here are some notes on kbd67, a 65% with hot-swap pcb from kbdfans.

1. for hot-swap pcb, the accompanying top plate (aluminum or brass) will have screw holes to secure it to pcb. for soldered pcb, the top plate doesn't have these screw holes.

2. to secure top plate and hot-swap pcb, i chose to use a m2*8 hex socket screw, a 3mm m2 standoff, and a m2 nut, as 'support poles'. the arrangement (top to bottom) is screw > plate > m2 standoff > pcb > nut. it's a good idea to put 3mm foam between the top plate and pcb also (it helps reduce pings significantly)



note: do not over-tighen these screws, because it might cause malfunctions of z-rows. also, 3mm m2 standoff allows switches to sit flush properly on pcb.

3. for reference, here are the stock screw sizes of those used in kbd67: m2*4 (to secure top plate to bottom case), and m2*10 (to secure top frame to bottom case). the stock screw type is hex socket type (aka. those that are driven with allen key). the allen key size for these stock screws are L1.5.

the rest is the usual, e.g. switch lubing, stabilizer fine-tuning, and putting a thin foam (used in packaging) between the pcb and bottom case.

This post has been edited by horns: May 25 2019, 06:19 PM

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone here owns a Vortex Race 3 RGB? I couldn't find the RGB variant online and the layout feels like endgame to me. Currently using Anne Pro 2 and I always wanted to try out the 75% layout. Thanks in advance for any info.

maybe you really need to look harder for it.

alternatively, just get a 75% kit like kbd75v2, tweak it properly, and make it the real endgame for yourself. note that these taobao shops can do full assembly for you based on components of your choice. however they build everything without mods, which is not optimal imo. the better option is to get all parts, then ask people like quovadis123 or GRexer to help you tweak and build.

The KDB75 looks really sweet as well! I jus dig the overall look of the Race 3 a lot more! Any ideas why mechanicalkeyboards.com doesn't ship to Malaysia?

not sure exactly why they don't ship to Malaysia. most probably it's about shits happened in the past.

yeah kbd75 is a nice kit tbh. good-quality qmk-based pcb; supports usb-c or mini-usb; supports plateless and plated builds; supports plate-mount and pcb-mount switches/stabilizers; etc.



edit: my photo always don't do justice to anything. it looks better in real life lol!

This post has been edited by horns: May 31 2019, 11:44 AM

Any models that you can recommend so that i can truly experience mechanical keyboard at its best?

technically, there is nothing at its best in mass-produced oem boards unfortunately. however few of them strive to maintain overall qualities, so i consider them to be much better.

for starters, i suggest going for varmilo boards with cherry mx switches. my other personal options are leopold, and filco.

i pick varmilo for a number of reasons:

1. consistent in overall build qualities; (including nicely tuned space bar and modifier keys)

2. dye-sub pbt key caps with decent thickness, step sculpture 2 profile (similar to cherry profile);

3. detachable cable (port types depend on models; mini-usb or usb-c);

4. its availability (its shop is at https://varmilo.tmall.com/);

5. relatively affordable (500myr+ plus shipping); it's too bad their base models that are below 400myr plus shipping are not available anymore.

previously i saw few miya pro at digital mall. however i'm not sure if they're still available.

This post has been edited by horns: May 31 2019, 11:44 AM

Looks like a great build! And yeah only heard good things about the KBD75! I'll sit on it a bit longer, maybe they'll even release the low-profile Race 3 sometime this year. :s

This post has been edited by piecemealcranky: May 29 2019, 06:09 AM

SteelSeries' new mechanical switches offer adjustable actuation points via magnetic fields





https://www.techspot.com/news/80264-steelse...ion-points.html



This post has been edited by Moogle Stiltzkin: May 29 2019, 11:48 AM

I have a nice thick box from Norbauer and a no-longer-in-use, made-in-Japan Leopold FC660C case in black to give away.

The Norbauer box was from Heavy-6 case I bought, so it may fit any similarly-sized keyboard.

Drop me a PM if any of you guys wants them.

sure just get what you prefer. as long as everything is fine for you that's good enough

yet another 'new' technology. statistically it seems nice, but how practical it is to us?

Wouldn't be a stretch to say that this makes the board less mechanical in some ways.

it's like optical switches. i.e. they still can have mechanical parts, like sliders and springs. (and perhaps contact leaf to reproduce typing feels)

the potential key disadvantage of this type of switches is that they put activation mechanisms on pcb. if something related to key activation is broken, it's more likely to stem from respective components on pcb. it's not as simple as just swapping switches anymore. this is similar to optical switches. the switch will probably last forever, and you can swap switch types anytime. however when components that are responsible for activation mechanisms on pcb has issues, even though they do have a good shelf life in general, you might need to replace those components when necessary.

the above is just about maintenance stand point. in real life, it might not even need to be bothered hehe (my filco red is more than 6 years old now. i just clean it up once in a while)

i know right. it's like... just give us the regular mech keyboard with mech switches and make it CHEAPER!

yes lol we all appreciate innovations, but not innovations in the wrong directions. imo restoring good mkb qualities that are gradually absent in most stock oem boards, while reducing costs are always more practical. this is one type of indirect innovations that mkb users will appreciate and benefit from.

on the other hand, what are better innovations that have direct impacts to mkb users? just look at mkb community. in all these years, mkb community is always the main driver of related innovations. most of them are actually very affordable modifications.

one of such good examples is kailh switch sockets, an obvious improvement of installation approach for switches and led on soldered pcb used by mkb users a long long time ago. (with copper sockets, holtite, etc) it lets users to further experiment and improve their own boards conveniently with other modifications, tuned based on their preferences. the outcomes are at least few times better than a stock board.

this is the main reason i suggest tecware phantom users to modify their boards. the owners have the chance to restore some good qualities of a mkb to significant extents, with cheap mods that they can apply easily. (i know they use outemu sockets. well, they still get to play with tuned outemu switches) of course, mainly due to physical limitations, tecware boards can only be improved to certain extents. however, after some levels of tuning, they will be better than most stock oem boards in the market that do not have such a convenience provided by switch sockets.

New Anne Pro 2 user here guys. Anyone know of shop in klang valley that has custom keycaps for sale or on display? wanna try real feel before i order some online.

AP2 user here too, just get keycaps from taobao. I've already bought Ducky Joker keycaps set, pudding keycaps set and taihao rubber keycaps, loving them.

thanks for the heads-up, bro. I wanna stick with pbt cos i really like the feel of the AP2 keys, just wanna mix up the colour a lil bit. So was hesitant about ordering online, but will take the plunge with some different price range sets and see what we end up with. Planning to upgrade the battery but still looking for the correct size cable connector for the mod (JST 2-pin 1.5mm pitch).

There's plenty of pbt keycaps in taobao too.
Here are my Joker keycaps set and my Pudding keycaps + taihao yellow rubber keycaps



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