The funniest thing about how mechanical switches are marketed is that the activity that they affect the most is typing. Sure, maybe they'll help your gaming ability, but they've been proven to improve typing speed.
Blue switches are better than brown for typing only in that they make your computer sound like a typewriter. 65cN is too stiff, and the noise - especially in any shared office environment - would quickly become a nuisance. Browns are the way to go, unless you specifically want noisy keys and will be using them in an environment where that doesn't bother others. I just wish they'd follow up the Red Silent switches with a Brown Silent one. I'd buy that in a heartbeat.
I was under the same impression that Blues and clicky switches in general were best for typing, and that I also prefer to use them. I used a keyboard with brown switches and then with blue ones. Well, after using and getting used to a keyboard with black switches and having tried one with Reds, I can say I was very wrong. I type faster and better on the Blacks, and if I had a reason to buy a new keyboard I would get one with Reds.
I tried the old MX Blue keyboard again, I can't do it.
I didn’t find it improved my typing speed…in fact, it hindered it. The keys were so much closer together than regular keyboards, I kept mistyping things. I returned this junk shortly thereafter. Sure, I could spend time trying to get used to it, and I wanted to…but then realized why would I bother, when I still have to keep bouncing between that keyboard and other ones elsewhere all the time.
Does anyone really like these keyboards? When I look at them, all I can see is a SUPER FAT KEYBOARD, very only school keys with HUGE key travel that slows typing to crawl. I don't get it.
Just because there is a long travel doesn't mean you have to bottom out the key to type.
Personally I only like MX Blues, as the clicky actuation point is nicer both for gaming and typing imho, but you only bottom out if you are key pounding.
The K70, Strrafe, Razer Blackwidow, Thermaltake Poseidon Z and Azio MGK1 are actually fairly small compared to a lot of keyboards. Going from a Logitech to an Azio the keys feel taller which take a little getting used to (hence the keys stick out of the body rather than plush or halfway out the body, but I"m a 75-80wpm typist and I have no problems with the Azio brown.
I am using an old, even ancient keyboard, an olivetti that came with an expressive server back in the days when my PC was a high end 386 with 4 megs of ram. I've tried hundreds of keyboards since then and I never liked any of them. That's why I still use this one, DIN to PS2 and PS2 to USB converters. There is chance some of the 250+$ mechanical keyboards would offer comparable experience, but at that cost and their ridiculous look, I'd rather keep the old one, it works great, awesome experience and feel.
fine except that the backslash key gets displaced somewhere. Typically taking up half of where the backspace key should be. Unacceptable to me, as I am completely used to the full sized backspace key. My favorite old board (pre windows-key days) had backslash between right alt and right command, leaving the double height enter key and full sized backspace and shift keys.
There were many keyboards with turbo keys back in the day, there was another line of 3 keys on top of the arrows, under delete end and page down. My keyboard is probably one of the first waves of keyboards who didn't have those and the layout is pretty much identical to keyboards on the market today.
I kinda have to agree. I don't get the mechanical keyboard craze. I bought one last year with the silent MX switches. If by silent they meant wake the whole house at night then yeah they were silent. I used it for about 5 months and replaced it with a k800. Using it felt like I was back in junior high playing in the computer lab. Uncomfortable, large, wired, and obnoxiously loud. I failed to see its relevance and noticed no improvement in typing or benefit in gaming. Maybe I just bought the wrong brand of switches. The noise was ultimately the end all of any interest I had for mechanical keyboards.
Modern mechanical keyboards likely offer a much larger percentage markup than membrane keyboards so manufacturers even landing small sales numbers have a pretty big incentive to develop and market them. The styling is designed to attract people who wish to identify themselves as "gamers" and are willing to spend the money necessary to look the part. It doesn't matter at all if there's no functional difference when the aforementioned person pushes the W key to move their character forward on a $10 keyboard or a $200 keyboard. What matters is that person's belief that it makes a difference worth the cost markup. Like many other products, these high priced keyboards appeal to a part of the buyer's mind that operates without acknowledging logic or reason and they generally WANT the "junior high playing in the computer lab" sensation that you might find absurd.
