Reddit mentions: The best powersport switches

Advice for first time MK buyer? i still have a few weeks before i fully decide/get the funds but so far im considering the ducky shine 5, coolermaster masterkeys pro l or a k series corsair..

k-series - quality issues, wary of "gaming" brands, and the keyboard i want that fulfills everything i want is ehh and over budget (k95 - nearly £200, budget is not strictly set but its about £120-150) while the other, lower cost k-series still seem to have quality issues and are missing various features (media/macro keys, etc). - and when compared to the below 2 keyboards (or at least the masterkeys) seems pretty inferior when quality is taken into account.

ducky shine 5 - seems really, really solid and is reasonably priced. but no software for rgb customization is kinda disappointing. although it does seem to have better LED's then others.

masterkeys pro l - seems similar to ducky in regards to quality, but has software. just in general seems really solid and pretty much ticks all my boxes.


features id like:

macro keys - not a huge dealbreaker, but i would like to have them. that being said, i have 12 atm (logitech g110) that are pretty much never used - but id like to use them. software for customizing keys never used as replacement for dedicated macros would also be acceptable

media keys - again, never used and a minor bonus and im not to fussed.

quality - id like to have the keyboard for a fair few years.

Full sized - im not completely against the idea of getting a smaller size, but it seems unnecessary for me.. full sized has been perfectly fine for me.

Customizability - for keycaps, etc.. I realize that the k-series use a non standard bottom row which makes replacing/getting new switches difficult..? atm this is a complete non factor and i have 0 plans to change anything.. but i guess standard and not some weird hard to find stuff would be good for future.

RGB - it seemed silly to me yesterday for this to be such an important thing but after seeing a razer chroma something in person.. I love it.

UK layout

If theres any other keyboards that i should consider looking at thats roughly my budget and fits the criteria, id really appreciate it - along with advice about the 3 mentioned boards - ATM im leaning towards the masterkeys.

Bonus question - i realize its a pretty personal thing, but it seems cherry MX reds are what id like the most..? I dont like the idea of blues potentially interfering with double tapping, but i have pretty much no experience. Does something like this really help in finding your preferred switch if its only 1 key? i tried typing on razor chroma (something) which i believe has razor greens and found it pretty lovely - at least compared to what i have now.

>Switches, where can I try them? is there anything like blues that aren't loud?

You can try out switches by buying a switch tester like this one. I'd say the closest thing to feeling like blues without the click would be cherry MX clears.

> are reds hard to type on?

I wouldn't say they're hard to type on, but that's a bit subjective. Reds are Cherry's lightest switch offering, so someone who likes very heavy switches might find it difficult to type on them, but for someone who's just getting into this stuff or doesn't have a particular preference there isn't anything about Reds that make them hard to type on. They're linear switches, meaning they don't have a click or bump for the actuation, they're just straight force all the way down to bottom-out.

>What is your personal favorite?

Right now my personal favorite is linear switches, with a force somewhere in between reds and blacks. I'm currently using cherry MX black switches and I have some springs that I'm going to modify them with to make them just a bit lighter.

>TKL or full size? seriously have no idea what to do here

This is all about how big you want your keyboard to be. Personally I started out with a full size but with each keyboard I got from there, I went smaller and smaller as I found that there are a lot of keys on a keyboard that I just don't use. I went with TKL and loved it, then tried out some of the smaller sizes like 60%, 65%, and 75%. I decided I liked the 60% but needed my arrow keys so I settled on 65% with my Clueboard.

>RGB is it worth it?

If you're into backlighting RGB is great. There are a few keyboards that are great, solid keyboards that get recommended a lot here that have RGB. Check out the CoolerMaster Masterkeys Pro S and L (S is TKL and L is fullsize) and the Ducky Shine 5.

>macro keys/volume controls are they worth it?

This is something that's pretty much non existent in the higher quality enthusiast-grade boards. You can get volume controls through function keys and such but dedicated volume controls are rare (pretty much just the Das Keyboard 4 that I can think of) and macro keys are very much nowhere except for cheap, badly built "gamer" boards by Razer, Corsair, etc. You'll find that the mk community is all about less is more as far as keyboard sizes go, so adding more keys just to do undefined "macros" with is the opposite of what the community's going for. Instead, it's all about reducing the size of the keyboard and adding more functions to existing keys for more efficiency. For example, a lot of people forego dedicated arrow keys and instead have arrow keys on Function+WASD. Personally I like my arrow keys but that's the idea. The highly sought out keyboards in the community are mostly fully programmable, so basically every key becomes a "macro key" at that point.

Well, thats a beast of a rig!

With this you could cut a few corners... for example, are you planning on overclocking? if not, there is no need for a K processor, so you could get the 7600 (no k) and with no overclockeable cpu there is no need for a z170 motherboard... but the price difference may not be all that big.

You could get a cheaper PSU, but again, thats a really good and reliable one, the price difference might not be worth it if you are not on a very tight budget.

Essentially i think you have an excellent rig and the things you could "cheap out" on, might not be worth doing so, as in, if you have the extra $ better to have this than the slightly cheaper versions.

A thing i would add is a regular HDD at least 1tb, and use it as storage, if for any reason you need/want to format your pc, you could just wipe the SSD and all your downloaded games/pictures/videos/documents would be safe in the other drive. Only games with long loading times benefit from being installed on a SSD, so no need to have them all in one (i dont have any games on my SSD for example, only Windows and windows programs).

You should post your specs on /r/pcmasterrace with a title like "can someone check my build?" so you can get more opinions, i might not be seeing something!


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What monitor do you have, or what resolution (1080p/1440p) and refresh rate (60hz/144hz) are you planning on gaming on?

If you are getting a new monitor, and keeping a AMD Gpu, consider one with FREESYNC (or one with Gsync if you change for a more powerful nvidia card, but expect a $200 price increase as Nvidia taxes manufacturers that use their tech) people say it makes a considerable difference... i havent had one so i couldnt really give my opinion on that.

Now for GPU, With the rx480 you are on the sweetspot for 1080p 60hz gaming.

the next step up would be an nvidia 1070 for either 1440p 60hz or 1080p 144hz

and the next one would be a 1080 for 1440p 144hz

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Also do you have mouse/keyboard??

Personally i love Logitech Mice, Want top of the line and arguably the best wired/wireless Mouse there is, but also quite pricy? go for the g900, or one of the most loved and better reviewed is the g502 just ask /r/G502MasterRace

i have a g700s that can be used wired or wireless but the battery life is crap. around 1 week, so i invested on rechargeable batteries, it can be charged via the cable, so not all that annoying, but the g600 battery lasts for around 6 months... (The g600 is wireless only though.) i went for the g700s because of button placements.

And for the keyboard... well there is no dispute, get a Mechanical Keyboard, only thing is that you might be overwhelmed because of the huge ammount of options... but basically get one with CHERRYMX switches, there are others switches, but these are the best there are, no contest. Just decide on the color of the switches, as each one has different characteristics, some are clicky some take more pressure etc... a tester

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

would be useful to decide what kind you want, i went for the Cherry Mx Browns and i have to tell you, i couldnt be more satisfied, honestly one of the bestest buys ive ever made for my PC, Why do you think my answers are so lengthy? i look for excuses to write on mine, thats how satisfying it is. You might not feel this way the moment you get it, but after a month using it and you get accustomed to your Mech, and then type on a common membrane keyboard, youll ask yourself how the hell did you use that crap for so long.

/r/MechanicalKeyboards is where you should go ask as there are a huge amount of options to choose from.

Thats all i can think of right now!

Very nice build! I'll second the Samsung EVO SSDs--I see a lot of people recommend the Pro ones, and I don't quite understand why, they're pricier for not a lot of (consumer-level) performance increase. EVGA graphics cards are a bit pricier than their competitors, but the customer service is absolutely worth it.

I think you'll be very happy with the 970--I'm still running on a three-year-old 670 with a single 23.6" 1080p monitor, and it still holds 60+ FPS at Ultra in Mythic raiding.

I know little about the EVGA PSUs other than that I see them recommended a lot; another brand to look for is Seasonic, from whom all models are recommended. Avoid Corsair PSUs, especially those of the CX series--I've seen more than one fail after people insisted I use them for their builds.

Regarding a keyboard, I highly recommend mechanical switches--you may want to play around with them and see what you like. Amazon offers a sampler of the six most common switch types for $15, which is well worth it for the money you're about to spend on the keyboard itself. Here I do recommend (Corsair keyboards)[http://www.corsair.com/en-us/gaming-keyboards] over the Razer ones you'll see a lot--the build quality is significantly better and they're overall (I've found) far more comfortable to type on.

I agree wholeheartedly with the earlier commenter who suggested you take a look at (Logical Increments)[http://www.logicalincrements.com/#!/]. Their Parts Information (green bars below the big chart) has a lot of information about what the various parts do, what brands are good, and where you can skimp a little vs. what's really worth the money. They have a (page about World of Warcraft specifically)[http://www.logicalincrements.com/games/wow/] that discusses what components the game taxes more.

