Not sure if backorder posts are allowed, however this Corsair is super cheap and available to order if you're happy to wait.
CamelCamelCamel.
Having not used this board, but having sold mechanical keyboards for a few years, my reading suggests;
It's going to be very similar to using a Cherry Red switch.
Both are 45g actuation force and linear, so no tactile click/bump (Cherry Brown) and no audible click (Cherry Blue).
The Reds have a 4mm total travel and a 2mm activation, whereas these Optical switches have 3.2mm travel with 1mm activation.
What that means is that you're pushing the key a shorter distance before the keypress is being registered, so technically faster response.
The big improvement (On paper) with the Optical switch is no "debounce delay".
Regular mechanical keys when actuated are connecting some plates and they can bounce off each other which registers multiple keystrokes when you only press the key once, to fix that they introduced 'debounce delay' which is software to reduce the likelihood of those additional strokes being registered.
Optical switches actuate the switch using lasers, rather than connecting physical pads, so there is no bounce, and no need for 'debounce delay', which allegedly can improve overall response time.
This also means without having two pads touching each other, it's one less thing that can experience physical wear and tear, thus giving a great advertised lifespan at 150 million strokes " " " guaranteed " " ".
All in all, seems cool, and if I needed a keyboard I'd definitely give it a look.
Thanks so much for an amazing response!
I think I'll keep an eye on these, the black one was $305 during black friday so may hold out for next price drop on that.
I'm a very light PC gamer but after having used laptop keyboard or my trusty Logitech MX, I need something better, and haven't splurged on a good keyboard in about 15 years…
Been watching this one. Not sure if I should as I already have more keyboards than I can possibly use. Not a big fan of the colour but I've liked the few Corsair keyboards I've tried.
Awesome price, thanks.
Got a K100 got $330 about 2 years ago, great keyboard.
Yep, same here but the black version. I love it!
For whoever got one, make sure you update it to the latest firmware (1.15.61) else it will intermittently lock itself up
![[Back Order] CORSAIR K100 RGB Optical-Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, Midnight Gold $269 Delivered @ Amazon AU](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/07/825707.jpg?h=e62da24d)
Thoughts on optical switches vs the alternatives?
Not sure I can get over the gold, but the price sure is nice!