My baby is in the first grade. In order not to affect his homework and rest, I replaced the original green-axis mechanical keyboard with a Heijue AK816 Pro three-mode gasket mechanical keyboard with a multi-layer noise-cancelling structure, which supports hot-swappable axis seats. You can DIY at any time. Its biggest feature is that the sound is quieter. It uses the Jiadalong G Silver Pro2.0 linear shaft body. The first experience is really good, and the sound is OK when triggered with a light touch, even for a long time. Code words will not feel tiring. If you want to play with mechanical keyboards, but don’t like the “click” too loudly, you can try this new product of Heijue, which will definitely bring your fever down!



In terms of packaging, Heijue AK816 Pro three-mode mechanical keyboard adopts a set gift box design. This time, it even comes with a 30㎜×70㎜ super-large mouse pad and a transparent dust cover. The texture is full, and it is good for personal use as a gift.



Family portrait: In addition to the mouse pad and dust cover, the gift box also contains 1 Heijue AK816 Pro three-mode mechanical keyboard, 1 data cable, 3 MAC supplementary keycaps, 1 dual-purpose key puller, and an instruction manual .


The first time I saw this keyboard, I was instantly attracted by the multimedia aluminum alloy volume knob in the upper right corner. I prefer red, so I chose the "Rock Rhapsody" color scheme.



The color design of the theme of "Rock Rhapsody" is too passionate. When the cold black meets the lost gray and hot red, together with the trembling strings and shaking hands, it creates a rock-style appearance and shape. Simple and versatile no matter where it is placed.

Heijue AK816 Pro three-mode mechanical keyboard adopts 75% layout, 81-key design, size: 327.5㎜×136.5㎜×40.38㎜, and weighs about 812g.




This is the standard braided data cable for the Heijue AK816 Pro three-mode mechanical keyboard. It is about 1.8M long, which is enough for charging and connection in various scenarios. In addition, it can be seen from the name that this keyboard supports Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4G wireless and Type-C wired three-mode connection, and is compatible with Windows, MAC/IOS and Android operating systems. How to use it and what device to connect to is up to you The final say.



Let’s take a look at the front of this keyboard first. Which of the two colors of “Rock Rhapsody” and “Cosmic Adventure” do you prefer?

I think the 81-key design is just right, and it looks bigger and more refined when placed on the desktop. More button functions can be expanded through custom macro design and FN combination keys.



Be sure to take a close-up of this "Little Red Riding Hood" knob for everyone to see. It is made of aluminum alloy, and it is blessed with CD pattern and anti-slip pattern, which makes it both beautiful and easy to use. This knob switch is used to adjust the volume by default, press down to mute, and turn left to right to increase or decrease the volume.





Button details, the keycaps are MDA-height sublimation keycaps, the designers have incorporated rock elements into it, the enter confirmation key, direction key, space bar and return key have all been redrawn to make the overall look more rock style. The lettering is clear and there are no burrs, and the workmanship and feel are very good. Made of PBT, there is no need to worry about oiling or fading after a long time of use.




In terms of the switch body, the Heijue AK816 Pro three-mode mechanical keyboard is equipped with Jiadalong’s new generation of G Silver Pro 2.0 switch body. The biggest change in appearance is the upgrade of the raised light-gathering components, as well as the upgrade of the anti-oxidation alloy contact. Point and improve the material of the upper cover to further improve the transparency of the backlight and reduce the noise of the rebound. It comes with lubrication at the factory, and the more you use it, the more you like it.




After talking about the switch body, of course I have to talk about the structure of the AK816 Pro. We know that the most important factors affecting the feel of the keyboard are the keycaps and the switch body, which have different structures. The Heijue AK816 Pro three-mode mechanical keyboard uses The hull structure keyboard is a more costly gasket structure, and the screwless structure that supports the positioning plate with silicone pads on the upper and lower covers is softer and more comfortable to the touch.

With the built-in poron sandwich cotton, the pad under the shaft and the bottom cotton, most of the cavity sound inside the keyboard is eliminated. With the above-mentioned G silver pro2.0 linear shaft, the sound is quieter and a little nicer.




