Reddit mentions of Mechanical Keyboard Gaming Keyboard GATERON Red Switch Wired Backlit Mechanical Mini Design (60%) 68 Kyes Keyboard White Magicforce Qisan

Mechanical Keyboards will last longer and will probably spawn an addiction to them later. If you want to get him a solid one that will also make him less prone to hand based injuries later in life, I recommend this

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01E57PXKA/ref=mp_s_a_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1492474418&sr=8-10&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=magicforce+68

It won't have Red LEDs but those cost more money for a good keyboard. You have to spend around 120 USD for a good keyboard with any red LEDs or RGB. This at least has White LEDs.

Quickfire Rapid if your budget can stretch to it, great value for your money.

Otherwise get a magicforce 68.

At least post the Gateron version. Kailh isn't the greatest.

https://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Keyboard-GATERON-Magicforce-Qisan/dp/B01E57PXKA

Magicforce boards are pretty nice, this one is even backlit.

I suggest you buy a magicforce keyboard. You can get brown switches for 40$: Amazon Link. Or red switches for 63$: Amazon Link. Another red switch 39$: Amazon Link.

Not sure if these are available in your area, sorry about that.

Rantopad MXX - not really minimalist, but it's the only Gateron TKL I know of

Magicforce 68 - Not really a TKL, but it's minimalist and uses Gaterons.

The main problem with Gateron switches is that they aren't really used in pre-built boards that often. They're fantastic if you're building your own though.

I would do Gateron switches instead of MX

Gateron Red Switch (LED Backlit) : https://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Keyboard-GATERON-Magicforce-Qisan/dp/B01E57PXKA

Gateron Blue Switch (LED Backlit) : https://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Keyboard-GATERON-Magicforce-Qisan/dp/B01J708CCG/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1498968120&sr=1-3&keywords=gateron+blue

Gateron Red Switch (RGB): https://www.banggood.com/APP-Control-Anne-PRO-Blue-Red-Switch-RGB-Bluetooth-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard-p-1064055.html

All those keyboards are really good, and they are all backlit

The cheapest mech I'd recommend is the magicforce 68 with gateron switches, costing 63$ before tax. I've not personally used one, but I've used gateron switches and they are (IMO) as good as the most common switch brand (cherry MX).

There are cheaper magicforce 68s with lower quality switches that go as cheap as 30$, but I've not tried any of those.

Edit - I just realized the other person was talking about custom mechs. This is a pre-made mech, not a custom.

I noticed there are some already on special. With the nicer switches.

Gateron Red$55.50

Kailh Black$52.55

Cherry Red$66.38

Cherry Brown$69.99

Yeah if you want really solid keyboard you have to pay more money, but that doesn't mean cheaper keyboards can't be still pretty good. I'm not the guy you responded to above btw. If you are a keyboard enthusiast then you would care about the small details, but if you're just and average person then they cheap boards are good enough. I would recommend Redragon though though. My K552 with blues was pretty crappy and the keys weren't very solid, but that's just my opinion. I would recommend the DREVO Gramr which I am typing this on right now or if you want to go smaller then I would recommend the Magicforce 68 with Gateron reds. The general consensus that I have noticed on r/MechanicalKeyboards is that Cherry is the best, followed by Gateron and then Outemu and the rest of the clones.

Yeah, that seems to be the general consensus.

Amazon carries Magicforces with Gateron Red and Browns.

Brown

Red

https://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Keyboard-GATERON-Magicforce-Qisan/dp/B01E57PXKA

From amazon, took a bit of browsing as there are a lot of different choices but I ended up going with this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E57PXKA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Not sure if I even saw one with Gateron Browns :/

It's a bit less than 71 keys, but what about a Magicforce 68? Here is the Gateron Red version, as an example.

You can get the Gateron Magicforce 68 for about 55 USD, which is a great price. Don't know if that's available for Canada though.

Everybody have their own preference, but cherry mx red is my first mechanical keyboard switch that I use. I used specifically it for 2 years, then when I try brown out, I don't like it. Brown feels like a dirty red to me--red with slight bump, so slight I'm not sure why the bump is there in the first place.

But for you, someone who's used with brown, red might feels different. Definitely let me know when you tried red out, I'm curious of your reaction :D

So I have magicforce 68 gateron red, I bought it from amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E57PXKA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Honestly I hate it. Not because it's bad, but because right now I'm too used on having a heavier keyboard as I have aluminium plate, aluminium case, etc. The magicforce build is solid but it is still plastic. I'm assuming your logitech g710 is a solid plastic too so I don't think you'll have problem adjusting with magicforce.

