8BitDo Retro 18 mechanical numpad/calculator review (Kailh BOX White V2)

Рет қаралды 23,235

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 114

@Big-Chungus21 3 ай бұрын

Crazy how 8BitDo just decided at one point to give keyboards a try and made some of the coolest and best value ‘retro’ style keyboards, and these numpads are pretty sick too.

@k680B 3 ай бұрын

apparently they have been a respected high-end controllers manufacturer for some time now, even LTT recently made a video about them you can see why they wouldn't want to stain their brand with their first mediocre or down right bad product

@osirisgolad 3 ай бұрын

@@k680B Can confirm, I've had one of their controllers for over five years now and it's been fantastic; they usefully updated the firmware several times with new features as well.

@Sortsylic 3 ай бұрын

I have a bunch of their controllers and the Sega MD one is the best MD controller clone I've ever tried. Looking forward to buying C64 keeb since its announcement. They "feel the vibe" perfectly

@Zaszz1 Ай бұрын

I have the NES keyboard, been daily driving it since last year, and its amazing.

@samuelschwager 3 ай бұрын

8bitdoes what nintendon't

@ArtyI 3 ай бұрын

Don't you mean 8bitdooes?

@Sortsylic 3 ай бұрын

@@ArtyI Too netherlandish for this channel 😄

@andidagoat813 3 ай бұрын

3:47 There's actually a numlock function on the Retro 18! You just need to hold CAL and then press the CLEAR (C), it'll even tell on the screen if numlock is on or off

@kananchan7995 3 ай бұрын

8bitdo casually making the coolest looking controller / keyboard

@Aeduo 3 ай бұрын

if they put magnets on both sides you could just make a keyboard all from numpads. Also while I don't think the model M style looks a whole lot like a model M, it really does capture the look of a late 80s/90s OEM PC keyboard and that's pretty cool still. I agree a send button would be fantastic and/or some way for a more involved calculator running on the PC to take control of the display. Dunno why at least a send function would even be left out.

@RainbowCornet 3 ай бұрын

Wow. I can't believe 8BitDo just pulled a gif and decided to pronounce their own word wrong.

@MikeStavola 3 ай бұрын

A distributor of their products said that they changed the pronunciation to distance themselves from the lawsuit ninjas.

@oOsillyrabbitOo 3 ай бұрын

When you ask someone if they want to go to the store do you say “Doe you want to go to the store” or “Do you want to go to the store?”

@ArtyI 3 ай бұрын

@@oOsillyrabbitOowhen you pronounce Nintendo do you say Nintendoe or Nintendoo?

@billkillernic 3 ай бұрын

@@ArtyI The difference is that its not 8Bitdo but 8BitDo so it should be read as 8 Bit Do the capital letters signify the start of a separate word/name. Nintendo is not written as NintenDo.

@k680B 3 ай бұрын

yeah, probably because 8bitdo, unlike the gif (not jif) creator, have a linguist to consult and 8-bit-do is in fact the proper pronunciation

@chrisunfocused 3 ай бұрын

I definitely understand why you would want a button to open a more capable calculator. I don't think I could use a calculator without parenthesis.

@michaelbuddy 3 ай бұрын

Preordered this earlier in the summer. Absolutely love the keyboard and numpad. Using it right now. Sound is and tactile feel is great.

@wkgmathguy218 3 ай бұрын

Man! I LOVE how those look, they have a very Star Trek original series vibe to them. Great work as always Tom.

@sanyawaffles 3 ай бұрын

Incidentally was chatting with some friends during a game dev session about this in a VC and decided to buy the C64 style keyboard and numpad. I am glad to know you also give it a seal of approval like they did. Cheers!

@maliciousbugman 3 ай бұрын

Honestly, the inability to reprogram keys is a turn-off for me, considering the accompanying keyboard is reprogrammable. It'd be a nice little standalone macropad for my setup.

@bdaroczy 3 ай бұрын

@@mojojojo1529 I can see the SendInput on AutoHotKey - is it possible that there might be a solution to send the number that displays on the numpad's screen?

@DiceRobo 3 ай бұрын

@@mojojojo1529 on this its pretty good to use ahk, I think it is launch_app2 & numpad# and you can have it so holding down the calc button plus a key does what you want. I like ahk so much over the built in software that for the 4 remappable keys on it I just set them to f13-f16 and then do the real macro in ahk.

