16 replies to this topic

[isaac]

Hey guys,

I've been searching all over the internet for a decent new tactile keyboard. I really miss using keyboards back in the day, where they used to feel really responsive and make that clicking sound.

I just want a very basic standard tactile keyboard, has anyone got any suggestions that aren't ridiculously expensive? I do live in the UK, so a UK store would be awesome!

Thanks guys!

[ExtremeGrandpa]

While I dont know much about what etailers you have access to in the UK. A quick Google search produced one and I took a peek at what they had available in the way of keyboards to your liking.

First tip I have is to use the keyword " Mechanical" when searching for the keyboard. because thats how they are usually listed. Second tip : They used to be cheap because no one wanted them anymore, but now quite a few people seek them out as gaming keyboards because they are more responsive. So actually its not a cheap keyboard but quite expensive.

Here a link to one I found at Overclockers UK.
http://www.overclock...rodid=KB-026-ST

They have a few others as well but most were around the same price range.

[172sp]

I've got the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate but it cost me 130$ you can get the normal version ( just remove the backlighting ) http://www.overclock...rodid=KB-053-RA

[MohawkUS]

I've been using a Ducky with Cherry Blue switches for a few months now. You should check them out, its very nice to type and game on.

[Viral]

I can recommend the Razer Blackwidow.

[dirtylarryuk]

Viral, on 13 September 2011 - 06:53 PM, said:

I can recommend the Razer Blackwidow.

Razer BW is cheap if you grab the non Backlite version £60, it s a cherry clone and has decent software OCUK has the best stock of the cherry and cherry clones from £60-110.

They are nice but dont forget they make the clikcy clacky noise and drive people mad.

Edited by dirtylarryuk, 14 September 2011 - 01:45 AM.

[isaac]

ExtremeGrandpa, on 13 September 2011 - 04:21 PM, said:

While I dont know much about what etailers you have access to in the UK. A quick Google search produced one and I took a peek at what they had available in the way of keyboards to your liking.

First tip I have is to use the keyword " Mechanical" when searching for the keyboard. because thats how they are usually listed. Second tip : They used to be cheap because no one wanted them anymore, but now quite a few people seek them out as gaming keyboards because they are more responsive. So actually its not a cheap keyboard but quite expensive.

Here a link to one I found at Overclockers UK.
http://www.overclock...rodid=KB-026-ST

They have a few others as well but most were around the same price range.

172sp, on 13 September 2011 - 04:57 PM, said:

I've got the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate but it cost me 130$ you can get the normal version ( just remove the backlighting ) http://www.overclock...rodid=KB-053-RA

MohawkUS, on 13 September 2011 - 06:37 PM, said:

I've been using a Ducky with Cherry Blue switches for a few months now. You should check them out, its very nice to type and game on.

Viral, on 13 September 2011 - 06:53 PM, said:

I can recommend the Razer Blackwidow.

dirtylarryuk, on 14 September 2011 - 01:45 AM, said:

Razer BW is cheap if you grab the non Backlite version £60, it s a cherry clone and has decent software OCUK has the best stock of the cherry and cherry clones from £60-110.

They are nice but dont forget they make the clikcy clacky noise and drive people mad.

Thanks for all the information guys! It will definitely be useful!

I am checking out the Cherry keyboard range right now, hopefully I can find something that isn't too expensive and feels nice!

Thanks again guys!

-

P.S: I've found a reasonable keyboard by Cherry: http://www.kikatek.c...&source=froogle

"Mechanical individual keys with membrane contact switches (FTSC technology)"

Is this the correct specification of mechanics I should be looking for in keyboards with that tactile buckling spring? : D

Edited by isaac, 14 September 2011 - 07:52 AM.

[MohawkUS]

isaac, on 14 September 2011 - 07:48 AM, said:

Thanks for all the information guys! It will definitely be useful!

I am checking out the Cherry keyboard range right now, hopefully I can find something that isn't too expensive and feels nice!

Thanks again guys!

-

P.S: I've found a reasonable keyboard by Cherry: http://www.kikatek.c...&source=froogle

"Mechanical individual keys with membrane contact switches (FTSC technology)"

Is this the correct specification of mechanics I should be looking for in keyboards with that tactile buckling spring? : D

No, I don't think so. membrane contact switches are what regular keyboards use. Cherry makes the switches for most of the mechanical keyboards out there, but no one really buys cherry keyboards themselves. The Razer black widow and the ducky I recommended both use identical cherry blue switches. There are also 2 other tactile types: cherry brown and cherry clear. I found the browns too light, I acidently hit keys when I was just resting my finger on them, and I found clears painful to use after an hour or so. The disadvantage to blues is that they make a click when you type with them, but it is not as loud as the videos online would lead you to believe.

Back on individual keyboards, the switches are mainly the same, but companies like Razer and Xarmor use cheaper materials which are more flexible and break easier. Also there is something called NKRO. Its how many keys the keyboard can register at once. The blackwidow standard only can register 2 keys at once, so if your in a game this might be an issue. EX. Holding W to go forward, shift to sprint, and you need to reload, one of the keys isn't going to respond.
The gen 2 ducky board that I'm using now can register all of the keys at once, the downside being that the keyboard will not work on Macs.(not a problem for most of us)

[isaac]

MohawkUS, on 14 September 2011 - 05:58 PM, said:

No, I don't think so. membrane contact switches are what regular keyboards use. Cherry makes the switches for most of the mechanical keyboards out there, but no one really buys cherry keyboards themselves. The Razer black widow and the ducky I recommended both use identical cherry blue switches. There are also 2 other tactile types: cherry brown and cherry clear. I found the browns too light, I acidently hit keys when I was just resting my finger on them, and I found clears painful to use after an hour or so. The disadvantage to blues is that they make a click when you type with them, but it is not as loud as the videos online would lead you to believe.

