As was foretold, we've added advertisements to the forums! If you have questions, or if you encounter any bugs, please visit this thread: https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/240191/forum-advertisement-faq-and-reports-thread/

[Mechanical Keyboards] Clickity Clack! We build them ourselves now!

1383941434485

Posts

  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    Iolo wrote: »

    I know you can shut it off, but why are the Red LEDs only ever the ones on sale? Like, I would love to have the exact same board with blue LEDs. But, no, I have to pay $25-$30 for the "privilege".

  • XeddicusXeddicus Registered User regular
    Red is superior, anyway. Red keys, red LED's, red blood is better than any other color. It's just the way it is.

  • DelduwathDelduwath Registered User regular
    I have an RGB K70, and although I don't even do anything interesting with them (right now I just have them doing a rolling rainbow from top to bottom), I can't imagine getting a mono-color LED keyboard, now. First world problems for real.

  • BolthornBolthorn Registered User regular
    Delduwath wrote: »
    I have an RGB K70, and although I don't even do anything interesting with them (right now I just have them doing a rolling rainbow from top to bottom), I can't imagine getting a mono-color LED keyboard, now. First world problems for real.

    Recently bought one of these myself because my choices were either mulit-color LED or only red LED in the switched I wanted. Went multi-color thinking I'd do something cool with it. Not really. I have a few keys set to different colors, but nearly all of them are just set to blue. Really happy with my purchase though. Might toy around with a few other settings and maybe make the arrows and num-pad stuff different.

    I might see if I can make the escape key slowly pulse. That might be kinda neat.

  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    So I bid a few times on a K70 RGB last night and ended up winning it. That should be fun once it shows up. I probably paid more than I should have for a used model, after shipping is involved, but it still comes in under $115.

    I was poking through www.mechanicalkeyboards.com yesterday, and they have more of a selection than I ever gave them credit for in the past.

    Also, according to the mech community (and r/mechanicalkeyboards), I'm a luddite because I love my 100% KBs. Everyone else is sporting their 60%s and saying how they are awesome because they get to use key modifiers.

    Or maybe it's just that I'm one of the few non-coders who has an interest in keyboards. I can't tell which.

  • IoloIolo iolo Registered User regular
    edited September 2016
    Congrats on the RGDB, Mugsley!

    Amazon's back at it with the STRAFE. Corsair STRAFE with browns is $64 with 20% PAX promo code "PAXWEST20."

    Looks like there are a few other mechanical keyboards that the PAXWEST20 code works with, including the K65 compact with cherry reds, per Slickdeals.

    Iolo on
    Lt. Iolo's First Day
    Steam profile.
    Getting started with BATTLETECH: Part 1 / Part 2
  • DelduwathDelduwath Registered User regular
    Yeah, r/mechanicalkeyboards loves the 60% ones. I admit they look pretty, but I don't think I'd want to use one - I'm too used to having the arrow cluster, and the Insert/Delete/etc cluster. I can do without the num pad, though.

  • SmokeStacksSmokeStacks Registered User regular
    Iolo wrote: »

    I have this keyboard (with reds) and it is phenomenal. Typing on the mushy garbage rubber domes at work is a chore and it feels so nice to come home and type on something that actually feels good. I just use the regular keys though, not the extra textured WASD or QWERTF replacements that it comes with.
    Xeddicus wrote: »
    Red is superior, anyway. Red keys, red LED's, red blood is better than any other color. It's just the way it is.

    This is true. I have a stupid amount of LEDs in my case and they are all red, which was convenient since it meant I could get the Strafe and not the Strafe RGB (which is more expensive). There are some interesting lighting effects for the Strafe but I just leave it on the standard flat illuminated 100% all the time instead of any of them. The Knight Rider style visor one is pretty fun/goofy though.

  • TofystedethTofystedeth Registered User regular
    edited September 2016
    Hello clickity clack thread.
    I'm finally looking to replace my keyboard. It's 15 years old, and the last surviving piece of my PC i bought in high school since the mouse ate an ESD a couple users so.

    I don't need anything super fancy with tons of glowy lights. Just something that feels good, with good chording, and maybe some extra macro buttons or something.

    It'd be primarily used for gaming. Overwatch and MMOs are about as high intensity as it gets.

