The Mechanical Keyboards Club

[neurotix]

32 minutes ago, The Pook said:

 

I was planning on U4Tx but a buddy of mine convinced me to wait. He's got a mountain of switches so I'm gonna visit him one of these days and raid his stash and see if anything else interests me more. 

 

He's one of those linear-freaks () so I know he really just wants to try and tempt me to change teams, but we'll see. 

 

Had to look those up. Never heard of them. I guess the ones I saw were tactile. Also, they are shaped like Outemu switches, interesting. So I'm guessing you're after tactile switches. Any ideas on keycaps?

 

If you want I have a big ass bag of Gateron yellows you can have for free. They're linear BUT until I looked it up I thought they were tactile. Actually feel pretty nice.

[Sir Beregond]

58 minutes ago, The Pook said:

He's one of those linear-freaks ()

Its ok, we know you're into the freaky deaky.

[neurotix]

Since my Keychron K8 Pro has custom Plum Crazy plastidip on the top plate, and I already have a Japanese art themed board with my GMMK full size, I decided to get some Kraken Keyboards keycaps for it.

 

 

Before.

 

After.

 

Unfortunately the stock spacebar with this set broke (it was purple), but my wonderful fiance managed to dig up a black spacebar from God knows where so we used that.

 

This is the set:

 

Amazon.com

T.LY

 

[neurotix]

Fiancee has a GMMK v2 fullsize, currently with Box White switches and PBT pudding keycaps.

 

 

 

She said she really likes heavier switches now that she's been using her Keynovo IF98 with Box Heavy Pale Blue (60g I believe). So, I will be refurbishing her well- used GMMK with Box Navy switches, and that Great Wave Off Kanagawa keycap set that I took off of my Keychron K8.

 

Looking forward to how it turns out and if she likes it; it's not in my list in the spreadsheet but can be added once I finish it.

Edited March 10 by neurotix

[The Pook]

Plan on buying "proper" key caps when I finally decide on what switches I want, but I already had these so I slapped them on. K8 Pro has south-facing LEDs and they're the only side-lit keycaps I have. YMDK Polar Gradient: 

 

 

Looks OK and the keycaps feel fine, but I'm not a fan of the font and the darker (top) keys have a weird tint on the shine-through portion. When I set it to white, the top rows get a weird yellowy tint to them. It's subtle though, but once I noticed it I can't not see it. My phone doesn't pick it up though. 

[neurotix]

Fiancee's GMMK v2 fullsize.

 

 

Changed keycaps to XVX Great Wave Off Kanagawa. Switches changed from Box White to Box Navy. Has WASD blue o-rings.

 

Only two keys didn't work and had bent pins; I had 6 extra.

[SoloCamo]

I just realized I've had my first mechanical keyboard since 2019...  Don't laugh but it's been rock solid and I don't treat my boards nicely.

 

Redragon K551 MITRA  - Full size, RED LED only (no rgb) - Outemu Blue switches, changed some keycaps over the years and did the o-ring mod on the keys to quiet it slightly. 

 

 

 

Finally retired it and picked up a Redragon K556 RGB which is basically a much heavier duty version (completely metal) of it with Outemu Brown switches instead.  Also no lip around the board so the switches are exposed and much easier to clean.

 

Yea, I know I'm the poor man's entry but after gaming on membrane boards these feel like luxury.  The brown switches are much nicer than the blues, and I've yet to find a red switch that I like. 

 

Also picked up a Magee 96% size keyboard for the GF to finally replace her MS membrane board.  Red switches but they are perfect for her use for typing / school work.  Ironically the RED switches they use feel heavy for reds but are just right as they are not overly sensitive. 

 

 

Side note, big fan of changing some keys to translucent / smoked but the problem I've found is they never seem to last.  Can anybody recommend a remotely budget friendly but reliable brand?  Realistically only replacing the WASD and Arrows.  Thanks.

 

Edited March 12 by SoloCamo

[neurotix]

3 hours ago, SoloCamo said:

Side note, big fan of changing some keys to translucent / smoked but the problem I've found is they never seem to last.  Can anybody recommend a remotely budget friendly but reliable brand?  Realistically only replacing the WASD and Arrows.  Thanks.

