EPOMAKER EP84 84-Key RGB Hotswap Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with PBT Dye-subbed Keycaps for Mac/Win/Gamers (Gateron Brown Switch, Grey Black)
75% Compact EP84 Mechanical Keyboard
Want a perfect size keyboard for both gaming and office? The 75% layout EPOMAKER ep84 is the suitable one for you. While being compact and portable, the ultimate tenkeyless keyboard that remains fully set numbers, function keys and arrows. Providing you with more comfortable typing experience.
Programmable Customized RGB Backlights
The EP84 features RGB lighting with 12 effects and 7 single colors available. You may press FN+Pause to choose the rgb effect and press FN+home to choose the single color light effect as you need. With the software, you can customize the RGB effects massive lighting effects and macro setting
Swappable Mechanical Switches
The ep84 keyboard comes with hot swappable Gateron mechanical Hotswap keyboard allows you to replace it with other mechanical switches freely without soldering issue. You can fully enjoy the fun of making your own unique keyboard.
Dye-subbed PBT keycaps
We choose the Dye-subbed PBT keycaps that ensures long liftspan without fading away, it generally last longer than ABS equivalents, the Dye-Sub PBT keycaps of EP84 enhances the overall durability with water and dust resistance.
N-key rollover
Anti-ghosting 84 keys. Each key is controlled by an independent switch, giving you very accurate response even when hitting multiple keys at the same time. Ideal for gamers, typist…
More Details Are To Be Found!
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OEM profile KeycapsThis keycap set is OEM profile which is a little higher than Cherry profile. OEM profile keyboard keycaps ergonomic design and effective relief of long time use of fatigue, but also the mainstream of the gaming keyboard keycaps. | Ergonomics DesignThe keyboard is designed to be better ergonomic as to provide more comfortable typing experience, this model has adjustable feet to allow you to find the best height and set the perfect position for your typing, gaming or programming sessions. | three-way outgoing lineThe back of board comes with triple outgoing line channel so you can adjust the directions of the line without obstacle. For better cable management. |
Shortcuts
FN + Win: Win Lock
FN + PrtSc: Scroll
FN + Del: Insert
FN + |: Shut down the backlight
FN + | (Long press for 3 seconds): Reset the keyboard to default setting
FN + A: Windows mode (default settings)
FN + S: MacOS mode (Left Win→Alt/Left Alt→Win, Right Alt→Win/Right Ctrl→Alt ), F1~F12
multimedia function stays the same as MAC system’s original setting
Package content:
1.Epomaker EP84
2.Epomaker EP84 Manual
3.USB A to USB C Braided
Cable (1.5m / 4.9ft)
4.Keycap and Switch Puller
Keyboard Specifications
Dimension: 319.4mmm * 132.7mm * 37.3mm
Net Weight: 860g ± 10g
Cable Length: 150cm ± 2cm
Keycap: PBT Double Shot
Button Number: 84
Back Light: 16.8 million RGB
Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Win7/8/10, Mac etc
Connection: Type-C USB detachable, plug and play
Switch: Gateron (Hot swappable)
Working Voltage: 5V ≤ 500mA
| Dimensions: | 32.1 x 13.3 x 3.6 cm; 700 Grams |
| Manufacture: | EPOMAKER |
| Reference: | EPOMAKER EP84 |
Love the look, feel, and sound of the keyboard. Everything about it is great. A small concern of mine was that I had to adjust to the keys being a bit more firm to press down on since they were yellow gateron switches (I was using blue switches previously) but I got over the learning curve pretty quickly. Other than that, this keyboard feels so smooth and satisfying to type on!
I like the sound the keys make. Have had it a month and it’s still good. It might be a little too responsive.
Nice keyboard but the included usb cable is verrrrry short and no Software to control the Rgb
Lleg a tiempo y bien embalado y protegido, es para un regalo , espero que guste y de buen resultado
Je gaat gewoon graag typen….zo lekker voelt dit toetsenbord aan. Uiteraard ook ideaal om te gamen.
I didn’t want a keyboard with bluetooth or anything fancy, I just wanted something hot-swappable with a backlight. This is perfect, and the keycaps feel much better than my old Logitech G710+.
