Looking for a nice backlight keyboard, maybe ergonomic!?

[Phenix]

Hello.

Just thinking about getting a new keyboard.
Here are my options:
price ~150 for a normal ~300€ for diy/ergonomic
I need backlight, preferred green/white or RGB

I can get a Razer Blackwidow Chroma for 110€, is it worth it? The switches are ok, similar to mx blues but a bit a louder (@Saturn)

or an CHERRY G80-1501 HAD QWERTZ with mx black for ~40-60€
Would use it to try blacks out eventough it has no leds


As ergonomic I was looking into ErgoDox (no backlight) or an keyboard.io (rgb backlight).
Only problem is I don't know matias switches/cant try them, so I would have to guess.

What do you guys think?

I don't care if qwertz/qwerty

[Laser]

You don't quite mention what type of switches you want.

For example, a keyboard with Topre clones and backlight options can be bought here (or on ebay, slightly more expensive) in your price range.

[Phenix]

Oh sorry, missed it. Would prefer Blues over browns cause I already tried them. What youre thinking about the Razer? Had the 2013 for ~1 1/2year but 2 keys went bad after a little bit water

[Laser]

I'd say, take your time to search through this forum, visit the wiki, read some discussions, and only then buy the new keyboard.

Choosing a good switch, good keycaps, and good quality keyboard in a price range should not be taken lightly

[kbdfr]

[…] or an CHERRY G80-1501 HAD QWERTZ with mx black for ~40-60€
Would use it to try blacks out eventough it has no leds […]

Quite overpriced in my opinion, especially if you just want to try blacks. I can sell you one for way less.
And it does have LEDs. Three of them (ShiftLock, Rollen, Num )

[shreebles]

Razer? Had the 2013 for ~1 1/2year but 2 keys went bad after a little bit water

Well if only two keys broke I can see it working again. You just need some help from someone with a soldering iron...

That said it's not really a Razer issue. All mechanicals can become damaged by fluids. Except certain IBMs with their spill channels...

[Phenix]

No need to solder it - I even cant do it. I got ~120€ back.

How much would you take for the mx black board+shipping to Germany?

With the keycaps youre right. Depends on which layout I take (i don't care). Would order them if the standard would get bad).

Just saw that Ergodox would be 200-400, depends on which extras I take. Would take it for the price but I don't know if I will like it..
http://falbatech.pl/prestashop/index.ph ... &id_lang=2#/

First I wanted to get a Ducky Shine 5, later on I recognized a Shine 3 would even fit. But now I cant order it with mx blue/white lights.

Any other keyboards there on which I should look?
Or should I take the Razer Chroma? Reference price is ~145€, The one I can get is around 1 month old but without warranty, so rather not

[Phenix]

Made an error with the ErgoDox. Would cost around 220-250. Eventough I have no idea if SMD / wired LEDs are better (are they RGB?), there are offering Gateron or Greetech MX switches (I don't know them) and there are NO keycaps included.

SO extra:
keycaps (from somewhere)
and need to talk to them cause of switch, there offering cherry mx in there shop (1€/pcs)

[ettasian]

Logitech G910 maybe? Its switches are designed for non-spilling backlight, even though some don't like the feel. I tried and liked it actually. And it's RGB, plus you should easily find one for less than 150EUR.

[Phenix]

ive tried g910 already. Its ok, but actually I like cherry more. But could be that's cause of I tried at a tech shop with not really accurate positioning e.g.

[SL89]

I started off with a CODE and like it very much. They have expanded their switch selection and while its not ergo, it is a quality board in the price range you spoke of.

[kbdfr]

[…] How much would you take for the mx black board+shipping to Germany? […]

If you mean me, that would be 25€ shipped for a G80-1501 HAD.
Used board, of course, but fully functional (can't test the card slot, though) and with German doubleshots.

[Laser]

If you insist on that Razer: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/01/ ... -day-only/

[Phenix]

thanks for the link but no, I didn't meant this.
So can someone say something about the Chroma? imho for 100€ I cant go wrong or? And if I don't like it I could sell it..

[Laser]

The link states that *all* Razer peripherals will be 50% off tomorrow, including your Blackwidow Chroma ...

