Yep that was my first thought as well when this trend of budget boards coming with a billion different different mounting styles started. Never gonna nail one mounting method down perfectly if you have to focus on 15 others in the same package.
@@tanishreddygottimukkula4922 Yeah even not being a big of the 75% form factor I think if I had to choose between the two I'd go for the Zoom 75 since it it does it's one mounting style (isolation gasket mount) decently well. I watched Apiary's stream when she built the 65 & some of the mounting styles seemed on the edge of unusability like the magnetic levitation mount. That said I don't think the Zoom 65 is a bad keyboard by any means. I'd just expect it to not be a great example of any of the mounting types & not have the best sound since it got so much going on under the hood.
Looks like it has some cool customization, but I would also like to see it in a 75 version. As a (only slightly bitter) Zoom75 owner, I would say most people don't have to worry about having too many options. If it's like most of Meletrix's other boards, the whole group buy nonsense means 90% of the options will be sold out for eternity, or locked into panicked group buys from 3rd party sellers where stock evaporates in a couple hours.... oh, and the $20+ shipping for an $8 part if you have to buy direct. I bought the Zoom75 partially because of all the customization I was looking forward to playing with. So far after owning it for a close a year I have managed to get a single backplate I wanted to try. Every other thing I want is sold out always from any vendors I can find at least, including direct from Meletrix. I got the E-white version and the knob came damaged. I still don't have a replacement as the E-White knob has never been in stock anywhere. Even emails to Meletrix directly were just "it's out of stock." Maybe if you're used to or enjoy the group buy game it's fine, but I feel like there should be a PSA NOT to count on customizing your board with anything that doesn't come with it.
I’m sceptical about its benefits though. It seems that when you press hard it will collapse and crash into the opposite magnets which is not a soft dampened feeling. The magnetic force is also not linear (it’s getting stiff way too quickly as you apply pressure). I wish this mount was explored more in this video.
My favorite thing about the Zoom series is the color combinations/knob, now they went overload with the mounting options too lmao. Can't wait for the GB!
Meletrix boards are just too high on the front for me and I don’t like using a wrist rest. Consider yourselves warned. Other than that one flaw for me personally they are great.
Not sure about being entry level, I have a Zoom75, with a few different plates to swap out. The biggest issue I have with Meletrix is that I have to make adjustments to the stabilizers all the time to prevent keycaps being stuck.
@@64BBernard .i have 3 Zoom 98's and a Zoom 75. When caps stuck 90% of the time the guide pins were not aligned properly when attaching the the top portion. You have to hold the PCB down somewhat until you get the top fully on. The only other thing that could cause key stick would be over lubed stabs or the stabs were not tightened properly. This user could be having a issue with the sculpt of his key caps? Not sure really. I have had zero issues with all four of my boards
Yeah I never thought mounting style would change the sound, unless it changes the height of the PCB and enlarges the space between the case and the PCB. Great video Scott! :) Wait I'm not done yet. Carry on, sir! **hits play**
Especially with such a small amount of room between the PCB & bottom case like this has. In fact watching Apiary's stream the other day she pointed out something really important that applies to almost all of the more recent budget boards like this. Almost all of them come with serval mounting styles, most of them to make the typing experience very soft, flexible, & bouncy. Yet none of them give enough space between the PCB & bottom case to allow for the movement they have. Then to make it even worse they all want you to use foam to fill that little bit of space you have for movement essentially neutralizing any & all benefit you'd get from a more flexible, bouncy mount.
I use a Mac, which doesn't make as heavy use of navigation buttons as Windows/Linux and prefers other keyboard shortcuts for those functions. Also, when I have my Mac hooked up to my external monitor and speakers, most of the F row functions are useless as well. So, with trying to get as small of a keyboard as possible, I end up with two choices: a 65% with a knob that I program to switch tracks and play/pause music rather than control volume, or a TLK FKL where I remap some of the navigation buttons to control my music. So when it comes to 65% keyboards, I think I would go with a Zoom65 with knob over a Neo65, but if throw in a Neo70 then it becomes a serious contender. Between the Neo70 and the Zoom65, which do you think might be better? Also, are there any other good TKL FKL keyboards out there? Most of the ones I've seen are either crazy expensive or much less convenient to customize than the Neo70.