The mode/system switching key is designed on the back of the keyboard, and it can be adjusted by flipping the keyboard when needed. It can be seen that there are multiple rubber anti-skid pads on the back of the keyboard, with an adjustable support angle design, which can ensure the stability of the keyboard during use.

The storage compartment for the 2.4G receiver is designed on the side of the top, below the charging port, which is practical but does not affect the appearance.



I have to say that the driver interface of Heijue is very tasteful, simple but not simple, the left side is the function switching area, and the right side is the function interaction area, which is intuitive and easy to use. There is no need to download the driver to use the keyboard normally, and it is very convenient to plug and play. If you want to change the default key settings, or customize lighting and macro schemes, you need to download the exclusive driver from Heijue official website. After installation, you can change the default settings, edit lighting/macro schemes and upgrade the keyboard system.


In the "Main Settings", we can set each button individually, including key combination, macro editing, basic functions and mouse functions, or use different configuration layers to adapt to the individual usage habits of each device, up to support Four configuration layers to toggle. For example, I assigned a task to open the calculator for the "Alt" key on the right. When you need to use the calculator, you can open it with one key, which is super convenient.





Do you all like lighting effects? The Heijue AK816 Pro three-mode mechanical keyboard has 1680 colors of RGB lighting, which is adjustable with a single key. We can use the combination keys to switch between 18 preset lighting effects, and we can also achieve more adjustable lighting effects through the driver. Playability.



The Heijue AK816 Pro three-mode mechanical keyboard supports macro editing for all keys, which means that each key can complete a specific task independently. If you don’t want to set the macro command yourself, you can also use the program sharing to set it up. Like the macro editing feature? Through custom configuration, make your keyboard exclusive and have a stronger sense of manipulation.




I use it on the computer desk in the living room most of the time. Let’s take a few photos to show you the overall effect. Does it appear that the desktop space is larger. One is the standby state, and the other is the effect after the light is turned on.




Here are two more lighting effects after turning off the lights, they look pretty good. It is worth mentioning that the RGB lighting effect of the Heijue AK816 Pro three-mode mechanical keyboard supports music rhythm, which means that you can DIY the atmosphere effect you want, and shooting videos can enhance the atmosphere, which is pretty good.





Finally, here are two pictures of my daughter-in-law at work to show you how it works in my home. My computer desktop is 1.2 meters. After replacing it with the Heijue AK816 Pro three-mode mechanical keyboard, does it appear that the desktop space is larger? Having said so much, in fact, the main purpose of my buying this keyboard is to reduce noise, so as not to affect my baby's study and rest. After the experience, it did meet expectations.



In terms of battery life, the Heijue AK816 Pro three-mode mechanical keyboard has a built-in 3000mAh battery. According to the official statement, it can provide about 10 hours of battery life when the light effect is fully turned on in wireless mode. I usually use the computer for 2 to 3 hours at night. The actual measurement is based on my usage frequency for a week. Down is no problem at all, excellent performance.


Through experience, the soft and comfortable feel is what I am most satisfied with. I am used to the green switch, and suddenly switched to Jiadalong G Silver Pro2.0 linear switch body with the gasket structure used for the first time. The difference is quite big.



The appearance of Heijue AK816 Pro three-mode mechanical keyboard is worth mentioning. The three-mode mechanical keyboard can be connected to almost all the devices in your home. rest. If you also need a mechanical keyboard with a quiet sound, you can try this new product of Heijue. It has both appearance and strength, and I believe you will not be disappointed.

365 days a year, there are new keyboard products almost every day. Because the threshold of the keyboard is low, you can sell the product simply by changing a logo and shape. The price can be high or low, and the difference in hand feel cannot be felt through the online map, so the "moisture" in the mechanical keyboard is indeed quite deep.


When I was thinking about how to upgrade the mechanical keyboard, Luo Fei, who had pioneered the transparent keyboard in the industry, came with a new product.



After looking at the main upgrade point of the 1% transparency of the Vitality Orange, and after evaluating the details in detail, I understand what "preemptive strike" is.


Although Luofei has released a transparent keyboard before, but the color is relatively consistent and purely transparent, so some consumers will feel that it is relatively light. The Vitality Orange transparent 1% just makes up for this problem. Some keyboards have been customized with "orange" to make the appearance of the entire keyboard more refreshing.



