And speaking of USB, that brings us to a very important point - the keyboard is NOT NKRO. And I don't mean not NKRO as in, because it's USB it can only to 6+4 keys. No. I mean, there are no diodes on the board, so key combos are blocked by the controller instead of by the USB protocol. So you will run into combinations that get blocked at only 2 keys, meaning this is just 2-key rollover. One such combination is Z+X+C, which screwed me up because I use those keys for both emulators and music games. Not that I couldn't find a new cluster of keys to use, but it's just something that I wouldn't want to have happen immediately after spending $130 on a keyboard.

atmo wrote:

And speaking of USB, that brings us to a very important point - the keyboard is NOT NKRO. And I don't mean not NKRO as in, because it's USB it can only to 6+4 keys. No. I mean, there are no diodes on the board, so key combos are blocked by the controller instead of by the USB protocol. So you will run into combinations that get blocked at only 2 keys, meaning this is just 2-key rollover. One such combination is Z+X+C, which screwed me up because I use those keys for both emulators and music games. Not that I couldn't find a new cluster of keys to use, but it's just something that I wouldn't want to have happen immediately after spending $130 on a keyboard.

Thanks for the feedback, but I don't ever see myself playing music games or playing emulated games without a USB controller.

Is that quote about the Razer Black Widow specifically? Or just USB keyboards in general? I haven't seen one review about the Stealth that mentions the 6key rollover failing.

Also:

The standard Razer BlackWidow keyboards are USB only keyboards that feature a gaming optimized key matrix for the keys around the regular WASD cluster for multiple key presses without key ghosting or jamming. The Razer BlackWidow Stealth Edition keyboards, on the other hand, have full 6-key rollover capabilities for multiple key presses of up to 6 keys on anywhere on the keyboard.

I'd suggest you look for an Xarmor U9BL-S

http://www.mechanicalkeyboardguide.com/reviews/ione/ione-xarmor-u9bl-s/

It's got everything you're looking for but it a little more difficult to find. Much better quality than the razer blackwidow.

Check the for sale forum at www.geekhack.org

shock- wrote:

Hey everyone, so my Razer Lycosa was a piece of garbage. They forced me to cut the cable off of it, and send them a picture in order to get a replacement. (Is that not insane?)

The replacement just shipped out, and I'm going to sell it to a friend for like ~70 bucks.

I'm planning on buying a mechanical keyboard, and I've done a shit load of research about exactly what I want in it.

These are the features I'm looking for:
>Cherry MX Browns
>Backlit (I live with a roommate who sleeps early, I need the lighting)
>Media Keys that can control iTunes
>USB Port and headphone/mic jacks.

So far the only keyboard I've found with these features is the Razer Black Widow Ultimate Stealth Edition, which also has extra macro keys.

Spare me the "Razer is shit" responses because I haven't seen one bad review of that keyboard so far, and I am well aware of their reputation for bad products, considering I just severed a Lycosa.

However, if you have intelligible and legitimate reasons for me to check out the keyboard you recommend, please write them.

Otherwise, if you know of any viable alternatives with most or all of these features, please share them with me!

ducky shine is everything youre looking for, except the usb plug/heaphone jack, for which you could buy a usb and headphone jack extension to circumvent the missing feature

http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/index.php?l=product_list&c=117

i have one, cherry mx reds, blue led, its pretty awesome (ordered from above)

Zakirll wrote:

I'd suggest you look for an Xarmor U9BL-S

http://www.mechanicalkeyboardguide.com/reviews/ione/ione-xarmor-u9bl-s/

It's got everything you're looking for but it a little more difficult to find. Much better quality than the razer blackwidow.

Check the for sale forum at www.geekhack.org

I would buy this keyboard over the Razer one if I could find it. I just cannot find it anywhere. Really frustrating actually.

unf wrote:

ducky shine is everything youre looking for, except the usb plug/heaphone jack, for which you could buy a usb and headphone jack extension to circumvent the missing feature

http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/index.php?l=product_list&c=117

i have one, cherry mx reds, blue led, its pretty awesome (ordered from above)

Thanks, I'll look into this one.

