recommend a good backlit (white led or similar) mechanical keyboard

[finbarqs]

I'm in the market for a good mechanical keyboard, that has backlighting, so I can see when I'm typing in the dark. Any recommendations?

 

[fluffmonster]

Logitech 920

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126043

If you're gaming with it, this keyboard ghosts the left shift over the space bar which you might find undesirable. Otherwise, keys are mechanical scissor switches and it is very easy to clean. If by 'mechanical' you mean the big clicky key kind, then this is not it.

 

[Cerb]

Re: Logitech Illuminated Keyboard: scissor are rubber dome. Better rubber dome than a key cap on a shaft sitting on top of the dome, but still rubber dome.

I can't speak from experience with any of these (I use a regular table lamp to light everything up, to reduce eye strain), but there are several to choose from.

Max:
http://www.maxkeyboard.com/index.php?dispatch=categories.catalog

Ducky:
http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/index.php?l=product_list&c=117

Monoprice (yes, that Monoprice):
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?p_id=9181

Corsair:
http://www.corsair.com/vengeance-k90-performance-mmo-mechanical-gaming-keyboard.html

Razer:
http://www.razerzone.com/minisite/blackwidow/product_range

Deck (edit):
http://www.deckkeyboards.com/

If you don't float (hold near activation) or double-tap (press, partially release, press again), as is fairly common for gaming, then the differences between the key types are largely going to be immaterial. But, here's a list and explanation of them, anyway, since these keyboards are not cheap.

 

[Remobz]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...W?tag=at055-20

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...4?tag=at055-20

 

[finbarqs]

alright, I decided on the deck keyboard... spent about 212 bucks on it... Time for the last keyboard in my life (unless some kind of crazy mechanical oled keyboard comes out for a decent price..)

 

[NickelPlate]

alright, I decided on the deck keyboard... spent about 212 bucks on it... Time for the last keyboard in my life (unless some kind of crazy mechanical oled keyboard comes out for a decent price..)

Good choice you won't regret it. My Deck Legend is 6 years old and still going strong, not a single problem. Has a little wear on the casing near the space bar from that many years of skin contact but you can buy new casings. It's still one of my favorite pieces of hardware ever.

 

[Erazor51]

Gigabyte Aivia Osmium Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4179#kf

 

[lehtv]

I would've gone with Corsair K90, only about $100 with backlit buttons and cherry red switches, also has macro keys for mmo players and a wrist rest. And 20kro, iirc

 

[finbarqs]

The only problem when I started looking/asking is that there are only a handful that offers white LED's. Everyone wants red or blue, or some other crazy color.

 

[Remobz]

I would've gone with Corsair K90, only about $100 with backlit buttons and cherry red switches, also has macro keys for mmo players and a wrist rest. And 20kro, iirc

You brought up a good point here.

I am not a heavy gamer and not rough on my keyboards in general. Backlit is very important to me since I always have my room dark.

I was trying to justify spending over $150.00usd on a mechanical keyboard but considering my needs it might be overkill.

The Corsair k90 should fit the bill.

 

[finbarqs]

yeah, and i hear the optimus keyboard sucks. though it tried to be mechanical, the oled screen underneath the keys (which when i saw the demo disappointed me) weren't very good to type on...

I thought the screens were on the keys themselves, but they just used a clear key with lcd's at the base.

 

[finbarqs]

Just got my Déck keyboard. Wow. This keyboard is pretty amazing! The feed back combined with the soft touch just makes me wanna type all the time. I can definitely tell that my typing has increased 10 fold! Plus the back lighting is a lot better than my thin profile logitech keyboard.

 

[NickelPlate]

They sure are nice once you actually sit down and use one. And they ought to be for the price, but it makes all other keyboards I've tried since just lesser. Just keep it clean and it should last a long time. Six years of heavy usage for work and play on mine and counting. And you can get replacement key switches, casings and LEDs if you do have manage to wear something out. Deck used to sell switches and LEDs direct but now they just give you the part numbers and you have to buy from an electronics distributor. But that's still more than you'd probably get from most keyboards manufacturer's who would just tell you to buy a new one. Did you get the tactile version? At the time I ordered mine that was not an available option.

 

[finbarqs]

after 2 months of usage, I learned that I don't like the long key stroke... It actually makes me tired when typing! I tried the softer "Das Keyboard" and I really like how that feels... Damn.. They need to have a store just for mechanical keyboards: Every single different switch for you to try, so you can get the PERFECT one to suit your needs!

 

[lehtv]

A mechanical keyboard store wouldn't really help if you need 2 months to figure out it's not the right one for you

I've been using the Logitech Illuminated board (2nd post) for about 3 years now. The keys are pretty shallow and have a light feel but I'm so used to it that I'm not even sure I'd like a proper mechanical board. Especially as this keyboard is so quiet

 

[fluffmonster]

Quick note: that logitech illuminated keyboard ghosts the Shift key over the Space key. FPS gamers should definitely look elsewhere. Great to type on though.

 

[finbarqs]

I had a illuminated keyboard as well too, but switched to the deck keyboard. I don't like the font, that's for sure, but I think if I had a keyboard with different types of mechanical switches that I got to play around with, it'll let me know definitely which suits my style the best!

 

[Sleepingforest]

I had a illuminated keyboard as well too, but switched to the deck keyboard. I don't like the font, that's for sure, but I think if I had a keyboard with different types of mechanical switches that I got to play around with, it'll let me know definitely which suits my style the best!

Well, the good news of mechanical keyboards is that the caps are totally interchangeable, so you could grab a new set with a font you like more. On the other hand, it is expensive at around $1 per cap (or $60 for a new set) and they don't let the light through very well, if at all; at that rate, you might as well buy a whole new keyboard.