@facepalm5058 3 ай бұрын

Shame about the lack of a send function. I've been waiting for this type of product with hotswappable switches, a send function, and a reasonable price point. Shame it only fulfils two of the features I wanted. Oh, and a black case would be good too. To match the uninspired aesthetic of the rest of my peripherals.

@Aeduo 3 ай бұрын

Maybe when people start to become nostalgic enough for their gray office dell dimensions.

@lawbinson 3 ай бұрын

Sorry, what was the “send function”?

@facepalm5058 3 ай бұрын

@@lawbinson At 4:39 in the video, Chyrosran brings it up with an example. Basically it just sends the contents of the screen to the computer-most likely by just simulating the keystrokes necessary to construct the number, so it'd just pop up wherever your cursor is

@kitrod 28 күн бұрын

Do you know of any numpad calculators with a send function? Other than the one on the Focus :p

@billkillernic 3 ай бұрын

The "send" idea for the numpad is really a missed opportunity but it is useful to have the dedicated windows calculator button cause some people use other modes like scientific in which you still want to enter numbers and basic arithmetic physically with the numpad but also want the extra digital options the scientific calculator offers (also the windows screen can display more numbers than the physical one) but I dont see why not have both a sent button and a windows calc shortcut (even better if you could enter your own shortcut instead e.g to an other calculator software because there are ones with higher precision and other functions)

@fcsuper 6 күн бұрын

There's several brands selling a modern style numpad/calc unit "FOSA Compact USB keypad with Display Calculator Function" on Amazon right now. There's actually two different types being sold that include Send key.

@StruC 3 ай бұрын

I have one now and they're glorious.

@Airtayjay 3 ай бұрын

The Windows calculator is a more capable calculator than this one since it has scientific functions and all that. I can see wanting a dedicated button to open the system calculator.

@RedScare67 3 ай бұрын

So I have the M version. I spend a lot of time in Google Sheets, where I am using the mouse to navigate and the numpad for data entry. This is why I wanted to get this model, so i could put the mousepad on the left - so right hand on mouse, left hand entering. It's pretty good for that, but I've found getting my speed up takes a while. HOWEVER - A secondary excellent feature/function is the ability to use the USB dongles for one machine and the Bluetooth for another. You can very quickly switch between them, and this helps keep desk clutter down. A very nice option!

@adventtrooper 2 ай бұрын

As someone with a separate numpad on the left, magfit either side would be a definite selling point.

@fergadelics Ай бұрын

I got the nes calculator and keyboard and no magnets. Still awesome, but I was expecting that snap. My Logitech mechanical has been nothing but compromise. I haven’t felt like I’ve really QOL’d in decades with a keyboard, just downwards. Per KZbin random recommendation, I saw your video on one of those mothership things then click clicked to this. Thank you for this video. Typing literally feels fun. I feel better while typing. Weird huh? Way less typos for some reason too. Okay, I’ll type elsewhere now - click click

@montyp2000 3 ай бұрын

I have the C64 keyboard and numpad and changed the switches to Zeal Clickiez and it sounds amazing.

@Jootunn 2 ай бұрын

The send key on my Ducky Pocket (last one ever made BTW) is possibly my most heavily used key.

@nofreenamestoreg 3 ай бұрын

I wanted to buy one, but no option to customize the keys discourage me to do so. Now I am using Feker. This is a huge miss from my perspective.

@CoolGreenApple 15 күн бұрын

I really hope they add the ability to remap the buttons (especially the calculator button)

@dankvader420 3 ай бұрын

The keycaps are great, they did a good job matching them with the rest of the keyboard/numpad.

@bewilderbeestie 3 ай бұрын

Can you get the numpad in ISO, though?

@pepstein 3 ай бұрын

Having an enter key and no equals key seems like it’s begging for reverse Polish notation (RPN).

@justin6581 3 ай бұрын

I found how to program the display in the skyloong. You need to remove the display, plug it in to your computer, and use skyloong screen tool. Can’t post a link though

@Chyrosran22 3 ай бұрын

jesus christ wtf xD

@justin6581 3 ай бұрын

@@Chyrosran22 I know, it’s weird. By the way, the software is in Chinese.

@vladimirtepis 3 ай бұрын

I fall in love with this keyboard! Have two things how made me not buy it. The lack of numpad and fact they don't sell with ABNT2 format...

