Custom Keyboard Rabbit hole (oops)

Mode Sonnet: modedesigns.com/products/sonnet
Keychron Q2: www.keychron.com/products/keychron-q2-qmk-custom-mechanical-keyboard
KBDFans Tofu 60: kbdfans.com/r?id=dnkk6e (affiliate link)
KBDFans Phase One 65 (GB): kbdfans.com/r?id=8mv4ga (affiliate link)
Wooting 60HE: next.wooting.io/wooting-60he
Wooting 60HE Optimum config: 35e4fa40218047dcac1202b3c4021fdc64e2
My current custom keyboard collection, not sure how it got to this lol.
Video gear
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Primary Lens: geni.us/pWnoPBr
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[@YurttheSilentChief1]

Dude, you getting into the hobby this year is a 100x better experience than some of us who entered this hobby 2 years ago. The keyboards that are offered these days absolutely blow out the quality of prior keyboard group buys and I am quite jealous of this experience.

[@GemuMat116]

What would you suggest with a max budget of 250?

[@excesssum]

@@GemuMat116 I recently got an RK84, replaced stabs, put in lubed Ink black V2s with custom springs + a couple of standard mods and i'm happy as a clam, all under €200.

[@YurttheSilentChief1]

@@GemuMat116 An AKKO keyboard kit can be considered the cheapest in the market right now. A Keychron kit is also another option. If you want to join a group buy with a wait time, keep an eye out for the JRIS 65. since you didn't tell me what layout you want I just gave you a general recommendation.

[@GemuMat116]

@@YurttheSilentChief1 75%! I Need those f keys

[@YurttheSilentChief1]

@@GemuMat116 Then look at the Keychron V1 or Q1 if you want a kit that's available. I would recommend trying out Akko's MOD 007S but that's sold out atm. Make sure to look up videos for these boards to make sure they're for you

[@bren.r]

The reaction to pricing when you're new to the hobby versus having been in the hobby is literally a night and day difference.

[@superjuddy]

It's quite impressive how blessed you are in terms of capturing the "optimum" side of tech, and a genuine outlook for minimalism in our community. Others usually feels forced imo, but you are able to perfectly share an honest perspective. Many props and much love for your content.

[@Alby911]

The monotone theme has seriously got me considering repainting my room. I love the aeshtetics on this channel

[@ItsNotFrey]

I dig your build philosophy and looks. Very nice builds overall. The Phase One 65 is such a nice looking keyboard imo.

[@FluxStage]

I don't think I've seen that ring before! Congrats bud! This is awesome!

[@Alby911]

I can't wait for my Wooting 60HE despite promising myself never going back to 60% keyboards. Your review convinced me to try it out.

[@maksepalad9141]

Hahaha. After seeing reviews of it by multiple people I decided I need it... NOW. Almost bought despite not liking the 60%. But then I contacted wooting and asked them if they are going to release a 75% (my personal favourite) or at least a TKL and they in short said yes but not earlier than 2023. They haven't specified which one will it be but said that they have large, small and will release a mid size keyboard next year. So I'm counting days now since then 🤪

[@Alby911]

@@maksepalad9141 I would definitely try a 75% layout for my next KB, whether it's from Wooting I'm not sure. The Monokei x TGR is available and ready to ship here in Aus, but my wallet keeps running away lol. The KB market is absolutely crazy with so many to choose from.

[@yojirex6374]

@@maksepalad9141 Really hoping for a TKL. I already have the 60HE but would order a TKL instantly as its muchhhh better

[@ElevenElevenElevenEleven]

Your voice is so nice and perfect that all the subtitles match exactly.

[@FireAsBall94]

I've found that the community around this hobby actually makes it much better. Not Reddit but rather local keyboard communities.

[@pesto12601]

"local keyboard communities?" - you must live in a HUGE community to have multiple keyboard communities!!

[@Philitron128]

Lol

[@RetardedAsianGuy]

Yep reddit mech community devolved years ago. Local communities and discords are pretty chill

[@sweepyspud]

lmao no local keyboard communities here in hk

[@_ExTitus]

@@pesto12601 Most communities I'm involved in are Discord communities. There are some real homies out there. There are keyboard meetups across the world but there's rarely one local to me.