Other functions of mechanical keyboards, such as dual-mode connection, multi-system switching, Bluetooth 5.1...


It also has what other mechanical keyboards do not have, such as pure transparent keycap design, transparent jellyfish shaft, 7 lighting effect modes, keycaps with themed characters, high-gloss plating bottom shell...


Almost all the details have been designed with a high degree of recognition. In short, they have fully grasped the needs of "beauty lovers". I bought 2 at once, and I will share them with you.


The point is that it has a 3k+ appearance and is priced at 999. It is the best exquisite keyboard of the year in the true sense. It is a little expensive but definitely worth the fare.


1. Quick comment on Luofei Vitality Orange Transparent 1%



Typing well is the core ability of the keyboard. Luo Fei chose a transparent jellyfish switch in the switch body, which makes typing quieter, and the mechanical feedback is also good. The design of full keys without punching makes typing smoother.


This time, the Vitality Orange transparent 1% keyboard continues to use the pure transparent keycap that does not stick to fingerprints, and there is not much residue when typing with sweaty hands, especially for writers, it will be more comfortable.



Secondly, this keyboard is really "transparent". how to say. When taking pictures, it is difficult for me to use the camera to capture its flowing light, that is, when the light effect is emitted every time, there will be a rhythmic feeling on the keycaps. With the pure transparent design, it looks like sunlight shining on the keycaps. It can be seen with the eyes, but it is difficult to reproduce this beauty with a camera.



Another design I like very much is the high-gloss plating bottom case, which is not afraid of flowers! In the future, I won’t worry about scratches on the bottom case when using it, and the transparent keyboard and switch body are really good with this bottom case, and the texture is very beautiful.



Look carefully at the keycaps. Each keycap has themed characters. There are many lime designs, as well as watermelon, clover, ice cream and other characters. It looks very refreshing. Moreover, the space bar is also printed, and the characters are printed inside the keycap, which is really innovative.


For other details, such as the use of cyan for the color of the shell, this is just matched with the light transition of orange. Those who need it don’t need to wait and see, just rush and finish.




Second, what are the benefits of using this type of keyboard?


In recent years, keyboards have been highly homogenized, and their looks are all e-sports and so-called cute. To be honest, I think the 1% transparency of Vitality Orange is longer in my aesthetic habits. The keycap is a German pure transparent solution, which has better permeability and is not easy to change color. It is a savior for sweaty hands.



On the previous keyboards, the typing effects would be very fancy, which really hindered the typing vision. And Luo Fei's solution is white light transition. When typing, the rhythm is all embellished with white light. Coupled with the transparent design itself, the entire keyboard becomes quite delicate. In addition, it has 2000mAh itself, and it can work for 7 hours a day, and it can be charged once every 5 days.



3. The packaging is simply a stroke of genius


I like this packaging very much, it fits its design very well, and it is also a pure silver packaging style, which also highlights the uniqueness of this keyboard. In addition, there is a parallel sentence "Vitality is..." mentioned in the package. With these words, I probably know that I like it when I buy it, but I can't tell the reason.



The main selling point of other brands is the standard configuration here at Luofei. After all, multiple system switching, win, Android, and Apple (iOS/Mac) can be switched, after all, it is suitable for office use. Moreover, the keycaps that do not stick to fingerprints and the good feedback of the shaft body are all worth buying.


Of course, the appearance is its main advantage, the collaborative design of transparency + orange + theme, this wave of new product design is quite careful. Of course, the most important thing is such a good-looking design, the most worth buying mechanical keyboard of the year is it!

I have always liked the white light effect of the mechanical keyboard, which is more upscale than RGB (personal preference).


Dujia 620w first launched only the matte version, unexpectedly followed by a white version, and the shaft body has also become Kaihua TURBO customized shaft body. I have used the Dujia 620w white light version for a while, and now I am reposting an unboxing article.


Before describing the details of the keyboard, let me share the table set taken during this period of time when I was using the Duga 620w white light version.



Durga 620w with lighting effect turned on. I have used quite a few keyboards. The PBT keycaps of the Duga 620w white light version have a light-transmitting effect. This is the first time I have seen it. This is the most special feature of it in my opinion.



