deskthority

Hello, I've been using a Steelseries 6GV2 for past 2 years but recently two switches began to fail to register every time which is extremely bothering. I though it's time for an upgrade so I wanted to ask here if You could help me choose.
A few guidelines of mine:

= budget: 250 USD
= preferred switches: Both Black and Brown are fine, either Cherry or Kailh
= hand size: normal sized male hands (I guess)
= what is the keyboard used for?: 90% gaming, 10% typing
= What kind of lighting?: I prefer one-color key lighting, Optimally blue light, RGB is fine too as I can just set it to a single color. Red lighting i'd rather like to avoid.
= Software - I don't do macros but if it's included I won't mind
= Design - I really like simplistic design and small frame of the 6GV2, it has grown on me and I'd really like something similar
= Size - I'd like a full-key keyboard, no tenkeyless please

I'd be grateful for any advice!

This would fit the bill & specs: https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Ma ... B01D3BDN60

Laser wrote: This would fit the bill & specs: https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Ma ... B01D3BDN60

Funny, I actually was looking into this one before. Do you have any info on cooler master keyboards in general? Are they worth the buck?

AFAIK, they are better than what you usually see in most European stores. I'm not expert on this, but I think they started to get "good" some years ago with the CM Storm Rapid TKL keyboard, which was compared at the time with the Filco TKL (same-ish quality, better price). And I think from that moment on, they only got better. They also had a Topre keyboard (the "Novatouch", now discontinued) which is quite sought after. BTW, if you think you'd like Topre keyboards, your budget is pretty close to a Realforce RGB: http://www.realforce.co.jp/en/products/realforce_rgb/

Laser wrote: AFAIK, they are better than what you usually see in most European stores. I'm not expert on this, but I think they started to get "good" some years ago with the CM Storm Rapid TKL keyboard, which was compared at the time with the Filco TKL (same-ish quality, better price). And I think from that moment on, they only got better. They also had a Topre keyboard (the "Novatouch", now discontinued) which is quite sought after. BTW, if you think you'd like Topre keyboards, your budget is pretty close to a Realforce RGB: http://www.realforce.co.jp/en/products/realforce_rgb/

Sounds good, I'll do some reading on it right away!

if you like your board, you could also spend some of the budget on some hot tools and some new switches?

Are you flexible over the switches?

The reason I ask is because the Steelseries Apex M500 ticks all of your boxes apart from the switch type.

I bought one with red switches a few days ago for £60 (~85 USD) which I thought was a bargain. And so far, I'm really liking it. It's extremely well made, and unlike the 6GV2 it comes with a standard ISO or ANSI layout. So it's relatively easy to swap out the keycaps (which I've already done).

The only real downside is that the cable is non-detachable. But that wasn't a dealbreaker for me.

If the M500 is too expensive where you live then Steelseries also sell the M400 model. As far as I can tell, this is exactly the same keyboard except that it uses cherry clone switches, and is considerably cheaper.