I am amused that they're finally coming around to trying to make these mechanical keyboards as quiet at their discount, mass-produced competitors. It's even more comical that the reduction in typing noise is a highly stressed selling point, but it _is_ a principal of product differentiation that people with marketing degrees enjoy having at their disposal in their adverts. However, I'd be willing to bet that nearly any inexpensive rubber dome keyboard is a lot quieter.
Have to disagree. My original experience with mechanical keyboards was when my dad brought home IBM Type-M keyboards from his work. They were not flashy but I greatly enjoyed the feedback of typing on the keyboard and my desire to become a touch typist quickly escalated from the use of that style keyboard. The weight was also an enjoyable aspect of keeping the keyboard in place. And the keyboard did not hold any value to me as I paid nothing for it. So if it didn't perform better, there was really no reason for me to continue using it.
Most of my money put into keyboards is simply to reproduce that experience. And my own job perpetually forces me to use OEM brand keyboards that are easily worse at typing. It is very common to see myself typo words at work simply because the keyboard cannot keep up with me.
I have absolutely 0 desire for something that glows or has a ridiculous look, shape or added functionality. But I will support any keyboard manufacturer that sees value in making a well functioning keyboard. I buy dasKeyboard, even though the price often feels overpriced, I love having access to a simplistic mechanical keyboard.
People like me, who have enjoyed mechanical keyboards for many years but now have families who hate the sound of their keyboard are left in a bit of a bind. However, it creates the demand side of the scenario that silent switches are now creating the supply for. This is just a natural move forward from brown switches.
yes, people do like these keyboards quite a lot actually. they actually speed up typing quite signifigantly if you know how to type properly. those basic rubber dome keyboards slow you down because you have to bottom out every key in order to get it to activate. Plus the mechanical keys just move much smoother. If you don't like them thats perfectly fine, no one is forcing you to use them and there's no shortage of cheap rubber dome keyboards for those who prefer that tech.
As some one who has owned a few different mechanical keyboards over the years (most recently a Razer BlackWidow...although, once I finish typing this, I'll be heading to Best Buy to pick up the Corsair Strafe RGB MX Silent I ordered a few days ago, if that tells you anything), I can tell you that, depending on the keyswitch type, mechanical keyboards not only can, they WILL improve your gaming and/or typing. While some hold the belief that MX Reds are best for gaming, and MX Blues are best for typing, such is not always the case.
There was a columnist who, about a year ago, tested keyboards with Red, Blue, & Brown Cherry MX switches. He typed over long periods of time, typing the exact same information, & he discovered that he obtained the fastest typing speeds using the keyboard with the MX Red switches. While gamers tend, for the most part, to prefer sound level & lighter actuation pressure over actuation sound, typists tend to care mostly about actuation pressure & sound. Additionally, typists tend to listen for the "click" sound as an indicator of when to release. If you're typing minimal amounts of things, then, by all means, go with an MX Blue or MX Brown keyboard, as your fingers won't incur any discomfort due to the amount of typing being done. However, if you have to type for extensive periods of time, a "Blue" user might find a "Brown" to be a better choice, while a "brown" user might find a "Red" to be a better choice. Personally, having tested Blue, Brown, Red, & Black-switch keyboards, I've found the MX Red switches to be the best...for gaming, as well as for everyday typing. As for a comparison of the original Red vs the new Silent (Red), that I hope to determine before the end of the day.
@TEAMSWITCHER try 60% keyboards or 75% ones. They are smaller and more practical than these huge over expensive so called "gaming" gear toys with Christmas lights.
Key travel was an issue for me and was the main reason I returned this junk. Yet, the reason isn't what you think. The travel distance was very short, and so much so that I kept mistyping things.
This model is my first mechanical keyboard and I've been using it daily since I got it. I swapped out all but the first row with PBT doubleshot keycaps. I quite like the keyboard but the non standard first row is a pain in the ass. Also you mentioned the sound is comparable to a membrane keyboard and I'd be quick to disagree. I could never hear a membrane keyboard over VoIP unless the keyboard was getting slammed but I can hear light to moderate typing with this keyboard. Push to talk is very necessary.
How does the noise level compare to, say, MX Brown with dampers installed (for example, the Logitech G710+? I know its based on the user, but a standardized comparison point in your testing like the db reduction you mentioned to the K70 at least provides something to work off of when trying to make a purchase decision.
