Well I fell down the custom keyboard world.

[Spacedeck]

I'd start with which layout you want, which features (Hotswap, Bluetooth, VIA support etc..) and how much you want to spend.

If you're wanting ISO then I'd recommend Keychron (they have a UK site or there are UK vendors). You can buy an ISO, VIA supported hotswap board with keycaps/switches included and have a solid start to then tweak. Mod it with force break, buy a different plate, caps, switches and so on if you want to.

Monsgeek are also a solid option alongside others people have mentioned like Glorious etc..

OC sell the Glorious 65% and 96% boards along with Glorious switches and caps etc.. so you could get a full bundle plus some extras.

Honestly depends how far you want to go.

I'd say the main one would be hotswappable. Wireless support doesn't bother me so long as the cable detachable. I've just had another look at the Wooting site, which says the UK ISO 60HE+ version is in stock. The keyboard, wrist rest and a case can be bought for £220, which doesn't sound too bad consider the reputation it gets. Although not sure on what the limitations of the Wooting are in terms of changing things up like switches.

 

[t2na]

I'd say the main one would be hotswappable. Wireless support doesn't bother me so long as the cable detachable. I've just had another look at the Wooting site, which says the UK ISO 60HE+ version is in stock. The keyboard, wrist rest and a case can be bought for £220, which doesn't sound too bad consider the reputation it gets. Although not sure on what the limitations of the Wooting are in terms of changing things up like switches.

Your main limitation for switches with the Wooting is they have to be hall effect switches, you wouldn't be able to swap from Wooting's Lekker45/60 switches to a Gat Brown, for example, as it's a completely different switch style. Actually swapping the switches is mega easy, it's the same as any other hotswap, you're just limited on what you can swap to.

Definitely think it's a good idea going with a hotswap board to start things off, that's the best way to find out what sort of switches you like using.

Your other option is going with someone like KBDFans and picking up a pre-assembled/pre-built keyboard. They have a 'ready-to-use' section where you can pick from different sizes/features etc. and then select your switches, the case colour, the plate material etc. and it comes fully assembled. They can get a little more expensive going this route.

 

[jaffveyda]

Dammit, I've just finished my Monsgeek M1 which cost around £140.. and you've just made me realise the GMK vaporwaves would look perfect with it... but they cost £143


Which board do you have? - I didn't think many Asus boards had hot-swappable switches.

You should still be able to change the caps either way though, as long as the stems are the right shape (they are on my Asus Cerberus).
Plenty of affordable caps available with a quick search

Which board do you have? - I didn't think many Asus boards had hot-swappable switches.

You should still be able to change the caps either way though, as long as the stems are the right shape (they are on my Asus Cerberus).
Plenty of affordable caps available with a quick search

I have Asus Azoth so the board is customisable with hot swappable switches .

 

[TrojanWhore]

I have Asus Azoth so the board is customisable with hot swappable switches .

Yeah you'll be fine then... for some reason I had it in my head the Azoth used some sort of non-standard switch interface, but must have been thinking of something else...
What switches do you have in it at the moment?

You may have found this guy already, but Hipyo Tech did a couple of vids on modding it...

Spoiler

 

[Ducky Spud]

I was going to start a new thread but this seems the place to ask anything relating to mechanical keyboards!

I've been out of PC gaming for the last 12 years or so. Basically had kids and life took over! They're into gaming now though and I want to get them trying it out on the PC. First things first, I need a new mouse and keyboard because my old ones are just disgusting after all those years!

I looked around for a slightly smaller mechanical board and I've gone for a Epomaker TH80 Pro, just waiting on it arriving. Got it as it free's up a lot of desk space for me and I was just curious to try a mechanical board, but it's properly got me falling down the rabbit hole and I'm already looking at future plans and upgrades!

I've got a couple of questions though. I like the look of the Glorious 65% boards, but prefer a 75% layout as I do use the function keys quite a bit. However the price difference is crazy, its over double the cost. I'm just wondering what am I getting for the increase in cost?

That's my main issue, from cheap boards ordered from China up to things like the Glorious 65% boards, I can see the added features or improved quality etc. But the ones more expensive than that I struggle to understand the increased cost. To me they may have better switches etc, but why not just buy a decent barebones for £70 or so, then add the switches you want and it'll be a fraction of the ones costing £200+.

Seems like a grumpy question but its not, I just want to understand them more. Once somethings got me I try to fully understand every detail but everything I seem to find online is either super basic or way too in depth already assuming a lot of knowledge.

 

[CGrieves]

I was going to start a new thread but this seems the place to ask anything relating to mechanical keyboards!

I've been out of PC gaming for the last 12 years or so. Basically had kids and life took over! They're into gaming now though and I want to get them trying it out on the PC. First things first, I need a new mouse and keyboard because my old ones are just disgusting after all those years!

I looked around for a slightly smaller mechanical board and I've gone for a Epomaker TH80 Pro, just waiting on it arriving. Got it as it free's up a lot of desk space for me and I was just curious to try a mechanical board, but it's properly got me falling down the rabbit hole and I'm already looking at future plans and upgrades!

