A BUDGET Pre-Built Keyboard For Anyone... (Tide 65/75)

[@Paddzr]

75%. Losing F keys is not something I'll ever accept.

[@HipyoTech]

F

[@aminzizo1260]

F

[@ronaldmcdonald6067]

if you know how to count you can just press fn + 1 to "= +" keys to get f1 to f12... not a big deal

[@Paddzr]

@@ronaldmcdonald6067 It is a big deal when playing games, I have keys bounded to stuff on function keys.

[@coffinwood-blackheim]

@@ronaldmcdonald6067 That's the least contributing post possible. Why so condescending?

[@snaeb-ps3bd]

The surge of metal keyboards at this price range is absolutely insane, I haven't been in this hobby for over a year and I remember when the cheapest aluminum boards were around $200

[@MangoTangoFox]

10:56 Removing the PET sheet from the top of the PCB will significantly reduce the volume of a board. PET is not an absorption layer like foams, it is massively reflective of the mid and high frequencies, so it sends them all straight up at you rather than letting them be absorbed by the PCB and other things below it in the case. PET along with very crisp HMX switches is why the Rainy75 almost sounds foamless stock even though it has ALL the foam layers. If you removed the foams but left the PET where it's supposed to be, it would have stayed loud if not gotten louder, but likely less clean sounding as the sound waves have more opportunity to bounce around.

[@boomkruncher325zzshred5]

Possible explanation: The foam as part of the keyboard “sandwich” could have made a condition that amplified specific noise frequencies as you type on it. When the foam was removed from the “sandwich”, instead of foam to carry the vibrations, now there was only air. This concentrates the vibrations into the supports, which were dealt with via the gasket and force break mods. There is probably the tiniest echo inside the case because of the empty space, but it’s not large enough to make a significantly loud sound. I think the force break mod is doing a much bigger job at handling the noise than you might have anticipated. On one hand it’s cool that just a bit of strategic tape placement could have that big a change in sound, on the other hand it’s another avenue manufacturers can take to make their products more appealing to customers. Imagine if these various mods were standard in mechanical keyboards, I think we would have more people in the hobby if that was the case!

[@zigzag3349]

I think it's probably mostly the improved gasket performance and force break mod doing the heavy lifting.

[@lego_minifig]

The $100 keyboard price range has been going insaneo style recently

[@WASL99443]

cool

[@kelownatechkid]

lego_minifig

[@forg.a]

not really. every single one is still foam reliant, filled with flexcuts, super duper low quality, qc issues, given to tiktokers and these shityo tech guy who goes "omg so creamy, best creamy thock kilmat makes keychron best budget keyboard poppy thocky, ws morandis + amazon clones = thocc creamy!"

[@lego_minifig]

@@forg.a someone sounds salty and/or elitist. The $100 price range has vastly improved in quality compared to a few years ago. Of course a $100 board will still have flaws compared to the features of more expensive boards on the market. But that doesn’t matter to someone entering the hobby. All that matters is that these sort of boards get you 80% there (in terms of build quality and features) for a fraction of the cost.

[@linndoria]

Tide 75, Looks to be a $140 USD for Canada on the Epomaker site. Could get a 96/98% keyboard for about a little less but also less metal/features/VIA software compatible.

[@RAYDENBRYCETCO]

PLEASE REVIEW AULA F75 ITS $40-70 AND SOUNDS HEAVENLY

[@JustCountPixels]

It also has flip out feet that he mentioned in this video

[@quele]

YES

[@HipyoTech]

It's in my closet

[@mrjamestiu]

Seconded

[@ChessKnight-1]

@@HipyoTech well is it good?

[@PyromancerRift]

75% gang. I bought a 60% a long time ago (poker 2) and playing starcraft without the F keys was a nightmare (F keys can be used to move the camera quickly).

[@onlyfineinclines]

Same functuonalities in league but theyre not nearly as stanned for as in sc2

[@Gameboygenius]

Ok, I'm probably in the absolute minority, but 80%. The numpad can go, but I want my arrow keys 3 button and 6 button islands to be in a familiar place. And given my preference and budget, my entry into the hobby ended up being a Keychron. But it would be nice if 80% got some more love when 65% vs 75% is pretty much the standard discussion.