One of the problems with purchasing a mechanical keyboard is the severe lack of retail presence. You can't go to a store to test out what feels and sounds nice for you. I like the mechanical responsiveness but hate the noise and struggle with typos due to deeper key depth. Best of both worlds for me would be a mechanical with a key depth similar to a membrane keyboard that's silent - I'd pay $200+ if someone could pull it off.
"One of the problems with purchasing a mechanical keyboard is the severe lack of retail presence. You can't go to a store to test out what feels and sounds nice for you."
The Microcenter near me stocks "Ducky" brand keyboards, which are a popular plain and simple mechanical keyboard. The interesting thing is unlike most other keyboards they seem to be available with the full spectrum of Cherry MX switches and Microcenter actually has a lot of different flavors in stock. I was able to try Red, Blue, Brown, Black, and one more I think was maybe Green side by side on otherwise identical keyboards.
My Corsair K70 RGB experiences an odd lag while typing for several minutes after reboot. Characters can appear on the screen 1/2 to 3 seconds after I enter them. Any similar symptoms displayed for others here?
Probably some third party software with a messed up key-binding. I had a similar problem caused ASUS' GPU Tweak. I simply removed GPU Tweak and all was great for me. Another option was to re-bind the hotkeys in ASUS GPU Tweak.
Duck is almost certainly right - I used to have this problem back when I used my generic store brand USB keyboard and Microsoft mouse.... after both of them ran into hardware issues I switched to an Avior 7000 and the Strafe RGB MX Silent in this review, and I haven't had any issues since. I think in my case it was the Microsoft mouse and keyboard center software interacting badly with my keyboard.
"The lighting strips are not RGB, only white, and can be only turned on or off via the software. The same goes for the company logo at the top left corner of the keyboard."
The Corsair logo is RGB, and can display different color effects and combinations.
This is a great keyboard and on sale for $119.99 at Best Buy right now. If this was always priced at this level it really should be a no-brainer (at least until K65/K70/K95 start to use silent switches).
"The Strafe RGB actually features one thing that none of the top tier Corsair keyboards has - a USB port. The pass-through USB port is found at the rear of the keyboard, near the thick cable."
My Corsair K70 and K95 both have this USB pass-through port.
If memory serves, there has been a Cherry 'Red' switch as far back as... Well, as memory serves. As to the noiselessness, I always understood that came from having no detent, or breakover point to the spring mechanism. I do have a Cherry 'testkit' with five or six of their switches attached, have had it for several years now. One of the switches on it is a 'red'.
Not being able to tell when a key has done its job would, for me, tend to make the keyboard even noisier as I would then be POUNDING the keys to make sure that it was, indeed, pressed.
After wasting money on the tat corsair called the K65 (one of corsairs previous cherry red mechanical offerings) ill never buy another corsair board again. How on earth could a company screw up a keyboard, but they did. Even their firmware fix didnt cure the issues fully, and now nothing from them, no more firmware, so I have to deal with double ii and gg all the time or I throw it out.
I had a K70 which I enjoyed very much, but it died from a drip of condensation. I had a friend with the same issue, although volume of liquid is in dispute. I now have a radacted brand at both home and office, and it has sustained hits from both me and my wife of liquids. I don't trust corsair anymore.
If you know how to type, then you will do it significantly faster on a good mechanical keyboard. This is fact beyond discussion. However, being 42 years old, I suspect I might have been the last person on the western hemisphere to have taken typing classes. When I look around at the office, all I see is kids looking at their keyboards to type. From an efficiency perspective, it does not make sense for them to buy a mechanical keyboard. Noise is sometimes considered an issue. Although it is clear that mechanical keyboards are considerably louder than membrane ones, some people feel bad about it, others do not. The one thing I can say is that I happen to find the sound of my own typing hypnotic: after a couple of minutes doing my work, I type even faster with the clack-clack sound of my cherry brown das. There is near consensus that browns and blues are better than reds and blacks for typing. I agree, but some think otherwise. Then we come to gaming. I find “game editions” or “built for gamers” just a fancy name for “ugly but expensive”. I just can’t understand how people find beautiful to have shinning lights and neon on their PCs, but everyone is entitled to have his/her own preferences. Just wish PCs could have some of the sober elegance of Macs, but that is for another day. If you talking about productivity in gaming (lol), not sure if it makes a difference. Some people say it’s better to use mechanical keyboards, others say the opposite. As a more than occasional FPS gamer, I see no significant difference.
there is plenty of people who know how to type without looking but they've always been a minority as % of the whole population, back then most people simply didn't use computers, now they do but they can't typewrite. At the end of the day it's a personal choice for most people, unless they go to a school that prepares them to become office drones, in which case the benefit of typewriting is too big to ignore.
