Best Budget Mech Under $50? | BlitzWolf BW-KB1 Review and Modding
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- Опубликовано: 1 июл 2024
- Big thanks to Banggood for providing me this board to review and mod. Get one for yourself using my affiliate link and coupon code for a nice discount. It'll also help out the channel so that I can keep making videos for you all. Thanks!
BlitzWolf® BW-KB1: bit.ly/2WH5NhK
Coupon code ($7 off the board, valid until Jan. 31st): BGBWKB1
Other Mechanical Gaming Keyboards: bit.ly/2KqxSHL
Download the Banggood App to get an extra 10% off: banggood.app.link/p8zKyQc6ucb
0:00 Unboxing
2:12 Banggood
2:54 Bluetooth
3:23 Keycaps
3:46 Gateron Reds
4:10 Disassembly
5:30 Removing Switches
7:13 Lubing Switches
9:31 Lubing/Tuning Stabilizers
13:28 Reassembly
15:13 Sound Comparison
16:51 Final Thoughts
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Need some tools to mod your own board?
4 prong pickup tool: amzn.to/2Gsm4mk
Needletip tweezers: amzn.to/2TLtMe2
Brushes: amzn.to/2TIbo68
Soldering kit (includes solder sucker for desoldering): amzn.to/3oq6ZCn
Solder wire: amzn.to/2MHtchp
1/8" neoprene foam: amzn.to/2HJHo7y
Hobby knife kit (includes knife, ruler, cutting pad, replacement blades): amzn.to/3jNPxo6
Multiple bit screwdriver set: amzn.to/3eqQORj
Double sided tape: amzn.to/3eeMVOW
Clear ruler: amzn.to/3kNOIwW
Switch puller: amzn.to/3jL0WFi
Dielectric grease: amzn.to/3mGCwid
Brushes: amzn.to/2TIbo68
Mini screwdriver set: amzn.to/34IvsLR
Flushcut clippers: amzn.to/2HIDqfp
Deskpad: amzn.to/3ecJgBv
Camera Equipment
Camera: amzn.to/3oJxqDC
Camera battery pack (for unlimited recording time): amzn.to/3jLoqu5
El Gato CamLink 4K: amzn.to/35THUry
MeFOTO tripod: amzn.to/3jMpa22
Camera overhead tripod mount: amzn.to/3jNTk4O
Camera ballhead: amzn.to/3mGtKkm
Audio Equipment
Blue Yeti microphone: amzn.to/35Vqw5s
Foam microphone cover (works as pop filter): amzn.to/31XOBaD
Microphone stand arm: amzn.to/3oKBBiC
Blue Yeti compatible shock mount: amzn.to/2HSnW8x
Lighting Equipment
LED floor lamp + side lamp: amzn.to/32ixssL
LED ring light: amzn.to/3kN2e42
Music by Harris Heller (Stream Beats)
Dreary Summer
Timeless
Spring Rollin
Mood Swings
Cherry Blossom Skies
Macha
*Disclaimer: Amazon and Banggood links are affiliate links. Clicking on them doesn't cost you anything, but it does really help me keep making videos
#BlitzWolf #BWKB1 #Budget 
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Great vid bro, thanks for sharing The mod!
great vid as always!
Thanks!!
Adding some o-rings to the keycaps might also add some solid acoustics 👍
On this keyboard since the release with few mods lubed switches and stabs , switch films and foam sound buff this keyboard the best one with the arrow formfactor and bluetooth 5 device pairing
Hi, this may be a bit late but can you tell if you can actually re-case the PCB to another shell. Like an alu/wood or acrylic shell much like the SK/GK64 pcb's.
I have this keyboard and would really like to try re-casing.
Thank you so much for reviewing this keyboard!
Edit: *I think that the keyboard is better without modding it!*
did you account for the feel, did you listen with headphones don’t judge everything with one sound test
You have no right to say anything that might confuse other people
@@dawaerbaguer3963 bruh I agree with you but don't be that aggresive
@@uiopadoihwohj2793 tbh I would be WAY more aggressive
No pero la diferencia parece mínima. Es mucho trabajo para eso yo creo, y ya puestos puedes ponerle gomitas a las keycaps. Quiero un teclado con las silent lime de outemo 😔
How do you guys handle the delete key? I have autohotkey setup so when I press control with backspace rather than the default FN+N. Is there some generic software that can reprogram the board so you can for example do a long press on backspace or FN+Backspace? Its a shame that the software does not allow you at the moment to configure 2nd layer options.
