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Looking for Compact Mechanical Keyboard under $200
posted in Hardware
1
#1
0 Frags +

I currently have a SteelSeries 7G (cherry MX black) which I purchased in 2014. It is is working remarkably well, but takes up an incredibly large amount of space on my desk.

So, I am looking for a keyboard with either MX black or MX red switches- for under $200 bucks. I pretty much only play tf2, so I want to hear what your experiences with a certain keyboard was (and what you recommend I purchase).

Thanks!

I currently have a SteelSeries 7G (cherry MX black) which I purchased in 2014. It is is working remarkably well, but takes up an incredibly large amount of space on my desk.

So, I am looking for a keyboard with either MX black or MX red switches- for under $200 bucks. I pretty much only play tf2, so I want to hear what your experiences with a certain keyboard was (and what you recommend I purchase).

Thanks!
2
#2
9 Frags +

http://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-QuickFire-TK-Mechanical/dp/B00A378L4C

Love this

http://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-QuickFire-TK-Mechanical/dp/B00A378L4C?tag=teamfortresst-20

Love this
3
#3
9 Frags +
saamhttp://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-QuickFire-TK-Mechanical/dp/B00A378L4C

Love this

I have this one too and it's pretty great but your roommate might hate you.

[quote=saam]http://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-QuickFire-TK-Mechanical/dp/B00A378L4C?tag=teamfortresst-20

Love this[/quote]
I have this one too and it's pretty great but your roommate might hate you.
4
#4
1 Frags +

You'll want the 10key-less version, which comes in the requested Red switches: http://www.amazon.com/Storm-QuickFire-Rapid-Tenkeyless-Mechanical/dp/B007VDLVD4/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1455433198&sr=1-2&keywords=cm+storm+quick+fire+rapid

You'll want the 10key-less version, which comes in the requested Red switches: http://www.amazon.com/Storm-QuickFire-Rapid-Tenkeyless-Mechanical/dp/B007VDLVD4/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1455433198&sr=1-2&keywords=cm+storm+quick+fire+rapid&tag=teamfortresst-20
5
#5
0 Frags +

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=28

Ctrl+f red/black

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=28

Ctrl+f red/black
6
#6
0 Frags +

i have a poker 2 and I can highly reccomend it, 60% layout so it's extremely small

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=458

there's also a poker 3 if you're interested

i have a poker 2 and I can highly reccomend it, 60% layout so it's extremely small

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=458

there's also a poker 3 if you're interested
7
#7
Momentum Mod
3 Frags +

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/noppoo-nano-75-s
that's a neat new one. Not sure what type youre looking for

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/noppoo-nano-75-s
that's a neat new one. Not sure what type youre looking for
8
#8
-1 Frags +
saamhttp://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-QuickFire-TK-Mechanical/dp/B00A378L4C

Love this

I got one recently in Blues, and I absolutely love it. It's a perfect middle ground between a full keyboard and a tenkeyless. I use it as a portable keyboard.

[quote=saam]http://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-QuickFire-TK-Mechanical/dp/B00A378L4C?tag=teamfortresst-20

Love this[/quote]

I got one recently in Blues, and I absolutely love it. It's a perfect middle ground between a full keyboard and a tenkeyless. I use it as a portable keyboard.
9
#9
2 Frags +

Leopold fc660m, pok3r, cm storm. All available with red switches. I have the Leopold and it's really good and looks awesome.

Is recommend going on massdrop too as they do a good selection and loads of custom key caps.

Leopold fc660m, pok3r, cm storm. All available with red switches. I have the Leopold and it's really good and looks awesome.

Is recommend going on massdrop too as they do a good selection and loads of custom key caps.
10
#10
0 Frags +

circa has a ducky mini

circa has a ducky mini
11
#11
0 Frags +
saamhttp://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-QuickFire-TK-Mechanical/dp/B00A378L4C

Love this

best

i went with red switches and i love it

[quote=saam]http://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-QuickFire-TK-Mechanical/dp/B00A378L4C?tag=teamfortresst-20

Love this[/quote]

best

i went with red switches and i love it
12
#12
0 Frags +
saamhttp://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-QuickFire-TK-Mechanical/dp/B00A378L4C

Love this

This is what I initially though about, since so many people recommend it. How is the build quality of the body? And do you know how easy it is to change the keycaps?

And, what is the closest switch to black? (actuation force-wise)

[quote=saam]http://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-QuickFire-TK-Mechanical/dp/B00A378L4C?tag=teamfortresst-20

Love this[/quote]

This is what I initially though about, since so many people recommend it. How is the build quality of the body? And do you know how easy it is to change the keycaps?

And, what is the closest switch to black? (actuation force-wise)
13
#13
0 Frags +
saamhttp://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-QuickFire-TK-Mechanical/dp/B00A378L4C

Love this

Can confirm this is a solid keyboard, but you may want to go with a tenkeyless version if you really need it to be compact

[quote=saam]http://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-QuickFire-TK-Mechanical/dp/B00A378L4C?tag=teamfortresst-20

Love this[/quote]
Can confirm this is a solid keyboard, but you may want to go with a tenkeyless version if you really need it to be compact
14
#14
0 Frags +
fnmHow is the build quality of the body? And do you know how easy it is to change the keycaps?

And, what is the closest switch to black? (actuation force-wise)

The body is (matte) plastic and from the few times I've used one, I found it quite solid. The caps pop off with a key cap remover and have standard plus-shaped stems. See here for a relative sizing chart.

