Help me decide which mechanical keyboard I should get

[Fexyo]

Howdy,

I want to replace my Razer Blackwidow Ultimate. The "R" key doesn't work every time and it is really annoying to have to check every couple of words if the key registered. I definitely want another mechanical keyboard with MX Blue switches.

I heard good things about these keyboards:

1. Filco Majestouch 2 https://www.diatec.co.jp/en/det.php?prod_c=759

2. Das Keyboard Model S http://www.daskeyboard.com/model-s-professional/

3. Ducky Shine 3 http://www.duckychannel.com.tw/en/Shine_3_DK9008.html

4. Coolermaster Storm QuickFire XT http://gaming.coolermaster.com/en/products/keyboards/quickfirext/

Build quality is the most important factor for me. Backlighting is a plus but not necessary. I like the Filco and the Coolermaster the most in terms of looks, but I don't know about the build quality.

Which one do you think I should get and why?

Thanks in advance for any useful replies

 

[inachu]

I never tried the blue switches keyboard. Do they cost more?

 

[adairusmc]

I know it is not on your list, but yesterday I picked up a new Logitech G910 Orion Spark keyboard, and the thing is amazing. Expensive, but totally worth it over my old G19s and much better than my G710 I have on another machine.

I have never seen a keyboard with the build quality of this one. It feels heavy, solid, and seems to be built to last a lifetime. Definitely a huge step up from the G710

Pics -

My battlefield 4 light profile -

 

[DigDog]

filco and ducky are at the top of the quality game.
check out deskthority and geekhack for more answers.

 

[Childs]

I know it is not on your list, but yesterday I picked up a new Logitech G910 Orion Spark keyboard, and the thing is amazing. Expensive, but totally worth it over my old G19s and much better than my G710 I have on another machine.

I have never seen a keyboard with the build quality of this one. It feels heavy, solid, and seems to be built to last a lifetime. Definitely a huge step up from the G710

I bought a 710+ last week to replace a Black Widow Ultimate 2013, and I like it. I didn't actually know about the 910, but I wanted regular white backlighting. Once thing I noticed with my RGB mouse is that white is more of a light blue. How is white on your 910? Probably won't be in the market for another keyboard for at least another year, but you never know what kind of deals will pop up.

 

[adairusmc]

I bought a 710+ last week to replace a Black Widow Ultimate 2013, and I like it. I didn't actually know about the 910, but I wanted regular white backlighting. Once thing I noticed with my RGB mouse is that white is more of a light blue. How is white on your 910? Probably won't be in the market for another keyboard for at least another year, but you never know what kind of deals will pop up.

I just changed my green group to white, and it looks pretty white to me.

I did not know about the G910 either, but I guess it just came out. I picked one up on Friday from Bestbuy, who apparently is the only retailer other than Logitech that is selling at this point (Bestbuy is advertising it as "only at bestbuy" right now).

 

[bononos]

Howdy,

I want to replace my Razer Blackwidow Ultimate. The "R" key doesn't work every time and it is really annoying to have to check every couple of words if the key registered. I definitely want another mechanical keyboard with MX Blue switches.
......
Which one do you think I should get and why?
Thanks in advance for any useful replies

The general consensus is that Filco/Ducky is top tier. Das should be up there but they recently changed their oem. The Quickfire XT seems to have issues with soldering. Anyone of the above would still be better than Razer.

 

[Fexyo]

@inachu: I'm pretty sure the different kinds of MX switches all cost the same.

@adairusmc: That thing looks awesome, but I don't need all that extra stuff, like macros etc. I have never used the macro keys on my Blackwidow, so that is unnecessary for me. Anyways, thank you for your reply and have fun with your new board.

@DigDog: Thanks for the info, I'll check out deskthority and geekhack.

@Childs: Pretty much the same as I wrote about the G910 recommended by adairusmc. But have fun with that 710 Plus.

@bononos: In that case the Quickfire XT is not an option. Concerning Das I do not want to take the chance. So it is pretty much down to Filco vs. Ducky. I'll do some more research on the sites DigDog mentioned.

Thank you all for the helpful replies

 

[Dessicant]

I know it is not on your list, but yesterday I picked up a new Logitech G910 Orion Spark keyboard, and the thing is amazing. Expensive, but totally worth it over my old G19s and much better than my G710 I have on another machine.

