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Best mech gaming keyboard for the money

post #1 of 42
10/3/12 at 6:43am
Thread Starter 
I recently put together my first build and am loving it. I bought an Azio Levetron Mech5 keyboard to go with it but unfortunately the enter key didn't work. So I'm about to RMA it and really can't decide on a keyboard. I'm pretty sure I want mechanical, preferably MX Blacks. But maybe a membrane? I don't mind buying a used board. Here's what I've found.

Steelseries 7G (MX Black) ~ $100 used
Pros:
Build quality
NKRO
Amazing performance
Great hand rest
USB and audio ports
Cons:
Lack of features
Backlight
Macros
USB 1.1

Mioniz Zibal 60 (MX Black) ~ $100 used
Pros:
Backlighting
Good deal for expensive board
Seems like 7G but with more features
NKRO
Cons:
No macros

Tesoro Durandal G1N/G1NL (MX Brown) ~ $80/$120
Pros:
(Backlighting)
Looks like a great board
Great reviews
Cons:
MX Browns
Not sure of quality compared to others

Ducky 1008XM (Green Alps) ~ $60 used
Pros:
Ducky
Amazing quality
Amazing feel
Cons:
Featureless
Green Alps? - anyone use these before?

Leopold Tenkeyless (MX Blue) ~ $85
Pros:
Leopold
Cons:
Tenkeyless
Featureless
MX Blue

Logitech G510 (Membrane) ~ $50 used
Pros:
Backlight
Macros
Media controls
Features
Cheap
Cons:
Not mechnical

Azio Levetron Mech5 (MX Black) ~ $110
Pros:
Looks
Macros
Detachable d pad
Cons:
Already had bad experience
Not greatly supported
Kinda want to try something new

IBM Model M (Buckling Spring) ~ $50 used
Pros:
It's a model m
Buckling spring
Personal defense weapon
Possible best keyboard ever
Cons:
2KRO
Featureless

WASD Keyboard (MX Black) ~ $120
Pro:
Customizable
Great quality
NKRO
Cons:
Lacking features

Leopold Linear Force (MX Black) ~ $90
Pros:
Leopold
Build quality
Great board
NKRO
Cons:
Lacking features


I would love a nice Filco, Das, Deck or Ducky but they are just too much. Any other boards I should look at? Thanks guys!



P.S. Don't recommend the BW please
P.P.S. First post so be nice!
Edited by aleckbratt - 10/3/12 at 9:20am
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post #2 of 42
10/3/12 at 7:29am
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The Cooler Master boards are very nice for the money. Link: Cooler Master
So are the Rosewill board. Link: Rosewill

Both have the same internal parts as Filco IIRC. IE; same base manufacture.
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post #3 of 42
10/3/12 at 7:30am
Eww used...keyboards build up a lot of bacteria, y'know.

For my own choice of an MX Black keyboard, I bought a Noppoo Tank. No "features" (unless you count NKRO over USB and some of the function keys having media options), but it's rugged: thick plate, thick keycaps, plate turned down at the sides to support it against the PCB, plate also bolted to the PCB, outer case with zero flex or wobble (and held together entirely by screws; no clip-together BS here), non-detachable USB cable braced around part of the shell for stress relief, and quite a nice general feeling of solidity.

Cooler Master also provides some options worth looking at on a price-to-quality basis. CMSQF Pro should be avoided, as it was done by a different OEM and is not the same quality as the others, but the Rapid at $80 and the Trigger at $120 (and Trigger has backlight, macro keys, USB ports, etc.). Other brands with low-priced options are KeyCool, HPE, Rosewill, and PLU. Finally, if you want to go really cheap, there's the TG3 BL82: the non-gaming 2KRO cousin of the Deck 82. Backlit, built tough, and you can get it for $50 (though it's more meant for use in cop cars and the like than as a regular desktop keyboard).

Re: Ducky 1008XM: You should be able to buy a new one for less than the $60 used that you listed, but don't. The 1008XMs are NOT the same level of quality as the more expensive Duckies. And the XM switches are not at the level of better ALPS clones or Cherry switches: they're a lot of fun to press at random, with a satisfying click sound, but extreme wobbliness plus a high actuation point (which actually comes before, not at, the tactile point, so you won't always get tactile or auditory feedback of an accidental extra keypress) make them not much good for any actual use.
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post #4 of 42
10/3/12 at 7:36am
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^^^ Yep.
Here is the CM Storm Quick Fire thread: Alot of good information in here about the CM boards. CM Storm Quick Fire Official thread
Personally, I have a CM Quick Fire Rapid, reds. Love it.
I used to have a ABS M1, but that died and used a G15 for awhile until I picked up my Quick Fire. Which came from Taiwan, before you could order it in the states.
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post #5 of 42
10/3/12 at 7:52am
Thread Starter 
Where did you buy the Nopoo from? I'm really liking it. How much did you pay? What do you think compared to the 7G or the Mionix?
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post #6 of 42
10/3/12 at 10:36am
Here is where I got the Tank.

It does have its downsides-- a very non-modern look (though I regard this as a plus), no angle adjustability (because, for the sake of durability, it simply uses the case shape to achieve the desired angle), and imperfect aesthetic quality (there are some minor irregularities which do not affect the functionality at all, but which some may find bothersome. I don't mind them, though)-- but I'm quite happy with it.

Re: 7g: I don't know all that much about the 7g, except that it has the less-often-desired small-backspace large-enter layout and a mediocre reputation for quality. Also keep in mind that you will only be able to take advantage of its NKRO if you have a PS/2 port.

Re: Zibal: This board comes from a well-respected OEM, and if you can get a good deal on one and are willing to open it up and clean it as soon as it arrives (which I would consider mandatory for any used keyboard), it's certainly worth considering.
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post #7 of 42
10/3/12 at 11:25am
Thread Starter 
I think I've narrowed down to 5.
Mionic Zibal 60 - used 100 - back light, durable, made of steel
WASD - 120 - awesome looking, very good quality, for some reason i really like it
CM Storm Trigger - 90 - macros, back light, wrist rest
Leopold tenkeyless or full - 90 - well built, good feel, well liked
Noppoo Tank - 95? - badass, rugged, durable
What do ya think?
Edited by aleckbratt - 10/3/12 at 11:32am
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post #8 of 42
10/3/12 at 2:59pm
Biggest question is... Do you use macros? Because I honestly dont, and I moved to a tenkeyless CM QF Rapid w/ brown switches and Im very satisfied. Now theyre not true gaming switches but I couldnt tell the difference while playing BF3 or other FPS.
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post #9 of 42
10/3/12 at 4:28pm
Thread Starter 
After doing much more research and thinking, I've decided to go with one of the top boards around...
Deck Legend
Deck Tenkeyless
WASD Semi-Custom
Ducky Shine/Shine2
Leopold Linear
Filco Majestouch 2
KBT Race
Mionix Zibal 50

I understand that Rosewill is basically a re branded Filco but still. Nearly all these keyboards have the same OEM. Maybe I am paying a bit for branding though...biggrin.gif
Thanks for all the help!
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post #10 of 42
10/4/12 at 8:17am
You seem to have no preference regarding tenkeyless or full size? You have plenty of options then, even if you stick to MX Blacks. The CM Storm Trigger is one, also Costar made and has a great price plus a ton of features. Paying extra just for a brand is quite silly.
Edited by boredgunner - 10/4/12 at 8:25am
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