i-rocks K76M Fun review (i-rocks clicky)
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- Опубликовано: 3 дек 2020
- Skip to 10:32 for a typing demonstration.
Today we review the rather crazy i-rocks K76M Fun keyboard - a weird LEGO-compatible keyboard with Alps-inspired switches. Hope you enjoy the video! :)
Intro by Kyle Carter
Outro by Facundo Cabanne
My keyboard reviews: bit.ly/1TbOtft
My switch teardowns: bit.ly/2C1QGHz
My TOP X videos: bit.ly/2FmpZfd
My XL typing demos: bit.ly/2OoAW3w
My tutorials and featurettes: bit.ly/2OrkLUh
My unboxing videos: bit.ly/2TSrr0m
I'm Thomas and I do videos and reviews on mechanical keyboards ranging from the most sickening modern RGB gaming keyboards to vintage hardware relics, or sometimes keycaps or keyswitches ranging from Cherry MX to Alps SKCM to IBM buckling springs and anything in between.
Follow me on Twitter for updates on my keyboard videos! / chyrosran22
The practice sentence was: "Hello my name is Thomas and I'm typing on an i-rocks keyboard right now. I don't know if the name is actually in camelcase, but even if it is I refuse to write it like that!" 
Наука
The way the lego pegs are NOT aligned on a grid is freaking me out
Yea same. Im not even one of those self diagnosed OCD ppl, it just looks really dumb
yeah that's a put off for me. it looks like shit with them not being alligned
Me too. But now that I thought about it, the key caps doesn't align with the stud placing. So it's either that some of the studs get chopped in half or slide them over a bit. I think they chose the latter for more mount points
hi jappadekappa
The lego studs aren't even lined up properly in a lot of places. This would be horrible to build on.
THANK you!
I want to hear a sound test of this with the dampeners removed.
I second this
+1 for this please @Chyrosran22! Similar to how you could replace the Stem from Dampened ALPS to non-dampened ones (or vice versa), I'd think taking out the dampeners would be interesting to see at the very least the feel & sound produced from the i-rocks design for a non-silent board. If it turns out to sound & feel at least 80% of Complicated White ALPS then it might be an interesting switch to try out besides the BOX Clickies
@chenlele Oh yeah forgot he mentioned that in the review. Damn. Welp I guess either I'll need to wait for someone to review it or buy the Tactile version myself to find out then. I'll update if I finally buy the board and review it to this thread and post a separate comment about it
They sound like linears with a broken leaf
i agree. the opposite test would also be useful - a comparison with o-ring modded mx blues, which don't rattle like that (6:30)
As you built up the switch's history I was thinking there might be hope to purchase a modern switch that actually approaches the sound of blue alps. And then I heard it...
fr, it sounds even worse than blues some fucking how imo. That shite should be considered heresy.
@@Uncasted honestly a clicky switch with dampeners aren't so much of a good idea in hindsight
@@yanguYT I mean yeah it kinda defeats the whole purpose of a clicky switch in the first place.
sounds like...modern? and the same GD muted sound modern at that! ugh. There's a place in the world for loud af keyboards! just as a novel, and fun, add on, for instance is a perfectly legitimate reason to want your kb loud. IMO.
The i-Rocks board sounds a bit like the spring hinge of the Nintendo Entertainment System.
I actually have one of these, the super light clicky version with a white case. They’re really an interesting specimen.
hi osu player big fan
Hi EB3K
@@jappadekappa2511 hi jappadekappa
@@jappadekappa2511 hi jappadekappa
@@jappadekappa2511 hi jappadekappa
People talking about corpse's voice I don't think they know the original corpse
nah corse is knock off chyrosan tbh. corpse voice is too harsh
chyrosan's voice is epic
among us video when
Corpse and Chyrosan sound way different in my opinion, but since both of them have a low and calming voice people tend to compare them.
@@CarthagoMike yee
Probably not the most personally useful keyboard channel due to the insane amount of switches I didn't know about/can't access, BUT my new favorite channel due to the sheer in-depthness of switch analysis.
These might be apls-inspired but they squeak worse than the cheapest Chinese MX clone switch (at least to me).
THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING! IT'S EAR PIERCING !
@@robotdowning963 The last time I heard something remotely close to these levels of squeakiness it was a spring from a ball pen and it was corroded, but even that was infinitely better.
As someone who isn't nearly as picky as a lot of people and happily used MX Blues for years, these sound fucking unbearable like christ.
I genuinely don't understand how they made it sound so tinny and squeaky.
And worse, since they are a bitch to reconstruct, applying any kind of lube is out of the question as well.
