I purchased a Daskeyboard!

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DravidDavid

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Topic # 160377 4-Jan-2015 23:42

I originally purchased the Razor mechanical keyboard that is currently on the market. I tried to tell myself that I liked it, but I hated it.

I don't know if it was the keys or the caps that were close together, but I was making typos all over the place. It also made a funny pinging noise when releasing a key too fast and just felt weird in general.

I took it back and spoke to my mechanical keyboard friend who told me the green keys they put in the 2014 Razor boards was a Cherry MX knock-off and will not last. I looked in to other keyboards and the Daskeyboard was held in high regard. I know why now too! I purchased a Black professional Daskeyboard with Cherry MX brown switches. They are the best for my situation and make a satisfying click when bottomed out, but don't actually click when pressed. The keys feel so much better to type on than the Razor too! I feel like I am more accurate in typing.

My only concern is that I find my left hand gets worked significantly more when gaming due to the extra resistance, height of the keys and angle of the keyboard. I don't really like the function key. I found myself pressing function instead of the control key for the first few days. My brain has been re-programmed since, so it's not really an issue anymore.It's built like a tank and there are no funny twanging noises when keys are released.

I purchased it from Mighty Ape, which went pretty smooth. Except for when it was shipped and given to Pace Couriers which are supposed to be urgent couriers. Turns out they aren't that "urgent". I paid $5.00 for same day delivery. Within two hours, I was told my product had left the factory. I called the courier at 5PM (4 hours after purchased) to follow up to see if my package would ever make it. To my surprise, they said it would be at my door between 6PM and 9PM.

They never made it. Courier said "long driveway, wheels spinning" but surprisingly made it up the driveway the next day no problem at all. Just like Courier Post, PBT, Sub60 and even the ever-treadless Fastway couriers.

Sometimes what you don't get is a blessing in disguise!

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Reply # 1208263 5-Jan-2015 02:03

Yeah the type of switch is very important when choosing a mechanical keyboard... Cherry Red, Black, Brown and Blue all have different feels.

As a gamer I went for Red switches myself.

For anyone looking atm, Playtech have the Ducky range in various switch and size configs, they are a great bang for buck option if you're thinking twice at the price of more fancy keyboards like the Das.

DravidDavid

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Reply # 1208268 5-Jan-2015 02:57

I forgot to mention that the Daskeyboard kinda reminds me of the older keyboards IBM used to make. Tall tapered separated keys with a defined clunk to them gives it a semi-retro feel. It feels great to type on.

One day, I will be pro enough to get the faceless keys. One day. Maybe I'll make it my new year's resolution.

Sometimes what you don't get is a blessing in disguise!

timmmay

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Reply # 1208296 5-Jan-2015 08:56

I've had two Das Keyboards for a few years, one for home, one for work, the same Logitech mouse and 3M wrist rest set in each place too. I have the quieter model but it's still much louder than most keyboards. I really don't like using regular gutless keyboards with no feedback these days. I rate the DKs pretty good, they made some weird noises and some keys felt weird for a while but seemed to come right.

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raytaylor

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Reply # 1209576 6-Jan-2015 22:32

I love having a mechanical keyboard but have never bought a modern one with the proper shortcut / volume keys.
I did happen to see a dell recently that makes a good click so i have started using that.

Does anyone in NZ sell the proper mechanical ones?
the dell i am using seems to have a more mechanical feel to it, but i am pretty sure it is still using a membrane underneath as the click could me slightly louder than it is.

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sidefx

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Reply # 1209605 7-Jan-2015 00:11

Ragnor:
For anyone looking atm, Playtech have the Ducky range in various switch and size configs, they are a great bang for buck option if you're thinking twice at the price of more fancy keyboards like the Das.

Love my Ducky - the build quality is outstanding (ridiculously solid) and it was far cheaper than any other mechanical keyboards when I looked.

Ragnor

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Reply # 1209909 7-Jan-2015 13:38

Yeah same, looks like some of the models are out of stock at Playtech currently.