I also forgot to mention that I would prefer to have my next keyboard support a stepped caps lock key because I tend to hit the full sized one accidentally a bit too often, and I also like to remap the caps lock key to esc and accidentally hitting esc can be worse than accidentally hitting caps lock. Zoom65 and Neo* keyboards do support it AFAIK.
The board sound fine with the "no" foam config even tho it was only 1.2mm flex cut pcb. I hope the 1.6mm pcb will deal a great impact on top mount sound
V2.5 is absolutely boss! Im running this as my main after spending a fair bit of money on it 🤣 ended up going with the husky linears, after chosing them over morandi's. looking forward to this!
Very comprehensive review and analyses! Love your video. My Zoom V3 is coming in Q4 2024. I will definitely be using your video as a reference when I build it!!!
This PCB is thin and has cuts so yeah, it’s flexible. The missing fact is that with the top mount it’s probably much LESS flexible when you press the keys closer to the edges of the board than in its center (the edges are fixed with screws, right?). I definitely would not like to have such major difference in the flex… top mount is supposed to be stiff and very stable.
I know it's weird. But to be honest, I hate the ball and catch 😂 it makes the bottom so hard to pick up. Also, I feel like it will make my kb scratch anytime. However, I must admit this makes changing build so much faster.
hi I'm looking for a deeper sound profile and was interested in the zoom v3, would you recommend 1.6 pcb and PC plate for this, which mounting style? planning on using boba u4t, and how would this compare to QK65 v2 in terms of what I'm looking for? thanks
How are the hotswap sockets? I have a Zoom 98 and a Pad and the sockets are incredibly fragile. Don't dare swap switches more than 4 or 5 times unless I want to futz around with sewing needles to bend the contacts back into place. Meanwhile my original Zoom TKL faces down any switch swap like a champ.
I was really curious about zoom65v3, thank you for the good review. It's not in the review But I'd like you to introduce the unbuild weight of keyboard. It's not easy to search and find out...T_T I'm a Korean who lacks English, so if you have time, please set up Korean subtitles!
tbh idt this keyboard is used for the true true enhusitests I think that this keeb is the transition between casual and enthusiast as you get the feel with different modules and mounting styles to tailor your preference
Been wanting to try a Meletrix / Zoom board for probably 18 months but just never have the extra $$$ when they are in stock. May try to get this one but at this point still leaning towards a QK65v2 but that's because I'm a QK fan, just can't help it.
I feel like Zooms are lagging behind :/ I don't know I kinda feel this was underwhelming in terms of look and of sound it's too bad! That screen module and all the other also just feel put there like an after thought for some reason
I think Group Buy starts June 12. I've seen companies listing items as "sold-out" before the sale starts. It might just be a place-holder on the website but it has the weird effect of stroking FOMO.
From a business perspective, I don’t see how this keyboard makes sense. The multiple mounting options are inexpensive and can be passed along to the customer because everyone gets them. But the different colors, weights and such each create a unique sku. That’s very expensive because it requires high inventory or long ship times. I don’t understand how they’ll survive.
that is 100% false. You don't have to I guess, there is a tiny tint amount on them. Page 4z of the instructions explains how to lube with 0105 and 0205 krytox and XHT-BDZ on the wire tips. Now, I am basing this on the the Zoom 98 and Zoom 75 because these cant be ordered until the 18 I think lol
It looks cool but 65% format with unknown latency is completely useless to me outside a tiny niche of casual fps gaming for which I would buy a Wooting instead. I find 75% or even better TKL/miniTKL to be a far more useful and better looking all-rounder layout. A Galaxy80 for example, top stuff.
so your not the only one guilty of saying this but, I hate when people say "1.6 for better sound" from a hobby that heavily relies on preference they're is really no way to say "better sound" and don't get me wrong I'm not a "1.2 flexcut foam simp". I love 1.6 without foam and foam and 1.2 flexcut boards offers a sound you just can't get from a 1.6. obviously I'm not alone in liking 1.2 foam builds but I don't want it to be pushed out as an option.
