in a nutshell, this hobby is about exploring options based on own preferences, so as to achieve the best typing experience that your boards can bring to yourself.

since it's about yourself, first-hand experience is always important. in general, the process of identifying parts and mods that are suitable for your builds take time. there will be a lot of experiments by yourself to improve stuff. with that being said, for beginner, if possible, get a hot-swap board to start with, even if you have good skills in soldering and desoldering. the convenience of switch hot-swapping alone will save you a lot of time, and reduce risks to screw up parts like pcb.

tecware boards could be the starting point, since they are relatively affordable and they are crappy at stock. they give you more chances to understand why they are crappy, and learn how to make them better. (they can be much better after tuned tbh) you can gain quite a lot of basics from a hot-swap board (within their physical limits, of course) the only thing that i do not like tecware is the lack of support for 5-pin switches. however, for beginner, you have enough 3-pin switch options to get busy already.

also, i think standard tkl is better as layout, since key caps are also part of experiments, so you don't need to worry about incompatibilities in most cases.

note that the above is just one of the routes that you can start with, and it doesn't mean you can ignore soldering and desoldering. these basic skills are easy to learn, and you should pick them up along the way. hot-swap kits have their weaknesses. soldered builds are still much better in most cases.

I understand what you are saying but couldn't help but LOL

I absolutely forgot about the pins and the keycap compatibility. Luckily i check back the Tecware B68 actually has 5 pin sockets, but with 3 pin gaterons. Keycaps might still be an issue I guess, as I do plan to change keycaps in future.

Thanks for the advise. Now I know a bit more on things to look for.

This post has been edited by danny_sp15: Aug 24 2021, 03:34 PM

Thank you Mecha Sifus for all advice. Built my own keeb using rojak keecaps, alpaca, fr plate, bamboo case, nothing extraordinary.



Now i must stop... else bankrap.

hehe truth has to be told. the crappy part of tecware boards are usually fixable to certain extents, so it's not a big deal.

mkb basics are simple, but there is no 'one size fits all' scenario. all boards are not built equally, so they need adjustments. boards with crappy stock configurations actually help beginners a lot.

also, i hope new comers learn solve issues and make adjustments accordingly, based on basics, and actual root causes of a problem, which make more sense, than to apply mods blindly, or based on hype.

you're very welcome.

if new tecware boards support 5-pin switches, then i think it's getting somewhere better for beginner. (at least it's better than gmmk-tkl)

as for compatibility of key caps, it shouldn't be a problem. you just need to pay attention to supported layouts of the set, especially for those non-standard keys, before you place your order.

memang ada gaya

.. if only they have metal case option for this, which can be transformed into wrist rest when used lol

From what I know, currently tecware phantom elite out of stock for more than half year already, before MCO i asked the shop staff in lowyat plaza they mentioned to me tecware didn't restock for quite a long time already so yeah

Personally if can I will suggest you go for phantom elite since it use kailh or gateron which is a better alternative for the normal version tecware phantom since it use outemu switches
Outemu switch is really really budget and the quality is just ok nia but phantom elite is like around rm250 something which is above your budget already

I never actually used royal kludge's kb before but I heard that their quality is decent for their price, like it is quite good tbh for its budget price so if you like it can just go for it

For better alternatives for RK71, previously before I bought my current kb EP84 I was looking at keychron c1, I found one in shopee with just slightly above rm200 so I think it is still ok for your budget range but I just look through the page it says that only left the version without any backlight meaning no rgb or even the blinking light effect at all and the switch is keychron own manufactured switch, I dunno the quality good or not but the keyboard is hot-swappable, meaning you can pull out the switch and change it as long as you have extra switches. If you are interested just shopee search keychron c1 keybot

Hot-swappable kb is generally easier to use since if you want to change the switch you don't have to purpose take everything out and then desolder the switch and change new switch and then solder again, too troublesome. Generally, i recommend you to prioritize that kind of kb that have hot-swappable pcb, same goes to the RK71 you mentioned that you found but one thing you have to make sure that which switches they are using, i dunno why but i heard a lot of people saying that outemu switch socket don't compatible with switch from other brand so yeah it is better for you to make sure of this first if not ltr you suddenly say want change switch but then cannot fit then ggwp already

For another alternative for RK71, RK68 looks like a solid choice too although I'm not sure whether it has hot-swappable pcb or not, the price is also quite decent, generally royal kludge isn't a bad choice for a budget keyboard

And since you mentioned you like the sound of brown switches, it is possible you might like linear switch like red switch too but it is up to your personal preference, like i prefer clicky switches like kailh box white but I'm ok with linear switch too. I suggest you can just buy the kb with brown switch first to test it out since unlike other switches like red switches it has a tactile bump feeling, it is hard to describe but you will know it when you press on it

But then if you really like the feeling for brown switch and you want to try something new, can try akko cs switches, i just got my hands on them on a tester and i really like the BIG BIG tactile bump on their tactile switches, so maybe you can consider try them out if you feeling like trying out something new, quite cheap also, around rm40 for 45 pieces, really really budget already

Very nice. Always so jealous of the choices you have for 60/65% boards. I can't live with such tiny boards. My current setup has 114 keys plus 1 rotary encoder!

