Question Suggestions for a mechanical keyboard, and if I should even get one ?

[GamerXYZ]

I'm currently on a Logitech K740 keyboard that has a completely broken backspace key (the entire mechanism) so it's time to look for a new keyboard considering I've had this one for about 10 years, and I have found what seems to be a decent replacement for it in the Cherry Stream with SX switches.

However, I've had my eye on going mechanical instead (which would of course have to be better than my non-mechanical choice), and therein lies my first question: is this a wise move when i have cats often sleeping right next to the keyboard, the place always gets dusty incredibly quickly, and I often eat a sandwich at the keyboard (sometimes with crumbly crusts)?

As for what I'm looking in a keyboard, I have no need for advanced stuff (I just want a mostly very basic keyboard), so I'm looking for something not too expensive with the following:
- Wired
- Standard layout
- Relatively low-force and relatively silent switches (brown and red seem decent, I don't know how important brown's tactile property is when I'm used to keyboards that type when pressed anyway, and I don't know if maybe some other type of switch might be even better? For the record, I both game and type a lot)
- Volume controls (preferably buttons, but a knob is fine as well IF it's easy to get an exact number with it)
- No lights (except the num lock etcetera indicators). If it's optional and then stays off whenever I start the PC, that's fine as well of course
- Num Lock and Caps Lock indicators
- Numeric keys
- Wrist rest (unless it's not really necessary to use the keyboard comfortably. For the record, I have no problems with my wrists, but I am on my PC for hours in a row)
- Color black preferably, but a different color is not a dealbreaker

 

[Colif]

is this a wise move when i have cats often sleeping right next to the keyboard, the place always gets dusty incredibly quickly, and I often eat a sandwich at the keyboard (sometimes with crumbly crusts)?

That is not really a problem. With most you can remove the keycaps and clean under them to remove dust/hair/other things that fall into keyboards. Holding it upside down and shaking gets a lot out... I have used mechanical kb for about 10 years, they not that bad.
Some keyboards come with dust covers, its just up to the user to remember to use them... i forgot.

finding one without lights is a lot of fun these days... or that could just be my search results. You don't have to have the lights on really... mine comes with lighting but i don't use it. White keys makes it unessential really. It lacks the indicator lights so I won't suggest it...

logitech don't seem to sell a wired mechanical keyboard any more. I doubt Razer ever did.

these aren't that expensive:
https://www.keychron.com/collections/keychron-v-series-keyboard cheapest 100% size one is $69
it does appear the media keys on the 100% are function keys like on mine. I almost bought a Keychron myself. They do have other models with more switch choices. they let you change almost anything on the more expensive ones. Most are wireless/BT but no reason you can't run with cable attached.
https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k10-wireless-mechanical-keyboard

 

[BrickStation]

I personally use a Redragon K512RGB, it's a relatively basic mechanical-feel board. I've had a couple of Redragon keyboards, and I like them. They're good for gaming or writing comments and messages online.

Redragon also has mechanical keyboards. Most of their boards have RGB but you can set the lights to stay off I believe, at least mine will switch off the lights. Some of them come with a rest as well. They might not have every feature you've outlined but they are reasonably basic and inexpensive to replace. My last one got folded in half after a bad gaming session, and I've replaced it with a better one for less than $50

 

[Colif]

Redragon have a habit of not supporting keyboard software after they release a new one. I have helped a few people on here try to locate newer software that works with keyboard.

 

[hotaru.hino]

You can't really go wrong with either a Nuphy or a Keychron keyboard, especially if they have QMK/VIA customization support.

 

[BrickStation]

Redragon have a habit of not supporting keyboard software after they release a new one. I have helped a few people on here try to locate newer software that works with keyboard.

I have seen some posts about that issue. In my experience, I've always had smooth plug-and-play operations with Redragon boards over the years.

Occasionally, I will have a communication loss when I boot my PC, but it always resolves itself when I reconnect the board or reboot. The same thing happens more often with my Zelotes mouse. Could be some sort of driver issue, I've always just assumed it was because both of my peripherals are of cheap quality.

