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First Keyboard Build Review

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Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Location
Right Here Right Now
To start I'll give @infinitevalence a shoutout for chiming in my thread, he's obviously a pro at this.

So a brief run down on my first keyboard build. Took me longer than expected to actually get it together, but after doing so and playing with it for a bit I felt like I should put something together.

For starters, who wants to see a $350 keyboard?


keyboard.jpg


My desk is a bit of a mess right now, so cropping FTW.

For starters I got this through Drop, formerly MassDrop. Starting with the backboard I went with a TKL CTRL V2 "floating key" board. I wanted a nice TKL board to save space on my desk, and thought the "floating keys" gave it a nice futuristic look. (Ok, I'm just a slop and thought it'd be easier to clean.) The neat thing about the CTRL V2 panel is it has multiple firmwares available - QMK, VIAL, and VIA. If this is over your head, don't worry. I pulled up YT vids on it and was left picking my nose. But otherwise it is a solid keyboard base. USB-C input and output, individual key lightling plus LED halo, and full metall construction with magnetic feet. Drop's software is a little basic, but it is a solid base to build upon.

On top are one of Drop's basic cap sets, an Ortho set of MT3 white-on-black doubleshot keycaps. I'll admit this is my first time using MT3 profile caps. Supposedly they are intended to replicate older terminals. As I'm a middle millenial I got "into typing" after this style of keyboard faded. I'm finding myself mistyping more than I used to, the keys are slightly angled and elevated. But the more I use this keyboard the more I get used to it. What I like about these keycaps, however, is the final rigidity with a bit of texture. Yeah it's ABS, but there's a tight tolerance on the keystem, it doesn't wobble, and a big thing is - it's doubleshot. That means the lettering isn't going to fade as there's an inner and outer shell to each key.

Finally, the keys themselves. I went with Holy Panda X handlubed switches. These are my hardest adjust. My last keyboard was a CODE with MX Clears, which had a very distinct tactile bump. This may be due to the lubed new keys but I'm not really detecting the 'bump' and to my layman hands they just feel like linear keys with higher actuation force. Not bad, but they take some getting used to. Most def a high quality key though, a buttery smooth action with a clean bottoming out clink. Just not the mechanicle, "bolt action" press I'm used to from unlubed keys.

So to summarize -

CTRL V2 backboard - 5/5 - Solid, good features, Drop software a little weak
Drop MT3 W-o-B Caps - 5/5 - Solid classic feel, will outlive me, only downside is they aren't backlit
Holy Panda X Handlube - 4/5 - Smooth, clean, nice thunk when bottoming out, but hard to detect the tactile "bump"
 
This...this is just too much! Building a keyboard!?
Think of it this way, how much time do you spend at your desk and what do you interact with all day?

Your GPU, CPU, RAM, NVME? The most tangible updates anyone can make to their workspace and gaming/work setup are keyboard, mouse, monitor, chair, and Desk.

Combined those parts are worth several times what I paid for my computer, and most have outlived any build I do. I paid $1200 for a 32" 4k Monitor in 2016. $1500 for an Uplift motorized desk. $750 for an all day office quality chair, and honestly I wish I had spent more, because even at this price my chair could be way better. I can no longer calculate the cost of my keyboard as its been through so many changes, upgrades, and swaps, but I would guess somewhere in the neighborhood of $500 though I have spent way more than that, but I cant put all the parts on at the same time. The mouse is probably the most reasonable at like $50.

My next area of investment will probably be an audio upgrade since I'm still rocking my Logitech X530's from the early 2000's.

@freakdiablo Keyboard looks awesome, and I totally get the feeling of needing to relearn how to type. Dont be scared to try some other switches or caps if you feel like you just cant get it right when typing. Little changes can have a big impact and just because you invested now does not mean that investment is worthless if you swap stuff out, finding the right combo is like finding a pea under a mattress, everything needs to be just right.
 
Think of it this way, how much time do you spend at your desk and what do you interact with all day?
I'll bite.....my chair! My arse interacts alllllll day with that thing. :p

Anyhoo, this is awesome. Really cool that it exists, even. But, it already breaks my heart to drop $150 on a high-quality keyboard that works great. For me, the novelty/DIY isn't worth the extra $200. Damn. I feel like someone who just bought a prebuilt gaming system...........*shivers

I love this keyboard pr0n! Please keep it coming!
 
Yeah I'll spend 50 bux max on a keyboard. Once it's done, I "donate" it :rofl: Not that I'm cheap, it's just I don't see the attraction of building a keyboard or mouse. But hey if that's what floats your boat, go for it.
 
Yeah I'll spend 50 bux max on a keyboard. Once it's done, I "donate" it :rofl: Not that I'm cheap, it's just I don't see the attraction of building a keyboard or mouse. But hey if that's what floats your boat, go for it.

I just always thought the HIDs of a computer are just as important as the underpinnings. It's like getting a Camry XLE. Oh, it's a basic family sedan with a 4 banger up front. But you also have nice leather seats, the sun roof, it's a nice car.

Same with your PC. You just need to treat yourself. Get the nice monitor, the nice keyboard. Because sometimes it doesn't matter if you're rolling on the last gen i5, put a hand on the wheel keyboard and just cruise around the net.
 
I just always thought the HIDs of a computer are just as important as the underpinnings. It's like getting a Camry XLE. Oh, it's a basic family sedan with a 4 banger up front. But you also have nice leather seats, the sun roof, it's a nice car.

Same with your PC. You just need to treat yourself. Get the nice monitor, the nice keyboard. Because sometimes it doesn't matter if you're rolling on the last gen i5, put a hand on the wheel keyboard and just cruise around the net.
Yeah, guess you're right. But I'd rather spend the money on the tires and wheels instead of the leather interior guy. ;)
 
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