What do you think is the best inexpensive mechanical keyboard?

[cbn]

So far Velocifire TKL01 (with Outemu Brown switches) is the best one I can find at $30 free shipping on Amazon.

I like the aesthetic and the green backlight (which actually is easier on the eyes than blue backlight)

P.S. At one time this one had Zorro switches but according to the product description and this video the new model has Outemu.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

wouldnt want to not have a ten-key. Otherwise, that’s looks not bad.

How are you defining “best” when you say “best one you can find”? You know there’s like a bazillion keyboard buying guides out there, including the one Anandtech puts out every December?

 

[cbn]

There is a 10 key model (called Velocifire VM01) for $10 more on Amazon:

 

[cbn]

How are you defining “best” when you say “best one you can find”?

Combination of mechanical key quality. key type, backlighting, key font, overall sturdiness (according to Youtube reviewers), aesthetic (which is a personal thing) and price.

Prior to this I was leaning towards the $37 white backlit Outemu brown Drevo Tyrfing (below) because I thought the Velocifire TKL01 had Zorro brown switches.

 

[cbn]

How about Gateron switches? Are these being used on any inexpensive keyboards?

 

[cbn]

How about Gateron switches? Are these being used on any inexpensive keyboards?

Here is one with blue gaterons:

 

[FeuerFrei]

There's a 10-key-less keyboard from Plugable for $42, w/ Outemu Blues, double-shot keycaps, and white backlighting. Works ok for me.
The original "plugable" logo on the board has been redesigned ... see customer photos.

 

[cbn]

There's a 10-key-less keyboard from Plugable for $42, w/ Outemu Blues, double-shot keycaps, and white backlighting. Works ok for me.
The original "plugable" logo on the board has been redesigned ... see customer photos.

https://plugable.com/products/usb-mech87bw

^^^^^^ Interesting that this one looks very much like the Drevo Tyrfing (below) which also has Outemu Blue switches:

 

[lxskllr]

I have a stack of IBM Model M refurb keyboards from the 90s. Kept them in my early IT traveling tech days from 91-93. These worth anything? Is this the "cherry" style crap everyone raves about?

A model M from Oyeve

 

[DigDog]

im using a blue outemu board right now and they are pretty good, when you compare them to cherry. gateron browns should be even better.

 

[Mike64]

A model M from Oyeve

Only if you can deal with the noise. And I do mean noise. Not "sound", noise. I guess "back in the day" it was drowned out by the daisywheel printers and IBM Selectrics (or God forbid, the line printers in computer rooms) churning away around them, but these days, it's enough to give you a headache in half an hour tops...

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Only if you can deal with the noise. And I do mean noise. Not "sound", noise. I guess "back in the day" it was drowned out by the daisywheel printers and IBM Selectrics (or God forbid, the line printers in computer rooms) churning away around them, but these days, it's enough to give you a headache in half an hour tops...

Are you sure you're thinking of Model Ms? Mine's a new-production model from Unicomp, but it's pretty quiet compared to my Cherry Blue 'board. I've definitely used louder keyboards over the years.

Honestly, the rubber-dome I use at work has a rattle-ey space bar and enter key, and is louder just because of that.