@marcusaureliusf 3 ай бұрын

Brazilian numpads have a nice feature: they have both , and . so you can type numbers with thousand separators and decimal separator easily. Too bad no other layout does that.

@vladimirtepis 3 ай бұрын

@@marcusaureliusf That is true! But I write a lot and I really miss the accents!

@WR3ND 2 ай бұрын

Nice indeed, but what are those big ass A and B buttons actually for?

@thumbwarriordx 3 ай бұрын

The IBM and C64 models are leagues ahead. I may be biased I had the C64 as a kid and saw an IBM on a shelf for a shocking price once. Stepped caps lock sells the IBM one for me

@EricLing64 7 күн бұрын

Windows calculator also has scientific and conversions so... can be useful, but it could have done better with being reprogrammable, on the other hand I don't know how much they could do while keeping its independent calculator functionality. I went with a numpad that can use VIA, but this aesthetic and functionality is definitely something I want to keep an eye on if they can think of a good way to incorporate both.

@ethanoux10 3 ай бұрын

SA caps are always perfect for retro-themed boards

@thethriftyfawn 3 ай бұрын

I definitely like the larger font on the key caps of the C64, compared to the NES version. Looks so retro! 😊

@wembleyford 3 ай бұрын

There's a C64 variant of that NES kb? They had me sold at 'spherical keycaps' - but also with a CBM aesthetic? lovely.

@wembleyford 3 ай бұрын

Oh, they're already sold out. sod.

@MN-hb3bo 3 ай бұрын

Can I have it in calculator mode, once done switch to pc mode and press enter to send the answer that way?

@CharlesHydronium 3 ай бұрын

you need to get a hold of a Ducky Pocket, it's a numpad+calc too

@darkurthe 3 ай бұрын

I love it when he sounds giddy.

@JaingStarkiller92 Ай бұрын

K, but how do you open it up to modify it?

@engchoontan8483 2 ай бұрын

nice. plus one = type writer carriage return with new line and slamming rockers and impact ribbon and modern receipt roll

@Lemon_Inspector 3 ай бұрын

No send function? 8Bit D'oh!

@Str0ngSad 2 ай бұрын

these keyboards are pretty easy to open up too which is nice

@russellchristian7236 Ай бұрын

Can it be used as an arrow key?

@shuccle6161 2 ай бұрын

Wow, I had NO IDEA that older numpads had a send button with that feature... I wish 8BitDo would fix this... Just might start calling them 8BitDon't until they Do fix this...

@ash36230 3 ай бұрын

8bitdo should do a scientific or graphing calculator run like this just for the lulz

@redaffix7320 3 ай бұрын

I imagine using it as a macro pad or a left-hand wasd replacement would be fantastic. Edit: Welp, squashed that dream. Might still be useful if a game allows rebinding keys and Auto hotkey for some macros, but then you can just use any keyboard.

@oleurgast730 2 ай бұрын

I realy love the design of the C64 style keyboard (and the numpad) and ordered that. However, the main downside of this keyboard is you have to stick with US layout. I am from germany, so of course I normaly use german keyboard layout. I also cannot change it in my office. While I can do the z/y swap due to SA-profile of the keycaps, obviously the keycaps for the german umlaute "öäü" and the "ß" are not available. Also the symbols above the numbers are different. I might look for a set with white blank (or a light gray) sa keycaps to dyesub them myself, using the black keycaps only for a-z, space and functional keys like enter, tab, shift etc., self dyesubed keys for numbers, umlaute etc, and of course the gray keys for function keys. Actually the alternative would be reprograming the keyboard layout, using the Alt Gr with auos to do äüöß instead, mostly keeping the US layout (maybe swaping z/y). I would have liked the graphical characters of the c64 printed on front of the keycaps for use with C64 emulators...

@jssmith0225 3 ай бұрын

I got the c64 keyboard and numpad and put box navy’s in there they are a delight!

@Aeduo 3 ай бұрын

You mean it wasn't loud ENOUGH!? I put some silenced tactiles in mine.

@jssmith0225 3 ай бұрын

@@Aeduo no it wasn’t loud enough, clicky switches are superior

@Callsign_Jaeger 3 ай бұрын

you're the first person I've ever seen that likes clicky switches. oh well. Love the reviews.