The sober elegance on PCs is just a matter of choice, you can't buy gamer gear and expect it to be sober.
"there is plenty of people who know how to type without looking but they've always been a minority as % of the whole population" Maybe as a % of the whole population, but not as % of population who worked in offices. Anyway, I do not want to imply that I support mandatory type writting classes. Times have changed and typing skills are not that important anymore. So yes, it is always a matter of personal choice. Just saying that one should not expect to type faster, or better, just because he/she has bought a mechanical keyboard.
"The sober elegance on PCs is just a matter of choice, you can't buy gamer gear and expect it to be sober" Sadly, you are right. Just wanted it be otherwise. Personally (it is always a matter of choice, right?), I would be willing to spend some extra 5%-10% if I could get PC hardware (cases and monitors mostly) as elegant and sober as Macs. I do suspect, however, that it will remain just a dream. Again, as you said before, I must be part of a minority as % of population.
Flat keyboard? How would you even type on that thing? "With carpal tunnel," I suppose. Been using a Microsoft Natural Elite since 1999 and the WASD keys still have texture on 'em. There's only a small spot on the right spacebar where it's worn smooth. Key travel is still smooth and consistent. THAT'S quality.
These O-rings are 40A and 1.5 mm (0.059 inch) thick. The best choice if you want to keep the "click" but get rid of the "clack" on your mechanical keyboard.
They offer fast worldwide shipping and are not overpriced like most online resellers.
I kind of miss the IBM 101 mechanical keyboards. I had one that lasted 32yrs before it failed. Best keyboard I have ever owned. Made for fast typing and accuracy. I doubt these new keyboards will ever match its longevity or reliability again.
I've been burned by Corsair software. I had to ditch my Corsair fan controller because the software was so bad it Blue Screened my PC in Win10. I was disappointed.
Keyboard with detachable keypad please! I am right handed and the keypad on the right takes the space for the mouse! I'd rather have it on the left side. How do I know that? Because I use different keyboards and one is much more compact and fits much better the modern use style.
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Flunk - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
The funniest thing about how mechanical switches are marketed is that the activity that they affect the most is typing. Sure, maybe they'll help your gaming ability, but they've been proven to improve typing speed.pjcamp - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
Consequently, one would expect more blue switches.I'm guessing the calculation is that gamers can be expected to be more persuadable to part with their money than businesses.
Valantar - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
Blue switches are better than brown for typing only in that they make your computer sound like a typewriter. 65cN is too stiff, and the noise - especially in any shared office environment - would quickly become a nuisance. Browns are the way to go, unless you specifically want noisy keys and will be using them in an environment where that doesn't bother others. I just wish they'd follow up the Red Silent switches with a Brown Silent one. I'd buy that in a heartbeat.rxzlmn - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - link
I was under the same impression that Blues and clicky switches in general were best for typing, and that I also prefer to use them. I used a keyboard with brown switches and then with blue ones. Well, after using and getting used to a keyboard with black switches and having tried one with Reds, I can say I was very wrong. I type faster and better on the Blacks, and if I had a reason to buy a new keyboard I would get one with Reds.I tried the old MX Blue keyboard again, I can't do it.
psiclonehi - Tuesday, April 25, 2017 - link
I didn’t find it improved my typing speed…in fact, it hindered it. The keys were so much closer together than regular keyboards, I kept mistyping things. I returned this junk shortly thereafter. Sure, I could spend time trying to get used to it, and I wanted to…but then realized why would I bother, when I still have to keep bouncing between that keyboard and other ones elsewhere all the time.TEAMSWITCHER - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
Does anyone really like these keyboards? When I look at them, all I can see is a SUPER FAT KEYBOARD, very only school keys with HUGE key travel that slows typing to crawl. I don't get it.rtho782 - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
Just because there is a long travel doesn't mean you have to bottom out the key to type.Personally I only like MX Blues, as the clicky actuation point is nicer both for gaming and typing imho, but you only bottom out if you are key pounding.
