Hyper 7 keyboard review (Kailh BOX Burnt Orange)

Skip to 13:53 for a typing demonstration.
Get the Hyper 7 here: mechboards.co....
Get the keycaps here: pimpmykeyboard...
^ You may want to specify whether you need 2U caps for stabilisers, or for 2x1U keys.
Today we look at a keyboard I've been wanting to cover for ages; the Hyper 7 keyboard! A battleship-class keyboard with more keys than you can shake a stick at. Hope you enjoy the video!
Intro by Kyle Carter
Outro by Facundo Cabanne
My keyboard reviews: bit.ly/1TbOtft
My switch teardowns: bit.ly/2C1QGHz
My TOP X videos: bit.ly/2FmpZfd
My XL typing demos: bit.ly/2OoAW3w
My tutorials and featurettes: bit.ly/2OrkLUh
My unboxing videos: bit.ly/2TSrr0m
I'm Thomas and I do videos and reviews on mechanical keyboards ranging from the most sickening modern RGB gaming keyboards to vintage hardware relics, or sometimes keycaps or keyswitches ranging from Cherry MX to Alps SKCM to IBM buckling springs and anything in between.
Follow me on Twitter for updates on my keyboard videos! / chyrosran22
The practice sentence was: "Hello my name is thomas and I'm typing on a Hyper7 keyboard right now. This hunk of stainless steel is one of the most impressive behemoths I've ever seen! Love it!"

[@BoloH.]

What a monster, proper aircraft carrier. It even has an runway above the number keys.

[@CulturedThugPoster]

I can see this being my next regretful purchase.

[@StruC]

I like how the SAP title says "Easy Access"

[@Chyrosran22]

Yes, it's definitely trolling you as you use it xD .

[@not_just_burnt]

im pretty sure you couldve expanded that list just by pressing right then down repeatedly. i myself am a systems admin and use management consoles that look like that, so try it out -- maybe that helps) also, sometimes just pressing the first letter of the label jumps the cursor to it, maybe try that too

[@XalphYT]

9:40 SAP was cool stuff back in the 1970s. Compared to punchcards and batch processing, SAP was the fun and easy way to compute at work 😅

[@CaveyMoth]

It's about as easy access as my ex girlfriend.

[@XanthinZarda]

It looks like a visual basic or Microsoft Access program. That's derogatory, by the way. It really should just be "here's a vector image of the layout, click the key, set the key to a function."

[@SeraphimKnight]

It's not particularly about being QMK-compatible, it's usually that being QMK-compatible makes it VIA and VIAL-compatible which is an extremely easier way to program your keyboard.

[@trashcatt]

Also, QMK on it's own really isn't that bad.

[@bsadewitz]

For *keyboard firmware*, qmk is *very* user-friendly! 😂 It's open source and documented! Via and vial are essentially qmk, right? What we're actually talking about is the configuration tool. In either case, I don't think they're that bad. Yes, some vendors have better tools, I assume (never used any myself), but this sort of functionality is traditionally deferred to the operating system. Keyboards emit scancodes. That's it. Any firmware is as user-friendly as the tools provided. Of course it could be better; I have a new model F and still don't know what many of the options even do. But I had little difficulty in setting up a basic layered setup to do what I wanted. Ultimately, to make such software user-friendly for the population at large, there would, I think, be a major effort.

[@SeraphimKnight]

I literally had to watch a step-by-step video tutorial on how to use QMK, because it's extremely obtuse. I had a manual from a vendor and still didn't understand what exactly to do. Although VIA and VIAL are ultimately just skins on top of QMK at least how it works it pretty obvious (VIAL's macros being unnecessarily complex aside).

[@OhhWelll]

I work at a logistics company and use McLeod on a daily basis and I thought our software was bad but after seeing SAP I'm thankful for it. 😂 That keyboard really is a monster and I would love to have this at work. The amount of macros and shortcuts would save a significant amount of time every day from not having to click through a thousand menus.

[@matthewcain588]

"I'm not into foot worship" Fuck I love you.

[@oggilein1]

The reason its 'only' 173% is because a normal 100% keyboard actually has more than 100 (typically 104) keys

[@Chyrosran22]

Such a silly way to denote size though, by referring to a number that isn't accurate to its amount of keys xD .

[@user-lv6rn9cf8m]

@@Chyrosran22 Makes more sense though. The same "main" keyboard layout have various amounts of keys depending on if it's iso, ansi, jis layout etc. Counting keys doesn't make sense, it's about how they differ in proportion to each other. Like a normal fullsize, 104 keys in ansi, 106 in iso. 110 in jis?