With the screen hanging lamp and the desktop with white light keyboard turned on, it looks very comfortable. The picture above is the scene where the screen hanging light is turned off.



The desktop scene with the screen hanging lamp and desk lamp turned on.



A keyboard, a mouse, a monitor, and other favorite gadgets, the desktop of a poor boy is as simple as that.



The last Durga keyboard was the Durga K310w purchased in the first half of last year. Compared with the K310w, the packaging box of the Durga 620w has obviously improved the grade.



· Keyboard body*1


· Replacement keycaps*3


· Puller*1


· Key puller*1


· Data cable*1


· Data line adapter*1


· manual


· Dust cover*1



Durga K620w has a total of 87 keys. If you like a small keyboard, you need to buy K610w (104 keys).



In terms of appearance, it is different from the design of ordinary keycaps. It is similar to hollowing out a whole piece of material to form a U disk, stuffing various parts, and digging out various key positions on the panel, and putting them into the shaft keycap.


The data port and power button are set on the right side of the back, which can basically be operated blindly with fingers.


Durga K620W achieves noise reduction and shock absorption effects through sandwich silicone pads and bottom noise reduction cotton.



The switch that Xiaogu started with chose the silent red switch. It is also the first experience for Kaihua TURBO to customize the switch. Dujia has gradually replaced the cherry switch with the domestic switch from the beginning, which shows that the domestic switch is getting more and more popular. He is popular and has a particularly outstanding side.


The keycaps are original height PBT keycaps, and the workmanship is very good. Keycaps are the direct medium for human-keyboard interaction, and a good keycap can greatly enhance the experience.



There are four LED displays on the right direction key, which respectively display upper and lower case/Bluetooth 1, key lock/Bluetooth 2, 2.4G mode, and battery power status.



The color of this keyboard is called "Fog Blue". The Dujia K620w matte version has only two colors (fog blue and dark green), while the white version currently only has the color of fog blue. The tofu block-shaped keycap matches the shape of the whole keycap, which is very beautiful in geometric lines. It is said that white is versatile, this keyboard with white main color is suitable for desktops of various shades and light colors.



Two-style foot supports can be set to three heights. This is based on personal preferences. I personally prefer not to open the feet, and I feel that typing is more comfortable.



The 2.4G transmitter storage compartment next to the left foot support.



This keyboard supports three connection modes, among which Bluetooth is version 5.0, with ultra-low latency, and its appearance, it is very suitable for building a wireless desktop. Support win/mac os dual system automatic identification, install the Zeus driver system, and customize the setting buttons.



Dujia 620W supports full-key hot-swapping (except for satellite switches) and full-key no-reverse in all modes. Most mechanical keyboards can only achieve full-key no-reverse only in wired mode.


Using this keyboard to code is easy to cause comfort. Durga 620W belongs to the hull structure, and the noise reduction effect is no worse than other gasket structure mechanical keyboards on the market. Friends who are familiar with Durga products will know that Durga keyboards generally have " "Mute red switch" this switch body, this time the Dujia 620W white light version is equipped with Kaihua's custom turbo mute red switch, the mute effect is very good.



Built-in rechargeable lithium battery. In terms of battery life, when the backlight is turned off, the Bluetooth mode can achieve about 360 days of battery life, and the 2.4G mode can achieve 200 days of battery life. Turning on the backlight depends on the specific brightness.



Yes, the white version of the K620 can adjust the brightness of the backlight, not only that, but also a variety of lighting modes to choose from, such as radar mode, wave mode, etc.


As an 87-key keyboard, Duga 620w white light version has all the functions that other wireless keyboards on the market should have, but its body is unique, can it also catch your eyes?

I am used to mechanical keyboards, and I will never go back to membrane keyboards again! The mechanical keyboard feels comfortable, easy to code and has a longer service life. And most mechanical keyboards can achieve full-key conflict-free, which is not easy to cause accidental touches, especially when playing games, this is very important!




Some time ago, it happened that the membrane keyboard equipped with the unit was broken, so I bought this Durga K310 wired mechanical keyboard at my own expense.