Just wanted to highlight that Gazzew switches are awesome "enthusiast-grade" switches which are made by Outemu and can be used in the cheaper Tecware boards.

Never aware that outemu also made switches like this, from what i know they are pretty famous for their regular switches like the red blue and brown and some other switches like clear and purple

Thanks for the information

familiar keycaps. you bought them from Mech Market?

yesh yesh poor pipit caught guilty as charged. but i had to take time and retrobrited and fix cracked stems tho. Looks like ppl hunting OG stuffs is taking a lot of risks.

now i have to avoid that page, too many temptation.

you did a really good job at the restoration, all the yellowing are gone. didn't know they had cracked stem though, do contact me on fb again if you think the price is not fair and need compensation

Tecware B68 finally arrived! Originally thought of moving to TKL but the pre-order shipped much earlier than expected, so didn't manage to cancel in time. No regrets though. I dont have much experience with mechanical keyboards but this is easily my favourite among the ones I had.

Like horns said, keycaps may be an issue, and true enough not many option for keycaps set with the right size for the right sided Alt/Fn/Ctrl/Shift. Luckily some brands like Akko have these sizes.

Hi guys, I have a varmilo 108M sakura pink, Brown switch.

this one : https://en.varmilo.com/keyboardproscenium/s...ed?subjectid=96

So the ALT button for my keyboard is stiff / a little bit harder to press than normal.

is there anyone / place that is available to fix it?

Thanks in advance.

Area around setapak

This post has been edited by rEvivEd-: Aug 26 2021, 01:44 PM

How much did you spend to get this kb and which switch you chose?

Previously i was looking for a smaller kb as I was trying to move from full size then to TKL and something even smaller than that

I wasn't aware that tecware has 65% keyboard until few days ago lmao, since their popular and probably more famous products are their phantom series kb

At first I was thinking about getting something from royal kludge since it isn't that bad for the price but then ended buying epomaker ep84, quite decent for the price too, only changed the spacebar stabs since somehow all of the stabs were came factory lubed but the spacebar stabs still feel super rattly and the sound cant even be covered by the sound of kailh box white

Sounds like something to do with the spring in the switch since it is ALT button so confirm nothing to do with the stabs

Im not an expert in these things and i don't want just straight jump to conclusion so what i said is all guessing only

If you feel the switch is stiffer than usual then it can be either the spring itself is heavier than the other switches or something else is wrong with the switch itself but my best guess is the spring problem, maybe when they manufacture this particular switch they used a heavier spring or something, making it harder for you to press it down

IF really is the switch problem, you have to desolder the switch from the pcb since i don't think it is a hot swap pcb which is quite troublesome, and then open the switch out, change the spring with the other springs and then check again see ok or not

This is only my guessing la could be correct could be wrong, but since it is just ALT button so if you wont be bothered by that and the signal can be registered by the computer then i think can just leave it like that, unless what you mean is when you press down you feel like it is stuck halfway then another story already, but still has something to do with the switch itself

Tecware Phantom TKL.

This is about rm228 after 10% cashback. I chose gateron yellows (smd) as I heard they're pretty smooth, but since my work involves a lot of pressing Ctrl, my pinky is sore already cos not used to the weight. Maybe should have gone with gateron reds.

Other than that they're pretty great. After lube feel so damn nice, although i think i overlubed cos damn hard to see the lube on the milky bottom switch.

The stabs are prelubed, no hook/fang thingy at the bottom so i think no need to clip it off. Braided usb C cable. Keycap and switch puller (the proper metal type).

Only downside is the led isnt that bright. Havent tried the bluetooth connection so cant comment on that.

Edit: they don't have gateron reds. Only yellow and black.

This post has been edited by danny_sp15: Aug 26 2021, 04:43 PM

Only 228 sounds after cashback sounds really tempting tbh, I rmb it has hot swap pcb right? Maybe you can try akko vintage white switch for ctrl key if you feel gateron yellow is too heavy

I just got my hands on akko vintage switches and after lubing they feel really smooth, only 36g for their actuation force, probably one of the lightest you can get on market
Quite cheap also, you can find those shop that sell them separately instead of in one box on shopee