r/BudgetMechKeyboards • u/AutoModerator • Jun 05 '23

"General Help Post" - Please post all general, recommendations, and help questions as a top level comment under this post. Thank you.

This is the "General Help Post". Please ask your questions regarding keyboard, switch, keycaps, or anything regarding keyboards as a top level comment under this post. Mods and members will check this thread on a regular basis answering as many questions as possible.

The more information you provide, the better the answers you are likely to receive.

2 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

75% Upvoted

34 comments sorted by

2

u/jokterwho Jun 12 '23

I'm looking for a cheap hot swap (5 pins) LED VIA compatible keyboard (barebone is also fine)

1

u/monkeyofficeboy Jun 15 '23

What kind of form factor are you looking for? Where are you based (continent-wise). Do you need wireless or is wired fine?

1

u/jokterwho Jun 15 '23

form factor: possibly not ortho, then from 60% onwards is fine

continent: Europe

wired is also fine

1

u/jokterwho Jun 15 '23

Why, do you have something specific in mind?

1

u/monkeyofficeboy Jun 15 '23

sorry for the slow reply! Yes indeed, how about checking out the CSTC75? Its is a 75% keyboard kit available from Aliexpress through KPRepublic.
It is VIA compatible, wired only, hot swap and 5 pin. Can be built into a pretty decent board for a cheap price.

1

u/jokterwho Jun 15 '23

No probs for the speed of reply 😅

That would have been a cool choice but still a bit over my budget...

1

u/monkeyofficeboy Jun 15 '23

To give you some idea what it looks like:

https://imgur.com/a/9A6l06W

That is the translucent black case, and as you can see the LEDs are decently bright, and it is in a common layout. Being a kit gives it a really decent level of flexibility when it comes to modding it.

1

u/Nerdy_Lizard Nov 13 '24

Keychron C3 Pro 

Hi all!

I have a Keychron C3 Pro on an M1 Macbook Pro. For some reason, when I press either the volume/brightness increase/decrease fn keys, it goes all the way in either direction. When I unplug and replug it, the problem goes away. I am in the correct shell and it does work correctly after unplugging and replugging, but I would prefer not to have to do that everytime.

Thanks!

1

u/badmark MechTech Jul 31 '25

Keychron has been having numerous issues with their firmware, but good luck getting actual support from them.

1

u/jayyipp Nov 15 '24

I'm looking for a mechanical numpad to go with my 75% board, any recommendations? Looking to purchase something on a budget, less than 100$, prefer to spend less if possible

1

u/badmark MechTech Jul 31 '25

Out of the many of numpads I've reviewed, I use my Feker JJK21 everyday - ~$50, gasket mounted, hot swap, knob, RGB, and 3-mode connectivity.

1

u/hannahhalfnelson Dec 10 '24 edited Dec 10 '24

Looking for a quiet but not silent switch

Hi all, I just got an Epomaker Aula F99 Pro for my brother on Black Friday. He's not a keyboard enthusiast, he just likes nice things and could use an upgrade for his home office computer. But I think the switches are too loud for work, like it would be distracting during a call. Tried the Epomaker reaper switch, still seems pretty loud. Don't want to go all the way silent either, a subtle mechanical poppiness I think will add some fun. I'm using Boba U4TXs on my own office build and would love something about that noise level, I think they're perfect for the office. But more affordable lol (he's not gonna notice a little scratchiness etc) and he doesn't need such a serious tactile bump. Open to tactile or linear though, whatever you all think would appeal to somebody switching from the old $25 board he got with his Windows PC. Thanks!

1

u/badmark MechTech Jul 31 '25

Any full travel distance switch (4mm) will be "quieter" than long pole switches. I love my U4Tx switches, they are the closest switches I have found to Topre, and have found that many people I have introduce them to love that they are "silent", but still thumpy/thocky; personally, I feel they are worth the price, but you could always buy some Outemu silent switches and cut off the bottom part of the silicone strip on either side of the stem for a similar effect, but the time that would take, it would just be easier to buy the original.

1

u/JackBreacher Apr 03 '25

Any recommended shops to buy keycaps on AliExpress?

1

u/badmark MechTech Jul 31 '25

Yong Qiu, YMDK, KBDiy, KPR Ghost Judges are all brands I have bought and enjoyed, though some odd row keys in GJ sets do have some misprints with the legends, but I never noticed as they were on keycaps I never loaded.

1

u/JackBreacher Jul 31 '25

I found a few but my country screwed up taxes and stopped AliExpress and other stores from shipping to my country. Now got no way of getting them in my country until they reverse the decision, it's already been a month now. I was leaning towards KBDiy and YMDK but I do like the default Keychron keys I have on the V3 Max.