Due to the needs of daily work, it is often necessary to deal with numbers and calculate the amount of the project, so the full keyboard is the best office partner! In terms of layout, the Duga K310 series are all 104 full keyboards. In terms of color, there are three options: space gray, light fog blue, and natural white. In terms of lighting, there are no light, white light limited edition, and RGB to choose from.



Because it is used in the unit, the color can be low-key, and there is no need to move it frequently, so I bought the K310 deep space gray matte wired mechanical keyboard, and the connection is more stable!



This keyboard is designed with an ultra-narrow bezel, which highlights the line beauty of the keycap! The body shell is made of plastic material, and the keyboard panel is made of carefully adjusted metal matte texture paint layer, with a dark gray appearance, which looks full of texture.




The keyboard adopts a semi-suspended frame design, and the inside of the keyboard is not easy to accumulate dust, which is convenient for daily care! The entire keyboard does not have an overly fancy design, only the iconic LOGO design of Dujia in the lower right corner. The color matching of the keyboard is dark gray and silver, which is suitable for placing in the office environment, simple and low-key!



In terms of keycap material, PBT material is used, which is more comfortable than ABS, has better wear resistance, and does not slip! The keycap font adopts two-color injection molding process, closed character design, and the details are well expressed!



In terms of the height of the keycaps, the OEM height stepped keycaps are used, and the built-in stable key shaft steel plate is used to ensure more stability when typing on the keyboard and a more comfortable hand feeling!




Because it is used in the unit, in terms of switch body selection, I chose the CHERRY German cherry red switch with a relatively low key sound. The red axis feels straight up and down, without a sense of paragraphs, and the feel is softer, and the buttons are easier to press, which is very suitable for white-collar workers who have long-term office codes. In addition, the height of the original factory conforms to the ergonomic design, and long-term use will not cause wrist soreness.


In terms of large keys, the satellite shaft that has been tested and tuned is used, which is more stable than the balance shaft and feels more comfortable!



The keyboard supports full-key conflict-free design, which is very important when playing games. Say goodbye to the troubles caused by key conflicts and enjoy the thrilling experience brought by the game! At work, there is no need to worry about accidental touches caused by operating various combinations of keys together.



Keyboard back design:


Two-stage foot support design on both sides supports multi-angle adjustment. The four corners of the keyboard are designed with non-slip pads.


The cable management groove above the keyboard adopts three different angles: left, right, and front, which are convenient for the storage of data cables and ensure a cleaner desktop.



In terms of the link method, I bought a wired single-mode keyboard, which uses a key-line separation design and a Type-C interface. In order to meet the needs of different users, two data cables are included in the standard configuration, Type-C to Type-C data cable and USB to Type-C data cable.





In practical applications, although it is a single-mode mechanical keyboard, the application scenarios are also very rich.


Figure 1: Unit workstations to complete daily work codeword requirements. The sound of the red axis button is also small, which will not affect other colleagues. The feel is also very light and comfortable, and it can be triggered by pressing lightly, and you will not feel tired after coding all day.


Figure 2: In the meeting room of the unit, connect the Hiteco touch all-in-one machine, and the meeting + recording can be easily done!


Figure 3: Connecting the United Innovation 15Q1F portable display at home + zero moment SER5 Pro 5800H small host, it can be assembled into a temporary office area! Easily solve the work temporarily assigned by the leader at home! It can also be used as a game experience area. After the children are asleep at night, they can experience the pleasure and relaxation brought by the game!



Finally, let's summarize:


Dujia K310 series has been on the market for 7 years since it was launched in 2015! The reason why it is still on sale for 7 years is that it is deeply loved by consumers in terms of quality, performance, and feel, and has accumulated a large number of loyal fans of users!


And the Duga K310 wired mechanical keyboard I bought this time: the full keyboard meets various needs of office codes, the PBT keycaps have good wear resistance, the cherry red axis codes are comfortable and light, and the wired connection is stable. Overall, it is very suitable Office use needs!

suite


The arrangement of the keyboard has long been derived from the original 104/108 key arrangement, and various arrangements such as 87/84, 61/68/71, 40, 98, and 75 have been derived. Some seemingly strange arrangements are actually made by ordinary users according to their own needs, and then quantitative production is carried out. The really popular customized kits are the three configurations of 68, 87 and 104/108. For example, the Black Canyon Soda68 is the classic 68% arrangement, and there are also 61% and 71% arrangements of the same origin, that is, a few more buttons or knobs.



