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02-18-2022, 04:48 PM
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#1
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LQ Addict
Registered: Dec 2011
Location: UK
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
Posts: 7,680
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Full sized mechanical, RGB keyboard suggestions?
I know this has likely been asked before in slightly different ways but I have a Corsair Strafe RGB that I kind-of like but broke and a K68 RGB and both work under Linux fine with the CKB Next software some cool person made. But the Strafe is broken and it doesn't look like you can get them any more and every time my fingers hit the keys slightly wrongly on the K68 the keycaps fly off.
So, my question is, any suggestions for a full-sized mechanical keyboard (preferably Cherry Silent Red) with RGB that works nicely with Linux? By that I mean that I can get per key lighting at the least.
Edit: Having replaceable keys would be a bonus as would be anything open source programmable etc. ...
Price wise I can't spend more than £200 unless they keys are replaceable and it's waterproof or something.
Last edited by 273; 02-18-2022 at 05:29 PM.
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02-19-2022, 06:11 AM
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#2
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LQ Addict
Registered: Dec 2013
Posts: 19,872
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 273
I know this has likely been asked before in slightly different ways but I have a Corsair Strafe RGB that I kind-of like but broke and a K68 RGB and both work under Linux fine with the CKB Next software some cool person made. But the Strafe is broken and it doesn't look like you can get them any more and every time my fingers hit the keys slightly wrongly on the K68 the keycaps fly off.
So, my question is, any suggestions for a full-sized mechanical keyboard (preferably Cherry Silent Red) with RGB that works nicely with Linux? By that I mean that I can get per key lighting at the least.
Edit: Having replaceable keys would be a bonus as would be anything open source programmable etc. ...
Price wise I can't spend more than £200 unless they keys are replaceable and it's waterproof or something.
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RGB means rainbow colors, yes? A multicolor LED under every key, and the soft/firmware to program it?
I have a very usable full-sized no-name mechanical keyboard for just €50, it certainly is sturdy and types well enough. But only red LEDs, and apparently the keys aren't replacable.
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02-19-2022, 07:54 AM
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#3
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Moderator
Registered: Mar 2011
Location: USA
Distribution: MINT Debian, Angstrom, SUSE, Ubuntu, Debian
Posts: 9,940
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Looks like Amazon has the Corsair, $112 USD
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02-19-2022, 01:07 PM
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#4
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LQ Addict
Registered: Dec 2011
Location: UK
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
Posts: 7,680
Original Poster
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ondoho
RGB means rainbow colors, yes? A multicolor LED under every key, and the soft/firmware to program it?
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Yes, I tend to leave most keys as red but the ability to tune the colour is nice and the typing effects where the keys momentarily change colour when pressed is nice also. The RGB aspect, beyond being able to have every key lit red, isn't hugely important to me but once the keyboard has mechanical switches by Cherry, say, the backlight tends to be RGB anyhow.
@rtmistler the easily available Strafe seems to be the MK2 and I'm loath to buy another Corsair after the experience of the K68 despite liking the Strafe. Buying another Strafe MK1 from a limited seller list might be an option but while I'm looking to spend what will be a large amount of money I'm interested to know of other options as I don't really want to be in the position of having to spend a lot on a keyboard yet again if, say, the Strafe I get has flying keys like my present keyboard or I accidentally break one switch and write the whole keyboard off.
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02-20-2022, 11:17 AM
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#5
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LQ Veteran
Registered: Jul 2006
Location: London
Distribution: PCLinuxOS, Salix
Posts: 6,228
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A god place to get keyboard advice is https://deskthority.net/
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1 members found this post helpful.