Good luck, OP!

If you want a simple set of starter peripherals, I'd go for Logitech G402 for a mouse, SteelSeries 6Gv2 for a keyboard and HyperX Cloud II for a headset.

The best option for a mouse would be for you to make a list of features that you require (how many buttons? Ambidextrous/ergonomic design? Wired/Wireless? Lighting preference?) and come back here for a list of mice that satisfy all or most of your requirements. Then you would go to a shop to test how each of those mice feel in your hand and choose the one that is the most comfortable. Buying a mouse on a recommendation is likely to end with you getting a mouse that is not comfortable.

For a keyboard, as a beginner, a standard layout mechanical keyboard would probably be the best bet. However, mechanical keyboards come in various switches, so it would be best for you to spend a few bucks to buy a keyswitch tester online and find which you like best. From there, you could come here or /r/MechanicalKeyboards for suggestions.

For your headset, HyperX Cloud II is an excellent choice and will be pretty much impossible to beat for the price. And any better headset will cost you twice what the HyperX Cloud II does, making it an even better option. In fact, I got the HyperX Cloud II as a Christmas present for my little sister. Meanwhile, if you had other uses for headphones, buying a more expensive pair of headphones with something like the Antlion ModMic would be a good choice.

Edit:
>The g502 looks like a transformer

How about Zowie EC1-A then? I have owned an older version of that mouse for close to 3 years and it still works flawlessly. It is also an extremely simple mouse, with no drivers or firmware of any kind to trip you up.

I love my Logitech G402 mouse. I have fairly average hands, but I like that it's a bit narrower. It is a bit on the long side, but nothing too crazy.

For keyboards, as people mentioned, you'll want to figure out what kind of switches you want. For Cherry MX, Blue, red, and brown are the most common, but there are a whole load of other colors. Personally, I like browns because I like the tactile feedback (unlike reds), and they're fairly light and are quieter than blues. If you have a store that carries them nearby, definitely try them out. You can also get testers on amazon for about $15, depending on how many switches you want to try. This for example has the usual switches, as well as black, green, and clear, and comes with dampener rings to try as well. I've had a lot of Logitech peripherals over the years, so I ended up with the G710+ board, and I'm happy with it. It's pretty wide as it's a full board, plus has macro keys along one side, but I like having the option of using them :)

Blue is the loud clickity clackity switch. A lot of people like the noise and try to associate it with mechanical keyboards, but if you're like me and prefer a less noisy experience avoid them. When a friend of mine was still living at home, his mom made him get rid of his blue switch keyboard because it was so loud she couldn't sleep at night being in the next room. He also didn't have o-rings so she had to deal with the clicky noises and the clacking from bottoming out.

Browns are basically quieter versions of Blues. Great for typing without all the noise. Has a tactile bump for actuation without the click noise and great for typing. I use these for both gaming and typing and I love them.

Reds are linear switches. Little quieter than browns. Easier to bottom out if you don't have o-rings because there isn't a bump or click for actuation and they have little resistance. Typically used more for gaming, but doesn't mean you need them for gaming.

All three are commons choices and at the end of the day it completely comes down to preference. If you're unsure what switch you'd prefer, go to a computer store with some on display and try them out. If none are available, there are switch testers to you can order to test out the different choices.

http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4 For example.

Also, http://www.amazon.com/Max-Keyboard-Keycap-Cherry-Sampler/dp/B00E71W4O8 cheaper option with less switch choices.

Browns with o-rings are my personal favorite. Brown for the bump without the click, and o-rings to avoid the clack. I also really love the way Black switches feel, but admittedly they're a bit too stiff for me to game with so I stick with brown.

Do not buy an SM harness... That is exactly what someone who owns an SM would say (although I own one too).. but, I have both an E and an SM and have done plenty of swapping of parts between the two, i can assure you there are far more differences than you realize and you will not be happy when you are trying to mate up everything You simply just need to add a new extra, more simple harness for street legal applications. Lots of places sell these, but if you are convinced on doing your own I will write something up below.

As I mentioned above.. the SM harness will have neutral light wiring, clutch wiring, kickstand wiring, fan wiring, entire cluster wiring, a different run/stop switch wiring and so on... The harness is ~$250 new.. used will be ~$70 and up before shipping. And, unless you want to buy all the oem bar/lever switches, instrument cluster, and so on you will be cutting all the factory connectors off anyway and buying new ones. So really, you just spent $100 bucks on wires, and now you have a harness tied into your frame with any number of wires that are not used but are still wrapped in with those that are needed. Need I even mention, that there is the level of effort in removing your existing harness to put the new one in. If you haven't done it before, then I reserve the "i told you so" card for when you start thinking you should have just ran new wires. Why rip out all the current working wiring on your bike just to run lights and a horn? You really just need to take your time and snake some new wiring through on top of the existing ones.

What you will need:
A spool set of multi colored stranded wire for $30 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N51OO7Q/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_ZOwHxbBZEX0R4
black electrical tape
wire loom if you want it.. lots of black tape will work
If you want to get fancy and connect things up nicely, get a handful of universal auto connectors, nice and pricey ones are "deutsch" connectors but spade connectors will work just fine. all the turn signals are 2 pin. the taillight is 3, headlight is 2 pins per light.. (high and low) depending on which you get. Brake light switches are 2 pins each (front and rear). All the relays are typically spade connectors, and there will probably be 6 of these. You will also need 2 for the horn.

Tap into power anywhere after the ignition switch.. so that your lights only come on when you have key-turned.. there is a number of places to do this then run power to your control on the handlebar.Ground will be from all over, best place is the battery though.

Taillight might as well be powered directly from the ignition.. it comes on all the time when the key is turned. Same with headlight, but you will need to switch that between high and low. this takes care of your rear running light.

Typical handlebar control you should get.. i didnt look long and this one may be a bit pricey, but it has all the switching you need. https://www.amazon.com/Technologies-12-0055-Off-Road-Multi-Function-Handlebar/dp/B000IOO4KK/ref=pd_sim_263_33?ie=UTF8&dpID=414eakRFE3L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=0XT37ZA8388WFWNJSQQK

You can use 2 relays for the whole setup.

For the headlight.. http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/CTI0/84601/N0381.oap?ck=Search_N0381_-1_4631&pt=N0381&ppt=C0335#compatibilityTab_ will work fine. the switch i made above goes before the relay and has two wires coming out of it(one high, one low).. and one common going in.. Connect a +vdc going into the common.. the other two outs will be going to relay.. one for high beams on 87, the other for lows/running + on 86. ground goes on 85. Headlights done.

Flasher relay for your blinkers.. .. http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/NOV0/EP34/01546.oap?year=2001&make=Suzuki&model=Swift&vi=1375130&ck=Search_relay_01546_1375130_4631&keyword=relay&pt=01546&ppt=C0117
This also goes before your turn signal switch.. the relay has a power in.. B, and then a ground.. E, then a flashing VDC out, L. L goes to the handlebar common input and the controls have 2 going out.. one goes to Front & rear Left.. the other Front and Rear Rigtht. each turn signal has a ground as a second wire. here is a simple picture.. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk204/freddyflatfoot/Signal0_zpsd66b34a5.jpg.. for the relay i linked, the B is X in the pic.. L is L and the E is for ground or P in the picture. turn signals should work now.

The annoying part of all this will be the brake switches... E model frames do not have the welded bolt holes for the S/SM switches for the rear. Also your front brake levers do not have bolt holes for switches. Yet again, another failure point if you go with an SM harness. To get these working, I would go with banjo bolt pressure switches for both front and rear.. just need to make sure that you get the right size to replace the oem banjo bolts. Here is an example.. (may not be the right size)..https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GTV0RC/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687542&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0039ZTQEO&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=G97BJBWZ2KJBAABS9H7T If you dont go with banjo bolts, you need to rig something up for spring activated switches on the factory E levers, which dont have any mounting points, unlike the SM models. Once you do this, you will run two grounds to the brake light. +vdc will go directly to the light, the two grounds will go to the light via the two switches. When either one of the brake switches is hit.. it completes a path to ground and the light will come on. Brakes are only annoying because of the need to refill your brakes. (good opportunity for steel braid lines! if you wanted them anyway).

The horn works just like the brake.. power to the horn, ground through the momentary switch built into the controls.

Put a fuse or (multiple if you prefer) inline for the wiring you just.. somewhere between the ignition and the components.

Your last bit you need to figure out is a speedometer, and you could get an S/SM cluster to make it easy.. except on money.. but a Trail Tech Endurance is much cheaper ($89.99 new) than a used factory instrument panel and comes with the wheel sensor you need. If you get the striker or vapor you can get a sweet looking indicator panel to go over it that will give you turn signal indicators, and so on (extra wiring needed though). Trail Techs are accurate once wheel speed is set correctly and they are really.. really easy to install. So much that KTM/Berg/Husky uses the same reed switches mechanism for speedo function. If you do this, remove the old speedo cable, plug the hole in the stock wheel sensor up with a rubber plug or epoxy(if you never will use it again) and then leave the sensor there as a spacer for your wheel. I think some sites sell a spacer to eliminate it.. I cannot remember.