[@peejinator]

Just got my wooting 60he, and my mode sonnet. Being able to grab your wooting settings and just load them like this is awesome. Get to test it out so many different things! Thanks!

[@patkay]

i fell down the same rabbit hole too. Mode also sent me their Sonnet, which was absolutely amazing, but what really suckered me in was the Ramaworks U80-A that i managed to find new. 7 boards later, now i'm in too deep 😂 ...no regrets though

[@user-op8fg3ny3j]

How do you fall down this hole in the first place?

[@geonatikon9987]

@@user-op8fg3ny3j you see the holy panda fyel retest

[@ocaly]

@@user-op8fg3ny3j having higher expectations each time

[@KH77x]

Crazy to see you here pat! Love your work

[@HauntedSheppard]

@@user-op8fg3ny3j you'd be surprised. If I wasn't carefull I would've too. Fro me it started with making my own case for a ducky one two. Bought another board and decided it was enough. But the whole modding and building is therapeutical

[@cya9801]

I appreciate Mode for providing a product that is top-tier without having to endure the group buy model. I love keychron for doing the same at a price that is super reasonable in the keyboard world.

[@sainteagle4426]

you still have to wait like at least 4 months for it tho, if you order a Sonet right now you'll get it in January next year

[@5ean5ean22]

80% of groupbuys arent done big companies like MODE. Most are done by individuals within the hobby who dont have the ability to front the upfront costs.

[@cya9801]

Both of your comments are true, but when I discovered this hobby it felt very difficult to gain access to high-end options, so I appreciate being able to have the traditional shopping experience. I think group buys are great for ppl who value unique boards and I don’t expect that sales model to go away. I’m just happy accessibility has improved in the hobby. At least it feels like it has.

[@sainteagle4426]

@@cya9801 true that, Mode's configurator is awesome and even Group Buy models that are much leaner like the QK65 are an improvement, not to mention the likes of Keychron who're doing great things in this aspect as well. The ultimate goal of the community should be to move out of the group buy trend but it's going to be a long time before that happens simply due to the sheer logistics of how most high-end boards are materialized. It's so niche that there is no other way for many creators.

[@maxheadroom5532]

Fun drinking game: Drink whenever Optimum types for 0.5 seconds on the home row of any keyboard in this video.

[@evarix4760]

Damn that mode sonnet is crazy. Unfortunate that shipping to AUS is like an added $100.

[@customisation]

Its unfortunat that mode is the only vendor of their boards but it makes sense as the US is the bigger market. I was eyeing the sixty-five, but with shipping and import tax to the UK, it just added up to too much

[@bosunhawk]

Yep. Shipping to AU is getting to the point where it costs sometimes more than the item 😓

[@iguess6951]

Yeah I was pretty keen on the sonnet when it came out until i saw the shipping

[@user-fi5wm1gg6e]

Use a proxy

[@Neeb1337]

I loved the kitty keys, no shame involved. I’ve been wanting a custom TKL like mechanical keyboard.

[@z_Cobb]

Married now! Congrats my dude! Noticed the ring the other day on your last vid, props! :)

[@jacobplyler3470]

Congrats on the marriage! I don't know when it was, but the last time I heard you mention your wife, it was fiancée.

[@tonyamazing]

I only just noticed the ring and had to trawl back to see when he first wore it.

[@elianvillasenor875]

I know you're more in to the IEMs but, do you have any plans on making a video about headsets for gaming? That would be a pretty interesting video

[@nik_mik]

I can't wait to get my wooting! Im in the NA-curtain batch coming mid November, so hyped

[@IntelEdits]

I got into the custom keyboard rabbit hole a while ago. Build three customs ranging from $300-500. What keyboard am I using now? A gaming keyboard. I play a lot of osu! and the input lag is just noticeably less on a good gaming keyboard for rhythm based games. Honestly I think for the vast majority of people custom keyboards are a complete waste of time and money

[@jamescater66]

Looks like another level with your face to camera studio lighting and darker room, well done

[@_paczki]

I took a break from the keyboard hobby as I’ve been satisfied with what I have right now in my collection. Topre changed me.