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02-26-2022, 12:57 PM
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#6
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LQ Addict
Registered: Dec 2011
Location: UK
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
Posts: 7,680
Original Poster
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So, I haven't been able to find any recommendations fro a keyboard anywhere I have asked so I went and bought a Razer Huntsman Elite because:
Code:
$ apt search razer
Sorting... Done
Full Text Search... Done
confclerk/unstable 0.7.1-1 amd64
offline conference schedule application
openrazer-daemon/unstable,unstable 3.2.0+dfsg-3 all
OpenRazer peripheral drivers (daemon)
openrazer-doc/unstable,unstable 3.2.0+dfsg-3 all
OpenRazer peripheral drivers (documentation)
openrazer-driver-dkms/unstable,unstable 3.2.0+dfsg-3 all
OpenRazer peripheral drivers (DKMS)
openrazer-meta/unstable,unstable 3.2.0+dfsg-3 all
OpenRazer peripheral drivers (metapackage)
python3-openrazer/unstable,unstable 3.2.0+dfsg-3 all
OpenRazer peripheral drivers (Python 3)
qrazercfg/unstable,unstable 0.42+ds-1 all
Graphical Razer device configuration tool
qrazercfg-applet/unstable,unstable 0.42+ds-1 all
Graphical Razer device configuration tool - applet
razercfg/unstable 0.42+ds-1+b1 amd64
Razer device configuration tool
I will post my experience here in case anyone else wants this kind of thing. If anyone has any experience of the likes of Das Keyboard though I'm still interested to hear or, even, if anyone has built a keyboard.
Edit: By the way my aim here isn't to get some kind of über keyboard to make me 1337 at games I just want to find a really nice keyboard that will be "the last one I buy". I've got to a time in life where I just want nice things to make life a little bit better.
Last edited by 273; 02-26-2022 at 01:02 PM.
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02-26-2022, 01:16 PM
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#7
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Moderator
Registered: Feb 2003
Location: Arizona, USA
Distribution: Debian, EndeavourOS, OpenSUSE, KDE Neon
Posts: 4,028
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I've used Das Keyboards before. I like them. I'd NEVER consider purchasing one. While I love nice keyboards, I've found that I really like the Outemu blue switches. Not are they significantly cheaper than Cherry, I actually like their feel better. I'd probably prefer even heavier switches if I could find a full size keyboard with them. I don't game a lot, and DESPISE the red switches as I have a tendency to hit multiple keys at a time far too easily because they're too soft, so any opinions of mine PROBABLY won't be relevant to the OP, but since I do have experience with Das Keyboards (Cherry MX only), I figured I'd post.
Now, what is my problem with Das Keyboard? $$$$ A coworker at my job had one. I used it for a while. It was nice. Was it better than my $35 keyboard with Outemu switches despite costing 6x as much? No. Sure, it had RGB, but that means nothing to me, and while it's neat, I wouldn't pay $1 to have it. So $200 for a keyboard that worked no better than my $35 keyboard, felt no better, looked no better, and had no additional USEFUL TO ME functionality...no thank you.
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02-26-2022, 01:25 PM
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#8
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LQ Addict
Registered: Dec 2011
Location: UK
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
Posts: 7,680
Original Poster
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Timothy Miller
I've used Das Keyboards before. I like them. I'd NEVER consider purchasing one. While I love nice keyboards, I've found that I really like the Outemu blue switches. Not are they significantly cheaper than Cherry, I actually like their feel better. I'd probably prefer even heavier switches if I could find a full size keyboard with them. I don't game a lot, and DESPISE the red switches as I have a tendency to hit multiple keys at a time far too easily because they're too soft, so any opinions of mine PROBABLY won't be relevant to the OP, but since I do have experience with Das Keyboards (Cherry MX only), I figured I'd post.
Now, what is my problem with Das Keyboard? $$$$ A coworker at my job had one. I used it for a while. It was nice. Was it better than my $35 keyboard with Outemu switches despite costing 6x as much? No. Sure, it had RGB, but that means nothing to me, and while it's neat, I wouldn't pay $1 to have it. So $200 for a keyboard that worked no better than my $35 keyboard, felt no better, looked no better, and had no additional USEFUL TO ME functionality...no thank you.
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Thanks, due to its price I am considering the Razer keyboard I bought a review unit and will send it back if I don't like it.
I hadn't considered that my hitting multiple keys is not as bad on this keyboard (cherry red Corsair with keycaps that fall off) but it makes sense that the keyswitch could mitigate things like that an I'll look out for it.
Das Keyboard I only ruled out because their website suggested limited Linux support and the keyswitch availability seemed limited generally even before taking Linux compatible models into account. Mind you that seems the case generally - ideally I'd just build a keyboard and try some switches but availability (even without current world and local situations) seems limited.
I completely understand your stance on not paying a lot more for a little more but, as above, this is kind of a "this is my keyboard for the rest of my life" thing so the huge amount of money I've already wasted on keyboards (which I'll find a good use for I'm sure) doesn't bother me so much as long as I'm happy and find a keyboard I like that doesn't throw its keys out all the time, for example. Very much a "first world problem" and I get that.