The Y3 is a standard 87-arranged keyboard, and the switch body supports hot swapping, which can also be regarded as a kit to a certain extent. After all, the switch body and keycap kits are bundled, and you have to install them one by one after you get it. The 87 has the same source as the 84/86 arrangement, which also increase or decrease a few keys and multiple knobs. The specific choice of which one to arrange depends on your own needs and budget.



The simplest keyboard structure is the sky-covering structure with an inner liner sandwiched between the upper and lower covers, and the entire keyboard rings when you type it. Later, a more complex structure and connection method evolved. Take Black Canyon as an example: a layer of silicone sandwich pad is added between the positioning board and the PCB board, and a layer of silicone bottom is also added between the lower cover, battery and PCB board. Pad, to reduce the vibration and noise of the keyboard as a whole, but also to ensure the rebound feel.



In the past, many customized cases required self-welding, because there were tools and technical thresholds for welding, and there were many individuals who undertook generation assembly on various platforms. The relative cost of hot-swapping has dropped in the past two years. For kits of the same level, the price difference between soldering and hot-swapping is already the same as the price of a set of soldering tools. If you want to try more axes, there is no The reason is not to choose a kit that supports hot swapping.



The length of the large keys on the keyboard is usually 2-3 shaft widths, so there must be an auxiliary mechanical structure to ensure the normal use of these keys. Soda68 uses the satellite shaft structure, which is the most mainstream large key structure now, and the balance bar is basically no longer seen.



Since the cost of customized self-assembly is higher than that of finished keyboards of the same specification, wired keyboards are still in a frantic price war, and the main shipments of existing kits are still wireless models. The wireless connection of the keyboard is basically realized through Bluetooth or 2.4GHz adapter. Wireless dual-mode generally refers to supporting wired and Bluetooth connections, and wireless three-mode supports wired, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections. The switching of the three modes and the switching of the keyboard are mostly controlled by physical switches. Most of the keyboards that support Bluetooth connection can be paired with 3 devices. The corresponding device can be selected through the Fn function key and the corresponding button. The lights of these keys will also be used to display the Bluetooth connection status. Taking Soda68 as an example, these 68 keyboards are conventionally connected to Bluetooth devices through Fn+Q/W/E switching.



Shaft



There should be hundreds of shafts now, and it is impossible for ordinary people to try all of them. But as mentioned above, the shaft body is divided into two categories: paragraph and linear, and there are different pressure grams and strokes on these two basis. Therefore, you can estimate the axis body that you are familiar with based on the data of the axis body. If you really can't estimate it, you can also buy a shaft tester to try, and then just take out the shaft tester after you are selected.



This time, we chose the Runyu shaft from Cherry Five-leg Factory. The jade shaft is based on the white shaft by replacing the spring, grease, and using updated processes and standards. The trigger pressure is 44cN, the stage pressure is 55cN; the trigger stroke is 2.0mm, and the total stroke is 4.0mm. It can be understood as a combination version of white shaft and brown shaft, providing a total of 8 styles of three-legged/five-legged, RGB/non-RGB and factory-run/non-factory-run.



In the circle of customization, there is another key point: run shaft. In the author's opinion, the shaft body is most affected by the innate craftsmanship level, so it is like rubbish shaft moistening can save the hand feeling, and some shafts with better craftsmanship have to find the so-called generation group to moisten the shaft, which is pure waste. . To put it bluntly, running the shaft can improve the friction between the shaft core and the base, and improve the smoothness most intuitively. Disassemble the shafts one by one to do the so-called lubricating shafts. If you insist on lubricating the springs, you can avoid the sound of the springs.



The shaft body is divided into five-legged shaft body and tripod shaft body. The protrusion in the middle of the bottom of the shaft seat and the two metal sheets are tripods, and the five-legged body is based on the tripod with two plastic positioning feet. How to confirm whether you need to buy a tripod or a pentapod? You must first confirm the support of the kit. The five-legged kit can be compatible with the tripod shaft, but not vice versa. So if you want to save trouble, you can just buy the tripod shaft directly. Otherwise, you will have to "pedicure" the shaft body like the author.



