Epomaker GK68XS In-Depth Review: This keyboard has a neat space bar trick.

[@JTTR]

Holy, I did not intend this video to be nearly 18 mins along. If you like these longer, more in-depth keyboard reviews let me know and I'll make more! Good catch by: Evo_Spec, at 05:02 I meant to say backspace not spacebar. Samu K , at 15:30. The keyboard at the $75 does come with keycaps oops.

[@syrah5767]

you might want to add these into the video so you can have section on the timeline

[@justintran1285]

Hi, what an indepth review and overall amazing video! Do you know if the pcb and plate is removable from the case? Like say, I wanted to use the pcb and such with a TOFU Acrylic frosted case to showoff the underlight. Would the be possible?

[@JTTR]

@@syrah5767 Thanks! Just took care of it.

[@JTTR]

@@justintran1285 PCB and plate can be removed but there are some challenges transplanting it to a case. The USB has to match up perfectly and more importantly, there needs to be a channel to accommodate the battery. Some Anne Pro 2 owners have gone through similar issues modding their batteries can cases so there some guides out there but nothing specific to the GK68XS style PCBs. Unfortunately the TOFU65 is out of the stock or I would pick one up just for fun and test it out.

[@samyzell]

@@JTTR 15:30 The 75$ version without switches does actually include keycaps (you can even see it in the kickstarter screenshot on your video) :) That's the version I bought, I can't wait to put in some good quality silent switches! PS: the length of the video was amazing, and the level of detail as well. I only missed to see how it looks when you dismount the PCB fromt he case. EDIT: Oh! It is actually shown at 13:53. At first I did not know if it was the actual GK68 or the Anne Pro 2

[@Zaapiel22]

You're the only one who had an in depth look at the mounting plate and pcb and I appreciate that. Also like the glimpse at the software.

[@xSabinx1]

Haven't watched the full video yet as I'm at work, but how is it mounted? Is it top mount or integrated?

[@hiepvophan]

@@xSabinx1 didn't get mention at all. But if it's like the GK68, it's a tray mount.

[@Zaapiel22]

@@hiepvophanAt around @3:00 he said they are plate mount but it had the accommodation holes for PCB switches so you don't have to clip anything.

[@jayc626]

Probably the most in-depth review i’ve seen about this keyboard so far, awesome job man. I appreciate the time you took to cover every point, they should feature your video on their Kickstarter page! Maybe an upcoming video on how you plan to mod it? Any room inside the keyboard to add foam? The bandaid mod you plan to do? Wish you got hands on the aluminum version, so maybe a metallic looking paint would look good on it, green or red maybe!

[@JTTR]

Definitely going to try adding some neoprene to see if the acoustics change and Bandaid mod is for sure on the list. Good idea on the metallic paint. I'm leaning towards red.

[@yunya1495]

Was really shocked to the see the sub count for this channel after watching the video, brilliant review and editing. Keep up the hard work, definitely going places :)

[@HiTechLoLife]

I can't wait till this thing comes out.

[@jimrossabrena7955]

Have you signed up on Kickstarter?

[@uncledaddy9207]

Jimross Abrena i haven’t

[@KingCasaba]

Epomaker is the worst company I've ever tried to purchase from. Keyboard shipping label sat for over 2 months with no movement. Kept telling me they'd handled it. Finally get an email today saying "They lost a shipment and will finally refund me or I can take a keyboard that isn't the one I ordered because Stock it low" I was one of the first 100 backers to their "project" They did not design this board or any of its components. They kicked me out of their facebook group before sending that message, because they knew they fucked up.

[@silentnative0134]

Good catch on that switch placing and the residue from the lube. Attention to detail is key as a review especially ones that gloss over those kind of things. You got a new subscriber here.

[@minimalistik]

Currently reviewing the aluminum version of this keyboard! Amazing work 👏

[@ericnguyen8036]

Wow the best review I've seen on this keyboard and I've seen all the reviews on KZbin as an eager buyer of this product. Everyone else just brushed over the nuances of the keyboard... Keep up the great content! You definitely got my subscription

[@bven587]

This style of review was super helpful and interesting, looking forward to more reviews of this sort and for those mods

[@SoulCyclone12]

That initial sound was really good, nice detailed review! Definitely worth a sub

[@GarrettShaw]

Thanks for this review, I bought this keyboard because of this review, 8 days left on the kickstarter. thanks!

