The best value 75% keyboard - PERIOD. Bridge75 Review + Sound Tests

Today we take a look at the Bridge 75, a budget 75% custom/prebuilt keyboard from Shortcut Studio. It promises great features at an extremely low price point, one of the most competitive in the market today. But how well does it live up to its claims?
Shortcut Studio: shortcutofficial.com/
↜ TIMESTAMPS ↝
0:00 - Intro
0:27 - Unboxing
0:49 - Specs
2:16 - Sound Test 1 (Stock)
3:01 - Stock sound and feel
3:52 - Rebuild
4:19 - Sound Test 2 (No Foams)
4:47 - Sound Test 3 (Minimal Tape Mod)
5:07 - Thoughts on sound
5:57 - Feel
6:17 - Design
7:24 - Material quality
7:59 - Conclusion
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[@k_to_the_b]

The budget 75% layout scene is so competitive! Now, I don't know which to choose 😵‍💫

[@kenv2667]

true. but I gave in and bought the Rainy75. no regrets

[@timtam678]

@@kenv2667 does it have a deep sound profile? and also, which other ones were you considering buying?

[@michaelskinny1]

I literally yelled out “oh shit!” As soon as the typing test started! I’m impressed

[@michaelskinny1]

Ah, the foams make it sound so full

[@lego_minifig]

I don’t know about the title. There are so many amazing 75% options in the $100-150 range that offer amazing value.

[@BenjaminTrillington]

What would you say the best ones are in that price point? Aluminum case, via/qmk, multiple mounting options, hot swap

[@paulgarcia2789]

Try Chilkey ND75
Probably the one con is non-VIA/QMK, but has QK/Neo features

[@lego_minifig]

I personally don’t consider VIA/QMK support a must have at this price point. I run all my macro’s on a stream deck due to the display buttons and practically infinite layering so I tend to just set my keyboard’s firmware once to change the RGB to white and then forget it.
With that in mind, I think the leobog hi75 is an excellent choice if you love your volume knobs like me. Otherwise the Chillkey ND75 also sticks out just due to how easy it is to disassemble and play around with. Both are ~$100 prebuilt and look excellent for the money.

[@jgould30]

The ND75 not using QMK/VIA or similar is an immediate no go for me. I've been down that path in the past and it's a deal breaker. There have been boards in this price range with VIA for a few years now (I bought a Cidoo V65 V2 full built for $85 for instance). Also the magnetic connectors are such an afterthought on that board it's crazy looking to me. Idk, I'd rather spend the money for a Neo if that's what I cared about.
Personally I'd take this Bridge 75 over the ND75. Trading a afterthought magnetic connector and a rather pointless LCD (I'll take keys instead thanks).

[@lego_minifig]

@@jgould30 Completely understandable. I definitely do prefer open source software when available. I would probably consider it a requirement if I was shopping in the $200+ range or if I already had a larger collection of boards that I was trying to manage. I do find it kind of funny that my $40 AJAZZ AKS068 was able to include VIA support while many $100 keyboards are still holding on to proprietary firmware.
The magnetic connectors on the ND75 may be an after thought, but I do find it to be a very convenient one for a constantly evolving board. I am still testing out what I like most in a keyboard so it makes a good experimental board. Though I definitely agree that the screen is pointless. Wish they had used that real estate to implement a knob instead.

[@jammies701]

Nice vid mate

[@ImOnMy116]

Crazy to see this quality of boards at this price point, especially prebuilt! Bummer about the flexcut PCB, but it’s a huge win that these support VIA! QMK/VIA support needs to be the standard imo.

[@ChristophPlay]

Really nice video as usual!
But why is it for you the best 75% right know? What about the Chilkey ND75 or the Womier SK75? They are all pretty similar, what sets the Bridge apart for you?

[@Kuriketto]

I don't know of any aluminum keyboard that offers an HE PCB at this price point, which is something I've been looking into. Hopefully the HE version delivers.

[@AlexanderzovzmwviovvLee]

These seem pretty good for the price!

[@NamUyNguyen-cm4jp]

Hope u can do crush80 in the next video
Love u vid ❤

[@syangjie]

Is this available in the US/Canada? I've been looking for it but on the vendors for NA on the official website don't have the keyboard on their respective sites lol

[@benkeough3059]

Divinikey has it in the US.

[@DirtyGingy]

the flex cuts limit it far too much

[@Hahahanoyes]

At least it has fr4 plate. My issue is all these board sound the exact same.

[@hoppyt3ch]

no pcb mounted stabs support?

[@auzabraar]

3:54 you can see holes for pcb mounted stabs on the pcb

[@JosePto]

Too bad there's no ISO option as Neo80 offers...

[@fnvfanMSPR]

meme cuts should be banned

[@nox8010]

now compare it with Rainy75 with pros and cons of each.

[@stetchkov]

idk which to get

[@nox8010]

@@stetchkov whichever sell in your local area. its risky to buy internationally and theare will be tax...

[@Hahahanoyes]

Womier sk-75

[@meltt8493]

Second!!

[@JegsUniverse]

First

[@Yamiyogami]

Eh board. There are better options imo at this price point

[@saviour7431]

I'm in the market for a keyboard like this. Can you name those better options? I'm new to this hobby so I would like to choose carefully

[@Yamiyogami]

@saviour7431 around 150? Theres a good amount of boards. The new nd75 is aight, the zoom75 and neo65 are all good boards that can be found within that range. Oh, the galaxy80 by epomaker is decent too

[@makata_pro1698]

I owned and build hundreds of keyboard from budget to expensive. Nowadays budget keyboards are getting better and better. I ordered the ND75 from Chilkey, less than a $100usd. After watching couple of reviewers specially Scott from keybored, ND75 is bang for your buck, from sounds and customization, the only caveat (not actually) is no VIA and it has they’re owned software to remapping your keys and the shipping is takes a while specially with the non flex cut version.

[@Yamiyogami]

@makata_pro1698 i agree with you. Its a great board. However the 1.2 mm flexcut just aint it for me, no matter how great a board is that will always be a complete deal breaker for me. I do still think its a great entry level board and it's all personal preference anyways

[@Yamiyogami]

@makata_pro1698 i apparently just learned that there IS a 1.6mm non flex cut version. Yep this automatically puts the board on the top of the budget list, crazy!

[@Vashtiian]

It's funny that the box the bridge comes in is the exact same as the rainy

[@JimboJonesThe3rd]

No love for ISO users...

[@Lenevor]

thank goodnees 🙏

[@keiz_]

Apparently they're looking into making an EU version according to their discord.

[@burprobrox9134]

Used to get a good cheap kbd for $20, $100 is not budget

[@lysacid]

It's a custom board. You're in the wrong neighborhood talking about $20 keyboards. $100 is budget in the custom scene.