[@Cessie983]

THIS. i love seperate arrow keys and the island!! its so nice to look at as a layout!! i wish there were more people that loved this layout

[@pseudoscientist8010]

Agreed, 80% /TKL for me.

[@FireAkuma]

Can you do a ISO recommendation Video?

[@mAcroFaze]

This!! Would love to see one!

[@ghostin3274]

You should review the Epomaker AK820 Pro, it’s around 60 dollars and it has RGB, thocky switches, wireless 2.4 GHZ and an LCD screen.

[@rawr4k]

i think its by ajazz

[@Croissant5161]

You should try some keyboards from temu and try and mod them lol

[@HipyoTech]

hehehe

[@allnightshft]

dude im so happy that the keyboard scene is finally at a point where anybody can buy a custom keyboard not not sound really bad or look cheap for under 150.

[@Preston10118]

honestly I think 65% is the way to go just for more desk space and they just look cleaner to me! Also I have been waiting for a video on a 65% for sooo long thank you Lord Hipyo and Lord Nola for delivering are entertainment!!!

[@PrinceDman]

Same! I feel like it’s objectively superior (if you put in the time to learn) to the 75%. I can use the F keys and arrow keys on my 65% without even thinking nowadays.

[@kerolothdernoth]

100% all the way. Heck, if you make a nice design make it 125%. I miss the times when Keyboards had flair aside from "Oh, this one has a different paint job"

[@WinderTP]

ngl as a professional who uses numpad everyday I'd love a 125% board for shortcuts I mean I have layers for them already but it'd be really cool to just press one key instead of 2 for that But also it's just really sad that there are so few 100% options apart from Keycrhon and Ducky, it'd be great to have some of these new gimmicks/developments that are on smaller boards to be on a full-size board for once

[@DesiD92]

100% gang XD but I am trying my first 75% soon. That said, I'd love to see some Monsgeek love! I just recently built an M5W as my first custom keyboard and also just bought the M1W V3 they released on the 7th.

[@DarknessPlayz45]

Have a good day everyone reading this comment! Edit : OMG 96 Likes Thank u guys have a great month now! im feeling Nicee

[@HipyoTech]

no u

[@RBCheddar]

But it’s night time

[@DeepFriedDonut111]

@@RBCheddarlol

[@malakimaggi8392]

@@HipyoTech u should hook me up for a keyboard

[@MarcoH72]

I will not read your comment.

[@sahara8771]

Flippy feet put more stress on your wrist by angling the keyboard and forcing tension in the wrist muscles. The only reason you would want them is to adjust the ergonomics, but they just make the ergonomics worse, so companies are right to leave them out.

[@henrylonghead]

What if I want them?

[@Laetu]

Lowkey just want them to fidget with…most expensive fidget toy

[@haneko6422]

Ummm what are you talking about? Most if not all keyboard that omit the flippy feet are angled by default and you cant make them flat like you can with flippy feet?

[@Laetu]

Seeing lots of people say 75 but I think it depends on your needs! I’m into 65 bc it’s easily portable, I don’t need f row commands for any of my games, and I’m a humanities major so I don’t even need a num pad if we’re talking larger layouts lol

[@CasualTS]

I like TKL which is like 80%? Just a few more keys gives you a keyboard layout analogous to normal full size keyboards so you don't get whiplash when you need to use one.

[@caitidowns6277]

Regarding the upper and lower case housing for the switches, PA = polyamine = Nylon. So the upper housing is Nylon 6 while the bottom housing is Nylon 6,6.

[@Artista_Frustrado]

the correct Layout is TKL with a separated Numpad so you can put it above and or the left of the board

[@satanael-fool]

What’s your opinion on the epomaker aula 75?

[@RAYDENBRYCETCO]

not him but I LOVE IT

[@oSalss]

yeah it's amazing

[@HipyoTech]

trying it soon

[@LummilyIsHere]

@@HipyoTechyayyy

[@maanmaan4562]

I prefer 75%, it is functional and is the best looking layout imo. That is why I am considering the Ajazz AK820 Pro and I hope you will review it soon.

