Curled like this? 200 yuan to buy a mechanical keyboard with an aluminum shell, cutting corners? You can tell when you take it apart

Recently, Black Canyon launched an entry-level mechanical keyboard I3. From the promotional content, we can see that this keyboard has too many selling points, such as aluminum shell, RGB lighting effect, Kaihua scenery fast switch, PBT keycap, hot-swappable, the most important thing is that this keyboard can be bought for only 200 yuan . Can I bear it or can't bear it? I've bought more than a dozen mechanical keyboards, and I'm not short of two hundred yuan. I want to see how sacred the Black Canyon I3 is. This configuration can actually make money if it sells for two hundred yuan?

The Black Canyon I3 I bought uses an 87-key arrangement, which is generally enough for me. On the packaging, this mechanical keyboard still looks good, and the first impression is good.

In terms of accessories, the cap puller, shaft puller, data cable and keyboard body are all complete, which is convenient for later replacement. And the keyboard adopts a design with separated key lines, which is relatively convenient to move and store.

From the appearance point of view, the Black Canyon I3 I chose uses an 87-key arrangement. The overall coordination of the keyboard is still good. After simplifying the number area, the overall footprint is smaller.

After getting started, I definitely want to try this mechanical keyboard. I tapped each key, and I feel that the overall texture of the keyboard is still good, and the keycaps are relatively comfortable.

The font on the keycap is also very clear, and the texture is also very good.

The details of every corner and corner are also handled very well. From the front, there is basically not much to complain about.

From this angle, we can see that the Black Canyon I3 uses CSA height keycaps. As an uncommon keycap height, CSA height is characterized by a smooth transition between the various areas of the keycap, and the distance between the keycap and the keycap is smaller than the OEM height, and the shape of the keycap is somewhat close to a rounded rectangle. The keycap wall does not have such a large angle, and the touch area of ​​the fingertips is relatively comfortable.

From the front, you can see that the main part of the bottom shell of the Black Canyon I3 is made of aluminum alloy. A 200-yuan mechanical keyboard now uses an aluminum shell. I don’t know that the mechanical keyboard market is so rolled up now. .

From this angle, it can be seen that the bottom shell of the Black Canyon is made of aluminum alloy + high-strength material frame. The combination of the two materials does not feel inconsistent, and the overall texture is also relatively prominent.

Let's take a look at the bottom of the keyboard, a whole piece of aluminum alloy bottom shell, plus four feet, does not support the height adjustment of the keyboard.

In order to find out, I decided to disassemble this 200-yuan aluminum shell mechanical keyboard to understand the internal structure and workmanship, and see if this mechanical keyboard has cut corners in such a cost-effective situation. Prepare the hat puller, key puller and electric screws, and we will start disassembling immediately.

When removing the keycaps, I personally feel that it is very tight, and the connection between the keycaps and the shaft body is very tight. When removing some keyboard keycaps, I can directly remove the keycaps of many keyboards by hand. However, the removal of the keycap of the Black Canyon I3 really requires the use of a cap puller, and it takes a little bit of strength to remove it.

The Black Canyon I3 uses PBT keycaps, which are very good in terms of durability and comfort. It is not easy to oil up in summer or for a long time. Compared with ABS keycaps, the cost is relatively higher.

Judging from the large keycaps, the overall workmanship and details are very good, the coloring is even and natural.

The inside of the keycap is designed with reinforcing ribs, and there are no burrs or unevenness. At first glance, it looks like the workmanship of a big factory, and the craftsmanship is unambiguous.

Next, I'll remove the shaft. In terms of the switch body, the version I chose is equipped with the Cangling fast switch in the Kaihua scenery fast switch. After all, I still prefer the feel of this paragraph.

I won't say much about the shaft body. Kaihua's quality and feel have been tested by the market for a long time, and those who have used it will definitely know it. Judging from the official news, Kaihua scenery fast switch is also first released on the Black Canyon I series mechanical keyboard, which also proves that Kaihua has a strong interest in and strong confidence in the Black Canyon I series products.

On the large key position, the Black Canyon I3 uses a satellite switch. Compared with the balance switch, the feel and feedback of the satellite switch are more accurate and comfortable.