[@nthnhbsn1909]

Honourable mention for Jae, Yiancar and Bitshifter for their work on this board.

[@totallynotvme]

Like how the SAP footage wasn't over when the video ended

[@SonicBoone56]

Ikr

[@luciascarlet]

I started laughing when it continued playing after he began the typing demonstration and then laughed even harder when it just _kept going_

[@AzureFlash]

I appreciate you including the decimals on the herpaderp units

[@luciascarlet]

The reason people often like QMK is because even though configuring it can be Painful, it's open-source and heavily standardised so you'll find most keyboards with it work similarly. The Hyper 7 in particular does seem to be different as you mentioned with it not being available in the configurator, but personally I do enjoy even just having the theoretical possibility to set up my keyboard to do pretty much anything since it's all fully open-source C code with a large community and lots of documentation around it, compared to proprietary software where you kind of just have to take what you get and be happy with it. VIA is great to bridge the gap between ease-of-use and extensibility/freedom though.

[@Chozo_Ghost]

Someone needs to make this titan VIA compatible. That'd be a dream.

[@likelime.]

And someone needs to make mods/macro keycap sets for different DAWs and photo/video editing software so you can mix and match. That would be ideal.

[@endmymisery3623]

@@likelime. linus tech tips has a vid on DIY die sub keycaps. You can also get blank set, print the picture, and put it on the cap using clear tape

[@likelime.]

@@endmymisery3623 That's true. That definitely extends the project time but I'd be willing to buy a set of Ableton and DxO mods and odds just for that time to be spared. But there's definitely work arounds.

[@computer_toucher]

That critique from someone who can manage using SAP at work and not quit after a week is extremely valid critique. If you've ever used any internal product based on SAP you know. If you haven't: You are blessed.

[@Chyrosran22]

It's... the devil's software. It's so horribly cluttered together, it's like a million different developers tried to make the same program, all in a slightly different way, and they just glued it all together.

[@mustardofdoom]

The definition of an enthusiasts keyboard.

[@Daijyobanai]

not how i spell fetishist, but ok.

[@1fareast14]

9:44 I think a shift from qmk to VIAL for easy remapping would suit Thomas well. Mechboards should consider having a hex ready to save the user a few hours of building the firmware. Memory limitations might be an issue with this size of board...

[@olik136]

the SAP demonstration helps me hating my job a little less... which is saying a lot since I have to use Autocad...

[@Chyrosran22]

Haha, different types of horribleness I guess xD .

[@Borv413]

As someone who daily drives a PC122(Modern M122), this(and whatever future revisions) with Zeal Clickez is now officially my dream keyboard.

[@Chyrosran22]

Oh my god, living the dream! :D

[@Borv413]

I also spent more on customizing the PC122 than it costs on its own. All but 5 keys have either green legends or green base color. Given Unicomp for some reason doesn't have the option to buy a custom colored ISO left shift on its own. My previous board was a GMMK with Box Jades. I do have a board with odd modern switches which I've used beforehand(though It's missing a few caps). The switches are dark gray but clicky. Let me know if you're interested

[@protheu5]

This is the size of keyboard I want. Mere 6 programmable macros on a "large" gaming keyboard is not enough, I see this battleship being setup during first months and every key finding its purpose.

[@bsadewitz]

From a practical standpoint, wouldn't it be just as effective to configure that functionality in the OS? You might need some additional tools, but the result should be fine.

[@lilrowbear]

How could a keyboard this large have a spacebar that small? I think we could have sacrificed two buttons to have a regular space bar.

[@jacekruzyczka3058]

You're absolutely right. Anyone who types much will hate this kind of space bar arrangement.

[@CallumCarmicheal]

​@@jacekruzyczka3058luckily if you check the group but there is a "modern" format version that includes a large space bar at the loss of 3 or 4 buttons. A worthy sacrifice

[@gcolombelli]

You can opt for a 7u spacebar on the Hyper7 R4. Oh, and it has another nice feature: a handle. 😂

[@Pau_Pau9]

Words coming out of Chyrosran22's mouth is delightful as noise and tactile sensation of finest key-switches ever conceived!!

[@susseratal]

I find it easier to not think of QMK as a program as such. it's a firmware, and you either use a text editor to edit your firmware files in C, or the online configurator. But at the end of the day, you're compiling C and flashing a microcontroller. I've found the power it affords me in creating custom controls for my keyboard to be basically irreplaceable, but I definitely think that there should be an easier to use (and probably simpler) all-in-one program for people who just want to tweak a keymap, not write full on custom firmware files. edit: Awesome video by the way, really cool to see a unique project like this!

