Custom Build: Idobao ID87 Crystal (First Person View)

This is the Idobao Id87 Crystal Build video.
Unboxing: (0:00)
Taking the Idobao ID87 Crystal apart: (2:36)
Installing new PCB stabilizers: (5:18)
Installing Gasket Mount: (11:07)
Installing Brass Plate Standoffs: (13:36)
Sandwiching the Plate: (15:43)
Installing the switches: (17:02)
Sound Test: (18:32)
The main features of this board are the south-facing switch configuration, brass plate and weight, and the gasket mount.
Some other features are an acrylic case, hot-swap switches, some tasteful RGB, and it should go without saying, USB-C.
I bought it from Idobao’s website in a group buy several months ago. It was late, being shipped, but It arrived unscathed.
I am still planning a normal length like the others on my channel, if you’d like to check that out, it will be linked in the description as well as in the outro.
I am very impressed with the tolerances and how premium it feels. I didn’t think about how it would feel without legends under my fingertips. I’ll talk a little more about my impressions after the sound test, but first some little details on how It was put together:
After I unboxed it, I took off the stabilizers immediately, as they were some of the worst stabilizers I had ever felt, and replaced them with some Durock V2 stabilizers with clear housings and gold-plated screws and wires.
I harvested some Zealios V2 switches from another build, my GMMK TKL. After almost ruining one of the switches, I got it to work.
I assembled the brass plate, stand-offs, and PCB with the foam cutout in between. I do suggest having an electronics tool kit of some sort that has an assortment of bits, however, you may also need a thin and long screwdriver to be able to sandwich the plate between the top and bottom housings.
Here is how it sounded:
I chose not to add any kind of dampening for the stabilizers, as I wanted to hear and feel the crispness of the brass plate with every press. I can feel the gasket mount working, even though some would argue that there is no give to it. Some people may want to put a softer gasket material in there, along with a different plate material, and I get that, but for me, I wanted the brass experience, and am enjoying every second of typing.
If you would like to get into the hobby, check the links below, and if I missed something, or if you have a question don’t hesitate to reach out!
Idobao ID87 Crystal:
(I am not paid or endorsed by Idobao)
idobao.net/products/id87-crys...
typing test website:
monkeytype.com/
Affiliate Links: (These links support the channel financially)
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Krytox 205g0:
5% off COUPON CODE: JOELCOLLINS
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Canon 80D:
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Blue Yeti:
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[@passenger6512]

Thanks for this video. As a first time keyboard builder I wasn't quite sure how to assemble my ID87. After watching your video, everything is clear!

[@ireakhavok]

you're starting with a stellar example of a keyboard!

[@jasongreenwood3260]

In my opinion....Best sounding kbd yet!

[@ireakhavok]

Not only does it sound amazing, it FEELS so much better than all my other boards, by a long shot. Just wish that I could still be working on hondas, though. That's my true passion for putting stuff together, lol

[@Negative5iQThatAnimeDude]

@@ireakhavok all that hard work paid off but how long did it take to finish

[@ireakhavok]

@@Negative5iQThatAnimeDude it took about 5 hours! I did take little breaks. Good to see you on the channel! Sorry I've been hella busy.

[@frebasaurus2331]

dang, now thats an interesting way to make a keyboard build video :D

[@ireakhavok]

Thank you! I like to change things around from time to time. I borrowed this camera to get these shots, so I gotta save up and buy one, now! I really enjoyed making the video.

[@girimnam6959]

3:07 ctype port 15:53 assemble

[@magicmulder]

Just got mine this week and I'm intrigued because it has per-key RGB which I was told the ID87 Crystal doesn't have. Did I luck upon a v3 production sample or what?