Carefully observe the lower part of the satellite axis, we can see that each satellite axis has traces of factory lubrication.

After reading the relatively easy-to-disassemble keycaps and shafts, we are going to take a look at the internal structure of the Black Canyon I3. To be honest, I am still looking forward to it. After all, in the parts that have been seen, there is still no Black Canyon Let me down.

The difference from the mechanical keyboard I usually disassemble is that the Black Canyon I3 adopts a flat-push installation method. Since the keyboard PCB board and positioning board are closely engaged with the bottom case, it takes a little while to extract it. Add some force, and at the same time, go a little slower.

When removing the PCB board, it should be noted that there is a flying lead connecting the PCB board and the bottom case on the left side of the keyboard, which should be an anti-static measure.

First of all, let's look at the aluminum alloy bottom shell. I weighed it and it is very solid. The bottom shell of the Black Canyon I3 is made of aluminum extrusion technology, which is integrally formed. It is not just a thin layer as many friends imagine. From this angle, we can see a few reinforcing ribs, and the overall strength of the bottom shell is very high. Moreover, the surface of this aluminum shell adopts a sandblasting and anodizing process, which is relatively more durable and reliable.

As the core of the mechanical keyboard, the workmanship of the Black Canyon I3's PCB board should not be too faulty, and it is completely manufactured by a large factory. If you observe carefully, you will find that the solder joints are very full at all soldering points, which can effectively avoid the failure of keys due to weak soldering and desoldering.

Look at the PCB board. Judging from the holes, this board supports pentapods and tripods. Most of the shafts on the market can be adapted, and the playability is also very good. There is also a shockproof cushion in the area of ​​the indicator light, and there are details everywhere.

Looking at the details, there are many such buckles between the silicone cushion in the middle of the Black Canyon I3 and the positioning plate, plus the screws on the PCB board, I personally think these treatments are very mature.

The thickness of the silicone cushion of the Black Canyon I3 is good, which can not only reduce the vibration caused by input, but also effectively reduce the keyboard noise.

On the underlayment of the Black Canyon I3, we have seen a lot of positioning card shafts like this, which can ensure that the position of the underlayment is relatively stable and improve the stability and reliability of the keyboard. Some mechanical keyboards I have used before, because there is no positioning card shaft limit, the cushion is always easy to shift.

Let’s take a look at the positioning plate. It is generally hard and a bit thick, so it feels very tight when removing the keycap and shaft body, but there is no problem with the details.

It took more than half an hour to finally disassemble the Black Canyon I3, the keycap, shaft body, positioning plate, cushion, PCB, bottom case and side cover. In general, I did not find too many slots. Materials, workmanship, and details are all excellent. After all, Black Canyon is also a major manufacturer of domestic mechanical keyboards.

When the keyboard was reinstalled, I tested the RGB lighting effect a little bit. From the effect point of view, this keyboard supports very rich lighting effects, and also supports the adjustment of different brightness and different rhythms. It is still very rich in functions.

However, the Black Canyon I3 keycap adopts a design with not very good light transmission, so the light transmission of the keycap is relatively poor, and there will be some discounts in the performance of RGB lighting effects.

In terms of comprehensive use and dismantling, the Black Canyon I3 is definitely the most cost-effective ceiling-level product among the entry-level mechanical keyboards I have used recently. First of all, in terms of functions and configurations, needless to say, the streamlined and practical 87-key arrangement, Kaihua scenery fast and fast switches, aluminum alloy body, RGB lighting effects, PBT keycaps and full-key hot-swappable, the most important The price is only in the early 200s, which gives those who want to buy a mechanical keyboard and don’t want to spend too much to choose from. After all, this Black Canyon I3 has the basic functions of most mechanical keyboards.

As the focus of another part, judging from my dismantling of this Black Canyon I3, this keyboard has no slack at all in terms of accessories, material selection, functional design and layout, and detail processing. Efforts are made to pursue the ultimate experience of mechanical keyboards at this price. Therefore, I am very happy to recommend this keyboard to those who want to experience a mechanical keyboard and want to start an entry-level mechanical keyboard.