 

Are you talking about double shot shine through keycaps not lasting?

 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/YMDK/page/9C606D0B-C257-4976-AD49-2D0F8F1C19CD?ref_=ast_bln

 

Go there and search for keycaps. YMDK is cheap and pretty reliable over time. I have a set from them that I've had for at least 5 years and they're like new. They also have a ridiculous selection of colors.

 

Hope this helps.

Edited March 12 by neurotix

[SoloCamo]

  

35 minutes ago, neurotix said:

Are you talking about double shot shine through keycaps not lasting?

 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/YMDK/page/9C606D0B-C257-4976-AD49-2D0F8F1C19CD?ref_=ast_bln

 

Go there and search for keycaps. YMDK is cheap and pretty reliable over time. I have a set from them that I've had for at least 5 years and they're like new. They also have a ridiculous selection of colors.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

Thanks, these are the style I'm looking for.  All my prior ones from different brands seem to break the plastic on the part that goes onto the switch itself (a corner of it will chip off for example and then the key cap wobbles/falls off easily).

 

YMDK PC Translucent ZDA XDA v2 1.6mm Thickness Keycaps Shine Through 1X Keys for MX Mechanical Keyboard

Amazon.com

WWW.AMAZON.COM

 

Edited March 12 by SoloCamo

[neurotix]

That won't happen with those, but be gentler when you put them on maybe and you won't crack the stem.

Edited March 12 by neurotix

[neurotix]

So it's going to be a while, but I am doing yet another build as a surprise for my cousin. Currently she has a Cooler Master TKL with unbranded Red switches at home, and at work she has my old Corsair K70 Lux with MX reds in it. I figure it's time she had a real keyboard, so we bought:

 

Keychron K8 Pro white, RGB with aluminum

Redqin Cat Graffiti keycaps

WASD blue o-rings

Kailh Box Jade switches

 

Total was $233.

 

She'll be getting a real keyboard now, lol.

 

 

Edited March 12 by neurotix

[SoloCamo]

15 hours ago, neurotix said:

That won't happen with those, but be gentler when you put them on maybe and you won't crack the stem.

To be fair to them, it never broke initially and they did last a good 6 months or so on average.  Some are still fine after near a year.  Perhaps when I put the orings on I damaged them but unless the plastic had hairline cracks in it I missed I just don't see how.  Either way, link to them is below if you wanted to avoid it.

 

Brand was "Max Keyboard"

 

503 - Service Unavailable Error

WWW.AMAZON.COM

 

Edited March 13 by SoloCamo

[neurotix]

11 hours ago, SoloCamo said:

To be fair to them, it never broke initially and they did last a good 6 months or so on average.  Some are still fine after near a year.  Perhaps when I put the orings on I damaged them but unless the plastic had hairline cracks in it I missed I just don't see how.  Either way, link to them is below if you wanted to avoid it.

 

Brand was "Max Keyboard"

 

503 - Service Unavailable Error

WWW.AMAZON.COM

 

 

Yeah, I think those clear or semi-translucent keycaps are probably not PBT and maybe not even ABS. I've never used ones like that before, but am unsurprised to hear that they break.

 

I'll mention again that I have a set of YMDK keycaps that are PBT and I've had them since 2019 at least, possibly earlier. They held up well and none of them broke. Using blue O-Rings on them as well.

 

XVX is also a good keycap brand. Though, they seem to go by a couple different names, unsurprisingly for a Chinese company on Amazon.

 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/HITIME/page/808737FD-D838-4E23-A2A5-526F35EDB949?ref_=ast_bln

 

You'll see them referred to as XVX, SDYZ, and on their store page I linked, Hitime.

 

This link should go directly to keycaps:

 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/983981B9-9351-42A7-B369-F5129824FA50?ingress=2&visitId=1e1d6486-0797-4b83-b737-4f4805c456a1&ref_=ast_bln

 

Just search for XVX keycaps on Amazon and you'll see a ton of options. I've used XVX as well as YMDK. Here's my last board with two tone retro themed XVX PBT keycaps.