Another option: http://www.corporate.qpad.se/modules/news/article.php?storyid=253

*edited OP
UPDATE:
I've looked over those keyboards, and unfortunately I cannot for the life of me find a U9BL-S in-stock.

So far I've come down to two possible keyboards:
>Ducky Shine DK9008S
>Razer Black Widow Ultimate Stealth Edition

Decided not to consider the QPAD MK-85 because I honestly hate red LEDs and it would bother me all the time.

Please continue to leave responses if you have other suggestions, or reasons why one of these two is better.

I know mechanical keyboards must be nice, but I've seen some that are around $150-$200. At that point is it even worth it? I've never used one before o_o

Dave_ wrote:

I know mechanical keyboards must be nice, but I've seen some that are around $150-$200. At that point is it even worth it? I've never used one before o_o

For someone like me who is a gamer and a programmer, I can appreciate a nice keyboard and I will get my money's worth out of it.

People say that once you go mechanical you can't go back to anything else because it feels so much nicer. This will be my first mechanical keyboard, so we'll see :)

I had a black widow before. Avoid. The key stabilizers are shit and the keycaps themselves are not cherry compliant so a pain in the dick to find replacements. Also the general quality was just bad.

I have a ducky shine and I love it so +1 for that

honestly can't stand my friend's black widow because the typeface on the keycaps is really ugly and the thing is so glossy that it just looks dirty/gross unless you like constantly clean it

I picked up the cheap black widow a while back for $45 new + shipped. For that price I'm satisfied, but I wouldn't pay $130 or whatever they're asking for one of these with backlighting, and USB/audio ports.

CombatToast wrote:

I had a black widow before. Avoid. The key stabilizers are shit and the keycaps themselves are not cherry compliant so a pain in the dick to find replacements. Also the general quality was just bad.

conductor wrote:

I have a ducky shine and I love it so +1 for that

honestly can't stand my friend's black widow because the typeface on the keycaps is really ugly and the thing is so glossy that it just looks dirty/gross unless you like constantly clean it

You guys should understand that the Stealth Edition is a new version of the Ultimate. It is not glossy anywhere on the board and is supposed to be of better build quality.

shock- wrote:

CombatToast wrote:

I had a black widow before. Avoid. The key stabilizers are shit and the keycaps themselves are not cherry compliant so a pain in the dick to find replacements. Also the general quality was just bad.

conductor wrote:

I have a ducky shine and I love it so +1 for that

honestly can't stand my friend's black widow because the typeface on the keycaps is really ugly and the thing is so glossy that it just looks dirty/gross unless you like constantly clean it

You guys should understand that the Stealth Edition is a new version of the Ultimate. It is not glossy anywhere on the board and is supposed to be of better build quality.

i honestly doubt it'll have better quality from real companies that make mech keyboards

I spent $90 on my mech kb, and I love it. But, honestly, I wouldn't be willing to spend much more on one.

BluE- wrote:

i honestly doubt it'll have better quality from real companies that make mech keyboards

By "real companies" do you mean companies that only sell mech keyboards?

I think I may end up going with the Stealth simply because it's got more functionality. I can rebind any key to do anything, it has a braided cable which is more durable and doesn't stretch, and it doesn't have the Ducky's useless keys at the top right and instead has 5 extra macro keys.

I've found zero evidence of poor build quality with the new Stealth version, so as for right now I'm set on buying it.

I won't be ordering it for at least a week though so if anybody has any breakthrough info for me, please post it.