[@10_gu]

Totally recommend it :) i got it after getting the Hi75, and it's truly great !

[@bearintraining]

The reason I didn't buy the Rainy75 or Zoom75 was because I like my knob. It's nice to see a similar board that has one. IMO knobs should be standard at this point.

[@coravoyx]

who doesn’t like their own knob

[@Pravculear]

100%. i want my numpad back. the only reason my current keyboard is a 75% is because that's what my laptop has.

[@CodeVenomSnakes]

Most people do not need a numpad

[@nofilterneito]

@@CodeVenomSnakesthat’s true, but some of us are the guys and gals that are either using the numpad constantly or allocate a ton of shortcuts to the keys.

[@Jimmys_TheBestCop]

Tons of people need numpad. Anyone doing office production needs numpad. Left handed gamers use numpad. A lot easier remapping keys to numpad and never needing to move your right hand. While right hand gamers are moving their left hand all over the place. Gamers who don't play fps or third person. Tactical, strategy, simulation, management, tycoon games and war simulation games have a crap ton of key mappings. I still think the lefties might need it more then the righties but right handers should really have numpad on left hand side. I mean you have right hand gamers and production people buying "macro" keypads. Basically buying a numpad reconfigured instead of a numpad on left hand side. But I can totally see why right handers don't want a numpad. The mouse is in the right hand they can't use the numpad anyway with letting go of mouse. While us lefties have a free right hand and can use the entire numpad as remappings or macros and basically never move right hand position.

[@nicholasfaber9695]

@@CodeVenomSnakesbut some people want a numpad ??

[@zach_ry]

@@nofilterneitoyou can do the same by just using modifier keys without the need for numpad

[@qJalen]

try the magegee star 75 please! I’m begging you

[@Xander_t]

i hate to say it, but the rainy75 is still my favorite. Everything from the sound, typing feel, and board design are just better. What do you think?

[@NikTheGreek753]

Are you going to review that black diamond 75 v2??

[@HipyoTech]

Nah, I liked the first version but the changes weren't significant enough to justify another vid!

[@NikTheGreek753]

@@HipyoTech ooooohh okay thank you for replying!!!

[@BOBAGENTSMITH]

I've noticed that capton tape is like your gling wrap mod but on steroids. It causes the build to sound so much louder when it's taped on the front of the pcb under the switches. You should try it.

[@kingcrackedhen3572]

After getting my ak820 pro ajazz epomaker keyboard as my first keyboard I’m still interested in it’s comparison to other boards hipyo has tried, maybe a top ten under $100 keyboards is over due

[@StabTheCat]

Have you heard of the Akko 7th Anniversary MOD 007 PC? It uses hall effect switches, but I feel like you'll like it more than the wooting.

[@ronochow]

The front facing keycaps are fine. Perhaps the font doesn't appeal to everyone, but it has the space-theme look. But they're double-shot and the blank tops are clean.

[@MarbsMusic]

Lemokey P1 (guessing it's going to be Q1 Max variant) should be off KS next month. The no cost shipping is nice as it looks like they sent my ND75 via boat and still charged $30 for the shipping... I don't mind paying for shipping but at the price everyone else sends DHL and it takes about a week, Chilkey told me 25 business days, personally to methat in unacceptable and I wouldn't have ordered it if I knew it would take that long - Ali Express is faster right? All these seem to come with really light switches so I would have to swap any of them but still using the very light and poppy switches on the Standard Rainy75, they just sound great on the keyboard. I bet some Morandi would really bring out the front shine through on those caps and probably deepen the stock keycaps as well. Currently typing on a Galaxy80 wired I put WS Heavy Tactiles in and some front shine through I'm reviewing and it sounds pretty amazing, especially for the price. I've only been in the hobby about 2 years now and it's crazy how far the budget boards have come in such a short time.

[@HipyoTech]

Will be testing the lemokey next month! And yeah that tracks for the shipping experience actually, even boat shipping has gotten super expensive, with other companies subsidizing the DHL costs

[@flxshed]

Have you ever checked out the Klim Shift 60? It's pretty interested and wireless - got it for 20€ and it was insane!