 

 

 

Edited March 14 by neurotix

[Supercrumpet]

On 11/03/2024 at 19:01, The Pook said:

Plan on buying "proper" key caps when I finally decide on what switches I want, but I already had these so I slapped them on. K8 Pro has south-facing LEDs and they're the only side-lit keycaps I have. YMDK Polar Gradient: 

 

 

Looks OK and the keycaps feel fine, but I'm not a fan of the font and the darker (top) keys have a weird tint on the shine-through portion. When I set it to white, the top rows get a weird yellowy tint to them. It's subtle though, but once I noticed it I can't not see it. My phone doesn't pick it up though. 

 

Updated!

 

On 11/03/2024 at 19:18, neurotix said:

Fiancee's GMMK v2 fullsize.

 

 

Changed keycaps to XVX Great Wave Off Kanagawa. Switches changed from Box White to Box Navy. Has WASD blue o-rings.

 

Only two keys didn't work and had bent pins; I had 6 extra.

 

Added!

 

On 12/03/2024 at 11:31, SoloCamo said:

I just realized I've had my first mechanical keyboard since 2019...  Don't laugh but it's been rock solid and I don't treat my boards nicely.

 

Redragon K551 MITRA  - Full size, RED LED only (no rgb) - Outemu Blue switches, changed some keycaps over the years and did the o-ring mod on the keys to quiet it slightly. 

 

 

 

Finally retired it and picked up a Redragon K556 RGB which is basically a much heavier duty version (completely metal) of it with Outemu Brown switches instead.  Also no lip around the board so the switches are exposed and much easier to clean.

 

Yea, I know I'm the poor man's entry but after gaming on membrane boards these feel like luxury.  The brown switches are much nicer than the blues, and I've yet to find a red switch that I like. 

 

Also picked up a Magee 96% size keyboard for the GF to finally replace her MS membrane board.  Red switches but they are perfect for her use for typing / school work.  Ironically the RED switches they use feel heavy for reds but are just right as they are not overly sensitive. 

 

 

Side note, big fan of changing some keys to translucent / smoked but the problem I've found is they never seem to last.  Can anybody recommend a remotely budget friendly but reliable brand?  Realistically only replacing the WASD and Arrows.  Thanks.

 

 

And added! Good on you for the 96%.

[The Pook]

23 minutes ago, Supercrumpet said:

 

Updated!

 

sweeeet, but they're Polar Day (Black/White), not Green 

[Supercrumpet]

On 15/03/2024 at 13:05, The Pook said:

 

sweeeet, but they're Polar Day (Black/White), not Green 

 

You know I think I typed the Gr of "gradient" and then my brain just autopiloted to the completely wrong word. Fixed lol.

[Section31]

On 13/03/2024 at 15:11, neurotix said:

 

Yeah, I think those clear or semi-translucent keycaps are probably not PBT and maybe not even ABS. I've never used ones like that before, but am unsurprised to hear that they break.

 

I'll mention again that I have a set of YMDK keycaps that are PBT and I've had them since 2019 at least, possibly earlier. They held up well and none of them broke. Using blue O-Rings on them as well.

 

XVX is also a good keycap brand. Though, they seem to go by a couple different names, unsurprisingly for a Chinese company on Amazon.

 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/HITIME/page/808737FD-D838-4E23-A2A5-526F35EDB949?ref_=ast_bln

 

You'll see them referred to as XVX, SDYZ, and on their store page I linked, Hitime.

 

This link should go directly to keycaps:

 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/983981B9-9351-42A7-B369-F5129824FA50?ingress=2&visitId=1e1d6486-0797-4b83-b737-4f4805c456a1&ref_=ast_bln

 

Just search for XVX keycaps on Amazon and you'll see a ton of options. I've used XVX as well as YMDK. Here's my last board with two tone retro themed XVX PBT keycaps.

 

 

 

xvx has its own site too.

 

The best deals are the china drop shipping and china vendors now. Shipping is 4-15usd using epacket small parcels (under 2kg).