[@mapledev]

Yo, that intro is crazy good. I said "holy shit" to myself and restarted the vid. Very well put together and a nice vibe! Just finished watching. Trying to decide between Keychron K4v2 and Epomaker GK96. Then if it's Epomaker, southpaw or regular - so many choices!

[@filippocumoli4998]

Thanks! I have just bought this keyboard via the kickstarter page and I'm happy to see this positive feedback! I went for the black version, Bluetooth, Gateron browns. It will be my first mechanical keyboard and I look forward to have it in my hands!! Great quality video, instant liked and subbed, here to comment also to help you. The sound test was amazing.

[@shaikyaseen3484]

Great content! This is the most thorough review of the GK68 on KZbin!

[@judeandon]

I've been subbed to a few great keyboard KZbinrs for a while, but only just found your channel today. After watching this video, instantly subscribed - great content and can't wait to see more :D

[@katsfilms7124]

Best review of this keyboard I've ever seen (and I have seen many today)! You helped me make a decision! Really great in-depth video. That music reactive mode goes crazy lol!

[@ItsMeKiet]

Thank you so much for reviewing BT performance and how to actually swap between devices. All other reviewers previously skipped over this. Even the kickstarter is extremely vague on how you swap between devices.

[@oricoil]

Best video I've seen for this keyboard Thanks!

[@skwirl8492]

Sweet Review man! this really helped for my first build

[@nicholash8021]

Space and backspace should always be setup on opposite thumbs on a split spacebar for maximum correction speed.

[@theos4931]

I don't usually comment, but this was a very well thought out review. Loved the presentation and information your shared in this video.

[@sam.0021]

man id be so hyped for this if only it had a normal backspace :/ maybe ill try the triple spacebar idea

[@jimrossabrena7955]

Thank you for explaining why the bottom says Skyloong! I have been confused for the past week. Watching your vid has explained everything and you get a sub from me. 😁👍

[@MrxLe3]

Happened upon this video randomly, great review and an instant sub!

[@ahumblerequest5222]

Thankyou for such a detailed review 🤟

[@maxmouse3]

Those keycaps are really sick, they look awesome on this board! :D Nice video:D

[@ATAURR05]

This is a nice well review keep it up !

[@Lonnie.G]

Does the pcb actually fit in that translucent acrylic case you showed? If so, what is that case and where can I find it? Thanks for the amazing review !

[@mz1199]

This is such a great in depth review. Really usefull info about pcb, rgb, modding, etc. I do have one question about the usb c cable I got with it, because in other reviews and on the kickstarter it has a red and black cable, but u have a grey one(which looks way better in my opinion). Is that an option or did u just get lucky to get a grey one. Oh and definitely make a video on modding this. Really curious about how far u can go with this. Especially curious about replacing case with something like polycarbonate case, since it has the backlight led's(although that would be expensive, and just curious about how extreme this can be modded) Again, best review I have ever seen about a keeb. And length of vid is great, really indepth but still feeling like a summary

[@JTTR]

I got lucky with the grey one and to be honest, I have no idea what they're going to ship with. My guess would be the red one since that's whats shown in their marketing material. You can ask them directly on their kickstarter, they seem to be pretty on it with answering questions. You're right on the mark about poly being crazy expensive for something that prob won't fit correctly. I think I'll mod the plastic case for fun and see how that comes out.

[@mz1199]

@@JTTR okay thanks, I will ask them about it when I have backed the project. And your right about the case. Kinda forgot how expensive a good case is, and likely hard to find in this shape. Modding the abs case is a great idea, and maybe also a new keycap set. The xda profile on the stock looks and sounds pretty good, but is hard to find custom keycap sets in xda. Maybe cherry profiles would work. And again, this vid is such high quality( especially compared to some others, not hatting on them though). Can't wait to see future content

[@yeahthatsright33]

Your videos are awesome man. Like seriously.

[@tracewills7228]

Awesome video bro! Keep up the good work and also, does it just charge through the usb c cable ?

