Back-lit keyboard suggestions

[BigSki]

It's time to buy a new keyboard, my current one is 4 years old and its starting to wear out, but for the $5 I spent for it at Microcenter, I can't complain!

I saw a "gamer" keyboard and liked the soft white back lit keys, so when I went back to Micro Center I found some, but at $100 + I'm not getting one of those.

Any suggestions for a budget friendly back lit keyboard?

 

[tallyforeman]

Not exactly budget friendly, but I have noticed several from Twitch using Razors.

http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-keyboards-keypads/backlit-keyboards

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

 

[Sarra]

Razor = no

I have a gamepad that's like 5 years old, and I'm in the minority here. It's not perfect, button 03 doesn't work all the time, and several keys stick, but the Razor keyboard I bought lasted 3 days, it's replacement was DOA, it's replacement's replacement lasted 12 hours, and the 4 mice I bought were... Well, let's just say, other than the gamepad, I don't own any other Razor gear anymore. I have a Corsair gaming mouse and Keyboard. I'm on my third mouse, and third keyboard. I still have a second KB and mouse.

I have a Corsair K65 keyboard, and M60 mouse (or something like that). The keyboard has red backlight and mechanical keys. The keys are MX Cherry Red, I wanted blue, but couldn't find them. >_> I like the red, though, so oh well. It was $100 for the keyboard, but it was very much worth it. The keyboard is aluminum chassis anodized black, and the backlight can be customized. I can push a button and only keys I want will have backlight, push it again and all keys have backlight. I can change the intensity of the backlight. There's a button to disable or enable the WIN key. The newer version of my keyboard is the RGB version, you can customize the backlight color, as well as intensity, specific keys, etc. The mouse is a lit mouse, with a matching black anodized aluminum chassis.

The first keyboard and mouse I got wore out. The second set, is also worn out, but still works. The mouse left click button works, but you gotta press kinda hard. I have the old set just in case something breaks.

The biggest downside to the keyboard is shorting out. If you spill anything on the keyboard, it WILL short out, and it will not work until it dries out completely. If you eat over your keyboard, don't get the Corsair with mechanical keys, or get a cover for it.

 

[Capwn]

Not exactly budget friendly, but I have noticed several from Twitch using Razors.

Razer Gaming Keyboard-Keypad Technology: Razer Backlit Keyboards - Razer United States

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

And it never occurred to you they might only use it because they are paid to, Or it was free .

Razer sucks more Richard than a $2 hooker..

Avoid them at all costs.


Anyways, OP. Any preference on LED color?
Unfortunately with the backlit keyboard market its not cheap ( it CAN be*, Sort of ), I'm typing this message on a home built $200+ Whitefox keyboard.

* Also in my stable I have a $70 Thermaltake blue backlit board that worked fantastically for the months I needed it while waiting for a few of my other builds to come together. So a lit board CAN be had for cheap ( cheap being less than $100 )

 

[vonclod]

Alienware Keyboard | eBay
46$ buy it now

 

[tallyforeman]

And it never occurred to you they might only use it because they are paid to, Or it was free .

Razer sucks more Richard than a $2 hooker..

Avoid them at all costs.


Anyways, OP. Any preference on LED color?
Unfortunately with the backlit keyboard market its not cheap ( it CAN be*, Sort of ), I'm typing this message on a home built $200+ Whitefox keyboard.

* Also in my stable I have a $70 Thermaltake blue backlit board that worked fantastically for the months I needed it while waiting for a few of my other builds to come together. So a lit board CAN be had for cheap ( cheap being less than $100 )

Let's clarify just a tad.

I never said they were the best, a piece of shit or even mediocre. I'm not sure where you read in my post any Razor was the best since sliced bread.

Twitch is a realm of its own. Many there make an ungodly amount of money. And yes, even sponsored to use/promote/push certain equipment.

I personally do not have a backlit keyboard. After seeing several people use them, it does make one wonder if they really are any good at all. It was merely a suggestion. If I were in the market for one, I'd start a thread like the OP and get suggestions.