    Tofystedeth on
    steam_sig.png
  • mtsmts Dr. Robot King Registered User regular
    woot has k95s with cherry reds for pretty cheap right now

    camo_sig.png
  • TofystedethTofystedeth Registered User regular
    edited September 2016
    Grabbed one. My ex had a similar model, basically the same but without the macro keys and i liked it

    Tofystedeth on
    steam_sig.png
  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    Hello lover. c6guy74fx3bm.jpg

  • SmokeStacksSmokeStacks Registered User regular
    Mugsley wrote: »
    Hello lover.

    She's cute.

    Shame about the tramp stamp though.

  • ICUbICUb WARegistered User regular
    Based on this thread and some links provided within I ordered a Ducky shine. Hoping it's more reliable than the razer blackwidow ultimates i've had, on my second one which is crapping out just like the previous one after a little over a year. /nerdon



    Bnet tag: Nermals#11601
  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    edited September 2016
    I have yet to hear a single bad thing about Ducky keyboards. The Mech KB subreddit loves them to death.


    Edit: Minor frustration on my K70 RGB. I was hoping to use a static rainbow lighting profile, but the only ones they have available are either rotating or cascading. I poked around and a few people made their own profiles. Thoughts?

    Also, my version has the headphone passthrough instead of the USB passthrough. Something I didn't think to check until after I had it all hooked up.

    Mugsley on
  • schussschuss Registered User regular
    Mugsley wrote: »
    So I bid a few times on a K70 RGB last night and ended up winning it. That should be fun once it shows up. I probably paid more than I should have for a used model, after shipping is involved, but it still comes in under $115.

    I was poking through www.mechanicalkeyboards.com yesterday, and they have more of a selection than I ever gave them credit for in the past.

    Also, according to the mech community (and r/mechanicalkeyboards), I'm a luddite because I love my 100% KBs. Everyone else is sporting their 60%s and saying how they are awesome because they get to use key modifiers.

    Or maybe it's just that I'm one of the few non-coders who has an interest in keyboards. I can't tell which.

    A life without a numpad is scarcely a life at all. I don't have a full KB at work (destroyed one and am using my laptop for the interim) and I hate it.

  • CampyCampy Registered User regular
    I bought a mechanical keyboard without one thinking I could cope.

    I could not.

    Despite it being a joy to type on otherwise, I ended up selling it.

    I'm waiting patiently on an uber deal on a full size one (in the UK, curse you Massdrop!).

  • AkimboEGAkimboEG Mr. Fancypants Wears very fine pants indeedRegistered User regular
    Thread, do you know of a place in London where I could go to get a feel for various Cherry switches?
    I've been wanting to make the switch to mechanical for a while now, but I can't bring myself to spending so much for a keyboard when I don't know what it is I'm actually paying for.

    Give me a kiss to build a dream on; And my imagination will thrive upon that kiss; Sweetheart, I ask no more than this; A kiss to build a dream on
  • ICUbICUb WARegistered User regular
    Ducky arrived and is pretty darn tootin' nice. Not having to install software to run the lighting is a bonus, the cherry reds feel good, keyboard has a nice solid feel to it. The usb cord is shorter than I would like but eh, minor gripe. Felt great to uninstall that razer management software too.



    Bnet tag: Nermals#11601
  • Donovan PuppyfuckerDonovan Puppyfucker A dagger in the dark is worth a thousand swords in the morningRegistered User regular
    ICUb wrote: »
    Ducky arrived and is pretty darn tootin' nice. Not having to install software to run the lighting is a bonus, the cherry reds feel good, keyboard has a nice solid feel to it. The usb cord is shorter than I would like but eh, minor gripe. Felt great to uninstall that razer management software too.

    I've got a Shine 3 with MX Reds in it that is coming up on 4 years old soon, and despite the gunge on it (it badly needs a wash) it still functions as new.

  • AiouaAioua Ora Occidens Ora OptimaRegistered User regular
    welp

    I just ordered one of the new K70 RGB LUXes

    ...anybody want to buy an Razer Blackwidow? Original run with the blue backlight and the real cherry blues.

    life's a game that you're bound to lose / like using a hammer to pound in screws
    fuck up once and you break your thumb / if you're happy at all then you're god damn dumb
    that's right we're on a fucked up cruise / God is dead but at least we have booze
    bad things happen, no one knows why / the sun burns out and everyone dies
  • exisexis Registered User regular
    Campy wrote: »
    I bought a mechanical keyboard without one thinking I could cope.

