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Looking for a nice backlight keyboard, maybe ergonomic!?
Posted: 14 Jan 2016, 13:09
by 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
Posted: 14 Jan 2016, 13:18
by 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.
Posted: 14 Jan 2016, 13:20
by 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

Posted: 14 Jan 2016, 13:24
by 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

Posted: 14 Jan 2016, 13:28
by kbdfr
Phenix wrote: […] 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

)
Posted: 14 Jan 2016, 13:33
by shreebles
Phenix wrote: 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...
Posted: 14 Jan 2016, 17:08
by 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

Posted: 14 Jan 2016, 17:17
by 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)
Posted: 14 Jan 2016, 17:25
by 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.
Posted: 14 Jan 2016, 17:28
by 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.
Posted: 14 Jan 2016, 18:44
by 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.
Posted: 14 Jan 2016, 19:19
by kbdfr
Phenix wrote: […] 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.
Posted: 14 Jan 2016, 21:13
by Laser
Posted: 14 Jan 2016, 21:26
by 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..
Posted: 14 Jan 2016, 22:00
by Laser
The link states that *all* Razer peripherals will be 50% off tomorrow, including your Blackwidow Chroma ...
Posted: 14 Jan 2016, 22:38
by Phenix
yeah, and BlackWidow Chroma is going to be 100€. Or have you better prices
Posted: 15 Jan 2016, 15:52
by Phenix
cant take the bw chroma cause of not in Stock in Germany=no half price
Posted: 15 Jan 2016, 15:58
by 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.
Posted: 15 Jan 2016, 17:31
by Phenix
I know, im happy with green or white leds.
Any recommandations? Maybe Coolermaster XT?
Considering add later on Vortext doubleshot pbts
Posted: 16 Jan 2016, 00:11
by 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?
Posted: 16 Jan 2016, 00:34
by 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.
Posted: 16 Jan 2016, 03:48
by 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
Posted: 17 Jan 2016, 02:43
by Phenix
So finally - is an ducky shine 4 for 140 a good. choice?
Posted: 17 Jan 2016, 03:08
by 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.
Posted: 17 Jan 2016, 04:16
by 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

Posted: 17 Jan 2016, 04:25
by Muirium
Ray wrote: 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.
Ray wrote: 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?
Posted: 17 Jan 2016, 11:29
by Ray
Muirium wrote: 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.
Posted: 17 Jan 2016, 11:32
by 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)
Posted: 17 Jan 2016, 12:04
by 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.
Posted: 17 Jan 2016, 14:44
by Laser
No problem, just justifying my answer. You see I even ask the OP about preferred switch.
