Cheap keyboard for modding or more expensive keyboard unmodded?

Submitted by Ollewolle00 t3_yd4ekc in MechanicalKeyboards

I am going to buy my first ever mechanical keyboard but don't want to waste my money on something cheap I might replace only a few years in the future. I decided to go with a TKL keyboard, NOT 60%. I want extra arrow keys.

Is it better to buy a cheap (50€) Keyboard (thinking about either Redragon K552 or CiY X77) and mod it (might use Akko Switches -> 25€) for around 75€, lubing stuff not included. I want to avoid lubing as long as possible, haha.

Or is it better to buy a 'finished' Keyboard within the price range of 75€ instead, without modding it for the next time since I am on a budget?

What would be the better choice qualitiy wise?

I am very new to all of this. For example I fear that single Keys will stop working on a cheap and therefore faulty keyboard. How high are the risks of this? Is it more likely to have a broken Switch or a broken keyboard? Is it therefore the better choice to buy a more expensive 'foundation' to mod, later in the future?

Btw. I'd be glad for your input on what Keyboard to choose if I decide to do a modded one now. Other keyboards than the ones I mentioned are welcome, too. The overall price goal is 75€. I need QWERTZ layout if this information is important.

Thank you!

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kagalibros t1_itpwhiy wrote

Sounds like you want and should keep your options open.

Go for something with hotswap and as much switches as option possible so standard over something like opticals.

If you dont game, id say something that w bluetooth. You can still flex a good coiled cable even if its BT/wireless. Unless you go for the super rare wireless charged keyboard.

And if you game, youd want to ask one of those osu crackheads with a brazillian PP or what they call it. (as far as I know they and we shooter folks love the wooting but thats a 60%... god I wish it was a TKL so I can replace my HE2 with it. Wooting please)

If you dont game, there are some lovely and cheap mods you can do, that saves money for switches. I for example work on a custom with clicky zeals, the second best clicky after alps in my honest opionon.

If you are a casual gamer, any board with gateron reds or yellows will do. You just get the typical upgrade kits with lube, bandaid mod and stuff.

You gotta kinda know what you want at the end of it all do know if you need a cheap basis or if you can go balls to the walls.

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sartox12 t1_itpy2j8 wrote

I don't have enough knowledge to answer your questions but looking at your size comments, I would suggest you to consider 75% keyboards too, as you mention that you want the arrow keys and they are slightly more compact than a TKL keyboard.

Ps: don't know much but for great flexibility look for a hot-swap keyboard in case you want to change the keycaps at some point.

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Ollewolle00 OP t1_itq5nag wrote

Thank you for your input

But both of the mentioned keyboards feature hot swapping.

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DiplomacyPunIn10Did t1_itqapdc wrote

Could you provide some more information on this? The listings for those models that I was able to find do not include hotswap.

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Ollewolle00 OP t1_itqbyav wrote

CIY X77 Mechanische Gaming Tastatur丨88 Tastaten QWERTZ Layout丨Programmierbare RGB丨Drei höhenverstellbar丨Typ-C-Kabel丨Hot-Swap-fähige Tastatur für Win/Mac (Gray+Schwarz Schalter) https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09CTRBJGL?psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_ct_TSRQEPD6P21RQP7PPJ72

This is my german amazon link to the CIY. It even mentions hot-swap in the pre-made description when you share the link.

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DiplomacyPunIn10Did t1_itqeqmg wrote

Interesting. Same model number, different actual board. Yeah, that's probably a good start.

Personally, I'd be on the lookout for a board offering QMK / VIA firmware, but that's probably a good first option.

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DiplomacyPunIn10Did t1_itq3u8q wrote

It's a bit difficult to find something that's both hotswap and ISO layout, but hotswap is one of the easiest ways to make sure that a single faulty switch doesn't ruin a board. (I actually do have a lightly used hotswap ISO board for sale, but I think it's out of your budget.)

The Redragon and CiY boards you listed can't really be modded very much. You won't be able to change the switches on those without a lot of disassembly and desoldering.

I would either (1) go as cheap as possible, accepting that you may have to replace the whole board later or (2) save up a higher budget for something that meets your needs better.

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Ollewolle00 OP t1_itq59x0 wrote

But both the boards I mentioned are capable of hot swapping...? The Redragon has only 3 pins while the CIY supports 5 pin

E: Example of K552 modding:

https://youtu.be/EKVaAMlNX8Q

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DiplomacyPunIn10Did t1_itq6fh9 wrote

>Redragon K552

https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K552-Mechanical-Keyboard-Equivalent/dp/B016MAK38U?th=1

I don't see hotswap listed as a feature there. Same deal for CiY X77.

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Ollewolle00 OP t1_itq6p4r wrote

CIY X77 Mechanische Gaming Tastatur丨88 Tastaten QWERTZ Layout丨Programmierbare RGB丨Drei höhenverstellbar丨Typ-C-Kabel丨Hot-Swap-fähige Tastatur für Win/Mac (Gray+Schwarz Schalter) https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09CTRBJGL?psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_ct_TSRQEPD6P21RQP7PPJ72

Sadly these are german websides but it definitely mentions hot swap there. Also I've read that the Ciy is quite popular on r/budgetkeebs

E: I feel dumb now, I could swear the K552 was hot swappable earlier this morning, haha

E2: The K552 is definitely hot swappable, maybe there are different devisions of them out there

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Hyland33 t1_itqme53 wrote

I would go cheap and mod. And if you don’t want to lube switches at least buy factory lubed ones.

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Mochichom t1_itw65vm wrote

I’d say go with something budget like a gamakay lm67 or a Epomaker th80 to start. Something hotswap so you can try different switches until you find your preferences. Learn to mod and enjoY the journey, and then you can finally appreciate the expensive keyboards.

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