Checking out the Mode stabilizers, are they good?

Disclaimer: Mode is a sponsor of my channel but have no say and gives no direction to how these live streams go. My thoughts are my own and not affected by anything else.
While this stream was built using a Loop, I also wanted to give these Mode stabilizers a shot. I went into this with absolutely no expectations. All i was hoping for was these worked without any issue. To be clear, these are not the "new standard" for stabilizers nor do they have any indication that they are better than any other stabilizer. These are simply cheaper than Durock stabilizers and seem to have very similar tolerances, which means they should work without problems. I'm fine with this. Mode is selling these for 12 dollars. And compared to pricier stabilizers, this is great!
Also if you want to read about my Mode Loop experience, check it out here: www.alexotos.c...
🔎 build specs:
Keyboard: Mode Loop - bit.ly/3QGEGPx
Plate Material: Aluminum
Switches: Obscura Collab switches
Keycaps: Lotus Keycaps - bit.ly/3Ngjgb9
Stabilizers: Mode Stabilizers - bit.ly/3RvRwS9
Note: Some of these are affiliate links and i get a kick back! They help support my channel.
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Switches - • How To Lube Your Switc...
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[@MrSkullhead0]

This comment section is amongst the most interesting I’ve read in a while on your vids. I’m a durock V2 lover. For the durock haters, if you’re NOT using Dielectric as the base lube for it, you’re doing it wrong. You can tune them with 205, but always best to start with the thicker Dielectric. TX and Staebies both only need 205 because their tolerances are so tight. Either way. I don’t think any stab is bad, people just have different patience levels with them

[@alexotos]

Im glad its all civil and fun discussion, it's great seeing what other people use and the experiences others have had with product.

[@lilililiililliil7277]

I disagree, I too am a durock v2 lover. If you aren't using XHT BDZ don't expect your stabs to last for more than a year of heavy use at most. I've literally had my mode 65 built since the day it came out and used as my gaming keyboard. The stabs are still prestine. I'm sure Dielectric grease is great as well, but I use BDZ on all my stabs. It was a game changer for me personally.

[@MrSkullhead0]

@@lilililiililliil7277 I have heard lots of great things about BDZ! that sounds like it might be my next pickup when I grab more V2’s, I just wouldn’t pick it up all the time from a price standpoint. Dielectric just can’t be beat for the price for sure.

[@Dajan456]

still on durocks but never got rid of the ticking. maybe ptfe tape or thicker grease is nessecary. did 205g0 only. Tried stabies as well but the have a noticable binding friction. Other people didnt tell me about having that issue. But for me they make a spacebar feel like there is an unlubed mx black underneath.. all in all the are all scuffed and make my life hell

[@wilkers46]

V2s or TX AP (Especially if using a 1.2mm PCB) and as @lilililiililliil7277 XHT-BDZ is a way of life. 10/10 recommend picking some up!

[@FlashBombGod]

I'm definitely down to try Cherry Clip-ins. Had great experiences with OwlStab V3s and TX Rev 4s, but both of those are on the higher end of pricing. Would love get costs down so long as the stabs are quality.

[@leftcoastfunk]

wild, i've never used any stabs as good as the C3 Equalz v3, including several durock and tx kits. haven't tried cherry clip-ins yet, so maybe i'll have to give them a go, but for now the C3v3 are my absolute go-to

[@gmprez17]

I see a lot of builds using TX stabs lately and that they prefer it over Durocks. Are they that better than durocks nowadays in terms of tuning?

[@alexotos]

I have mixed experiences with them, the AP versions fixed a lot of issues from the rev3s, but I still get the occasional board where 'something' just doesn't line up correctly and I have to swap them for cherry stabilizers. I do find the TX sensitive to the amount of lube you use and even the type of lube. Ultimately cherry and durock stabs I've found are more forgiving with modding.

[@KcCake]

If you dont like to mod your stabs and just like to lube your stabs and not go back and forth between testing and tuning they are really nice.

[@gmprez17]

@@alexotos as an experienced modder (obviously), do u use various lubes in tuning (XHT, 205G0, dielect)? Or do u generally prefer just using 1 lube?