The closest switches to blacks when it comes to actuation force are blues(one-sixth lighter than blacks). They are a completely different switch, though; they have a tactile bump and a rather loud click on actuation. The closest thing to blacks when it comes to feeling are red switches, which are a quarter lighter than black switches, but linear.

[quote=fnm]How is the build quality of the body? And do you know how easy it is to change the keycaps?

And, what is the closest switch to black? (actuation force-wise)[/quote]
The body is (matte) plastic and from the few times I've used one, I found it quite solid. The caps pop off with a key cap remover and have standard plus-shaped stems. See [url=http://blog.maxkeyboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/CM_Storm_Quickfire_TK_Layout.jpg]here[/url] for a relative sizing chart.

The closest switches to blacks when it comes to actuation force are blues(one-sixth lighter than blacks). They are a completely different switch, though; they have a tactile bump and a rather loud click on actuation. The closest thing to blacks when it comes to feeling are red switches, which are a quarter lighter than black switches, but linear.
15
#15
0 Frags +

I have the CM Storm Quickfire TK with reds and I couldn't be happier with it. I wanted a smaller keyboard but I also wanted the numpad, and I'm pretty satisfied with the compromise (because its barely a compromise).

I have the CM Storm Quickfire TK with reds and I couldn't be happier with it. I wanted a smaller keyboard but I also wanted the numpad, and I'm pretty satisfied with the compromise (because its barely a compromise).
16
#16
2 Frags +

The only thing about the TK body I'm not a fan of is the edges are kind of sharp if you rest your palms on it that way.

The only thing about the TK body I'm not a fan of is the edges are kind of sharp if you rest your palms on it that way.
17
#17
0 Frags +

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1418

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1418
18
#18
0 Frags +

https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_cl_bbb_al
KUL-87 is a really high quality build

https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_cl_bbb_al
KUL-87 is a really high quality build
19
#19
0 Frags +
messiahhttps://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_cl_bbb_al
KUL-87 is a really high quality build

I was trying to decide between this and the cm storm, but I am leaning towards the CM b/c of the price. Do you own this keyboard?

[quote=messiah]https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_cl_bbb_al
KUL-87 is a really high quality build[/quote]

I was trying to decide between this and the cm storm, but I am leaning towards the CM b/c of the price. Do you own this keyboard?
20
#20
0 Frags +
fnmI was trying to decide between this and the cm storm, but I am leaning towards the CM b/c of the price. Do you own this keyboard?

I used to have a KUL, but I didn't really like it because of how mushy the stabilized keys felt. I switched to a Leopold FC750R (blue, white) which was slightly cheaper, crisper-feeling, and has far better stock keycaps. In regards to build, the KUL does feel slightly more sturdy due to its chunky case, but the Leopold is almost the same weight and feels about as solid.

[quote=fnm]
I was trying to decide between this and the cm storm, but I am leaning towards the CM b/c of the price. Do you own this keyboard?[/quote]

I used to have a KUL, but I didn't really like it because of how mushy the stabilized keys felt. I switched to a Leopold FC750R ([url=https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1563]blue[/url], [url=https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1568]white[/url]) which was slightly cheaper, crisper-feeling, and has far better stock keycaps. In regards to build, the KUL does feel slightly more sturdy due to its chunky case, but the Leopold is almost the same weight and feels about as solid.
21
#21
0 Frags +
fnmmessiahhttps://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_cl_bbb_al
KUL-87 is a really high quality build

I was trying to decide between this and the cm storm, but I am leaning towards the CM b/c of the price. Do you own this keyboard?

I do own this keyboard but with cherry mx blues, you can modify the keyboard to have a 1000hz polling rate on the USB which i totally suggest. I do own the cm storm w/ cherry mx blues as well and really if you're looking for a cheaper price I would just go with the cm storm. The quality of the cm storm is perfectly fine.
https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_ce_sss_al (this is the one i'm using currently)

[quote=fnm][quote=messiah]https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_cl_bbb_al
KUL-87 is a really high quality build[/quote]

I was trying to decide between this and the cm storm, but I am leaning towards the CM b/c of the price. Do you own this keyboard?[/quote]
I do own this keyboard but with cherry mx blues, you can modify the keyboard to have a 1000hz polling rate on the USB which i totally suggest. I do own the cm storm w/ cherry mx blues as well and really if you're looking for a cheaper price I would just go with the cm storm. The quality of the cm storm is perfectly fine.
https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_ce_sss_al (this is the one i'm using currently)
22
#22
0 Frags +
saamhttp://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-QuickFire-TK-Mechanical/dp/B00A378L4C

Love this

Have this one aswell just the Stealth version, just love it :o

[quote=saam]http://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-QuickFire-TK-Mechanical/dp/B00A378L4C?tag=teamfortresst-20

Love this[/quote]
Have this one aswell just the Stealth version, just love it :o
23
#23
0 Frags +

blackwidow tournament is honestly a really good tkl keyboard. some people don't like the clickity clackity of blue switches but that's just preference. i've been using that and a full cm storm trigger with red switches, which is also a great board if you've got the desk space.

blackwidow tournament is honestly a really good tkl keyboard. some people don't like the clickity clackity of blue switches but that's just preference. i've been using that and a full cm storm trigger with red switches, which is also a great board if you've got the desk space.
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