Thats it.. You would have horn, signals, headlights, taillights/ brake lights, speedo and you didnt mess with your factory wiring one bit, which means the only thing that will possibly NOT work when you are done is your lights or horn.

I could try to draw up a crude wiring schematic if you really need, or I can answer questions as you do it if you feel it is something you want to try. Either way, I have faith most people can figure this out with some guidance from the forums, youtube, and google.

Uh oh, I see I'm finding another subreddit to join... because I love typing.

Good comments from the other replies here. I love my K68 and my K63. I have one at home, where I work often typing up compliance letters, policy docs, emails and PowerPoints for my company. And never ending meeting notes. Loved my K68 so much at home I got the compact K63 for work.

That being said, be sure you get something you're happy with, even if you end up returning another keyboard. I love MX switches. You might want to check out Romer-G switches on Logitech, much newer design and I hear people rave about them. I'm sure someone will correct me: I think MX switches are from the '80s? I love them and type all day on my two Corsairs with reds, even though they are more "for gaming than typing." So, yes, I think you'll get used to them if you keep the K68 but if you have the option to find something you'll really love, that should be the keyboard you get. Sounds like you don't love the reds.

There's also stuff like this switch tester out there: Cherry MX Switch Tester on Amazon

Edit: Fixing link

The key is simply to get a keyboard you like. One that feels good to you. You will do better if you feel comfortable using it. Many people will suggest mechanical, but if you honestly prefer the feel of rubber dome, go for it. I WOULD suggest perhaps looking on amazon for a kit that gives you a sample feel of a bunch of different mechanical key switches, such as this. It will give you a better idea or what you like before you commit a large sum of money to a keyboard full of them.

One final thing; keep in mind the strength and weight of your fingers. If you have small skinny fingers, mx greens are not for you. They require the highest force of all the cherry-mx switches to actuate. They will tire out your fingers with extended use. Otherwise, its completely your opinion based on comfort.

>I want the feel of a mechanical

That's as varied as the colors in the RGB spectrum (well not quite, but you know what I'm getting at). I suggest you go to a retail shop that will let you test the different kinds of mechanical keyboards there are, or buy one of these mechanical switch testers so you can play around with the feeling of different switches (there are cheaper ones with less switches, but this one has a good representation of the Cherry MX line). Yes, any mechanical keyboard feels distinct from a membrane, but if you get one with MX Reds and find that it's too mushy for your liking, then that's a bit of a waste.

And, though it may rustle some jimmies here at r/mk, there are even some hybrids available. Essentially, they're membrane keyboards with mechanical components that mimic the feel of certain switches and even allow compatibility with MX keycaps. You get the advantages of membranes (quiet, cheap, waterproof) with some of the tactile feel of mechanicals. And generally they're backlit for your nighttime pleasure.

It's no different than people wanting a pen that feels nice on paper and in their hand. Anyone who spends time inputting text appreciates a high quality instrument with a nice feel.

How do you use your keyboard?

Do you value the number pad?

How hard do you press the keys?

Is backlighting important to you?

I recommend buying this switch tester from Amazon to see which switch feels best to you. They're all Cherry MX switches, which are the most common switches that you'll find on boards from Amazon or mechanicalkeyboards.com (another online vendor with free shipping).

Various switches have certain things they're inherently a little bit better for (red switches for gaming, blues for typing, etc.) but it's entirely down to personal preference. You can read up on the wiki about what each switch is like, but the best thing you can do is buy a cherry mx switch tester, that'll let you try out each of the most common switches so you can get an idea of what kind you like.

If you have any stores in the area you can go to that sell mechanicals though, the best thing is to go there and try a bunch out yourself.

Based on the fact that you both play Osu and have other people around you though, you probably won't want the exceptionally loud blue switches.

You need to know how to solder to customize shit? Do you mean just switching key caps or?

For point 2, I think you should try and go to a nerdy computer store (I don't know where you are but in Canada, I would say the difference between a regular store and a Nerdy store would be like Futureshop vs Canada Computers or NCIX) and play around with different keyboards or try out a cherry key tester. Basically a piece of plastic that has all the colors of the Cherry MX keys (red, blue, black, brown, green, and in some cases, but rarely, white). Figuring out what kind of keys you want is going to be one of the biggest issues for you. Personally I like blues because of how light they are, the tactile feel, and that they sound like a machine gun going off :D. Greens would be a close second but I know they have more weight to each press on them.

RGBs definitely make things more expensive but here are some other brands that do RGB.

Basically the idea is that if you mash 6 keys at the same time, all 6 will register. The keyboard won't have a brain fart and ignore it. But that's the max: 6 keys. Nkey roll over means you can mash as many keys as you can and all will register on time. I've always thought it would be pretty damn difficult to need to register more than 6 keys at once but it's considered a key feature for good keyboards to have. Or atleast that's the impression I get from when I researched all this stuff.

250USD? Oh man, that's a huge range! I suppose you'll can get some good stuff in Korea but you'll just have to make sure you can get English caps! Unless you're fluent in Keyboard.

Hmm..I don't know much about casing changing. Do you want to change the physical dimensions of the case or just the colors and such?

Well if price is no issue the very first thing I suggest you do is order a switch tester

This is so you can actually feel what each type of switches are like.


After that start looking at suggestions/keyboards that use the type of switches you like.


I personally really do like my K70

It's very solid and well built. Comfortable and you can use all kinds of lighting effects.

As for a mouse if you're into FPS games check out zowie products and pick one that matches your grip type well. Logitech and Razer also make good mice.

A naga like you mentioned in your other post would be a good mouse for the more casual games where you might want more buttons.

Honestly the type of key matters way more than the manufacturer. Make sure they're Cherry MX switches; avoid Razer as they use proprietary Khalil switches that most people don't like as much and that I've heard wear out faster. I'd recommend trying all of the switches before you buy one, because everyone has a preferred style. I like reds and browns but blues are also popular. Best Buy sometimes has mech keyboards that you can try out and see which one you like best, otherwise get a switch tester.

A 2080 might even be overkill for 1080p depending on what games you play, but it should last you a long time and also leaves you the option to upgrade to a 1440p monitor if you so desire.

I'm not that knowledgeable about mice and keyboards, but for a mouse you can't really go wrong with a Logitech G502.

For (mechanical) keyboards there is a lot of choice in the $50-150 range, depending on what features you want such as RGB, I know Corsair makes good ones and I've got a CoolerMaster myself that I'm quite happy with, but there are a lot of other manufacturers. You could ask the folks over at /r/MechanicalKeyboards for advice, but be warned that it's a rabbithole, before you know it you'll be looking at $250 keyboards with custom keycaps. ;)

One thing I would do when it comes to mechanical keyboards is figure out what switches you prefer, there's a lot of variation. The ones that are used the most are Cherry MX, which come in several colours denoting their function. Reds are more silent and offer no resistance, Browns are more tactile, Blues are clicky like a typewriter and Blacks are like Reds but require a bit more force push down. Those are just the most common ones, and afaik most gamers stick with Reds or Browns. A switch tester like this can help you decide, you can find them much cheaper on Aliexpress though.

> I'd recommend Cherry Reds

Browns are good too, but I prefer Reds as they feel better overall to me. I'd definitely reccommend trying them out for yourself to see what you like before buying. I know my local Best Buy had some keyboards out to try. If you can't do it that way, you could always buy something like this first:

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

I think you're using the words "keys" and "switches" backward :) Keys are what your fingers touch when you type. Switches are what they connect to.

You might want to pick up an inexpensive switch tester so you can taste the rainbow before committing. I wish I'd done this before I bought my first, since I ended up finding out that blue switches were not to my taste and decided to return my first board as a result.

Since it sounds like clicky switches aren't an option, your Race will probably have silver, red, black, brown, or clear switches.

If you're looking for the quietest experience, you probably want a heavier switch that will make it easier to type without "bottoming out" as much (smacking the keys against the board). So black or clear switches might be your best bet. Blacks are linear, meaning smooth action from top to bottom so you don't feel exactly where the key activates. Clears are tactile, so they have a little bump in the action that lets you know when the key is activated before bottoming out.

If you're up to retraining how you type a little bit, the clear switches would most help you learn how to type with a minimum of bottoming-out. So that'd be my thought, but grab a switch tester and try them out first if you want to feel for yourself. Good luck!

> What do you think would be the best switches for me? MX Brown?

That's something you need to answer for yourself, if you can try and find a store that stocks Cherry MX switch keyboards and try them out.

> I also like my friend's Logitech Orion G810 keyboard, but I don't know the cherry MX equivalent to Romer-G.

