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
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.
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
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.
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.