Mechanical Keyboard Corner

Can’t keep up with this thread but perhaps you can help a poor noobie.

My Logitech is dropping led colors… among other faults.

Wish list:

  • full ten keys
  • red switches?
  • corded
  • individual RGB
  • only backlit legend - not under the keys!
  • hardware save that works, I don’t want to have any software running because they all suck.
  • budget but not trash

Can’t order through ashkeebs (I guess just for Canada).

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They also make you buy the case upper/lower on one page, then PCB and other parts from another page…

qwertykeys is still saying check back in 3 hours. There is also a password prompt…

I know they say unlimited but I’m skeptical.

Its why I must have VIA from now on- software I’m familiar with- easy to use, and make a standard across what could be a growing inventory of keebs.

I’m not very versed on the wide spectrum of keebs, and some of your lines I’m not sure what they mean. Individual RGB but not under the keys? No software, not even VIA (VIA doesn’t run at all times, just when you are programming the board).

I suppose there are some custom keebs out there that have firmware that is “as is” and does not use software. There are ‘turn key’ keebs on Amazon that don’t have to be used with their software if you like how the hot keys already work. Brands like:
RK Royal Kludge
Keychron
Epomaker

Those are good entry custom keebs, you can just plug in and go. You can usually mod them to an extent too- open them up and do foam mods, PE foam, tiny orings on the stand-offs, hot swap so its easy to change switches etc. One hazard is those more ‘entry’ boards typically have north facing RGB which dictates orientation of the switch which then causes interference issues with cherry profile keycaps. I believe brands do this as its a more optimum RGB location from a lighting perspective. Then the more enthusiast level boards typically have south facing to avoid the interference at the cost of optimal lighting. Finally switches are starting to adapt to this so it just doesn’t matter- the new Gat Oil Kings can go either orientation and not interfere with cherry keycaps.

In fact I think I could get a board with no lighting at all. My current Tofu setup the light only comes one temporarily and where I type and its just plain white. I like dim solid color lighting if any lighting at all.

Their discord said they have the site down while testing product pages. I think it’s not officially supposed to start until another half hour. The site is up now, but with no product pages for the QK65. The old Qk65 page ‘doesn’t exist’ at this point:
https://www.qwertykeys.com/products/qk65-keyboard

The group buy is going to run through June 24th.

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Its LIVE!

OMG, I can’t handle all of the color combos, I’m so indecisive.

Oh and Bluetooth hotswap PCB? VIA is good with bluetooth?!?

Pulling my hair out here even though there isn’t a rush: I went with e-white top with golden bottom. Looks good on screen and in reviews but at the same time I’m kind of cringing thinking of it on my desk… Then Bluetooth hotswap, last I checked long ago is that VIA does support a number of BT PCBs so its exciting if this goes smooth. POM plate.

Chroma was suuuuper tempting. Also something more modest like black. If I really don’t like golden I guess I can always rattle can it haha.

As people in reviews mentioned, all that plus shipping really adds up, but still a good price in the custom keeb game.

Order is done…

Build goal is to then throw in the Boba switches I have and a black keycap set.

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Via is ok - not every boot though.
Light shines through the caps - not below them on the plate. - Look at Logitech keebs.

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Oof, just through keycaps is rare IMO, you might be limited to razor, Corsair, Logitech type brands.

I know some are not convinced by the sleeved coiled cables as they are not soft and compliant like the old IBM style ones. They are more for style than use.

Well i stumbled across these, they look to be soft old style coiled cables just in USB-A to C

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/1005003796667356.html

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Zap makes custom ones which is what I have (arrived this week in fact).

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Anyone have a recommendation for a numpad that is VIA/QMK compatible? I am planning on picking up a Keychron K8 pro when they release and want a numpad for my desk when I am working at home and my laptop is docked. Preferably hotswap switches so I can match them to the keyboard.

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I originally bought this board to harvest the keycaps, but I ended up like it after some mods. So I stuck an artisan on it and it’s my office daily driver.

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What board is it?

It’s the Keynovo (yes, very original lol) IF98.

Have you seen this yet?

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His reaction lol

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Nice, I like what @infinitevalence linked but a good thing with keychron is it will be in stock.

Oh, that’s a brilliant idea.

So a classic gmk drop, I guess this is a great price as well? ($79)

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I have built two Mechwild keyboards and i find them fun to build but my daily is a Keychron because my K4v2 is a better fit for me.

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