First mech keyboard

I have a QuickFire Rapid with browns. The browns, after using blues, don't feel that tactile at all. The keys are really easy to press, too. So if you want something really tactile, go with blues if you can deal wit the noise (or I should say, others around you can deal with the noise!). If you are not used to anything in particular, then whatever you start off with has a high chance of being what you'll like most because you'll get used to it.

Also, if you type I lot, I recommend blues over browns. For me, the pressure of blues to actuate works better for me with typing. This isn't the case with everyone, but I do like my blues for typing. I'm trying to get used to browns, but it's difficult because of their lack of tactile feedback. Also, I do listen for clicks too, kind of without realizing I do it. So for me, the audible click of the blues and the tactile feedback helps with typing.

All depends, I would think, on what you'll use the board for primarily. If you type a lot on it (I would think most people type a lot with their board, because of emails, forums, etc) then blues feel great. They are loud though, so don't plan on typing quietly ever. Browns are quieter, but they are still loud so don't be fooled when someone selling a board says "it's quiet" because it isn't. No mech board is that I'm aware of.

I don't know how good they are, but Leopold boards are $99 here: http://www.elitekeyboards.com/ They have 10keyless boards.

I think my Rapid is decent quality, I just don't like the switch feel that much for typing. It's OK, and I could probably get used to it, but I keep putting my Razer with blues back on the desk. The main reason I wanted to try browns was because of their supposed tactile feel with less noise, but they are not very tactile and their noise level is a little lower, but not a lot (in my opinion).

If you have any specific questions about the QuickFire Rapid with browns, let me know.

If you can deal with the TKL layout on the Rapid, it's a solid choice. The CM QFR is made by the same OEM as the Filco (Costar).

I'm typing on a Filco Camo with brown switches right now, and would prefer them over the blue for gaming. It'd be best if you could go to like Best Buy, Fry's or Microcenter to check out their mechanical keyboards in person. Some people don't like browns because they feel like "dirty reds", but you won't be able to figure that out until you try them all in person.

Personally, I don't think the blues are bad for gaming at all. I can quick tap a blue key just as well as a black or brown. It just clicks a lot when you do it. I'm finding it hard to transition from blues to the browns because the browns are so easy to push. Like someone else said, "dirty reds" might be how to describe them. If only I'd tried reds, I would know! But I have tried everything but red.

Blacks are stiff with no actuation point. But, if you're using browns, they are supposedly tactile, but you don't really feel it unless gaming (in my opinion). Or if you type really slow and methodically, you might feel the bump ever so slightly. Otherwise, I would not buy browns strictly for tactile feedback. If you really want that, get blue. It will be loud though.

Biggest difference between my BlackWidow with blues and the QuickFire Rapid is the keys are so easy to press on the Rapid, and of course no clicky noises unless bottoming out. The quality I think is decent on the Rapid, but I think the quality of the BlackWidow is just as good honestly. In fact, between the two I have, the keys wobble more (seem loose) on the Rapid more than the BlackWidow. But, ultimately it is not effecting how I use the board at all.

I think if I can get used to browns, I could potentially like them more. They are quieter, and being easier to press can be a good thing. However, if you wanna really feel the key when you push it, I'd say use blues or blacks. Blacks will not click however, they will just feel stiffer when you push them down. Personally I don't have any issues typing with blacks either. Some say it wears their fingers out, but I guess I have typed so much that it just doesn't do that to me. I must have Hulk fingers.

Somewhat off topic, but I like the tenkeyless size too the more I use it. I'm going to see if I can use the Rapid the rest of the week to get more of a feel for the browns. If I like it, I'll keep it or get another brown board with back lighting. It will be hard to find that in tenkeyless though, so most likely I would stick with the Rapid in that case.

It ultimately depends on how you feel about it and if you can stand the noise or not. If you're not in a place where the noise is bearable, then don't get blues. If you are, then blues are an option. If you want really tactile in all ways, go blue. If you want easy to push, somewhat tactile, and small form factor, go with the Rapid with browns.

Hope that helps. If you have anymore specific questions let me know since I have a blue and brown board to compare.

I know, that ticks me off that Best Buy only has BlackWidows. Even more so that Razer only sells the non-stealth versions there. If they would open it up a little and sell the stealths there too, people could compare a little more. Unfortunately I've just had to buy something online from Newegg or somewhere and return it if I don't like it. Sucks, because you still pay shipping that way.

Let me know what you think after you feel both. I was surprised at how browns felt based on just online descriptions. So, if you can feel them in person, I would highly advise it!

Blacks feel pretty nice. They are really different than blues, in that there is no clickiness, just resistance/pressure when you push them down. However they are pretty good. I had a Meka G1 that I returned that had them because the loudness wasn't that different than the BlackWidow. Well, to be more honest about that statement... the loudness wasn't that different to my wife. I can tell that the blues are loudest, and that blacks and browns are not that loud in comparison. But when the noise aggravates ya, even if it's quieter, it can still sound loud. Personally, I like the noise, but I don't want to drive anyone else too crazy.

I own all the switches except for the black. What I've discovered is that It doesn't really matter which keyboard you buy, because in the end, your body will gradually acclimate itself to the switch over the course of a month or so. Just try all of the switches and pick the one that calls out to you. And just stick with it.

Otherwise you'll end up like me and buy all the switches so you can change them depending on what kind of typing you want to do that day, lol.