Teknobug - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
The K70, Strrafe, Razer Blackwidow, Thermaltake Poseidon Z and Azio MGK1 are actually fairly small compared to a lot of keyboards. Going from a Logitech to an Azio the keys feel taller which take a little getting used to (hence the keys stick out of the body rather than plush or halfway out the body, but I"m a 75-80wpm typist and I have no problems with the Azio brown.ddriver - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
I am using an old, even ancient keyboard, an olivetti that came with an expressive server back in the days when my PC was a high end 386 with 4 megs of ram. I've tried hundreds of keyboards since then and I never liked any of them. That's why I still use this one, DIN to PS2 and PS2 to USB converters. There is chance some of the 250+$ mechanical keyboards would offer comparable experience, but at that cost and their ridiculous look, I'd rather keep the old one, it works great, awesome experience and feel.ddriver - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
Also, it has the extended return key, which is very rare to find on a keyboard with good switches.wolfemane - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
I can see that as a nice feature. I really do dislike the tiny return keys. My one dislike of the k800 I use now.MamiyaOtaru - Friday, March 25, 2016 - link
fine except that the backslash key gets displaced somewhere. Typically taking up half of where the backspace key should be. Unacceptable to me, as I am completely used to the full sized backspace key. My favorite old board (pre windows-key days) had backslash between right alt and right command, leaving the double height enter key and full sized backspace and shift keys.bigboxes - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
Don't forget your turbo button.ddriver - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
LOL, it is not THAT old.DanNeely - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
That was on the PC not the keyboard.ddriver - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
There were many keyboards with turbo keys back in the day, there was another line of 3 keys on top of the arrows, under delete end and page down. My keyboard is probably one of the first waves of keyboards who didn't have those and the layout is pretty much identical to keyboards on the market today.bigboxes - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
I know. A joke.kmmatney - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - link
I threw out my old DIN-connector IBM keyboard 10 years back. Built like a tank, and clicky as heck - I wish I would have kept it...wolfemane - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
I kinda have to agree. I don't get the mechanical keyboard craze. I bought one last year with the silent MX switches. If by silent they meant wake the whole house at night then yeah they were silent. I used it for about 5 months and replaced it with a k800. Using it felt like I was back in junior high playing in the computer lab. Uncomfortable, large, wired, and obnoxiously loud. I failed to see its relevance and noticed no improvement in typing or benefit in gaming. Maybe I just bought the wrong brand of switches. The noise was ultimately the end all of any interest I had for mechanical keyboards.BrokenCrayons - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
Modern mechanical keyboards likely offer a much larger percentage markup than membrane keyboards so manufacturers even landing small sales numbers have a pretty big incentive to develop and market them. The styling is designed to attract people who wish to identify themselves as "gamers" and are willing to spend the money necessary to look the part. It doesn't matter at all if there's no functional difference when the aforementioned person pushes the W key to move their character forward on a $10 keyboard or a $200 keyboard. What matters is that person's belief that it makes a difference worth the cost markup. Like many other products, these high priced keyboards appeal to a part of the buyer's mind that operates without acknowledging logic or reason and they generally WANT the "junior high playing in the computer lab" sensation that you might find absurd.I am amused that they're finally coming around to trying to make these mechanical keyboards as quiet at their discount, mass-produced competitors. It's even more comical that the reduction in typing noise is a highly stressed selling point, but it _is_ a principal of product differentiation that people with marketing degrees enjoy having at their disposal in their adverts. However, I'd be willing to bet that nearly any inexpensive rubber dome keyboard is a lot quieter.
skace - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
Have to disagree. My original experience with mechanical keyboards was when my dad brought home IBM Type-M keyboards from his work. They were not flashy but I greatly enjoyed the feedback of typing on the keyboard and my desire to become a touch typist quickly escalated from the use of that style keyboard. The weight was also an enjoyable aspect of keeping the keyboard in place. And the keyboard did not hold any value to me as I paid nothing for it. So if it didn't perform better, there was really no reason for me to continue using it.Most of my money put into keyboards is simply to reproduce that experience. And my own job perpetually forces me to use OEM brand keyboards that are easily worse at typing. It is very common to see myself typo words at work simply because the keyboard cannot keep up with me.