Installing the software is slightly janky, but it works perfectly fine once set up. You don’t actually need the software to use the keyboard anyway.
Verry nice keyboard, only the software was a problem for me.
Very amazing and easily customizable, I would say there’s no flaws. My own came pre lubed which is very nice
La migliore tastiera che ho avuto fino ad ora.
Se non fosse per il software poco comodo, sarebbe perfetta.
El punto fuerte es su diseo, robusto y bonito, acompaado por una fabricacin bastante top; principalmente utilizado para gaming competitivo y de momento ningn problema.
Por ponerle una pega dira que su software es un poco eh, pero por lo dems perfecto. recomendado.
Very nice product. Nothing stated on the product was missing.
This is a great keyboard and this is definitely a good bang for your buck. My only gripe is that the colour options is very limited and the software just doesn’t work, so I’m stuck with just mediocre settings.
Dopo anni ho finalmente deciso di abbandonare ( anzi ha deciso di abbandonarmi) la mia tastiera wireless della Logitech.
Assetato di novit ho optato per questa piccola ma grande tastiera.
Che dire, una sensazione stupenda, comoda e pratica.
CONSIGLIO:
se il software non riconosce la tastiera, probabilmente bisogna aggiornare il firmware della stessa.
PRO:
– Compatta
– Essenziale
– hotswappabile
– Meccanica
– Keycaps gradevoli
– Sensazione tatto/udito fantastica
– RGB
– Cavo Type C
CONTRO( pi che altro dettati dai miei gusti):
-SHIFT dx da 1.75u
– frecce facilmente confondibili
– lettere (keycaps) praticamente invisibili con RGB
disattivato
– da aggiornare firmware
Great product overall, the design is simple, weight is decent, and loving the sound it makes when I’m typing. The fact it’s also hot-swappable gives me broader options to customise my keyboard, which I am looking forward to doing! The RGB isn’t really not well matched with these keycaps, but they do give out some options to choose from
Great product overall, the design is simple, weight is decent, and loving the sound it makes when I’m typing. The fact it’s also hot-swappable gives me broader options to customise my keyboard, which I am looking forward to doing! The RGB isn’t really not well matched with these keycaps, but they do give out some options to choose from
pcb foam and case with fac lubed switches im still using , its a 85 so lubing switches takes time
I probably watched a total of 5 hours of various keyboard reviews. I looked at boards over $200 and compared them to ones that were in the $120 range. I almost splurged in order to get a board that I would appreciate typing on, but then a video review happened to mention this board.
The sound tests I saw online sounded too good to be true. I actually thought they were fake. When my board arrived I was half expecting it to sound terrible, it didn’t. It sounds almost as good as those $200 boards that I almost wasted my money on.
I was nervous that the black switches would be too fatiguing, I was wrong. They are the smoothest switches I’ve ever typed on. I am at my computer for 8+ hours per day and I still get excited when I have to write a long email.
Can’t recommend this board enough!
I went with the Vintage colorway and the Gateron Yellow switches.
In regards to the switches, they’re amazing and probably my favorite switch I’ve tried out. They’re linear switches with no bump and are extremely smooth. The large keys like the spacebar, enter, and delete keys are all very thocky which is a pleasant surprise.
The 75-Key layout is my favorite keyboard layout I’ve encountered. I avoid full-size layouts because I’m guaranteed to punch my keyboard due to my low sensitivity, but also dislike minimalist keyboards that are missing a lot of important keys imo (F keys, dedicated arrow keys, and home + del).
The lights on the keyboard are some of the most punchy I’ve seen next to my Logitech G Pro keyboard w/ Romer-G tactile switches.
I love the vintage colorway and definitely recommend the keyboard because you won’t find anything this good for the price. If you’re just starting to get into mechanical keyboards, I’d start off with the ones that are closer to $30-$45 so you can find out what type of keys you truly like, and are able to fully appreciate the higher end keyboards later on.
Great budget 84 key with all the features you would want from a current wired hotswap keyboard. Keycaps are thick PBT in cherry profile (no interference on this board with north facing switches), foam between PCB and plate, foam between PCB and case bottom.