Am I the only one who think this is at least bearable clicky switch that don't make my neighbors hate me when I type? They dont have that much of a noise as other clicky switch
At this point, it's almost as if companies refuse to recreate "complicated" Alps.
Well if that's their reason they could at least remake Model M switches, as those are very simple.
@@lost4468yt unicomp is making Model M and Model F replicas. The system might be easy, but the tolerances are pretty tight otherwise you would have extremely inconsistent results.
@@marcusrauch4223 Unicomp is an incredibly unimaginative and boring company though, and they don't even understand PR. They're just making lower quality uglier Model M clones (no they don't make Model F's as far as I can tell) for a price comparable to what you can buy a real Model M for...
Unicomp (or someone else) should modularise the switch, get a better logo, then build actually modern looking keyboards with actually nice looking plastics (look how horrible their Model M cases look). Or make vintage looking keyboard that actually look vintage. At the moment they have the worst of both worlds.
Also which part of a Model M do you think needs very tight tolerances? Because I can't think of any part in them that does. I've bolt modded them before and there's really no part that would need a tolerance that's tighter than a Cherry MX switch. Remember that the Model M switch was basically built down to a price, it was designed to be very cheap.
@@lost4468yt if you search new model F, you'll find the new model f's being made. I have one, it's pretty damn great
@@howdy2053 Yeah, but those aren't made by Unicomp.
is it just me or do the i-rocks sound really "scratchy"?
Yes!
I would definitely like to see a review of the tactical ones to see how they compare to brown alps
I own a K76M blue switch, which I recently try to modify the switch to fit my preference.
I also faced the challenge of re-assembling the switch at first, but soon found out that this switch is built by top-down approach, while Cherry MX is built by bottom-up approach.
For this switch, as the clear cap can hold all components in place, it is better pushing the cap up to a flipped PCB, than pushing downwards from top like Cherry MX - It is not that difficult, just need some more time to finish.
Apart from some broken switches/stabs, these may be the worst-sounding switches I've ever heard. I just pulled out a lubed silenced Sorbothaned 55g Topre board out of its storage box and did some emergency typing tests to stop my ears bleeding.
Would love to hear a test of the tactile version of these switches. Unfortunately these clickies don't stand up at all to click bars or true alps. I love the lego compatible case though, it's such a cool idea!
Cool switch. Insane keyboard design.
The fact that these switches are dampened and clicky kinda makes them sound like the razer ornata
His voice is so relaxing I was completely unprepared for the tidal wave of unfiltered cussing and blunt opinions
I really hope that companies make more alps related keyboards in the future. I have matias and not quite like complicated alps but feels better than cherry or cherry clones.
heard they've got new products coming, maybe they'll finally have decent reliability
Your voice is very deep and calm
I love the 7:26 moment "where are supposed to be the buttons on this keyboard?"
review outemu blue low profile pls, outemu using snap spring for the switch
i have a keyboard with them and they are very fast and clicky
Hope you get to check out the Brixty Four one day. A Commodore with a mechanical keyboard made entirely out of legos, even the keycaps.
So when are you reviewing this ergo monstrosity? I got hyped up by the unboxing.
Just from the thumbnail I can tell this one is gonna be fun
My question is can you pull the switch out and use them on another alps compatible board
I really like the outro
You think you can do a review on switches called Forest switches? I never heard of them until now to be honest.
Still waiting for that Keyboardio Atreus video. It's a board that's so small, even ergo nerds like me need to consider new input paradigms. By which I mean I found it unusable until I slapped combos onto it, then I could play WoW on it. Good luck with the default keymap, it sucks.
damned I just realised that I synchronised my hiddeouss reaction with you while watching the video ! :)
You could probably build some mechanisms with lego technics that enable you to press extra keys, sort of like the N-control Avenger.
My biggest problem with that keyboard is the top plate not having the Leading Contruction Block Brand Compatible studs NOT on a proper grid. They could've had the lock lights come out transparent studs if they'd tried a little bit harder as well, that could've looked neat.
Spirit of the Old School lives only in contactless switches.
I already have this keyboard(white version) +not bad keyboard!
Disadvantage: Fewer LED options+It's a little loose when you fit Lego
I saw tons of K76M with cherry switches, but first time to see alps clone one. lol
hello, have you heard about the outemu snap spring. it would be nice if you review it.
this rocks
I would LOVE a Lego top plate mechanical keyboard. I can have various figures or vehicles mounted on top such as my Star Wars themed sets from 1997
Love this
Hi there. I think I asked this before, but would you recommend me buying the Razer blackwidow 2019 edition? My old mechanical keyboard which had the outemu blue switch got Water spilled on it and I'm looking for an upgrade. Currently it's about $100 where I live in in and if you think that there is a cheaper alternative please let me know.