Maybe it's just me but I find the design of the Zoom 65 rather ugly. It looks chunky. Also, you can't do most of the combinations because they're based on the colors, weights, and badges. The only real meaningful things are the mounting methods and plates.
They essentially send me everything to emphasize flex and not sound with this sample. But I do agree that the neo boards do focus more on the core basics like sound, where this is full on customization
Just like every other zoom board they give these guys boards to review but never produce them. These “keyboard influencers” need to learn when to say no.
So... at 13:35 (the flex test), I screwed up the captions... it's supposed to be Coil Mount, then Pogo Mount, then Magnetic Mount... my bad!
Coil mount. Coil mount. Coil mount again? I started to get worried that i was tripping or something thanks for the notice.
Jack of all mounting styles, master of none
Yep that was my first thought as well when this trend of budget boards coming with a billion different different mounting styles started. Never gonna nail one mounting method down perfectly if you have to focus on 15 others in the same package.
@@robr640 would you rather get the zoom75 than this?
that couldn't of been said better
@@tanishreddygottimukkula4922 Yeah even not being a big of the 75% form factor I think if I had to choose between the two I'd go for the Zoom 75 since it it does it's one mounting style (isolation gasket mount) decently well. I watched Apiary's stream when she built the 65 & some of the mounting styles seemed on the edge of unusability like the magnetic levitation mount.
That said I don't think the Zoom 65 is a bad keyboard by any means. I'd just expect it to not be a great example of any of the mounting types & not have the best sound since it got so much going on under the hood.
@@robr640 what 75 percent board is ur top cuz I just want a knob lmfao
Looks like it has some cool customization, but I would also like to see it in a 75 version. As a (only slightly bitter) Zoom75 owner, I would say most people don't have to worry about having too many options. If it's like most of Meletrix's other boards, the whole group buy nonsense means 90% of the options will be sold out for eternity, or locked into panicked group buys from 3rd party sellers where stock evaporates in a couple hours.... oh, and the $20+ shipping for an $8 part if you have to buy direct.
I bought the Zoom75 partially because of all the customization I was looking forward to playing with. So far after owning it for a close a year I have managed to get a single backplate I wanted to try. Every other thing I want is sold out always from any vendors I can find at least, including direct from Meletrix. I got the E-white version and the knob came damaged. I still don't have a replacement as the E-White knob has never been in stock anywhere. Even emails to Meletrix directly were just "it's out of stock." Maybe if you're used to or enjoy the group buy game it's fine, but I feel like there should be a PSA NOT to count on customizing your board with anything that doesn't come with it.
Keyboard space starting to look like High End Audio market.
You know, a lot of people have been saying that lately haha
So, does that mean everyone becomes an insufferable asshole?
except the price tag part :)
Curious what you mean by this?
the magnetic gasket is so cool! your keyboard is basically levitating inside the case
I’m sceptical about its benefits though. It seems that when you press hard it will collapse and crash into the opposite magnets which is not a soft dampened feeling. The magnetic force is also not linear (it’s getting stiff way too quickly as you apply pressure). I wish this mount was explored more in this video.
My favorite thing about the Zoom series is the color combinations/knob, now they went overload with the mounting options too lmao. Can't wait for the GB!
I don't know what I'm expecting but they don't sound too different from some of the boards I own.
I think they focused mostly on customization and not pure sound
Meletrix boards are just too high on the front for me and I don’t like using a wrist rest. Consider yourselves warned. Other than that one flaw for me personally they are great.
The one reason I haven't tried any of their boards
Always appreciate your takes in this space - thank you 🌞
Not sure about being entry level, I have a Zoom75, with a few different plates to swap out. The biggest issue I have with Meletrix is that I have to make adjustments to the stabilizers all the time to prevent keycaps being stuck.
Is it the stabilizers themselves moving, or is it the pcb shifting in the case?
@@64BBernard .i have 3 Zoom 98's and a Zoom 75. When caps stuck 90% of the time the guide pins were not aligned properly when attaching the the top portion. You have to hold the PCB down somewhat until you get the top fully on. The only other thing that could cause key stick would be over lubed stabs or the stabs were not tightened properly. This user could be having a issue with the sculpt of his key caps? Not sure really. I have had zero issues with all four of my boards
@@thepopeofkeke yea the stupid stabs in the zoom65v3 fixes this I had a similar issue
Yeah I never thought mounting style would change the sound, unless it changes the height of the PCB and enlarges the space between the case and the PCB.