Le cose da dire sono tantissime, procediamo per punti.
LATI POSITIVI
– il formato fantastico: consente di avere tutti i tasti di una tastiera TKL (senza tastierino numerico) ma con un layout molto pi compatto.
– nonostante sia di plastica, la qualit costruttiva eccellente. Attenzione che le diverse combinazioni di copritasti (keycaps) e interruttori (switch) fanno variare di molto il risultato finale. Tutti i keycaps sono in PBT, materiale eccellente che non trattiene l’unto delle ditate e pi durevole, ma quelli neri/grigi e grigio/bianchi lasciano trasparire la retroilluminazione RGB e a tastiera spenta le lettere si leggono a fatica, mentre quelli ”geometria” e ”vintage” non lasciano trasparire l’illuminazione e sono leggermente pi spessi, personalmente preferisco questi ultimi. Inoltre varia il profilo dei tasti, e anche qui personalmente preferisco gli XDA, li trovo pi eleganti e riducono la corsa degli switch.
– bellissima out of the box, non richiede mod particolari e il suono dei tasti davvero stupendo. Ho provato gli switch gialli (ideali per giocare, ma anche scrivere perch non sensibili quanto i rossi) e quelli neri, che ho trovato molto belli per scrivere.
– hot-swap, il che significa che se entrerete le buco nero delle tastiere (non fatelo), potrete sbizzarrirvi nello scambiare gli switch a piacimento. L’epomaker EP84 supporta tutti i principali switch sul mercato, a 3 o 5 pin, e sul sito affermano siano supportati anche gli switch ottici. Per altri mod invece un po’ pi complicata, perch per smontarla non prevede viti e per separare il PCB dalla piastra occorre tagliare con un tronchesino dei dentini di plastica. Ci sono diversi tutorial su Youtube.
– se siete amanti del genere, gli effetti RGB non sono male e del tutto controllabili dalla tastiera, senza dover obbligatoriamente installare il software
LATI NEGATIVI
– il cavo in dotazione non un granch. gommato e non molto lungo, diciamo che fa il suo dovere ma niente di pi. Inoltre sul retro della tastiera troverete una canalina passacavo per scegliere da che parte far uscire il filo, buona idea, ma riduce le possibilit di scelta se si vuole comprare un cavo custom.
– gli stabilizzatori non sono bellissimi (ma pi che decenti) e escono dalla fabbrica troppo lubrificati.
– il software poco intuitivo, ma onestamente per l’utilizzo standard della tastiera non serve a nulla.
In conclusione, ho mandato in soffitta la tastiera ”gaming” che avevo, della Corsair, molto pi costosa e con molti pi fronzoli, e sono passato a questa, davvero stupenda.
Ho acquistato a parte un set di keycaps sempre della epomaker per personalizzare la mia (XDA dawn).
BREVE TUTORIAL per LE LETTERE ACCENTATE
Il layout ANSI US, ossia il tasto enter pi piccolo e in orizzontale, e non ci sono le lettere accentate. Come fare?
In Windows 10, nelle impostazioni della lingua, dovete aggiungere una nuova tastiera: ”Americano – internazionale”. Se non la trovate, provate prima a installare la lingua inglese.
Una volta selezionata la tastiera controllate che nella barra degli strumenti vicino a orologio e data compaia ITA INTL.
Per ottenere l’accento grave, prima premente il tasto dell’accento (sotto ESC) e dopo la lettera da accentare. Potete dire addio agli apostrofi usati per accentare la E maiuscola (e alle combinazioni tipo ALT+etc etc): e cos via.
Stessa cosa per l’accento acuto, che si trova alla sinistra dell’invio: perch n s. Stesso tasto per l’apostrofo, avendo l’accortezza di premere la barra spaziatrice dopo appunto l’apostrofo.
Spero possa essere utile.
TL;DR: tastiera fantastica, compratela.
Le cose da dire sono tantissime, procediamo per punti.
LATI POSITIVI
– il formato fantastico: consente di avere tutti i tasti di una tastiera TKL (senza tastierino numerico) ma con un layout molto pi compatto.
