Keyboard Nut Thread

[PsychoErtjie]

Hi keyboard enthusiasts, I am looking for some advice and direction. I have a Razer Blackwidow V3 TKL with the clicky greens. When I bought it I had no real idea about mechanical keyboards. I just felt I would like to enter the market. Now a few years down the line I find myself being annoyed with the clicky sounds and want to change to linear switches or tactile at a stretch.

I’ve been tracking a few keychron boards and since takealot have a fair amount of them I found when listening to sound tests they sound good. So apart from the regular PC shops that carry the gaming focused brands, are there keyboard specific shops locally? I came across CtrlShiftEsc but options are a bit limited on there. I would prefer a fully built board because I don’t think I’m at the level to go through the build process yet. Guidance is welcome. Thanks.

[Reseller] - New Keychron Stock Coming In - Pre-Orders OPEN | Peripherals

Item: New Keychron Models Age: Brand New Price: Price on Inquiry at the Moment Payment Method Accepted: EFT on Invoice or OZOW Warranty: 1 Year in most Cases Warranty Holder: CGSATech Packaging: Sealed Condition: Brand New Location: Cape Town Reason: Reseller Shipping: Nationwide via TCG...

carbonite.co.za

Perhaps this will help?

 

[hOOli]

Wootware has a very good selection of keyboards. Not just the big brands that we are all familiar with but some budget brands who prove that a decent keyboard doesn't have to equal a car installment.

 

[rockstar79]

Wootware has a very good selection of keyboards. Not just the big brands that we are all familiar with but some budget brands who prove that a decent keyboard doesn't have to equal a car installment.

I’ve seen a few they have, the VXE looks interesting with the hall effect switches but I’m not sure what to make of the quality at the price.

 

[goldfritter]

Hi keyboard enthusiasts, I am looking for some advice and direction. I have a Razer Blackwidow V3 TKL with the clicky greens. When I bought it I had no real idea about mechanical keyboards. I just felt I would like to enter the market. Now a few years down the line I find myself being annoyed with the clicky sounds and want to change to linear switches or tactile at a stretch.

I’ve been tracking a few keychron boards and since takealot have a fair amount of them I found when listening to sound tests they sound good. So apart from the regular PC shops that carry the gaming focused brands, are there keyboard specific shops locally? I came across CtrlShiftEsc but options are a bit limited on there. I would prefer a fully built board because I don’t think I’m at the level to go through the build process yet. Guidance is welcome. Thanks.

Progenix also retails Keychron.

I bought one of these: Keychron V6 Barebones Custom Mechanical RGB Gaming Keyboard with Hot-Swappable Switches, Frosted Black — Best Deals at Progenix — South Africa

Plus a set of these: Keychron Mechanical Switch Set, 110 Pieces — Gateron G Pro Red — Best Deals at Progenix — South Africa
(I see these are out of stock, maybe email to ask when new stock is expected if you want these, they are very good).

And I added some keycaps I already had; Progenix has lots though: Keycaps — Best Deals in South Africa at Progenix

I'm very happy with the result. It was very easy to assemble, you literally just stick the switches into the holes on the board and then put the caps on the switches. Took less than 30 minutes.

 

[rockstar79]

@goldfritter thanks for the options. So I’ve seen that there are boards that come with the switches pre-lubed etc so that’s the part I’m not completely sure about. Did you have to do that at all?

 

[goldfritter]

@goldfritter thanks for the options. So I’ve seen that there are boards that come with the switches pre-lubed etc so that’s the part I’m not completely sure about. Did you have to do that at all?

No I didn't, the Gateron G-Pro Reds are pre-lubed, meaning you don't need to lube them. If you go on Keychron's site, on each switch's page, they show whether they are pre-lubed or not.

And I would highly recommend getting pre-lubed ones, they really are much smoother, and lubing switches is a much bigger job than plugging them into a hotswap board.

 

[hOOli]

Nowadays most if not all of the good switches are pre-lubed.

 

[rockstar79]

Yeah it seems like such a headache to have to lube it yourself and then build 😮‍💨

 

[rockstar79]

So I came across a guy on YouTube called Hipyo Tech. Big keyboard enthusiast. Watching one of his videos where he tested something like 60 boards. He reserved a special mention for the keychron V2 as being a solid budget board.

 

[hOOli]

His videos can come across as a little goofy but he generally seems to know his stuff.

 

[rockstar79]

Definitely goofy but very informative.

So the keyboard I settled on was the NuPhy Halo75 V2 from WeLoveGadgets. Has that special thock so I’m very pleased with it. Only issue is that you have to hit the key close to middle for it to actuate so that requires some getting used to.

Regarding the store I can definitely recommend as they dispatch same day if you order before 10am and I received it the very next day. They are the only local store bringing NuPhy products into SA as far as I know.

 

[hOOli]

Thanks they have some funky stuff I may get some things myself.

 

[footballzombii]

His videos can come across as a little goofy but he generally seems to know his stuff.

Yeah. He milks it a bit for video length and sometimes my ADD brain can't handle it but at least it's in-depth. I like that he clearly presents his opinions as his opinions and admits there's a lot of personal preference to the hobby.

 

[rockstar79]

Yeah. He milks it a bit for video length and sometimes my ADD brain can't handle it but at least it's in-depth. I like that he clearly presents his opinions as his opinions and admits there's a lot of personal preference to the hobby.

Exactly that. Plus he is seriously invested. The number of times he mentions having started out with a cheap keyboard and spent $200 to "make it better" is unreal.

 

[Famous Last Words!]

Howsit guys so the keyboard is done.

Specs: Tofu Redux Case, Wooting PCB, With a tape mod, Gateron Jade Magnetic Switches.

Any suggestions on how I can improve this further?

 

[hOOli]

Not really what you have there is pretty sweet as is.

I'm interested in how the magnetic switches feel compared to regular mechanical switches, not for gaming but general day to day use?

 

[Famous Last Words!]

This is the best keyboard i have ever had and i spend way too much money on it, but it feels crazy good so smooth and responsive-its crazy

 

[footballzombii]

This is the best keyboard i have ever had and i spend way too much money on it, but it feels crazy good so smooth and responsive-its crazy

Can relate. Where did you buy from?

 

[Famous Last Words!]

The Wooting pcb from Wooting
The Tofu redux from kbdfans
The Jade switches from Kbdfans
And some parts from cntrshiftes

 

[rockstar79]

The Wooting pcb from Wooting
The Tofu redux from kbdfans
The Jade switches from Kbdfans
And some parts from cntrshiftes

Did you use a third party courier for wooting? When I checked their site it seemed like they don’t deliver direct to SA

 

[footballzombii]

Did you use a third party courier for wooting? When I checked their site it seemed like they don’t deliver direct to SA

That's a constant problem. I just checked out the new Cerakey Nada 65 Panda... but surprise surprise no SA shipping option.

 

[Famous Last Words!]

Did you use a third party courier for wooting? When I checked their site it seemed like they don’t deliver direct to SA

Yes i used Fedex Great service it took about 5 days to ZA

 

[RaptorChris]

I’ve seen a few they have, the VXE looks interesting with the hall effect switches but I’m not sure what to make of the quality at the price.

I have one, its amazing