[@ai00436]

Yes

[@SimGunther]

I thought the spacebar trick was to enable QMK on a GK keyboard, but that modularity looks kinda cool

[@Evo_Spec]

Very nice video! Must have taken forever to make this video! Accidentally said, "spacebar" at 5:02. I was so confused and scrolled back to check spacebar XD

[@JTTR]

Ah man, good catch. Going to add this to my top comment. I was getting real sick of hearing my voice and missed that. Thanks!

[@RickyChristie]

You forgot to mention one of the best features of this board: it's in stock!

[@renzcaballero2706]

You earned a sub very detailed so nice. If you dont mind cause im really new to keyboards i always buy razer keyboards is it really a big diff of having aluminum case oppose to the plastic? Does it affect how the keyboard sound when typing?

[@JTTR]

A lot of mainstream mechanical keyboards are made with very thin plastic with a lot of internal space that can accentuate that very plasticky sound. In this case, moving from that to a well made plastic, acrylic, and metal case will be a big improvement. However, when you move up to the world of fully customized keyboards it's not so straight forward, there's a lot of factors to consider. Just upgrading to a metal case doesn't automatically produce a better sounding and feeling keyboard. Aluminum for example, feels really premium compared to plastic but sometimes can produce undesirable characteristics such as pinging or switches feeling too rigid unless things are done to compensate for it such has felt or foam at the base or orientation of how the pcb/plate is mounted. That's just scratching the surface on things and there are a ton of different nuances that affect a keyboard.

[@renzcaballero2706]

JTTR i see so for this keyboard does the aluminum have foam in the bottom? Well i wanna venture onto building a mechanical keyboard thats why this keyboard is well built so it can really get me started. Cause its about 70-80 bucks difference for the aluminum you think its worth it going for it?

[@partharoy1733]

Thanks for these awesome vids. I have a doubt: Pledging and buying are same here or they mean something else? Also they said in their site that its not guaranteed that I will get the perk. If I dont, does it mean my money goes into donation? Or will I get full refund? Also the plastic case color is not given so if I choose pink keycaps will it by default ensure white case ? Please help.

[@damargalih2567]

great review!

[@CristobalBragagnolo]

Solid video mate!

[@codygranger5155]

Just bought the gk73x! Hard to find a cool compact design with a numpad

[@far77fae]

i purchased a very similar keyboard with a trash can above the right arrow key from amazon with optical blue for 51, it is now 77 with 50% off. the reviewer is right about the software. you will have to look up the review by ken on youtube to use the software. If you have programming experience then yes you should be able to figure out the horrible software but if you don't have programming experience you will have a more enjoyable time with another keyboard as it is not intuitive and the instructions suck. currently i can not get layering to work with a macro. this is great keyboard. with awful software. but for the price and the hours i have spent trying to get macros to work on the driver layer it is a good keyboard.

[@jtchalatsis]

Awesome video man, great review, you got a new subscriber! By the way, do you know if we can swap the case with something like a tofu 65%?

[@andres154525452]

Nice video!

[@8bitsamurai6]

Had issues with my pcb and the software was a big L for me just use qmk. Great entry board but could of been way better with a few tweaks imo. Unfortually my bluetooth never worked.

[@recon12803]

Really nice production value and I like your in-depth review. Just two quick questions how easy do you think a case swap and finding a brass plate for this would be?

[@JTTR]

For the case, I remember checking the post screws on the GK68XS with the Tofu65 pictures on KBDFan's site and it didn't look like they matched up. As far as the plate goes, you'll probably have a hard time with this one as well due to the backspace location. If you're already thinking about a case and plate swap, this keyboard is probably not for you. Have you looked into NovelKey's NK65? They're having a new drop of the entry edition tomorrow.

[@recon12803]

@@JTTR is there a way to add bluetooth to the nk65

[@ilikepasghetti8024]

I just recently bought one myself, and for some reason, I can't turn on the Bluetooth. I tried everything I could, but it still won't turn on. Can you please tell me how to do it?

[@Illyclone]

Alright, caught that the plate was metal, I wonder why they decided to paint it though.

[@JTTR]

Full aluminum and brass plates from custom keyboards can be expensive to produce so it's likely that these plates are some sort of pot metal that needs to be covered up with a fresh coat of paint.

[@ThatGuyThatDid]

14:52, you mean that I can use pcb monted keys without having to cut them? If so, I am sold

[@JTTR]

Right, has proper pass-through holes on the pcb so you don't need to clip a thing.