[@tiredtait9660]

Now I want to see a 255 key keyboard. Full ASCII in one place.

[@esra_erimez]

As a keyboard enthusiast I am very enthusiastic about the absurdity of this absurd keyboard

[@macboards9778]

For me, the appeal of QMK (or TMK which it was based on) is the open source and DIY nature (provided that the keyboard in question has the code out there somewhere). If there’s anything I wanna change or add, I can do just that. For example, the Datadesk Switchboard I sent you a few years ago - I could only get it to work reliably in ADB mode, and even then one of the modifiers was acting up, so I had to tweak the code a bit. Of course, I am fully aware I am speaking as a programming nerd who is quite happy to tinker with code like that, which isn’t exactly how most people function 😅

[@Chyrosran22]

Eh, it's a fair point, but one could argue that in that case, you're arguing that it's in truth not good enough but you can unfuck it :p .

[@macboards9778]

Sometimes I wonder how the landscape would look like if Soarer’s Converter and Controller were open source and the community ran with them instead/in addition to TMK.

[@cflockhart]

Editing the QMK source for that thing, building and flashing would get old really fast with so many configurable keys. About as attractive to me as having to solder the switches, resistors etc for it, then sticking the soldering iron in my eye. For a > $600 keyboard, I'd be hoping for Via/Vial compatibility.

[@thetreeofclues]

Holy shit, what a fucking beast! Finally a modern keyboard that has enough buttons for a real user!

[@WyattOShea]

Wonder if it has enough for Taran 😂(used to be employed by LMG aka Linus Tech Tips)

[@thetreeofclues]

@@WyattOShea Hah I remember that guy

[@WyattOShea]

@@thetreeofclues The macro king lol

[@Daijyobanai]

A fantastic shield for a Roman soldier. And a fantastic weapon for well, anyone.

[@b.h.6307]

I would love to see a small version of this keyboard with a layout equivalent to a Focus FK-5001, a standard ANSI layout and an expanded macro function keys than a regular full-size keyboard would be less overwhelming than this behemoth and would appeal to a lot more people.

[@BrianMcKee]

A good alternative that I use is the Boston 120% keyboard on Geekhack.

[@bsadewitz]

Exactly. I have no idea what I would even do with all of those keys. I have a 77-key keyboard, and even with that, I could spend endless hours configuring it.

[@Ziedmac]

I know absolutely nothing about keyboards and yet I am still here because your commentary is fucking amazing

[@abnorc8798]

Insane product. I don't think I'd ever have a need for something so customizable and flexible, but it's cool that it exists.

[@blank-mq8ef]

personally the reason i like qmk is the fact that i can do it all terminal based without having to use any gui programs. it can be difficult to wrap your head around but with a copy of the documentation and qmk set up on a linux box it feels so easy

[@blank-mq8ef]

@Imbe Tahimoto it's only a struggle at the very beginning, just like split keyboards imo. 3months of suffering then fun

[@bsadewitz]

That's what I was saying elsewhere in this comments section: that, as I see it, having a documented open-source firmware IS pretty "user-friendly" for a keyboard, even without any configuration tool. This is *firmware*. I don't think it is realistic to expect any of these speciality low-volume items to have a full-featured, polished graphical tool for configuration. That's an entirely separate effort requiring UX design, programming, etc.

[@TIB1243S]

I have the same issue with QMK as well, people keep touting how "customisable" it was, but the guide to setup is so complicated and cluttered it doesn't even make sense When I finally managed to get QMK working, sure it's fine but some of the nice-to-have functions require additional steps or coding or something, I don't even understand how to get those working and literally no guides exist online that could help. Here comes VIA, touted as a "GUI" to QMK, and it does work much better and easier to QMK, but it's very limited in a sense where it also can't accomplish what some people wanted in QMK in the first place I literally just wanted to have a key that I can toggle another key to hold or as a repeat function, but I guess it is impossible without the use of AutoHotKey

[@mrsmith5089]

I added the feature you speak off to my qmk layout. You can press a key to enable bunny hopping, where the space bar now quickly repeats at random intervals when held. It was like 20 lines of custom c code, and both the toggle key and the space key are macros. But like you said for a non programmer you will have an easier time getting it to work with autohotkey

[@TIB1243S]