I have absolutely 0 desire for something that glows or has a ridiculous look, shape or added functionality. But I will support any keyboard manufacturer that sees value in making a well functioning keyboard. I buy dasKeyboard, even though the price often feels overpriced, I love having access to a simplistic mechanical keyboard.
People like me, who have enjoyed mechanical keyboards for many years but now have families who hate the sound of their keyboard are left in a bit of a bind. However, it creates the demand side of the scenario that silent switches are now creating the supply for. This is just a natural move forward from brown switches.
Teknobug - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
I bought some o-rings and they make my mechanical keyboard significantly quieter.kaesden - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
yes, people do like these keyboards quite a lot actually. they actually speed up typing quite signifigantly if you know how to type properly. those basic rubber dome keyboards slow you down because you have to bottom out every key in order to get it to activate. Plus the mechanical keys just move much smoother. If you don't like them thats perfectly fine, no one is forcing you to use them and there's no shortage of cheap rubber dome keyboards for those who prefer that tech.Panther6834 - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - link
As some one who has owned a few different mechanical keyboards over the years (most recently a Razer BlackWidow...although, once I finish typing this, I'll be heading to Best Buy to pick up the Corsair Strafe RGB MX Silent I ordered a few days ago, if that tells you anything), I can tell you that, depending on the keyswitch type, mechanical keyboards not only can, they WILL improve your gaming and/or typing. While some hold the belief that MX Reds are best for gaming, and MX Blues are best for typing, such is not always the case.There was a columnist who, about a year ago, tested keyboards with Red, Blue, & Brown Cherry MX switches. He typed over long periods of time, typing the exact same information, & he discovered that he obtained the fastest typing speeds using the keyboard with the MX Red switches. While gamers tend, for the most part, to prefer sound level & lighter actuation pressure over actuation sound, typists tend to care mostly about actuation pressure & sound. Additionally, typists tend to listen for the "click" sound as an indicator of when to release. If you're typing minimal amounts of things, then, by all means, go with an MX Blue or MX Brown keyboard, as your fingers won't incur any discomfort due to the amount of typing being done. However, if you have to type for extensive periods of time, a "Blue" user might find a "Brown" to be a better choice, while a "brown" user might find a "Red" to be a better choice. Personally, having tested Blue, Brown, Red, & Black-switch keyboards, I've found the MX Red switches to be the best...for gaming, as well as for everyday typing. As for a comparison of the original Red vs the new Silent (Red), that I hope to determine before the end of the day.
cobacel - Friday, March 18, 2016 - link
@TEAMSWITCHERtry 60% keyboards or 75% ones. They are smaller and more practical than these huge over expensive so called "gaming" gear toys with Christmas lights.
psiclonehi - Tuesday, April 25, 2017 - link
Key travel was an issue for me and was the main reason I returned this junk. Yet, the reason isn't what you think. The travel distance was very short, and so much so that I kept mistyping things.willis936 - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
This model is my first mechanical keyboard and I've been using it daily since I got it. I swapped out all but the first row with PBT doubleshot keycaps. I quite like the keyboard but the non standard first row is a pain in the ass. Also you mentioned the sound is comparable to a membrane keyboard and I'd be quick to disagree. I could never hear a membrane keyboard over VoIP unless the keyboard was getting slammed but I can hear light to moderate typing with this keyboard. Push to talk is very necessary.PPalmgren - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
How does the noise level compare to, say, MX Brown with dampers installed (for example, the Logitech G710+? I know its based on the user, but a standardized comparison point in your testing like the db reduction you mentioned to the K70 at least provides something to work off of when trying to make a purchase decision.One of the problems with purchasing a mechanical keyboard is the severe lack of retail presence. You can't go to a store to test out what feels and sounds nice for you. I like the mechanical responsiveness but hate the noise and struggle with typos due to deeper key depth. Best of both worlds for me would be a mechanical with a key depth similar to a membrane keyboard that's silent - I'd pay $200+ if someone could pull it off.
