After having issues with my 2nd mechanical keyboard, a Corsair K68, I'm now looking for alternatives. I had just prior tried and returned a VictSing KB that was too small, especially in width. Luckily I spoke to an Amazon person just within their new extended return period and was able to get a return label sent for a full refund.
The problems I had with the K68 were.
1. The key area width was about the same as the VictSing. It had 1mm more spacing between the keys, but only because the keys were pretty narrow. This caused me to often hit adjacent keys, a common one being the Tilde key when I was trying to use the #1 key next to it to equip the Combat Shotgun in Doom Eternal.
2. The Esc key started popping off. I found via Googling that many others were having various keys pop off their K68s. They (and I) thought it was just because some were loosely fitted, but then the other day the Esc key popped off and would not stay on at all, and I found a little piece of it's socket pillar that fits over the switch plunger had broken off.
3. The iCUE software is buggy. I only used it to get more levels of brightness, as the lowest of the 3 brightness settings without the software caused glare and blurriness. At random times the brightness would get stuck, and sometimes at a brighter level. I often had to reboot the PC to fix it.
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I'd like a fairly affordable option this time, as the $70 I paid for the Corsair certainly didn't get me something large or durable enough (maybe $40 max). I know this puts me into entry level Mechanical range, but I can't imagine a mech at that price would be very reliable. Thus I'm mostly looking at backlit membrane KBs.
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Here are my top priorities:
1. Must have a key area at the very least 17" wide, even a bit wider would be better. I go by key area because a lot of KBs have a wide space between the keys and side of the KB shell. I prefer square (vs narrow rectangular) keys, with good spacing between them. I also can only fit a KB that is no more than 8.25" (21cm) deep on my heavy duty pullout tray. I'd also like the bottom edge to not have a ton of space between the bottom row of keys and the bottom edge of the KB. This is because it makes you use a stretched out finger position, which can result in accidentally hitting the Ctrl key when using Shift, vs when your fingers are more arched.
2. Must be reasonably durable and reliable.
3. The key format must be the kind that has a single row, wide Enter key, and wide Backspace key. I DO NOT like the ones with tall, narrow Enter keys and very narrow Backspace keys. I know this eliminates pretty much most Asian brands, but so be it.
4. The keycaps must be double shot to show the backlight through them. I DO NOT want painted letters.
5. The power cord must be at least 6' (1.8M) or close to reach the back of my case, which is large and on the floor.
_
These are preferences, but not essential:
1. I'd prefer to get an adequate (includes very dim setting) selection of brightness levels without added software, or at the very least software that isn't buggy.
2. I'd prefer it to not be thin and flexy, and have some weight to it, or at least rubber feet that grip well so it doesn't slide around.
3. I'd prefer something that does not force you to use a static rainbow RGB pattern, having the option to use one solid color.
4. I'd prefer something with Win Lock, to disable the Windows key.
____
That's pretty much it. Advice doesn't need to be based on what you've owned, but remember the size is very important. Even if you just know of friends with large hands that love a certain KB, please elaborate.
Thank you!
The problems I had with the K68 were.
1. The key area width was about the same as the VictSing. It had 1mm more spacing between the keys, but only because the keys were pretty narrow. This caused me to often hit adjacent keys, a common one being the Tilde key when I was trying to use the #1 key next to it to equip the Combat Shotgun in Doom Eternal.
2. The Esc key started popping off. I found via Googling that many others were having various keys pop off their K68s. They (and I) thought it was just because some were loosely fitted, but then the other day the Esc key popped off and would not stay on at all, and I found a little piece of it's socket pillar that fits over the switch plunger had broken off.
3. The iCUE software is buggy. I only used it to get more levels of brightness, as the lowest of the 3 brightness settings without the software caused glare and blurriness. At random times the brightness would get stuck, and sometimes at a brighter level. I often had to reboot the PC to fix it.
____
I'd like a fairly affordable option this time, as the $70 I paid for the Corsair certainly didn't get me something large or durable enough (maybe $40 max). I know this puts me into entry level Mechanical range, but I can't imagine a mech at that price would be very reliable. Thus I'm mostly looking at backlit membrane KBs.
___
Here are my top priorities:
1. Must have a key area at the very least 17" wide, even a bit wider would be better. I go by key area because a lot of KBs have a wide space between the keys and side of the KB shell. I prefer square (vs narrow rectangular) keys, with good spacing between them. I also can only fit a KB that is no more than 8.25" (21cm) deep on my heavy duty pullout tray. I'd also like the bottom edge to not have a ton of space between the bottom row of keys and the bottom edge of the KB. This is because it makes you use a stretched out finger position, which can result in accidentally hitting the Ctrl key when using Shift, vs when your fingers are more arched.
2. Must be reasonably durable and reliable.
3. The key format must be the kind that has a single row, wide Enter key, and wide Backspace key. I DO NOT like the ones with tall, narrow Enter keys and very narrow Backspace keys. I know this eliminates pretty much most Asian brands, but so be it.
4. The keycaps must be double shot to show the backlight through them. I DO NOT want painted letters.
5. The power cord must be at least 6' (1.8M) or close to reach the back of my case, which is large and on the floor.
_
These are preferences, but not essential:
1. I'd prefer to get an adequate (includes very dim setting) selection of brightness levels without added software, or at the very least software that isn't buggy.
2. I'd prefer it to not be thin and flexy, and have some weight to it, or at least rubber feet that grip well so it doesn't slide around.
3. I'd prefer something that does not force you to use a static rainbow RGB pattern, having the option to use one solid color.
4. I'd prefer something with Win Lock, to disable the Windows key.
____
That's pretty much it. Advice doesn't need to be based on what you've owned, but remember the size is very important. Even if you just know of friends with large hands that love a certain KB, please elaborate.
Thank you!
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