@mrsmith5089 some tutorials I heard would make use of that "Again" button but it needs to be enabled somehow and there was 0 guides on that apart from genetic instructions like "Oh you need to xxx" and no actual help I just want to 1. Press and hold hotkey 2. Press the key you want to repeat/hold 3. Release both 4. Expected functionality: The key I wants to be repeated gets repeated until I press the hotkey to stop repeat/hold

[@mrsmith5089]

@@TIB1243S yea I get you. Its not a standard qmk feature so it would require adding new functionality in your layout. You can ask on reddit for someone to add it to your layout. Preferably someone who has the same keyboard as you, since the layouts and setups can vary vastly depending on the keyboard

[@Chyrosran22]

@@TIB1243S You might find help on the QMK discord. They were able to help me with this keyboard as well. Considering it took two hours of screen sharing even with them, it's no joke to set it up. I really feel your frustration - I can't even begin to properly express my hatred for QMK (although I definitely tried in this video xD).

[@fragglet]

This thing almost has enough modifier keys to operate Emacs! Wow!

[@thromboid]

Really appreciated your generous and considerate provision of Freedom Units. :D

[@awesomeawesome2513]

This is like the inverse of a 40% keyboard. Like when does a board have too few or too many keys to the point efficiency is lost? Some people get so frustrated/perplexed by keys/macros being accessed thru layers. I would be frustrated/perplexed about searching for the particular key I want and repositioning my hands/arms on and off the home row so much.

[@Chyrosran22]

Like I said, if you don't have a purpose for the extra keys, they're just going to be in the way. This is a specialist keyboard, for people who really want to min/max their keyboard, and have something to min/min it for. It's certainly not for everyone.

[@hulk3077]

I would love to see a small version of this keyboard with a layout equivalent to a Focus FK-5001, a standard ANSI layout and an expanded macro function keys on the left side would be lot less overwhelming than this behemoth and would appeal to a lot more people.

[@outtheredude]

ISO options too for those in Europe. ;-)

[@hulk3077]

@@outtheredude Sure ISO and the Big ass enter key both would be great!!

[@lo1991]

The fact that SAP still exists and is still used proves that most managers that are in charge of buying IT software have absolutely no idea about IT.

[@TheRailroad99]

They are one of the biggest German companies. Here in Germany they do quite a lot of lobbying, at university you can (and often have to) take multiple lectures about SAP software. The company I work for has just written their own ERP system. It's crusty and old (looks like designed for Windows 95) but works great once you figured out it's quirks. I am happy I don't have to deal with SAP stuff

[@DVRC]

In general, software industry is DEEPLY flawed. I haven't used SAP, but for a while I was taking a stage (that I quitted, because it didn't left me time for University) about M$ infrastractures, and OMG Windoze Server and Active Directory are a mountain of turd. Really, what's wrong with enterprise software? I feel like they don't care about academic research, and that they try to make academic stuff more enterprise-like

[@bltzcstrnx]

​@@DVRC MS for enterprise is simpler to manage. For company owned devices you can manage them through InTune. You can manage Linux device if it just 10 or so PC/Laptops, but if you handles hundreds or even thousands of devices it's a different story. For server, many already migrated to Linux, containerization and orchestration is one of the primary reason.

[@richardhunter9779]

@@DVRC They measure productity in features implemented and bugs fixed. This works amazingly well for MVP, but the core features and workflows get less and less attention as the project goes on, which makes the software worse with each version. Navigation is an afterthought, whereas, it should be THE main concern. Basically, tech managers are stuck in beginner purgatory.

[@billkillernic]

It seems to me that in order to serve its purpose other than just being a curiosity it needs a slider or knob or something for zoom/volume and a big anatomically correct placed track ball Because 1) a mouse needs space to move which you wont have unless you desk is king size and your arm spam huge 2) Most people that will actually use this will be either some sort of specialists (e.g in video production) or some sort of linux user that prefers the shell vim emacs etc to graphical environments in which a trackball seems more intuitive to use when needed to do something that is not as convenient to do with the arrow keys (e.g put the cursos 10 lines above 25 characters to the left would be a big task to do with arrow keys, and yes there are commants to go there with vim or emacs but you would have to code them in for simple shell promts etc )

[@bsadewitz]

Anyone who would actually use those keys with a shell would already know how to bind the keys.

[@bsadewitz]

Generally, people tend to use the same keys as their preferred text editor with the shell--or at least vi commands. I do. I didn't even configure anything to do that. The shell (zsh) is configured to support that out of the box.

[@reptilespantoso]

This is easily the best review of anything, anywhere.