– nonostante sia di plastica, la qualit costruttiva eccellente. Attenzione che le diverse combinazioni di copritasti (keycaps) e interruttori (switch) fanno variare di molto il risultato finale. Tutti i keycaps sono in PBT, materiale eccellente che non trattiene l’unto delle ditate e pi durevole, ma quelli neri/grigi e grigio/bianchi lasciano trasparire la retroilluminazione RGB e a tastiera spenta le lettere si leggono a fatica, mentre quelli ”geometria” e ”vintage” non lasciano trasparire l’illuminazione e sono leggermente pi spessi, personalmente preferisco questi ultimi. Inoltre varia il profilo dei tasti, e anche qui personalmente preferisco gli XDA, li trovo pi eleganti e riducono la corsa degli switch.
– bellissima out of the box, non richiede mod particolari e il suono dei tasti davvero stupendo. Ho provato gli switch gialli (ideali per giocare, ma anche scrivere perch non sensibili quanto i rossi) e quelli neri, che ho trovato molto belli per scrivere.
– hot-swap, il che significa che se entrerete le buco nero delle tastiere (non fatelo), potrete sbizzarrirvi nello scambiare gli switch a piacimento. L’epomaker EP84 supporta tutti i principali switch sul mercato, a 3 o 5 pin, e sul sito affermano siano supportati anche gli switch ottici. Per altri mod invece un po’ pi complicata, perch per smontarla non prevede viti e per separare il PCB dalla piastra occorre tagliare con un tronchesino dei dentini di plastica. Ci sono diversi tutorial su Youtube.
– se siete amanti del genere, gli effetti RGB non sono male e del tutto controllabili dalla tastiera, senza dover obbligatoriamente installare il software
LATI NEGATIVI
– il cavo in dotazione non un granch. gommato e non molto lungo, diciamo che fa il suo dovere ma niente di pi. Inoltre sul retro della tastiera troverete una canalina passacavo per scegliere da che parte far uscire il filo, buona idea, ma riduce le possibilit di scelta se si vuole comprare un cavo custom.
– gli stabilizzatori non sono bellissimi (ma pi che decenti) e escono dalla fabbrica troppo lubrificati.
– il software poco intuitivo, ma onestamente per l’utilizzo standard della tastiera non serve a nulla.
In conclusione, ho mandato in soffitta la tastiera ”gaming” che avevo, della Corsair, molto pi costosa e con molti pi fronzoli, e sono passato a questa, davvero stupenda.
Ho acquistato a parte un set di keycaps sempre della epomaker per personalizzare la mia (XDA dawn).
BREVE TUTORIAL per LE LETTERE ACCENTATE
Il layout ANSI US, ossia il tasto enter pi piccolo e in orizzontale, e non ci sono le lettere accentate. Come fare?
In Windows 10, nelle impostazioni della lingua, dovete aggiungere una nuova tastiera: ”Americano – internazionale”. Se non la trovate, provate prima a installare la lingua inglese.
Una volta selezionata la tastiera controllate che nella barra degli strumenti vicino a orologio e data compaia ITA INTL.
Per ottenere l’accento grave, prima premente il tasto dell’accento (sotto ESC) e dopo la lettera da accentare. Potete dire addio agli apostrofi usati per accentare la E maiuscola (e alle combinazioni tipo ALT+etc etc): e cos via.
Stessa cosa per l’accento acuto, che si trova alla sinistra dell’invio: perch n s. Stesso tasto per l’apostrofo, avendo l’accortezza di premere la barra spaziatrice dopo appunto l’apostrofo.
Spero possa essere utile.
TL;DR: tastiera fantastica, compratela.
This keyboard is great, I got mine with gateron yellow switches. It is a nice friendly way if you want to become into a keyboard enthusiast.
The lighting is nice and the software is alright.
Highly recommend
This keyboard is great, I got mine with gateron yellow switches. It is a nice friendly way if you want to become into a keyboard enthusiast.
The lighting is nice and the software is alright.