[@alexotos]

I have used everything possible when it comes to stabs, XHT BDZ is one of the best, but its also messy and easier to screw up. 205g0 and dielectric grease is my fav@@gmprez17

[@csabi_qn]

I've been wondering which IEMs are you using? They look pretty cool

[@xSKOOBSx]

I got cherry screw-ins from kbdfans and I am not sure if they are knockoffs or what but they are SO RATTLY. I think it is how loose the wire is in the sliding part of the stab, but I am super not loving it.

[@pkennethv]

I'm confused, someone please help clarify: Aren't Cherry clip in stabilizers only compatible with plate mount? If so, how are Cherry clip ins interchangeable with these Mode screw in PCB mount stabilizers?

[@shentobento1079]

clip in stabs "click in" to the pcb. what you're thinking of are cherry plate mount stabs.

[@pkennethv]

@@shentobento1079 Ahhh. Thank you for the clarification🙏

[@pkennethv]

@@shentobento1079 do Cherry clip in stabs work on all PCBs/keyboards that support screw in stabs?

[@michaelskinny1]

I've used Staebies for 3 of my boards and although on the pricier end, it is the most consistent stab with the least amount of fuss and only requires 205g0. For comparison, I've used Durocks, Wuque Auroras, Cherry clip ins, TX AP and regular TX which have all given me some type of issue and required lots of time and effort to not tick.

[@1.0xY.m0r0n]

Stabs are easily my least favorite, but I think the easiest are TX AP clip-ins and just 205g0.

[@alexotos]

I am super glad you've had luck with TX AP stabs!

[@jewbacca7777]

Durock stabs with some padding for the stabilizer wire are unbeatable in my experience (I use the little black strips inside of the C3 equalz stabilizer soulmate packs as my padding) That being said, it's a huge pain in the ass putting that padding in. Takes ages to do a full TKL set of stabs with strips stuck to the top and bottom of each stabilizer. On the other hand, Staebies and TX Stabs don't need band-aid mod/padding at all. Light coating of XHT BDZ on the wire and 205G0 on the stab housing and you're good to go. I've seen funky tolerances on a pack of TX stabs that rendered them unusable (was too tight for stab wire to move freely), and I've seen some boards not go well with Staebies at all so they're definitely not perfect. But I've never seen a board where I can't get an amazing outcome with one of them WITHOUT going through the massive hassle of bandaid modding/adding internal padding to a durock stab. If someone has found a way to make durock stabs never tick (including after months of use when lube starts to thin out) without needing to add padding to it, then they're a better stab modder than I am.

[@Sylarzx]

hmm did you test them at some point in the video more in depth? or did i miss it?

[@Alex-yl8dz]

Hold on... Your PCB didn't have flex cuts? I got the soldered PCB and it has a couple flex cuts, I've been really disappointed in the sound of mine because it's so inconsistent. I don't have the heart to solder it until I get a profile I'm happy with.

[@DemVidzIsMine]

Mode solder PCBs have flex cuts and the hotswap is solid. Not sure why they do that. If I had to guess it might be because the flex might be more noticeable when using a half plate and that only works with a solder board

[@albertko1]

Honestly, I despise the Durocks and there's so many great and cheap alternatives. WS Aurora and C3 are really cheap now. I'm still particular to Owlstabs just because they come with everything. Maybe I just had bad luck buy literally everything else, (Akko, Cherry, WS, TX, Owl) I was able to tune properly.

[@alexotos]

C3 stabs are also good, but I do find their tuning to be a bit more delicate and it's why i stopped ordering them. WS Aurora stabs are decent as well, but I believe they are pricer than mode stabs ring in to be? I've stuck with durock stabs for a few boards in my collection just because I have found them to be the easier to get right and stay like that. Ultimately cherry stabs are king for value and use.

[@KDD0063]

I considered "budget" mechanical keyboards but once you add on the price of some switches and stabilizers and keycaps you often end up at the around same price as a mode keyboard

[@geekingchannel]

Sick build Alex!