[@ireakhavok]

You have to enable it via QMK / VIA. First download QMK toolbox and via. Once those are downloaded find the VIA compatible firmware from www.caniusevia.com/docs/download_firmware , then flash the via compatible hex file. This step can be tricky as the PCB may have to be reset by hand by hitting / shorting the reset directly on the PCB itself as you plug it in. I believe it is under the A key. This will then allow the firmware to be flashed onto the board. Once loaded onto the board, it will then show you the button combination for changing the per key RGB from white to something else. It is NOT enabled by default, but is there, and can be seen on the documentation page on idobao.

[@magicmulder]

@@ireakhavok Thanks, sorry for the late reply, only saw your answer today. Cheers!

[@ireakhavok]

@@magicmulder no, problem! I actually made a video about it :P

[@lq1404]

very cool looking ! but is it white LED or RGB per key ?

[@ireakhavok]

EDITED - YES they are addressable, per key. BUT out of the box, however, the main letters are just white LED, but the underside LED's can be changed to a specific pattern, or solid color. I prefer this, anyway. It makes the legends easy to see. They are dimmable, and the brightest setting is actually a bit too bright, so I leave it on the medium settings.

[@LocNguyen-se4ec]

@@ireakhavok I have the same board and out of the box it doesn't have via support so I didn't have full control of the lightning RGB. The hex file they provide to get VIA enabled on their website seem to be for the non crystal variant which only had the underglow and the bottom row on top to be lit up. After digging around the QMK and altering a few codes. I managed to get all the keys and underglow to be lit up and addressable. I think the proper answer is this keyboard does indeed have RGB per key not just white LED for the letters. Hope this helps everyone else who has this keyboard

[@ireakhavok]

@@LocNguyen-se4ec WOW I didn't know this!!!! Thank you for Clarifying! I will modify my answer above. Thank you!

[@AndreaP_N7]

@@LocNguyen-se4ec I'm thinking of getting this as my first keyboard build, and one of the few things stopping me is that I really don't like those white LEDs. I was thinking about physically modding it somehow (like with colored film or something), but if the LEDs are actually addressable, that would be amazing! Do you know of a tutorial for this somewhere? I've heard of VIA but not QMK.

[@LocNguyen-se4ec]

@@AndreaP_N7 it's definitely addressable. By default, the chip that registers this keyboard isn't flashed with VIA support. So you wont be able to visually change the colours other then the keyboards key combination. But if you want more technical lighting or remapping then you will need to reflash it to have VIA enable. It's simple if you know the workarounds but I do suggest watching a few qmk tutorials on KZbin or on QMKs website. If you get stuck I can help out further by supplying the hex file used to flash the keyboard, given that its the identical keyboard to mine and this video's

[@Negative5iQThatAnimeDude]

i just realized that my bell notification weren't on all should make a video for other sub's like me

[@SacredKeebs]

What keycaps is this?

[@ireakhavok]

idobao.net/collections/keycap/products/idobao-gradient-oem-104-side-engraved-transparent-keycap?variant=39397122539651

[@KimPendragon]

Can you change the red color?

[@ireakhavok]

Yes, you can change the underglow. Apparently, you can also change the middle per key RGB from white to RBG via some modding with possibly VIA? I cannot confirm this.

[@KimPendragon]

@@ireakhavokThis is pretty much my first build - ish and I am just having trouble with Via connecting to the keyboard.

[@ireakhavok]

@@KimPendragon you have to do some flashing of the onboard memory to make it accessible. I'll either find a guide for you, or make one for you

[@christianscott7733]

Bro how in the hell, we have the same keyboard(everest max), mice and monitor

[@ireakhavok]

LMAO. because we're smert.

[@ethanuecker1215]

Thanks for dodging :D

[@ireakhavok]

anything to help a bro to hang out with his bros and not have to wait! you guys were cool. Wish I was cool enough to hang :P

[@bahgera1292]

Thanks for dodging man :)

[@ireakhavok]

Anytime, my dudes. I hear you guys on wanting to play with a buddy, and not having to wait! I'm all for that.

[@bahgera1292]

@@ireakhavok drop your tag bro