VR-Forum's Mechanical Keyboard Club, Guide and Discussion Thread

[Undarken]

Types of mechanical switches:


Brown Cherry MX:
- Tactile and non-clicky
- 45g to actuate


Blue Cherry MX:
- Tactile and clicky
- 50g to actuate


Red Cherry MX:
- Non-tactile(Linear) and non-clicky
- 45g to actuate


Black Cherry MX:
- Non-tactile(Linear) and non-clicky
- 60g to actuate


Clear Cherry MX:
- Tactile and non-clicky
- 60g to actuate

Topre:
- Tactile and non-clicky (spring and rubber dome combined)
- Available @ 30g, 45g and 55g variation

Buckling Springs:
- Tactile and clicky
- 65g to actuate

Glossary:

Clicky refers a "click" sound is produced when the switch is actuated.

Tactile refers to a "bump" that is felt when the switch is actuated.

Nkey Rollover (NKRO) is the ability of the keyboard to recognize as many keys as you can press at once.
Most keyboards are 6-KRO or 2-KRO(99% of keyboards).

104 / Full-sized is the standard-sized keyboard.

87 / Tenkeyless / 80% is a keyboard without the Numpad.

[Undarken]

Personal Opinions:

Blues:
Blue have a just the right amount of weight to type on and it give off a clicky sound which make you want to scream "OMGWTFBBQ THIS IS AWESOME, LET ME TYPE FOREVER".
Note that clickiness might irritate others who are around you.
Recommended for general use and RTS-players.
Gaming | - - - - | | Typing

Brown:
Brown are light and comfortable to type on. With the tactile bump. I can easily find the actuation point and "hover" near the actuation point.
Note that Brown are too light for some as they unknowingly press some keys just by resting their finger on the keyboard.
Recommended for people with a light touch or computer-related injuries.
Gaming | - - | - - | Typing

Black:
Black have a heavy feel and presents a resistance. Due to the heaviness, they are great for gaming as it is harder to bottom out and very quiet to type on.
Note that if you have the habit to bottom out keys, Black will feel heavy and tired your fingers quickly.
Recommend to people who game alot and type only short messenges
Gaming | | - - - - | Typing

Clear
Clear have have very pronounced bump which helps you to rarely bottom out, hence making it the quietest switch. It's a very nice typing switch as typing-errors are greatly reduced.
Recommend to people who need silent keyboard with a strong tactile feedback.
Gaming | - - - | - | Typing

Red:
Red are extremely light and presents no resistance to type on. Due to it's lightness, expect many typos and accidental pressing of keys at the start.
Recommend to people who are good at touch-typing.
Gaming | | | | | | | Typing

Buckling Spring:
Buckling Spring still give the best typing sensation despite the age of this technology.
It feels even better that Blue Cherry but the "noise" is not acceptable to most.
If you born when typewriters were still around, you will definitely enjoy Buckling Spring.

Topre:
These are the perfect version of rubber domes and last much longer than conventional rubber domes.
After using other mechanical keyboard, any other keyboard with rubber domes feel mushy(includ. the Topre)
These are exotic switches which comes with a exotic price tag.

These are MY PERSONAL OPINIONS. Reader's discretion is advised.
Everyone have different opinions.
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BEWARE: The sounds seems to over amplified/over sensitive mic in this video due to the Webcam.



_________________________________________________________________________________

Lubrication guide for Squeaky Keys:

1. Remove the keycaps


2. Gease the locations pointed out.


3. Put back the keycaps and you're all good.

[Undarken]

Keyboard Availability And Pricing In Singapore (via Retail / MO):

Cherry (Via MO) : Available in Red
- G80-3494LYCUS - Red @$150

Cooler Master Storm RapidFire(Retail): Available in Blue, Black, Brown, Red
- QuickFire Rapid (Black, Blue - $129
- QuickFire Rapid (Red) - $145
- QuickFire Pro (Blue, Brown) -$148
- QuickFire Pro (Red) - $158

Cooler Master Storm RapidFire(Retail): Available in Red
- K60 - $159
- K90 - $189

Ducky (Retail): Available in Blue, Black, Brown , Red
- 9008v2 - $119 Clearance (Blue, Brown)
- Shine - $179-$219 (Green, Purple, Blue, Red, White backlit)

Filco 2 (Retail): Available in Blue, Black, Brown
- 104 - $179
- Tenkeyless - $175
- Camo - $219

HHKB (Retail): Available in Topre(45g) only
- Professional 2 @ $429

Leopold (Retail): Available in Red only
- FC500R - $179

Mionix (Retail): Available in Black only
- Zibal - $198 (Green Backlit)

