this post was submitted on 28 Sep 2024
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Mechanical Keyboards

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Are you addicted to the clicking sounds of your beautiful and impressive mechanical keyboard?
If so, this community is for you!

Here you can discuss everything about mechanical keyboards (and only mechanical keyboards).

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Where I'm At

Basically, I know just the very basics. I've thought about building a keyboard many times and I have the technical means/knowhow to do such. I know there are very personal things like keystroke length, pressure, etc. that goes into it but I don't have enough experience typing on keyboards that aren't garbage to really know what I want. Advice on figuring that out would be really helpful.


As far as things that I know that I need:

  • Backlighting. The lighting in my space is not great and it really helps (for me, since I don't always have hands on the keyboard) to be able to quickly identify a key. I know this might deduct from the budget a lot, but I'm willing to absorb it because I consider this a must-have. Static color is fine, I don't need full programmable RGB

  • 100% keyboard. I have the space and use all the keys for games, macros, etc. 6 years ago I got a giant grin on my face when I finally used the scroll lock key for what it's designed for.

  • Quietness is more important than feel for me. As much as I'd love one of those crazy Model Ms that have the servos for a replica perfect typing feel, I often am on voice chat while doing things so that's a no go.

  • I can't do the split ergo thing, as cool as it seems. My brain has been trained to touch type poorly, and there's no way I'm gonna be able to get away from that.


Budget

If this is possible for $200 or less, that would be great. If someone knows of something prebuilt, or a possible combination of parts that could fit within this budget I'd be very grateful. I can go a little over by piecemealing parts, but sooner rather than later would really be preferred. I'm tired of having either cheap or half broken keyboards.

Thanks

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (2 children)

I'd say a Keychron board with either Gazzew U4 or Zeal Zilent V2 switches. Their plastic frame keyboards are a great value and high quality. The Gazzew U4s are an absolutely amazingly quiet switch with a perfect bump at the very beginning of the press.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

Thanks a ton for the links! Plastic frames are fine for me since, I don't intend to twist or bend a keyboard ever. I'll look into this.

Editing to add: Keychron seems to be completely sold out of 100% boards. That's disappointing :( Edit on top of the edit: The site just doesn't work well with my browser. I have to search for the model individually.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago

Keychron site is a pain (to use).

Someone sent me this link as I was looking for a keyboard, so I'll pass it on. Set region to where you live and select keboard, then go through the vendors listed and see if you can buy the Keychron you like from there.