I've got a couple of questions though. I like the look of the Glorious 65% boards, but prefer a 75% layout as I do use the function keys quite a bit. However the price difference is crazy, its over double the cost. I'm just wondering what am I getting for the increase in cost?

I don't think there are any hard and fast rules here. I've had some excellent $35 keyboards from Aliexpress and some mediocre £100 boards from Uk sellers. Anything more expensive than that I research thoroughly to make sure I'm getting what I want.

Note that Glorious GMMK and GMMK Pro keyboards are very different- the first is plastic and built cheaply. Not saying they're bad, but in my opinion they're not the best value even at the pricepoint. The Pro is aluminium and generally more premium.

but why not just buy a decent barebones for £70 or so, then add the switches you want and it'll be a fraction of the ones costing £200+.

For me, that sentence summarises the whole point of "Custom" keyboards

Seems like a grumpy question but its not, I just want to understand them more. Once somethings got me I try to fully understand every detail but everything I seem to find online is either super basic or way too in depth already assuming a lot of knowledge.

You're going on the right track I think- try and understand every detail before comitting money.

 

[Ducky Spud]

For me, that sentence summarises the whole point of "Custom" keyboards


You're going on the right track I think- try and understand every detail before comitting money.

Well yea, I guess it does sum it all up!

I've had an update saying my keyboard is through customs now, should hopefully be delivered this week all being well. I assume once I've used one and I then have a base level to form my opinions. Having never used a mechanical board before I don't yet have thoughts on linear or tactile for example.

 

[Rob_B]

I'm after a birthday present for my son. Amongst his requests is a white keyboard and I thought I'd go mechanical as he games and so he can swap switches and mess with custom caps as he likes that sort of stuff.

Any suggestions for a white, but more importantly CHEAP (£50 max) board? No RGB required, doesn't need anything fancy. I've not found anything that grabbed my attention after a search. I thought about an RT100 for the quirkiness but that's well above budget

 

[JollyJamma]

I'm after a birthday present for my son. Amongst his requests is a white keyboard and I thought I'd go mechanical as he games and so he can swap switches and mess with custom caps as he likes that sort of stuff.

Any suggestions for a white, but more importantly CHEAP (£50 max) board? No RGB required, doesn't need anything fancy. I've not found anything that grabbed my attention after a search. I thought about an RT100 for the quirkiness but that's well above budget

Keychron?

 

[Rob_B]

I'd looked at the C1 in white but it's not hot swap :/
Maybe, just maybe I'm asking too much

 

[JollyJamma]

I'd looked at the C1 in white but it's not hot swap :/
Maybe, just maybe I'm asking too much

£50 is asking a bit much.

I think you can get hot swap for £75 to £100.

 

[Rob_B]

The Ajazz Ak820 seems OK for entry level, hot swap, 75%, knob, for £35.

Worth a punt surely.

 

[JollyJamma]

The Ajazz Ak820 seems OK for entry level, hot swap, 75%, knob, for £35.

Worth a punt surely.

£35 for a mech keyboard!? Hells teeth they aren’t making a profit on that then.

 

[Bubo]

I recently bought a Royal Kludge RK84 for £66 which was an offer price. ANSI layout though.

Edit: before that I got a cheap MageGee 75% keyboard for £30 which is hot swappable. Needed some lube to solve sticky space bar but for my first mechnical keyboard I thought it was ok. Got the RK84 cos I found I needed wireless.

 

[CGrieves]

If you don't mind ANSI (and if it's likely he might get into mech keyboards, it's arguably worth switching) then there are loads of hot-swap boards for under £50, especially if you don't mind going Aliexpress. The CIY Tester84 springs to mind, I have one- it has a metal outer frame, RGB and sounds pretty great. Pretty sure that you could fit it, switches and keycaps into the budget (From Ali).

 

[Rob_B]

I've gone with the AK820 as I've left it a bit late and don't have time to hope an Ali order turns up on time

He wanted white so I've gone with the fully white which come with blue switches, if he isn't a fan I've got some reds he can use instead.

Now time to order some caps for him that I think are cool

 

[freddie64]

Orderd a Keychron V1 Max, was going to go for the Q1 Max but not sure the metal case was worth the extra £110. (ISO not ANSI)

 

[Ducky Spud]

I've gone with the AK820 as I've left it a bit late and don't have time to hope an Ali order turns up on time

Ali Express have really improved over the last few years, long gone are the days of waiting months for things to arrive. They give you an expected delivery date, normally between 7 and 14 days from ordering, and I'm sure if is delayed they give you a partial refund or something.

I've got an AK820 in my Ali basket currently and it says its free 7 day shipping. Trying to decide between that and an Aula F75 at the moment, both in the £40-50 price range on sale currently.

 

[Rob_B]

I saw the F75 but I prefer the spacing on the right hand side of the AK820, doesn't seem as cramped.

I'll obviously have to set it up and 'test' it so will report back as to the quality. I'm hopeful though.

 

[delpy8]

To be honest I'm still falling down the hole, it's a terrible addiction,I'm currently waiting on the Nuphy Field 75HE being delivered to go with my wooting 60 and my Boog75,

I really can't help myself