So I just got a BlackWidow to try out Blue Cherries...

[Moneyless]

...and now there's a $90 hole in my wallet ($79.99 plus 13% tax... Hate taxes).





On the other hand, I think I like the clickiness of the blues, but some keys seem to feel slightly harder to press than others. Not sure if this is an issue with the BlackWidow or if I'm just crazy (or not used to them yet) or what, but it feels a little weird to be completely honest. Maybe my fingers have simply been babied by my Filco Tenkeyless' Browns for too long.

Another thing is that the shiny plastic is really annoying.




Anyway I think I like Cherry Blues, I was thinking of getting a Choc Mini or a KBC Poker... Might get them with blues now; not sure.




The "bad 80's sci-fi movie" font is also sorta meh, but what can you do. The BlackWidow seems pretty well made and is actually fairly heavy, but my Filco Tenkeyless is definitely better on the build quality front.



P.S. Sorry for the craptacular cellphone pics.

[Zandara]

This is a common issue for BlackWidow which is uneven clicky switches.

[Moneyless]

This is a common issue for BlackWidow which is uneven clicky switches.

Ah, that sucks. Guess you get what you pay for.

[JBert]

So much for Razer cherry-picking every switch.

Cons of this keyboard:
More of the same marketing bullshit


Although some keys might not be greased properly... but Razer is to be blamed anyhow.

[Moth]

You should test the keys using the ripOmeter to see if some really do require more force. My guess is that it's just you feeling paranoid.

[webwit]

The ripometer is not accurate enough for the expected 5 - 10g variations, ie it will give the same weight for switches of 50.1g and 55g but a different for 55.1g. Together with stacking & balancing issues over the center of the key it is at least 10g insignificant.

[Moneyless]

You should test the keys using the ripOmeter to see if some really do require more force. My guess is that it's just you feeling paranoid.

I wonder if Canadian nickels weigh the same as US nickels. I have some American change in a box somewhere, but I don't have that many US nickels...

Since the store I bought it from locally has a 14 day return policy I'm thinking what I'll do is use it throughout the week to get some more time with the Cherry Blues and see if they're really "for me," while making sure to keep it clean and keep the plastic cover over it when I'm not using it so that when I try and return it it will look as if it wasn't even used.

[webwit]

I found the MX Blues to be a very consistent switch when it comes to required activation force.

Code: Select all

               ESC/ATTN  J         F5        4         E         B         ARRLEFT   Average

IBM Mini 87    73.65     66.00     71.30     73.25     72.15     72.45     76.50     72g
IBM Mini 07    72.30     68.95     71.65     71.60     71.60     71.60     69.70     71g
IBM F AT       65.70     64.30     65.45     66.20     60.30     64.80     60.65     64g
IBM 3278       42.20     46.60     54.00     53.95     48.25     56.25     41.00     49g
IBM 42H 99     65.90     74.70     66.00     72.20     72.50     69.25     69.80     70g
IBM M13 UniC   60.40     60.30     65.45     64.15     59.45     65.65     62.95     63g
IBM 5576-003   67.30     65.80     67.40     67.15     67.30     65.20     65.45     67g
Filco 87MC     48.00     47.45     48.00     47.90     48.05     47.80     47.95     48g  <---
Filco 87M      44.75     41.40     41.85     45.10     43.00     42.90     41.75     43g
HHKB Pro II    39.65     48.75     45.40     44.95     50.75     49.75     48.60     47g

[celery]

If it's the switches itself that are uneven, the issue might go away after some use.

[javifast]

Nice keyboard Moneyless, but I prefer your Filco.

[Fuel]

I had no idea the BlackWidow was that shiny O_o

[daedalus]

Oddly enough, these weight tests never show up the peak force of the Cherry switch. Not sure why.

[Crazy9000]

So much for Razer cherry-picking every switch.

Cons of this keyboard:
More of the same marketing bullshit


Although some keys might not be greased properly... but Razer is to be blamed anyhow.

My theory is they cherry pick the ones that still work from the reject pile.

[002]

It probably means that they 'picked cherry switches' for their board.
Did they cherry pick cherry switches?

[Minskleip]

It probably means that they 'picked cherry switches' for their board.
Did they cherry pick cherry switches?

That's what their marketing division implied..

[caprolactone]

i never liked the look for razer keyboards, this makes me stray from it further, at least the price is cheaper than other alternatives.

[002]

OT here but where did you get that little AK-47?

[Yomi39]

I thinnk now most of gamers will know what's a mechanical keyboard thanks to razer.

[Moneyless]

I had no idea the BlackWidow was that shiny O_o

The pics do not do it justice, it is even shinier in person.

OT here but where did you get that little AK-47?

It came with a tigerstripe camo outfit for a "GI Joe for grownups" type dude years ago.

[MrBlue]

I got this free from Razer and now I'm in love with this keyboard.

[Parabellum]

I had no idea the BlackWidow was that shiny O_o

Shiny plastic and blue leds - the pure definition of a razer keyboard!