[@zedricgando]

Lets appreciate how Ali flex the ring! Very Nice content men!

[@disk_35]

Ever since your first custom keyboard video I have been waiting for this video. Falling down the rabbit hole eventually happens to most of us who are exposed to the hobby. Also not sure if I am super late but congrats on the nuptials!

[@thomascrouv79]

I always admired ur discipline for going with only one and later two custom keyboard, that exactly fit ur need. Guess u r one of us now :)

[@roveism]

Awesome collection of keyboards, each one of these keyboards can probably have a video on its own. the sound of the keys... like pouring honey for the ears.

[@RyanM99]

The quality of your videos amaze me everytime👍

[@busieiwols1920]

Audio products and custom keyboards are really expensive hobbies

[@3xplosiv0]

i cannot WAIT for my 60he....going from an $800 custom build to it in the tofu60 as well :D

[@mamorris23]

happy to see you’re still using the wooting pcb. i also plan to put my wooting pcb in a tofu60 case when i get it. too many gaming benefits to not use it. great video as always!

[@jamesleung2450]

I fell into the rabbit hole during the pandemic. Luckily waiting two years for stuff has helped me climb out of the rabbit hole for now😂

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

Ali went straight from "okay this custom keeb is sweet and fits my current needs perfectly, I don't need more" (which is basically what every keeb enthusiast aspire to become" to "oh man I really have way too much keyboards" (which is basically what every keeb enthusiast is) nice vid !

[@haybail7618]

this isn't true

[@das-nyc]

I stopped at a QK65. After 11 builds, I think that's my end game for now...for now. Enjoy the rabbit hole!

[@__entiendo]

Nice to see you go down the rabbit hole after seeing that nk65 video. Make sure you don't get into ergo keyboards, my Keychron Q8 is my current favorite board.

[@BariBone]

I thought I saw the Mode in the last video. Nice video dude

[@hxpers]

So glad to see you've got a Sonnet too. I've actually convinced two other people to buy Sonnets with me and I'll be building theirs for them whenever they start shipping. (December/January from when we ordered)

[@themike97_58]

I'm anxiously awaiting my sonnet to deliver this month. been waiting for 5 months now, but the last few days are the hardest.

[@user-yq7ik8sk4c]

Excellent content!

[@SMKeyboards]

Love all of your builds!!!!

[@MichaelBertolino]

YOOO! Shout out Prevail Epsilons! Been using them for a year now since they released and there has yet to be a smoother and deeper switch to come out. I think it's the longest I've owned something in the hobby so far, because they're that good! TX Stabs too, since February! Currently using a Black Vega with POM Plate, Unmodded TX Stabs (they're that good) and L+F Prevail Epsilons! EDIT: Oil Kings too! Awesome! A bit deeper than Epsilons, but also a bit more scratchy than Epsilons. Definitely two of the best Deep sounding Linears in the hobby atm though; should pick what you care more about; sound or feel.

[@pastap21]

My big problem with most BoW sets, they all have that peachy orange tint to them, luckily i bought the ePBT GOK BoW when it was WS1 colour.

[@onehitking9124]

bro fell into it, welcome to the gulag

[@pipe_dev_null]

So glad you’ve seen the light 😂

[@Whattonamemychannel]

Hey Ali, don’t think I’ve ever seen u wearing a ring, congrats if it was recent! 🎉

[@ahangoel]

Congrat on getting married, love your content

[@barrylinkiewich9688]

I wish the Q2 wasn't so ugly, it's a nice enough board and I appreciate how easy it is to get compared to some other options but it's not attractive, between the big clunky bezels and the volume knob which just looks tacked on and badly out of place. For aesthetics alone I prefer the Mod008 because it's obvious that it was designed to have a knob and while it does wobble if you vigorously wrench at it mine is fine in daily operation. Yours seems a little looser so it definitely seems like something they should address.

