I started off when the GK61 was still a viable option, now we have full-metal boards that cost the same if not less. This hobby going mainstream was honestly one of the best things ever
These $100-$110 price range keyboards are perfect for average 9-5 workers like me who have average family life costs to bear on a daily/ weekly/ monthly basis. It's also a good entry point for someone who wants to get into the hobby. I'm glad that you have covered many boards in this range. Subscribed!
Really wanna see you review the Monka 6067 and the HJS AL75 V2! I love your take on budget boards. Just picked them both up on TaoBao while I was in China. Would love to see your take on them!
As someone who just builds pc, i am quite skeptical on the custom keyboard. Being used to normal mechanical gaming keyboard, red, brown, blue switch etc, I have doubt keyboard gonna something special. Until I came across your channel, I tried the AJAZZ AK820 Pro as per recommended by one of your budget keyboard. Now I understand what's the hype. Damn this keyboard felt good and grateful I didn't go for more expensive one. Thanks bro.
I was in the same situation. I had been using MX Browns on a gaming keyboard and doubted that custom keyboards would be much more than an aesthetic upgrade. Then, last month, I decided to try out the Leobog HI75 (mostly because of that beautiful blue color and it had a knob) and was truly impressed with the difference. Needless to say I now own 9 sets of switches and 3 new sets of keycaps.
Good thoughts and videos, definitely some pluses and minuses for the hobby and others brands that some of these are so inexpensive but at least for the moment the consumers are getting some great boards at really good prices.
I got a rainy 75 and now I'm looking for a plastic case one that sounds as good but lighter and I can only think of a gmk81 But a lot of folks always say u can do better than a gmk81 🤔
would be great to hear your opinion on keyboards getting way too cheap Lewis, feels like the keeb scene is taking a toll on a lot of brands relying too much on 1.2 pcb's and flexcuts...
What I really want to know is why companies support VIA on one board and not another so the Sk75 supports VIA and the SK65 doesn't. Even qwerty keys does this like the QK65v2 doesnt support VIA but the Neo65 does. Yet all of Keychrons boards support VIA. I am trying to make sense of why this is happening. For me having VIA makes collecting many boards much easier. So if you could cover this topic would be great.
They use PCBs with microcontrollers that are already designed and being manufactured. That's a bit reason why. Replacing the microcontroller would add cost, design work, time and drive up the products cost otherwise. The other reasoning is that some are trying to add functionality that QMK/VIA doesn't fully or naturally support today. Preciously it was the wireless support was lacking (Bluetooth and 2.4). Now it's starting to shift to screen support lacking. So they figure of they have to spend money on software development already then they'll make their own tools. From my knowledge QMK/VIA is dependent on a lower level open source project on GitHub (forget the name). It's been historically difficult to get changes implemented into any of these projects.
@@jgould30 I hear you on many points but I have few boards that for lcd screen you can install their software. They also support VIA or using their own software so people have choice. These were also budget boards. The biggest why is SK75 vs SK65 one has via support and one doesn't. Why would manufacturers be so silly and not source a 65 percent pcb that had VIA support.
As a writer/author and fairly recent collector of mechanical keyboards, I am curious about why it is that "keyboards can be too cheap". I would love to hear your thoughts and insight on the subject. A lot of these companies are really good, and I don't want to see any particular company lose money to keep up with Amazon trends. No need to break the bank for TikTok. I have a few XVX/Womier keebs, an Attack Shark, and my most recent, an EpoMaker Brick 87, which I am in love with. I planned to replace the keycaps, but it is the perfect experience, it feels incredible, and is really thocky with the Wisteria Linears. I am in LOVE with this keyboard, I literally might just sell all of my other boards.
The Bridge 75 to me seems like the best option. It's the only one that supports VIA from my understanding. The only thing it lacks from the others that I've seen is the pogo pin connector on the ND75. But even then the ND75 pogo pin connector seems like it was implemented as such an afterthought.