The gateron red in magicforce is uniform, stable, and responsive. It's amazing for gaming in my experience when I played dota 2 with it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01E57PXKA/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you can stretch your budget a little the Magicforce 68 comes with Gaterons for $62.99

I don't think you'll find a Magicforce with Zealios.

As for Gaterons:
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I'm looking for a pre-built keyboard, as I currently have neither the time nor resources to start building right now. (I'd definitely choose Kailh BOX switches if I were building, though.) This Qisan Magicforce 68 has Gateron red switches. Not sure if they feel the same or lighter relative to Cherry reds, for example, so any comparisons would help. Alternatively, I think I saw a Gateron black switch version, so how do Gateron blacks feel relative to Cherry or Kailh blacks? Looking at force curves only tells so much.

I have a... 75%? right now as my first mechanical keyboard. I'm returning it though - Qisan Magicforce 82 with Gateron brown switches - due to key chatter, but it turns out that I dislike the proximity of the Home cluster next to the arrow keys anyway. Leopold aside, I think that's the most common pre-built layout, unfortunately, so it's 60% or TKL for me. (Also staying low-budget while I explore layouts and switches right now.)

Magicforce 68 with gateron reds would be a solid choice for you

MF68 with Gat Brown

MF68 with Gat Clear

MF68 with Gat Red

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E57PXKA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_wtItzb6TXH7F8 when it comes to switches, some knockoffs are kinda bad due to quality but Gaterons in particular are actually preferred by a lot of people because they were smoother than cherry which apparently has been fixed in newer cherry switches but Gaterons are good quality and cheaper than cherries I believe. But it all comes down to personal preference I guess. I definitely wouldn't dismiss Gateron because they are knock offs

EDIT: a word

I replaced the keycaps, which were sold as a complete set on massdrop!

The keyboard is the Magicforce 68 key

Do you think the $63 for this one is worth is over the $40 one with oetemu browns?

There is but I actually recommend the Gateron red version. I find that Gateron switches (in general) are smoother compared to Cherry (but this is my personal opinion, take it with a grain of salt).

Mechanical Keyboard Gaming Keyboard GATERON Red Switch Wired Backlit Mechanical Mini Design (60%) 68 Kyes Keyboard White Silver Magicforce by Qisan https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E57PXKA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LMrkzb3Q7V68D

considering that you can get one with gateron reds, or clears (or blacks when it's back in stock), for 62.99 shipped, WITH keycaps and cable, and springs for another 5 bucks, possibly less if they're not gold plated, your asking price doesn't make any sense. GLWS tho

How about the magicforce? I linked you the nicer version, but they also have a non-backlit version with different switches for $40

Edit: this one has the dreamy vintage apple font, get this one instead.

If you want a good first, without much of a learning curve (meaning the loss of the ten key, or arrows), I'd suggest the Magic Force. It's less than $100 and comes with Gateron Brown Switches which are a favorite among a lot of people here. Yea, it's missing the ten key, but has the arrows.


If you want something with a ten key, the prices begin to skyrocket. You'll be spending about $150-$200 for a pretty standard full size board with Cherry/Gateron switches. There are full size boards with "better" switches, but the price goes up even more.


My personal favorites are the 60% boards, which have no ten key or arrows. Of course you can easily program these keys as a function layer on top of other keys, but to each their own. You'll find countless boards of this type, and a lower cost option is the Poker. The one I linked is the New Poker 2, which is USB C powered.


The last option is to build your own, which CAN be cheaper than buying a pre-built board. The main cost here comes with the key caps themselves.


I like to buy parts from US companies, mainly for shipping reasons. So check the following for the hardware needed to build a board. Be aware that some soldering tools/experience is required.


www.1upkeyboards.com

www.novelkeys.xyz

www.mechanicalkeyboards.com

www.switchtop.com

www.flashquark.com


If buying overseas is your thing, and you enjoy the 3 weeks or more shipping times, check the following. By the way, there are more sites in this category, I just don't know them all:


www.aliexpress.com

www.kdbfans.com

Thanks for the suggestions.

I was looking on Amazon and found these two Magicforce keyboards. I tried combining your suggestions with the other user's suggestion for Gateron switches:

• Full size
  
• 60%
  
  Would you recommend these? They seem much cheaper than my previous one. Should I be concerned?

Cherry mx brown, Gateron brown, Gateron red

How does the MagicForce 68 with Gateron Red switches look?

http://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Keyboard-GATERON-Magicforce-Qisan/dp/B01E57PXKA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464369366&sr=8-1&keywords=magicforce+68+red

So depending on what you're looking for I'll make some suggestions within/around your range.


