Question Looking for nice backlit full-sized keyboard with MX Brown (or equivalent) switches

[Bobsy]

Hello,
I've been using a Cooler Master Quickfire XT with MX Blue switches for the last two years, but I am tired of the audible switches with their clicky sound. My ideal keyboard would come with MX Brown. I really need the numpad as I use my PC for both work and play.
I looked at what Dmitri from Hardware Canucks uses. I was hoping Xtrfy made the K4 with MX Browns, but that's not the case. Also, Logitech G Pro X does not come in full size, unfortunately.
Any suggestion for a good keyboard?
Thank you, Robert

 

[Fanatical Meat]

With the warning I am not a keyboard connoisseur I do like my cm storm keyboard but upon inspection they no longer make it.
I guess I am saying look at the cooler master keyboards. Mine is has a satisfying clunk when pushed but not an irritating clunk and it has lasted me more than 6 years (I think), maybe it’s been 10 I forgot.
Has a blue back light.

 

[sdifox]

My Razer BlackWidow Elite feels pretty close to my Model M.
Not sure how long the key caps will last though.

It is definitely clicky, so if you don't like that, don't know get this xd.

Keyboards and mice are definitely try first before you buy things.

 

[Bobsy]

Thank you both. I will check these out!

 

[Spikke]

Check out wasdkeyboards.com and mechanicalkeyboards.com, a lot of options to meet your requirements.

 

[Dranoche]

Check out wasdkeyboards.com and mechanicalkeyboards.com, a lot of options to meet your requirements.

This. Generally a little more expensive than the usual brands but even the cheaper ones tend to have PBT keycaps vs the ABS all the big manufacturers use.

You can get the Quickfire XT with browns, or could. Looks discontinued but might still be a couple sitting around somewhere. Pretty much all CM keyboards are offered in red/blue/brown or red/black/brown. Some that offer blues also offer greens.

Razer green is like Cherry blue, Razer orange like Cherry brown, and Razer yellow like Cherry red/black. Razer Pro Type looks like the only one with oranges now.

Logitech colors their switches the same as Cherry, or calls out linear/tactile/clicky. The Logitech K845 is a non-gaming branded mechanical which offers browns. The G512 can be had with tactile switches, and the G413 has tactile switches. Both are priced about the same as the Quickfire XT.

 

[OlyAR15]

I love my Ducky One 2 TKL keyboard with Cherry Browns. I have two of them. They also make a full size version.

 

[dlerious]

I love my Ducky One 2 TKL keyboard with Cherry Browns. I have two of them. They also make a full size version.

I have the Ducky Shine with Browns. Picked mine up at mechanicalkeyboards.

 

[Fallen Kell]

I have had a lot of good luck with my current keyboard (I think I got it 9-10 years ago now), but I don't think it is made anymore and/or it seems to have been updated but not necessarily using the Cherry MX Browns anymore (I think it now is only available with Black or Reds, not Browns like I have).

In anycase, it is the Tesoro Durandal Ultimate. You might still be able to find the version that had Browns, but like I said, the current editions are a choice of Red or Black now. The thing I really liked about it was that the macros/profiles were physically loaded into the keyboard. So once it was setup, I could simply take that keyboard with me and plug it into a new system or a rebuilt system and all my settings/customizations were still there (no need to load up the software/drivers and worry about being able to import a saved profile that may/may not work with the potentially new version of the software/drivers for the new OS version). It also meant that the macros/profiles worked under other operating systems such as linux or OS X.

My only complaint about it is that it doesn't have a replaceable USB and audio connectors (they are hard wired and I would need to open it up and resolder to replace if there was ever a problem with them).

Otherwise, it has everything you could basically ask for. Every key on the keyboard could be customized (i.e. you don't like QWERTY layout, but want to use DVORAK, no problem, just reprogram and swap the key caps around, want the numberpad keys to be macros, no problem, want the spacebar to be a bunnyhop/crouch jump everytime, no problem. Multiple profiles for different games/configurations could be saved and swapped into. And again, since it is done at the hardware level of the keyboard, you don't have to reply on a game being able to let you perform the macros, as the keyboard will simply send the inputs).

 

[Bobsy]

I ended up purchasing a HyperX Alloy Origins full size with Aqua switches, plus a box of HyperX Pudding Keycaps. I should get them in a couple of days. I picked the HyperX because it was much cheaper than the Steelseries Apex 7. Other keyboard brands such as Ducky and Xtrfy are harder to purchase in Canada.