[@ImOnMy116]

I suspect the volume lost is mostly from removing the foam between the plate and PCB. In a PCB with so many flex cuts, running foamless seems to result in a pretty empty / full sound (rather than acting as a dampener in a plate / PCB assembly with less air / opportunities for sound to resonate / reflect). Scott from the Keybored youtube channel has a great video on foams and how they impact sound for anyone interested!

[@alexisjavier84]

Man epomakers are a steal for $65. Bought my first one yesterday and i couldn't be happier.

[@mr.guillotine1312]

I've been thinking of getting a new board, but my cat will not be happy if I go beyond a 65% so for that reason, that's what I've been looking for, but as you said, most of these new options have been 75%

[@samuelstewart7339]

Oh yeah Hipyo, the luminkey65 also has the same thing with its casefoam. It actually gets louder and clackier with the bottom case foam. Really neat stuff! I'm glad to see you taking foams out since nice sound foamless is a sign of a quality board. If it sounds good foamless and with foam, it's doubly worth someone's money since it provides more options down the line!

[@thecyberquake618]

I used to be team 75%, but I've gotten used to the muscle memory of FN + number row for function keys on 65%

[@KouroshFarrokhzad]

75% is the best and so happy to see these high quality budget options!

[@katharinebovey5746]

75% at home. 65% at work (smaller desk). Is there anything in this kind of price range that is ISO? I like my Q1 pro but I am jealous of these fun case colours and wish there were more options. Hoping maybe I am just not aware of some other decent aluminium/metal case ISO options.

[@jaye3]

I think the default keycaps look great on this board! I personally like how the characters on colorful shine-through keycaps look without backlight (like a darker version of the keycap color itself). This subtle color on the front of the keys seems like a decent compromise between completely clean keycaps and still having legends. The straight lines of the font also work pretty well with the design of the keyboard imo. Plus I'd always prefer this consistent rectangular font over cheap keycaps with a regular font that looks different on every key.

[@dreflox]

100% gang (I use Blender, of COURSE i need a numpad) (also being on linux, f keys are useful sometimes)

[@muhammedmustafasanl5197]

Which country are you from

[@marshallstakkk]

I just bought this board this morning. It was between this and a few others. I think you just changed my mind somehow.

[@WaliPlayzz]

bro what do you do with all of those keyboards? and could u pls make a video on cheap keyboards that are in pakistan as the one u show are like 6000 rupees pls

[@MadmanLink]

75% all the way. I went from a tkl to the GMK67 and discovered I really can't manage without the F row. Only thing is I need a quiet keyboard as my computer is in the living room.

[@RedCoyote]

How keycaps change a board is wild! I got my first mechanical keyboard recently (an Epomaker RT100 with sea salt switches), and the sound was fine. However, I *hated* the typing experience with their keycaps. I swapped them for one of the recent LotR ones from Drop, and not only does it feel better to type on, it actually sounds better to my ears. Of course, it's all personal preference.

[@NOTCMF]

Do you have plans to review the Ajazz ak820 pro?

[@HipyoTech]

Possibly heehee

[@gtijason7853]

For around $60 looks like a winner, also interested in the AKKO pink sakura / yellow Magnetic switches in the 7th Anniversary MOD 007 PC for $120-130

[@thestreamreader]

When i searched for this video again a few videos down was the Epomaker EK75 how did we all miss this one as well. Has VIA support and only $89.

[@AquaPeet]

The fully stuffed 65% with the PBT dye sub keycaps definitely wins the sound contest!

[@elwell5]

Hipyo, any plans to do a video on the Leobog Hi8? It’s the newer model from the Hi75 and I think it addresses some of the issues you found with the Hi75 too!

[@shadowvampwolf]

Ok waiting for bridge 75 cause of the ball catch mech on the opening and I'm quite sure that makes it better than the rainy haha

[@PrinceDman]

75% isn’t too bad, but I prefer the 65% for more desk space and portability. As a programmer, key bindings and shortcuts are essential for me, so Im already used to using F keys and arrows without thinking about it on the 65%.

[@justice-cx8iy]

For tide 75, is the caps lock indicator under caps lock so that caps lock is always on when enabled?