[@aylavkyub]

You're so lucky to have zero issues with Durock V2 stabs. I have 4 and all of them are Twister Wires™. I have never encountered a bent 1.75u my entire life, even with OEM plate mounted stabs, but with Durock V2s, oh boy. I bought them from different shops as well, so I'm pretty sure my issues are consistent with Durock V2 stabs only. I have heard people having issues with them too that even my friend threw his. Oh and there are cases too that even after wire balancing Durocks, they still rattled and the only fix is to holee mod them . I never had problems with 3 of my TX stabs and they're cheaper here too. They just work and I never had to wire balance them too. But the thing I don't like about them is that they're too wobbly. More wobbly than Durock V2 for sure and it removes the premiumness of my spacebar for me so I'll never use them in any boards that I consider as endgame. C3 V2 is just too good and weirdly enough, they come with soulmate kit with which I didn't think they have to include. They are objectively good stabs that doesn't need mods. Since I have 5 of them, I'm just using the soulmate kit for my trash Durock V2s 🤣 Staebies are fine, but they're too expensive, always out of stock and has a metallic sound/ping whenever I use them. Since it's also fundamentally good (tolerances are the tightest), it can feel scratchy for some because there is more friction. But I won't ever recommend one. Oh btw, in my place, Durock is just a bit cheaper than Staebies, has the same price as C3 V3 and TX is the cheapest. And even TX AP is slightly cheaper than Durock V2. So from my perspective, there's really no reason for you to go Durock with all the inconsistencies unless you're a masocist that wants to wir ebalance all day and have too much money to sprare. Otherwise, Cherry clip-ins are still the best. You can just throw them away if they don't work and you won't even feel bad.

[@alexotos]

Interesting experience. I have used more durock stabs than I can count and maybe have seen one wire damaged in transit, everything else has needed a slight touch up (most nothing at all) and they were good to go. I'd be interested to know how you're lubing and tuning your stabs. To comment on your staebies line, tighter tolerances on stabs isn't always a good thing mind you. Some plates push on stab housings and can slightly angle a stab, and not all keycaps are perfect with stems so allowing some room to move around is ideal for more scenarios. Interesting you can find TX AP stabs cheaper than durock. I disagree on wire balancing though. I have never in my entire keyboard journey had to spend more than 20 seconds balancing a stab, this includes client builds, protos, and personal builds!

[@aylavkyub]

@@alexotos > I'd be interested to know how you're lubing and tuning your stabs. For most, not named Durock, I never do holee mod. I did to 2 of my C3 V3 just because it comes with it, but I didn't do it on my most recent and I can confirm that it's definitely not needed. For plate mounted stabs, I never had to wire balance, but I put plenty of lube. For Cherry plate mounted stabs though, I don't think putting a lot is necessary, only for OEMs. For both C3 V3 and Staebies, I just put a tiny bit since both housings are actually tight. Putting too much can make it mushy. Then I just add more accordingly, mostly depending on the board. I've learned this from both you and Taeha. I've actually always thought that adding a lot is a must (I blame my bad experience with Durock V2 🤣). As for Durock and TX, since they have more wiggle room, I put plenty and they don't really feel mushy even if you put a lot. But for my Durock, I specially drowned it with lube and it still ticks 🤡🤡🤡 But after sometime of soul searching, learning how to wire balance (which IMO, shouldn't be done by consumers, but that's a different topic by itself) and holee mod (using extras from Soulmate kit from C3 V3, I was able to make it work, finally. > Interesting you can find TX AP stabs cheaper than durock I'm actually surprised too. I thought TX AP is on the level of Staebies (in terms of quality) so I'm thinking that its price should be close, but I was wrong. Though the difference in price aren't much different vs Durock. > I disagree on wire balancing though. I have never in my entire keyboard journey had to spend more than 20 seconds balancing a stab. Good for you. I must be really cursed on getting Twister Wires™. That must be the reason why both Shoobs and Glarses said that doing holee mod is a skill issue. I've always thought that people who thought that Durock V2s is top-tier are people who gaslights themselves into thinking that what they got is the best even though they worked their assess off to make it work 🤣 I guess, people's experience can vary that much.

[@sparkplugbarrens]

I loved working with staebies. Better than owlabs, jwk, and durock imo. Needed no work, sounded perfect immediately.

[@foggytypes]

staebies are perfect

[@antonywong1162]

Durocks are the worst. Very surprised to hear how highly Alex rates them. I switched to TX and I'm never going back.