casteve - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
Best Buy (US) carries this keyboard. Whether or not they display it is tbd. I'm going to wander over there and see.Teknobug - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
It'll be a bit noiser, also if there's an NCIX near you they often have them out on display.wolrah - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
"One of the problems with purchasing a mechanical keyboard is the severe lack of retail presence. You can't go to a store to test out what feels and sounds nice for you."The Microcenter near me stocks "Ducky" brand keyboards, which are a popular plain and simple mechanical keyboard. The interesting thing is unlike most other keyboards they seem to be available with the full spectrum of Cherry MX switches and Microcenter actually has a lot of different flavors in stock. I was able to try Red, Blue, Brown, Black, and one more I think was maybe Green side by side on otherwise identical keyboards.
Glaurung - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
How does this compare to the Matias Quiet keyboards?Sivar - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
My Corsair K70 RGB experiences an odd lag while typing for several minutes after reboot. Characters can appear on the screen 1/2 to 3 seconds after I enter them.Any similar symptoms displayed for others here?
theduckofdeath - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
Probably some third party software with a messed up key-binding. I had a similar problem caused ASUS' GPU Tweak. I simply removed GPU Tweak and all was great for me. Another option was to re-bind the hotkeys in ASUS GPU Tweak.Sivar - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - link
Thank you for your advice. I will scour open processes for such a malevolent program.Rinsewind - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - link
Duck is almost certainly right - I used to have this problem back when I used my generic store brand USB keyboard and Microsoft mouse.... after both of them ran into hardware issues I switched to an Avior 7000 and the Strafe RGB MX Silent in this review, and I haven't had any issues since. I think in my case it was the Microsoft mouse and keyboard center software interacting badly with my keyboard.negusp - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
"The lighting strips are not RGB, only white, and can be only turned on or off via the software. The same goes for the company logo at the top left corner of the keyboard."The Corsair logo is RGB, and can display different color effects and combinations.
mikedog995 - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
This is a great keyboard and on sale for $119.99 at Best Buy right now. If this was always priced at this level it really should be a no-brainer (at least until K65/K70/K95 start to use silent switches).bryanb - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
"The Strafe RGB actually features one thing that none of the top tier Corsair keyboards has - a USB port. The pass-through USB port is found at the rear of the keyboard, near the thick cable."My Corsair K70 and K95 both have this USB pass-through port.
E.Fyll - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
Indeed, I had the RGB versions in mind, a correction is required there.croc - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
If memory serves, there has been a Cherry 'Red' switch as far back as... Well, as memory serves. As to the noiselessness, I always understood that came from having no detent, or breakover point to the spring mechanism. I do have a Cherry 'testkit' with five or six of their switches attached, have had it for several years now. One of the switches on it is a 'red'.Not being able to tell when a key has done its job would, for me, tend to make the keyboard even noisier as I would then be POUNDING the keys to make sure that it was, indeed, pressed.
MadAd - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
After wasting money on the tat corsair called the K65 (one of corsairs previous cherry red mechanical offerings) ill never buy another corsair board again. How on earth could a company screw up a keyboard, but they did. Even their firmware fix didnt cure the issues fully, and now nothing from them, no more firmware, so I have to deal with double ii and gg all the time or I throw it out.GG corsair, never again.
MadAd - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
edit tat they call the K60, its so wonderful its not even worth remembering the name.Sttm - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
No dedicated media keys, no sale. I am not fitting function + F key to adjust volume or change a track; especially not in game.friendlypew - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - link
I had a K70 which I enjoyed very much, but it died from a drip of condensation. I had a friend with the same issue, although volume of liquid is in dispute. I now have a radacted brand at both home and office, and it has sustained hits from both me and my wife of liquids. I don't trust corsair anymore.galta - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - link
If you know how to type, then you will do it significantly faster on a good mechanical keyboard. This is fact beyond discussion.However, being 42 years old, I suspect I might have been the last person on the western hemisphere to have taken typing classes. When I look around at the office, all I see is kids looking at their keyboards to type. From an efficiency perspective, it does not make sense for them to buy a mechanical keyboard.
