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Newb question: Looking for 1st mech keyboard with specific features

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Hello, I've never had a mechanical keyboard, and I think I'm ready to jump in. Many enthusiast posts here, but info for beginners is pretty scarce. I'm looking for advice on finding a keyboard. I think I want the following features:
  • Cherry MX Red switches (or similar?)
  • Standard layout (104 keys) (not opposed to ergonomic)
  • Sturdy base (prefer black or a dark color)
  • Detachable USB cable
  • Media controls with a roller/scroll wheel
  • Per key RGB lighting
  • Shine through keycaps (I want PBT, I think?) (mostly black or dark to start with, I can buy more keys later, right?)
  • I'd like to keep this under $150, but I'm willing to spend a bit more if it will get me everything and is significantly better.
I'm looking at a Corsair Strafe that has all of this except the detachable USB cable and is only around a hundred bucks. Are there better options for me? I'd really like it if my first purchase checked all of these boxes and got me hooked.
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thisisveek
60
Mar 21, 2019
Coolermaster MK750.
DaTrueDave
10
Mar 26, 2019
thisisveekNo media dial/roller.
thisisveek
60
Mar 26, 2019
DaTrueDaveOh yeah missed that one. I think it has media keys or they're on the FN layer.
james.m.mueller
22
Mar 20, 2019
What type of use is your board gonna get lot of? Do you game, write, programr, surf, graphic design, do data entry, etc? I'm not an enthusiast, but a surface scratcher :-) My main board at home is a black Corsair K95 RGB (the older one with the 18 macro keys) with MX Red switches. I have the same board at work but with MX Blue switches. There I replaced the keys with PBT whites and I'm really happy with the texture and the way the RGB there has taken to the white. I bought the red first and found that while I think I rest my hands on the keyboard. With the reds my fingers would press enough to register accidental strokes, which is why I moved to the Blues. I'm a systems analyst by trade and write in a variety of languages. I like the ability of the board to easily set up macros to do some tasks when I have them need repeated. I use the volume wheel a lot, but never the media keys. It's been fun to play with the lighting and iCue is a fairly robust tool. However, some of what I do I still needed a third party tool such as Autohotkey to manage since it was beyond the boards skill. Now using a non-mechanical keyboard feels... gross for a lack of better word. When I am out to help in offices or at another station they feel wrong. With the Corsair be aware that their bottom row is non standard, so if you opt for later replacement keys you have to buy theirs or search more for proper length keys. I just bought an Ergodox EZ Glow with Kailh Thick Gold keys. I love the sound of them, and like some of the features of the dox. However, with the variety of languages I use and the fact I move around to a Surface type cover and other machines, I decided in less than a day that it was not for me. The configurator I also found to be pretty neat, but there were many things I preferred about Corsairs. I'm actually eBaying my dox. If you do gaming, and play games that are cross platform, you may be interested in a Wooting keyboard. They offer analog keys, that can be used to do some pretty snazzy stuff. Their fullsize board is about to come out. It doesn't have dedicated media keys, but does have double ups for it. Only reason I'm not getting one is I'm looking for a good split keyboard that offers what I need for my normal work use.
(Edited)
DaTrueDave
10
Mar 20, 2019
james.m.muellerWow, thanks for the detailed response. I ended up getting a Das 4Q. After a few days of use, I like it a LOT. I write a lot of contract language, so lots of typing text, and a fair amount of numeric entry (so tenkeyless boards are almost useless to me). I work from home, so this keyboard it also occasionally used for gaming. Music/media use is sporadic, but almost always several times a day.
Minor
55
Mar 11, 2019
One vote for iKBC f108 rgb. Should have pretty much all you want.
DaTrueDave
10
Mar 12, 2019
MinorI don't see a media/volume wheel/roller. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong one?
Minor
55
Mar 12, 2019
DaTrueDaveMy bad. This board don't have roller for volume. Only buttons.
Media keys and a roller / scroll wheel narrows it down to a select few keyboards. Big name companies like Corsair are typically the ones making that feature. You could check out Das Keyboards
DaTrueDave
10
Mar 12, 2019
erickongThe Das 4Q looks pretty cool. I was hoping for Cherry Reds, but I can live with Browns. Thanks for the recommendation!
DaTrueDaveWhen I first got into mechanical keyboards. I chose reds and hated tactile switches. I have a Planck with lubed Zealios and I really like the sound and feel.
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