[Recommend] Good Mechanical Keyboard

[purpleberry]

looking for a mech keyboard as a new user, so far seems like k4v2 suits my needs (office work 95%), especially with the compact numpad. any other similar keyboards from other makers?

How about this one? But price is double though

https://iqunix.store/products/f96-coral-sea-wireless-mechanical-keyboard

 

[nez]

Nah. Just careless. Bought a keyboard from the seller before. That one was hotswappable.
But wanted to buy another one for office use, didn't need the RGB, so bought the cheaper model.
Didn't read carefully and assumed it would support hotswap like the previous model.

Sad life. Now trying to sell those 2 keyboard kits away liao. Ya 2!!! Bought one for my fiancee also.

Unless someone wants to help me solder, or loan me the equipment to solder ><

Ahhh.... I can understand. I sometimes also never read carefully.

 

[tomb]

just got a keychron k4v2. when i switch back to desktop from laptop the keyboard seems to stop responding. no issue on the laptop. is it a bluetooth dongle problem?

 

[Extremme]

Is Armaggeddon MKA-9C decent? Thinking of getting one

Anyone heard of ROYAL KLUDGE?

 

[purpleberry]

just got a keychron k4v2. when i switch back to desktop from laptop the keyboard seems to stop responding. no issue on the laptop. is it a bluetooth dongle problem?

Yes quite likely the bluetooth dongle. Have you tried updating the drivers? Can try those cheap USB dongles at aliexpress. Mine works fine.

 

[tomb]

Yes quite likely the bluetooth dongle. Have you tried updating the drivers? Can try those cheap USB dongles at aliexpress. Mine works fine.

already updated to latest drivers. can't seem to get hold of the manufacturer's driver. mine is the oem 'v5.0' one from shopee. i have ordered another one with better reviews to try.

edit: seemed to have solved the issue by uninstalling the windows driver and installing the CSR driver provided by a seller on shopee. https://shopee.sg/-SG-LOCAL-SELLER-...-for-Laptop-and-Desktop-i.35062141.8915269840.
also, the keyboard has to be added using the CSR app instead of the windows bluetooth settings page. does not work after restart.

2nd edit: bought another llano USB Bluetooth 5.0 which works. this has a realtek chip. a broadcom one should also be ok.

 

[purpleberry]

already updated to latest drivers. can't seem to get hold of the manufacturer's driver. mine is the oem 'v5.0' one from shopee. i have ordered another one with better reviews to try.

In case it doesnt I am using my bluetooth 4.0 usb dongle with CSR drivers (https://solvedthat.com/csr-4-0-bluetooth-adapter-problem-solved-no-driver/)

 

[SkyScraper]

Anyone can recc me some 75%?
I like Drop CTRL but not sure we are able to buy.
the GMMK white ice also looks good.
too bad there is no GMMK pro maker here

 

[BlazE_]

Anyone have any recommendations for full sized or TKL keyboard that is good to type on and is good in general? Budget is maximum $200.

 

[t258jgn]

Anyone tried ASUS CLAYMORE II W.LESS MECHANICAL KEYBOARD ?

Good?

 

[purpleberry]

Anyone can recc me some 75%?
I like Drop CTRL but not sure we are able to buy.
the GMMK white ice also looks good.
too bad there is no GMMK pro maker here

Keychron quite popular here. Can check carousel also for those who changed their minds.

Anyone have any recommendations for full sized or TKL keyboard that is good to type on and is good in general? Budget is maximum $200.

Without the bling, i highly recommend Filco or Ducky. But if you prefer value and performance, maybe Keychron fits the bill.

 

[FroztSpectre]

Manage to build my own custom keyboard liao, soldered everything myself.

Cost involved (Exclude Shipping):
Basic 104 keys Keyboard Kit (No switches and no Keycaps): ~$25SGD
110 Outemu Silent White switches: ~$22SGD
Keycaps Set: $28.02
Krytox GPL105 12grams: ~$5.30SGD
Krytox GPL205 G0 12grams: ~$5.70SGD
Acrylic stand + brushes for lubing switches: ~$6.60SGD
Band-aid: Free? use existing ones.

Finished Product:

Lubing keys:

Band-aid mod my stabilizers after clipping+lubing them:

My crap soldering skills:

Finished Product from Top-down view:

 

[SkyScraper]

Keychron quite popular here. Can check carousel also for those who changed their minds.


Without the bling, i highly recommend Filco or Ducky. But if you prefer value and performance, maybe Keychron fits the bill.

i preordered GMMK Pro =X

 

[Illusionist_85]

Manage to build my own custom keyboard liao, soldered everything myself.

Cost involved (Exclude Shipping):
Basic 104 keys Keyboard Kit (No switches and no Keycaps): ~$25SGD
110 Outemu Silent White switches: ~$22SGD
Keycaps Set: $28.02
Krytox GPL105 12grams: ~$5.30SGD
Krytox GPL205 G0 12grams: ~$5.70SGD
Acrylic stand + brushes for lubing switches: ~$6.60SGD
Band-aid: Free? use existing ones.