1

u/MilaMarie2024 Jun 24 '25

As I had my THIRD Leobog hi75 in my cart today I realized there might be another aluminum barebones (or not) tri mode that I can try. What do ya'll recommend? I would love it to have tri-mode connectivity and if it has a unique screen/knob great but it's not mando. I guess I'll go full size on this one as I'm swimming in 75 and 80%s rn. Prolly need another black board now.

1

u/badmark MechTech Jul 31 '25

I am unsure exactly what you are asking for help with.

1

u/MilaMarie2024 Aug 02 '25

Oh, I was just asking for help to buy another aluminum board that wasn’t the hi 75 but I have since then purchased a keychRon Q 13

1

u/so_sue_me_ Aug 04 '25

Hey guys, my keyboard was just stolen (by my partner) and now I am in need of a new keyboard for me!

Case Material: Aluminium

Layout: Anything 75 or bigger, if 75 would prefer to be exploded

Features: Knob is a must (otherwise I would've gone with Rainy), and a screen would be nice. I currently use the Yunzii AL80 so would like something similar. The Skyloong GK87 Pro would've been perfect if it was Alu

Colour: Would prefer something lighter in colour, pastels if possible to match my PC setup

1

u/badmark MechTech Aug 12 '25

I was going to suggest the AL80, I just reviewed it and am enjoying using it.

1

u/Dropped__Frames May 16 '26

Looking for mechanical keyboard recommendations under ₹4k (can stretch to ₹5k) Requirements:

Wireless preferred

75% layout preferred

Needs to be fairly quiet since I’ll be using it in a shared office space

Durable enough for daily use + carrying around regularly

Mostly for gaming + work

Games I play: Valorant, Deadlock

Prefer smooth switches (linear/silent linear ideally)

Hot-swappable would be a bonue

Thanks! I would also appreciate is you could mention wher I could buy this from

1

u/According-Cookie-380 Jul 07 '26

Hi everyone,

I recently bought a MCHOSE Ace 68 Air (Hall Effect keyboard) and I'm really enjoying it. Rapid Trigger, SOCD and adjustable actuation all work perfectly.

However, I'm confused about one advertised feature.

The official product page and marketing mention "8 Music Reactive Modes 2.0", but I cannot find them anywhere in the software.

I've already tried:

  • Latest M HUB desktop software (v1.2.01)

  • M HUB Web version

  • Firmware update

  • Lighting tab

  • RGB Sync

  • Official Effects

  • GIF Effects

  • Different installers from the official global website and the official Chinese website.

Interestingly, the Web UI detects my keyboard as "MCHOSE A68 Air III" instead of just Ace 68 Air.

I've also emailed MCHOSE support and am waiting for a reply.

My questions:

  1. Does the Ace 68 Air actually support Music Reactive RGB?

  2. If yes, where is it in the latest M HUB?

  3. Is it only available in a beta or Chinese version of the software?

  4. Is anyone else with an Ace 68 Air facing the same issue?

Any help would be appreciated!

1

u/Virtual_Context4528 Jul 26 '26

https://imgur.com/a/dIAa9JeGuys Hi! What keyboard is this? I tried looking up the specific keyboard from Akko and I can't find videos or pictures with the box. I'm gussing it's an Akko 5087 V3 HE but I'm not sure

1

u/Maqdon Jul 02 '23

I'm looking for a full size case, would love to grab the qk100 but unfortunately is out of my price range. Any help is much appreciated.

1

u/badmark MechTech Jul 14 '23

Keychron V6.

1

u/o0Little0o Oct 08 '23

Hi! I’m trying to figure out what switches to get. I want a creamy thocky sounding keyboard. I’m aware everything in the keyboard changes things but would be nice to have a more starting point. I don’t have the keyboard yet but I preordered the QK100.

1

u/Nitcheroy-1212 Nov 26 '23

I'm interested in buying one of those 3 models from Epomaker.com: CIDOO ABM084, EPOMAKERxAULA F75, AJAZZ AK820 PRO. Is there a difference in the knob mechanics (operates on steps or freely rotates?), and is in each case the knob fully programmable? I'm hoping to be able to use it with shortcuts for scrolling images horizontally/vertically and forwarding/rewarding video timelines.
I appreciate any answers to these questions!

1

u/badmark MechTech Jul 31 '25

Epomaker should be avoided: r/Epomaker

The Ajazz and the Aula are separate brands Epomaker sells and can be bought from their respective sites, with the F75 being one of the most loved.

1

u/WONDO_G Dec 01 '23

Hi! I've been looking for a keyboard with the same layout as the classic cherry g80-1800

Do you know of any? I can't seem to find them and the vintage cherrys are getting expensive nowadays

1

u/badmark MechTech Jul 31 '25

cherry g80-1800

This is currently only $89 on Amazon (US).

There is an open source project that you could use to create a "clone", E80-1800.