[Recommend] Good Mechanical Keyboard

[spectrearc]

I swear by happy hacking keyboard and topre switch. Have a type-s but left in office and can’t collect as office was closed from covid. So ordered another one recently. There’s a new version hhkb professional classic now. Build is even more solid than hhkb pro 2.

HHKB comes in only 60% right, closest i could find to full size is leopold 980c, and even that one is only compact 1800, not full size. For my work, v hard to work with no numpad because a lot of data input.

 

[jasonwsc]

Btw i saw there are many cherry keyboards from taobao. Just curious if anyone bought them and if they're legit.

I bought the IKBC C104 MX Brown for about $70 shipped a few months ago. Works well and types better than the Corsair Strafe (also MX Brown) I owned before.

Wanted to buy from XtremeSolutions but they only left MX Blues and not planning on getting new stock.

 

[fzhfzh]

HHKB comes in only 60% right, closest i could find to full size is leopold 980c, and even that one is only compact 1800, not full size. For my work, v hard to work with no numpad because a lot of data input.

Yes, the layout is one reason I like the keyboard. Super nice to type with, with mouse accessible with very short movement. I have a separate bluetooth numpad in case I need anything on the num pad.

 

[vamprose]

HHKB comes in only 60% right, closest i could find to full size is leopold 980c, and even that one is only compact 1800, not full size. For my work, v hard to work with no numpad because a lot of data input.

if you want full size 108 topres, i believe the only brand will be realforce.

https://www.realforce.co.jp/en/products/index_office.html

 

[spectrearc]

I actually considered RF R2, but iirc their backplate is not metal, so I stuck with the Leopold.

Think the worst thing about the 1800 layout is the 0 on the numpad damn small, keep hitting the wrong key...

I actually considered getting TKL and a separate numpad, but separate numpads are value wise not worth at all due to the cost, I bought 1 BT cherry MX one before from Varmilo (my ducky is the TKL, side legends), think the cost came close to 100?

 

[purpleberry]

Not sure why Logitech mechanical keyboards are not lasting even though the switches are made in Japan.

 

[FroztSpectre]

Any reviews for ikbc C104 cherry mx silent red? or ikbc F410 cherry mx silent red?

ikbc C104 cherry mx silent red = RMB399 - 50 (voucher) = RMB345 or ~S$70SGD

ikbc F410 cherry mx silent red = RMB549 - 80(voucher ) = RMB469 or ~$95SGD

Sian super fickle minded. Was thinking of Hyeku GK715 brown, but then i realized silent red is way quieter :\

Based on my research, F410 similiar to F108, just that the lighting on F108 is on the switch itself, while F410 is on the board itself.

Spoiler

F108

F410

 

[CeSaRiO]

I bought the IKBC C104 MX Brown for about $70 shipped a few months ago. Works well and types better than the Corsair Strafe (also MX Brown) I owned before.

Wanted to buy from XtremeSolutions but they only left MX Blues and not planning on getting new stock.

Thanks for the affirmation mate!

 

[cesc88]

Just saw Xtreme Solution's Lazada Mid Year sales. Some Ducky keyboards are having discount of $3-$4 off the original price

 

[Mystyque]

Any reviews for ikbc C104 cherry mx silent red? or ikbc F410 cherry mx silent red?

ikbc C104 cherry mx silent red = RMB399 - 50 (voucher) = RMB345 or ~S$70SGD

ikbc F410 cherry mx silent red = RMB549 - 80(voucher ) = RMB469 or ~$95SGD

Sian super fickle minded. Was thinking of Hyeku GK715 brown, but then i realized silent red is way quieter :\

Based on my research, F410 similiar to F108, just that the lighting on F108 is on the switch itself, while F410 is on the board itself.

Spoiler

F108

F410

This one ?

 

[noinimod]

Any reviews for ikbc C104 cherry mx silent red? or ikbc F410 cherry mx silent red?

ikbc C104 cherry mx silent red = RMB399 - 50 (voucher) = RMB345 or ~S$70SGD

ikbc F410 cherry mx silent red = RMB549 - 80(voucher ) = RMB469 or ~$95SGD

Sian super fickle minded. Was thinking of Hyeku GK715 brown, but then i realized silent red is way quieter :\

Based on my research, F410 similiar to F108, just that the lighting on F108 is on the switch itself, while F410 is on the board itself.