[@lickytime9683]

Bro what?

[@krown07]

75% all the way and I have the tide 75 coming in. Idk how your affiliated links work so hopefully I did it right but I’ll keep you posted on how I like it…. Insert sad panda… it was suppose to arrive today but….. usps is slow and well looks like Monday delivery. I can confirm no shipping cost it is covered and that is amazing.

[@krown07]

update. it is here and omfg it os much nicer than i expected. Now the gasket mounting mihgt not be as good as someone like you who has a billion keyboards on me however i do have to say at least the black edition does have cvome flex in the typing experience and omg is this a game changer... THANK YOU HIPYO for all your reviews. One of tehse days I'll probably have enough money to buy keycaps from you.... I want the hipyo butt HAHA but first I might experiment with new keys before I go to keycaps idk. Only negative is the 2.4 is not working out the box. Not that I care too much about that as my primary use is gonna be wired anyways but, it is in my office/ lounge so there are times I do like to be wireless for the sake of controlling w.e is put on the big screen for the fam jam. (i have BT and other options but gonna see if i cannot troubleshoot the dongle and or reach out to epomaker if i cannot)

[@ArgelLachica]

7:11 Voice crack 💀

[@DOMOzCHANNEL]

The plastic sheet was basically tape modded to the back of the foam so that could be one reason the foam board was louder

[@heygoogle367]

are you going to make a video reviewing and modding the Keychron Q1 HE?

[@joshuameyers3464]

so when you make these do you need switches that are clear to see the rgb?

[@kvnchris]

I have no idea how i ended up in keyboard KZbin... however, I can confirm that I have now spent many hours watching Hipyo to decide on which keyboard i should buy as a starter!

[@ioyajgahju6568]

One of my fav keyboards actually. A funny thing - at first it was kinda too thick for me but it turned out that removing the upper part of housing (the top frame where button holes are) and using it is totally possible...it would of course be prone to PCB wobbling away from its dedicated support rubber pads, but I solved that by using 3m double-sided adhesive tape to permanently affix the PCB to the rubber pads (still, put on the top cover when transporting, those rubber pads aren't super strong) Unfortunately removing the PCB is now a bit dangerous (pulling might tear the rubber pads, 3m adhesives are stronk!) so can't try the defoaming mod (but oddly enough removing the top cover already made it quieter, as if the enclosure forms a resonant cavity when closed) so I'm satisfied with my "Oz*mpic mod" of this keeb

[@yessir98765]

wait what the price went up for the keyboards the 65% is 120, and 75% is 140 which is kinda sad pink and purple is cheaper tho but not my type of color

[@_tw300]

Could you do a review on the Aula F75?

[@abexa7553]

Does the tape mod work if the plastic between the plate and PCB is left out?

[@tsukkomigordo]

Now that I have one of the competitive $100 keyboards (Rainy75), I actually wanna see the same thing happen at the $200 price point. I think a lot of people would still pay that much if the value was similar to the recent $100 boards.

[@danieljames500]

if the board is hot swap, you can still swap the switches out for other ones, right? or is it some non standard layout that only works with epomaker switches?

[@TechneMakre]

is it 3 and 5 pin hotswappable 👍

[@jacobgodfrin9930]

It got quieter because the foam added rigidity to the board making the full travel of the switch more impactful. When you removed the foam the chassis is allowed to flex more and thus dampens the travel of the switch because a lighter amount of pressure make the case flex now. At least that's my theory.

[@johnnohappening2055]

Hey Hipyo, as the force curves sometimes can be misleading, can you compare the switches between this, the 2 from the stock rainy75, and the ND75. Which is overall the lightest? Thanks!

[@highmastdon]

Do you know about any keyboard that's Hall Effect and has an ISO layout?

[@Guzten2]

Will you ever review the Fiio KB3? Just picked it up and I like it, might replace the switches to tactile ones but we'll see. (:

[@leemm]

man you don't really know how much I appreciate this video like thank you bro I really needed this video

[@luusyphre]

When on wireless and the keyboard goes to sleep, does turning the knob wake the keyboard?