[@maksepalad9141]

Hey. Great to see you diving into this hobby. So far we've both began to explore what it has to offer about the same time. (I ended up with 5 keyboard so far 😁) Noticed that you're not using tactile switches much. May you you should have a try. But thank God you've not gotten yourself a Cyberboard. Anyways thanks for showing your collection ☺️

[@ultra_combo]

@ 1:02 - have you always had that wedding band? If that's new, huge congrats Ali!

[@christoskaragiannis7973]

Just backed the rainy 75 kickstarter. That board seems to beat all the keyboards listed in this video in terms of sound imo. Have you heard of that board? I'd love to see you review it.

[@TiagoSousa026]

The trick is to have a very narrow specifications like my case. My specifications are a ISO keyboard and ISO PT-PT keycaps. Because there is so low offer with these requirements I don't have a lot to see, just on the switches I have several to choose. 😁

[@EduardoLopesPT]

Alguma recomendação? Estou neste momento a ponderar comprar o meu primeiro teclado mecânico

[@Hannigan501]

European users can opt for the US-International layout. This is the best compromise, as your options will be far too limited otherwise.

[@TiagoSousa026]

​@@EduardoLopesPT Teclado é veres reviews e ver se tem versão ISO. Tens pouca variedade mas tens alguns e bons até mesmo mandar vir de sites portugueses. Por exemplo o Keychron mencionado neste vídeo tem versão ISO. Keycaps é o que talvez tenhas menos variedade, só encontrei para aí uns 5 ou 6. Ainda tentei ir buscar um ISO qualquer e depois comprar teclas extras para o nosso teclado PT-PT mas sem sucesso. O que eu já vi fazer é colocarem autocolantes nas teclas (que eu não gosto) ou então habituas-te à tecla não ter impresso o que estás a pressionar porque em termos funcionais é igual, por exemplo estar lá um "ç" na tecla ou outra coisa vai dar ao mesmo no que sai do teclado. O problema na maioria das vezes é estar sem stock. Swtiches é igual para todos.

[@TiagoSousa026]

@@Hannigan501 Normally is what people do but I didn't want it. I think I managed to build a keyboard that I like and show the "correct" letters and I don't regret it. I think the main problem is that people gave up on the ISO and because this is a niche market the manufacturers don't see any benefit to making ISO because the people that want ISO buys ANSI.

[@johnHAL27]

@@TiagoSousa026 Part of the hobby is about getting what I want without compromising, which for me is ISO boards. Although I feel lucky with needing UK-ISO keycaps, which seems to be the most common outside 'Terminal ISO' which just looks naff.

[@homi1001]

Really cool to have a peek behind the curtain of keyboards you use even though I don't plan on buying any of those.

[@MassForAss]

Amazing quality as usual, love you videos!

[@crxhol1936]

regarding the final rendering concept you brought up, I don't know if you thought about this but your monitor settings can actually affect the render that you see. In the video you said that the cool kids keycaps look less vibrant than what it actually is, and that could be because you forgot to reset your digital vibrance after gaming in Apex.

[@GlennTaubenfeld]

Been in this rabbit hole since 2020. Still waiting for my keyboard lolol

[@Rocket_VT]

and here I thought you were gonna stick with your Tofu60 for a little longer lol, glad to see your having fun with the hobby still!

[@Definitely_Melnyx]

He is, but only for gaming I guess. The wooting pcb only supports tray mount so the options are already very limited to begin with.

[@Rocket_VT]

@@Definitely_Melnyx i meant like he going own only the Tofu for a lot longer. but I would too if I owned a wooting board.

[@hantuan107]

the "hole" is much much more accessible now compared to 1-2 years ago

[@fan8432]

The true rabbit hole comes when you look into custom ergonomic keyboards

[@jonibangs1797]

no...it's the artisan keycaps..🥺

[@user-op8fg3ny3j]

Or Bluetooth ones

[@vt4979]

@@jonibangs1797 Stay away from artisans if you are new here. It will cost you time, money that you would never get back 🥺. They don't even look good on a keyboard design-wise, but as collectors items they are too dangerously addictive and will consume your life if you are not careful.

