QuickFire Rapid or the NightHawk X9?

I've decided on trying out a red switched keyboard. The choices I'm looking at right now are QuickFire Rapid with reds or the NighHawk X9 from Max Keyboards.

The Nighthawk has awesome reviews, and has backlighting. Also it has a USB and mic/headset hub. The QuickFire Rapid has red switches, is tenkeyless, and is highly rated as well.

I'm currently using a QuickFire Rapid with browns but don't like the little "bump" I feel when pushing the keys sometimes. I bottom out when I type, so the tactile feedback is kinda useless for me unless I just want super clicky blues (which I've decided against).

Would you guys opt to spend $150 on the Max Keyboard or go with the QuickFire Rapid for only $90? I kinda like how small the one I have is, and I'm not missing the numpad as much as I thought - I do miss it sometimes, but I use it infrequently enough that it isn't an issue. I'm not an accountant, so I'll get used to it.

So, what would you guys pick? If you had the money for either, is it no question the Nighthawk X9? It sure looks awesome, backlit or not. Or would you go with the smaller QuickFire rapid?

Bottom line is, I don't know how much I'll use the USB hub or the mic/headphone jacks on the keyboard itself. I don't really need to. Space is not an issue, but I do like the smaller footprint of the Rapid. The space the X9 would take up though is not an issue.

Opinions? Thanks guys.

This might sound weird, but I'm slightly "iffy" on the quality of the Rapid. The keys don't seem high quality (as in the feel of them when typing). The rest does, though. Built like a tank really. Heavy for a little thing (which is good in my eyes). Went from blues to browns though, so the key quality thing might just be me not adjusting properly yet. I might be associating key pressure with quality, which isn't really the case.

Another question - is there enough difference between browns and reds for me to be looking at reds? I barely feel any kind of feedback on this board anyway (browns). Blacks feel pretty cool with a little more pressure to them (had a Meka G1 or something once, the one with the blacks). Would browns and reds differ that much in key pressure? I haven't ever had reds, so I don't know.

Just wondering if anyone has a Nighthawk X9 that they can vouch for. I haven't seen much on those boards, but what I have seen has been good. But, looking at Newegg, the Rapid has straight 5 egg rating, so it looks kinda like I can't go that wrong with either.

Or maybe it just boils down to ultimately, I can't decide and want you guys to do it. Nah, I really just want to see positive and negatives from both who actually own these boards to assist in my decision.

Thanks!

Thanks for the reply man. I think I'm going to have to pass on the Nighthawk just because it is so darn expensive. There are a lot of good options out there for $100 or less, so I'm trying to stick to that route. On a side note, I did try QuickFire Rapid with reds and didn't like it. I'm more of a blue/brown type of guy, so that's what I'm going to go with. Thanks for the reply!

Hey! Yeah, I'm crazy and actually have tried the BlackWidow Expert (2012) and the Ultimate 2013 model. Interestingly, the 2013 model was harder to push the keys down than my 2012 model. I own the 2012 model and bought the 2013 model, but returned the 2013 because the price was just too much. I have to say though, the backlighting on the 2013 model was AWESOME. It has the brightest green light I have ever seen, ha!

Honestly, in my opinion (for what it is worth), I have had zero issues with the BlackWidow board I own. I've had it a year and it was my first try at mechanical boards. I became more interested in the other switch types since I liked my blues on the BlackWidow a lot, so I decide to try out some others. Honestly though, if I were stuck with my BlackWidow Expert, I would be happy. The only people who aren't happy are the people it annoys because it's loud! I like all the feedback though.

If you're interested in the BW, it's a good board from what I can tell. A lot of folks put down the iONE boards (like the BW) because it seems like they are hit/miss with reliability. But, I either got lucky or reliability with them is just like any other product - sometimes something just breaks. I mean, if you look at Newegg's reviews on the Rapid with blues, there are some 1 egg reviews. Doesn't seem that different to me than the BW reviews.

If you have the Nighthawk though, unless you're just wanting to try blues, I'd stay with it for the price you paid. It looks like it would be a really good board. Plus it looks awesome.