All kinds of shafts are mechanical switches, which need to be installed on the circuit connected to the keyboard on the PCB before they can be used. For manufacturers, finished keyboards, products with only one plate to be welded, are the most suitable for assembly line and automation. It is much easier to get a hot-swappable kit and install it by yourself. It is much easier to weld the shafts one by one.



keycap



Except for some keys of individual keyboards that require special-sized keycaps, most of the others just press the keycaps directly on the shaft body. The price of keycaps ranges from low to high, and to be honest, the water is really deep. A considerable part of the keycaps rely on marketing to support the high price, and the actual workmanship and quality cannot afford the high price. If you buy keycaps by yourself, you can try the explosive models first.



The matching keycaps this time are UTA-95 Russian original retro keycaps of MXRSKEY Mars Key. The full set of 141 keys adopts double-sided dye-sublimation printing technology on the front and side. It is the first keycap on the market with a wall thickness of 1.7mm.



Keycaps are mainly made of ABS, PBT, POM, and PC. Among them, ABS is softer and feels relatively soft, so it is easier to oil; PBT is harder than ABS, and even relying on process treatment can solve the problem. Problem, but you can still feel a little matte; the material of POM is black, so the third-party factories will basically not use it, and only the original original keyboards from manufacturers such as Cherry will be used.



The basic cost of raw materials is here, and the cost of mold opening must also be calculated. The higher the precision of the mold, the higher the cost of mold opening. The price span of the keycaps is very large, but the overall quality difference can indeed be seen. Taking the two sets of keycaps in hand, it is obvious that the gap in the level of craftsmanship can be seen. Regardless of the internal flatness or the consistency of the keycap wall thickness, the keycap of Mars Key UTA95 retro Russian is better.



When selecting keycaps, you should also pay attention to the height. The height of the original factory, OEM height, SA and XDA heights are relatively large. SA is the highest keycap, and sometimes it will be tiring to use. The height of OEM and original factory appears most on the finished keyboard. The height of XDA basically has no height difference. .



In addition to the feel, the cavity size and internal neatness of the keycap will also affect the timbre of the keyboard cavity sound. The "mahjong sound" pursued by many people is to reduce vibration and reduce the sound in the keyboard shell through sound-absorbing cotton or Gasket structure. Moreover, keycaps with insufficient internal processing often represent a gap in the overall process, and the uniformity of the material will be poorer, which will lead to differences in natural sound performance.



The printing process of the keycap characters is also a point of concern to everyone. Earlier, due to technical limitations, it was basically monochrome. From the initial laser engraving, silk screen printing and two-color molding/two-color injection molding to dye sublimation and coating inkjet, and now multi-color dye sublimation, the printing effect of keycaps is now much stronger than before.



The problem of three-leg/five-leg compatibility has been mentioned before, anyway, my Soda68 has 68 keys, so I need to trim 136 legs, which really hurts my hands. If the keyboard is self-assembled, it is recommended to choose a tripod shaft body, which can avoid a lot of trouble.



After the shaft body is corrected, it can be installed. If the trimming is uneven, the shaft body cannot be installed flush. Taking the installation of these two shafts as an example, the shaft on the left is not completely attached to the positioning plate, and must be re-trimmed. At the same time, you need to pay attention to the position of the metal pin, and remember to align the position to prevent breaking the shaft.



The same 68-column keyboard will also have different key definitions, mainly because the rightmost column is not necessarily the same. It is much faster to install according to the official manual than to try the keys back and forth.



The installation of the tripod shaft is also prone to problems. If the alignment is not accurate, it is easy to bend the two metal pins. Therefore, after the shaft body is installed, it is necessary to perform a key test. The keys that cannot be recognized after pressing are basically the pins that are not installed in place. Just pull it out and re-install it.



In our opinion, the keyboard is just a tool, and there is no need to add too much added value. If you are not very rich and free, there is no need for a limited collection, and if you are a personal hobby, you don't want to comment much. Compared with the big keyboard market, customization is only a small segment. It is the author's consistent guiding ideology to be able to obtain the required equipment at a cheaper price. Just pick the most suitable hardware within your affordability.