How do they sound with the dampeners removed? The click noise itself actually sounds similar to the click of alps switches imo but except for the bottom out. I bet once the dampeners are removed they would probably sound much better.
Honestly I didn't find alps switches to have a particularly low pitched click, but rather the deep bottom out noise really makes the "alps sound" that everyone loves.
How do you clean your keyboard keys? Mine never seem to come out very nice. Either splotchy or still a little greasy.
My Rosewill Illuminated Mechanical Gaming Keyboard RK-9300 has similar looking keycaps, (however it has Cherry MX Blues).
Here's the link to it on Amazon if you are curious: us.amazon.com/dp/B01N7LEO6X/ref=dp_cerb_2
I think it would be nice if you revieved the gateron yellows some time, they are extremely hyped up by the "custom" keyboard people, and i really wonder what you think of them, because they seem too good to be true from some things that people are claiming about them.
Tbh the weighting sounds pretty nice for a contact-based switch. But I only have one or two loose ones, so I can't tell.
Love the vid!
3:00 😂
I assembled what I guess are dampened clicky switches by modding Matias clicky switches with dampened silent stems. They sound *WAY* better than the i-rocks, though not as nice as blue alps. I messed up the project by constantly poking away at it, experimenting with bending the plates and using Krytox (generously) to lube everything. Ultimately I damaged the board with a soldering iron. There is not much consistency between the switches as a result, but they still sound and feel nice.
Alps blue still sounded best. Now it is zeal chance to become new alps. Looking forward
Btw is it that hard to change alps tp mx stem and leave everything as is on alps...
Lego top is a great idea: easy to customise the look. It would rhyme better with a hot-swap keyboard though. :)
Do you happen to have the variant of the board with Brown/Tactile version @Chyrosan22?
I'm seeing that it's available on Amazon and would like to know whether tactility/feel wise it is comparable to at least something like the Tactile SMK-s, or perhaps (hopefully but highly unlikely) mimicking the feeling of Orange ALPS?
Cuz if it does then future development of switched with similar designs might hopefully be a great alternative to the 'hack-job' Holy Pandas (& clones) that are flooding the recent Mech Keyboards (in particular r/mk) community right now, and perhaps finally provide a great diversity for Tactile Users out there.
EDIT: Fixed formatting for easier Read
So this switch removed all but the highest pitch and piercing frequency...?
I think a lot of the shortcomings come from the fact that they're dampened. Clicky switches benefit from a thocky bottom out. I'd be curious to see how they hold up with the dampeners removed.
I think you'll like the non-RGB version more, it has macro keys which don't need software to program.
IMHO the Lego thing is arguably a bonus, and if the switches fit in an Alps mounting-plate, then presumably one could install Matias switches and roll that way.
I must admit, I do like the lego-look visuals.
But the pegs not being in a grid is really annoying.
They might have done that to prevent copyright issues with Lego though.
I'm honestly shocked no company has really tried to clone complicated ALPS switches yet, especially when you consider the status they have in the community. I'm guessing that cost is likely a factor in that or they just think there isn't enough interest. I mean they could do a literal carbon copy but just use an MX mount slider.
Do you know if the switches can be salvaged from the board and maybe fit a Alps pcb or a MX pcb?
Probably, the actual connection to the board bit is pretty consistent
I'd be curious about the linear ones.
How do these stand up to Mathias switches?
Can you buy these switches loose anywhere?
well damn, I have a lego phone holder taped to my k95, this would've made the job easier.
surprised that there is isn't a thin sheet of rubber behind the click leaf. If you want to dampen the switch, why only dampen the stem?
I overcooked my eggs this morning, but that's alright, because...keyboard. The out-of-matrix Lego studs make me feel like I have a horrible brain disease, especially that tiny misalignment in the column right next to the alpha block. Also those raspy springs, pbleeeuuuurgh!!
Those keycaps look the exact same as my old velocifire budget board that costs $30, and even velocifire upgraded their caps to something better since then, and i only paid $20 for the new style board.
i think the dampening kills the sound. so much of the alps sound comes from the bottom out, so dampening that...i think it might have been an effort to provide the most pure click possible, but man it just sounds so pitiful
Noticed the same thing. ALPS clickies produces its signature full meaty sound because of the way it combines the clicks and the clacks. The clacks are the reason why even linear and tactile ALPS sound so full and complex. The dampening basically strips away an entire dimension to the sound, and makes it impossible for this switch to compare to even simplified ALPS. If only someone were willing to go through the trouble of cutting off those rubber dampeners in every switch to see if that can bring back the extra sound dimension that this switch so desperately needs.