Noppoo (via MO):
- Choc Mini Brown from $120
- Choc starting from $129

Razer (Retail): Available in Blue only
- Blackwidow Expert/Tournament - $149
- Blackwidow Expert 2013 - $179
- Blackwidow Ulimate 2013 - $219
- Blackwidow Stealth - USD$179.99 (only @ Razerzone)
- Blackwidow Ulimate Stealth - USD$139.99 (only @ Razerzone)

Rosewill (Retail): Available in Blue, Black, Brown, Red
- RK-9000 - $129
- RK-9000BR - $129
- RK-9000BL - $129
- RK-9000RE - $139
- RK-9100 - $159

Steelseries (Retail): Available in Black only
- 6Gv2 - $175
- 6Gv2 - $189
- 7G - $249

Topre (Retail): Available in Topre(variable) only
- Realforce 103UB (variable) @ $409

Keyboard Availability (via Webshop):

Cherry Keyboard (Online):
- Ebay
- PC|Home (Taiwan)
- ArmyGroup (Taiwan)

Keycaps and other accessories :
- WASDkeyboards

[Undarken]

Cherry G80-11900 (Cherry MX Black):
- Build : Average
- Quality : Top-Tier (Super thick keycaps)
- Plate-Mounted : No
- Outlook : Modernized for functionality
- Multimedia Function : No
- Special Functions : Touchpad
- NKRO : No
- Keycap Customizability : Average due to the offset-ed spacebar switch
- Touchpad
- Smaller in width than a full-sized keyboard
Comments : It's a utilitarian's dream
Rating : (7.5/10)

Cherry G80-3494 (Cherry MX Red):
- Build : Cheap and filmsy
- Quality : Top-Tier (Super thick keycaps)
- Plate-Mounted : No
- Outlook : Classic
- Multimedia Function : No
- Special Functions : No
- NKRO : 6-KRO via USB, NKRO via PS2
- Keycap Customizability : Average due to the offset-ed spacebar switch
- Odd cable exit point on the keyboard
- Over-sized and unnecessary wasting of space in casing
Comments : Most comfortable to use due the low overall height
Rating : (8.5/10)

Cherry G80-8113 (Cherry MX Clear ):
- Build : Cheap and filmsy
- Quality : Top-Tier (Super thick keycaps)
- Plate-Mounted : No
- Outlook : Modernized for functionality
- Multimedia Function : No
- Special Functions : Touchpad
- NKRO : Yes
- Keycap Customizability : Average due to the offset-ed spacebar and capslock switch
- Multiple cable exit points with usable cable rails.
- Programmable keyboard with extra programmable keys
- Touchpad
- HUGE
Comments : It's a battle station
Rating : (8/10)

Cooler Master Storm QuickFire (Cherry MX Red):
- Build : Very Solid
- Quality : Top-Tier
- Plate-Mounted : Yes
- Outlook : Modern
- Multimedia Function : Yes
- Special Functions : Yes
- NKRO : 6-KRO via USB, NKRO via PS2
- Keycap Customizability : Very easy
- One of the best mechanical keyboard in the market
Comments : Great quality and value for money
Rating : (8.0/10)

Ducky 1087 (Cherry MX Blue with Cherry MX Green Spacebar):
- Build : Average
- Quality : Low-Tier (Shell casing need major improvements)
- Plate-Mounted : Yes
- Outlook : Modernized
- Multimedia Function : Yes
- Special Functions : No
- NKRO : 6-KRO via USB, NKRO via PS2
- Keycap Customizability : Average due to LED-design
- Feels cheap
- Cable connection point is badly designed
- Keycaps feels/looks cheap due to it being transculent
- Comes with keyboard sleeve although it is fake suede-like material
Comments : Budget-keyboard (what you pay is what you get)
Rating : (6/10)

Ducky 9008 Black-On-Black (Cherry MX Blue with Cherry MX Black Spacebar):
- Build : Solid
- Quality : Low-Tier (Shell casing need improvements)
- Plate-Mounted : Yes
- Outlook : Modernized
- Multimedia Function : Yes
- Special Functions : Win-Lock, Capslock-Ctrl swap, Win-Alt swap
- NKRO : 6-KRO via USB, NKRO via PS2
- Keycap Customizability : Average due to LED-design
- Cable guide and connection point are designed and impended badly
- Shell flexing
- Comes with keyboard sleeve although it is fake suede-like material
Comments : Typical keyboard with 4-extra shortcut keys
Rating : (6.5/10)

