Switch Opener: $9.99[microcenter.com]Mechanical Lubricant: $6.99[microcenter.com]Build Your Own Mechanical Custom Keyboard with Redragon's Barebone Keyboards, keycaps, coil cables and switches. Easily maintain your BYO Keyboard with the switch opener and keyboard lubricant. All available at your local Micro Center.
As far as Red Dragon goes, I've owned 2 10-keyless models of theirs, and am typing on one now.
Both were Goodwill finds, and both have been surprisingly good, and extremely durable. I've washed my backlit unit in the dishwasher w/ normal auto dishwasher detergent 2 or 3 times, and the last time I just threw it in w/ the dishes all keycaps on 'for giggles'. (Note: I don't recommend abusing your keyboard w/ harsh detergents and sharing the wash w/ the dirty dishes)
I have been extremely surprised how decent this brand is, and how good of a value they are (looking @ new $ on Amazon)
If I still lived near a store, I'd be all over getting this DIY set.
As far as Red Dragon goes, I've owned 2 10-keyless models of theirs, and am typing on one now.
Both were Goodwill finds, and both have been surprisingly good, and extremely durable. I've washed my backlit unit in the dishwasher w/ normal auto dishwasher detergent 2 or 3 times, and the last time I just threw it in w/ the dishes all keycaps on 'for giggles'. (Note: I don't recommend abusing your keyboard w/ harsh detergents and sharing the wash w/ the dirty dishes)
I have been extremely surprised how decent this brand is, and how good of a value they are (looking @ new $ on Amazon)
If I still lived near a store, I'd be all over getting this DIY set.
After using expensive Corsairs I took a gamble on a Redragon that was half the price, and since I've bought four Redragons for myself and family members. They're outstanding keyboards with very good build quality and typing feel for the price. I've been happy with both their red and brown switches.
Have 2 VATA models, one blue clicky and a Pro brown model with optical browns, which I'm typing on now. Very good for the price. The blue Outemu switches feel kinda cheap, but still decent, not as good as the Gateron blues, which feel really nice. The Outemu optical browns are awesome though. They have this twangy sound that remind me of the old IBM PS/2 keyboards from my college days back in the late 90s.
I've personally sworn off Red Dragon keyboards. Bought one for the office, was plugged in 24/7 and died after three months. Maybe it was being "on" all the time, maybe it was just a lemon. It also wasn't the best typing experience, so my $.02 spend your money on a different budget board.
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12-07-2022 at 10:05 PM.
Quote
from jollypirateking
:
I'm looking to get into this rabbit hole. Any objections if I start here? I'm coming from a Logitech G710+.
I'd personally recommend many of the other budget brands if you want to get into the mechanical keyboard rabbit hole. The main thing is that the Redragon keyboards have Outemu hotswap sockets, which means they are only really compatible with either Outemu switches or Akko switches. While Akko switches are pretty great for the price, if you want to expand out from there, you'd have to get a new keyboard or swap out the hotswap sockets yourself.
For a similar price, you can get many other higher quality hotswap boards.
60% - ilovbee i61
Absurd budget board, currently $36.99 on amazon.
65% - ciy gas 67
an insane, gasket mounted budget board for the price. currently $46 pre-shipping cost on keebmonkey, and you can find it on aliexpress for a similar price range if you're willing to wait.
75% - James Donkey A3 or Dierya T83
James Donkey is $62.00 on keebmonkey pre shipping, and the Dierya t83 is $70 on sale on amazon. I got it for like 50 on a random sale. It's actually just a feker ik75 pro rebranded, pretty much
I haven't looked at fullsized boards in a while, but most of the budget offerings i remember tend to not have detachable cables, which is a downside. If you're wondering, the ones i remember that had kailh sockets (compatible with most switches) are
evga z15 (46.99 rn. on sale, has been like $25 or somethiing when i got one) - has a volume wheel
ajazz AK35I ($54.99~ish on amazon) - has a volume wheel
Pulsar Gaming Gears - PK020 - $44.95 on amazon rn
GMMK barebones 100% is also on amazon for 54.99 rn.
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Both were Goodwill finds, and both have been surprisingly good, and extremely durable. I've washed my backlit unit in the dishwasher w/ normal auto dishwasher detergent 2 or 3 times, and the last time I just threw it in w/ the dishes all keycaps on 'for giggles'. (Note: I don't recommend abusing your keyboard w/ harsh detergents and sharing the wash w/ the dirty dishes)
I have been extremely surprised how decent this brand is, and how good of a value they are (looking @ new $ on Amazon)
If I still lived near a store, I'd be all over getting this DIY set.
Both were Goodwill finds, and both have been surprisingly good, and extremely durable. I've washed my backlit unit in the dishwasher w/ normal auto dishwasher detergent 2 or 3 times, and the last time I just threw it in w/ the dishes all keycaps on 'for giggles'. (Note: I don't recommend abusing your keyboard w/ harsh detergents and sharing the wash w/ the dirty dishes)
I have been extremely surprised how decent this brand is, and how good of a value they are (looking @ new $ on Amazon)
If I still lived near a store, I'd be all over getting this DIY set.
I just spent way too many hours piecing together a PC, and hated seeing all the awesome "in-store only" microcenter deals I couldn't use.
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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Melodessert
For a similar price, you can get many other higher quality hotswap boards.
- 75% - James Donkey A3 or Dierya T83
- James Donkey is $62.00 on keebmonkey pre shipping, and the Dierya t83 is $70 on sale on amazon. I got it for like 50 on a random sale. It's actually just a feker ik75 pro rebranded, pretty much
I haven't looked at fullsized boards in a while, but most of the budget offerings i remember tend to not have detachable cables, which is a downside. If you're wondering, the ones i remember that had kailh sockets (compatible with most switches) are