Been in the keyboard world since 2014. Would love if you did a video on history of mechanical keyboards where we are today and what the future looks like.
The main issue with all of these budget keyboards is in reality they all follow the same formula - Flex cuts everywhere, crammed full of foam and just lacking personality. They all sound virtually the same (not necessarily a bad thing and it isn’t a bad sound) but they just lack that uniqueness that more premium boards offer. It’s great for getting into the hobby but I can see them leaving some people just wanting more
you should check out nd75 they have a non flex cut option and a cool screen and ball catch mechanism. One thing I hate though on a lot of budget keyboards like that is why’s the on switch under keycaps?
im not sure i believe that they are losing money just for marketing because eventually they would have to raise costs and with the large amount of odm boards out there (sugar65, lucky65, finalkey boards) people would just stop buying them. i think covid had alot to do with these super expensive boards because withall the down time people could learn cad and make unique low quantity boards wich will be nautraully more expensive but expensive doesnt always mean higher quality. i think large Chinanese OEMs saw this as an opurtunity to take adavnagte of a want in the market but now that the hobby slowed down companies had to price things more fairly. obviously i dont know any of these things to be 100% fact but based on my experiences with dealing woth other over seas OEMs its seems prices are starting to become more realistic
Completely agree. That makes no logical business sense unless you are locking users in a hardware or software exosystem (like printer ink or console games). I think their profit margins are becoming normalized by china standards. If they were paying factory workers a living wage then these boards would be impossible.
unfortantly your last statement is very true. but the only time companies actually lose money is with an intial investment and taking a risk on a new product but typically if that product does take off they make all they're money back.
fr I think that’s the biggest issue about “budget boards” where the fees cost as half as the keyboard, not a problem in Asia where some local retailers have them available tho, the lucky65 is literally 40$ in here with all fees settled
It is not uncommon for companies to share the same production line in China. Same thing is happening with the Womier SK71 design which is under several other brands, but are ultimately the same keyboard.
Dude, why is the 75% womier look GIGANTIC in your video. It is insane and disgusting. I am thinking about canceling my order coming on Wednesday. I don't want something that looks like a supersized Nintendo controller. I want 75% because I need F keys. Is it the actual product or a Lego replica of the wormire? I am really really concerned. I got Aluminum THK (?) Galaxy80 which is too heavy and big, This Rainy 75 copy looks like 150% bigger. WHY IS THAT???
I started off when the GK61 was still a viable option, now we have full-metal boards that cost the same if not less. This hobby going mainstream was honestly one of the best things ever
fully agree
One of the few times where mainstream is good.
Neo series, QK series, and Zoom series are so good
Yep, I bought an Akko 005 board when it was one of the best options and now prebuilts are sounding better than my 200$ custom
Agreed
These $100-$110 price range keyboards are perfect for average 9-5 workers like me who have average family life costs to bear on a daily/ weekly/ monthly basis. It's also a good entry point for someone who wants to get into the hobby. I'm glad that you have covered many boards in this range. Subscribed!
This is very true
Womier is the gift that keeps giving!!! amazing review Lewis!!!
Really wanna see you review the Monka 6067 and the HJS AL75 V2! I love your take on budget boards. Just picked them both up on TaoBao while I was in China. Would love to see your take on them!
Ordered one. Thanks for the review.
Which keycaps are that? Thanks.
As someone who just builds pc, i am quite skeptical on the custom keyboard. Being used to normal mechanical gaming keyboard, red, brown, blue switch etc, I have doubt keyboard gonna something special. Until I came across your channel, I tried the AJAZZ AK820 Pro as per recommended by one of your budget keyboard. Now I understand what's the hype. Damn this keyboard felt good and grateful I didn't go for more expensive one. Thanks bro.
