard USB and do not work with Macs, so I haven't bought one. Otherwise very attractive boards. I would prefer a board which was that compact, but am stuck with Topre tenkeyless width.

My personal dream keyboard would have a Happy Hacking Lite2 layout + dedicated function key row + additional thumb keys + uniform 45g switches + Bluetooth 4.0 wireless, and could be used while split in two halves.
 
nine9s said:
Thanks. In reading reviews, I came across these: http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/keyboards.html

Unicomp, current owners of the IBM M keyboard design, make a buckling spring keyboard almost exactly like the IBM M. And it is made in the USA. It is $80. Any experience with them?
Click to expand...

That's sweet! I just wish it wasn't so damn big. I typed on a clicky IBM for years and thought that was the only keyboard made... until after I left them behind and couldn't find another one...
 
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