Great video Scott! :) Wait I'm not done yet. Carry on, sir! **hits play**
Especially with such a small amount of room between the PCB & bottom case like this has. In fact watching Apiary's stream the other day she pointed out something really important that applies to almost all of the more recent budget boards like this. Almost all of them come with serval mounting styles, most of them to make the typing experience very soft, flexible, & bouncy. Yet none of them give enough space between the PCB & bottom case to allow for the movement they have. Then to make it even worse they all want you to use foam to fill that little bit of space you have for movement essentially neutralizing any & all benefit you'd get from a more flexible, bouncy mount.
Yup! Only thing that actually changed it really was when the mount changed the contact points from the plate to pcb
I use a Mac, which doesn't make as heavy use of navigation buttons as Windows/Linux and prefers other keyboard shortcuts for those functions. Also, when I have my Mac hooked up to my external monitor and speakers, most of the F row functions are useless as well. So, with trying to get as small of a keyboard as possible, I end up with two choices: a 65% with a knob that I program to switch tracks and play/pause music rather than control volume, or a TLK FKL where I remap some of the navigation buttons to control my music. So when it comes to 65% keyboards, I think I would go with a Zoom65 with knob over a Neo65, but if throw in a Neo70 then it becomes a serious contender. Between the Neo70 and the Zoom65, which do you think might be better? Also, are there any other good TKL FKL keyboards out there? Most of the ones I've seen are either crazy expensive or much less convenient to customize than the Neo70.
I also forgot to mention that I would prefer to have my next keyboard support a stepped caps lock key because I tend to hit the full sized one accidentally a bit too often, and I also like to remap the caps lock key to esc and accidentally hitting esc can be worse than accidentally hitting caps lock. Zoom65 and Neo* keyboards do support it AFAIK.
The board sound fine with the "no" foam config even tho it was only 1.2mm flex cut pcb. I hope the 1.6mm pcb will deal a great impact on top mount sound
I believe so as well. The 1.2mm pcb should be using the poron sheet to help Amp up the sound
Love your videos, can't wait for the group buy to start soon!
Thank you! It'll start soon from what I understand
V2.5 is absolutely boss! Im running this as my main after spending a fair bit of money on it 🤣 ended up going with the husky linears, after chosing them over morandi's. looking forward to this!
Over Morandi’s what?
@@DiabloMonk oh sorry, just realised what you meant. They honestly felt better. I did hand lube both
Very comprehensive review and analyses! Love your video. My Zoom V3 is coming in Q4 2024. I will definitely be using your video as a reference when I build it!!!
Screwless, modular and floating 👌
Js wondering does zoom 65 barebones come with stabs along with the foam, board, pcb and stuff?
The top mount flex test is actually crazy wtf it has more flex than my gasket mounted kb
This PCB is thin and has cuts so yeah, it’s flexible. The missing fact is that with the top mount it’s probably much LESS flexible when you press the keys closer to the edges of the board than in its center (the edges are fixed with screws, right?). I definitely would not like to have such major difference in the flex… top mount is supposed to be stiff and very stable.
I never get the need to use plate foam with soft plates, put a few switches in the plate before inserting them into the pcb and it should work fine.
wondering when the ball and catch release became so popular, been seeing them on a lot of keyboards
I know! It's like all of a sudden, bam everything has it...
was super revolutionary to me on the cycle 7 lol
It's honestly a game changer...had it on the Neo 80 for the first time and don't want to live without it anymore 😅
@@jeronwong8147 actually matrixlab implemented that on their older boards before cycle 7, like for example corsa
I thought they were pretty good until I lifted someones Neo80 at a meetup to see the bottom and it came apart in my hands 💀
Man, I love you Videos!
Thanks!
There are so many different ways to mount it! You must have had a hard time filming it.😊
I swear I drew up rough schematics for a magnetically mounted pcb like, last month. This happens a lot. I wonder if I should use this power..
