Super deal though personally I prefer Mx browns, these are Reds

Where could I try out a mechanical keyboard like this? Don't want to shell out this sort of money to just send it back if I don't like it...

there was a similar deal for this a month ago, it's the model with the dodgy l.e.ds that aren't shielded so they only last a couple of months :-/

Good deal. I personally dident like this keyboard. I bought the refurbished version and took it back to scan a few days later. Having said that I have still voted hot.

If you want to try keyboards then lots of game shops have mechanical keyboards out on display.

I use the Razer blackwidow chroma. Love it

IBM model M. Nuff said...

The keyboard that arguably kicked off the mechanical trend. Old keyboard from the 80s that became exceptionally popular with programmers due to its feel and feedback.

check at Maplins, my local store here got 2 of it on display

LOL!!!!!
LEDs are great as most have a rated life of at least 45,000 hours and many are rated to last 50,000 hours.
to put these hours in perspective if you have it lit 24 hours a day it would be expected that an led rated at 50,000 hours should reach 5.7 years. however lets assume you sometimes sleep and maybe shower, go to work, cook, socialise, go on holiday and all those normal things... on average your led gaming keyboard probably wouldn't be on more than 4 hours a day... the LEDs should keep working for 34 years.

Now I'm not contesting that the keyboard may have LED issues, maybe they didn't work out the power correctly and put more than the LEDs could handle or made some other daft mistake, what I do contest is that things with LEDs die sooner.

​I had this exact board and 2 leds went out in a couple of months. Bought a strafe rgb and so far so good with the leds.

I got one of these and one of the LEDs died after a couple of months. Corsair customer serices were great though and sent the RGB model as a replacement which has been going strong ever since.

Amazing price for the board. I have the RGB version so can't attest to the LED life on this particular model. Cherry Reds are great for gaming and are fine for the amount of typing I do. I would never look back now, hate coming into work and using a standard membrane keyboard. If you're even thinking about it then just buy it, you won't regret it.

Before I bought mine I went into my local PC World Megastore (Warrington) and they had keyboards with all different Cherry Switch types out on display to try. Settled on Cherry Reds primarily for gaming.

The Macro software is also easy to use, 18 macros for 3 different profiles (54 total) is more than all but the most hardcore could ever need!

​no this board has unshielded LEDs so they die really quickly as has been mentioned by many and you can see with the reviews for this keyboard

Quality LEDs have a high life yes, but the market has a lot of cheaper ones with a much shorter life floating about. I've seen many devices with dead LEDs recently.

You can see this very clearly in videos where they buy cheap SMD LEDs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSDhoyUDh60
http://www.charlstonlights.com/blog/difference-between-low-high-quality-led-lights
http://natpro-progesterone-cream.com/more/?how-to-identify-poor-quality-led-6

Sadly the market has been flooded with these. Many fakes are so about, which means they end up being used in end user products.

That to one side, this keyboard has well known issue with the LEDs dying.

I've got the K70 RGB with red switches and can't fault it at all,

This keyboard is excellent for beginner.

How is this £74.99 delivered, the cheapest option I can find is to pay nearly a fiver to pick it up from a shop?

I've got a Strafe RGB with Cherry Reds and can't rate mech keyboard high enough - they really are good!
The Corsair software isn't the greatest, but once you're happy with the lighting setup, you don't need to touch this.

I did find my Reds were a little loud so I installed these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00UFLH1I8

Doesn't affect the typing much (it's a little softer, maybe) but cuts the "clack" noise down significantly.

oh people chill.
I said I didn't contest this board having issues with its LEDs. I did contest saying LEDs reduce the lifespan of a product.
Of course if you use sub standard parts you get sub standard reliability.
but if you judge an industry by its worst examples then really you do a disservice to quality manufacturers. you wouldn't try to claim all white people are awful like Trump just because he is the worst example of a white person would you?

I got a brand new Corsair Strafe Red as a gift, looks awesome but already have a Razer tournament edition which is better for my small desk. Reminded me I need to sell it!

I had an IBM Model M keyboard with the clicky keys in the 90s, it came with a second hand computer we bought from the computer fair. Eventually my parents gave the computer away with the keyboard, imagine how much that keyboard is worth now!

I have a Corsair K70 with cherry red keys, I do want to try the a keyboard with brown switches but I don't know where I could go to test one out. The cherry red keys are good to type on once you get used to them but they are very sensitive so it's very easy to double press a letter or make mistakes as the keys are activated very easily

I have had the the K70 for a couple of years and have had it apart twice to replace LEDs which is non trivial. Lost two more this weekend so can vouch for the reliability from my perspective. Great keyboard otherwise.

Hey. Yet another unfortunate corsair k95 consumer here. Same story l.e.d. s went, then the whole keyboard. Have seen a couple of reported problems with their newer versions too. If it actually worked then this is a great price for this keyboard, features galore and made of sturdy material. I personally have lost all faith in both corsair and razor for keyboards. If you want to consider a cheaper, more basic mechanical, programmable rgb keyboard, then check out the motospeed CK104, its the one im using now and no complaints. US layout only tho, but perfect for gaming.