[@jonibangs1797]

@@vt4979 too late.. already got 4 which probably cost around 2 gmk sets.. I'll probably stop now before it gets out of hand😅😭

[@interfaceking1137]

Epomaker AKKO 5075B Plus with wine red Lubed switches definitely my favorite. The best typing experience and sound. costs only around £120

[@kale1309]

Been I'm the hobby for almost 5 years, glad to see more people get into it

[@5ean5ean22]

Just a word of advice for everyone watching this. The custom world especially the "endgame" market isnt meant for gamers at all. If gaming is your goal, stay away. Customs are about better build quality (no cheap plastic or aluminum cases), better typing feel, better sound, and most important the ability to make your build truely unique with customization options. Thats ehy it costs so much and thats why we wiat years for things to arrive. When you havr. SingaKBD Unijorn R.2 with a Polycarb plate, Zuka Switches, and a GMK Mizu set you have created something that nobody else has and will never have. And something that goes for well over a thousand dollars and more on the aftermarket.

[@iguess6951]

Be glad you haven't fallen down the artisan rabbit hole

[@Haxinate]

Hello, I am currently in a dilemma whether buying a pre-built "gaming" keyboard or just build my own custom keyboard. I will be using the keyboard 90% of the time for gaming. Can custom keyboards be as fast as Razer's optical switches at 0.4mm actuation or Apex Pro's Omni 1.0 or 2.0 switches at 0.2mm actuation? Can custom keyboards even be as fast as the typical "gaming" keyboards from gaming brands?

[@adrianyang2192]

Bro I'm literally tryna build a new keyboard and here is a great video for me 😆

[@tamegaming1768]

I got into the hobby back in January of 2021 and since then I've bought and sold so many keyboards it's hard to count. I think the most fun part of the hobby is finding a look and sound you like and just building it. Don't chase somebody else's idea of perfection unless you feel the same way.

[@Gigaamped]

Putting timestamp chapters on a video like this would be a godsend OT!

[@melvilli69]

Idk why I'm getting a ton of custom keyboard videos getting suggested so much but after seeing this, I'm having second thoughts about ignoring them

[@obenkayman2900]

new background damnnn good

[@Qahtanite]

i love this guys taste

[@mike__durrett]

I agree that the TOFU60/65 (I have the 65) was a great option if you were getting into this a while back, and I'm still happy with it. Love that there's so many good in stock options for keebs now!

[@MeBarnson]

My mode sonnet should arrive in november. Funny to see it here on this chanel as well.

[@abmeight08]

Phase One 65 looks so good. Modern Retro at its finest.

[@terekrutherford8879]

@10:15 "it's basically the best gaming keyboard that you can buy at the moment" Ali going hard 😄

[@JREDC]

Do a vid about keyboard lubing? Would be fun with your input on it, heard alot of good stuff

[@Xuch]

In the beginning intro, every other sentence + the clack of the board made me laugh

[@morganscarpentry]

I waited two years for those cat keycaps as well! lol

[@egalanos]

I personally prefer ortholinear layouts for the ergonomics. Currently eagerly awaiting my Keyboardio Model 100 shipping notification.

[@kaitrojan6970]

Funny how he cannot keep his hands from typing every 5s or so, during the whole video. Just too satisfying :P

[@JohnnyOrigami]

Had the same thoughts with the Less But Better Keycaps. It was my first group buy and I paired it with an E white NJ-80. Was a little disappointed but it's not that noticeable. They feel really good though.

[@j0my77]

Dang, you only mentioned your partner for the first time a few videos ago (and she was in some B roll for IEMs) that you referred to here as your fiance, now she's your wife. Congrats!

[@lachlanhempell]

woah, some nice additions to the collection there!

[@tommihommi1]

If you didn't design your own PCB and hand chisel your own case, is it even a real custom keyboard?

[@devylikeslife8867]

it is

[@paul2609]

That is if you want to be a complete elitist at that point. In that case, nothing is truly custom until you weaved fiberglass yourself, unearth some copper from the mountains of Canada and source some resin from a Pinaceae tree to create a copper foil bonded reinforced fiberglass epoxy resin for your PCB.