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02-26-2022, 01:37 PM
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#9
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Moderator
Registered: Feb 2003
Location: Arizona, USA
Distribution: Debian, EndeavourOS, OpenSUSE, KDE Neon
Posts: 4,028
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 273
I completely understand your stance on not paying a lot more for a little more but, as above, this is kind of a "this is my keyboard for the rest of my life" thing so the huge amount of money I've already wasted on keyboards (which I'll find a good use for I'm sure) doesn't bother me so much as long as I'm happy and find a keyboard I like that doesn't throw its keys out all the time, for example. Very much a "first world problem" and I get that.
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Yeah, that's why I made sure to mention that my opinions probably wouldn't be overly relevant for you. I'm far more concerned about being able to replace keycaps (I like bright and vibrant colored keyboards, not so much the rgb glowing keyboards) than anything else. So my current keyboards (2 desks at home + 1 at work) are a pink on black base, vibrant purple on silver base, and eye harmingly bright yellow on black base (at work). Definitely agree with the "doesn't throw the caps off" part, that would outright irritate me enough to junk the keyboard. I probably won't buy any more keyboards unless I find one that's full 110 sized, with heavier than blue switches. Being old enough that I learned typing on a REAL typewriter, I massively prefer the heaviest switches, as the heavier the switch, the less mistakes I make. But I do have a box with 10 or so sets of keycaps in various colors and styles so that I can replace my keycaps every few months. Currently I'm thinking of changing out the black/pink keyboard to black/orange. Or maybe to pink retro (round) keycaps.
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02-26-2022, 01:44 PM
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#10
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LQ Addict
Registered: Dec 2011
Location: UK
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
Posts: 7,680
Original Poster
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Timothy Miller
Yeah, that's why I made sure to mention that my opinions probably wouldn't be overly relevant for you. I'm far more concerned about being able to replace keycaps (I like bright and vibrant colored keyboards, not so much the rgb glowing keyboards) than anything else. So my current keyboards (2 desks at home + 1 at work) are a pink on black base, vibrant purple on silver base, and eye harmingly bright yellow on black base (at work). Definitely agree with the "doesn't throw the caps off" part, that would outright irritate me enough to junk the keyboard. I probably won't buy any more keyboards unless I find one that's full 110 sized, with heavier than blue switches. Being old enough that I learned typing on a REAL typewriter, I massively prefer the heaviest switches, as the heavier the switch, the less mistakes I make. But I do have a box with 10 or so sets of keycaps in various colors and styles so that I can replace my keycaps every few months. Currently I'm thinking of changing out the black/pink keyboard to black/orange. Or maybe to pink retro (round) keycaps.
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Yes, the throwing keycaps bit is why I won't buy a Corsair keyboard again.
Your preference for the replaceable keycaps and bright keyboards is similar to my wanting RGB - I spend my time in this usually darkened room so a lit keyboard is good even though I almost touch type a lot of the time.
I haven't actually considered heavy keys having move from Cherry Red silent to Cherry Red and noticed how loud they are through my mic. though, actually, the "silent" ones were loud enough to have me muted by a moderator when typing in a Zoom chat so turns out that's pointless.
I suppose I'm trying to type that your views are relevant as I'm learning what I want as I go. That's why I'm stressing that I'm not a gamer kid (not that there's anything wrong with that) wanting something fancy for bragging rights or to show off (nobody really sees my keyboard but me) just an older guy looking to make my every day nicer.
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02-26-2022, 04:27 PM
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#11
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LQ Veteran
Registered: Mar 2008
Location: Waaaaay out West Texas
Distribution: antiX 23, MX 23
Posts: 7,288
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I can still get oldy ergo matic micro soft keyboards on the cheap from this place
https://www.goodwillcentraltexas.org...computer-works
Most I spent on muli colored lighted gaming keyboard for a desktop was 5 bucks.
Edit: I figure other countries have the same kind of stores.
Last edited by rokytnji; 02-26-2022 at 04:29 PM.
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02-26-2022, 04:48 PM
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#12
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Moderator
Registered: Feb 2003
Location: Arizona, USA
Distribution: Debian, EndeavourOS, OpenSUSE, KDE Neon
Posts: 4,028
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 273
Yes, the throwing keycaps bit is why I won't buy a Corsair keyboard again.