Somewhat like a mix of red and brown.

I love my WASD Code keyboard with Cherry MX Brown switches, Amazon sent me this tester accidentally with one of my orders and it actually convinced me to get a Cherry MX Brown keyboard (after feeling how wonderful mechanical keys felt I needed to buy one.)

I had an MX Blue keyboard for about 3 months until I just couldn't stand it anymore so I bought the same one but with browns and I love it so much the perfect amount of resistance and noise.

Here's a link to the key tester I have.

There are others with more or less keys but this one is pretty good.

As /u/Graspar said, you develop that muscle memory for exactly where the keyswitch will trigger. I only have to press my Cherry MX Red keys down a little past halfway before they trigger. If you add o-rings to the switches, then you can reduce both the noise (which, I have to admit, is satisfying) and the impact when you're typing hard enough to bottom out. You can also type very quietly with linear switches if you don't bottom out. However, I will note that this takes some getting used to. During the first month or two of typing on Reds, I got a LOT of nuisance triggers. But that goes away as your typing becomes a little more accurate. If you want to know what a mechanical keyboard that uses Cherry MX switches will feel like without either meeting someone with one or without dropping $100+ on a keyboard, you could order a sampler, which costs about $16 (note: call any local computer specialty stores in your area, particularly ones that build custom gaming PCs or have a focus on PC gaming - they might just have one already that you can play with!)

On top of the feeling of mechanical keyboards (I mean, honestly, it just feels nice to type on reds. I have a friend who looks at me funny for preferring to type on reds instead of browns, but to each their own. That being said, I even like the tactile feedback of my laptop keys, and I occasionally enjoy the "mushy" feel of rubber domes. They're just different, and a lot of people prefer them), many offer n-key rollover (or some other high number), meaning that you can press as many keys as you want to on the board and it will tell the computer that you're pressing every single one. Cheaper keyboards will tend to have limited rollover due to the way the keyboard matrix is laid out, whereas more expensive keyboards are more likely to be have the matrix laid out with diodes that allows for high rollover. I honestly don't know enough to explain how this works, so you'll have to either wait for someone more knowledgeable or go to Google. But because mechanical keyboards usually end up on the "more expensive" side, they tend to have that high rollover. Gamers often find high rollover desirable because it reduces the likelihood that an input will not be received because you're holding down a key.

Fair point regarding peripherals you physically interact with, like keyboards and mice. I was thinking you were talking more about components like processors, RAM, and so forth. I recently went through a similar ordeal trying to find a gaming headset I liked.

Stores like Best Buy and Staples will usually have one mechanical keyboard in stock, but it's hit or miss as to whether they'll have a demo unit on display for you to touch and feel. Doesn't help much if there's a physical box in front of you, but you can't open it to get a feel for the product.

My wife has been considering a mechanical keyboard, and she actually bought this switch tester that lets you get a feel for the different switch types. It was helpful to rule out the ones I definitely wouldn't want, but without being able to see on-screen response and have an entire set of keys under hand it still wasn't the demo I would have hoped for.

(I'm conflicted between the Cherry red and brown types. Red seems to be the one you'll find most commonly in mass-market mechanical keyboards.)

Switches are the thing that tell when you press the key, certain switches do certain things. Blue ones tend to be loud but satisfying. Red ones are sort of in the middle between quiet and loud. This is a guide. If you are planning on spending a lot on a keyboard you can get a tester kit and test each switch to see which would suit you best. You could also make a trip out to best buy or your local tech store to try out the keyboard they have on display.

Okay so for your first, you def want to buy a pre-built one, since building your own with parts takes both a lot of keyboard knowledge and a lot of money. I would, personally, suggest either getting a CoolerMaster (any model is good) or a Vortex Pok3r, since they both have relatively good stock keycaps and are well-priced. Before that, if you have $10-15, then I would really advise getting a switch tester so you can decide what type of switches you like. It's better than spending $100+ on a keyboard you don't like. To address your last concern of not liking the board, you can sell a "nicer" keyboard on r/mechmarket, a sub for buying and selling boards, and probably come close to breaking even. But to sell on mechmarket, you need a "desirable" keyboard, which is why I recommended getting a CoolerMaster or Pok3r. They're both pretty good boards/brands. No matter what, though, DO NOT get a Razer/Logitech/Steelseries/Corsair board. They're really overpriced, shit build quality, and nobody would want to buy them for more than 60% of retail on MechMarket.

Along with this, if you want a personal rundown and recommendations on switches, then just let me know.

Also, if you don't have as much $ to spend (or even if you do), I would suggest the Anne Pro board. It's hella good build quality for the price, and a lot of people say that the gateron switches on them feel better than MX switches (which both the pok3r and all of CoolerMaster's selections use.)

Also, I always recommend blue switches because of how nice the click feels to me (and BTW, cherry and gateron blue switches are pretty similar- most switch companies use a consistent coloring system for switches where blue is clicky, brown is tactile (semi-clicky), and red is linear (not clicky at all)) but it's all up to personal preference, so I would again suggest you get a tester or try some boards out at a local computer store to see which kind you like.

Hope all this helps!

I also found that my broad TWSBI had hard starts at first. I've now used it a lot (daily driver w/ my Nanami Seven Seas notebook) and it almost never dry starts now. I would imagine once you get your feed wet it'll write like a dream. How is Apache Sunset for daily use? I hear a lot that it comes out lighter in pictures than real life. Do you find it fairly legible? Tempted to get a sample - thanks!

And as /u/Ragnarok418 said, I saw the logo :) I bought a little Cooler Master doohikey that lets me test the switches, and the blue is definitely a heavy click. The sound is incredibly satisfying, indeed. I think I'll go brown, though, so I don't piss off my coworkers ;) But it's a great way to test switches without committing to an entire keyboard. Though I'd get this one if I could do it all again since it contains Cherry Clears vs. the Topre switch (which I found kinda gross and muddy).

If you want more feedback, then mechanical keyboards are certainly worth a go. The ones I suggested (linears) provide some feedback, and you can get tactile switches (e.g. mx brown) which have a tactile bump right when the key is registered as well. There are also clicky switches, which have a tactile bump and an audible click at the point of actuation as well. It's all very fun and exciting, so definitely try out a cheap mechanical board and see if you like it, or get a key tester (Amazon US link here) to see the difference between different switches. I also wrote this guide to different switches which might be helpful.

I'm using these on my CB350. They are pretty solid. The only gripe I have is that it's pretty easy to overshoot turning off turn signals and turn the opposite on one. That aside, they've been pretty good so far. (and they're cheap.)

The only thing you don't get is the ability to turn off the headlight.

G502 for the mouse, as for keyboard, youre going to want to start getting into the mechanical keyboard game.. And there are many types of switches with different feels to them. Get yourself a switch tester and try out the different kinds of keys and see which one you like the feel of the best.. My personal favorite are browns, but it varies widely from person to person. After that, check out the folks over at /r/mechanicalkeyboards they are pretty helpful and super knowledgeable on the topic.

It is entirely subjective, but purchasing yourself a switch tester will definitely help! Some examples:

• This WASD switch tester
  
• This MAX Keyboard switch sampler
  
  Please note, I haven't purchased either of these items, so these may not be great examples, but I am just trying to help :)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type|Item|Price

----|:----|:----
CPU | Intel Core i7-7700 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor | $308.74 @ OutletPC
Motherboard | ASRock B250 Pro4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard | $93.98 @ Newegg
Memory | Team Elite Plus 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory | $95.99 @ Newegg
Storage | Crucial MX300 275GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive | $89.88 @ OutletPC
Storage | Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive | $49.33 @ OutletPC
Video Card | MSI Radeon RX 480 8GB ARMOR 8G OC Video Card | $219.99 @ Amazon
Case | Fractal Design Define C ATX Mid Tower Case | $79.99 @ NCIX US
Power Supply | EVGA SuperNOVA G3 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply | $79.99 @ Jet
Wireless Network Adapter | Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I REV 4.2 PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter | $29.99 @ SuperBiiz
Monitor | LG Neo Blade III 24.0" 1920x1080 60Hz Monitor | $249.00 @ B&H
Keyboard | Glorious PC Gaming Race Glorious Gaming Wired Gaming Keyboard | $99.99 @ Amazon
Mouse | Logitech G502 Wired Optical Mouse | $57.98 @ Amazon
Speakers | Logitech Z200 0W 2ch Speakers | $20.99 @ Best Buy
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $1475.84
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-02-10 20:52 EST-0500 |

Changes

- If you are planning on seriously getting into animation or rendering, you will want an i7 for the hyper threading. If you stick with the 7600K though, you will need to get a Z270 motherboard or you risk getting a motherboard whose BIOS needs to be updated to use the 7600K. Gave you a locked 7700 and changed the MOBO and removed the cooler (7700 comes with one).

- An RX 480 will do 1080p 60 FPS just fine and save you quite a bit of money.