I know it's weird. But to be honest, I hate the ball and catch 😂 it makes the bottom so hard to pick up. Also, I feel like it will make my kb scratch anytime. However, I must admit this makes changing build so much faster.
hi I'm looking for a deeper sound profile and was interested in the zoom v3, would you recommend 1.6 pcb and PC plate for this, which mounting style? planning on using boba u4t, and how would this compare to QK65 v2 in terms of what I'm looking for? thanks
How are the hotswap sockets? I have a Zoom 98 and a Pad and the sockets are incredibly fragile. Don't dare swap switches more than 4 or 5 times unless I want to futz around with sewing needles to bend the contacts back into place. Meanwhile my original Zoom TKL faces down any switch swap like a champ.
Kailh sockets in general these days...
i love the sound of meletriz zoom boards however i hate that you cannot change the typing angle
I was really curious about zoom65v3, thank you for the good review. It's not in the review
But I'd like you to introduce the unbuild weight of keyboard. It's not easy to search and find out...T_T
I'm a Korean who lacks English, so if you have time, please set up Korean subtitles!
ahhh I want it in a 75% form factor
Zoom75 v2 probably coming
TKL or compact MiniTKL would be even better, space for a knob there too.
Any new tkl in the market worth watching? My fav flavor is 65 but for work I'm exploring tkl. F row for excel.
I would look hard at the neo 80
tbh idt this keyboard is used for the true true enhusitests I think that this keeb is the transition between casual and enthusiast as you get the feel with different modules and mounting styles to tailor your preference
Excellent review man!
Thanks!
Been wanting to try a Meletrix / Zoom board for probably 18 months but just never have the extra $$$ when they are in stock. May try to get this one but at this point still leaning towards a QK65v2 but that's because I'm a QK fan, just can't help it.
I feel like Zooms are lagging behind :/ I don't know I kinda feel this was underwhelming in terms of look and of sound it's too bad! That screen module and all the other also just feel put there like an after thought for some reason
Is this better than the neo 65?
Am I missing something? Interested then check links sold out which seems to be the case with every keyboard.
I don't think the orders opened up yet!
@@Keybored oh okay thank you ignore me ha.
I think Group Buy starts June 12. I've seen companies listing items as "sold-out" before the sale starts. It might just be a place-holder on the website but it has the weird effect of stroking FOMO.
@@PeterZinstarts on the 18th now 🙂
From a business perspective, I don’t see how this keyboard makes sense. The multiple mounting options are inexpensive and can be passed along to the customer because everyone gets them. But the different colors, weights and such each create a unique sku. That’s very expensive because it requires high inventory or long ship times. I don’t understand how they’ll survive.
You have a great point here!
I can explain how for you. They sell out. Every time, like all of them completely gone in about 8 weeks per batch.
They sell out completely. Its insane
What would you pick between the zoom series and rainy75/nd75 in terms of sound and stabilisers?
I think the rainy/ND and this is slightly different. The rainy and ND are true entry while this focuses on heavy customization
In the flex section of the vid, I think you weren't able to change the caption for the other mounting styles. There were 3 coil springs shown.
Yeah :( I had to pin it in the comments... I was top eager to export
Oh, I didn't notice it was pinned. I went straight to watch your video. Awesome content, as always! ❤️
Is there support for 7u spacebar? Would be kinda silly to have all these customization options but no 7u bottom row
It does! And split space also
does the wood wrist rest come with the keyboard? If not can you please tell me where it can be purchased? thank you
It's a keychron!
Any issues with the magnets bottoming out? Or is that just never going to happen unless you're leaning on the keys?
Yeah it won't unless you're like really pushing it down... The magnets are actually crazy strong
@@Keyboredawesome, thanks! Someone posted a video on reddit of the bottom out sound, but it seems it's not really relevant in practical use 👍
Can I check what colour is the board shown in the video?
Nice vid mate
It looks like your using the WS "Stupid"stabs... Your thoughts?