[@tommihommi1]

@@paul2609 was "hand chiseling a case" not enough to set off your sarcasm detector?

[@din99]

the key to escape the rabbit hole is being broke

[@lightshadow3101]

I was looking forward to this day.

[@klauseggert7993]

Mirror finish on the bottom of your keyboard gives a whole new idea for performance enhancing supplements while gaming :D

[@unrealestmicm2691]

bros videos are always clean \

[@deadbrocks]

Congrats on getting married!

[@TheYoungOne-iv9yv]

Me for the past 2 weeks in the rabbit hole. Since I'm just starting, I'm just gonna go with the Keychron Q1 V2. I hope I don't get stuck in the hobby cause it's expensive!!

[@rcarter1690]

I would be interested in getting into this more but the cost is way too high. The artificial scarcity that is created by these limited runs turns getting a nice keyboard into a Pokémon card style market. I was just looking at the GMK DOTS R2 and the base key cap set costs $135, like I can’t understand what can justify that cost, you would think that as this niche market grows it would bring down the cost but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

[@mr6291]

Nice to see your descent into keyboard madness (kidding! kind of :-) You can make the Tofu really sound great but the case requires a little modding. Add some wheel weights into the cavity in the bottom (designed for batteries). Do the tape mod and/or add some polyfill into the case. Switch pads are also worth it if you want that PE foam sound but less intense (and softer feel). Remove the 2 center stand-off posts as well if you want it to be a little more bouncy.

[@tdawry]

I'm shocked by how expensive these are! I'm using a Realforce 87 with uniform 55g weights, and would consider trading it for a Happy Hacking Pro 2. Topre switches are just a day and night improvement compared to any Cherry, Gateron or similar.

[@j9ke3r]

welcome to the rabbit hole. one of us. one of us. one of us. if you need any more keebs, just hit me ma man, I can deliver. (like 5 projects in the next 3 months...)

[@ohmsford94]

would be interesting to see latency testing also for this keyboard, they said that keycron ones arent good for gaming

[@ManuelPaulo13]

It depends on the wireless implementation. As far as wired modes go any keeb should be fine, however when it comes to wireless implementations the debate becomes about 2.4 ghz wireless and bluetooth. Bluetooth is hard limited at 125 hz (iirc that is) polling rate, while 2.4 ghz goes up to 1000hz just like when wired. At that point, 2.4 ghz vs wired is more about the wireless chip and how far you are from the usb dongle of the keyboard, much like these days' wireless mice.

[@Jefafa73]

Competitive twitch shooters I definitely wouldn't recommend really any custom keyboard so far and stick with the pre-built gaming keyboards that have a higher poling rate. That said, Keychron, Ducky and GMMK for example have polling rates of 1000hz which is plenty for most gaming outside competition.

[@5ean5ean22]

Nobody in the custom world really cares about latency. At the top end its about Sound, Feel, looks, and supply & demand.

[@watchdoge6464]

The Mode Sonnet's internal weight costs more than my entire modded budget keyboard :)

[@Tim1255-u4s]

Hi, I want to build my first custom keyboard in this field. Therefore, I wanted to ask if you would recommend a wrist rest for the keyboards you have presented? Also, what about custom keyboards in the gaming area?

[@chrisdotdash5154]

Really awesome boards. Glad that you’re “dabbling” into the hobby. As someone pretty deep into the rabbit hole, I knew that you would jump in after your Tofu build. 🔥

[@mushbeck]

Really want to get into custom keyboards . But there just isn’t that many options in the 96% range with 2.4ghz wireless , which I find strange as the keyboard community tends towards the clean minimalist aesthetic.

[@AltKage]

Once you start building you can't stop

[@carnage1207]

I feel the same. Literally got my first custom keyboard yesterday. Lol

[@tywoods7234]

I would recommend checking out the AEboard Raed Switches, used it in my gaming keyboard.

[@boog3y]

another very detailed video... and can you do a video about fantech maxfit 67 and aria xd7....

[@hermv9994]

well that's another hobby I also fell deep into too