I feel like as a consumer especially in this hobby it’s nice to have someone be very blunt about their experience whether it be good or bad I’m glad they did not take the review off respect to them 👍🏼
I am definitely one of the more technical keyboard content creators and I hope that shows in my content. I'm glad they didn't either, but I will have to point out that this is the first instance where it even was an issue. I suspect Velocifire will not want to send other boards my way =(.
Despite everything, I think you were very honest and fair in your review. The only way any of us (including companies & designers) gets better in anything that we do is by being able to take constructive criticism, and I would argue that your feedback will help them make at least some necessary improvements to this board for the GB, as well as to future boards they will produce, which is exactly why they should continue to include you in future reviews. I think this board is VERY easy on the eyes, especially in this beautiful blue or that gorgeous red it comes in (though I’d prefer the exploded layout as well), and both the feel & sound are on par with some of the best on the market as well from what I’ve heard people say. I’m sure they’ll fix the issue with the screw design & the weak magnetic feet before the GB, which will be a big improvement overall. Solid review, & I don’t think the designer should be upset with you for your honest feedback, but rather thank you for helping to make them & their products better. 💪
i'm personally hopeful that the screw issue is just a QC issue for merlin's unit since other creators didn't experience this and they've said in the their discord that they will address this concern so it's looking positive at this pont.
Honestly it’s hard to trust a lot of keyboard reviewers because they are afraid that companies won’t send them boards. But I really only get boards if it was sent to you since you really care about the keyboard scene & want everyone to improve. Appreciate it! I’d much rather wait for Gok 7V R2
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement! I truly appreciate your trust in me! With that said, please remember I am only one voice in the sea of keyboard streamers! Definitely look up what others have to say as well! If my GB news series is any indication I am known to miss a lot of things! lol.
Torn between this and the Sonnet, but I ended up pulling the trigger for the Hope 75 X. I really like the visuals, and hopefully the makers of the board take your critique into heart and imrpove upon the product that will be sent out to people joining the group buy. If I could afford both, I would just get both and be able to change between them depending on my mood for the day but I need money for other things too lol Really appreciate your honesty and it takes a lot of guts to be open and say what you don't like about things you got sent for free to review. If I was a product maker, I would prefer reviewers like you as I would get meaningful feedback. Keep it up!
The fact they "disagree" and called you out makes me think they only wanted positive reviews which is suspicious at best. The minor issues make this a pass for me when there are so many other good options. @mechmerlin I appreciate the technical reviews that point out all the details.
It's definitely odd. With that said today I found out that while they kept my links on the geekhack page, they actually removed me from the main Velocifire Hope 75 page.
Didn’t like you or what you were saying at first, after listening more closely you won my heart and mind. Solid review series and for those of you who may see this I would consider the Hope75 X not the S
I'm sorry you didn't like me at first, but it's ok, I'm just glad you are watching my content! I actually haven't even done a formal review video yet. I'll get that out in the next couple days, after a few days of typing.
I think as a reviewer, you will come across a lot of pressure from both viewers and the companies, but at the same time, the word "I am given this board for free and am about to give an honest review" is really important and should take it into the heart
Great looking board, just a shame it has so many little issues. It feels like it could have benefited from another round of prototyping before going to GB.
When I need to have an objective review or coverage on keyboards, I always look for you as well as blacksimon for content. You've got the community's utmost respect for being honest and objective with keyboards, keep it up! As for how velocifire reacted to your initial first impressions of the keyboard, that's probably going to leave a stain on many people's impressions on them.
Calling this a cheap Epoch when it sounds better and looks better, but your review model had worse packaging had me dying. The part where you said $340 would be an ok price, but $360 is too high was the icing on the cake. 🤡
I think you completely misheard what I said. It's a cheap epoch to me mainly because of manufacturing. The looks are definitely spot on and one of the nicest boards I've seen. But looks aren't enough to win me over. In terms of sounds I still prefer my Jelly Epoch. In regards to the pricing, I'm ok with this board at 360 but of course cheaper is always better. Why 340? Because any cheaper I don't think it would do it justice. Given it's current situation, the premium option is way too much. With the major flaw fixed, I still think it's too much. Maybe 400 tops. One thing that has developed since then is the over flexiness has caused it to bottom quite frequently and short.
I really do love the look of the board but after watching this review I am starting to hold off on it. I see videos where others say this board is fantastic and others saying its decent so its hard whether or not I should join its groupbuy, then again you did an absolutely amazing job on the review!
Thank you! I do think it's a decent board still, just have to be aware of the drawbacks. I'm writing this comment on it now and the two changes I have done on mine are to cut the corners of the switches, and remove the rattly feet. After doing that, all potential issues are now invisible.