@Animated__Freak 3 ай бұрын

It’s so close to being a pick up for me. But the lack of a send key is a dealbreaker for me

@PlantainSupernova 3 ай бұрын

I'm only interested in one other numpad besides the 8bit, Keychron Q0 Max. Any chance you'd get round to reviewing it too? Torn between this and that one.

@Chyrosran22 3 ай бұрын

Hmmm, good tip, I'll see if I can arrange one :) .

@justin6581 3 ай бұрын

It’s basically just a separate numpad, nothing too special about it besides the fact that it is reprogrammable with QMK/VIA, and has 9 macros. Maybe it can be covered in a big numpad video.

@TastidiousYabbie 3 ай бұрын

You're wrong, and the company is wrong too! It'll always be 8bit dough in my mind!!!! Also I wish the C64 came out before the nintendo retro one...

@DiceRobo 3 ай бұрын

First, I wanna know what your score is in the minigames. Second, while the lack of macro functionality in 8bitdo's software is a annoyance to beginners just wanting a simple string output or something, it's still very remappable with AHK using the calculator key as a modifier key. In that way it's probably much more useful than their software, I didn't really use it much for the main keyboard outside of making the extra keys f13-f16 and then use AHK to give it functionality.

@Aeduo 3 ай бұрын

I wonder if the keyboard would just respond to the same programming commands if it was fed them, but maybe the functionality is just not stable enough and maybe it'll be enabled with a future update.

@Zeusbeer 3 ай бұрын

Wait no send button? Why buy this then...

@jammies701 3 ай бұрын

Nice vid mate

@BrianMcKee 3 ай бұрын

I do need me a numpad, will be a funny contrast from my niz plum 75% in terms of sound though.

@SnassySnoblin 3 ай бұрын

I do think it’s a bit sad, that these boards are just TKLs with cases and caps to look like older keyboards, rather than also give them a layout that resembles the inspiration. Like there actually was a keyboard for the Famicom back in the day, imagine if the 8BitDo one emulated the layout and actually was Famicom compatible! (with a toggle for switching between Famicom and PC mode)

@Chyrosran22 2 ай бұрын

That would tap into a very different, much smaller market. I get it tbh. What I'd really like to see from them is a fullsize. Or even an FK-9000-like with a calculator like this embedded :D .

@nat_sukashii 3 ай бұрын

nooooo I hoped it would stick to the other side... oh well take my money 8bitdo NB: I LOVE 8BitDo, they don't put too much time on the superfluous things and just do super cool things like these instead. They are the value king of the "not-ordinary" keyboard and peripherals market. Good worth for good price, what is there not to like in this? ♥

@SockyNoob 3 ай бұрын

Amazing calculator tbh.

@Andrew-ky8oc8cq4n 3 ай бұрын

I don't understand why so many manufacturers put the mode switch (wired/2.5/BT) on top. Do other people really need to switch modes that much? Or are the manufacturers just at a loss about a more useful function to put in that area?

@-Jakob- 3 ай бұрын

I use it a lot, just to switch it on - and off when I don't need it. Makes much sense to me.

@make_some_noise 3 ай бұрын

For this keyboard, I suppose it’s to match the placement of the mode toggle from their arcade sticks

@armand631 3 ай бұрын

It looks great and sounds great, shame about the lack of programmability, lack of a send function (big loss) and the answer stuff. What kind of competition does this numpad have that are better in those areas?

@lucidmoses 3 ай бұрын

I agree it would be cool to use them as a macro pad but that would mean I'd have to install software some the computer and I'd rather not. Without software programming it would be rather limited.

@n0vi Ай бұрын

Thanks for being one of the few who pronounce 8BitDo correctly and don't go for the "nintenDOH" low hanging fruit lol

@Ferrari255GTO 3 ай бұрын

If you show up in class with this calculator you're either inmediatley mocked or respected, no mid ground 😂 Edit: BTW i have the keyboard and i love it, i prefer the classic all-round cherry reds but i understand perfectly why they made their choice and i don't plan on changing it anytime soon

@smada36 3 ай бұрын

Ooo, they do sound delicious. They 8BitDo sound delicious 🤣

@lawbinson 3 ай бұрын

I love how blocky it is

@LangleyNA 3 ай бұрын

Goodbye, eight-bit dough. Hello, eight-bit do. Thank you for the education, Chyrosran22 and 8BitDo. I believe I heard TDNC speak it as _"8BitDough"_ in years past, so that's where I learned~.