Filco (Cherry MX Brown):
- Build : Very Solid
- Quality : Top-Tier
- Plate-Mounted : Yes
- Outlook : Classic (Very clean and no gimmick design)
- Multimedia Function : No
- Special Functions : No
- NKRO : 6-KRO via USB, NKRO via PS2
- Keycap Customizability : Very easy
- One of the best mechanical keyboard in the market
Comments : Fighting to be my favorite with Cherry
Rating : (9/10)

Filco 2 Tenkeyless (Cherry MX Brown):
- Build : Very Solid
- Quality : Top-Tier
- Plate-Mounted : Yes
- Outlook : Classic (Very clean and no gimmick design)
- Multimedia Function : No
- Special Functions : No
- NKRO : 6-KRO via USB, NKRO via PS2
- Keycap Customizability : Very easy
- Improved 6-KRO algorithm
- Improved rubber-feet
- Improved keycaps
- Many reports of odd pinging noise
Comments : Falls short of it's predecessor
Rating : (8.5/10)

KBC Poker (Cherry MX Brown):
- Build : Solid
- Quality : Top-Tier
- Plate-Mounted : No
- Outlook : Modernized
- Multimedia Function : Yes
- Special Functions : Yes
- NKRO : 6-KRO via USB, NKRO via PS2
- Keycap Customizability : Very easy
- Very compact and portable keyboard
- Easy to customize the keyboard with different switches
Comments : It's a super portable mechanical keyboard
Rating : (7/10)

Leopold FC500R(Cherry MX Red):
- Build : Very Solid
- Quality : Top-Tier
- Plate-Mounted : Yes
- Outlook : Classic (Very clean and no gimmick design)
- Multimedia Function : No
- Special Functions : No
- NKRO : 18-KRO via USB, NKRO via PS2
- Keycap Customizability : Average due non-standard spacebar keycap
- Detachable cable
- Well-design USB connection point and cable guide
- Very good rubber feet
Comments : Great competitor to the Filco
Rating : (8.0/10)

Mionix Zibal Z60 (Cherry MX Black):
- Build : Very Solid
- Quality : Mid-Tier (Keycaps may need improvements)
- Plate-Mounted : Yes
- Outlook : Classic
- Multimedia Function : Yes
- Special Functions :
- NKRO : 6-KRO
- Keycap Customizability : Very Easy
- Green backlit
- Keycaps printing may not last
- 2x USB2.0
- Audio pass-through
Comments : A great keyboard for
Rating : (8.0/10)

Noppoo Choc Mini (Cherry MX Brown):
- Build : Average
- Quality : Mid-Tier (Thick keycaps and cable)
- Plate-Mounted : Yes
- Outlook : Modernized
- Multimedia Function : Yes
- Special Functions : Win-Lock
- NKRO : NKRO via USB
- Keycap Customizability : Difficult due to the many odd sizing keycaps
- Virtual Numpad
- Extremely portable
- Good lasting keycaps
- Very thick cable
Comments : Value for money
Rating : (7/10)

Razer Blackwidow Ultimate (Cherry MX Blue):
- Build : Very Solid
- Quality : Mid-Tier (Keycaps may need improvements)
- Plate-Mounted : Yes
- Outlook : Modernized
- Multimedia Function : Yes
- Special Functions : Win-Lock, On-the-fly macro-recording
- NKRO : Gaming-optimized (2-6 KRO)
- Keycap Customizability : Very Easy
- Blue backlit
- Keycaps printing may not last
- 5-extra Macro keys
- 1x USB2.0
- Audio pass-through
Comments : A decent keyboard for the general population
Rating : (6/10)

Rosewill RK-9000BR (Cherry MX Brown):
- Build : Very Solid
- Quality : Top-Tier
- Plate-Mounted : Yes
- Outlook : Classic (Very clean and no gimmick design)
- Multimedia Function : No
- Special Functions : No
- NKRO : 6-KRO via USB, NKRO via PS2
- Keycap Customizability : Very easy
- Bascally a Filco with a smaller price tag
- 3-Year warranty from local distributor
Comments : Great quality and value for money
Rating : (8.5/10)

Steelseries 6Gv2 (Cherry MX Black):
- Build : Very Solid
- Quality : Mid-Tier (Keycaps need major improvements)
- Plate-Mounted : Yes
- Outlook : Classic (Very Clean and no gimmick design)
- Multimedia Function : Yes
- Special Functions : No
- NKRO : 6-KRO via USB, NKRO via PS2
- Keycap Customizability : Hard due to unconventional layout
- Keycaps are badly made and permanently dirty after a short period of time
- Keycaps feels/looks cheap due to it being transculent
- Unconventional layout (Big L-Enter key and "\" have be relocated)
Comments : Needs to be cheaper to compete will Razer Blackwidow
Rating : (7/10)