Highly recommend
I purchased this keyboard based on recommendations for a quiet, well-made mechanical keyboard – and the Epomaker has not disappointed! I bought this specifically because it came with Gateron Yellow switches; while this probably isn’t as quiet as a customized and lubed board, it’s wonderfully quiet out of the box while still maintaining a mechanical feel. Reminds me a lot of the IBM and Macintosh keyboards I used to use in the early 90s, especially if you get the ‘Retro’ design.
Despite all-plastic construction, it feels very solid while having a 75% footprint which fits very well on my small desk space.
Highly recommended!
The lights are adjustable in terms of brightness. The size of the keyboard I like—no number pad which I like.
I enjoy the way space bar feels.
This will beat any mechanical or non-mechanical keyboard around its price range
Keyboard sounds great, with gateron yellow switches. Only cost me 63 at the time and have had zero issues with it. Comes with key puller and pre lubed stabilisers so totally worth the money. Also it’s hotswappable!
My only drawback, as others have stated, is the frame; you get what you pay for. It’s definitely not as heavy (although not super light either) as their 60%’s at the same cost. It feels a little cheaper than my other modded boards, and yet I still prefer this one. The frame can warp slightly after being picked up, but it’s heavy enough that I can just press down on the corners to fix it. A bit annoying, but not enough to return it, because the switches and overall aesthetics are great.
I got black switches for MOBAs. I find clicks are too loud and annoying for my friends on discord, and I much prefer the thock. These came well lubed and I didn’t need to add any at all; epomaker boards are pretty good about that. The resistance in these blacks are perfect as well for not making accidental inputs.
The caps though, felt a bit meh in my opinion (although you might not notice if you’re new to modding keyboards). I replaced mine right away with cherry caps that have a thicker material, for non-hollow sounding thocks.
The driver it comes with has a lot of RGB presets and custom key settings. It was a bit confusing at first but I figured it out in 5ish minutes.
All in all I’m pretty satisfied. Oh, and for a price point, I got this at $110.
My only drawback, as others have stated, is the frame; you get what you pay for. It’s definitely not as heavy (although not super light either) as their 60%’s at the same cost. It feels a little cheaper than my other modded boards, and yet I still prefer this one. The frame can warp slightly after being picked up, but it’s heavy enough that I can just press down on the corners to fix it. A bit annoying, but not enough to return it, because the switches and overall aesthetics are great.
I got black switches for MOBAs. I find clicks are too loud and annoying for my friends on discord, and I much prefer the thock. These came well lubed and I didn’t need to add any at all; epomaker boards are pretty good about that. The resistance in these blacks are perfect as well for not making accidental inputs.
The caps though, felt a bit meh in my opinion (although you might not notice if you’re new to modding keyboards). I replaced mine right away with cherry caps that have a thicker material, for non-hollow sounding thocks.
The driver it comes with has a lot of RGB presets and custom key settings. It was a bit confusing at first but I figured it out in 5ish minutes.
All in all I’m pretty satisfied. Oh, and for a price point, I got this at $110.
I got the black and grey keyboard with Gateron Brown Switches. It’s got a very nice tactile feel, fairly quiet keyboard and because it’s hotswappable you can have a lot of options for modding- swap the switches, keycaps, add o-rings, lubing, the whole deal!
– The build feels fairly sturdy, good weight so it doesn’t slide around, it sits flat on my desk.
– See-through letters on the keycaps looks really cool with the RGB, however if the RGB is off it’s very difficult to see.
– RBG looks very aesthetically pleasing, it’s not too obnoxious/bright. I personally like having the orange lights, it’s nice and doesn’t distract.
– The stabilisers (as seen in the photo) are PCB-mounted, not sure if screw-on or snap-on but I would guess snap-on. This makes them very stable and they don’t rattle much, which makes the keyboard less noisy and much more pleasant, a HUGE plus. Also love that they’re a cute white and pink!
– The 75% layout works great for me. I thought the arrow keys would feel a bit claustrophobic but I’ve had no issues with their placement at all, it feels very intuitive. The key labels are a bit different from UK keyboards, however if you’ve got the muscle memory for where UK keybinds are you won’t have an issue (it’s mostly for finding the #, , ” and @ symbols that it’s different).