- Since you are more focused on productivity, I gave you a case with no window and noise dampening insulation. If you need a lot of storage space, get the R5.


- 550W is plenty for the build.


For keyboards, it really comes down to personal preference with all the options available. See if you have a local shop that has some mechanical keyboards you can try (Best Buy might have some as well). If that isn't an option, buy a switch tester to try and get an idea what kind of feel you want on your keyboard.


I don't know enough to comment on the monitor.

Start by choosing what kind of switches you want, and then find a keyboard that has those switches. I'd recommend grabbing one of these: https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4 It's just a row of switches on a plate so that you can hear/feel each one before you commit to an entire keyboard.

For Cherry switches (which is what that WASD tester has), you'll probably want non-clicky, which means that anything other than green or blue is a good option. Clears and browns have a small bump that you can feel as you press the key, and then red and black are just linear switches that you have to bottom out to get them to activate. There's some difference on the amount of force required to press each key too (greens are "heavier" than blues, clears > brows, black > red), so take that into account.

When you land on a switch, WASD Keyboards has a decent selection with any of the aforementioned switches.

Personally, if I couldn't have clicky switches (I like blues and greens), I'd go with clears. They're about as silent as you can get, especially if you add the O rings on the stems (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HPQQLXM - basically, you lift off the key cap, put the o ring on the keycap stem, and then put the keycap back on. Repeat for all your keys. They prevent the keys from bottoming out and making a louder sound. Useful if you type aggressively with purpose like I do)

RGB is dependent on the user, but when you go mechanical you never go back. Invest in one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

and determine your favorite type. For gamers, it's usually red or brown switches. Reds don't have a "bump", but just go straight down with no resistance. So I recommend browns.

The K70 has both red and brown options. They feel quite different, so don't just pick one randomly. If you have any questions, PM me or post to /r/mechanicalkeyboards where we'd be glad to help.

Corsair K70 RGB can be customized using their software to get a purple backlighting effect. It's a gaming keyboard though, so it's built like a tank and a little bulkier.

Ducky Shines can have purple led backlights. They are a little more elegant for an office as well.

Cherry MX Brown switches (no click when you type, just a bump) for an office, Cherry MX Blues (audible click sound) for home. IMO, Blues are more fun.

Cheaper switches more or less follow the same color code, though a switch tester could help you decide what you like http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1457221913&sr=1-1&keywords=switch+tester

Considering you have so much time to choose, getting a switch tester is a great option because it will let you know the EXACT switches you're going to want now, for any board in the future, and any friends that will want to get a mech too, making for an even better investment. Here are some links to good testers that I know of.

A tester with the most common Cherry MX Switches

This one comes with a Novatouch Topre instead of an MX Clear Other sites to get this one from here and here.

If you want Gaterons too

Hey everyone. I've been lurking this subreddit for about two months now, but finally decided to join when I saw that a meetup was happening literally 40 minutes from my house.

Anyway, I'm somewhat new to mechanical keyboards, though I have a general knowledge about them. I actually purchased two mechanical keyboards about a year ago from, come to find out after lurking the subreddit, a less-than-reputable company (hint: it rhymes with Boar's Hair ;) ).

Needless to say, I'm interested in upgrading my work and home keyboards in the coming months. I've currently own Cherry MX Red (home use) and Brown (work use) boards, and I actually have the Coolermaster and WASD switch testers. After doing some research, I'm looking at the KUL ES-87 (Clear), Leopold FC660C, WASD Code V2 88-Key (Clear), and Topre Realforce 87U (55g) as potential upgrades. Hopefully, I'll be able to try several of these boards out in person next weekend.

I'll definitely try to make it if I don't oversleep. I'll also try to bring a 6-pack of something for the community cooler.

http://www.keyboardco.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/an-introduction-to-cherry-mx-mechanical-switches/

This describes the different types of cherry switches fairly well, which are the most common brand you'll run into, it's really a matter of how "clicky" you want it to be, in other words, how much resistance/feel do you want, and how much noise do you want or are willing to tolerate.

If you don't mind investing a little more, you can get a switch sampler like this

http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

To see what kind of feel you like best

(And you could always return it for a refund after you decide...)

You should be asking over at /r/MechanicalKeyboards/, not /r/dota2.

The benefits of mechanical keyboards are mostly comfort and feel, it sounds like you're overestimating the usefulness of them. They will not make your clicking/searching 3 times more efficient. Unlike a gaming mouse, the benefits of a mechanical keyboard for gaming will be minimal at best.

If you're not sure what switches you want, something like this switch tester might be up your alley. If noise is an issue, Cherry MX Browns sound good for you. They're low stiffness and have a tactile bump but no click, which makes them good for typing.

Even non-clicky mechanical switches will always make noise when they bottom out, so you might want to invest in some O-Ring noise dampeners.

I’ve never used the Microsoft ergonomic keyboard so I can’t really speak to the actuation force of their switches.

What I will recommend since you’re new to cherry switches is pick up a tester that lets you try out the different switch types. Here’s an example of a cherry tester on Amazon

That should help you get a sense of which switch types feel best to you. Even better would be to find a local mechanical keyboard meetup you can go to where you can try out different profiles and switch types on full keyboards

You can pick up a switch tester to try them out. It's not as good as being able to type on a keyboard but it's better than nothing. This one on Amazon has the major switches and two different kinds of o-rings you can try out. I bought one years ago and it definitely helped. Now I keep it on my desk and let others use it when I start telling them about my geek fascination.

I prefer reds with O-rings. I don't think it changes the feel of them as others have stated, but switch preference and feel is completely opinion based (I just wanted to give you another perspective). I use the 2mm o-rings (red) because I'm heavy handed and bottom out my keys. The o-rings bring the noise down and I prefer the reduced travel.

That looks like an awesome board, looks like it even comes with mouse control on the keyboard which is always a neat thing to see. What cherry switches are you going to grab? You can always grab a switch tester and decide after


Although I think that'd be called a 60%, I think 40% don't have the top number row.

So reds and blues are very different from each other, and are extremely easy to press (I was pressing them without realizing a lot) I personally ended up loving mx blacks (the hardest to press). But of these choices it is almost impossible to figure out without trying them before deciding. If you cannot find a store or someone who has a mechanical keyboard to try them, I would recommend getting a switch test board like this

You could probably get away with giving him a key sampler like this WASD Keyboards one. Let him play around with that as a pre-present to get a feel for the switches then buy whatever he decides feels nice to him. As mentioned earlier, /r/mechanicalkeyboards is a great resource if you wanna look up what the switch properties are, but nothing really beats pressing down on one yourself.

Oh and trust all of us who have mech boards (Cherry MX Brown Logitech G710+ here), the clack will spoil most other keyboards forever.

Monster stickers, which make my computer go faster. /s

Try out Greenshot. Free program that sits in your tray and can quickly capture regions for screenshots. Has some other neat options too.

Get a headphone stand. Banana stand works too (I heard there's always money in them?).

If you want neat shit to fidget with while waiting on loading screens (like me!) consider a Cherry MX Switch Tester. Literally thinking of buying one for myself while writing this out. Seems like a neat little thing.
http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

This might not be exactly what you're looking for, but there are things like this that will let you test the switches and see if you like the feel. Beyond that, do any friends have a mechanical keyboard?

For keyboards it should be a simple affair by the way. Most people who are saying they want to test out a keyboard are saying such because they want to test out the switch or better explained the feel of a keystroke. You can easily pick up a switch tester from amazon on the consumer level, so I assume you can pick up something like that for a store. Something like this for example.

I had browns and blues and LOVED both of them. I like the clicky ones so I sold my keyboard with browns for the one with blues, but it's all personal preference. If you wanna test all the switches that are in mainstream Cherry MX keyboards you might wanna get this to see which is best for you

Yeah they sell them on Amazon for around $10-20. Worth it if you know you'll be interested in acquiring more/customizing.

Here's an example of a decent Switch Tester. Even comes with O-rings! You can try a few of them out on your board now to see if you like the dampening.

I noticed you spelled customization with British English, so here's one I found on Amazon UK.

OP, if you're interested in compairing what keys to test out without forking out a lot of money there are testers for around $15 that let you try out what switches you want before buying. its pretty handy I gotta admit.

I myself went from browns to greens, and I'm switching to blues pretty soon by grabbing an ak33 keyboard when I can afford it.

Better to get an aluminum switch tester like this one or a larger one with better switches like this one? I have a lot of switches already so I'm looking for a big tester with keycaps (preferably DSA)

> For twenty bucks or less you can get a switch sampler from WASD on Amazon.

Sweet, this is great, thanks!!

For anyone interested, here is what he is talking about: Link - Amazon.com

Get something like this so you can test out different switches, and find one you like! The knowledge comes with tinkering.

Someone can probably recommend a better one. The WASD was the only one I ever owned.