[@Geekzmo]

The SAP endings.... killed me hahahaha just great!. Awesome keyboard, awesome review btw

[@nebula_444]

New Thomas video to sip my coffee to before work!!

[@ajshell2]

I own two of these. No joke. For anyone who wants one, the 1.5 stagger is a bit of a pain for gaming. It makes WASD uncomfortable, so I tilt my left hand and bind it to EASD instead.

[@panplusk9539]

I also work with SAP, but we have the main transaction tree disabled. So You either have to have Your most used ones memorized (about 20 for me), or add them to Favorites. But i agree, SAP is massive.

[@Chyrosran22]

I mean, this is just the main menu. Memorising what you need to do AFTERWARDS is so much worse still xD .

[@Krieger22FS]

One of my college courses was the basics of using SAP. Suffice to say I think getting a keyboard specifically to handle it might actually make me worse at using it!

[@francois2449]

This SAP software should be sent to UI/UX design schools to see how many professors and students end up in a coma

[@Chyrosran22]

I've had to use it for a while now, and explain it to a bunch of people as well. It tends to provoke... strong reactions in those who have to use it xD . That said, this isn't some tiny obscure software though. SAP is the third-biggest software company in the world.

[@ThatManFromGermany]

it's like listing all your .exe and .dll in your windows folder wondering what they do ;-) I do SAP sysadmin and system use stuff since 1995 and yes, it's not intuitive, its UI is proprietary but it gets the job done. I use SAP without a mouse and I'm fast in doing so, that keyboard would help me not to have to remember three-button-shortcuts any more 😛

[@mixermaster10]

my god its a behemoth, longer then my desk, my current 65% kb takes alrdy nearly half of my desk 💀jesus maria i want it doeeee

[@E10979]

I've wanted to see him review this keyboard for a while, my friends told me I should get this keyboard a while ago after I told them I use the home, end, and delete keys. Might be a little over the top considering I just use a keyboard properly

[@roadtonever]

It should have been named Con-KEY-stador.

[@taatzi5554]

I don't know if someone's already commented on the QMK hate, but as a software developer I have wanted to chip in for quite some time. QMK really is a firmware for microcontrollers, an open source option that enables customizability on hardware level. As an open source project it enables unlocking functionality in keyboards that are lacking but use an internal microchip, and easy manufacturing of completely custom or unique keyboard projects without having to write all C or assembly logic from the ground up. It has its flaws, notably lack of bluetooth support which ZMK rose to fix, but really it's a great firmware project that's enabled much of the modern keyboard scene. However, being a firmware for a microprocessor and not really a userspace application, it is indeed hellish for the common person to configure. As far as I know, VIA was built to essentially create a user usable frontend to make key layout configuring accessible for the end user, and I am time and time again amazed that it isn't supported out of the box for the majority of keyboards, even when it was specifically created to fix this issue and is directly implemented for QMK.

[@rustybike5]

Love how the SAP "Easy access" scroll just keeps going and going and going and going and going and going and...

[@nemtudom5074]

11:42 I love how the SAP screen is STILL going LMAO

[@SheeplessNW6]

I was irrationally relieved that this behemoth still weighs less than my model F battleship. Wouldn't want my chonky boi feeling inadequate.

[@Chyrosran22]

Dude, almost nothing weighs more than an F battleship xD . Seriously, even the biggest-looking motherfuckers still weigh less than that one. Even the Deko only weighs about 2.6 kg!

[@SonicBoone56]

Hell yeah, a proper modern keyboard that kicks ass, has a gazillion keys, and can have a left hand numpad.

[@RealLargeManTheGiantOne]

Thinking of getting one of these one day for use with Ableton, that many macros plus a controller with motorised faders would be ludicrously good for productivity.

[@nacnacnacnacnacnacnacnac]

I think a keyboard you might like is the one of the Niz Plum Atom keyboards. They use a sort of capacitive rubber dome switch that has a traditional mx-style slider on top of a spring. They can even be opened up while still inside the board if you want to lube the stem slider or even swap out the springs for a different weighting. They sound phenomenal, too.

[@nocturnalsonder]

He's already covered NIZ's switches in an ABKO keyboard.

[@hashtagrich]

I love huge keyboards with too many keys and funky layouts, learning the new layout is one of my favorite parts! I always find some functionality for every key

[@Irongrip62]

This thing stirs feelings deep inside me just looking at it.