Noise is sometimes considered an issue. Although it is clear that mechanical keyboards are considerably louder than membrane ones, some people feel bad about it, others do not. The one thing I can say is that I happen to find the sound of my own typing hypnotic: after a couple of minutes doing my work, I type even faster with the clack-clack sound of my cherry brown das. There is near consensus that browns and blues are better than reds and blacks for typing. I agree, but some think otherwise.
Then we come to gaming. I find “game editions” or “built for gamers” just a fancy name for “ugly but expensive”. I just can’t understand how people find beautiful to have shinning lights and neon on their PCs, but everyone is entitled to have his/her own preferences. Just wish PCs could have some of the sober elegance of Macs, but that is for another day.
If you talking about productivity in gaming (lol), not sure if it makes a difference. Some people say it’s better to use mechanical keyboards, others say the opposite. As a more than occasional FPS gamer, I see no significant difference.
Murloc - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - link
there is plenty of people who know how to type without looking but they've always been a minority as % of the whole population, back then most people simply didn't use computers, now they do but they can't typewrite.At the end of the day it's a personal choice for most people, unless they go to a school that prepares them to become office drones, in which case the benefit of typewriting is too big to ignore.
The sober elegance on PCs is just a matter of choice, you can't buy gamer gear and expect it to be sober.
galta - Thursday, March 17, 2016 - link
"there is plenty of people who know how to type without looking but they've always been a minority as % of the whole population"Maybe as a % of the whole population, but not as % of population who worked in offices.
Anyway, I do not want to imply that I support mandatory type writting classes. Times have changed and typing skills are not that important anymore.
So yes, it is always a matter of personal choice. Just saying that one should not expect to type faster, or better, just because he/she has bought a mechanical keyboard.
"The sober elegance on PCs is just a matter of choice, you can't buy gamer gear and expect it to be sober"
Sadly, you are right. Just wanted it be otherwise. Personally (it is always a matter of choice, right?), I would be willing to spend some extra 5%-10% if I could get PC hardware (cases and monitors mostly) as elegant and sober as Macs.
I do suspect, however, that it will remain just a dream. Again, as you said before, I must be part of a minority as % of population.
zeeBomb - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - link
What is a good brown/red keyboard under 100? And what makes the K70 more Superior?DominionSeraph - Thursday, March 17, 2016 - link
Flat keyboard? How would you even type on that thing? "With carpal tunnel," I suppose.Been using a Microsoft Natural Elite since 1999 and the WASD keys still have texture on 'em. There's only a small spot on the right spacebar where it's worn smooth. Key travel is still smooth and consistent. THAT'S quality.
DominionSeraph - Thursday, March 17, 2016 - link
Who the heck uses QWER for MOBAs? WASD master race.blzd - Thursday, March 17, 2016 - link
Everyone who plays a MOBA does.DominionSeraph - Friday, March 18, 2016 - link
Everyone who fail flashes and fail ults uses it, is what you mean.WASD is far superior.
jacksonjacksona - Thursday, March 17, 2016 - link
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Tigri - Friday, March 18, 2016 - link
Hi guys if you're looking for Cherry Mx O-Rings that won't break the bank but still deliver optimal effects you should take a look here : [NL] http://tigri.bigcartel.com/product/125-epdm-rubber...These O-rings are 40A and 1.5 mm (0.059 inch) thick. The best choice if you want to keep the "click" but get rid of the "clack" on your mechanical keyboard.
They offer fast worldwide shipping and are not overpriced like most online resellers.
smithrd3512 - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
I kind of miss the IBM 101 mechanical keyboards. I had one that lasted 32yrs before it failed. Best keyboard I have ever owned. Made for fast typing and accuracy. I doubt these new keyboards will ever match its longevity or reliability again.reverseclipse - Thursday, March 31, 2016 - link
I've been burned by Corsair software. I had to ditch my Corsair fan controller because the software was so bad it Blue Screened my PC in Win10. I was disappointed.Zingam - Saturday, April 2, 2016 - link
Keyboard with detachable keypad please! I am right handed and the keypad on the right takes the space for the mouse! I'd rather have it on the left side. How do I know that? Because I use different keyboards and one is much more compact and fits much better the modern use style.