typing this on my Aifei Modern Dolch clones and yeah great comparison but if you were to try this again I'd recommend playing one clone set and then alternating between the clone and the GMK set so that it is easier to discern the difference in sound that both keycap sets create. Randomly stumbled on this channel and it didn't disappoint though, subbed and looking forward to more vids.
I want to support designers, but it's hard to justify paying over $100 for keycaps 😑 Some of the GMK are even close to $200! I picked up an Osume keycap set for $95 including novelties.
@@geekey me too. I bought the pink one you can see on my Jris75 video. Also another that mimics GMK hammerhead. I am waiting for my geon f1 8x 722 to try that one. Love hammerhead but aftermarket is too crazy. Do you like Olivia? GMK Olivia groupbuy is currently available. I might get that as my first ever set.....but only if I can win the pink valentine TGR Jane :). That's how reluctant I am to spend on GMK 😂
GMK is so crispy! I do have the Ai Fei V2 and the quality is actually amazing for the price (I paid like $20 for my deep blue). No warped or weird smear on the legends. However the legends are much thicker than my GMK WoB. I still rate GMK higher due to its legends, sound and texture.
yeah, I’m same with you. Considering of its price, I wonder if this is worth it, but still overall quality is much higher than other keycaps🙂 I can’t deny it😂
good video, however I would recommend comparing the modifiers and thickness of letters/spacing between letters. One of the things that keeps myself away from clones is alignment of text mods, letters and spacing is usually horrible on clones.
oohhh I was planning to do that part also, but patheticly I forgot while recording it… idiot😂 Thank you for reminding me, I’ll accept your fb on next comparison vid.
There will always be a debate about the "morality" and "ethics" of buying clones over original GMK keycaps. Personally, I couldn't really justify spending upwards of 100 USD for "premium" keycaps... especially since GMK is so stubborn that they'd stick to using ABS plastic on almost everything they manufacture. Like, I get that changing the tooling would incur cost but with how expensive they're selling all these, you'd think they'd be able to afford it. That said, I don't really buy 1-1 clones of keycaps either but I do support cheaper manufacturers that take inspiration from the colorways used in GMK lines and make them their own. Plus the whole Group Buy culture in this hobby will never cease to irk me.
@@geekey thanks. I just don't understand the logic in paying triple the price if not more for keycaps that wear out faster than pbt and looks like you jizzed on the caps with that shine
@@springpocket6941 It's really only worth buying gmk caps for design or higher pitched sounds/switches. I heavily prefer ABS material over PBT for higher pitched but at the same time I wouldn't buy 150$ keycaps for a BOW or WOB set when I can such sets for much cheaper. GMK has some of the best designs though and I prefer aesthetics a lot atm
The problem with clones, other than the whole ethical side of it, is the sheer variation in quality between sets. I have had one that rivals high quality switch material and has very reasonable print quality and another which was much thinner on the space bar, came with a spacebar alternate that did not even match and had "lazy legends".
Although they're more expensive, i find that besides getting more uniform and generally higher quality legends, supporting the actual designers by buying GMK is what sells me on their kits. I don't like the fact that the money i spend on a set of clones goes to someone who's ripped off someone elses designs and paid a cheap factory in china to manufacture them. None of the money goes to anyone even remotely involved in the design process, it lines the pockets of someone who can't be arsed to have an original thought.
Cheap factory in China? This is not 2010. I have a set of 1.8mm thick ABS double-shot GMK clones (gritty-smooth texture) that I've been using for 7+ months straight and there isn't a single trace of shine. Meanwhile GMK plastic has the shine issue that occurs in just a few months of use. Clones are even thicker and sound better/fuller than GMK, when it should be the opposite. I agree with you on two things: The legends on GMK are the best, and that supporting designers can be a good thing. But if a specific set you want is no longer available, it's pointless to buy GMK. Buying second hand, overpriced GMK sets does nothing for the designers either. Even new sets are taking 2+ years to deliver. Clones have better material/texture quality than GMK without the absurd cost or deliver time.