I am new to this, but I will take a swing. You have to ask yourself what you want out of your layout. Can you do without a Tenkey pad? Can you do without your cursor arrows? Do you need Home/Ins/Del/etc. Can you do without function keys? Do you mind using layers for your numbers? If you can't do without all of those keys, then you will want a standard keyboard. For starters, you are probably looking at a Ducky for starters. If you can work without all but the cursor arrows, then look at a TKL (ten key less board). Vortex makes a good assortment of TKL and 60% boards.

If as a gamer you want lighting, both Ducky and Vortex offer RGB versions and plain.

As for switch type, only you can tell. I can tell you that both MX Browns and Blues are clicky, but that is where my experience stops. They offer a switch tester where you can get all the switch types on one small board. https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4 It will give you an idea of what each switch does, but not necessarily give you the experience.

As for cost, both Vortex and Ducky can be had for less than $150, you can also look at r/mechmarket there are a lot of trades going on you could pick something up and if you didn't like it just throw it back up for trade.

Also take a look at https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/wiki/redditnoob_tips

I hope this helps.

WASD's better switch tester is always $16.

If you don't mind using Aliexpress, a 4-switch Cherry mx tester is under $4. Mine took 10 days to arrive with free shipping.

Either way, though, switch testers are a poor way to select a switch. Typing on a keyboard is really the only way; switches feel very different when you slowly press them down one at a time on a tester. Go out to a hardware store or a meet and try things out; it's free, and it'll give you a much better idea of what you're looking for.

You'll get more traction at /r/MechanicalKeyboards/

You should get a Switch Tester to see what kind you like best.

Also, you're going to be hard pressed finding a good quality mechanical keyboard under $100, unless it's on deep sale. Don't cheap out and buy some no-name brand. This is something you're going to use every day for multiple years.

I think the g413 is actually a pretty nice looking board. The problem is the keycaps. I've read multiple threads all over the net about how flimsy and shitty they feel.

This: https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/7f8q19/for_those_of_you_interested_in_getting_a_logitech/?ref=share&ref_source=link

was posted this past week about some dude even talking about the keycaps creating holes. Probably a freak thing but still. The difference is really buying a Dell or building your own pc. If you see all the options that are out there you will be floored.

Two things for you to try.

If you type for a living, you really should know what all the key caps feel like. This is the single most important tool you use daily.

I suggest buying this : https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

After you know which you prefer ( Browns and Blues are generally better for typing)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/wiki/buying_guide

I prefer brown switches for the feedback, if you want a clean press go with red switches. If you have a micro center by you or any high end PC parts store they usually have keyboards out to try. Fry's generally has testers too. You can also buy one of these to try at home for yourself Good luck!

Yup, there are various samplers out there. This one is all Cherry MX. I would also not discount Gateron as they're very very close. This one is a bit expensive but offers both Cherry MX and Gateron. What I would do, is just get the Cherry MX tester to get a feel for the differences in linear vs tactile vs clicky. Then you can choose Cherry MX Reds (linear), or Brown (tactile), or Blue (clicky). The Chroma you have is either clicky or tactile. Good luck!

It's all personal preference, one isn't objectively better than another (if we're talking about CherryMX). I find a lot of people use Reds, but that also might be a result of keyboard manufactures making more Red switched keyboards then any other type. I have blues, a brown keyboard, and a red. I really like the blue. I'd recommend getting a sample switch from amazon, and trying them all out.

If you have the money, go for the leopold. I have a magifcforce, and the build quality is good for the price, but I wasn't very impressed with the otemu switches. They were so bad that I just decided to remove them all, and replace them with box navy switches. Before buying anything though, buy a switch tester. I recommend this one. This will save you a lot of headache.

Could someone help me figure out what key cap material this switch tester has? I would love to buy a set to replace my current setup
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AZQKCD4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

More switch options also. I'd recommend ordering a switch tester to find what you like. They are pretty cheap. http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

It's a Mechanical Keyboard switch tester. Basically, it has one of each of most types of Cherry MX Mechanical keyswitches, so you can figure out which kind you like best before committing to one.


I think it's this one

Why don't you just buy this and get switches that you like instead of trying to replicate someone else's setup?

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

Also consider going with any number of brands using CherryMX switches. Razer is not the be-all and end-all. You have several options at that price point for a tenkeyless keyboard without having to use a "game-ified" typeface on the keys themselves.

The following is a well-written article by a reputable website about Razer and their "award-winning, universally lauded, industry best" switches.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7911/razer-blackwidow-ultimate-mechanical-gaming-keyboard-review/3

I switched to mechanical a few years back and won't go back to dome keys. I have a cherry blue at work and a brown at home. Both from Cooler Master. They are relatively cheap for what you get. The model is the Quick Fire Rapid. It says "Gaming Keyboard" but I use them mostly for programming and gaming.

If you are going to go mechanical, I'd recommend buying one of those tester boards with one of each switch on it like this

I found both of my keyboards on amazon. Each was less than $80 US.

I'd recommend either the Cherry Blue edition of the CoolerMaster Storm QuickFire Rapid. It's a great first TKL board, also cheap enough that you can get into it without tremendous regret if Blues aren't really your thing.

If you want to test out some switches and see what's best for you, you can get a switch tester. This one only comes with Cherry switches, but that should be enough for an intro.

yeah but you should do some research on the type of switches you want.

the cherry ones are probably the most common.

http://www.pcgamer.com/best-mechanical-switches-for-gaming/

you can get this or this to test them out before hand

http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449361539&sr=8-1&keywords=mechanical+switch+tester

http://www.amazon.com/Max-Keyboard-Keycap-Cherry-Sampler/dp/B00E71W4O8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1449361539&sr=8-2&keywords=mechanical+switch+tester

It's all preference man. Browns are non-linear which is a preference for me in that I do a lot of typing and gaming. I'd order something like this before you purchase a new keyboard.

I certainly wish I had.

yep, trying them out is always the best approach. if they dont have a good range of switches you can always buy a switch tester on amazon and put some o-rings on for yourself.

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506370021&sr=8-1&keywords=keyboard+switch+tester

Turns out there are at least 6 different flavors of switches. Blue, Brown, Clear, Red, White, and Green.

It's worth testing them all out in person before blowing $100+ on a keyboard. Picking up one of these testers might be a good idea too: http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

Keyboards and mice are very different in terms of feel and ergonomics across the board, but there really isn't a "wrong" choice when it comes to keyboards. All of them will work just fine. Some are just nicer/worse feeling or more sensitive. Just make sure your mouse has an optical or laser sensor. I wouldn't want you to accidentally end up with a trackball.

EDIT: If you want a cheap, safe option: hit up the Cooler Master Devastator Mouse/Keyboard Bundle. $30 bucks for a halfway decent gaming set that comes in Red or Blue LEDs. Not top of the line, but a good place to get your feet wet. Then for $16 you can grab up this MX Switch sampler. The sampler has 6 different mechanical keyboard switches built into it, which will let you actually feel the difference switch types and decide whether or not a more expensive mechanical keyboard is something you want, and what kind of switches you want in it.

Quite a few people seem to favor MX brown switches (light and tactile) for mixed use, but it's really a matter of personal preference. You might want to get a switch tester to try out a few different types before making a decision (something like this: https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4).

Keyboard - If you can't test them for yourself, buy this and test them out. See which one you like the most.

5820K will absolutely outperform Skylake outside of your video game use. After DX12, it will even outperform the 6700K in video games. As of right now the performance difference in video games is fairly negligible though. Don't be turned off by the clock speed. You should be able to overclock past 4GHz with a somewhat high end CPU cooler.

That wifi adapter works very well.

2-3 fans are plenty. 1-2 in the front, 1 in the rear for exhaust. Don't really need more than that. Will just add noise and will only help temperatures by 2-3 degrees, and that is being generous. Literally a waste of money and time to install. I suggest you watch this video.

Not sure how much you want to spend/how quick you're looking to get one, but it might be easier to buy one on Amazon or something.

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491330210&sr=8-1&keywords=mx+switch+tester

How accurate are these Switch Testers? I'm looking to upgrade from my Steelseries 6G keyboard from like 2011 and I know it has cherry MX Blacks. I think I want something like Brown or Red..I'd say 70% gaming 30% gen use is my split

Headlight Housing (Amazon)

I requested larger fork clamps for the housing to fit the DNM USD-8 since they're 42mm diameter pistons.

Headlight itself (Amazon)

Switch Set (Amazon)

Power Switch (Amazon)

And then as far as the wiring, I crimped all my wires into molex. I use JST a lot but just to be safe with higher amps, molex gives some headroom.

Before you buy any switches, I recommend you purchase a tester set or go to a PC store to try them out. Feeling it in person can be completely different from reading about them online and your keyboard can last ages so it's important to have switches you'll like.