 

[35below0]

- Wired
- Standard layout
- Relatively low-force and relatively silent switches (brown and red seem decent, I don't know how important brown's tactile property is when I'm used to keyboards that type when pressed anyway, and I don't know if maybe some other type of switch might be even better? For the record, I both game and type a lot)
- Volume controls (preferably buttons, but a knob is fine as well IF it's easy to get an exact number with it)
- No lights (except the num lock etcetera indicators). If it's optional and then stays off whenever I start the PC, that's fine as well of course
- Num Lock and Caps Lock indicators
- Numeric keys
- Wrist rest (unless it's not really necessary to use the keyboard comfortably. For the record, I have no problems with my wrists, but I am on my PC for hours in a row)
- Color black preferably, but a different color is not a dealbreaker

Viper V765 - https://viper.patriotmemory.com/pro...aming-keyboard-viper-gaming-by-patriot-memory

Ticks all the boxes except it's aluminum grey. (and ugly as sin at first sight 😀 )

I think red is noisy! I don't mind, but i urge you to visit a PC store and play with mechanical keys there. They should have some on display.
Red don't have a tactile bump and they get machine gun fire noisy when i type. I would prefer brown maybe.

I am very happy with mine. I like the size. Typing feels comfortable and accurate. It's a sturdy keyboard. Big chunky caps. Nothing cheaply made. Even the cable is nice, braided, feels like quality.

The wrist rest is unimpressive. Not bad, but not good either. Attaches magnetically if you want to use it.

Unlike yourself i do like the lighting. I set a bluish white soft backlight and it looks great day or night.
But you can disable lighting without installing software. If you want finer control over which key is lit with which color, you will need to install software but it's pretty clear you're not interested in that at all.
So if you do go with this one, check the manual for keyboard shortcuts and use them to kill the lights.

Num/Caps/Scroll lock lights are indipendent of aRGB.

Viper have some other models, but i don't have first hand experience with those. Some are black.


Another keyboard that is highly recommended to me is the Keychron V6 - https://www.keychron.com/products/k...om-mechanical-keyboard?variant=40912031744089
I don't like the color or the keys, but i am impressed with everything else.

Hope this helps.

 

[dingo07]

It's more than you'd likely want to spend, but I just ordered a MonsGeek M1 V3 from MG, with silent yellow switches from Amazon for about 100 bucks including expedited FedEx shipping from MG. All I need are keycaps, but it's the silent switches I really wanted. This was the only way I could see not spending more than 150 bucks for a keyboard I liked with silent switches.

 

[35below0]

It's more than you'd likely want to spend, but I just ordered a MonsGeek M1 V3 from MG, with silent yellow switches from Amazon for about 100 bucks including expedited FedEx shipping from MG. All I need are keycaps, but it's the silent switches I really wanted. This was the only way I could see not spending more than 150 bucks for a keyboard I liked with silent switches.

I'm a little bit confused. if you needed keycaps, why did you need the switches? And if you wanted the silent switches, was this the only way to buy silent switches?

Also, it's not a full size keyboard.

 

[Colif]

You can't really go wrong with either a Nuphy or a Keychron keyboard, especially if they have QMK/VIA customization support.

If I had waited 6 months I could have my model with QMK support... I didn't know they were going to replace it so soon... sigh
https://nuphy.com.au/products/nuphy-halo96-v2
changes made aren't enough for me to replace it so soon. They also don't have same keycap colors yet and have changed the type of keycap they use on them. So mine aren't exactly backwards compatible, they changed height I think.

 

[dingo07]

I'm a little bit confused. if you needed keycaps, why did you need the switches? And if you wanted the silent switches, was this the only way to buy silent switches?

Also, it's not a full size keyboard.

There's nothing for you to be confused about. I bought a new keyboard frame that did not include switches or keycaps. I then purchased switches that I wanted from somewhere else than the keyboard frame. What's left for me to purchase are keykaps to make the keyboard whole.

Yes, I'm well aware its not a full size keyboard, however the OP can choose to go with a separate keypad for looks if he chooses.

 

[35below0]

I missed that you bought the keyboard frame and switches separately. Have you used the yellow silent switches before? Any thought on them?

 

[dingo07]

I missed that you bought the keyboard frame and switches separately. Have you used the yellow silent switches before? Any thought on them?

No I haven't used the switches personally, however I did watch about 10 different videos of people that did. That's how I determined I wanted Silent switches.
I'm not particular about how they feel, I'm getting this kit for aesthetics only, and switches so I don't hear remarks from my better half on the noise! I'm using an ancient Dell L100 currently lol