The zero range is very affordable for a mechanical at ~$159

The Shine range basically adds fancy programmable back lighting options and costs a fair amount more.

http://www.playtech.co.nz/afa.asp?strOrderBy=Lowest+Price&strKeyword=ducky&CATID=794&idWebPage=39234&page=1&ListOptions=Submit

Ragnor

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Reply # 1209916 7-Jan-2015 13:56

raytaylor:
Does anyone in NZ sell the proper mechanical ones?
the dell i am using seems to have a more mechanical feel to it, but i am pretty sure it is still using a membrane underneath as the click could me slightly louder than it is.

Loads of options
http://pricespy.co.nz/category.php?k=380#rparams=m=s197717188

Choosing which switch type you want is pretty important, they differ by stuff like: force to actuate, depth in mm to actuate, depth in mm to bottom out, whether there's a tactile bump....

Have a look at this guide (especially the switch section)
http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/official-mechanical-keyboard-guide

DravidDavid

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Reply # 1210145 7-Jan-2015 20:24

Ragnor:
raytaylor:
Does anyone in NZ sell the proper mechanical ones?
the dell i am using seems to have a more mechanical feel to it, but i am pretty sure it is still using a membrane underneath as the click could me slightly louder than it is.

Loads of options
http://pricespy.co.nz/category.php?k=380#rparams=m=s197717188

Choosing which switch type you want is pretty important, they differ by stuff like: force to actuate, depth in mm to actuate, depth in mm to bottom out, whether there's a tactile bump....

Have a look at this guide (especially the switch section)
http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/official-mechanical-keyboard-guide

After reading the above suggested thread, I highly recommend trying it in store first too, if at all possible. I was able to test browns and blues. I found that the blue switches drove me nuts after 30 seconds, but the browns felt relatively the same without the loud click. The key surface feels a lot better than the surface on the Razor I had. Still loving it!

Sometimes what you don't get is a blessing in disguise!

JamesL

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Reply # 1210174 7-Jan-2015 21:23

I picked up a code 104 key recently, with mx clears as I can't stand the noise of loud keys

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/code-104-key-mechanical-keyboard.html

Geese

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Reply # 1261729 18-Mar-2015 14:34

I'm looking to buy my first (modern) mechanical keyboard. Since I made the decision to now, I have read hundreds of articles/reviews and watched dozens of youtube videos. I think now I have a good grasp on it, now down to choosing a keyboard. I am specifically after loud as possible Cherry MX Blue, preferably tenkeyless. Don't need macros or any fancy stuff over standard keyboard.

Initially, I thought the Rapoo V500 would be good entry point, as they are often on special for $70. Then misinterpreted a key piece of information which put wrong idea in my head - that they were like Cherry Brown, and I thought for price alone I'd start there, but then discovered actually is linier (Kailh switch) so no click or noise.

So then moved on to Razer, read that the greens are like Cherry Blue. Theres a nice tenkeyless KB but didn't like the removable mini USB cable idea, but again on price thought it may be good compromise... until later that day happened to be passing Noel Leemings - Saw a razer KB that had arrow keys exposed so you can try them (which I did). Light push click click, stamp the key click clack - so just what I wanted, then pushed other 3 keys and found 1 to be mushy, no click. I picked up another KB and found same thing but different key (1 mushy key from 4). So I searched on internet and found that's a common "problem" with that keyboard.

I guess that's the switch to blame (?), and since Kailh make them, made me kind of go cold on buying a Razer, or Rapoo. Which is unfortunate as I then discovered TT Poseidon ZX keyboards are cheap as with blue Kailh switches but was worried I may strike same deal as with the mushy Razers??

So then I thought maybe I will have to pay the extra and get genuine Cherry MX Blue keyboard. On Pricespy, Ducky KBs are cheapest, but none seem to be in stock.

Today the Gamdias Hermes GKB-2000 is on a good special. Its pretty flash for the money I guess but I don't need any gaming features/macros, etc. Its has Cherry MX Blue switches and far below other prices, BUT, after watching a youtube video review, I see as standard they are fitted with key dampers, not the O-rings but damper pads all around the keys that result in less noise and less travel. Bugger. I think that's enough to put me off. I realized there may be some option to pull all the key caps off and remove the dampers, but really don't want to mess with the keyboard.

