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Which 96% Keyboard should I get? Switches?

Diablo2K

Diablo2K

Supreme [H]ardness
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Currently have a Redragon K580 VATA mechanical keyboard with brown switches. Wanting to get one of the 96% Keyboards and I am unsure which to get. The Corsair Vanguard 96 or the ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96/RX Wireless. The Corsair is cheaper right now, but I have seen them both at the $150 mark. I don't need wireless and probably won't use it if I had it. I always forget to charge my wireless mouse as it is. If I go with the Corsair, I shouldn't have to install another program as I have a Corsair headset that uses iCue, but this is a small issue anyway.

Which switches do I want to get, I like the Browns I have now and my last keyboard had Browns as well. Also, I don't require the Macro Keys, at least on the Corsair there not really adding to the size of the keyboard.
 
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MaximilianKohler said:
Why are you so set on 96? You don't care about stuff like Hall Effect?
Click to expand...
I think I will like the size. I still use the Numpad a lot, but I never use the keys between the Numpad and Letter keys. I am looking at getting something smaller than my full-sized keyboard because limit desk space. I keep banging my mouse into the side of my keyboard. I know it is not a big difference in size, but I think it would help. As far as Hell Effect goes, I have seen some reviews on it, and it seems cool and all, but I don't think I am good enough in gaming that it would help me much. Only multiplayer FPS game I play is Fortnite.
 
Is it for gaming, typing, or what? The ASUS with clicky switches would drive me nuts gaming, but be great for typing. MX silver is my favorite switch for gaming, but I multi press keys constantly when typing.
 
I prefer browns (tactile) overall. I love typing on blues, but not for gaming. Reds (linear) are okay, and blacks are just heavier reds. I never got into hall effect or magnetic keys, even though I've used them. It's pretty much all preference.
 
HeavensCloud said:
Is it for gaming, typing, or what? The ASUS with clicky switches would drive me nuts gaming, but be great for typing. MX silver is my favorite switch for gaming, but I multi press keys constantly when typing.
Click to expand...
Kinda of both I guess. Not really sure what I do most of, If I had to say one or the other, I would say gaming. For Mechanical switches I have only used Brown switches, so I can't really say that I prefer one over another. I use tp have a Corsair K70 RGB with Cherry MX Browns, and now this Redragon Keyboard. Before that it was a Logitech G15 which was membrane.
 
That Reddragon board is hot swappable with 3 and 5 pin switches, you could also just play around with different switches until you find something you like. Unless the form factor is your biggest ask. The brown switches you have now are Outemu browns, MX Browns are a little less tactile and more smooth - with the same actuation force for the most part. Browns are a good in between for gaming and typing, I find them a little too stiff personally for FPS gaming though.
 
HeavensCloud said:
That Reddragon board is hot swappable with 3 and 5 pin switches, you could also just play around with different switches until you find something you like. Unless the form factor is your biggest ask. The brown switches you have now are Outemu browns, MX Browns are a little less tactile and more smooth - with the same actuation force for the most part. Browns are a good in between for gaming and typing, I find them a little too stiff personally for FPS gaming though.
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Yes, the form factor is the main reason for a new keyboard. The reason I am asking about the switch choice is I didn't know if Browns were linear or clicky. I am now assuming they are Clicky/Tactile, so now I just need to decide between the Asus and the Corsair 96% keyboards. The Corsair is about 1/2 inch wider; that's not really a deal killer. It also has a screen and is $30 cheaper.
I am going to watch some more reviews of the 2 to try and learn some more about them. I'll be back! :D

[edit] AARRGGHH!! just learned there's a PRO version of the Corsair Vangaurd 96 with the magnetic switches.....Yet another option for me to consider.
 
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Diablo2K said:
Yes, the form factor is the main reason for a new keyboard. The reason I am asking about the switch choice is I didn't know if Browns were linear or clicky. I am now assuming they are Clicky/Tactile, so now I just need to decide between the Asus and the Corsair 96% keyboards. The Corsair is about 1/2 inch wider; that's not really a deal killer. It also has a screen and is $30 cheaper.
I am going to watch some more reviews of the 2 to try and learn some more about them. I'll be back! :D

[edit] AARRGGHH!! just learned there's a PRO version of the Corsair Vangaurd 96 with the magnetic switches.....Yet another option for me to consider.
Click to expand...

browns are not linear, they have a click, reds would be the linear equivalent.

I would not spend a substantial amount on any keyboard isn't analog like hall effect though. They're substantially better for gaming and typing if you enable rapid trigger. Being able to fine tune the actuation point of each key, etc.
 
The Asus board is $136 if I go with the Snow Linear keys. Think I would have any issues with the different keys? I don't think I would have an issue with them?
 
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sharknice said:
browns are not linear, they have a click, reds would be the linear equivalent.

I would not spend a substantial amount on any keyboard isn't analog like hall effect though. They're substantially better for gaming and typing if you enable rapid trigger. Being able to fine tune the actuation point of each key, etc.
Click to expand...
Cherry/gateron browns are tactile, not clicky. Dunno about other brands.
 
I know Hall Effect keyboards aren't among your priorities, but I'll recommend one worth a good look: Keychron K4 HE for $145 at Amazon.
 
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Just watched This Video about keyboard switches and found it very interesting.

However, I am now leaning more towards the Keychron K4 HE keyboard. I don't like that there SE boards don't have light passthrough on there keys, and it's $10 cheaper anyway.

Thanks Everyone for all the great input! I haven't hit that Buy Now button just yet so keep the thoughts coming :).
 
Well, I bought the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96! It has the Hall Effect Keys which feel linear to me, there is no bump or click to them. The key press is firmer than what I am used to but isn't a problem. Just got the keyboard today and haven't had much time to tinker with the settings, I am pretty much stock settings right now. The display is kind of useless as it is blocked by the keys in front of it. You can't really see it unless you lean forward. It is iCue compatible, no need to go to the website to configure it. I had heard from reviews that the web site configurator interfered with other iCue products. I have the Corsair HS80Max headphones and was worried there would be problems, but I have had none using iCue to set up the keyboard.
So far, I am really liking this keyboard.
 
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