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Can Anyone Suggest a Good Mechanical, Backlit Keyboard?

post #1 of 47
Thread Starter 
Hi, so last year when I put my PC together I bought a cheap wireless logitech keyboard for it. It's worked fine but now the battery is starting to die and obviously i want to get a real quality keyboard.

I recently read about the Cherry switches and have been doing some googling to try and find something that would fit my desires. I want a keyboard that is mechanical (black, red or brown switches as it will be used mostly for gaming) and backlit.

Here are some of the best ones i found:

Max Keyboard Nighthawk X8 Blue Backlit Keyboard:

http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-nighthawk-x8-blue-backlit-mechanical-keyboard.html

Cooler Master CM Storm Trigger

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823129004&Tpk=cm%20storm%20trigger&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4003003&SID=1wzrq5icp9siq


I'm leaning toward the Nighthawk because it's blue backlit and blue is my favorite color...hehe... I think Razer has a black widow mechanical keyboard but it has blue switches and those are more for typing which i'm not using this for.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Advice? I'm a noob when it comes to mechanical keyboards. Pretty much all i want is a standard sized, backlit (either white or blue) mechanical keyboard with black, red or brown switches.

Thanks in advance.
post #2 of 47
go with the nighthawk. also dont go for the razer there has been lots of problems from what i hear with reliability.
    
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post #3 of 47
The best keyboard that I ever used has to be the Ducky mechanicals. I had a non backlit one which I fell in love with. I was about to pull the trigger on the backlit Ducky but I really needed macro keys. Therefore, I got the Blackwidow ultimate which has suited me well. Although they're both cherry blues, it was slightly easier and felt better to type on the ducky. My recommendation is:

If you dont need macro keys, look no further than the DUCKY backlit key board:
http://www.tankguys.com/mechnical-keyboards.html


If you need macro keys along with mechanical/backlit, then blackwidow ultimate is an option.
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post #4 of 47
Dude go for the Max Keyboard Nighthawk X8. I was really into the ducky until I saw how nice those Maxkeyboards look.



FYI.

We have started a group buy for max keyboards that will give you a 20% discount on all Max Keyboard products.

Go to http://www.forums.custompcreview.com/f75/max-keyboard-nighthawk-x8-x9-group-buy-5-thread-838/

for a spot on the list. We only need five peeps left for the coupon.


Also with the 20% off will make
NightHawk X8 - $144.99 original --> $115.99 after discount

That's currently cheaper than the trigger. It's a no brainer thumb.gif
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post #5 of 47
Thread Starter 
those duckys look nice. i really can't decide between the nighthawk or the ducky shine dk9008s.

CptChiggs, that looks like a good deal but how long do you think we could get enough people for it? I kind of need a keyboard soon as this one is dying on me as we speak.

and can anyone tell me what macro keys are? Not sure what they do.

i think i'm leaning towards the ducky now actually--seems to have slightly more attention to detail, but still not sure.
post #6 of 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by ParadoxEternal View Post

those duckys look nice. i really can't decide between the nighthawk or the ducky shine dk9008s.
CptChiggs, that looks like a good deal but how long do you think we could get enough people for it? I kind of need a keyboard soon as this one is dying on me as we speak.
and can anyone tell me what macro keys are? Not sure what they do.
i think i'm leaning towards the ducky now actually--seems to have slightly more attention to detail, but still not sure.


Fairly quickly, my educated guess would be within a week. The ducky is a great keyboard but from what I've seen is that it's cherry stabilizers aren't on par with costar stabilizers that the nighthawk has. Another thing too is that maxkeyboard has great customer service/ rma processes. Many stories about them throwing it bonuses like custom keys and other accessories when the customer is having issues. Also heard that the wristrest that comes with it is really nice memory foam.


I think it's personal preference after you consider these pros/cons.


Macro keys are just extra keys usually on the side of the keyboard that can be programmed to do certain tasks (a very big plus for mmos)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823816002 for reference(all those keys on the side)
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post #7 of 47
You should have a look at Deck: www.deckkeyboards.com

I have three and they're great!
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post #8 of 47
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kremtok View Post

You should have a look at Deck: www.deckkeyboards.com
I have three and they're great!

Those look good too! They don't seem to say which swithces they are tho, just if they are tactile or linear. I would imagine linear switches are better for gaming?

Quote:
Originally Posted by CptChiggs View Post

Fairly quickly, my educated guess would be within a week. The ducky is a great keyboard but from what I've seen is that it's cherry stabilizers aren't on par with costar stabilizers that the nighthawk has. Another thing too is that maxkeyboard has great customer service/ rma processes. Many stories about them throwing it bonuses like custom keys and other accessories when the customer is having issues. Also heard that the wristrest that comes with it is really nice memory foam.
I think it's personal preference after you consider these pros/cons.
Macro keys are just extra keys usually on the side of the keyboard that can be programmed to do certain tasks (a very big plus for mmos)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823816002 for reference(all those keys on the side)

Thanks for the macro keys example. About the stabilizers, where did you get that info from? I'd just like to know. I like to do a lot of research and have alot of info at my fingertips before i make a decision. Thanks!
post #9 of 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by ParadoxEternal View Post

Those look good too! They don't seem to say which swithces they are tho, just if they are tactile or linear. I would imagine linear switches are better for gaming?

'Linear' is black and 'Tactile' is clear.

http://www.deckkeyboards.com/keyswitches.php

I had a hard time transitioning to the black switches from a rubber dome keyboard, but once I got used to it there was no problem at all. Both of my gaming systems have black switches, Fire and Frost Linear, while my mom's computer has the Frost Tactile with clear switches because she uses it primarily for typing. I must say that it's a lot easier to type on the clear switches than black, so take that into consideration.
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post #10 of 47
I think Black are horrid and too hard to press, while Red are awesome for gaming and typing. But it's different for everybody. I'd say your best bet would be the Max Keyboard, or a Ducky Shine. But the Ducky Shine uses Cherry stabilizers, keep that in mind. I'm not positive but I think the Nighthawk uses Costar, but I'm not 100% sure about that.
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