I actually started digging a bit more after I posted this, and found that I should. I'm looking to get something like this (https://www.amazon.com/IZTOSS-waterproof-Motorcycle-aluminium-Interrupteur/dp/B0171G7GD4?fbclid=IwAR1av820_bYtsJvb5dpp7UAyT24hU4SSgydSSpYUIp41Rplxrpo_PgOo0NI ) that can install on my handlebar to be able to turn it on/off :)

You want a switch tester, WASD makes a good Cherry one:

http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464300365&sr=8-1&keywords=switch+tester


As for the rarer switch types like Topre and Zealios... yeah I don't know without spending too much money by buying the switches and something to mount them on. Sucks. Someone should make one massive switch tester and then pass it around r/mk

Before dropping a lot of money on a nice keyboard, get a sample set of switches to see what your preference is.

The link below includes a test set of 6 Different Cherry MX Switches: Cherry MX Green, Cherry MX Clear, Cherry MX Red, Cherry MX Black, Cherry MX Brown, and Cherry MX Blue.

http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

Depending on your location, stores might stock mechanical keyboards to try out. One thing you can do is order a switch tester and see which switch you like the most. Most good keyboards use genuine Cherry MX switches, and the ones that don't use fairly good copies of them (Razer for example have copies of the MX Blue and MX Brown with faster actuation). The rest of the keyboard then is aesthetics, cost, features, etc.

Here is a nice little article that explains some basics.
Also check out the Wiki as a lot of the questions you may have already have answers there.
Next you could pick up a cheap switch tester to decide which type may be right for you.
You could also get one of each of the Keychains to test. That way after you decide which you like you could have accessories.
Lit Version

If you haven't experienced any of the switches, I highly recommend buying a key switch sampler like this https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

You can get a test device with a variety of switches.

Yes, it all comes down to the feel you like.

Since I don't know which version your Razer BW is (2014 or <= 2013), you should try out what cherry MX switch is best for you by going to some shops that have mechanical keyboards or get this one.

After determining your switch type, go for the options below:

• MX Red/Blue/Brown/Black: Ducky Shine 2/3/4, Das 3/4/Model S (This one has blank keycaps tho), Corsair K70/RGB, Filco Majestouch 2, Deck Hassium Pro, CM Storm Quickfire XT/Ultimate, WASD v2, Max NightHawk etc.
  
  
• MX Clear/Green: WASD CODE 104, some CM boards (MX Green).

Sure, here's a good one from WASD.

You should try getting a switch sampler to see for yourself. I haven't tried the blues, but the clears are exactly what I was looking for in terms of being tactile, but not loud. But bear in mind there is definitely a break in period with these ones. At first they feel kinda rough as they slide, but that goes away with use.

> Quickfire Rapid

this. I'm not a fan of led/ lighting on my peripherals. i think you can disable them here [unlike my current fucking mouse and keyboard] using the " Illumination Levels Profile Management".


Is the Quickfire Rapid the general go-too entry level recommended MK? Is that why you recommend it here. Then I'd go and buy a set of switches on top of this purchase?

> I would recommend that you try a keyboard with Cherry MX Brown, Red, Clear, or Black switches and use o-rings to see how that works for you.

I'm not sure how to go about this. I do not know anyone who owns a MK [I don't think I know anyone who knows that they exist]. I don't think there is a shop near me that sells any so I could demo them.

Is my only option buying a 15 pounds key tester to try them all out?

I notice in the picture of this one there is included o-rings. When you said I'd need to use some, I thought you meant I'd have to go to a plumbing store to get some tiny ones. When you buy a keyboard/ set-of-keys do they usually include the o-rings?

also, when searching on amazon for those testers I came across this multi-coloured abomination. the fuck is it? I've never seen a MK below 100 pounds before.

edit: i also just found this silent pc subreddit, /r/buildaquietpc/. very inactive though. I looked around spcr but could not find anything there. this keyboard claims to be quiet, but only boasts to be as quiet as a non-mechanical keyboard.

would this be good for testing? I only have tried red and blue and I like blue better for typing. gaming no preference but as I said typing is more important to me. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AZQKCD4

If you're not sure what switch you should get, I would recommend buying a switch tester. Switch testers have one of each type of switch, so you can try each one out without buying a new keyboard every time. This tester has everything you need, including keycaps and sound dampening o-rings, so you can find out what switch is right for you (and if you like o-rings or not).

If you want to get a mechanical keyboard i would suggest getting one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457724173&sr=8-1&keywords=key+tester



I bought a couple keyboards (cherry mxred, and cherry mxblue) before buying that tester and found that my favorite feel is clears). Now i want to buy another keyboard....

if you just want to test out different switches there are things like
https://smile.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4?sa-no-redirect=1

I'm not sure there's a huge market for keyboards with different switch types on different keys (or if there is that the market would agree on what keys should get different keys).

Correct. Here is a link to one on amazon for $16.
https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

I have gone through about 4 keyboards just trying new switches. I later found these and for $16 it would have saved me some cash.

Trail Tech (040-HBS-05) Three Position Handlebar Mount Light Switch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JGRAOTK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_HvQVzbBSTVXVW

A little pricey, and definitely overkill for the lights I had, but it has a very nuce feel to it and would work well for your use.

I can't help you with the keyboards themselves as you aren't in an area with stores, but; this might help you deciding which switches?

Something like this might not be a bad idea, to get a feel for a couple different switch types.

Generally for 'gaming' Linear switches are most common, while for lots of typing, Tactile switches are fairly common.

you should be a switch tester off of amazon for like $20

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474879535&sr=8-1&keywords=keyboard+switch+tester

> mici. În rest, au vreo 40 de dubioșenii la vedere, cu prețuri între 20 și 800 de lei, lucru irelevant având în vedere că toate

Salut, eu am un tester de la WASD de genul asta

Daca vrei neaparat sa cumperi, iti recomand sa te joci cu testerul inainte. Vezi care tip de switch preferi.

CM Storm Quickfire Rapid-I

I went to a Microcenter recently and the only non-Corsair/Logitech/Razer boards they had were CoolerMaster, and they wouldn't allow me to open the box to test.

It's not a full keyboard, but OP could try something like a switch sampler to get an idea of how the switches feel.

I'm using Cherry MX browns right now. I was using a keyboard with blues for a while, but I wanted to go for something a bit quieter and with a lower actuation force (it's a small difference in force but I don't know, it definitely makes a difference for me).

Before I made the change I bought this so I could try the different kinds of Cherry switches. It was really helpful, I feel like there's really no substitute for feeling the differences between the switches yourself!

I had no idea what it would be like, so I ordered a key tester from amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=key%20tester&index=blended&link_code=qs

The exact one I got was:
https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

Both the original and chiclet keyboards have a slight bump to them, but the chiclet are a lot less force to push down. After trying it out, I realized I liked typing with the least amount of pressure, hence, the reds which are linear. The browns are very close to the X60 and X200 keyboards.

I was actually considering getting a DIY version and putting in Mattias switches.

Where can I find a mechanical switch tester like this one that isn't prohibitively expensive?

Or, it's a bit of a long shot, but does anyone know of a brick and mortar store that carries mechanical keyboards in Montreal that isn't BestBuy? I've had nothing but terrible experiences there, and I would prefer not transiting 30+ minutes to face the same.

Here's an amazon link for the tester. I'm sure it can be found cheaper.
http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462451781&sr=8-1&keywords=cherry+mx+tester

Don't buy one without trying the different switches.

The most common ones (blue, black, red, brown) are all different (linear, tactile clicky, tactile non clicky etc.) and honestly nothing compared to a regular rubber dome keyboard.

http://www.keyboardco.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/an-introduction-to-cherry-mx-mechanical-switches/

You should order a sampler or just go to some stores to try them out

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

https://www.amazon.com/Mechanical-keyboards-Switch-keyboard-Sampler/dp/B01G3BJOHO

Honestly, just grab one of these to get a feel for how each switch feels / sounds, then order a keyboard online with your preferred switch type.

Don't forget you're also able to buy Switch testers! They're about $20 - $25 online, and there's some for Cherries. They're usually a 6-Key Tester that come with some blank keycaps.

Tester from WASD on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

8-Key Tester with O-Rings, also on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N6DXTW4/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2/181-2676872-3001900?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=1DW3DFXX6PNSM6XD039N&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=1944687462&pf_rd_i=B00AZQKCD4

Hap hap hello there! I am a bot and you linked to Amazon.

This comment contains 1 pricing graph(s)

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Product 1: WASD 6-Key Cherry MX Switch Tester (B00AZQKCD4)

Imgur pricing graph

||Amazon|3P New|Used|
|--:|:--|:--|:--|
|Cur||$16.00|Not in Stock|
|Hi||$16.00|$16.00|
|Lo||$11.00|$8.00|
|Avg||$14.29|$12.73|

Relevant product discussions:

|Thread|Comment|Score|
|:--|:--|:--|
|/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/5lbyz3/rom...|Link|2|

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^^I'm ^^a ^^bot. ^^Please ^^PM ^^any ^^bugs

I've only seen it once. I don't think all stores do it, sadly. There's always these, but it would be better if there was a way to rent it or something instead of buying it for 16 dollars.