    I could not.

    Despite it being a joy to type on otherwise, I ended up selling it.

    I'm waiting patiently on an uber deal on a full size one (in the UK, curse you Massdrop!).

    There's always the option of a standalone numpad. I have a co-worker who swears by it for posture, since it allows you to sit straight while holding mouse and keyboard even if you have narrow shoulders, and to place the numpad to the right of your mouse since it's used much less often.

  • CampyCampy Registered User regular
    exis wrote: »
    Campy wrote: »
    I bought a mechanical keyboard without one thinking I could cope.

    I could not.

    Despite it being a joy to type on otherwise, I ended up selling it.

    I'm waiting patiently on an uber deal on a full size one (in the UK, curse you Massdrop!).

    There's always the option of a standalone numpad. I have a co-worker who swears by it for posture, since it allows you to sit straight while holding mouse and keyboard even if you have narrow shoulders, and to place the numpad to the right of your mouse since it's used much less often.

    That right there is a very fucking good point. Investigations shall be done!

  • mtsmts Dr. Robot King Registered User regular
    Campy wrote: »
    exis wrote: »
    Campy wrote: »
    I bought a mechanical keyboard without one thinking I could cope.

    I could not.

    Despite it being a joy to type on otherwise, I ended up selling it.

    I'm waiting patiently on an uber deal on a full size one (in the UK, curse you Massdrop!).

    There's always the option of a standalone numpad. I have a co-worker who swears by it for posture, since it allows you to sit straight while holding mouse and keyboard even if you have narrow shoulders, and to place the numpad to the right of your mouse since it's used much less often.

    That right there is a very fucking good point. Investigations shall be done!

    you can even get a mechanical one!

    camo_sig.png
  • DelduwathDelduwath Registered User regular
    Back in May, I went in on the Ergodox Infinity kit on Massdrop.

    Today, I got the notification that it's finally being shipped to me. I am so excited.

    (I need to learn how to solder...)

  • PaladinPaladin Registered User regular
    Delduwath wrote: »
    Back in May, I went in on the Ergodox Infinity kit on Massdrop.

    Today, I got the notification that it's finally being shipped to me. I am so excited.

    (I need to learn how to solder...)

    You can get something like this or just desolder a junk board. What equipment do you have so far?

    Marty: The future, it's where you're going?
    Doc: That's right, twenty five years into the future. I've always dreamed on seeing the future, looking beyond my years, seeing the progress of mankind. I'll also be able to see who wins the next twenty-five world series.
  • DelduwathDelduwath Registered User regular
    None, actually - I've never worked with electronics before. I was planning on getting some soldering practice kits, yeah, but I'm not sure yet what to do about the soldering iron. I'm not opposed to buying one, in principle, but I doubt I'm going to do much soldering after this (...unless it's for another custom keyboard...), so I don't know if it's worth it to spend the money and then have yet another thing hanging around the house. Maybe I'll ask around my friends and co-workers to see if any of them have one they'd let me borrow.

  • Donovan PuppyfuckerDonovan Puppyfucker A dagger in the dark is worth a thousand swords in the morningRegistered User regular
    A soldering iron costs about $20 though? You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on specialist soldering stations, I put together multiple hobby electronics kits in my youth with whatever this was sold as 25 years ago.

  • XeddicusXeddicus Registered User regular
    Get at least a cheap station not a super dinky pencil that will fall apart. Cost about the same, at least in the US/online: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__19240__Soldering_Station_with_Adjustable_Heat_Range_US_Warehouse_.html

  • DelduwathDelduwath Registered User regular
    Not having aaaaaany expertise in the matter, I was hesitant to buy some cheap-o soldering iron that would give sub-par results, and all the online discussions I've seen on the subject seem to suggest that the Hakko FX888D (or similar) is the best tool for the job. That's ~$100. Like I said, I don't really mind spending the money; I'm just concerned that I'll use it once and then never again.

    Like I said, though, I really have no experience with this stuff - would a $20 iron equally do the job?

  • PaladinPaladin Registered User regular
    edited September 2016
    Delduwath wrote: »
    Not having aaaaaany expertise in the matter, I was hesitant to buy some cheap-o soldering iron that would give sub-par results, and all the online discussions I've seen on the subject seem to suggest that the Hakko FX888D (or similar) is the best tool for the job. That's ~$100. Like I said, I don't really mind spending the money; I'm just concerned that I'll use it once and then never again.