Topre 87U Low-Noise (Very rare and out of production):
- Build : Very Solid
- Quality : Top-Tier (High Quality Sublimated-Dye PBT keycaps)
- Plate-Mounted : Yes
- Outlook : Modern
- Multimedia Function : No
- Special Functions : No
- NKRO : 6-KRO via USB
- Keycap Customizability : Available but insanely costly
- DIP switches
- Variable weight switches (comfortable for your pinky)
- Virtual numpad
- Very high quality stuff (Cream of the Crop)
- Silent (practically no soundless)
Comments : If you type properly and can afford it, BUY IT!
Rating : (9/10)

Why pay for macro capabilities when it is free?
AutoHotKey is a software that allows you to program macros onto your keyboard.

_________________________________________________________________________________

These are MY PERSONAL OPINIONS. Reader's discretion is advised.
Everyone have different opinions.

[Undarken]

Free Trial-Poison Areas:

1. Bishan - Undarken (Filco, G80-3494, G80-8113)
2. Tiong Bahru - Smallwalrus (Unicomp, Filco Blue, Ducky Blue)
3. Yishun - fireblaster_lyz - (Unicomp Spacesaver 104, Ducky MO#3)
4. Jurong West - Ar3s - (Filco Blue)
5. Potong Pasir - Awry22 - (Filco Tenkeyless, Topre 87U Low-Noise Variable)

The above have kindly volunteered their time and keyboards to allow people who are interested to try their mechanical keyboards.
Just PM these people to arrange meet up
Please be considerate about meeting location.
Mechanical keyboard are heavy and the volunteers might be carrying 2 or more keyboards...

List of Mechanical Users:


Cherry:
1. Undarken - G80-3494 LYCUS-2 Red
2. Undarken - G80-8113 LRBUS-1 White
3. fssbzz - G80-3494 LYCUS-2 Red
4. Onionaut - Compaq MX11800 Brown


Ducky:
1. Undarken - 9008 Blue
2. Rafale - 9008 Blue
3. Dageddy - 9008 Blue
4. Recca123 - 9008 Blue
5. Monokean - 9008 Blue
6. Zetc - 9008 Blue
7. hbk1976 - 9008 Blue
8. ZenoGen - 9008 Blue
9. [v]Sin - 9008 Blue
10. Stephen_Cheung - 9008 Blue
11. Zen008 - 9008 Black
12. Jww - 9008 Black
13. jason1980 - 9008 Brown
14. fssbzz - 9008 Brown, 1087 Variable
15. NightFury - 9008 Brown
16. thatdumbdoor - 9008 Brown
17. newsense - 9008 Brown
18. oooooooi - 9008 Brown
19. DeepLuckless - 9008 Brown
20. vinlloyd - 9008 Brown
21. nestorvie - 9008 Brown
22. rickysio - 9008 Brown
23. tubbies - 9008 Brown
24. Sexmaster2k - 9008 Brown
25. reson90 - 9008 Brown
26. Crash111 - 9008 Brown
27. Smallwalrus -9008 Blue
28. dundee - 9008 Blue
29. eujiin - 9008 Blue
30. dominic89 - 9008 Blue
31. ahmoo - 9008 Blue
32. raidorz - Shine Blue
33. marky982 - Shine Blue


Filco:
1. Undarken - 104 Brown Custom, 104 Red, MJ2 Tenkeyless Brown, 104 Yellow Edition, MJ2 Tenkeyless Brown CAMO
2. Smallwalrus - 104 Blue
3. Applescript - 104 Brown
4. Eurofunk - 104
5. DevastatioN - 104 Brown
6. Zetc - Tenkeyless Blue - "Otaku", 104 Brown, 2x 104 Brown "White Edition"
7. hbk1976 - Blue, Brown,
8. iwillendyou -
9. Wilfare -
10. GegeV2 - 104 Brown
11. Dr_ARCHer - 104 Brown
12. hondacivic06 -
13. Tengjj2000 - 104 Black
14. Doclong - 104 Brown - Italian Red Edition with KBC Red keycaps
15. xFamous -
16. Waway65 -
17. avexdevil - 104 Blue
18. inxlee - 104 Blue
19. [v]SIN - 104 Brown - "Otaku"
20. nckai - 104 Blue - Pink "Otaku" Edition
21. persentio - 104 [B]Brown
22. wenasong - 104 Yellow Edition
23. raidorz - MJ2 Tenkeyless Brown CAMO

