Mechanical keyboard: Das or Leopold and a few questions please

[QuantumPion]

I currently have a Das silent. I used to have a unicomp spacesaver. The buckling springs weren't so good for gaming as the key force is high and the reset is very long. It made my fingers tired and rapid key pressing less precise. The Das is way way nicer for gaming.

 

[XLNC]

I ordered an Ultra Classic from Unicomp today.

Congrats on your purchase! Be sure to post pics/thoughts when you receive it.

 

[Jakeisbest]

I ordered an Ultra Classic from Unicomp today.

Yeah, I want to see how it looks, let me know how you like it!

 

[pcunite]

I ordered an Ultra Classic from Unicomp today.

Cool, show us an image of it. I'm using the Filco Majestouch tenkeyless with Black cherry switches.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Nothing like a mechanical kb. I'm using a ione scorpius m10 but it isn't backlit and the xarmor ubl9 is nowhere to be found so I'm looking at the razor black widow which I can get locally.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

^ if you double tap alot, go with Red switches

 

[Pia]

Nothing like a mechanical kb. I'm using a ione scorpius m10 but it isn't backlit and the xarmor ubl9 is nowhere to be found so I'm looking at the razor black widow which I can get locally.

(vader) Noooooooo!
Friends don't let friends buy Razer. Corsair, Ducky, XArmor, KBC, Noppoo, Deck all offer backlit boards.

 

[Ig]

Nothing like a mechanical kb. I'm using a ione scorpius m10 but it isn't backlit and the xarmor ubl9 is nowhere to be found so I'm looking at the razor black widow which I can get locally.

Backlit Macro Mechanical Gaming Keyboard w/2 Port USB Hub and Headset/Mic Jacks- Cherry MX Red

Monoprice's rebrand of the Qpad MK-85 w/red lights and Cherry reds for $97.35 using coupon code EPICWIN (good until 5/15).

Differences in Switch, Backlight color, Layout (104-us vs 105-international), and branding aside
Qpad MK-85 = backlit Monoprice
Qpad MK-80 = iOne/Xarmor u9bl

Read these reviews to see the differences between the two.
http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/qpad_mk_80_mechanical_gaming_keyboard_review.html
http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/qpad_mk85_mechanical_gaming_keyboard.html

Backlit Monoprice next to a backlit Deck at hardforum.

 

[althaz]

I have the Das Pro Silent (Cherry MX Brown switches) and I love it, but if I'd had the option I'd have bought a Filco or Leopold keyboard with brown switches (Das was the only keyboard I could find when I got it that had the brown switches). The Das is fantastic to type on and game on (mine cops a hammering for both typing code and hotkey spam in starcraft) but I don't like the keycaps particularly, nor do I like the shiny black surround. Overall though it is a great keyboard - it's just that there are others that are slightly better.

P.S. I haven't tried the Cherry MX Reds but I've tried most other types of mechanical switch and IMO the MX Browns are the best compromise for gaming and typing.

 

[Dbdynsty]

Monoprice's rebrand of the Qpad MK-85 w/red lights and Cherry reds for $97.35 using coupon code EPICWIN (good until 6/30).

This was a great find. I ordered one the other day after you posted this and it arrived the other day. It's a pretty good mechanical but I've got a few gripes...and I think it's mainly and issue with the MX Red switches. It's just a LITTLE too easy to hit the keys. I've also got a Mionix Zibal 60 (http://www.mionix.net/page.php?al=zibal60) which has MX Black switches and my complaint about it is that it's too hard to hit the keys. LOL. So really I need something in the middle, but without the bump. If I have to choose one I'd choose the Mionix because eventually I'll get used to having to press harder, whereas pushing lighter probably isn't as easy to adapt to. Plus, the build quality on the Mionix is superior. The whole board just feels more solid and the keys as well.

I saw the CoolerMaster Quickfire Pro yesterday as well so I picked one of those up (MX Brown), but the build quality on the board isn't even in the same league as the other two and it doesn't come with a wrist rest. So even though the switches are decent, I prefer the linear response of the Red/Black.

Had no idea there were so many types of keyboards out there...it's really interesting actually. Unfortunately the one I like the best is also the most expensive.

Mionix $150
CoolerMaster $99
Monoprice $98

 

[Puffnstuff]

I picked up the razer black widow ultimate the other day and so far I'm happy with it. The keys are louder than the ones on my scorpius but that's ok.

 

[yottabit]

I got the Das Keyboard Professional about 2 yrs ago with their educational discout (if you email them they'll bring price down to like $99 if you are a college student)

It's been working fine since and I love it for Starcraft

There is one kind of problem I can think of with it though, which I've heard other people talk about. It really only happens if you are switching it from computer to computer a lot

The Das has two USB connectors to power the keyboard + hub. Some computers work with it if you plug in just the primary connector, some computers require you to plug in both, and sometimes these computers will fail to recognize the Das after a reboot (requiring you to unplug and replug the USB)

For me this is not a probem, my only problem is I wish I got the Das Ultimate

The Professional is not too loud for office work IMO unless you work in a very tightly packed environment. I find it more obnoxiously loud at home then when I've used it at work.