@@kami-san6231 if you're referring to the screw and magnet feet issues, then yes, they said they're going to fix this in the production version of the board.
@@kami-san6231 From other comments on this video, it seems that they are indeed aware of the issues and will be making the changes. I'd go visit their discord server though to hear it from them yourself.
Shame that you aren't a huge fan but I'm still 50/50 on this board. Listening to every other reviewers sound tests has made me err on the side of nay. But the visuals of the board are gorgeous. Since I have the Glacier80 coming in soon, might have to pass on this one.
Was considering this board because of all the good reviews however after watching this, the flaws are blatant I think I'm gonna pass. The scene deserves better and I don't think people should let things like this slide gifted board or not. It's a shame though because this board is beautiful.
As English isn't my native language I always have to second guess a lot of words lol. I know I may not sound like it, but it's taken A LOT of work to get here so that people wont immediately dismiss me because of my accent. I married an American born and raised here and even she gets confused whenever I don't know things haha. However, based on what I have researched its actually pronounced like the word epic. I've even been corrected on stream numerous times about it. If you go on Google you can see how its pronounced through their tool. It's pronounced "/ˈepək/"
@@MechMerlin Pronouncing "epoch" as "epic" is the American pronunciation. lol I think I'll pronounce it the correct way rather than the "still uses imperial" American way.
@@MechMerlin Yea it’s fair that you have to guess sometimes so I’m not judging but when I search the pronunciation in google it explains it the same way I wrote it, well they spell it differently: ee pok
I feel like as a consumer especially in this hobby it’s nice to have someone be very blunt about their experience whether it be good or bad I’m glad they did not take the review off respect to them 👍🏼
I am definitely one of the more technical keyboard content creators and I hope that shows in my content.
I'm glad they didn't either, but I will have to point out that this is the first instance where it even was an issue. I suspect Velocifire will not want to send other boards my way =(.
@@MechMerlin they took it off for awhile before putting it back on with that explanation due to backlash.
@@Specified5706 Oh really? I didn't even realize that lol. Dang that's a whole different issue. That's quite literally censorship.
Despite everything, I think you were very honest and fair in your review. The only way any of us (including companies & designers) gets better in anything that we do is by being able to take constructive criticism, and I would argue that your feedback will help them make at least some necessary improvements to this board for the GB, as well as to future boards they will produce, which is exactly why they should continue to include you in future reviews.
I think this board is VERY easy on the eyes, especially in this beautiful blue or that gorgeous red it comes in (though I’d prefer the exploded layout as well), and both the feel & sound are on par with some of the best on the market as well from what I’ve heard people say. I’m sure they’ll fix the issue with the screw design & the weak magnetic feet before the GB, which will be a big improvement overall.
Solid review, & I don’t think the designer should be upset with you for your honest feedback, but rather thank you for helping to make them & their products better. 💪
i'm personally hopeful that the screw issue is just a QC issue for merlin's unit since other creators didn't experience this and they've said in the their discord that they will address this concern so it's looking positive at this pont.
As far as I know only Keybored and I have the S so it may very well be an issue with the S itself.
I think you're VERY easy on the eyes. =P. Thanks for your support man!
A year later, and my Hope 75 X is *still* my #1 fave, and it basically stays glued to my desk, even something like 6 keyboards later
Honestly it’s hard to trust a lot of keyboard reviewers because they are afraid that companies won’t send them boards. But I really only get boards if it was sent to you since you really care about the keyboard scene & want everyone to improve. Appreciate it! I’d much rather wait for Gok 7V R2
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement! I truly appreciate your trust in me! With that said, please remember I am only one voice in the sea of keyboard streamers! Definitely look up what others have to say as well! If my GB news series is any indication I am known to miss a lot of things! lol.
Torn between this and the Sonnet, but I ended up pulling the trigger for the Hope 75 X. I really like the visuals, and hopefully the makers of the board take your critique into heart and imrpove upon the product that will be sent out to people joining the group buy.
If I could afford both, I would just get both and be able to change between them depending on my mood for the day but I need money for other things too lol
Really appreciate your honesty and it takes a lot of guts to be open and say what you don't like about things you got sent for free to review. If I was a product maker, I would prefer reviewers like you as I would get meaningful feedback. Keep it up!
same if the sonnet was exploded I think i might have gone with the sonnet tbh
love the honesty in this review. we all appreciate it!
The fact they "disagree" and called you out makes me think they only wanted positive reviews which is suspicious at best. The minor issues make this a pass for me when there are so many other good options. @mechmerlin I appreciate the technical reviews that point out all the details.
It's definitely odd. With that said today I found out that while they kept my links on the geekhack page, they actually removed me from the main Velocifire Hope 75 page.