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

 

[4wd4ws]

CoolerMaster. "thumbsup"

 

[Capwn]

CoolerMaster. "thumbsup"

Wonder if they ever sorted out the issue of countless LEDs failing..
I had 3 separate CM boards with dead LEDs

 

[C*H*U*D]

Maybe Razer has gone down in quality lately, but I've been using a DeathAdder at work for over 5 years. It's an awesome gaming mouse and I bought another for home. It's the best feeling mouse I've ever had, and I've tried quite a few.

For keyboards, I have an older Logitech G510 gaming keyboard. It's back-lit and easy to customize, but I'm not crazy about how the keys feel. For typing I'd give it a C+ but customizing it for gaming or CAD and CAM bumps it up to a solid A. Plus it wasn't that expensive since I bought it on closeout at BestBuy when Logitech released their newer boards.

If I had to buy a keyboard now, it would be mechanical since I like how they type but they are also more expensive.

 

[vonclod]

Anything wrong with the Alienware KB?
I use one of their laptops..I like it.

 

[HyperMark]

I've had a Logitech G110 for years, but they don't make them anymore.
How about the Logitech G105?

 

[allanon1965]

I just bought the wife a logitech K800...very nice keyboard, adjustable brightness on the backlight...which is white..nice keys, and rechargeable from a usb port...best buy had them for 60 bucks...well worth it.

 

[BigSki]

The K800 and Alienware keyboards are 2 great suggestions. The K800 appeals to my budget and that it's wireless, as my workstation doesn't have a lot of USB ports.

 

[The Violator]

I have the Logitec K800 here on my desk. I like the way it types, the keys have a laptop like feel. It charges with a USB to the computer, but I just leave it plugged in all the time. And the backlight adjusts, but I keep it full power. Helps my old eyes see a little better. Plus I grabbed it from Staples on sale a while back for $50.

 

[Sneetches]

The Logitech K800 is probably the best choice since it's comfortably sized, reasonably priced, and also wireless. Anything more expensive is going into wired mechanical keyboard territory with the RGB lighting/macro keys/etc.

 

[The Violator]

Just an update. One of the keys died on my keyboard. I cannot say which because it died, but think 80s video game " " bert. Or you are much to loud be uiet.

I think there is something in the software that will let me assign another key the missing letter. Oh well.

 

[BUBBA069]

I have given up on membrane style keyboards. Killed too many of $20 cheap-o's.

I moved back to mechanical boards few years back. I currently, well for about 3 years now, run Corsair K70 with Cherry MX Red switches.

Recently for my son I picked up a referbed Corsair K70 for about $70. New they run $160ish.

They have a K40 that runs $60ish new that is RGB backlit, non-mechanical keys, special programmable keys.

Not sure how hard or often you type.

 

[CM9000]

is it possible to buy a cheap mechanical and put led strips in it? im not a techie but I think it would work?

I like back lit keyboards myself. but id rather just buy a laptop. or get an operating system installed on my old one.... hey....

remember the led line thingys you could put in your rc cars? its like a long flexible glow stick. im sure it could be soldered into the board somewhere and you could wrap it around the boarder of the keyboard inside underneath the keys.

 

[M J]

Even better - check out Rosewill, Qisan, or Royal Kludge - I have the RG-987 which has backlighting, and uses Cherry MX Blue clones (Blues are clicky, non-tactile - just as good as Cherry).

I also have an IBM Model M (buckling spring), a Dell AT101W (Alps black switches with a modified detachable usb cable) and a custom made 60% keyboard with brown (tactile) switches.

 

[BUBBA069]

is it possible to buy a cheap mechanical and put led strips in it? im not a techie but I think it would work?

I like back lit keyboards myself. but id rather just buy a laptop. or get an operating system installed on my old one.... hey....

remember the led line thingys you could put in your rc cars? its like a long flexible glow stick. im sure it could be soldered into the board somewhere and you could wrap it around the boarder of the keyboard inside underneath the keys.

That gets you a ground effect look, not actually lighting the letter of the key. And if a mech board, by the time you buy replacement caps and LEDs could have just bought a one with it all built in.