Finished Product:

Lubing keys:

Band-aid mod my stabilizers after clipping+lubing them:

My crap soldering skills:

Finished Product from Top-down view:

where u get the keycaps? thinking to using them on my filco

 

[FroztSpectre]

where u get the keycaps? thinking to using them on my filco

https://www.lazada.sg/products/i105...mp=1&spm=spm=a2o42.order_details.item_title.1
Can be found on Taobao also, for RMB119.
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?sp...GNw2p&id=620818010923&ns=1&abbucket=12#detail

 

[melvin2000]

Manage to build my own custom keyboard liao, soldered everything myself.

Cost involved (Exclude Shipping):
Basic 104 keys Keyboard Kit (No switches and no Keycaps): ~$25SGD
110 Outemu Silent White switches: ~$22SGD
Keycaps Set: $28.02
Krytox GPL105 12grams: ~$5.30SGD
Krytox GPL205 G0 12grams: ~$5.70SGD
Acrylic stand + brushes for lubing switches: ~$6.60SGD
Band-aid: Free? use existing ones.

Finished Product:

Lubing keys:

Band-aid mod my stabilizers after clipping+lubing them:

My crap soldering skills:

Finished Product from Top-down view:

bro the keyboard looks fantastic. currently running a tecware phantom default out of box, not a fan of how clicky the brown switch are and i would love to customize it as well...am a total noob at this kind of things, can you point me in the right direction of where to find someone to build it for me? alternatively will totally pay you to help me cause my house not convenient to DIY...txtx

 

[FroztSpectre]

bro the keyboard looks fantastic. currently running a tecware phantom default out of box, not a fan of how clicky the brown switch are and i would love to customize it as well...am a total noob at this kind of things, can you point me in the right direction of where to find someone to build it for me? alternatively will totally pay you to help me cause my house not convenient to DIY...txtx

I started off with modding hotswappable pre-builts as well.
Tecware Phantom is hotswappable, so can do mods easily. Don't need to solder anything.

First 2 things which are easily do-able for a start
1) Swapping switches
2) Keycaps

I believe Tecware Phantom (non-elite) only can use Outemu Switches (CAN'T CONFIRM AH, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH TO CONFIRM). So you can consider buying some of those switches, and swapping your existing ones out. Then just sell those used outemu browns on Carousell (that's what i did). Since it's hotswappable, you can just use a key switch puller and puller those switches out, and plug the new ones inside. Just like Lego. If Tecware Phantom (Non-Elite) can use other switches like Gateron/Kailh, then you have more options available liao.

Outemu switches are the budget clones of Cherry MX, so don't expect top-notch quality switches. Other than the standard Outemu Red/Blue/Red/Blacks, there are also alot of Outemu (ICE, Silent Forest, Silent Greys/Whites etc), just got to do your own research and see what you like, and buy them. You mention you don't like the "clicky" feel of Browns, i assumed you mean the tactility of the browns, where there is a slight "bump" when pressing down the keys. Clicky switches would be like Blues, where there is a "bump" and a audible "click" once you press past the "bump". In that case, you might be better of purchasing Linear switches, like Reds/Blacks. Outemu Silent Whites would be a decent option (the one i'm using), it's Linear and quiet. But the downside is that it's also slightly mushy. Just keep a lookout for Linear switches, and try to look for reviews and the sound profile or something.

Keycaps is the most simple, just go online and buy whatever keycaps you like. Got many designs and profiles, SA/XDA/OEM/Cherry etc. See here for a overview. Plug out existing keycaps and just plug back in the new ones.

Once you're satisfied with those, can move to the next level, which usually require more work.
1) Lubing Switches
2) Inserting sound dampening foams. (Inserting is easy, but you gotta first disassemble the keyboard)
3) Clipping+Lubing+Band-aid modding stabilizers

See YouTube video below, but ignore the O-Ring mods. IMO O-Ring mods are horrible for Mech Keyboards. You got a mech keyboard for the mech keyboard key feel, adding O-Rings makes it mushy, just like a membrane keyboard. No point buying a mech keyboard and purposely making it feel like a membrane keyboard.

Another one

 

[kaemi123]

I believe Tecware Phantom (non-elite) only can use Outemu Switches (CAN'T CONFIRM AH, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH TO CONFIRM).

Seems like they can take other switches too

 

[FroztSpectre]

Seems like they can take other switches too

Must see carefully, he "clipped" the switch pins to make it flatter, so it can fit into the hotswap socket.

 

[jonnyboy91]

Recently build this after getting my first ever Group Buy keyboard kit after like 6 months.

Buid Specs
Keyboard Kit: The Mark: 65 by Boardsouce
Switches: Gateron Black Ink V2 (Deskey Filmed + Lube with Krytox 205g0)
*Switch spring swap to SPRit MX Slow II Extreme 65s Spring + Lube with Krytox 105)*
Plate: FR4 Plate
Stabilizers: C³ Equalz Screw-in Stabs V2 (Lube with Krytox 205g0 + Holee Mod)
Keycaps: PBT Darling (GMK Darling Clone)