I'm a 71 year old keyboard novice looking to buy yet another keyboard. I've owned 2 or 3 over the past 40 years, messing around with them for a year or two and then selling them. I've played wind instruments for 15 years in various bands and orchestras. But I want to embark on another keyboard adventure - this time to spend more time on it and actually learn something. My mom played piano and organ, and my brother adlibs honky tonk. I missed the keyboard gene.
Here's the thing. On some forums, and especially stores, the advice seems to be from professionals who believe everyone who is thinking about buying a keyboard intends to be another professional. They don't seem to be able to relate to beginners and keyboard duffers. Or they assume we hobbyists want to transition to an acoustic piano. Sure, a $500 Yamaha may have a more accurate rendition of a grand piano than a $200 Casio. But learning doesn't require "the most accurate sound." Or they will say "the lighted keys are a gimmick", or "the learning aids aren't any good - I should take lessons from a live teacher..." yadayadayada. Ya, sure, for $35 per half hour - that ain't gonna happen. Or I need 76 ir 81 keys to be able to play all the music I come across. I'll be lucky to learn music that uses 30 keys at my age!! There's only so much time left to learn anything.
This is all to say that much of the advice given gives little or no consideration to the wants, needs, expectation, or capabilities of the propective purchaser.
My take on the Casio LK-280 is that, while not the "top of the line"-sounding instrument, it is 90% there. I've listened to Youtubes comparing equivalently priced Korg, Yamaha, and Casio sounds and, yes, I can tell the difference. The Casios are brighter sounding. The Korg and Yamaha sound richer.
But for what I'm looking for, the Casio seems to nail it with decent sound, many feataures of keyboards selling for $100 or greater more, and the teaching features that will be fun for my wife and me.
I may sound like I'm attempting to justify my purchase. Oh well.
Please let me know what I might be missing in all of this. Rant over.