[@WanderingPhantom21]

What deskmat is that

[@Sirhl]

For me, all stabs are the same because none of the wires are ever straight, even with tuning. Just gotta grab one and pray you can live with it.

[@Flybeck]

Not a fan of durocks, can say i like tx and cherry clipins the most out of everything. Staebies after.

[@impointr]

Hey Alex where can one buy this cute sticker you got here? ❤

[@fnvfanMSPR]

I disagree. Durock stabs are one of the worst I have ever tried. I've had much more success with TX stabs, regardless of revision and Owlab stabs, Gateron Ink stabs as well

[@getgudcyber924]

Man, can I attest to what you said. Durock stabs are the worst pieces of dog dookie I have ever tried

[@jman561000]

hey alexotos. i have 3 boards that use durock v2s and i also have 4 gmk keycap sets and every single set with every one of the boards the spacebar pops off of the stab if u press on either side of the spacebar and not in the middle. have u every experienced this? the fact that it happens only with the durock stabs and on every single of my gmk keycap sets makes me think durock stabs are the problem here. this also doesnt only happen with gmk keycaps. this also happened with i think my nice pbt keycap set

[@alexotos]

On some of my heavy use boards this has happened to some degree where it shifts, but not just with durock stabs, I have had it happen with a cherry stab, WS stab and c3. It's SUPER rare but never had it pop off.

[@getgudcyber924]

Same thing happens to me with my DCX keycaps. Tried looking into it but couldn’t find anything. I have staebies, TX, and cherry clip ins. No issues with any of those besides the durocks.

[@uwu-r8u9v]

its the stem's thickness of the stabs that is the issue just get staebies v2 - 10/10 times it fits snug on most of my gmk, jtk and epbt sets

[@richardKeytero]

Durocks are the worst, even worse when i bought pre-owned keyboards that had durocks installed from the previous owner. Tx stabs are my go to if i don’t want to put any effort, just slab some lube on then done. Gateron are pretty darn good as well, the best sounding/feeling are cherry clip-ins with C3 Wires but they only need a little more love.

[@happybeing777]

my durocks werent bad but i felt like i needed to reapply 205 to the spacebar every few months compared to cherry clip ins

[@foggytypes]

that literally makes them bad

[@happybeing777]

@@foggytypesno?? some stabs cant even sound right like owlstabs

[@uwu-r8u9v]

u need to get some xht-bdz then

[@foggytypes]

@@happybeing777 owlstabs suck indeed. doesn’t make durocks suck any less tho

[@lazypanda1493]

imo this board would look much better if the corners aren’t rounded, it would also match the sonnet design language

[@NuhUhmm]

Review at 12:09

[@Keebmen]

I've used all the all the high end stabs, but I resonate with your view that durock V2s are up there. They especially are for me. Every board I built with V2s have been perfect. They've been my go-to stabs. For some reason I couldn't for the life of me get Stabies to work.

[@TW2LV2]

Truthfully, all stabs are good, if you know how to balance, lube and tune properly. Also my go to was cherry before I found gat v2 stabs (not ink) you guys are completely sleeping on those. I've been recommending as the new screw-in king. i'll go for tx when i wanna splurge but I will go cherry or gat all day and be completely happy forever

[@alexotos]

Yupp, all stabs are good if you can finesse your modding process. I can confidently say that I have only ever had ONE bad stab that doesnt work at all, and it was the Glorious v1 stabs.

[@TW2LV2]

@@alexotos yup, totally agreed. Def not the stabs I could confidently recommend... and although its not "impossible" to get to a decent state, it is among the worse quality all around, and thats even the V2 versions which I tried just for kicks recently..

[@creationfied]

big if, also if wire is imbalanced trying to self remedy will always be up in the air and the odds are against u that it gets fixed

[@TW2LV2]

@@creationfied Yes and no. For most stabs, balancing is optional but I always do it. Wire straightness can be achieved using other methods (some not so great) but if you don't want to rely on modding it then balancing is a better option.

[@goovindnarula6470]

The tkl still looks so wack to me

[@__entiendo]

Same, the sonnet is such a goated and elegant design but the Loop TKL looks kinda goofy.

