[Recommend] Good Mechanical Keyboard

[roastedcoffeebean]

any pbt keyboard to recco? able to connect multiple devices like mac/windows

was looking at keychron but its abs material so worried about the oily part. if not any keycaps recco to replace it would also be appreciated

 

[bunnypangsai]

any pbt keyboard to recco? able to connect multiple devices like mac/windows

was looking at keychron but its abs material so worried about the oily part. if not any keycaps recco to replace it would also be appreciated

anne pro 2?

 

[roastedcoffeebean]

anne pro 2?

no arrow keys. looking for at least 75%

 

[nez]

any pbt keyboard to recco? able to connect multiple devices like mac/windows

was looking at keychron but its abs material so worried about the oily part. if not any keycaps recco to replace it would also be appreciated

Can try K2V2. Comes with PBT key caps.

 

[roastedcoffeebean]

Can try K2V2. Comes with PBT key caps.

oh i thought its abs material

 

[roastedcoffeebean]

https://www.amazon.sg/dp/B08M3KPXV5?tag=switchandclic-22&geniuslink=true
anyone tried this brand before?

 

[nez]

oh i thought its abs material

Apologies. Yes current version is ABS. The one with PBT keycaps was discontinued.

 

[cochran]

https://www.lazada.sg//products/i16...pm=a2o42.cart.0.0.1c997a93UmuiiK&urlFlag=true

Now is this VicTsing wireless mechanical keyboard? or is there any better ard the same price and function?

 

[vofzxy]

sorry to deviate from main topic here,
is there a place where i can donate used mechanial keyboards?

 

[bunnypangsai]

sorry to deviate from main topic here,
is there a place where i can donate used mechanial keyboards?

put on carousell

 

[FroztSpectre]

Bought more things for my future mechanical keyboards LOL during EZBuy's 6.5 free agent and discounted shipping sale.

110x Gateron Yellows (KS-3X47)

150 Mill-Max Hotswap Sockets

200x 3mm DIP LED White Lights

Pre-cut foam

Permatex Dielectric Grease (9g)

Switch Stem Picker

Switch Opener for Cherry-MX / Gaterons / Kailh Box

 

[kashix]

Hi experts, currently using filco now, if going to replace or upgrade, any Brands to recommend? Still better to stick with filco?

 

[bunnypangsai]

Hi experts, currently using filco now, if going to replace or upgrade, any Brands to recommend? Still better to stick with filco?

not an expert, but you can jump into the rabbit hole and join groupbuys (GB)
(path of no return...)

 

[FroztSpectre]

Hi experts, currently using filco now, if going to replace or upgrade, any Brands to recommend? Still better to stick with filco?

Filco Majestouch 2? At $200~, Almost at end-game for prebuilts liao, nth much else to consider.
Otherwise if you know how to desolder and solder, can just disassemble your Filco, desolder the switches, pluck out ur current Cherry MX switches and solder in your own preferred switches, perhaps change the keycaps as well.

Aside from Prebuilts, time to consider going down the rabbit hole of custom keyboards!

Get your own kit, own personal switch, lube+film your own switches, lube+clip stabilizers, add foam, get a custom cable etc, and then enjoy the most satisfying "thock" sound when you press your keys. IMO, building your own custom keyboard just have a different feel compared to buying prebuilts. More sense of satisfaction when you type on it, especially after spending so much time and effort building it.

Customs can go from $100 for a cheap budget keyboard set (see the one i did, super budget set), up to thousands of dollars for super expensive sets (Keycult, US$2000++).

Other decent customs can go for like $300-400.

