Where to tryout Mechanical Keyboard?

[FrisbeeFreek]

I need a better keyboard for the home office (currently using a Logitech M545). Do any stores in a large metro area (Pennsylvania USA) have mechanical keyboards on display? I can always buy/return, but wanted to minimize the logistics.

I've always used relatively mushy keyboards, but my job has changed, and I'm at a desk full-time doing coding/analytics now.

I bought a Cherry Keycap sampler (had 9 different keys stroke/color types, and I liked the brown) - I'd like to demo any mechanical keyboard before spending $160. Looking at a Das Keyboard Professional. I want the media keys and keypad, and I'm a key basher (according to my wife in the next room).

 

[Deleted member 46272]

Microcenter?
https://www.microcenter.com/?storeid=061

 

[FrisbeeFreek]

Microcenter might work - I'm at the opposite of the state (Pittsburgh), but will be driving by soon'ish. If anyone knows of a store in the Pittsburgh area, thanks.

 

[continuum]

Anything in Cleveland? I think there’s a Microcenter there but not sure if that’s closer for you.

 

[Coleman]

The gaming keyboards in Best Buy are usually going to have a variety of mechanical switches and be usually many models will be on display.

 

[FrisbeeFreek]

Bestbuy is a good suggestion; I never even considered trying a gaming keyboard because of all the rgb graphix. Local store has a bunch mech keyboards - not sure if they will have the "brown" equivalent, but good enough for me. thanks everyone for the recommendations.

 

[Visigoth]

Gaming keyboards, from the major brands, are the only ones likely to have the different types of Cherry key switches in them. So check the boxes or do some online investigating and you'll be able to find out the type of key switches they are using. They might not be the Cherry brand but there are ways to crosswalk the styles between the different brand names.

It looks like Best Buy doesn't carry it and it might be discontinued now, but the Logitech G710+ keyboard has Cherry Brown switches with o-rings. That's the keyboard I use and I'm pretty happy with the key feel. It's a little clicky but not super loud. Though looking at Amazon the price for them is kinda insane, but guess that's due to it being discontinued now. So might not really be an option unless price isn't a concern.

 

[SuperDave]

Microcenter might work - I'm at the opposite of the state (Pittsburgh), but will be driving by soon'ish. If anyone knows of a store in the Pittsburgh area, thanks.

Keep in mind - St. David's is my local Microcenter - we're still pretty locked down here and they're requiring masks, social distancing in line and limiting customer count. It's not really conducive to idly playing with displayed hardware, and frankly I wouldn't be touching random hardware in public anyway.

 

[Nevarre]

The market leader, Cherry, uses designs that are now off patent. The Chinese make reasonably good and compatible clones of the standard Cherry keyswitches and I'm in fact typing on one now.

I have three clones now (plus two genuine Cherry Brown keyboards from CoolerMaster in the house that were co-opted by the kid) plus a 4th clone I traded.

The keyboards with stuff like Outemu switches is typically under $50, often <$30 if you want a TKL version.

That price is probably low enough to just buy one and try it out.

Just be aware that the keyboard testers often have a lot of the more esoteric switches that are unlikely to be found at retail and the big brands of gaming-oriented keyboards like Logitech and Razer will have their own, non compatible switches with slightly different characteristics. You'll readily find red, brown and blue and the equivalents, and hopefully one of those works for you if you want to either try something at retail/buy at retail or get a decent clone like Aukey or Redragon. IMHO for mostly typing, Blue is the way to go, and it's also fine for most gaming. Browns are a good compromise and Reds are just too mushy for my tastes. At that point I might as well have a membrane keyboard (IMHO) but it's all about your taste and preferences and some people really like Reds.