[@QWERTYCommander]

What tenkeyless looks like to 40% users

[@kassjames5301]

For the price tag, if you aren't able to expense this at work, then I can't see the purpose. This is a working keyboard with a lot of good applications, but just playing around with a massive desk-weight is not one of them. I do wish they'd come out with something sort of halfway in between? Something with a full space-bar and properly aligned keys, but with the addition of those macros and additional keys. That would really make a great keyboard for animators, media editors, and others who use a gargantuan set of macros.

[@Chyrosran22]

You're thinking battlecruiser keyboards. They also exist! I did a whoel comparison video on them :) .

[@bakakafka4428]

This one, with proper keycap set in SA, and Kailh Box Navy switches...

[@givemeanacct]

That's exactly what I have. Space Cadet keycap set featured on the review, and Kailh Box Navies. I have thought about taking it to work, but I'm afraid my coworkers would complain too much about the noise and I'd be fired within a week. The stainless steel case on the Hyper 7 amplifies the already loud Box Navy sound. Also I would need a bigger desk, I think.

[@DigitalNomadOnFIRE]

Corne (etc) with blank keys and many layers gives you a tiny ergo ortholinear keyboard with in effect many more keys than this - and you don't have to move your fingers from the home row. It's next level and has a visual configurator and can also run macros. Num pad under one hand, arrows etc under other on layer 2 - emojis and brackets for coding on layer 2 - it never ends. Life Changing...

[@Chyrosran22]

Corne does 8000 different outputs out of the factory? :p

[@ahobimo732]

In another life, I would build one of these and follow the rabbit hole ALL THE WAY DOWN.

[@RickyBobbyGetEm]

This SAP software is... something... else... still going... It's like looking at the background of a cartoon like The Flintstones, never ending

[@Moszczynski69]

God Hyper 7 with VIA support would be a dream.

[@mechboards3081]

This is coming :)

[@newmh990]

I feel the SAP pain…. Also understand why you use macro boards.

[@GretchZ]

I’m looking at the default layout and only wanting to make a couple changes. Also, being able to change basically anything with xkb itself, I’d be able to avoid QMK.

[@mysteriousboozebunny6534]

I could use something with a similar form factor, but if I were to build my own keyboard with these boards, I'd probably not populate all switches. I really do need a full size spacebar, and my config for the alphanumeric keys would lend itself better to typing text. But it does give me some inspiration.

[@outtheredude]

This looks like just a raw keyboard without an external case. One that should be made out of solid mahogany, putting new meaning into making a desk for it. (Also for the Quentin Tarantino types out there, 56cm equals a whole lot of fun with feet. ;-) )

[@jgvillan01]

OMG, that SAP file seems to go on and on! My daily driver at home is an M-122, and I just wanted it over a regular Model M for the extra keys re-binded as Media/Volume controls.

[@Chyrosran22]

Honestly that SAP list isn't even one whole folder out of twelve! xD

[@SundownMarkTwo]

Ahh, the Burnt Orange switches! I remember asking about them a while back. Good to see they've finally got some screen time.

[@KrishnaDraws]

When your keyboard is a desk.

[@ny-lights]

I don't love QMK, but in it's defense it's more of firmware for keyboards. Ideally you should use a piece of software like QMK configurator to make your custom keymap and never have to deal with the underlying code. VIA is actually a function of QMK that lets you change your keymap on your keyboard without needing to reflash firmware, which makes it more user friendly. You can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you don't like some of the software tools to configure QMK, not that you have a problem with QMK itself. People like it because it's open source. I know how much you love the (closed source) Razer software suite but still... ;-)

[@Chyrosran22]

VIA and the configurator don't work for this board, that's kind of the point. The fact that people have to develop software to deal with the software doesn't speak to its defence either :p .

[@bsadewitz]

@@Chyrosran22 It isn't software to deal with the software. QMK is firmware. At that level, "user-friendly" is being documented and fairly straightforward to build. I'm not asserting that your gripe is illegitimate, only that I don't know where the money to develop and test such tools would even come from. It would be remiss for a reviewer not to relate his experience actually using the product. I get it. Is there an alternative, though? If not, someone would have to develop it, and that eats away at any project's budget. They'd have to do UX development and testing, etc.

[@Chyrosran22]

@@bsadewitz Boards that had on-board configurability used to be the standard as far back as at least the 90s, even for cheapass companies. None of this flashing rubbish needed, or even a reset. Just program on-the-go without any external software needed.