Can you lube the switches and stabilizers without having to dissamble and eventually solder it. I cant do soldering lol
Hi, I have a question about lubing the stabilizers, I have some lube for rubiks cubes, this lube is for plastic things so I want to know if is useful to lube this stabilizers to?
l added keykaps to it so clean
The keycaps are Profile OEM? Nice video btw!!
Thanks! Yeah they're OEM profile
For a solid colour hold FN >
What do you think about coding with this keyboard? I do use arrow keys a lot so This looks perfect for using with the laptop and also being portable. Can someone help me, because this would be my first mechanical keyboard.
Is it possible to solder some hot-swap sockets from Kalih on the PCB ?
Have you tested the macros in this keyboard? Is it possible to paste a few sentences of text after clicking the selected key? I would like the macro to paste all text at once, not letter by letter.
Unfortunately I couldn't get macros set up on my board because I couldn't get the software downloaded on my computer. I have a Mac and they only have PC software
Great video! Say, on this keyboard is there a way to change the metal backplate without desoldering the switches?
No lo creo
kinda have question..do u think millmax hot swap mod will be applicable to this??
What pudding keycaps do you recommend for this keyboard? I got one and I don't know what to buy, because of the shift, alt and fn keys
hyperx pudding keycaps are always solid because their accent keys still look solid, but buy them off bangood because their cheaper and don't have branding. I have them.
Can you open switch without switch opener??
Hei Austin. Do you think they use lead solder on that PCB? I ordered a 65W soldering station back last year, just got it out for this project and the thing simply does not get hot enough. I even cranked it all the way up to 450c and it did barely manage to melt a few solder joints but it takes far too long. Used different tips and all of them were clean and brand new. Any issues with the one you linked in your description? I dont think it is available now but I will see if there are others. Also bought the same type of Amazon pump, desolder wick, flux etc.
I have no idea if they use lead solder or not. Are you putting the tip of the iron directly on the solder? Or are you putting it on the pin of the switch? Any soldering iron should be able to melt the solder
@@AustinV I think it was partly user error plus the soldering station is not calibrated. I basically had to turn up the temp all the way up to 450c to stick to the 3 second rule. I switched to the a pointed tip (same as yours) and put iron directly onto the solder. Is this correct or should you use the same principles as soldering. I.e. heat the pin?
Its now melting the solder ok within 3 seconds but its not coming out as cleanly as yours so I will adjust the desolder pump from an angled position to a totally flat position and see what happens.
Did you have to use solder wick to clean up?
Hello. Gateron milk yellows with black bottom caps are sold out everywhere. How about the regular Gateron Yellows with black caps and transparent tops? There are plenty of these on Banggood. Or another decent smooth linear with black plate? They don’t need to be budget items as long as they have black plate for cosmetic reasons.
What do you mean by black plates on a switch?
@@AustinV Wrong terminology. I mean the bottom housing that sits on the keyboard plate. Example the stock red gaterons that are fitted to the Blitzwolf KB1 have a visible white bottom housing with clear top. The white bottom housing stands out against the black keyboard plate. There are plenty of Gateron Yellows available with a black bottom housing, clear plastic top housing. I think these versions are the ones that dont sound as nice as the Gateron Yellow milks but the difference is that they are readily available. They are the newer ones called KS 15 I think.
I have a question about soldering, (sorry if it is stupid but I really wanna know) why do you have to solder back the switches, can you not just pop them in and it will still register??? Or is it just like it the switches might be lose and plug out?
If you don't solder them back in, the metal contacts on the switch won't make contact with the PCB. If they don't touch the PCB, it won't know if you pressed a key or not
@@AustinV Okay that makes sense, I just thought that the pins would make contact with the pcb either way, because I thought it inserted in. Sorry
Fantastic video and just subbed! Best BW-KB1 video on the net. I have had my Blitzwolf since Christmas and I really like this keyboard. I liked it so much that I also bought one each for Christmas presents for my Sons for gaming.
Out of the box it is very good and I especially love the dedicated arrow keys plus I remapped one of the other keys for the Delete. The most notable mod you did was the stabs judging by your sound tests. The sound difference was night and day. However my units don't sound as rattly as your stock unit.
The only really thing I do not comestically like about this keyboard is the white base on the Gateron reds as it stands out against the black when RGB is turned off. Also the annoying charging light under the spacebar than lights up green and ruins the RGB. Can this be desoldered?
Can you recommend one of the best linear smooth switches with a black base and clear housing for the RGB? Also is it possible just to lube the stabs without delsoldering some of the switches? If you dont want to do a band aid, is it possible to replace the snap-in stabs with something of higher quality and less wobbly?
I actually like the keycaps but can you recommend a nice set of black PBT caps that will fit this layout? I am just paitiently waiting for Blitwolf to update the firmware so that we can configure the second layer keys.
