Which keyboard should I choose?

So I've been looking for a keyboard, and I still can't decide one yet...

The keyboard must have a good backlight, good response and build quality.

So far, my options were narrowed down to these :

- Razer Lycosa Mirror Edition
- Cyborg V5
- Logitech G510
- Logitech G110
- Logitech G19

What would be the best option?

Appreciate any input

 

Sidewinder X4 or X6

 

Out of those, I'd get the Lycosa, but I would opt for the non-Mirror edition, unless you want your entire keyboard to be made of fingerprint-magnet glossy black plastic. I've never used the Cyborg, so I can't speak for it, but all the Logitech gaming keyboards I've ever used have really bad rubber dome keys; they're painfully mushy. I got rid of my old G15 because it actually felt worse to type on than my plain Dell keyboard.

The Lycosa uses thin laptop-style scissor switches, which are much better than rubber domes in terms of tactile feedback.

But ultimately, if you want the best keyboard, you'll have to go mechanical. There aren't that many choices for backlit mechanical keyboards, and they tend to be more expensive, but they're out there. Razer makes one called the Blackwidow, and the Ultimate edition is backlit. I'm not sure about other brands, I'm sure some of the Razer haters here will be happy to chime in.

 

KBC RACE


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Mech Switches will last 10x longer than membrane and feel/work better.
Individual LED for each and every key
Reduced footprint for portable use and more mouse space.

I ordered one with MX Red switches, will do a review of it when it comes but it wont be here for a while since its being built.

As for Blackwidow Ultimate - Mastershroom was probably expecting me

I HAD one sent it back due to sub par build quality, it was "cheap" for a mechanical keyboard but the build quality made it immediately clear why it was cheap. Worst mech keyboard I ever used and I was so upset with its obvious flaws that I sent it back for a refund.

Even if mine did not have the sticky key issue I think I would have been unhappy with its feel/performance and also the size of the keyboard was too large for ergonomic gaming.

Other backlit mech

Deck Legend (really expensive, mixed reviews, not recommended)
Mionix Zibal 60 (looks good but I cant find a place to buy one, only has MX Black for switch type)
XARMOR U9BL (seems pretty middle of the road, but again cant find a place to buy it)
QPAD MK80 (another middle of the road, Deagleson on the forums has one I am pretty sure he likes it, think no choice of switch type only MX Blue)




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Thanks, I'll keep the X6 in mind.

Why are mechanical better? From what I read, they just require more pressure...

 

Thanks for the explaining, will have that one in mind aswell

What about the Alienware TactX?

 

For people that like dresses, because looking pretty is more important than function.

 

Not a Razer hater but the Ultimate has blues. I don't think they're gaming boards from a functional perspective. The 'Stealth' has more gaming-friendly browns but then even those are hardly in the same acoustic league as a Lycosa or a Sidewinder.

Also, this thing about mechanicals lasting 10x as long as membranes - 10x what? My X6's hail from near-introduction, and while all of them have major wear in the WASD block, none of them has had a single issue. In fact, I can't recall a single membrane or core key mechanism failure on any membrane I've used to date. So far I've RMA'd a Razer and a Noppoo (which was a *****) and a Leopold had to go back due to QA issues. Thankfully no serious issues with Filco or Topre yet.

 

But is it a good one in terms of build quality? I would like to have a cool, flashy keyboard

The X6 seems to be a nice contender... But after vieweing a few videos about the TactX, I'm starting to lean towards the Alienware.

So now, my options left are the X6, TactX, Lycosa, and KBT RACE.

 

A membrane does not have to outright fail to be having signs of degrading. Having to press the keys harder or having intermittent keys not registering are common symptoms.

Once a part of the PCB or a key does fail the whole unit is pretty much trash. On a mechanical keyboard you can just replace the one switch that went bad if it actually ever does go bad.

If your internals are staying healthy then you do of course have the wear & tear of the keys themselves like you said, on a mechanical keyboard you can spend a few $$$ and buy new keycaps and replace the old ones easy as cake, plus customize your keyboard in the process.

Myself having used all keyboards of all ranges of price and type would buy a mech over membrane even if they were going to last the same lifespan simply for ergonomics. Better to type on, feels better also you can tailor to what you are using it a bit more.

You mention blues and while some people use them for gaming I agree with you, it was not my choice for gaming (nor youtube casting) but I use it at work and love it for typing and data entry.

I almost never make any mistakes with it, the soft touch and solid tactile bump & click makes tying second nature. I may type 400 lines of data while looking at my source and never look at the screen once to see what I am typing or where I am typing it on a spreadsheet or database simply because the feedback from the keyboard allows me to know if a mistake was made and a key was missed or not pressed/registered.

For gaming Blacks/Reds are popular and I personally do just fine w/ browns as I do not really "spam" keys.

Just watched this last night, was a pretty good laymans outlook at MX Red for gaming, skip to about 5m12s mark.


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For example, take a look at this review : Alienware TactX Keyboard Review | Tech|Inferno

Very in-depth, and strict. I think I might get the AW now... Will think a bit more, but the lighting is very attractive

 

Just ordered the TactX... Will give a small review when it comes!


Thanks a bunch for all the input!

 

sad face, you got conned

 

Well, the lighting practically sold me. I was going with the one you told me, the KBT Race, but then I thought I would love to have a stylish keyboard, with good functionality. I'm a casual that barely plays games now, so I believe this keyboard would be great for me.

But thanks again for the help, Vicious!