You don't need razer's software for macros. :)

The ducky cable is interchangeable... You can unplug it from the board.

http://www.daskeyboard.com/model-s-professional-silent/

don't get a blackwidow, all they do is have problems

daskeyboards are black widows done right

I used a Razer Lycosa keyboard for a long time and I've never had any issues with their products. I still have it, I just started using a Belkin n52te keypad instead. Razer makes their own version now which is basically the same, only with some new additions to the software side.

kne wrote:

http://www.daskeyboard.com/model-s-professional-silent/

don't get a blackwidow, all they do is have problems

daskeyboards are black widows done right

Please read the OP, backlighting and media keys are a requirement for me.

the Blackwidow is solid and you can buy two for the price of a das (not the ultimate). If you're willing to spend more money I'd go for

http://www.corsair.com/vengeance-k60-performance-fps-mechanical-gaming-keyboard.html

nothing but good reviews, design is amazing, probably the best of any keyboard. I need a new keyboard myself, just waiting to see what goes on sale.

As for type of switches, most people say blues and reds are the best. Reds for gaming responsiveness, blues for comfort and typing feel.

Not_Matlock wrote:

I used a Razer Lycosa keyboard for a long time and I've never had any issues with their products. I still have it, I just started using a Belkin n52te keypad instead. Razer makes their own version now which is basically the same, only with some new additions to the software side.

What is this nonsense??
RAZOR:
SPOILER

They're both 70 dollars...

I own the n52te. Fast and more comfortable then any regular keyboard, if I get a mechanical it won't replace it for most FPS gaming, but you will need a good keyboard for other things as well. Both versions are identical, you'll only get the Razer logo if you buy one from the Razer store. Both come with the same Razer tech software.

NeoRussia wrote:

As for type of switches, most people say blues and reds are the best. Reds for gaming responsiveness, blues for comfort and typing feel.

I was actually looking into that keyboard for a very long time, but the lack of backlighting is a huge drawback for me. Although those angular keys are pretty cool. Also the fact that the keys are above the surface of the board means that it wont get crumbs in it lol.

As for switches, I've been told blues can interfere with the speed at which you can doubletap keys because of the significant tactile bump. I decided to go with browns as a middleground between reds and blues. I type as much as I play games.

You won't find a keyboard that uses brown switches and has backlighting. If I wanted brown switches I'd get one of these http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold . If backlighting is a must your only good choice would be the blackwidow ultimate. The ultimate is way overpriced compared to the standard version, but unless you're willing to get over not having a backlit keyboard then you have no choice.

NeoRussia wrote:

You won't find a keyboard that uses brown switches and has backlighting. If I wanted brown switches I'd get one of these http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold . If backlighting is a must your only good choice would be the blackwidow ultimate. The ultimate is way overpriced compared to the standard version, but unless you're willing to get over not having a backlit keyboard then you have no choice.

Well so far the two best choices for backlit keyboards with brown switches are the two I mentioned in the updated portion of the OP, one of which being the Black Widow Stealth. I will definitely give more thought to going without backlighting though... There seems to be some good alternatives.

Now I'm hung on Reds vs Browns which I've been through before lol

shock- wrote:

NeoRussia wrote:

You won't find a keyboard that uses brown switches and has backlighting. If I wanted brown switches I'd get one of these http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold . If backlighting is a must your only good choice would be the blackwidow ultimate. The ultimate is way overpriced compared to the standard version, but unless you're willing to get over not having a backlit keyboard then you have no choice.

Well so far the two best choices for backlit keyboards with brown switches are the two I mentioned in the updated portion of the OP, one of which being the Black Widow Stealth. I will definitely give more thought to going without backlighting though... There seems to be some good alternatives.

Now I'm hung on Reds vs Browns which I've been through before lol

I wouldn't pay extra for backlit keys, if you're looking at your keyboard then you're doing it wrong. If you really need to see a key there should be enough light just from your monitor to make them out.

You can probably pick up 2 keyboards for a little more than you were going to spend, try them both, and keep the one you prefer.

Why do you need backlighting? You blind son? Honestly if you use your computer often you shouldn't even need printed keys.

go reds

you cant feel the bump for browns anyway unless you put no force into typing

http://www.cmstorm.com/en/products/keyboards/quickfirerapidred/