HHKB:
1. Jellyo_o - Professional 2 (Blank Gray)
2. hkb1976 -


IBM:
1. Onionaut - Model M
2. Jellyo_o - Model M
3. LordAlfa - M13
4. Applescript - Model M

KBC:
1. fireblaster_lyz - Poker


Noppoo:
1. fssbzz - Choc Mini Brown

Topre:
1. Doraemon269
2. DF
3. Shard
4. Dr_ARCHer - X2
5. hbk1976 - 103 variable, 103 55g, 87u

Steelseries:
1. Undarken - 6GV2
2. SK1 - 7G
3. Tulesto - 7G
4. darrell2691 - 7G
5. Sulphur - 7G
6. Q00 - 6GV2
7. belmont_a - 6GV2
8. Kapzor - 6GV2
9. Dr_ARCHer - 6GV2
10. ZenZeZ - 6GV2
11. lenseah (evil admin) - 6GV2

Topre:
1. Wenasong - Topre Realforce 86U - [SE0500]


Unicomp:
1. SmallWalrus - Customizer 104
2. fireblaster_lyz - Spacesaver 104
3. inxlee - Customizer 101
4. yukita
5. mokky_123
6. midus
7. ayuluv
8. Dr_ARCHer - X2
9. Jellyo_o
10. topgun
11. Xynder
12. farksy
13. Cloud85
14. hkb1976 - Spacesaver 104
15. applescript - Endurapro

Others (rare/not available in SG):
1. fssbzz - Roswill RK-9000 Blue
2. Kozato - Das Keyboard V3 Professional
3. hkb1976 - Sigg minitouch, DSI ASK-6600

[MoogleStiltzkin]

@undarken

I totally agree with your chart


By the way can add me to the list as Ducky 9008 ??eta Nov 10th :{

[applescript]

Could Include IBM Model M, Topre, Deck legend and others.

Currently own a Filco Brown, gg to meet my Model M soon and a Unicomp should be on the way if SmallWalruses 2nd MO goes well.

[Undarken]

Could Include IBM Model M, Topre, Deck legend and others.

Currently own a Filco Brown, gg to meet my Model M soon and a Unicomp should be on the way if SmallWalruses 2nd MO goes well.

Don't worry, I'm still updating it... It's eating alot of time...

I will place Model M under Unicomp.
Will updater Topre soon.

I'm reluctant to add Deck due to the unavailability in Singapore and unless a Deck user turns up...

[Undarken]

A Ducky 1087 has arrived at geekhack.org

Look at the luxury of it!!!

[applescript]

Don't worry, I'm still updating it... It's eating alot of time...

I will place Model M under Unicomp.
Will updater Topre soon.

I'm reluctant to add Deck due to the unavailability in Singapore and unless a Deck user turns up...

Model M's should be given a place of their own due to their illustrious history! It will also help identify who has these legendary keyboards as compared to mixing it with Unicomp kbs. I believe most people would not consider an original IBM Model M to be a Unicomp or vice-versa.

There are deck users in VR just that they are rare. I saw a few decks up for sale in the past.

A mechanical kb glossary would be good too, esp for noobs. Great job so far

[SmallWalrus]

P.S I'm known as Squarebox @ geekhack.org

Darned. Look at those muscle fingers…

PS: My Unicomp has spoilt me, when I type on my MBP nowadays I keep pounding on all the keys like nobody's business

Anyway to take the opportunity of pimping a bit for our Ducky MO

[MoogleStiltzkin]

Undarken your missing some other things for the Ducky 9008 MO.

1. full set of key caps (laser etched and printed)
2. WASD white keys with black lettering
3. plastic key puller


Notable features:

1. Full NKRO
2. Replacable cable wire which is mini usb.
3. Laser etched keys
4. Metal back plate (sturdy)
5. Has the standard 104 keys + 4 additional media keys
6. Using the Function key, you can disable the windows key so you don't accidentally press it while in a game
7. Ducky uses their own controller, so no worry that they would have the same problem other Costar keyboards have in regards to the controller.

[Ar3s]

List missing Filco Black, coming back soon & HHKB available in SLS now.

[Undarken]

Undarken your missing some other things for the Ducky 9008 MO.

1. full set of key caps (laser etched and printed)
2. WASD white keys with black lettering
3. plastic key puller

Noted.

List missing Filco Black, coming back soon & HHKB available in SLS now.

Noted. Pricing and model name of Topre and HHKB would help greatly.

[Ar3s]

Noted.



Noted. Pricing and Model name would help greatly.

HHKB and Topre Realforce Keyboard available @ Tec Drome Sim Lim Square or CH Computer @ Funan and ComputerShop.

The last shop should give you the pricing.