[@ritadebbarh7171]

Hey hipyo, do you ever try plastic case keyboards ? Aluminium is too heavy to often move it around unfortunately :(

[@coyle2088]

Just bought the epomaker f87 and i absolutely love it, especially for the 70 dollar price. I came from a keychron and needless to say i wont be going back anytime soon.

[@KaelooZz]

65%. I currently have 60% since about half a year and arrow keys are a must for me. My laptop has them pretty small which is uncomfortable, especially in cases where in some games even after changing keybinds, you still have to use arrows (like in TBoI). As for F keys, I rarely use them and if I have to, at least they're normal lol

[@ucmRich]

the right shift key must be aligned top the bottom and right of the enter key or i cant use it very well at all

[@menthalightfoot4948]

I started out with a 75%, but now I prefer 65%. At first I still wanted the option for F-keys, but since I use Mac for a home computer and windows for work, I just ended up never using them. The extra space on my desk makes it feel less crowded.

[@DuyLeNguyen]

PA6 and PA66 are pretty common polymer compounds, more commonly known under their trade name Nylon. You may also see them referred to as Nylon-6 and Nylon-6/6.

[@Red_AM]

I wanna believe 75% is the more popular choice. F keys are needed in so many things.

[@PrinceDman]

I think you’re right, but even 65% have access to the F key functions, they just don’t have the actual keys (fn + numbers = f keys)

[@andrewgr144]

Any idea how that shade of blue (for the body of the keyboard) would look with Blue Cat keycaps?

[@KlausRasmussen-k8i]

Wonder if you can get them with ISO/ nordic keysetup

[@rensuki8619]

Hey Hipyo! Will you be reviewing the NuPhy Halo75 V2 anytime soon?

[@HipyoTech]

possibly!

[@mosstah]

@@HipyoTechI was looking for this comment, I’d love that too!

[@chmaxxable]

Cool video! Thanks! Do you know a good keycap set for Alice keyboards?

[@patrickst3061]

If you put ceramic keycap, do you need to upgrade the switches?

[@awaken11]

Do you guys have any recommendations for a good keycap set on amazon

[@OrangeDuster]

Can you try out the Epomaker Aula 75? It’s around the same price and I’ve heard great things about it, but I don’t know how it compares to

[@RJayRoberts]

100% definitely. I use the numpad daily. Though I do have a couple separate numpads, so can get by with the 75%.

[@fredfredburger9404]

What do you think about the CoolerMaster CK720? It's a pretty nice keyboard that comes with Kaihl Browns, and its $80.

[@Chirn70]

Function keys are a must

[@Matt-oy8yf]

what keycaps works for leobog reaper switches

[@badasspuppy]

I have a 65% and love it, but now I'm looking for an exploded 75% like this one, only with ISO layout. Looks like I'll have to go Akko

[@johnwhalen7579]

I prefer 100% because I work with a ton of numbers at my job. A keypad has always just felt faster and smoother. But it seems since stumbling on your channel last year, not a lot of custom board companies care about 100%. I almost bought the Gem after your recent video but haven’t yet because I didn’t see a 100% option. (Unless I’m just clueless and missed it lol)

[@Cera_01]

75%+. You can pry my F1-F12 keys from my cold dead hands

[@LemonLime48.]

75%! Very helpful for MMOs, mute/deafen and shadow play!

[@adriano760]

how are these compared to the halo65 or sk71?

[@davij2025]

Please. Just give me a recommendation for a thocky + creamy budget keyboard. I'm looking for the ULTIMATE creamy experience without a marble sound. So: Soft and creamy? If you have recommendations, please share (or switches + keyboard?)

[@flxshed]

I've been loving videos more and more every second. For half a year now 😭

[@jamesroberts3642]

Where can I get shine through key caps for my corsair k65 plus? One that are similar in size (otherwise, if size didn't matter, I would just take the ones off my old k75 but they are taller)

[@gtijason7853]

Have you seen ASUS Extreme line of PC peripherals they announced at Computex ? The Keyboard, while having some very -interesting- features costs $500 USD and the 47g full carbon mouse is $250

[@ZacharyC.]

Can you try the weikav Lucky65?