First mechanical keyboard stiff keys? (MX Blue) other recs | Do keys loosen up(break in)?

[comfortablynumb]

I suffer from arthritis and was looking for something that would be easier on my fingers well typing. I ordered what I thought would be the best for my budget $85 or less, Cherry G80-3000LSCEU-2 blue switches.

I didn't find out till actually ordering and using it that the spacebar uses a heavier green switch then rest of the keys. I'm getting a lot of pain in my thumb now, but the the other keys, do feel a bit heavy to me to depress and I think I'm getting even more cramping/pain in my hands well typing. Do the keys have a break in period or is this as good as it gets?

Also a huge annoyance with this keyboard I touch type and the indents (nubbies?) on the home row keys are not on this board. After using it for a while you notice the J and W have a bit of a different shape/feel then the other keys but it's still a huge PITA and I've yet to full adjust.

I'm not sure where else to go at this point, I tried numerous cheapie keyboards my last 2 keyboards before this where the Cherry Business K1 Keyboard which was too compact in size and before that a Keytronics KT800P2. The Keytronics was passable for a while but the key action/feel was pretty bad out of box and after a year or so just unusable.

So if anyone has any recommendations for other keyboards I'm all ears

 

[CraigN]

What are you using the keyboard for?

Try a keyboard with Cherry Browns or Cherry Reds. Reds will be the lightest actuation pressure, and the quietest, but don't have the same tactile feel that browns and blues do. I would recommend reds though if you're prone to finger stress from typing.

 

[enemy1g]

If I can recall (my first two, or three, keyboards with MX Blues) Blues are stiff as hell, and loud as hell. But they are highly accurate.

That being said, I have since switched to MX Reds, and the whole feel of the keyboard is a lot smoother and requires a lot less force to register a keystroke. Accuracy is a little off though.

 

[comfortablynumb]

Thank you both for you help, any opinions on CoolerMaster Keyboards, they have a model with RedSwitches looks like the cherry I got don't come in Red. I doubt I would get another Cherry anyway this whole homerow key thing is a deal breaker really.

http://gaming.coolermaster.com/en/products/keyboards/QuickFireXT/

 

[comfortablynumb]

Well I sent the Cherry Keyboard back, ordered the CoolerMaster and immediately sent that one back didn't even try it was covered in rubber no thanks.

My final solution, though I didn't want to spend this much, was to go with the Das Keyboard (MX Brown switches) so far I think this is the perfect keyboard just wish it wasn't so expensive. Keys are a lot easier on my fingers to press, my typing speeds are already improving (using the typeracer website) .

 

[CraigN]

Good to hear you found one you liked. I'm using a QuickFire XT at work right now. If by rubber, do you mean the matte-coated body? It's still fairly durable, the keys themselves aren't rubber. It comes in a Cherry Red config, but you might have to get it from Amazon or Newegg to get it like that, and the home row has the little standup for your fingertips.

That being said, the Das keyboard is great and will definitely, and Browns are fantastic alternatives to blues for typing. I'm glad you found one that works.

 

[comfortablynumb]

Good to hear you found one you liked. I'm using a QuickFire XT at work right now. If by rubber, do you mean the matte-coated body? It's still fairly durable, the keys themselves aren't rubber. It comes in a Cherry Red config, but you might have to get it from Amazon or Newegg to get it like that, and the home row has the little standup for your fingertips.

That being said, the Das keyboard is great and will definitely, and Browns are fantastic alternatives to blues for typing. I'm glad you found one that works.

Thanks, yea on the back of the box it said something about a rubber coated body, it just seemed like something that would attract dust rather quickly. I did like that it was 10 keyless, I wouldn't mind loosing the 10 key for some much needed real estate, even though I occasionally use it during the day.

 

[CraigN]

I have the fullsize XT with the 10key. It's "rubberized" on the base in a similar way that some Laptop keys are, but is very stiff and smooth (not sticky) , and on a very hard body. It hasn't attracted any more dust than anything else on my desk does.

Either way, if you've already got the DAS, stick with it. Those are *great* mechanical keyboards and it should do everything you want it to for work.