@@totalpatzer There are many sellers selling the same kits of the same keycap manufacturer. Many of them are titled "GMK Clone(s)". The store I bought from is called "Yong qiu Store". Just make sure you're buying ABS double-shot and read the description/reviews. Those are 1.8mm thick and are the absolute best the money can buy right now! RUclips does not allow links, especially from AE. But a simple search is enough. EDIT: The keycaps must be Cherry profile too. There is OEM that is also from GMK designs so don't get those.
typing this on my Aifei Modern Dolch clones and yeah great comparison but if you were to try this again I'd recommend playing one clone set and then alternating between the clone and the GMK set so that it is easier to discern the difference in sound that both keycap sets create. Randomly stumbled on this channel and it didn't disappoint though, subbed and looking forward to more vids.
Thank you for your feedback! I’ll apply your comment from next comparison video 👍
gmk clones it is
I have GJ Sakura and I'm impressed with the texture. Feels more like GMK than other PBT sets. Sound is not quite there but the quality is excellent.
I want to support designers, but it's hard to justify paying over $100 for keycaps 😑 Some of the GMK are even close to $200! I picked up an Osume keycap set for $95 including novelties.
4:47 Aifei v1 full
5:36 Aifei v2 full
6:26 Ghost Judge full
7:07 GMK full
5:25 Aifei v1 spacebar
6:14 Aifei v2 spacebar
6:57 Ghost Judge spacebar
7:49 GMK spacebar
Ghost judge quality is nice, I bought 4 sets already. Thick and good quality.
yes, I wish they would manufacture more colorways🙌
@@geekey me too. I bought the pink one you can see on my Jris75 video. Also another that mimics GMK hammerhead. I am waiting for my geon f1 8x 722 to try that one. Love hammerhead but aftermarket is too crazy.
Do you like Olivia? GMK Olivia groupbuy is currently available. I might get that as my first ever set.....but only if I can win the pink valentine TGR Jane :). That's how reluctant I am to spend on GMK 😂
Would have liked to see a comparison of the modifiers, more specifically the quality of the legends on the mods.
I’ll do that on my next comparison vid. Thanks
GMK is so crispy! I do have the Ai Fei V2 and the quality is actually amazing for the price (I paid like $20 for my deep blue). No warped or weird smear on the legends. However the legends are much thicker than my GMK WoB. I still rate GMK higher due to its legends, sound and texture.
yeah, I’m same with you. Considering of its price, I wonder if this is worth it, but still overall quality is much higher than other keycaps🙂 I can’t deny it😂
good video, however I would recommend comparing the modifiers and thickness of letters/spacing between letters. One of the things that keeps myself away from clones is alignment of text mods, letters and spacing is usually horrible on clones.
oohhh I was planning to do that part also, but patheticly I forgot while recording it… idiot😂 Thank you for reminding me, I’ll accept your fb on next comparison vid.
Ooooooo the new intro transparent screen and the whole built is so cool (ӦvӦ。)
Might be improve on next version..?
@@geekey just like this channel does with every video 😏
6 to hear Aifei 1 and 9 to hear GMK. I can hardly notice a difference
GMK is little bit more high pitched compare to others. It’s case by case tho😮
great video! what is the trident looking tool that he is using to install the switches and what is the purpose for it???
There will always be a debate about the "morality" and "ethics" of buying clones over original GMK keycaps.
Personally, I couldn't really justify spending upwards of 100 USD for "premium" keycaps... especially since GMK is so stubborn that they'd stick to using ABS plastic on almost everything they manufacture. Like, I get that changing the tooling would incur cost but with how expensive they're selling all these, you'd think they'd be able to afford it.
That said, I don't really buy 1-1 clones of keycaps either but I do support cheaper manufacturers that take inspiration from the colorways used in GMK lines and make them their own. Plus the whole Group Buy culture in this hobby will never cease to irk me.
GMK is a scam. Trashy ABS plastic which shines within weeks and looks gross and greasy. Such a scam. I would never use GMK. 😂
Great comparison! Do you know if there's any interference from the Ghost Judge caps if north facing?