Spoiler

Think you can't go wrong with either choice. Silent red may feel 'mushy' at the bottom due to the dampening though, just something to take note. The normal red one is already much quieter than a brown so..

I've been using a ikbc, non led + wired one for about one year plus already (can't remember the model). Very happy with it. The PBT keycaps help so much in maintaining a non-oily surface, love it. I was using a filco before the ikbc, build quality wise it's almost on par.

The filco is heavier but it doesn't make any difference in real world usage. Filco doesn't have any pbt keycaps though so that sucks

 

[XiaoFu99]

Recommend compact, colourful & wireless mech keyboard

Hi,

First time looking at such mechanical keyboard (not for me) for my child.

- compact (no need num pad)

- best got colour lighting that looks like gaming keyboard

- noise: as much as possible. Somehow my child find the noise of keyboard very shiok.

- connectivity: best wireless (bluetooth or dedicated 2.4Ghz dongle is fine)

I saw Logitech got one but it's very expensive at S$300+. Wow! Just a keyboard only.

Thanks!

 

[xonix]

I'm currently using this but if anybody can recommend anything similar under $100, I would be interested in an upgrade.

 

[Adam80]

Just saw Xtreme Solution's Lazada Mid Year sales. Some Ducky keyboards are having discount of $3-$4 off the original price

Local price not very attractive for ducky
I got mine near guang hua plaza(tw sls) for around $200.
Shine 7/feb 2019 purchased

 

[FroztSpectre]

This one ?

Yep i assume it's something like that,
or

 

[Lex1989]

Can somebody recommend a clicky mechanical keyboard,

Dont need RGB, no need number pad.

Low profile and sturdy.

Be it export or local set.

Thank you!

 

[Northernray]

Not sure why Logitech mechanical keyboards are not lasting even though the switches are made in Japan.

The crux of the problem lies with the keycaps, the 4 "legs" are easily broken result in rocking keycap. There isn't any 3rd party compatible keycap like the Chery MX and their compatible keycap.

The Romer G switches are generally ok but replacing a set of logitech keycap isn't fun at all.

 

[Northernray]

Somehow, typing on red switches are like typing on a membrane keyboard, no mechanical feel.

 

[Lex1989]

Looking for a mechanical tenkeyless, black without RGB, wired, not too costly keyboard.

Please help!

 

[jasonwsc]

Might as well do a quick review of the black IKBC C104, Cherry MX Browns, since I got a few PMs asking for more info.

Total cost about $70ish including shipping.

Comparison with a gamer Corsair Strafe + first impressions.

The stabilisers are the biggest improvement in my opinion. Corsair stabilisers were bad, just rattly and loose. Spacebars and shift keys don't act like a seesaws anymore.

The slightly textured doubleshot PBT keycaps are much nicer to type on than the ABS stuff, now they have a thumpy sound instead of being hollow. Not the thickest I've seen, still better than ABS.

Standard bottom row, makes switching keycaps easier. No backlight, but makes the legends are nice and easy to see.

Cable routing at the bottom is a nice touch.

Some minor complaints.

The legends on the top number row make no sense. Why is the ! beside the 1? It's not like the keyboard is backlit.

The keyboard is taller than most of the gaming keyboards out there, might need to buy a wristrest for prolonged gaming sessions. Still comfortable for me, but took a bit of time to get used to.

The IKBC C104 is a great starter keyboard that nails the essentials, and a great option for first time mechanical keyboard owners.

TLDR: Poor man's Ducky with PBT, better than Corsair, uses genuine Cherry MX switch for the price of random China brands on Lazada.

PS IKBC store will wrap a lot of protective layer to protect keyboard, greatly increasing the shipping volume. Can pay EZBuy $4 to repack, or use Taobao official reshipper (not sure if they repack for free). Total weight should be around 2kg for keyboard only.