I’m overall very pleased with this purchase, it’s a great keyboard and I hope to use it for many more years to come and mod it to my heart’s contempt! Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a customisable pre-built mechanical keyboard.
EDIT- After opening up the keyboard, I noticed a few great things about it!
1- It’s got a layer of foam between the PCB and backplate
2- PCB and backplate are screwed together
3- Backplate is aluminium! Nice and sturdy.
4- There was a nice layer of foam underneath the PCB, inside the case. This makes it sound less hollow. I added a little bit more foam in the case to make it less hollow, but it was a welcome surprise to see some foam there already!
5- After lubing the switches and the stabilisers, my keyboard is “thoccy” (as enthusiasts like to say). Very smooth and satisfying, no scratchy pingy sounds although it sounded good before anyway.
10/10
This is the perfect keyboard to get if you’re in the fence of upgrades or just getting prebuilt. It’s affordable so you don’t have to be afraid to test the waters but it’s good enough to where you won’t be dissatisfied keeping it the same. Black switches or yellow switches are the best prebuilt—they very rarely give them with yellows though.
This was absolutely amazing it sounded and felts great good packaging and overall a great keyboard would always recommend and would buy agai
Package came in on time, the keyboard built quality was surprisingly incredible. I ordered the white version with yellow gateron switches. The stabilizers are very well lubed and you can’t even hear them. The sound and feel is amazing. The lighting is quite bright and very nice quality led’s, quite a lot of presets. The only negative about the keyboard is the software. The program doesn’t recognize the keyboard at all so it’s basically useless until i get it resolved. Overall, the keyboard is amazing and totally worth the price!!!
It’s just good. I like the way it feels, I like the size, I like the looks.
Really happy with this purchase. Only downside is spacebar stab needs tuning out the box. Stab tuning is super easy. Someone in another review said you can’t replace cables because it requires a “short” one? that’s not correct, unless all the cables I have are “short”.
Definitely a top contender in wired mech keebs at this price poi
My daughter bought it for gaming and she loves it. Colour changing is great a d comfortable to use. Great replacement for the Ducky that kept falling apart.
Best keyboard I have ever tested and owned for several key reasons:
– Competively priced for high-end;
– Perfect layout and configuration;
– Excellent PBT keycaps as standard;
– USB-C connection in central location;
– Smooth Gateron switches (mine brown);
– Hotswappable switches (if you need it);
– Discreet frame and unbranded outer bezel;
– Reassuring weight and perfectly stable base;
– Superb backlighting features and customisation;
– Warm, even backlighting over the entire keyboard.
O-rings further improve the weight and feel of the keys.
Do not hesitate, just buy this keyboard. You will not regret it.
Comparerd to my razor huntsman it’s amazing! The stabs on this keyboard especially are my favorite, they sounds so good and the keyboard is extremely quiet in person, wanted to black but wanted the red switches even tho i plan on swapping the switches because it’s a 5pin hot swappable pcb! North facing led’s tho so be careful
I started to get into the keyboard community but did not want to spend a chunk of money on a keyboard. It is still a keyboard at the end of the day but sounds way better lubed. This is now my new main.
Great product, it’s my first mechanical keyboard so can’t compare it to anything else. That being said it’s got good build quality and I’m more than happy with it.
Everything about this keyboard is great if you’re looking for a mechanical keyboard with this layout, hot-swap sockets, RGB, and no wireless. However, the legends on the keycaps are almost impossible to read unless the RGB is on. The legends are a nearly the same shade of gray as the rest of the keycap, so when the RGB lights are off they blend in.
For the price you are paying, this keyboard is really great choice. Especially if you are looking for a good entry keyboard. It uses USB-C cable and the keycaps are good quality and have a cool color theme that remind me of the one’s from Drop. I will say the stabilizers on a few keys, especially the spacebar make it rattle. Easily fixable, just mod it through lube or bandages, or you can even upgrade the stabilizers. The keyboard is hotswappable so you will enjoy upgrading if you please. Overall I recommend it.