[@bsadewitz]

@@Chyrosran22 I recall boards with a block of DIP switches, sure, as well as boards capable of e.g. assigning macros to programmable function keys. I don't recall fully programmable layouts, etc. Now, I hardly consider myself a keyboard historian, so perhaps such boards did exist. As I see it, I think that there is a disconnect between the expectations/desires of end users vs developers of open-source firmware; this is arguably an almost ubiquitous phenomenon in the open-source world. The prevailing attitude is "if you want it done differently, fork the code and do it yourself". I have been using such software for so long (since the early 90s) that I suppose I have grown accustomed to it. Example: I own a repro model F also. I had similar thoughts regarding the laissez-faire stance of the project and their deference to the forums, but I somehow knew intuitively how to deal with it. I actually also flashed one of those files that removed the functionality to enter bootloader mode. 😂 I am so used to handling such situations that it didn't really faze me. I almost instinctually knew what to do. There's another way to handle common use cases in a vastly more straightforward manner IMHO: Some guy wrote entirely new firmware for that keyboard which doesn't use a gui to program it; IIRC the layout is defined when you build the firmware. The strength of his firmware is that one can just define an arbitrary layout outright. The author writes: "[...] the key maps (layers) are based on changing the default, named, keys rather than on a positional matrix. So, for any keyboard that has some kind of natural naming/mapping for the keys, remapping is simply a listing of the differences, rather than a set of complete layers with all positions listed". What's the strength of this? Correctness by *default*. A vendor could easily and automatically build firmware files for numerous possible configurations (or build them on demand by linking binary objects together as e.g. the ipxe rom-o-matic page does) then have them available for download via a web-based frontend that presents the user with a series of questions regarding layout options. Done. No mucking around with a configurator, nothing to go wrong. User knows exactly what he's getting. The tradeoff is the loss of a gui configuration tool. This approach would undoubtedly make basic setup easier and less error-prone. Which would be better for most people, that or QMK? I don't know. github.com/arkku/aakbd

[@realMrVent]

The keycap shop you linked in the desc has rebranded and (apparently) discontinued the set...what a shame, those caps look gorgeous.

[@MoraFermi]

I am sad that you didn't just set up a single key macro for the "typing demonstration"! Pretty awesome keyboard, although I would prefer more spacebar even if it meant slightly less shift keys. P.S. if you think using SAP is bad, maintaining it is *far* worse.

[@Chyrosran22]

Haha I already did a single-key typing macro for a video once! xD And yeah, I can imagine the horrors of maintaining it!

[@joecincotta5805]

Extra points for SAP roast.

[@wembleyford]

It's fabulous, and my heart yearns for it, even if my brain says no, that's stupid. The thing that really annoys me about it is the design choice about the spacebar, which is clearly some sort of humourous/asthetic choice to make it as small as possible rather than practical. Appreciate you can rebind other keys to make it larger, but it's still a fundamental problem with this project and I think is it's biggest problem (well, after the cost). Still - it does look amazing, but like your said, unless have a need to be able to remember 8,000 keyboard shortcuts, it's probably a bit (well, a lot) overkill.

[@russianbear0027]

Apparently the new version of it has an option for a normal layout (and much less expensive keycaps)

[@harryvendryes]

I can see that 'Round 4' of this keyboard says 'Coming Soon'. What does that usually mean in the mechanical keyboard world? And yes... great voice by the way. You can't train for that. You either have it or you don''t. Congratulations!

[@Chyrosran22]

Cheers mate :D . I should be getting a R4 when that arrives too! So you'll see another video down the line.

[@ernstmayer3868]

This SAP program does not come with a magnifying glass icon for its search. It offers a telescope.

[@n7amazin617]

I don't think this keyboard is for me, but I think I'm in love!

[@pingtime]

This keyboard will absolutely taking 80% of my desk space 🤣

[@GalileoAV]

I love big keyboards and basically had to give up and make my own lmao.Took two nightstands from goodwill and made a flat top out of some plywood and 2x4, sanded and stained it. Now I have a 7 foot wide ghetto desk for three monitors and I feel like I'm living the trash panda battlestation dream

[@pingtime]

@@GalileoAV Love to hear the effort! I also using multimonitor setup with 27 inch primary display + 21 inch vertical, but even through I'm not into serious gaming, I love to got more extra space for my mice + my hardware hacking shenanigans, for me, TKL keyboard form factor is the best. Also I makee a DIY mechanical numpad that I put on my left side of my keyboard (I know its sound weird)

[@Doty6String]

Obviously we love it

[@IOSam]

SAP is disgraceful... But having that endless scrolling in the background was more fun that I could have ever expected! 😂 (although R.I.P. to your arm and hand after shooting all that)

[@IOSam]

Also, a missed opportunity to play "Svefn-g-englar" there in the end...

