discussion Recommendations for a 75%-ish Mechanical Keyboard

[Strato]

Here's the keyboard I am looking at (RBG hot-swappable, blues):
https://keychron.ca/products/keychr...om-mechanical-keyboard?variant=41206028501075

And here's the replacement shine-through caps they have available:
https://keychron.ca/products/iso-lo...sa-full-set-keycap-set?variant=51792296313197

Total cost for my desired configuration: $184.85 (before shipping / taxes).

Thanks for the links on switches. I'll check them out for future reference.

 

[sswilson]

Here's the keyboard I am looking at (RBG hot-swappable, blues):
https://keychron.ca/products/keychr...om-mechanical-keyboard?variant=41206028501075

And here's the replacement shine-through caps they have available:
https://keychron.ca/products/iso-lo...sa-full-set-keycap-set?variant=51792296313197

Total cost for my desired configuration: $184.85 (before shipping / taxes).

Thanks for the links on switches. I'll check them out for future reference.

Here's my concern about that board.....

Keychron K3 Max is an ultra-slim wireless custom mechanical keyboard. It supports 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and a wired connection. It allows anyone to master any keys or macro commands on its 75% compact layout through VIA. Besides, it has included LSA (low profile spherical-angled) profile keycaps for both Windows and macOS, and users can hot-swap with Gateron low-profile MX mechanical switch in a breeze (for RGB Backlight Hot-Swappable Version only).

Ok, the switches on the board are gateron low profile, and the keycaps are not only low profile, but they also list the K3 Max as a compatible board so you should be good there.... I'm just not sure if those keycaps will pass the light......

Oh, NVM, looks like the led is north facing so you should be good.

 

[Strato]

Excellent! I think I'll grab it then (along with the shine-through caps).

@sswilson Thanks for the feedback. I always get excellent suggestions on Hardware Canucks (and you personally also helped me with my gaming computer build last year, too, if I recall correctly – which is still running nicely).

Thanks again.

 

[sswilson]

Excellent! I think I'll grab it then (along with the shine-through caps).

@sswilson Thanks for the feedback. I always get excellent suggestions on Hardware Canucks (and you personally also helped me with my gaming computer build last year, too, if I recall correctly – which is still running nicely).

Thanks again.

Glad to help. Please let us know how it turns out. I'm not personally a fan of low profile keyboards, but these days getting a shine-through board is a bit of a unicorn that other folks might want to know is an option.

 

[Strato]

Yeah, I'm not sure if I've ever used one before myself. Might end up hating it, but I have other systems (servers I don't interact with much) that I can use it with if I truly, really, totally end up hating it. LOL. I have a spare das keyboard that I really like but it doesn't have backlighting so I find it difficult to use these days (the joys of getting older!). The new one is replacing an old Cooler Master keyboard which was quite good but not made by them anymore. And apparently old Cooler Master keyboards don't like to be completely soaked – who knew???

 

[sswilson]

If this backlit board doesn't work out for you, you might have to consider a keycap set with high contrast between the body and the lettering. I've got a PC set up in a low light nook and when I couldn't find a decent backlit setup that's what I ended up going for.

 

[Strato]

@sswilson That's an excellent idea. I'm going to be needing another keyboard before too long for one of my older systems and might try that approach.