I've had it for 5 months now and it's amazing and very well built for the price
Love it
(Note to self)
I was in the same situation. I had been using MX Browns on a gaming keyboard and doubted that custom keyboards would be much more than an aesthetic upgrade. Then, last month, I decided to try out the Leobog HI75 (mostly because of that beautiful blue color and it had a knob) and was truly impressed with the difference. Needless to say I now own 9 sets of switches and 3 new sets of keycaps.
Would you recommend getting an FR4 plate without flex cuts?
how about the bridge 75 or chilkey nd75? i heard they are great keebs too!
How to make the stock version thockier tho (without switching the switches and keycaps)?
Will you have an opportunity to compare it with the nd75?
What keycap set is that?
Name of the keycaps ?
Good thoughts and videos, definitely some pluses and minuses for the hobby and others brands that some of these are so inexpensive but at least for the moment the consumers are getting some great boards at really good prices.
keycaps?
I got a rainy 75 and now I'm looking for a plastic case one that sounds as good but lighter and I can only think of a gmk81
But a lot of folks always say u can do better than a gmk81 🤔
Which keycaps are those?
i would love a video on the budget side of things. like the whole landscape and low pricing not being very good for companies possibly.
would be great to hear your opinion on keyboards getting way too cheap Lewis, feels like the keeb scene is taking a toll on a lot of brands relying too much on 1.2 pcb's and flexcuts...
o yes
I would say you are my favorite keyboard influencer your taste in boards almost completely matches mine!
It is almost the same as the Joyakdol75, just like sk65 is similar to the Lucky 65
What I really want to know is why companies support VIA on one board and not another so the Sk75 supports VIA and the SK65 doesn't. Even qwerty keys does this like the QK65v2 doesnt support VIA but the Neo65 does. Yet all of Keychrons boards support VIA. I am trying to make sense of why this is happening. For me having VIA makes collecting many boards much easier. So if you could cover this topic would be great.
They use PCBs with microcontrollers that are already designed and being manufactured. That's a bit reason why. Replacing the microcontroller would add cost, design work, time and drive up the products cost otherwise. The other reasoning is that some are trying to add functionality that QMK/VIA doesn't fully or naturally support today. Preciously it was the wireless support was lacking (Bluetooth and 2.4). Now it's starting to shift to screen support lacking. So they figure of they have to spend money on software development already then they'll make their own tools. From my knowledge QMK/VIA is dependent on a lower level open source project on GitHub (forget the name). It's been historically difficult to get changes implemented into any of these projects.
@@jgould30 I hear you on many points but I have few boards that for lcd screen you can install their software. They also support VIA or using their own software so people have choice. These were also budget boards. The biggest why is SK75 vs SK65 one has via support and one doesn't. Why would manufacturers be so silly and not source a 65 percent pcb that had VIA support.
@@thestreamreader because they just release what they want to release and people will buy it, cause y’know, “budget”
Solid video Lewis! I have the Womier Mint Blizzard switches as well and they're decent. Pins are a bit more fragile than I like.
nice
bro you need to check the Chilkey ND75 🙏⌨
What is the keycaps set called?
pbtfans kabuki cho
As a writer/author and fairly recent collector of mechanical keyboards, I am curious about why it is that "keyboards can be too cheap". I would love to hear your thoughts and insight on the subject. A lot of these companies are really good, and I don't want to see any particular company lose money to keep up with Amazon trends. No need to break the bank for TikTok. I have a few XVX/Womier keebs, an Attack Shark, and my most recent, an EpoMaker Brick 87, which I am in love with. I planned to replace the keycaps, but it is the perfect experience, it feels incredible, and is really thocky with the Wisteria Linears. I am in LOVE with this keyboard, I literally might just sell all of my other boards.
I believe that keyboards are called “Too Cheap” because it is so good that it should be more expensive
Try Monka A75
what keycaps are those?
F
Guess any 1.2mm PCB mounted stabilizers will work?