Then comes Das keyboards. The ones with blank keys look great. I'm certainly a look at the keyboard kinda guy, but am quite quick despite this I guess. I believe I could probably adapt to blank keyboard, much like I could play fretless bass, but I'm guessing like the bass, probably won't type as well.

To get a Das with text printed adds another $60 currently to the price, so from the start to now the price has escalated from $70-$110-$140-$170-$230.

Can anyone suggest a cherry mx blue switch KB perhaps I have missed?

Or perhaps could pass comment on the TT eSports Poseidon ZX or Gamdias Hermes GKB-2000 in their defence before I write them off?

DravidDavid

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Reply # 1261831 18-Mar-2015 16:48

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IlDuce:
To get a Das with text printed adds another $60 currently to the price, so from the start to now the price has escalated from $70-$110-$140-$170-$230.

That wasn't my experience. As far as I know, the printed and blank Das models are the same price, you can get the additional multimedia buttons and knobs for the extra 60'ish dollars, but you dont have to! I went without the multimedia buttons as I would never use them and prefer the more streamline look like yourself.

This one has printed keys, genuine cherry switches and it's less than the 200+ ultimate version. They are red switches, but are hardly quiet. Compared to the blues, yes they are, but my girlfriend says otherwise. I swore they did a printed option with blue switches before...Perhaps contact MightyApe.

https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Das-Keyboard-Model-S-Professional-Quiet/21440081

IlDuce:
Can anyone suggest a cherry mx blue switch KB perhaps I have missed?

Or perhaps could pass comment on the TT eSports Poseidon ZX or Gamdias Hermes GKB-2000 in their defence before I write them off?

I can't comment on other boards, but definitely get genuine CherryMX switches. The Razor "gaming" switches are a cheap rip-off of the Cherry switches as far as I can tell via reviews. I had a Razor mechanical keyboard for about 3 days and returned it. It was horrible. I got a Das and it's the best keyboard I've ever used!

Good luck! :)

Sometimes what you don't get is a blessing in disguise!

JayADee

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Reply # 1262109 19-Mar-2015 08:55

I've got a Razor with orange switches and I like it, but I don't game. I love my RATM wireless mobile gaming mouse.

Ragnor

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Reply # 1262461 19-Mar-2015 14:36

IlDuce:

So then I thought maybe I will have to pay the extra and get genuine Cherry MX Blue keyboard. On Pricespy, Ducky KBs are cheapest, but none seem to be in stock.

Maybe give Playtech an ring and ask them if they can get a Ducky Zero with blue switches in, they seem to have stock of the other switches... it's probably that blue is not popular with gamers so they actively don't stock it.

Can't hurt asking them.

Tzoi

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Reply # 1263674 19-Mar-2015 19:58

I've recently bought a Leopold FC660m with MX Brown switches and loving it :D

I do have a spare Razer Blackwidow with MX Blue switches (from before they switched to Kailh) that I'm not using but I think some of the switches need a clean because it was sometimes recognising a delayed double strike on some letters

Geese

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Reply # 1263683 19-Mar-2015 20:18

Ragnor:Maybe give Playtech an ring and ask them if they can get a Ducky Zero with blue switches in, they seem to have stock of the other switches... it's probably that blue is not popular with gamers so they actively don't stock it.

Can't hurt asking them.

Yesterday I discovered that the Gamdias Hermes keyboard video I watched was for the Ultimate version, whereas the cheaper one is the Essential version... The difference? The Element dampers on the keys. Bonus, so If I get the Essential version, it will be full noise.

So I wrote an email to Mighty Ape yesterday to clarify whether the ones they stock indeed have the Cherry MX Blue switches... but still waiting for a response.

Meanwhile I discovered Das is bringing out a 4C model, tenkeyless... brilliant! Oh hold on... they've gone away from using cherry switches :(

So I think, if Mighty Ape confirms the Gamdias Hermes Essential ($129) units they have a Cherry MX Blue, I'll get that otherwise I might buy a Das 4 Professional ($229). It would seem they are never on special (?) so might as well just buy it and not hold out for discount.

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