Back on individual keyboards, the switches are mainly the same, but companies like Razer and Xarmor use cheaper materials which are more flexible and break easier. Also there is something called NKRO. Its how many keys the keyboard can register at once. The blackwidow standard only can register 2 keys at once, so if your in a game this might be an issue. EX. Holding W to go forward, shift to sprint, and you need to reload, one of the keys isn't going to respond.
The gen 2 ducky board that I'm using now can register all of the keys at once, the downside being that the keyboard will not work on Macs.(not a problem for most of us)

Yeah! I see what you mean now! I decided to go for this particular keyboard by Cherry:

http://www.amazon.co...ref=oss_product

I hope it lasts a while, and has awesome clicking! ! I can't wait to get it!

[MohawkUS]

isaac, on 14 September 2011 - 09:50 PM, said:

Yeah! I see what you mean now! I decided to go for this particular keyboard by Cherry:

http://www.amazon.co...ref=oss_product

I hope it lasts a while, and has awesome clicking! ! I can't wait to get it!

That thing is huge! I'm sure your enjoy it though . I don't think I could go back after using my cherry blue.

[isaac]

MohawkUS, on 15 September 2011 - 12:11 AM, said:

That thing is huge! I'm sure your enjoy it though . I don't think I could go back after using my cherry blue.

I've heard a lot of good things about Cherry keyboards! So I am very excited to get my hands on the one I've ordered!

[jfrydom]

MohawkUS, on 14 September 2011 - 05:58 PM, said:

Also there is something called NKRO. Its how many keys the keyboard can register at once. The blackwidow standard only can register 2 keys at once, so if your in a game this might be an issue. EX. Holding W to go forward, shift to sprint, and you need to reload, one of the keys isn't going to respond.
The gen 2 ducky board that I'm using now can register all of the keys at once, the downside being that the keyboard will not work on Macs.(not a problem for most of us)

Eh, my $30 keyboard can do that.

[ExtremeGrandpa]

jfrydom, on 15 September 2011 - 08:36 PM, said:

Eh, my $30 keyboard can do that.

Is your keyboard a mechanical one ? If not then I dont see how your comment was useful to the OP's question.

@ Issac we will be looking forward to hearing how you like that keyboard.

Edited by ExtremeGrandpa, 15 September 2011 - 10:08 PM.

[MohawkUS]

jfrydom, on 15 September 2011 - 08:36 PM, said:

Eh, my $30 keyboard can do that.

All keyboards that use the PS2 connector can, it got removed with USB and now the keyboards need a special controller. To get NRKO and a mechanical keyboard runs over $100 most of the time.

[dirtylarryuk]

MohawkUS, on 16 September 2011 - 01:56 AM, said:

All keyboards that use the PS2 connector can, it got removed with USB and now the keyboards need a special controller. To get NRKO and a mechanical keyboard runs over $100 most of the time.

USB has a max 6 key presses at once, a special controller as correctly stated by Mohawk is needed to get round that and they actually vary as well so the mechanical Kb's that also have reinforced WASD clusters and the better controllers (and drivers from windows) tend to cost £50-£120. BTW its best to avoid using PS2 on modern tech as it's a port interface that can still short a motherboard so there is a good reason to buy a KB with the better controllers and skip using Ps2 with your $1000-5000 games PC. so the more gamer orientated Mech keybaords like the ones from razer or steelseries tend to have those extra bits a gamer needs and the nice mech interface that typists want.

You can buy a Kb thats good enough for gaming from £3, the extra bits you want like LCD screens, LED lite keys, ecxtra USB hubs or bluetooth wireless settings or mechanical contacts adds the extra £10-110 to that £3 price tag.

The whole reason "pro" or Hardcore gamers want cherry switches is they give you an advatage in sidestepping-zip zagging (stratfing left and right on the spot fast) to make your hit box harder to hit in most FPS games. As the mechanical keyset gives around 10-50ms advantage per key press over the rubberdome typical cheaper KB's. The only way those without a mech' KB can compete is to run macro's to simulate the speed of a mech' KB for "zagging" and those macro's are often banned by anti cheat and or in Competitions (where as if you can do it with your fingers in real time it's considered fair play though).

Edited by dirtylarryuk, 16 September 2011 - 06:33 AM.

[isaac]

ExtremeGrandpa, on 15 September 2011 - 10:08 PM, said:

Is your keyboard a mechanical one ? If not then I dont see how your comment was useful to the OP's question.

@ Issac we will be looking forward to hearing how you like that keyboard.

I will post up later when I get it (hopefully it gets delivered today!)!

Thanks for all the replies guys!

[isaac]

The keyboard came through the post today!

Gotta say, this is by far the nicest keyboard I have ever typed on in my entire life! It's clicks are beautiful, and it is just so solid and feels awesome! So glad I bought it hehe!