Can U try the Bridge 75, its kind of like rainy 75, sk75, nd75 and it got ball catch system??
yes sir! will be reviewing it towards end of june
@@LewisToh how do you think this is compared to rainy as they are so similar
The Bridge 75 to me seems like the best option. It's the only one that supports VIA from my understanding. The only thing it lacks from the others that I've seen is the pogo pin connector on the ND75. But even then the ND75 pogo pin connector seems like it was implemented as such an afterthought.
@@jgould30 rainy also supports VIA, but bridge is the only one that support both QMK and VIA
@@LewisToh Thx!!
What is the keycaps set?
PBTFans Kabuki-Cho
Ordered. Thanks for the video.
Just want to say thank you again. I have been looking for a white 75% and this board is so good stock out of the box.
The keyboard is so sexy in white bro, imma definitely try to get it
@@Ÿureæi I got the white. It is gorgeous. Also the weight of this thing makes it a home defense weapon.
Been in the keyboard world since 2014. Would love if you did a video on history of mechanical keyboards where we are today and what the future looks like.
ooo thats a good idea
vs ND75/Rainy75? Which is better, keyboards are getting harder and harder to buy.
The main issue with all of these budget keyboards is in reality they all follow the same formula - Flex cuts everywhere, crammed full of foam and just lacking personality. They all sound virtually the same (not necessarily a bad thing and it isn’t a bad sound) but they just lack that uniqueness that more premium boards offer. It’s great for getting into the hobby but I can see them leaving some people just wanting more
agreed to a certain extent! definitely want to talk more about that in a video
you should check out nd75 they have a non flex cut option and a cool screen and ball catch mechanism. One thing I hate though on a lot of budget keyboards like that is why’s the on switch under keycaps?
looks like a rainy75 upfront
PCB gaskets ? Does that mean it can be built plateless ?
im not sure i believe that they are losing money just for marketing because eventually they would have to raise costs and with the large amount of odm boards out there (sugar65, lucky65, finalkey boards) people would just stop buying them.
i think covid had alot to do with these super expensive boards because withall the down time people could learn cad and make unique low quantity boards wich will be nautraully more expensive but expensive doesnt always mean higher quality. i think large Chinanese OEMs saw this as an opurtunity to take adavnagte of a want in the market but now that the hobby slowed down companies had to price things more fairly. obviously i dont know any of these things to be 100% fact but based on my experiences with dealing woth other over seas OEMs its seems prices are starting to become more realistic
Completely agree. That makes no logical business sense unless you are locking users in a hardware or software exosystem (like printer ink or console games). I think their profit margins are becoming normalized by china standards. If they were paying factory workers a living wage then these boards would be impossible.
unfortantly your last statement is very true. but the only time companies actually lose money is with an intial investment and taking a risk on a new product but typically if that product does take off they make all they're money back.
actually sounds like lego 3:47
Does it come in an iso version?
odd choice that 1.2mm PCB and too bad they did not work with local vendors. Not ordering that board and risking paying customs fees
fr I think that’s the biggest issue about “budget boards” where the fees cost as half as the keyboard, not a problem in Asia where some local retailers have them available tho, the lucky65 is literally 40$ in here with all fees settled
hi
heya
That is literally a rainy 75 with mods… i can‘t believe what they can get away with by stealing that design 1 for 1
It is not uncommon for companies to share the same production line in China. Same thing is happening with the Womier SK71 design which is under several other brands, but are ultimately the same keyboard.
Najgorzej dla takiego nowicjusza jak ja, że te klawiatury wyglądają tak samo.
This keyboard literally copied rainy75
Dude, why is the 75% womier look GIGANTIC in your video. It is insane and disgusting. I am thinking about canceling my order coming on Wednesday. I don't want something that looks like a supersized Nintendo controller. I want 75% because I need F keys. Is it the actual product or a Lego replica of the wormire? I am really really concerned. I got Aluminum THK (?) Galaxy80 which is too heavy and big, This Rainy 75 copy looks like 150% bigger. WHY IS THAT???
Are you tripping?