I have never seen a keyboard with the build quality of this one. It feels heavy, solid, and seems to be built to last a lifetime. Definitely a huge step up from the G710

Pics -

My battlefield 4 light profile -

I totally have to second this recommendation. I just got one of these also and it is sick, just sick. Heavy, robust, gorgeous. The backlighting is otherworldly, and you can set up all the zones you want, down to the individual key. I have my letters and numbers set to off white, but I decided to make the F & J their own zone (red) so they stand out for touch type position. The Romer switches feel lovely and surefooted. I also decided to supplement this with the G13 gaming keypad which contains 22 G-keys to set up macros. I am a macro freak and love G-keys. Big time saver, especially for setting up the G-keys for passwords. One other really cool extra is the volume control wheel on the Orion. It allows you to control your volume very easily and accurately. Nice mute button right beside the wheel for when the phone rings. The bold character font they used for the caps is great, and their boldness adds to the beauty provided by the backlights.

The Romers are smooth and deft, not clicky, so if you are a Cherry switch click freak, you may not like the action. But I love it. I had high hopes for a $200 keyboard, but when I got through with setting up my color schemes and got down to typing up some overdue reports, I was sold! This keyboard exceeded my high expectations. It's also a super fast keyboard if you are a touch-type speed demon.

I've been using it for about 6 hours and I don't want to go to bed! Very svelte profile also, not too big.

I love cool kit, and this thing is a work of art.

 

[Dessicant]

I bought a 710+ last week to replace a Black Widow Ultimate 2013, and I like it. I didn't actually know about the 910, but I wanted regular white backlighting. Once thing I noticed with my RGB mouse is that white is more of a light blue. How is white on your 910? Probably won't be in the market for another keyboard for at least another year, but you never know what kind of deals will pop up.

The color wheel is mixable. You can dial in some warmer red or orange in the key colors to pull out the blue. I just experimented and achieved a satisfactory white. Not perfect, but very good.

 

[Dessicant]

So it's a day later and I am getting used to the combination of the Orion and the G13 G-key expansion unit. Just stupendous. The Logitech software operates all the peripherals with the same interface. So your Orion and your G13 and your Logitech gaming mouse all just appear in the interface and are customizable using this one program which graphically represents each of them and makes configuration a snap. And the configuration is deep and detailed. One thing the Orion removes is the LCD screen. I used that a lot and was anticipating missing it. That function can now go to your I-phone, however that's kludgy. But! The G13 contains a slightly larger version of the LCD screen previously found on the G510. And best of all, it recognizes the Orion and when you press the macro recording key on the Orion, the G13 seamlessly displays the instructions and notifications previously contained on the integrated LCD. Too cool! If you like macro keys, this could not be any better. You've got 9 on the Orion and 22 more on the G13. Plus each has 3 "modes". So M1 can contain 31 macros, and M2 and M3 add 62 more. That's 96 macros! And, that's all in 1 profile. You can save as many custom profiles as you want. So that's, like, infinite macro keys. I can set up a very deep suite of video editing macro keys for use when I am running Avid Media Composer or Adobe Premiere Pro. Or when I am running Adobe Muse or Dreamweaver, I can have a macro set for web design. Or if I'm playing some guitar and recording into Pro Tools I can set up a suite of music recording macros. Amazing!

Mad props to Logitech for offering these solutions. These are gaming keyboards, and I am getting tremendous pleasure and productivity using them for conventional applications. I haven't even touched their capabilities in a gaming scenario, and that's what they are designed for!

Oh, and I love these Romer key switches. Very comfortable to touch type with.

 

[alexeus]

Yep, also recommending the G710. Logitech know its businesses when it comes down to keyboards. I'm looking for an upgrade too and I'm thinking to get this as Christmas present It's pretty expensive tho, I'm trying to wait and see if I can find any discounts or something, with the holidays coming now.

 

[Childs]

Yep, also recommending the G710. Logitech know its businesses when it comes down to keyboards. I'm looking for an upgrade too and I'm thinking to get this as Christmas present It's pretty expensive tho, I'm trying to wait and see if I can find any discounts or something, with the holidays coming now.

If you are interesting in the G710 or G710+ you missed out on a bunch of deals recently. Maybe wait for an after Xmas deal. I got my 710+ new for $90 two weeks ago, and there were factory refurbs for $70 during that period as well.

 

[smackababy]

I have a DAS Model S at home and another at work. I love them. I had a G710+ and some keys stopped responded, but I did spill wine on it. I do a lot of typing, both at work and at home, so I have Cherry MX Blues on both.

 

[imported_Baxter]

spend the money get a ducky shine

 

[Childs]

G710+ is back down to $90 on Amazon.

 

[sphenodont]

Which one do you think I should get and why?

Thanks in advance for any useful replies

A bit late to the party, but I've had my Filco Majestouch (with brown switches) for almost six years, and it's still as stellar as the first day I got it.

I'm looking at getting the CODE keyboard, but only because I want one for the office and I'm thinking it might be quieter.