[@Chyrosran22]

Hahaha you use SAP too? xD My god, how much of the planet has this crap software infected? XD And you're right, any opportunity is a good one to play Svefn-g-englar 8) .

[@IOSam]

@@Chyrosran22 Thankfully I don't use it anymore, but had to use it for 2 years in my previous job. Not gonna lie... Might have been one of the reasons why I quit that job! XD

[@frzen]

I found a deko fast action keyboard at work but I also found a KB654 Avid Protools Devlin UK manufactured keyboard which might be my favourite of the plus size models. Compared to a full size board there are 6 extra keys above the arrow keys and about 40 extra keys above the F keys. It has cherry mx browns. It uses a strange cable, USB A to RJ45 or RJ11 (didn't plug it out to check).

[@beseakos]

Any chance you will take a look at a Boston120 one day? I would love to see your take on an 1800 layout with an extra f-row.

[@Chyrosran22]

Just taken a look; it's basically with an extra row of macro keys, right? Looks convenient and quite efficient!

[@beseakos]

@@Chyrosran22 yeah, also fully open source and relatively easy to make.

[@RoccondilRinon]

@@Chyrosran22 I have a hot-swap Boston from RNDKBD (really nice quality 3D printed case) and swear by it. It's perfect if you want a bunch of extra keys but don't want to take up extra desk space with a macro pad.

[@dragonpjb]

I want it. I don't need it. It's just so beautiful!😢

[@StuartDootson]

I too use SAP, and (even though I only use two transactions, IPM4 and IPM5), it fully deserves a Thomas-style ‘hideous’!!! Even navigating it with an ALPS keyboard doesn’t make it a pleasurable experience…

[@Chyrosran22]

Are those IT functions, by any chance? And yeah I get you, I use an Alps board with my SAP computer too ^^ .

[@StuartDootson]

@@Chyrosran22 No - they’re for time reporting - I book my working hours (in hours, to 2 decimal places) to different project codes in a work breakdown structure… And then I return to software development , where the keyboard is 💯 - I think I prefer it to my Model M… Maybe!

[@jkon156]

as an ex SMT Tech, you are right. those little components are such a PITA to get soldered right. Moved to AOI programming about a year ago. I do miss actually building things, but programming pays better

[@tomwilson2112]

Wow. That layout is evidence of an alternate universe where terminals took over and PCs never existed.

[@amitsandler2262]

Do you have the Original Firmware Files? I want to see the 9 layers to see what exactly was done

[@ArtyI]

Oh I love everything about that board. I wish I could get my hands on one

[@nemtudom5074]

As much as i love having many keys, i have no clue what you could do with those

[@tuxino]

I can't quite figure out whether this is a keyboard review or an elaborate (and expensive) way of expressing dislike of SAP and QMK. Probably both.

[@EddieGooch]

The Palpatine scene scrared tf out of me

[@Alpha8713]

Beautiful keyboard. I want!

[@gesamtszenario]

I work in healthcare IT in Germany. The percentage of hospitals which get their processes tangled up and themselves locked in after they were "just going to use SAP for purchasing" is... too damn high. As if hospital staff weren't already punished enough.

[@Throdrim]

I think there are lot of duplicate in SAP menu

[@dotplan]

I need this!

[@CockatooDude]

Now THIS is the type of keyboard I wish more companies were making. I hate this trend towards fewer switches.

[@FeintMotion]

Group buy for a round 4 is on this week

[@CockatooDude]

@@FeintMotion Hey now I didn't say I could afford it, let's not get ahead of ourselves here lmao.

[@alpburak]

Where is the space "bar"? 😢

[@northsta]

7:30 the key left to the little red “dot key” in the middle of the bottom row - probably no stabilizers and it’s laughable for such behemoth keyboard to have such tiny spacebar

[@NovusDundus]

Is there a similar keyboard that has a traditional layout and doesn't require a stupid amount of set up? I haven't looked at fully custom keyboards. But I have soldered in a full set of Cherry MX RGB Greys on a Corsair K95 RGB Platinum. And I'm loving that. More macro keys to do workstation tasks would be great though.

[@russianbear0027]

There's the pc122 made by unicom. Dunno how much setup it needs.

[@unattributed1641]

Didn't someone in your company suggest that SAP be implemented in functional business units? A company I used to work for did it that way. It cuts the clutter to about 30 percent instead of that monstrous behemoth you are dealing with.

[@eg6490]

I love how this think looks, and I wanna mess with it. But dang, those setting are monstrous

[@Thiesi]

Is the SAP interface still scrolling?