[Phenix]

yeah, and BlackWidow Chroma is going to be 100€. Or have you better prices

[Phenix]

cant take the bw chroma cause of not in Stock in Germany=no half price

[shreebles]

Apparently lots of people in Germany ordered gear through the UK warehouse: http://www.mydealz.de/deals/morgen-15-0 ... dow-666315

But don't be sad - Razer keyboards aren't exactly the best in the world, and you can get other decent keyboards in your price range. Once you get into mechanical keyboards it will matter less to you what color the backlight is.

[Phenix]

I know, im happy with green or white leds.
Any recommandations? Maybe Coolermaster XT?

Considering add later on Vortext doubleshot pbts

[Phenix]

Whats about an g710+?can get with mx blue or mx brown for 65€(used but with 1year warranty).
Or do you think that's the same shit like the Razer?

[guk]

Get a ducky. Or at least stay away from razer, logitech and the likes. And dont pay more than 30€ for a G80-1501 unless it's in perfect condition.

[Phenix]

Ducky was my next idea eventough I checked them out last months. A d
Shine 3 isn't available anymore (was at 120)

So rather a ducky shine 5 or the ergodox

[Phenix]

So finally - is an ducky shine 4 for 140 a good. choice?

[Muirium]

A Deskthority thread about a newb's first choice where nothing besides MX comes up? You can tell I'm on holiday!

Ever heard of the NovaTouch? Much, much better than an MX keyboard. (With damping rings and aftermarket caps.) Doesn't have a backlight. But you'll learn how much of an artificial ceiling those are on keyboard quality after a few mistakes…

Alternatively, there's skipping the entire quest with all its blind alleys, by going straight to a Realforce or an SSK.

[Ray]

Strange, why did nobody tell him what he didn't ask for? (...actually Royal Kludge was mentioned in the first answer)

When he thinks he wants a keyboard with white or green backlight, he won't be happy if he gets the best switches but no backlight. We might not understand them, but there is actually a market for keyboards with backlight. Different individuals, different needs. As long as they don't become DT regulars, guess that might change them

@Topic: I have no clue, not interested in backlight

[Muirium]

Strange, why did nobody tell him what he didn't ask for? (...actually Royal Kludge was mentioned in the first answer)

Easy. Because we like what we like! Life's too short to keep track of every weird assed thing coming out of China.

When he thinks he wants a keyboard with white or green backlight, he won't be happy if he gets the best switches but no backlight. We might not understand them, but there is actually a market for keyboards with backlight. Different individuals, different needs. As long as they don't become DT regulars, guess that might change them

My very first post at DT was something similar: my own newb search for something backlit. I hadn't learned yet about the steep compromise required in backlight compatible caps, or indeed that there was anything much beyond MX switches, despite the fact I'd fall hard for IBM and Topre soon enough! You live, you learn, and have some fun along the way.

A read through this thread might be informative. A lot of us have a wide range of keyboards to choose from, but what do we actually use?

[Ray]

You live, you learn, and have some fun along the way.

This is exactly what I mean. To me it sounds like you did have to learn, that you don't need the backlight. If someone gave you, what you value so highly now, right back then – would it have satisfied you? (can someone form an english sentence out of that?)

Of course you can give advice in what is good quality and good feel. No problem with that.
But there is no use in telling somebody they shouldn't crave what they do. It doesn't work like that. Here Phenix has to make that experience for himself, otherwise he can't be sure if backlight actually wasn't a thing for him. Heck, he might be okay with CherryMX and POM caps (so many people are okay with shitty rubber domes), and backlight gives him more bonus than a more fancy switch would give him.

Plus, if you make the short cut, you miss the fun along the way. I for myself am still on the way, waiting to run across a certain Ergo Pro, capacitive buckling spring and clicky white alps. So much fun to come.

[Laser]

Ahem, my suggestion in the first answer does sport backlight (although with no backlight, it's cheaper and has POM keycaps) And it's programmable!

Here's a review: https://www.keychatter.com/2015/03/12/r ... 30-87-rgb/

(that's why I keep an eye on it)

[Ray]

Yes, sorry. Make that "There's a non-MX suggestion on the first answer". And a pretty good one for the price, from what you read about it.

[Laser]

No problem, just justifying my answer. You see I even ask the OP about preferred switch.