– The keys seem thick and sturdy and doesn’t have a cheap feel.
– I purchased the keyboard with Gateron Red switches but I eventually replaced most of my switches with Boba U4 RGB Silent Tactile switches. Although I mostly WFH, there are occasions where I’ve gone into a co-working space and didn’t want to produce too much noise.
– When I took the keyboard apart to change the switches I noticed that there was padding between the metal plate and the PCB board itself, this is another reason why this keyboard was already quiet when I got it.
– The border of the keyboard was very easy to remove and I didn’t have much issue with it.
– The only weird thing I noticed here was that there weren’t any screws holding the plate to the bottom cover of the keyboard.
– The keyboard is very light so it isn’t too much of a burden carrying this keyboard around.
– It also comes with a helpful pamphlet describing other functions of the keyboard such as media keys, switching between RGB modes, etc.
– The lighting on this keyboard is great and has plenty of options.
So far I’m happy with this keyboard and would recommend to anyone who’s looking for an inexpensive keyboard to try and experiment with.
Love the hotswap feature and 75% layout. Gateron switches are alittle loose in the plate and have come out while taking keycaps off, but kaihl switches sit firmly in the plate. I would prefer the usb-c connection to be on the side and not under the board but that’s just nit-picking. Everything else is great, works well
I’m new to mechanical keyboards, so take that into consideration when reading my review.
The keyboard feels solid and generally well-made. The case is plastic but doesn’t feel cheap.
The red switches (no mods) are smooth, quiet, and easy to push. The lower activation force took a little getting used to coming from brown switches, but it was less than a day of office work. However one of the switches (F1) pulled out of the PCB when swapping the keycap.
The LEDs look great and the white PCB reflects the light such that the effect is much more even than I originally expected.
My biggest issue is that at $95 it was a tough cost to justify – admittedly the “hot swap” capability would be worth it if I had other switches to swap with.
Overall, the form factor is great (but not much smaller than a full size keyboard), it feels quality (but not high end), and looks really nice.
What I liked about this keyboard:
– The colors are sharp and don’t have any bleed through the keycaps
– Red gateron switches feel and sound nice. I used to use gateron brown switches and the red ones are noticeably lighter to press (45 actuation force as opposed to 55 on the browns).
– Not a bluetooth keyboard so no lithium – ion battery to worry about.
Cons:
– The material is a bubbly kind of plastic so it may not feel as premium.
I love the Black switches. They are perfect for anyone that thinks red is just too light. This keyboard has held up everyday use for a couple months now. I will be switching out some switches soon. I will not buy white keyboard keys again. Get tooo dirty too fas
First things first, this is a nice looking keyboard it has the “custom” look to it without the price tag. HOWEVER, the quality is bad, like really bad. There’s a lot of flex to the board since it’s all plastic and the cable quality is also pretty shotty. Stabilizers are a little wonky however they do come pre lubed. The last issue I had with this keyboard is the keycaps. They’re nice thick PBT keycaps however the letters on the grey keycaps are so hard to see without the RGB on (if your like me and prefer RGB free this will be a problem)
The good stuff
The looks
Hot swappable
If RGB is your thing you’ll like the shine through and the keycaps (for me however this wasn’t really a plus)
Lastly the price for $80 it’s hard not to recommend with some keycaps, lubing the switches and new stabilizers along with a new cable it’s a pretty good board minus the plastic case.
Feels nice to type on, if you’re experienced with keyboards you might find it wobbly depending on how you type. Lights look fine and can use a shortcut to disable them. Keycaps come off pretty easily and can be replaced easily. PBT keycaps are incredibly good compared to ABS so that’s a benefit, you won’t have to buy your own along with the keyboard. Hot swappable is a very good perk that comes with the keyboard too but sometimes the switches will come loose from the keyboard which is a little odd, I don’t really know what causes that.
I’d recommend it, especially if you intend to mod it and alter it when you get the chance to.
Great board. Absolutely love mine. Loved it so much i bought 2 more for family. All the lighting modes work. RGB is decently bright. Build is plastic with a white plate. There is some flex if the case isn’t snapped together firmly. After it is the flex isn’t noticable. The USB C plug is a bit of a pain since it is recessed and you don’t have a ton of room for longer plugs.