Eh, they're OK...
that's cool, i wish they changed the look for this board though
Still has that original Zoom look I guess haha
They did man there classic shape or you can get it with the new lighted section
I really want to try v3 once!!!💕
Do you want mine? Haha
@@Keybored I thought about it for a second🤭🤭
ㅎㅎ 원하시면 말하세요~ 줄게요
@@Keybored 헐 ㅠㅠ 말씀만으로도 감사해요💕
Not keyboard related question, but what shirt are you wearing? That looks like a must have. @Keybored
Hahaha. Glad you like it. I got it at a shop in Korea... It's like a cable knit polo
yo so is the thock sound for the type of mount universal for every keyboard or just for this one?
Overall, it should apply in general as well
not in stock?
are both the 1.2mm and 1.6mm PCB hot swappable?
Yes
Any idea if this board is HE? Site says module, not sure what that means
There will be a pcb that supports HE as a module option in the future!
at 13:35 (the flex test) the caption says coil mount for 3 of them, which ones are which?
Crap... Good catch! I'll pin the info!
They say "you don't need to lube the stabs" is it true? btw great video ;)
that is 100% false. You don't have to I guess, there is a tiny tint amount on them. Page 4z of the instructions explains how to lube with 0105 and 0205 krytox and XHT-BDZ on the wire tips. Now, I am basing this on the the Zoom 98 and Zoom 75 because these cant be ordered until the 18 I think lol
It has these little rubber pads... But they need lube lol
How you disassemble top mount with ball catcher?)
Man. I just realised this.
still no Tsangan on this board, i just want to see that
Okay now make it split-ortho with thumb clusters.
So different combinations and not one of them involves a pcb with no meme cuts
You can get the pcb with 1.6mm non flex cut as said in the video if you actually watch it. Meletrix probably didn’t send it out.
there were actually 3 other versions.... , v1, v2 & v2.5 lol
It looks cool but 65% format with unknown latency is completely useless to me outside a tiny niche of casual fps gaming for which I would buy a Wooting instead.
I find 75% or even better TKL/miniTKL to be a far more useful and better looking all-rounder layout.
A Galaxy80 for example, top stuff.
so your not the only one guilty of saying this but, I hate when people say "1.6 for better sound" from a hobby that heavily relies on preference they're is really no way to say "better sound" and don't get me wrong I'm not a "1.2 flexcut foam simp". I love 1.6 without foam and foam and 1.2 flexcut boards offers a sound you just can't get from a 1.6. obviously I'm not alone in liking 1.2 foam builds but I don't want it to be pushed out as an option.
THat's one chonky keyboard
All of that for a...mid/average sound
It's a pass for me. The price isn't competitive with other boards that actually sound good like the neos
Neos Def beat it in sound for sure
yeah like
Very Video!
Much new!
1:16
all these combinations
yet no variety in case design.
Hello :)
Hello! Welcome!
Cases? 4
Colors? 16
Plates? 6
Weights? 17
Badges? 9
PCBs? 2
Units in stock? 0
Haha I don't think the sales started yet
its a gb, if you buy it on the gb date of june 12, you will have to wait many months to receive it
@@thoccult updates say june 12 idk where you found 18
The zoom 65 is cool but I would miss my f keys
I want to see all combination, get to work.
Yes sir!
flex cuts always sounds bad imo
v3 ? 와우..ㅋㅋㅋ
First! Congrats!
Maybe it's just me but I find the design of the Zoom 65 rather ugly. It looks chunky.
Also, you can't do most of the combinations because they're based on the colors, weights, and badges.
The only real meaningful things are the mounting methods and plates.
Yup!
Zoom spacebars sound so bad
without foam sounds like hot trash...rather unfortunate. still losing to the neo series
Keep in mind it's the 1.2 mm with flex cuts. The 1.6mm with no flexcut and a carbon fiber will sound wildly different than this
Because he is using 1.2mm with flex cut. This board offers much more customizable features than the Neo65.
They essentially send me everything to emphasize flex and not sound with this sample. But I do agree that the neo boards do focus more on the core basics like sound, where this is full on customization
Just like every other zoom board they give these guys boards to review but never produce them. These “keyboard influencers” need to learn when to say no.
What do you mean? Meletrix always produce their boards
Meletrix spends so much money on sponsoring RUclipsrs and nothing on customer service. Avoid.
woque never be my choise, never have solder and can't swallow thier désign🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