God that acer board is a symphony
Now thats an Alps clone I hadn't heard of, thanks for covering it. Poor design is probably cursed, how have no good clones shown up yet?
it sounds crazy scratchy in the typing demo. you don't mention that property at all in the review though - good or bad. how's that part of the feel, is it just the sound?
Damm! I wish these were better they could have been good candidates to be swapped to a vintage Alps boards.
I’m not super into keyboards but is anyone building clone alps it seems like a lot of people want it but it must be like expensive to make or something
I think the dampened switch is because it's for office use. In Taiwan (i-rocks is from there), your office seat is usually small and too closed to colleagues. The keyboard typing sound should not be too loud. i-rocks compromised to this feature.
You can hear the sound without the O-ring here (I-rocks official)
ruclips.net/video/gjyp-WpxyqM/видео.html
imagine the amount of dust and dirt that can collect between those lego pegs, and then how to clean this.
i dont think the cherry mx sounds at all good. but i do think that this keyboard sounds different. It's quiet but it sounds audibly crispy sounding for some reason. I dont really mind it because to me the sound of pressing keyboard switches to me is not such a thing to be sensitive over. in volume and relative intensity, I wouldn't find it as repulsing if the noise isn't going directly in my ears through a pair of in ear headphones that are particularly tuned to the tinny side. It certainly sounds interesting to me though. Im curious not only what it would sound like in different chassis and especially different keycaps, but it would also be interesting to see what it would sound like if the space bar was a split key keyboard or a not as wide sized one.
At first I was kind of feeling like the sounds of the keyboard is kind of weak, but then it hit me...it kind of sounds like the micro-switches in a high-quality arcade joystick. Once that hit me, the sound kind of grew on me. I don't think I would hate those switches at all. The sound is definitely different compared to other keyboard sounds, but I think that's what makes it special. That said: everything else about the keyboard seems pretty bad.
Thumbnail made the switches look like ice cubes heh
ah yesssss. brick keyboard
That sound is just... heartbreaking...
These fonts looks more acceptable than a lot of other "gamer" font out there. It is used multiple times, agree, but doesn't look that bad imo
I think the 2010 Razer Blackwidow is the best sounding Cherry MX blue keyboard. The Lego keyboard chassis thing looks like something my children might appreciate.....but I don't think that is worth the cost of the I-rocks....
I wonder it would be better or not if these switches were mounted on a proper Alps chassis... If they are compatible xD
The lego studs really makes this thing appeal to costomization fans
It sounds like an MX Green with thick O rings
Coreteks has a second channel?
haha I'm typing on those exact key caps right now, they came with my Glorious GMMK. Please pity me.
Looks like the sorta keyboard that would hurt to step on.
Great review! What a waste! All that over engineering and money to create a subpar product. I call this a fail. For some reason, manufacturers still don't get it. They really don't understand the mechanical keyboard market. The dampeners and the frilliness speaks volumes.
Btw, will you be doing a review of the Nyogel for Alps switches? I've been reading some good things about it on Deskthority and would love to know your thoughts as you are one of the few who truly get it.
Or in imperial "dampers"
You can't fool me corpse!!!
They sound a bit like slowly pressing my creaky mx speeds
These switches sound like a robotic spider walking around, with a proper chassis they could be a good build.
anybody knows where can i buy i-rocks k89m ? yes split ergonomic keyboard .. dont judge me ;p
The dampeners are a pretty self-defeating idea, and not just because of the inherent contradiction of dampening a clicky switch. I mean, an entire dimension of a switch's sound is the clack, so how did alps.tw or irocks not realize that dampening the clicky switch would make them sound hollow and tinny compared to even simplified ALPS? The click leaf looks about the right size to produce a deeper sort of click compared to the thin mantis foot clones, but the dampening is really just shooting themselves in the foot. Not to mention that if they really wanted to keep costs down, they should've just saved on the rubber. It's doubly disappointing given that I live in a part of the world where it might be possible to get ahold of one of these reasonably easily.
3:02 cracked me up
Skip to 10:32 for a typing demonstration.
Hint: Look at this video's description.
Whats the point of a dampened clicky switch
10:32
I think they'd probably sound a lot better without the dampeners.
Thank you for the christmas present idea. My partner will love this.
I appreciate LEGO and such to a certain extent because I grew up with it but why would you make a keyboard case out of it? It just feels hacky and I can't imagine it feeling it good since stepping on a LEGO was quite painful if I remember correctly!
those sound so scratchy, ouch
father chyrosran22, I have arrived to watch your video.