Keyboard and mouse questions

[greyharte]

Hi guys ... been a really long time ... I come to you today w/ a question ... I am currently using a Logitech g11 keyboard and a g5 mouse (full weight) ... had em for a VERY long time (5+ yrs give or take) and they have served and continue to serve me extremely well ... but ... its time ... I need better backlighting for the keyboard the blue leds are not bright enough to meet my needs these days (to the point of almost not visible at all) and my mouse has "moments" when it just becomes old and crochetty like me ... lol

so the question on my mind (while I do realize that both items are subject to personal preference) ... its time to replace ... whats out there that can provide me the same level of reliability and comfort? and yes I need for both gaming and work (I work at home now and use a kvm between my systems for the keyboard and mouse only) w/ easily 15hrs a day use

 

[Brandensbeast]

Well I use the CMstorm blue led keyboard, very bright, it's cheap, been very reliable for me. The mouse on the otherhand broke in about 3 months but I really liked the mouse, went on amazon bought a 13 dollar cobra led blue mouse that matches the keyboard perfect (cobra is a cheap japanese or chinese brand) and it's been working perfectly fine since. The cobra mouse takes some getting use to on the hand but once you get used to it it fells really well, aswell as the keyboard being really comftorable and the keys haven't worn down at all and neither has the color been lost (I type a lot on this keyboard).

 

[sobe]

For a quality keyboard look at Ducky Shine 3 or MaxKeyboards Nighthawk X7, X8, or X9.

 

[greyharte]

For a quality keyboard look at Ducky Shine 3 or MaxKeyboards Nighthawk X7, X8, or X9.

so this brings up an additional question on the mechanical keyboards what's the difference between the mx red, blue and brown switches ive managed to gleen that the red are less "clicky" than the blue and it appears that the blue in general are harder to find than either the brown or red (red being the most popular) and where do the brown fit in the mix? what about the tactile motion between the 3?

also keeping in mind someone who tends to be heavy handed on the keyboard

I was looking at the corsairs, I like the "surface" mounted style easier to clean (a BIG + where I live) but I read a lot of reviews citing qc issues w/ leds burning out quickly or not even installed ... anyone else doing something similar?

 

[bob4933]

Budget is very important here.

 

[sobe]

Red has no tactile feedback and has no clicky clacky noise aside from you bottoming the key out on the keyboard. Also these are very light keys, very easy to press down opposed to the other keys that are slightly stiffer.

Blacks are the same as reds but not as light.

Blues have tactile feedback and have a clicky clacky noise

Those are the main 3 IMO, though there are others such as Greens, Browns, Clears, etc. with Browns being more notable outside of the big 3 that I have in my list.

The Browns offer tactile feedback without the clicky clacky noise.


Your best bet is to order a CherryMX Sampler kit from Amazon, MechanicalKeyboards.com, or MaxKeyboards.com and see which you prefer.

 

[greyharte]

Red has no tactile feedback and has no clicky clacky noise aside from you bottoming the key out on the keyboard. Also these are very light keys, very easy to press down opposed to the other keys that are slightly stiffer.

Blacks are the same as reds but not as light.

Blues have tactile feedback and have a clicky clacky noise

Those are the main 3 IMO, though there are others such as Greens, Browns, Clears, etc. with Browns being more notable outside of the big 3 that I have in my list.

The Browns offer tactile feedback without the clicky clacky noise.


Your best bet is to order a CherryMX Sampler kit from Amazon, MechanicalKeyboards.com, or MaxKeyboards.com and see which you prefer.

thank you Sobe ... will check out those samplers

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Budget is very important here.

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not really ... willing to adjust my budget to fit my needs

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Definitely get a sampler.
There are some 8 key ones out there with the "non standard" keys as well.

For what it's worth, I have a Ducky Shine 4 with Blue keys for work and a Logitech G710+ with Brown keys for home.
I've found I prefer Browns for gaming and Blues for typing.

 

[bob4933]

thank you Sobe ... will check out those samplers

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not really ... willing to adjust my budget to fit my needs

Keyboard and mouse combo can cost you 400$ for some top notch stuff. What are you wanting to spend Mr trump?

 

[Dlaw]

Keyboard and mouse combo can cost you 400$ for some top notch stuff. What are you wanting to spend Mr trump?

Or more, I've seen keyboards alone in the $1000+ range...

 

[sobe]

Let's get back to realism boys Majority of high-end mechanicals from the likes of DuckyChannel, etc. are going to cost $150, give or take. And a quality mouse should be no more than $100 (with most being around $30 - $70).

 

[bob4933]

Or more, I've seen keyboards alone in the $1000+ range...

Well I'm not talking boutique stuff here. Some top of the line equipment is pretty expensive. If he's spending "15+" hours sitting in front of his computer, it's pretty rational to think he wants top notch stuff. A good keyboard can cost 150-200$, and a modular mouse can be quite expensive as well. Hence why I asked for a budget, or in this case a "what do you feel like spending?"

 

[Dlaw]

If you like the standard 104 key layout, the Rosewill RK-9100 series is awesome for a great price, it comes in all of the major Cherry switches with either blue or red backlight. And of course, it's a gaming keyboard, so every key is programmable. I find it extremely comfortable, and build quality is solid. All of the boards that have been mentioned are pretty awesome, though.

There are so many options with mice it's crazy. If you want something totally customizable, and eye catching on top, grab a R.A.T.7 or 9 (the 9 is wireless). If you're looking for something a little less gimmicky (I had a RAT7, and it was a great mouse until it stopped working on me after less than a year, can't really recommend it), SteelSeries and Roccat are the manufacturers that I would check out first. I hear great things about Roccat's Xone, and I personally have a SS Sensei. It's the best mouse I've ever owned. Logitech makes great mice also, if you don't find anything that you like from them.