EDIT: Just re-listened with a pair of headphones and the difference with the lubed non-stablised keys are notably better.
Thanks for the sub! Lot to answer here so let's get started :)
Yeah not a fan of charging indicator light either, but I mainly used mine in bluetooth mode so it didn't bother me too much. Theoretically, any LED is desolderable if you are careful enough
You should look into milky-top gateron yellows in that case. They're the smoothest budget linear (way smoother than reds) and they have a black bottom and translucent top (hence the milky name) that helps to diffuse the lights even better.
You can't get into the stab housings without being able to take them out of the board and you can't do that unless you at least desolder the switch on that stab. You can use a syringe and inject some grease into where the wire is though and that can make a big difference for the rattle.
You can get durock or cherry "plate mount" stabs if you want a higher quality replacement.
For keycaps, it depends on your budget. Ideal would be epbt bow for me but those are pretty pricey and hard to find. Also it's just difficult in general to find cheap caps sets that support the unique layout of this board.
For a cheaper amazon option, check out these mistel ones. I have the white on black version myself: amzn.to/3eahdo9
Hi. Thanks for the detailed reply. I have lots of good information there. Purchased a decent soldering station with all the desolder kit and accesories last year. Now its time to get it out. I will atleast order those switches and stabs and also take a look at the caps. They actually look very good. I have also seen the GMK caps. Was looking on getting a TOFU60 or NK65 kit from places like KBDFANS but everything is sold out so I am going to mod my KB1 instead.
@@AustinV Do the black bottoms prevent the LEDs from showing through? Is that the purpose if the black bottoms?
@@davieslm KBDfans has tofu boards in stock in 60 and 65 layout under the DIY kits page if you're still interested
@@davieslm No LED shinethrough is based on the top housing. The bottom black housing sits below the plate anyways
Is it possible if i switch my gateron browns to gateron yellows on this keyboard
Yeah but you would still have to desolder the browns though
Is it compatible with Xbox?
Do you know where the software is for this keyboard?
www.blitzwolf.com/support.html
Hey, what foam thickness did you decide to use for the case?
It's 1/8" thick neoprene foam!
@@AustinV cheers!
@@AustinV just one more quick question, I got the same thickness foam, and have currently only applied it to the back half of the keyboard case. I'm assuming you did this because the case gets shorter towards the spacebar end? Did you do this just to be safe or would it not fit between the case and the PCB?
@@jebhank1620 Yup! You're exactly right
How much time would it take to do the mods you did?
It really depends on your skill level and experience, but I would say just a few hours if you're decent at soldering/desoldering
@@AustinV Thanks for your reply!
Followup question: What is the tool called you use to open the switches? I may have overlooked it in the description, if so sorry for asking.
@@MrSjirafje No worries! I don't think I have it linked in my description. But it's called a switch opener. The one that I have is nice because it can open MX style or Kailh style switches. Here's an amazon link for it: amzn.to/38x7TaQ
@@AustinV Thanks!
do you know what is the response time on this keyboard ?
Parece mentira pero las gomitas esas que venden para ponerlas en las keycaps creo que sí reducen el ruido. Tienes que apretar la tecla o bajarla la goma al tope para que queden niveladas. Quizás lo escucho ligeramente menos porque tengo el ventilador puesto pero al menos me han quedado niveladas y verdaderamente creo que recorta el recorrido mínimamente e impide así que la tecla toque el marco del teclado, la placa
También es posible que estas gomitas sólo añadan dureza al presionar
Hola, me contacté con el soporte unas 4 veces y en esta (la cuarta), me respondieron, el problema es que en gmail me aparece el correo como peligroso, debido a que no se pudo verificar que realmente sea correcta la cuenta. Me pedía mi rut y escribo esto porque llevo esperando 20 días a que envíen el producto o que se actualice el estado del pedido (lo compré en la página oficial).
Idk if I should get the
Gk61 rk61 or bw-kb1
Anyone which ones best??
bw-kb1
@@zaina4281 alright
Thanks!
@@bhluuz6527 have you got it yet if so is it a good keyboard?
Does the lithning turn off after a mi ute just in bloototh mode or in both modes.Thanks
Only on bluetooth!
Is it safe to buy off banggoods or no?
Yeah they're a reliable company. I've gotten stuff from them even before they reached out about making a video
@@AustinV thank you!
i had the same question
I bought my 4 x KB1's from Banggood but I chose a European warehouse as I live in Nothern Europe. I think it was around 7 days delivery and they arrived safely and in excellent condition. No crushed boxes like you see in some of the videos.
First!