If you get the chance, try a key switcher like this:

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

You won't really appreciate the difference if you don't have a side by side comparison.

My Keyboard

You should try one out some time or better yet buy the sampler which has all the main different types which all feel different.

Not a perfect option, but there are key switch testers available from quite a few places so you can feel what each type of switch is like.

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4/

^ Yes. https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

> I'd suggest heading to an electronics store and trying some demo units.

You can also order a switch tester from Amazon for about 16 bucks and some change:

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1509565909&sr=8-2

and

https://www.amazon.com/Akwox-Cherry-Switch-keyboard-Sampler/dp/B01GZHU1EG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1509565909&sr=8-3

that's totally cool, try them for a month, or see about getting a [cherry mx switch tester] (https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4) and see how they compare

I've own a few different mechanical keyboards. While I know the difference when gaming I don't notice a difference in using browns vs reds. I assume it because I'm more focus on gaming than typing by feel.

If you looking for suggestions on what keyboard to buy, it depends on your budget.

There are also "Cherry Switch Testers" that will let you get a feel of different keys. However, if you like Cherry Browns I would personally stick with browns for your first keyboard. When collecting keyboards starts becoming an addiction you'll branch out.

Get one of those switch testboards to see what type of switches you prefer. Something like this (I just googled for the first one)

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

Mechanical keyboards are a personal preference thing. You really should test at least half a dozen at computer stores or expo booths to get a feel for the type of switches you like. Alternately, you can buy a Cherry Switch Tester and then decide.

I'd highly recommend you try a key switch tester. The switches are 100% subjective. For example I'd rather use a membrane free piece of junk than a linear cherry switch. I hate them so much. That's my opinion though and some people hate the greens I use.

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

This is a great one with 6 of the most common key types.

You could get something like this, https://amzn.com/B00AZQKCD4, to see which switches suit you

there are switch testers, bought one to play with before I bought my mx black cougar, then my mx black steelseries 6vg2, then my mx black rosewill...

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

Ah, I bought a thing on ebay that had 6 cherry switches in it red, blue, green, brown, black, and white. Whenever I was at a loading screen or watching a show I'd pick it up and play with the switches, after a week I settled on brown.

In case anybody wants it, this is similar to what I got

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4/

There are also quite a few available on Amazon such as here or this one. The differences between different testers being the number of switches and switches on the board (if you can really call it a board).

If you have expendable cash, I would suggest getting a switch tester like this one. You wont know what switch is best for you until you try it. Kailh tend to be considered a bit "low end", but I suppose any mechanical keyboard would be an upgrade from a membrane.

Then I would just buy a switch tester. This WASD one should be fine.

I have browns, and I quite like them. I don't have a ton of experience on mech keyboards though (only other one was a model m which is quite different from browns.)

If you are unsure, there are test blocks you can get that have different types of switches on them.

no like cherry MX red switches are different than Cherry Blues I guess you misunderstood me. My question was whether buying one of each switch to test them out. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4 or
https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Mechanical-Keyboard-SGK-1010-BBCA1/dp/B01FXDV92G/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1469155362&sr=8-5&keywords=cherry+mx+testers
or
https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Mechanical-Keyboard-SGK-1010-BBCA1/dp/B01FXDV92G/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1469155362&sr=8-5&keywords=cherry+mx+testers

If I get one I will probably go for the 9.99 one cause chep = op since all cherry mx are the same brand anyways

Buy a cheap switch tester off of amazon (I personally bought this one) and figure out what kind of switch you prefer the most.

You can get a sample of all the mx switches for $16 on amazon https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

I found it on Amazon from a seller that has a bunch of custom factory style switches. This is the one I ordered: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017C34ZOE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_HOjpxb9BTS2S8

Got mine off Amazon -- CH4X4 Toyota Push Switch Sasquatch Lights Symbol - While Led -- $20

That's pretty much exactly what's already on the scooter, just in a very inconvenient place. I was hoping to be able to use something like this instead. By just "jumping" that switch and running it up next to the throttle wire that already exits the battery box and goes up to the handlebars.

My humble opinion would be that before you invest in a mechanical keyboard is to get a switch tester ( https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4/ ) so you can personally feel each type and you make a decision that you will not regret.
And also if u can try to get a Varmilo, Leopold or Ducky. Don't let the "gaming" mech keyboard lure you with their "features".

If you're worried about getting the right kind of switches, you could try ordering a switch tester to get a feel for different kinds. It's a way to spend a couple bucks to make sure you're getting exactly what you want.

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

Cooler master is a solid choice in terms of build quality and price. They come in a full size keyboard (xt) and without a numeric pad (tkl) if that matters to you.

In terms of switches. it's purely preference, I would hit up a computer store to try out different switches if they have gaming keyboards available. MX reds, blues, and browns are all different typing experiences, there are other switches but these are the most common. You could also pickup a switch tester and try them before you invest in a board:

http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

https://www.amazon.ca/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4 nope I mean 50$ CDN Wich is only 10 dollars more expensive than the keyboard I want.

I believe they are closest to the Cherry MX Blues or Cherry MX Greens, based on the clicking sound.

You may want to look at getting one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1457108288&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=Cherry+MX+Key+tester

if you're looking at a Cherry board.

This is a switch tester

There are different kinds out there depending on what switch you want to test or how much you want to pay.

I ran it to my A-Pillar. If you're sitting in the driver's seat, it's the left pillar of the windshield. I put a Daystar A-Pillar Rocker Panel in and used that!

Large/Medium, for use at a desk. I haven't tested some different switches yet, is there anything I can buy that has a couple of switches I can test with?

I found this: https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4 though I have a relative with a couple of Corsair keyboards or maybe some local stores have them on display.

I'm thinking about MX Cherry Brown switches.

Maybe grab a switch tester before making an investment?

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

How can I convert my WASD 6-Key Cherry MX Switch Tester into a macro keyboard?

How about a key tester? those aren't to overly expensive and could be extremely helpful... https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

Goto your local store and try the keyboards on display or buy a Cherry MX Key tester Original site Amazon

Get one of these If you don't have a place where you can demo them.

WASD Keyboards

Amazon has them as well.

Consider one of these!

WASD 6-Key Cherry MX Switch Tester https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZQKCD4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ikfzzbFACMZNX

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499785215&sr=8-1&keywords=mx+switch+tester

Device used to test different switch types. Some examples:

http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4?ie=UTF8&keywords=cherry%20switch%20tester&qid=1459360907&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Max-Keyboard-Keycap-Cherry-Sampler/dp/B00N6DXTW4?ie=UTF8&keywords=cherry%20switch%20tester&qid=1459360907&ref_=sr_1_3&sr=8-3

http://www.amazon.com/Max-Keyboard-Keycap-Cherry-Sampler/dp/B00E71W4O8?ie=UTF8&keywords=cherry%20switch%20tester&qid=1459360907&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2

Get a switch tester : WASD 6-Key Cherry MX Switch Tester https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZQKCD4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_agdYBb48Z8A0Q ?

I was talking to an IT guy at work the other day about different cherry switches and 5 minutes later he walks up with one of these. That's what I call an IT dept.

[This might work] (http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4). it had all the keys so you can test them out yourself

There are switch testers you can buy

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

You can always sell it on eBay once you've decided. http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

WASD 6-Key Cherry MX Switch Tester https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZQKCD4/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_ngkAwbD3149H3

Test them on store or buy an switch tester

Switch tester costs ~$85 :(

I'll have to make some phone calls and see if a local shop has a tester to use in store

https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4

No problem. before you order I would recomend getting a switch tester such as this so you can be positive about what switch you want.

I ordered the wasd switch tester https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AZQKCD4/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1473073811&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=wasd+keyboard&dpPl=1&dpID=41bdGDPmEPL&ref=plSrch.

I realize it may be slightly different from Das keyboard feel (and I prefer look of Das). But at least this will give me idea of differences between switch feels.

You bet. If you can't find anywhere to try them, you can order one of these little "samplers". (If you're anywhere near Seattle, let me know and you can try mine.)

Here ya go

Here are the light bars I used and button leds also the switches I used

I just used a kill switch and soldered it to the garage door open key fob. Have the switch on the bars and put the key fob in the fairing.

switch

lights

mounting bracket

Heyo. Another question here. I want to buy a new keyboard, but i'm not entirely sure about which switches I want. I'm planning on purchasing this: http://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4 . Can anyone tell me if this is worth the $16?

I'd use a emergency shutoff from something like a jet ski or a snowmobile.
Edit: Amazon link

I use a Corsair K65 compact for gaming and a DAS Ultimate at work. Cherry MX are really good, but they aren't necessarily better than other switches. If you don't have an easy way to try different keyboards you can get a switch tester: https://www.amazon.com/WASD-6-Key-Cherry-Switch-Tester/dp/B00AZQKCD4