I’ve had no problems with this so far. I did swap the caps-lock key for a really clicky pink switch. which gives it a nice feeling.
the layout does take a little to get used to, I’m a professional programmer and working with this keyboard is a joy.
software available is a bit lacking and confusing, but you don’t need to use it often.
The rgb is configurable and has some interesting patterns. It can also be turned off if you don’t care (like me) and just wanted a decent 75% board for typing without spending $400+ on a keyboard plus waiting for a drop.
I’d recommend. Since it’s hot swappable, you could also upgrade the switches or lube them without needing to de-solder.
The build quality of the keyboard is there. It feels sturdy and honestly as if you are getting your money’s worth.
I’ve had this keyboard for months now and I love it. My only true complaint is the usb port which is lodged in the middle of the keyboard within this weird trench. I’d prefer it in a more accessible place.
The switches and illumination are great.
I like that there’s so many lighting options, although I only use solid colors anyway.
The keyboard lacks customization software. Even with the keycool software (which was not easy to find) you can’t customize the color of individual keys and key remapping is limited.
For instance, you can’t remap the function key, create alternate function keys, or map key combos.
Macros are also very limited. Essentially macros function as an instant activation and cannot be mapped based on press and release. Most of this can be substituted with other software like autohotkey, but it would be nice to have a hardware based option for this as not all software correctly captures key strokes. These are features that a person would usually want in a small form factor keyboard.
That being said, given the price this is definitely worth it.
Not the greatest keyboard in the world but it absolutely worth the price for a hot swap keyboard.
Stabs are good, keycaps are decent,, lighting works well and it is solidly built.
The only issue is the lighter keys are hard to read without the LEDs.
The caps are way nicer than the price suggests they’d be, very good (smooth, anti-oil, durable). The switches are solid name brand. The chassis seats everything well, housing is firm for the price. The RGB is sexy.
Love this board!
Once you adjust to the smaller size, you can easily adapt to touch-typing with decent speed and accuracy.
*SWITCHES -The switches in this keyboard are Optical Gateron switches. I received the model with RED switches and I have to say they feel great. Smooth and just the right resistances without being too loud or “clacky” that they would disturb your mates in the next cubicle, in your workspace, or at a LAN party. MODDER’S NOTE: You can only swap-in other Gateron Optical switches, so be sure of your decision as this will affect your modding options. If you DO decide to mod this board, the included keycap and switch pullers worked just fine and with little difficulty.
*STABILIZERS – They are nice, and work perfectly. The space bar moves uniformly if I press the far-left or right sides.
*CASE/HOUSING – Solid and sturdy with good weight for an 84-key keyboard. There is a gradient/tilt as well as (2) thickly rubberized flip-out feet to increase the angle if you desire. The board is stable and stays put on the wood, vinyl, slate, and glass surfaces that I tested typing on. NOTE: Weight being a double-edge sword here, great for giving a solid and stable workspace, but adds to travel weight, so consider if you plan to use for LAN events. That said, this keyboard works fine as a “lap-board” if you leave the feet retracted.
*USB – The USB is removable, and the included cloth braid sleeved USB-A to C cable was nice quality for this price point. Note, it IS a little stiff, so expect to have kinks held for a time if you are OCD about that kind of thing… The port feels solid and doesn’t give the impression that it will fail with reasonable care when plugging/unplugging if this will be a travel board. The only improvement I wished for was strain reliefs for each end’s plug instead of just extended “collars”.
*RGB – No drivers needed! No complaints, with brightness levels, animation speeds, or selection of patterns.
FN+ESC=constant light on mode
FN+F1=my computer
FN+F2=web page
FN+F3=calculator
FN+F4=media player
FN+F5=previous track
FN+F6=next tack
FN+F7=pause/play
FN+F8=stop
FN+F9=mute
FN+F10=volume down
FN+F11=volume up
FN+F12=keyboard lock
FN+pause=preset light effects
The switches feel amazing, so many color options and overall just a great feeling using it.