Your preference for the replaceable keycaps and bright keyboards is similar to my wanting RGB - I spend my time in this usually darkened room so a lit keyboard is good even though I almost touch type a lot of the time.
I haven't actually considered heavy keys having move from Cherry Red silent to Cherry Red and noticed how loud they are through my mic. though, actually, the "silent" ones were loud enough to have me muted by a moderator when typing in a Zoom chat so turns out that's pointless.
I suppose I'm trying to type that your views are relevant as I'm learning what I want as I go. That's why I'm stressing that I'm not a gamer kid (not that there's anything wrong with that) wanting something fancy for bragging rights or to show off (nobody really sees my keyboard but me) just an older guy looking to make my every day nicer.
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Being in a dark room makes sense for wanting the RGB. I work in a brightly lit office, and my den is incredibly brightly lit by sunlight during the day, and has only a single light that's incredibly bright by night, so explains why I want bright keycaps instead of RGB.
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03-03-2022, 10:58 AM
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#13
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LQ Addict
Registered: Dec 2011
Location: UK
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
Posts: 7,680
Original Poster
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So, status of Razer Huntsman Elite so far:
To me it is objectively better than the Corsair keyboards I have had previously in build quality and consistency of switch feel. The one I have is a clicky but not particularly heavy one. I like the feel but not sure about the click - it's kind-of reassuring and also a bit "needless" if that makes sense?
The key spacing seems a little closer than the Corsair, but that might be my imagination which if anything is not a good thing.
I don't like the legends on the keycaps - the Corsair are bolder and the secondary functions are lit too not just the main ones. But I have put the "gaming" WASD keys from the Corsairs on it and they fit in fine.
The software's nowhere near as easy to use as ckb-next and I don;'t think it's as fancy. For key lighting that's fine as I can get red keys apart from yellowy-green WASD and that kind of thing but the inability to turn off caps-lock is a bit of a pain. Plus with ckb-next there's the ability to turn off indicators for numlock etc. and have the keys change colour instead when they're on - another minor thing that's not important but I miss.
My conclusion though is that this keyboard is OK and works and I have a "spare" I can use/sell/whatever. I could and perhaps in some ways should send this back and get the non-clicky or the analogue one or whatever but this seems like it's more hassle than it's worth. Perhaps I'll come across a full sized keyboard with replaceable keys, open-source firmware etc. but I until then I'll leave it as I don';t have the patience to keep trying things that are "almost" or "nearly"and there seems to be too much choice in the "not quite what I want".
Thank you all for the insight - I may well be back to this topic.
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03-03-2022, 01:21 PM
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#14
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Moderator
Registered: Feb 2003
Location: Arizona, USA
Distribution: Debian, EndeavourOS, OpenSUSE, KDE Neon
Posts: 4,028
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So sounds like you have probably blue switches since those are the only clicky switches MOST keyboards have to offer? They have a tactile bump and are clicky.
If you like the tactile feel (having a noticeable "ledge" you have to push past as you press the key) but not the click, then you may want to look into something that uses brown switches. A little lighter than the blue (usually, Kailh swithces the brown is actually heavier), and also no clicky (although not silent by any means)
If you don't like the feel of the tactile switches, then you'd want red, black, or speed silver switches. These are linear (same resistance from start to finish) and non-clicky. The black is a heavier switch, the red and silver are lighter switches, with the silver being a much shorter overall travel but otherwise mostly similar to the red. There's other switches out there, but these are the "major" switches that most switch companies are making and can be found reasonably easily. Yes, I'm a mechanical keyboard fanatic.
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03-03-2022, 01:35 PM
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#15
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LQ Addict
Registered: Dec 2011
Location: UK
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
Posts: 7,680
Original Poster
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Yes, I think these are "blue style" - I am not sure they do "brown style" in these switches:
https://www.razer.com/gb-en/razer-optical-switch
I am not sure whether I prefer the tactile feel or not either. I hadn't had my cherry red silent keyboard all that long before I broke a switch top off it and got the cherry red normal to replace it then it's not longe since that I got this keyboard due to not wanting to put up with they keys flying everywhere. These keys feel so much more sturdy than the previous keyboards though.
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