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What budget keyboard to get for a gift?

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Hello again internet.
Here's what's going on: at my university, the chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering department loves The Lord of the Rings. So, when the matt3o Nerd keycap set (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/71042) dropped a few days ago, I started a campaign to rally the ECE department, and we've raised enough money to buy him the keycap set and a keyboard. As the caps won't ship until January, I'm trying to shop around and figure out what keyboard to put the keycaps on.
The problem is twofold. First off, I've got a limited budget. So I'm looking for something under $60ish, preferably under $50. Secondly, this professor has probably never used a mechanical keyboard. As such, I don't really know what he'll like or dislike. He uses a Dell XPS 15 for classes, so I suppose maybe a Cherry Brown or something similar. (I have no issues with using Gateron or Outemu switches, I have to save money somewhere.)
So I'm looking for some recommendations. I need something nice enough that I won't feel bad about giving it as a gift. It also has to look pretty good with those keycaps (white alphas, purple mods) so if I can find a white case that would be awesome, but if I have to settle for black or grey to stay in budget, that's fine too. First and foremost it has to be within budget because I'm a poor college student :).
TLDR: Looking for a keyboard under $60 that looks good with the matt3o Nerd keycap set and will last a good long time.
EDIT: Probably also looking for something TKL as I only have the caps to cover that layout. 60% would save money, but I don't think the matt3o Nerd set will properly cover many 60% boards.
Thanks in advance!
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infinitymdm
119
Oct 19, 2019
I forgot to update this post - I talked with some of my classmates and we ended up going with the Nixeus Noda V2 after a couple of recommendations from you guys. He loves the keyboard! He uses it in his office to show off to his students. Thank you all for the help!
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Must be a pretty awesome professor!
gyleq
3
Oct 5, 2018
try the tecware phantom tkl, it's 39.99 on amazon and I was blown away when I received it. they come in red/brown/blue outemu switches (plus rgb!)
the design is amazingly minimalistic and there logos/branding can only be found at the back of the keyboard
infinitymdm
119
Oct 6, 2018
My only concern remaining is that it's rgb. For me personally, that's not an issue. But considering that I'm giving this to my professor, I think it might be a bit too much. The price is amazing though, and from what I can tell it even has a metal switch plate. It might just be too flashy though. I'm stuck between this and the Nixeus Moda V2. But considering that I have some time before the keycaps ship, I suppose I have time to wait for the long-term reviews. Thanks again for the awesome recommendation.
gyleq
3
Oct 6, 2018
infinitymdmyou can turn off the RGB anyways if you want, think of it as an option hehe, no problem always happy to help :D
chazbot7
2
Oct 4, 2018
I picked up a Rantopad MXX a few weeks ago and I've been loving it so far.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA8HF81U6893
Granted, I got the Cherry switches instead of Gatereon so it's not quite the same, but the build quality is pretty awesome for $30 (it's light but sturdy). Detachable braided cable too!
infinitymdm
119
Oct 5, 2018
chazbot7Wow. That's actually a ridiculous deal. This keyboard leaves me with a different problem. It's so cheap that if I buy it I'll be turning a profit, and I'm not trying to do that. Do you think it's nicer than the Nixeus Moda V2?
chazbot7
2
Oct 5, 2018
infinitymdmDon't know much about the Moda V2, but I will say it looks a lot better than the Rantopad (at least to me it does!). From my perspective the build quality also looks a little better on the Moda, but having never used it I'm not sure.
I have a Nixeus Moda Pro and like it. It’s all steel so it’s heavy, which I consider to be a good thing. The stabilizers are a bit noisy, Cherry would probably be better. But for the money I’d say it’s great. https://www.massdrop.com/buy/nixeus-moda-pro-mechanical-keyboard The Nixeus Moda V2 is TKL. The housing is plastic and steel, so it’s not just a truncated version of the Pro. Never seen one in person, so I can’t say what it’s like. https://www.massdrop.com/buy/nixeus-moda-v2-tkl-mechanical-mechanical-keyboard Both can be found on Amazon, and probably other places.
infinitymdm
119
Oct 2, 2018
dvorcolI was actually considering the Moda V2. If the Pro is good, I'd hope the V2 is as well.
Magicforce 68 key with gateron reds? I went from a laptop keyboard to a switch tester and I liked linears the most
good idea. at least with DSA, you dont have to worry about profile
LevelSteam
Oct 6, 2018
It's a standard ANSI layout with no odd key sizes so it would work with that just fine. You could always do that combo and then give him the extra keys if he wants to upgrade to a full TKL in the future.
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