Didn’t like you or what you were saying at first, after listening more closely you won my heart and mind. Solid review series and for those of you who may see this I would consider the Hope75 X not the S
I'm sorry you didn't like me at first, but it's ok, I'm just glad you are watching my content! I actually haven't even done a formal review video yet. I'll get that out in the next couple days, after a few days of typing.
I think as a reviewer, you will come across a lot of pressure from both viewers and the companies, but at the same time, the word "I am given this board for free and am about to give an honest review" is really important and should take it into the heart
Great looking board, just a shame it has so many little issues. It feels like it could have benefited from another round of prototyping before going to GB.
They may also be issues specific to the prototypes
I think the issue with the switches is an issue with the S as it was made after the X as a response to ppl who didn’t like the X layout
Thanks for your honesty review MechMerlin. Good looking board isn't enough to be considered a "premium", other features also have to be right.
When I need to have an objective review or coverage on keyboards, I always look for you as well as blacksimon for content. You've got the community's utmost respect for being honest and objective with keyboards, keep it up!
As for how velocifire reacted to your initial first impressions of the keyboard, that's probably going to leave a stain on many people's impressions on them.
Calling this a cheap Epoch when it sounds better and looks better, but your review model had worse packaging had me dying. The part where you said $340 would be an ok price, but $360 is too high was the icing on the cake. 🤡
I think you completely misheard what I said. It's a cheap epoch to me mainly because of manufacturing. The looks are definitely spot on and one of the nicest boards I've seen. But looks aren't enough to win me over. In terms of sounds I still prefer my Jelly Epoch. In regards to the pricing, I'm ok with this board at 360 but of course cheaper is always better. Why 340? Because any cheaper I don't think it would do it justice. Given it's current situation, the premium option is way too much. With the major flaw fixed, I still think it's too much. Maybe 400 tops. One thing that has developed since then is the over flexiness has caused it to bottom quite frequently and short.
If only it had 7u
Have you tried the Portal/Sequence keyboards yet?
Merlin !!what software and program s do you use to do your live stream and edits?
hey Samuel, my live streams are done through OBS and I edit on Final Cut Pro
I really do love the look of the board but after watching this review I am starting to hold off on it. I see videos where others say this board is fantastic and others saying its decent so its hard whether or not I should join its groupbuy, then again you did an absolutely amazing job on the review!
Thank you! I do think it's a decent board still, just have to be aware of the drawbacks. I'm writing this comment on it now and the two changes I have done on mine are to cut the corners of the switches, and remove the rattly feet. After doing that, all potential issues are now invisible.
@@MechMerlin do you believe they will fix majority of the issues/flaws of this board when they start shipping the board?
@@kami-san6231 if you're referring to the screw and magnet feet issues, then yes, they said they're going to fix this in the production version of the board.
@@kami-san6231 From other comments on this video, it seems that they are indeed aware of the issues and will be making the changes. I'd go visit their discord server though to hear it from them yourself.
Shame that you aren't a huge fan but I'm still 50/50 on this board. Listening to every other reviewers sound tests has made me err on the side of nay. But the visuals of the board are gorgeous. Since I have the Glacier80 coming in soon, might have to pass on this one.
I still have to release the sound test! We'll have it out before the GB ends!
What deskmat is that?
why don't they just go with JST cable, like everyone else...
My suspicion is that because the ribbon cable and the port are both much slimmer than JST, using it allows them to make slimmer boards.
Cool in concept but being released with such blatant flaws for ~$400ish is unacceptable. Seems rushed
Was considering this board because of all the good reviews however after watching this, the flaws are blatant I think I'm gonna pass. The scene deserves better and I don't think people should let things like this slide gifted board or not. It's a shame though because this board is beautiful.
The board is probably one of the best looking 75s I've seen so far. Honestly though once you cut the switches and remove the feet, it's fine lol.
Epoch, e….p….Och, it’s a completely different word with a completely different meaning to epic 😂😂😂 Sorry but it drives me nuts
As English isn't my native language I always have to second guess a lot of words lol. I know I may not sound like it, but it's taken A LOT of work to get here so that people wont immediately dismiss me because of my accent. I married an American born and raised here and even she gets confused whenever I don't know things haha.
However, based on what I have researched its actually pronounced like the word epic. I've even been corrected on stream numerous times about it. If you go on Google you can see how its pronounced through their tool. It's pronounced "/ˈepək/"
@@MechMerlin Pronouncing "epoch" as "epic" is the American pronunciation. lol I think I'll pronounce it the correct way rather than the "still uses imperial" American way.
@@MechMerlin Yea it’s fair that you have to guess sometimes so I’m not judging but when I search the pronunciation in google it explains it the same way I wrote it, well they spell it differently: ee pok
That upside down e from your search is most likely pronounced o
Your English is absolutely perfect besides that one word though and you undoubtedly speak more languages than me 😂