"Best"-"Worst" {^*Keyboards*^}

[SCWolf]

Originally Posted by Fission

dam, i didn't even know about this company. that looks really well made though.

Hopefully. They gave it to me for $100 too, and threw in a free mousepad. Basically for showing interest in their brand before they've really hit big.

[EzExZeRo7497]

Most mechanical keyboards tend to be the best keyboards to use, but their biggest flaw by far is how prone they are to double-tapping issues, especially for Blues and Browns. Most of my keys on my old mechanical keyboard had double tap issues and it makes both Stepmania and FFR unplayable.

I can't really vouch for the K120, but it's probably the best keyboard to use for its price. You can really only go so far with it though, it really limits my speed/stamina, but I'm not sure if it's because of the fact that I'm too used to thicker keys or I haven't broken in the keyboard yet. It's good for index though.

Regarding Razer products, I have a Razer Lycosa and Razer Arctosa. The Razer Arctosa's build quality is... somewhat decent compared to other Razer products. The main issue is that it limits speed a lot. When I got my Lycosa, I immediately skill boosted from 25 CBs on Disregard to SDCB.

My Razer Lycosa had so many issues though... I don't recommend it. I broke so many keys on it and I had to get keys from my Razer Arctosa to actually play properly.

From what I've seen though, CM/Q-Pad have been the best mech KB brands to use (in terms in quality anyway), so I'd say they're the best mechanical keyboards to use. As for flat keyboards, I'd say the Ultra-X or the Logitech Illuminated are the best keyboard. I'd personally go for an Ultra-Flat Keyboard instead of the K120, lol.

[SCWolf]

Originally Posted by EzExZeRo7497

Most mechanical keyboards tend to be the best keyboards to use, but their biggest flaw by far is how prone they are to double-tapping issues, especially for Blues and Browns. Most of my keys on my old mechanical keyboard had double tap issues and it makes both Stepmania and FFR unplayable.

This. For real. My current keyboard suffers from this and it literally does make the game unplayable.

[Fission]

+1 to double tapping. just hoping my cm quickfire rapid that i should be getting tuesday doesn't.

EDIT: btw if you remember, let me know how that feenix keyboard is. i'm interested to see how the build quality is from somebody who owns one.

[ninjaKIWI]

Originally Posted by SCWolf

This. For real. My current keyboard suffers from this and it literally does make the game unplayable.

I've never ever had this problem and I've been using blue switches for years.

[Dynam0]

Switching from a rubber dome to a mechanical keyboard gave me a huge speed and stamina bonus due to the actuation force being much lower. I have a steelseries 6gv2 with red switches and despite accounts from some people that your accuracy is worse since reds have no tactile 'bump', my accuracy was able to improve due to less key resistance; this caused fatigue to be less of a problem in more technical charts or continuous jumpstreams. I suppose the only draw back is that you need to bottom out the keys in order to develop accuracy...which to me isn't bad at all since it ensures good technique but anyways

The double tap issue is definitely prevalent at least for me. My setups last for about 3 months of heavy use (counting keytaps is a bad indicator because how much force you hit the keys with will change the rate of this issue happening drastically...I hit my keys with a lot of force). I would imagine this problem to be very rare with casual or light use of a mech keyboard with red switches.

I've never tried flat or slim-types but it's something to look into for anyone with the funds for one imo.

Laptops have always given me huge trouble both with control and especially accuracy but I believe this only has to do with graphics or game lag issues associated with the laptop specs and not with the keyboard itself. Vibrating is definitely much easier on a laptop from my own experience. Actuation force is immensely low too allowing for arguably the best conditions for stamina/speed type playing where control isn't so much important.

On the issue of a keyboard making you a better player; it's no wonder golfers, hockey players, tennis players and even basketball players are so concerned with customizing their equipment to maximize their performance. Absolutely you can be limited as a player if you have the wrong keyboard but the issue most of us have is money. The K120 has been vouched for as the best affordable keyboard and that's good advice imo. I would love to order 4 or 5 different keyboards with various types of switches (this is probably the only true way to find what's best for you) but I need to wait until I have money

[rCaliberGX]

@dynamo: have you checked this out? http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.p...mpler-kit.html though it's obviously not for testing out key setups for sm/ffr.

i like browns, but i think it's a bad compromise between reds and clears. though browns and reds have the same spring, the bump feels like it gets in the way instead of actually trying to somewhat slow your movement by telling you that it's been actuated, like with clears.

i'd like to get my hands on a keyboard with reds, but i have no means of doing so atm. i could rma the quickfire stealth i'm using right now since it has a bad solder job on backspace and requires me to push it forward, but i don't have any other keyboard to use unless i take my dad's model m when he isn't using it.

[Dynam0]

@Cali: As beneficial as packages like that are for me when I need every bit of help from my equipment now, I haven't looked too much into stuff like that. I'll definitely consider experimenting soon either with something like that^ or a new keyboard entirely.

Anyone experiment with maintaining/cleaning your keyboard at all? My old rubber dome felt like I was trying to push rocks down or something before I got my current mech kb, it was so stiff. I feel like giving it some TLC might have made a bit of a difference after ~6 years of neglect haha.

[Tim Allen]

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this is da quick fire pro with red switches
I pressed the xx (it double tapped) button 10 times, 10 times in a row
I used the x key in my setup for a few (less than 6) months before it gave out on me

[rushyrulz]

logitech anything

[Staiain]

exact model is classified, qpad here 8)




also, a better keyboard doesn't make you better, but you can play better with a good one

[Fission]

Originally Posted by Staiain

doesn't make you better, but you can play better

aren't these one and the same?

[Poison-]

I have a Lycosa and haven't had a single problem with it.

[TC_Halogen]

Originally Posted by Fission

aren't these one and the same?

What I think he means is that the keyboard increases the potential skill you can obtain, but doesn't increase the current skill (as in, you shouldn't expect an immediate skill-boost, but can expect good long term results with persistence).

[Dynam0]

A good keyboard brings out potential. My results were instantly better with a better keyboard as were a number of people. Staiain means that a keyboard doesn't make you inherently better or worse at the game, rather it allows you to achieve better results (sort of how a faster racing car doesn't make you a better driver but allows you to attain faster lap times).

[Dru0129]

Wow! I didn't expect so many to give feedback so quickly. But I am glad to see that everyone is giving their advice and experience. Keep it coming, I am sure some people are getting good information out of this!!! Thank you all!!!