I tried it just now and spacebar line has some interference on north facing switch.
@@geekey Good to know, thanks for checking
ghost judges is very similar to DROP DCX. I am fairly sure they are same thing.
is there a difference in texture between Aifei v1 and Ghost Judges? Seems like similar molds
They’re really different. Aifei v1 is rough, and GJ is smooth. I wanted to show the texture of each keycaps, it’s hard to tell from the vid 😂
@@geekey i see, thanks for that. Does the GJ texture feel sticky like how ABS usually is?
no, definitely not! It’s similar to Aifei v2. Little bit more smooth than normal PBT keycaps.
Is there any chance you will try Aifei V1 vs V2 vs V3?
there’s a v3?
GMK does sounds better tho, but their pricing is a hard pass
So what's the difference in sound between gmk and pbt clones? I still can't justify getting into Gmk but would like to be convinced lol
May~be~ the sound is little more arranged? idk My ear has convinced with its cost😎
@@geekey thanks. I just don't understand the logic in paying triple the price if not more for keycaps that wear out faster than pbt and looks like you jizzed on the caps with that shine
I was same with you at first. But as time went by, my thought turned to using it at least once annnnd I finally bought it. Brain exploded💣
@@springpocket6941 It's really only worth buying gmk caps for design or higher pitched sounds/switches. I heavily prefer ABS material over PBT for higher pitched but at the same time I wouldn't buy 150$ keycaps for a BOW or WOB set when I can such sets for much cheaper.
GMK has some of the best designs though and I prefer aesthetics a lot atm
고쥬지만 쪼금 로우고 나머진 비슷하네
눈감고 구분안됨ㅋㅋ
1:40 WOB -> BOW 😅
이게 구분되면 음대를갔어야..
The problem with clones, other than the whole ethical side of it, is the sheer variation in quality between sets. I have had one that rivals high quality switch material and has very reasonable print quality and another which was much thinner on the space bar, came with a spacebar alternate that did not even match and had "lazy legends".
What about the ethical side of being charged 100+ for keycaps 😂
@@AnDr3w066 and the ethical side of reselling the said keycap for 500+ usd even though its shiny af already 😂
Lol ethical side. Thats rich
🙏 promo sm
Although they're more expensive, i find that besides getting more uniform and generally higher quality legends, supporting the actual designers by buying GMK is what sells me on their kits. I don't like the fact that the money i spend on a set of clones goes to someone who's ripped off someone elses designs and paid a cheap factory in china to manufacture them. None of the money goes to anyone even remotely involved in the design process, it lines the pockets of someone who can't be arsed to have an original thought.
Cheap factory in China? This is not 2010. I have a set of 1.8mm thick ABS double-shot GMK clones (gritty-smooth texture) that I've been using for 7+ months straight and there isn't a single trace of shine. Meanwhile GMK plastic has the shine issue that occurs in just a few months of use. Clones are even thicker and sound better/fuller than GMK, when it should be the opposite.
I agree with you on two things: The legends on GMK are the best, and that supporting designers can be a good thing. But if a specific set you want is no longer available, it's pointless to buy GMK. Buying second hand, overpriced GMK sets does nothing for the designers either. Even new sets are taking 2+ years to deliver. Clones have better material/texture quality than GMK without the absurd cost or deliver time.
none of the money goes to designers when you purchase them on the aftermarket
@@Caution40404 hi is there a link for where I can get similar sets to yours?
@@totalpatzer There are many sellers selling the same kits of the same keycap manufacturer. Many of them are titled "GMK Clone(s)". The store I bought from is called "Yong qiu Store". Just make sure you're buying ABS double-shot and read the description/reviews. Those are 1.8mm thick and are the absolute best the money can buy right now!
RUclips does not allow links, especially from AE. But a simple search is enough.
EDIT: The keycaps must be Cherry profile too. There is OEM that is also from GMK designs so don't get those.
If the set isn’t coming back, buy clones. The creator isn’t getting money from mechmarket lmao