Kit: Glorious GMMK Pro Barebones Kit on Lazada going for S$269.
Switches (only 75 keys needed for GMMK Pro):
1) Budget Linears: Gateron Yellows KS-3-X47, Milky Top and Black Bottom Housing (US$21.60 for pack of 90 from Novelkeys. Can get it from Taobao for S$20.25 for pack of 90, not sure about Taobao's authenticity though)
2) Premium Linear: NovelKeys Cream (US$58.50 for pack of 90 from Novelkeys)
3) Premium Linear: Gateron Ink Black (US$67.50 for pack of 90 from KBDFans)
4) Tactiles: Glorious Panda (US$24.99 for pack of 36 unlubed. Or US$34.99 for pack of 36 lubed)
(Sorry, not a fan of Tactile switches LOL)
Stabilizers (Optional for GMMK Pro): Durock (S$37.09 from Amazon) or C³Equalz (US$10.20 from The Key Dot Co)
Switch Film: TX Films (S$8.50 from Carousell or Deskeys Switch Films (US$7 from KBDFans)
Keycaps: Personal preference. From budget basic PBT Keys of $10 to decent cute ones like PBT Macaron Keycaps Set (US$59 from KBDFans, Taobao has it cheaper for lesser than S$40, not sure authenticity) to expensive ones like GMK Olivine (US$140 for base kit from Novelkeys, SOLD OUT THOUGH)
Foam (Optional for GMMK Pro): Sorbothane (Premium, expensive. S$35.24 on Amazon for a roll of 6" x 12") or Neoprene (slightly cheaper, S$20.10 on Amazon for a big roll of 15" x 60") or budget option of normal EVA foam that's lesser than S$10.
Custom Aviator Coiled Cable (just for the aesthetics): US$49 - US$89.50
Lube: 5grams Krytox 205g0 (For Switches + Stabilizers) = S$10.99 on Lazada, 10grams Krytox 105g0 (for Springs) = S$14.50 on Lazada, Permatex 22058 (for Stabilizers) = S$10.17 on Amazon, could probably get cheaper direct in SG.
All above are excluding shippings LOL.

But disclaimer ah. I'm not a professional custom keeb builder. Just a novice dabbling into it. Hopefully some custom keyboard experts can share their views also.

Question is, is it worth it dropping $500~ on a Custom keyboard, when you could spend that extra money on upgrading your actual PC's hardware to improve the performance.

 

[kashix]

A bit too technical uh, my filco got some keys need to press harder then will be able to type hence looking to upgrade. I googled a bit, they say varmilo better than filco but my filco really quite solid uh, used few years le.

 

[Lastwishes]

Nah, filco's one of the most solid off-the-shelf keyboards, for cherry switches at least. Not much to upgrade to, without going customs. My old filco (I did desolder and mod the switches) has been in service for about 10 years with no issues.

For off-the-shelf, there's Topre (Realforce, HHKB etc), but those are a slightly different animal. They might feel like rubber domes for the uninitiated, but its the end game for many who aren't interested in customs. Caveat - try before you buy for these. Not everyone's type of poison.

 

[kashix]

Nah, filco's one of the most solid off-the-shelf keyboards, for cherry switches at least. Not much to upgrade to, without going customs. My old filco (I did desolder and mod the switches) has been in service for about 10 years with no issues.

For off-the-shelf, there's Topre (Realforce, HHKB etc), but those are a slightly different animal. They might feel like rubber domes for the uninitiated, but its the end game for many who aren't interested in customs. Caveat - try before you buy for these. Not everyone's type of poison.

Hi bro, any experience with varmilo?

 

[FroztSpectre]

A bit too technical uh, my filco got some keys need to press harder then will be able to type hence looking to upgrade. I googled a bit, they say varmilo better than filco but my filco really quite solid uh, used few years le.

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

 

[Lastwishes]

Hi bro, any experience with varmilo?

No personal experience with it. But as far as off-the-shelf keyboards go, few are as good as Filco. I believe Varmilo is generally decent (as are most mechanical keyboards), but fall into the same category as most off-the-shelf stuff (It's likely not going to be as good as Filco). I have read that the pcb quality not as good, which can be a problem as many years go by. PCB quality is something that manufacturers scrimp on, and also what most users overlook (and usually, are much better on custom keyboards).

For example, the Filco I mentioned was used daily from 2010 until now, still no issues. On the other hand, I had this Cherry keyboard that was bought 2 years after the Filco, and I've had to rewire the thing because of dead traces 3 times already. I've had friends who have bought Logitech, Steelseries and Razer mechkbs and their keyboards all started having issues 2 -3 years down the road.

Short answer, Varmilo wouldn't be an upgrade from Filco. Would recommend you either fix your current Filco (swap out switches that are wonky) or dip your toe into customs (which as FrozSpectre mentioned, actually can be quite interesting and usually the quality of product is much much better than the usual ready bought stuff).

 

[TanKianW]

Been using FILCO for the longest time. Though no LED blink blink lights.

Do get the one without the bluetooth.