[@mikokb]

Agreed. Eighty looks much better imo

[@wayne0320]

I got one and it actually sounds better than Sonnet I think... but not worth the price, I paid 750$ lmao@@__entiendo

[@gonhelen8931]

what is the best plate mount stab in you opinion?

[@excaliose.]

does anyone know what mouse that is? looks cool imo

[@sonofulti1337]

Looks like the Logitech MX Master with some grip covers for the left and right mouse buttons

[@bjvink0130]

my durock v2's are so bad. edit: obscura's are soooo underrated.

[@vdbmario]

Durock's have been awful for me. They always tick...no matter what, same for TX stabs. Staebies are rock solid, they sound amazing on my Sonnet and Jelly...absolute godsend.

[@xirxirxir]

stabs is a patience game and i have none so all my stabs are ticking on one side.

[@DirtyGingy]

Bad take on the durocks. They are some of the worst stabs for the money.

[@alexotos]

I love you Gingy, but I disagree, I have used them on some many builds and have had nearly 0 issues compared to Staebies and TX stabs. However, Cherry is still king.

[@DemVidzIsMine]

I’ve had bad luck with durock stabilizers in the past. But Alexoto’s stabilizer guide has been a godsend and since using it, I’ve had good results with most brands of stabilizers.

[@alexotos]

@@DemVidzIsMine Love that dude! I am so happy it worked!

[@z4k1_zaki65]

Sounds like skill issue 🙄

[@loo-mt5ml]

Absolutely, and the issue with Staebies and TX when compared to others is that if you do have issues, that's a bunch of money down the drain, when you could've brought several cheaper variants instead. @@alexotos

[@Clackeeb]

this keyboard sounds better than envoy mode for me !!!!!

[@NoSwitchyt]

The loop is like they took an envoy and made it way more expensive for no reason. With the current market this board makes no sense.

[@BasBasBoy]

Cheese

[@george8920]

Alex - I love your channel but when u start talking nonsense - like saying cherry clip in stabs are better than Staebies ??? - after countless people have CLEARLY said Stabies are by far better than anything else out there straight out the box - I lose respect for your credibility - Are you SERIOUSLY going to tell me cherry clip in and Durock Stabs are better than Staebies ?? LOL - sorry but I've also been an enthusiast and built building many boards and there are NO stabs on the market anywhere close to Staebies V2 - I cannot take you seriously anymore after this BS Statement -

[@alexotos]

I respect your opinion, but after building with them countless times, I can confidently say staebies are problematic for builds on boards with tighter plates and cause binding which can cause sluggish returns. Not only plates have this issue, but also not all keycaps are made the same and even some caps with with some slight stem warp cause slow returns on staebies due to the stabs tolerance being so tight. They are fantastic when they work, and annoying when they don't. They are also more expensive than cherry clips ins stabs and cherry clips in work just as well, if not better since I can use them on more builds like O RING builds. So you can lose respect for me, or even just stop watching if my opinion and findings bother you that much, but I will not tell people to purchase something that I have had problems with. It's all up to preference and opinion, and if something works for you go for it. But please don't start insulting what I feel works for me and then use that to say it makes me "lose credibility" because it conflicts with your opinion.

[@niqu9814]

Bro everyone has a different opinion on different topics I personally also had the best experience with Cherry Clip Ins and also tried Staebies and TX APs, but they just are a pain to tune and often times you overtune them with lube and have to go back in to fix them while Cherry Clip Ins you can tune and if they are not perfect just tune them with a syringe afterward until they are perfect. At the end, it also comes to how you lube and with what you lube, and that makes the difference. It is ok to say your opinion on the matter but talking shit like you basically have with stuff like: u start talking nonsense (line 1) or I cannot take you seriously anymore after this BS Statement (line 3-4) bro who has the BS statement here talking shit Alex has build hundreds of boards and experienced the pain of every lube and stab as his job is to try them and just because you have a different opinion you can still be respectful and respect his opinion as he is not saying it to upset anybody but to help people getting into the hobby or people who are already in the hobby to buy the right stabs if you disagree you are free to do so but stop writing comments nobody can do anything with and just hating on Alex. It overall just kills the vibe and is being disrespectful to Alex which tries his best to satisfy the opinions of the people and people like you are not needed in this community just talking shit.