Redragon K552W: https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K552W-Mechanical-Keyboard-Equivalent/dp/B07D3FJW3S/ref=pd_sbs_147_10?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07D3FJW3S&pd_rd_r=a93b2b07-fcf4-43ec-86c5-c474bb362350&pd_rd_w=Atdgs&pd_rd_wg=5OGnu&pf_rd_p=1c11b7ff-9ffb-4ba6-8036-be1b0afa79bb&pf_rd_r=YQ8TT3G39M0JDPQBXNPD&psc=1&refRID=YQ8TT3G39M0JDPQBXNPD
One of my go to keyboard suggestions for anyone looking to get into mechanicals or for people on a tight budget.
I stand by this board period. It has Outemu Blues which are clickier than Cherry MX Blues but more tactile. Solid choice, if lighting doesn't matter to you there's also a black model, LED free mode, & a full size.


MagicForce Qisan: https://www.amazon.com/Qisan-Mechanical-Keyboard-GATERON-Magicforce/dp/B01E57PXKA
Probably one of my favorite Gateron Red switch boards for its price. There are some sacrifices made though, you're getting exposed switches, this shouldn't matter as long as you're not a messy person however.
If you want a smooth switch that's not going to be terribly loud and clicky I do suggest this. Gateron Reds have to be my favorite out of all of the red switches I've tried, they're just smooth and provide a nice typing experience.


iKBC CD87: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BNX56H1/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNzBUWkEyQ0hEMk5YJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzgxNTk5MzMxRzA2MDROQVA2RSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDQxNjIzUlNXVjUyWFhJVjNTJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsMiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
If you don't mind spending a little extra here's one of my personal favorite boards that comes in several different switches all being authentic Cherry's.
Very desk space friendly, nice design, & portable if that's important to you.
This board is versatile, it takes any keycaps thrown at it and just feel comfortable to type on, if you wanna go a little bit premium and have a nice keyboard I'd suggest this for sure.


Motospeed 61 RGB: https://www.amazon.com/MOTOSPEED-Portable-Mechanical-Keyboard-Backlit/dp/B07HH8ZTDD/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3LXKO6G1Z5EQQ&keywords=kailh+white+switch+keyboard&qid=1566725961&s=gateway&sprefix=kailh+white%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-5#customerReviews
You did mention that illuminating lights is one thing you'd like, this is my last suggestion and definitely something different if you're new to mechanicals as this isn't a board I'd normally suggest to anyone new.
Motospeed 61 uses Kailh BOX White switches, it's a switch that's more comparable to the Cherry MX Blue so it's a tactile switch.
I'd argue that they're not near as loud but provide the tactile click that some people prefer but I find these to be a better switch for gaming in my opinion.



These are some of the suggestions I can make within your search range that I find to be worth for the price.
Hopefully this will help you make a decision!

Magicforce 68. They're $40-70 on Amazon. $40 for nonbacklit, $70 for backlit. Last I checked, reds weren't in stock but blues were and they're pretty nice for the price. I love mine. I use it at home sometimes for gaming.

Edit: They have one gateron red backlit left in stock.

Qisan Magicforce 68 with Gateron Red switches - $63
Qisan Magicforce 68 with Outemu Black switches (like a heavier Red) - $40 + shipping

> only switch better for fps IMO is the Gateron clear

im being a comment necromancer, but im looking at a new keyboard since my deck 82 left shift key finaly broke after 10+ years..

im looking at this with the clear

http://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Keyboard-GATERON-Magicforce-Qisan/dp/B01E57PW7Y/ref=pd_sim_sbs_147_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=41vZKXXj2EL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0CHM8XW9FJ4EQBHW58RW

or this with the red

http://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Keyboard-GATERON-Magicforce-Qisan/dp/B01E57PXKA?ie=UTF8&keywords=gateron%20red%20switches&qid=1465427592&ref_=sr_1_8&sr=8-8

or maybe this for a bit more for the red
http://www.amazon.com/Rantopad-MXX-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B01B7I384S?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&ref_=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_1

can you tell me why the clear is your fav?

fyi the deck used black switches.

Magicforce (Qisan) 68 w/ Gateron Red (Prime Day $50)

​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E57PXKA/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_sGolDb1ZEREBN

https://www.amazon.com/Qisan-Mechanical-Keyboard-GATERON-Magicforce/dp/B01E57PXKA

A little over $50

Inferior switches. If you want to save some money and still get excellent switches, go with this https://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-Keyboard-GATERON-Magicforce-Qisan/dp/B01E57PXKA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491589304&sr=8-1&keywords=Magicforce+68+red

Assuming you don't mind white.