 

Switches everyone after the hmx, bsun, cheap switches that can be bought off unikeys (its an chinese dropshipper with sales staff based in canada). Clickclack.io is the us version. Cheap good switches stock that don’t need lubing.

 

If your spending 200-250usd, you can buy neo/qk and cycle with keycaps included. Boards that have wireless, rgb and multiple mounting (gasket,top,oring) and can be plate (many options with foam or not) or plateless. Its pretty close to the expensive stuff and great colors too. Expected though as there premium brands are big names in custom scene.

Edited March 19 by Section31

[neurotix]

Keyboard for my cousin completed. Before and after.

 

 

 

Doesn't need to be added, but it's a Keychron K8 Pro with Box Jades and WASD blue o-rings. She's a huge cat lover and has two kittens, hence the keycap set.

[tictoc]

I got my new Model F77 in the mail today.  A few quick pics and I'll post some more info once I get it up and running.

 

I ordered the ultra compact case in addition to the traditional case, but I'll definitely be using the original style case.  It is a beautiful tank, weighing in at just under 9 lbs.  Last pic is just a comparison pic to my Unicomp Mini M.

 

 

[neurotix]

 

Sound test of the keyboard for my cousin.

 

Keychron K8 Pro

Kailh Box Jades

WASD blue o-rings

Cat themed keycaps (forget the brand)

[tictoc]

I have been using the F77 for the last few days, and it is a joy to type on.

 

 

Fit and finish is excellent.  No firmware issues, and everything worked without a hitch after adjusting the springs on a few keys. 

 

This is going to be my new daily driver, replacing the TKL Filco and the Unicomp Mini M that I have been using for the last 5 years. The obvious major difference between this board and a traditional TKL is the lack of function keys. I went with the HHKB layout, so having the split right shift makes this basically a non-issue for me.  My typical workflow doesn't make huge use of the function keys, so after a few days, I am mostly used to the lack of function keys.  I will be converting the Left Shift to a split key and then reprogramming a few things, prior to ordering a new set of keycaps.  

 

I might swap out the traditional case for the ultra compact case.  The ultra compact case is only a bit wider than my Filco TKL, so with the smaller case, I can keep the same neutral mouse position that I have grown accustomed to.  I really like the look of the traditional case, so I'm not sure which one I'll ultimately use.  I'm going to wait until I get the new keycaps, and then decide on which case to use.

[Supercrumpet]

12 hours ago, tictoc said:

I have been using the F77 for the last few days, and it is a joy to type on.

 

 

Fit and finish is excellent.  No firmware issues, and everything worked without a hitch after adjusting the springs on a few keys. 

 

This is going to be my new daily driver, replacing the TKL Filco and the Unicomp Mini M that I have been using for the last 5 years. The obvious major difference between this board and a traditional TKL is the lack of function keys. I went with the HHKB layout, so having the split right shift makes this basically a non-issue for me.  My typical workflow doesn't make huge use of the function keys, so after a few days, I am mostly used to the lack of function keys.  I will be converting the Left Shift to a split key and then reprogramming a few things, prior to ordering a new set of keycaps.  

 

I might swap out the traditional case for the ultra compact case.  The ultra compact case is only a bit wider than my Filco TKL, so with the smaller case, I can keep the same neutral mouse position that I have grown accustomed to.  I really like the look of the traditional case, so I'm not sure which one I'll ultimately use.  I'm going to wait until I get the new keycaps, and then decide on which case to use.

 

Added! Great to hear, now I definitely want one too haha.

[neurotix]

Kraken Keyboards calls this "shine through"

 

 

I know it kinda looks like the purple keys shine through but IRL they don't. So I ordered this set from YMDK:

 

Amazon.com

A.CO

Purple graident. They're supposed to come tomorrow so I'll put them on, though my back has been killing me lately so it might not be tomorrow.

 

 

[The Pook]

pretty much any keyboard with south facing LEDs (aka K8 Pro) is going struggle to shine through on keycaps.

 

my pudding and normal shine-through keycaps don't shine through great either because of it. that's why I'm using side print shine-through caps on mine.

[neurotix]

Hmm, we'll see when I put them on. Thanks. Fiancee will be upset if they aren't noticeably better...