    Like I said, though, I really have no experience with this stuff - would a $20 iron equally do the job?

    Anybody with enough practice can get by with a nonadjustable 40w, the high end stuff just makes soldering easier and more heavy duty. Heck, after a little practice I was making good joints with a wood burning iron (do not do this).

    I used a Weller WLC-100 (the high price is because it's Weller) to replace the capacitors on a Samsung LCD monitor and it worked like a charm; didn't even have to fiddle with voltage control. Those $100 plus irons are just easier to work with, more convenient, and more durable, with more room for operator error and real speedy work.

    Paladin on
    Marty: The future, it's where you're going?
    Doc: That's right, twenty five years into the future. I've always dreamed on seeing the future, looking beyond my years, seeing the progress of mankind. I'll also be able to see who wins the next twenty-five world series.
  • XeddicusXeddicus Registered User regular
    Once you have an iron you may be slightly surprised how often you'll use it. Partly because you'll be on the look out for such occasions now, and it still won't be a lot, but now when your headphones die you can fix them etc. Handy to have when you need it, when you do. And as said, you don't need the expensive ones. Just not something that won't melt the solder or fall apart first use. The cheaper ones may be crap compared to 'real' ones, but for the 3 times a year people they work fine.

  • IoloIolo iolo Registered User regular
    Corsair Vengeance K65 compact (Cherry Reds) is $56 on Amazon with code TWITCHCON20.

    Lt. Iolo's First Day
    Steam profile.
    Getting started with BATTLETECH: Part 1 / Part 2
  • Donovan PuppyfuckerDonovan Puppyfucker A dagger in the dark is worth a thousand swords in the morningRegistered User regular
    Delduwath wrote: »
    Not having aaaaaany expertise in the matter, I was hesitant to buy some cheap-o soldering iron that would give sub-par results, and all the online discussions I've seen on the subject seem to suggest that the Hakko FX888D (or similar) is the best tool for the job. That's ~$100. Like I said, I don't really mind spending the money; I'm just concerned that I'll use it once and then never again.

    Like I said, though, I really have no experience with this stuff - would a $20 iron equally do the job?
    A soldering iron costs about $20 though? You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on specialist soldering stations, I put together multiple hobby electronics kits in my youth with whatever this was sold as 25 years ago.

  • StormwatcherStormwatcher Blegh BlughRegistered User regular
    I have a few mechs; CM Storm Trigger (browns), CM Quick Fire Rapid (blacks), TT Meka G1 (Blacks) and a Razer Blackwidow (blues).

    The Blackwidow got a shorting usb cable right outside the case, so I got kinda pissed and ripped it out. That was about 3 years ago.

    This week i just picked it up and made the shittiest "gambiarra" with some electrical tape and a box cutter.

    Voilá! My blues are back! I LOVE cherry blues. I'm so happy!

    Steam: Stormwatcher | PSN: Stormwatcher33 | Switch: 5961-4777-3491
    camo_sig2.png
  • LuvTheMonkeyLuvTheMonkey High Sierra Serenade Registered User regular
    Popping in here to mention that Woot.com's app has some sort of deal on a Corsair K95 for $89. It looks like the older non-RGB model, but brand new and such.

    Molten variables hiss and roar. On my mind-forge, I hammer them into the greatsword Epistemology. Many are my foes this night.
    STEAM | GW2: Thalys
  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    I'm (finally?) starting to see the "complaints" that some people have about Red switches. They are more sensitive than I realized. I'll still keep using the keyboard, but part of me wonders if Brown switches would be the happy middle between Reds and Blues.

  • mtsmts Dr. Robot King Registered User regular
    Mugsley wrote: »
    I'm (finally?) starting to see the "complaints" that some people have about Red switches. They are more sensitive than I realized. I'll still keep using the keyboard, but part of me wonders if Brown switches would be the happy middle between Reds and Blues.

    the answer as always is black switches.

    camo_sig.png
  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    Logitech Orion with either Reds or Browns on sale today at either Newegg or Amazon. $80 + free s/h

  • UselesswarriorUselesswarrior Registered User regular
    I am finally going to have disposable income again. I am eyeballing these Happy Hacking keyboards, anyone have any opinions?

    Hey I made a game, check it out @ http://ifallingrobot.com/. (Or don't, your call)
Sign In or Register to comment.