[@8Beet]

To be fair almost every other kailh hotswappable board has the cutout's too. Just the massively popular drop boards don't (with the exception of the preonic which does have pcb mount holes).

[@Joe_334]

7:01 LOL, the keyboard ASMR... Edit: I never considered using a keyboard for pc gaming. I am weird and use a ps3 controller mapped to the emulators.

[@comments2840]

Some people complain bitterly about low battery life. What's your findings?

[@mateomisain8283]

Okay, I've seen this keyboard and it's all I wanted in a keyboard for a while now but I never used kickstarter and I don't know how it works so if someone could help me I'd really appreciate it.

[@derekw2664]

so basically if u pledge how ever much money it will only take that money if and when by the date they promised where they said they need to reach a certain amount of money to fund the project and by then there hoping not guaranteed to send out the product but the guaranteed date for giving the product is august. also the date they hope to reach that goal they will send out a email if u ordered a keyboard asking what color keycaps and case u would like

[@BigBeter]

Love the review man! I might make this my choice over the ducky one 2 SF especially due to the hotswap option, does this fit Kailh switches as I may want to try them out and I’ve heard certain switches have more pins/legs and may need trimming

[@daznpower]

Switches with 5 pins/legs are called PCB mount switches, and certain PCBs (the thing that the switches go into) only support plate mount switches (which are the 3 legged version). This one has 5 holes in the PCB, as you can see at 2:50, which means it will fit PCB mount switches. No trimming needed, for any switch you buy. Hope this helps!

[@akoo333]

Great in-depth review! I was wondering if the acrylic case in the video is tofu65. I ordered the gk68xs and the tofu65 acrylic case but wasn’t too sure if the pcb was going to fit on the tofu

[@JTTR]

It was an example of the 60% tofu. I also couldn't get my hands on the 65% at the time. My understanding is that the post mount points line up but you have to ditch the battery. Did you end up getting the Tofu65?

[@akoo333]

JTTR yup couldn’t wait and ended up getting the acrylic tofu65. My Gk68xs should arrive in the mail this Friday so I’ll let you know about the battery situation.

[@akoo333]

Update: gk68xs will not fit in tofu65 lol. PCB is too big by mms but the length and width of the plate is noticeably bigger than tofu

[@pixphi]

Are the macros OS independent after setup? Can I set up the Z key to be Ctrl+Z and X key to be Ctrl+Shift+Z for example and then connect it to an iPad or Android and have those keybinds/macros still work?

[@unknown121290]

you deserve more subs!

[@neologismus]

Like youre vids really much

[@derekw2664]

i think i might buy this with the novelkeys blueberrys

[@MrTVervolg]

I am from Belgium and we use the french azerty layout. Can I change this in the software to azerty?

[@Darth_Modred]

i got this keyboard rebrand kit for as low as 25$, relubed stabs, clipped legs and rattle is gone

Could you be so kind and recommend something else in this category? I like 65% layout, Bluetooth 5, backlight (white is enough). I don't need extra spacebar functionality, but I would prefer to have keyboard with normal position of backspace and no microphone. Even plastic case is fine for me. Is it anything that you could recommend to check?

[@altair7548]

Royal kludge rk84 Womier k66

[@nehorai3639]

Where can I find the software that comes I control the keyboard through the mouse

[@oj9441]

Hi I have already backed this project up but only with the plastic case. Do you think getting the aluminum case is worth it?

[@vrt3x_x921]

Idk which switch to get red or brown???I have a blue switch rn but idk which one of those to get its so hard to decide

[@phrankdatank]

Is this a good choice for competitive gaming if plugged in?

[@seandejong5399]

does the one without the switches come with the stabilisers?

[@hatsuzuki_9610]

plz tell me how to bind the three space bar to fn3 key

[@darturo454]

Have you ever thought of doing Voice over work? You have a very smooth voice!

[@petercruz1993]

This is such a weird comment 🤨

[@warnacokelat]

Are the key layout standard? Especially for the shift keys. Had GK64 before this, finding aftermarket 2u left shift key is a nightmare.

[@eternalwanderer3785]

I really want to, but can't pull the trigger on this one. The ~ key would drive me nuts as I'm a developer that would use it occasionally. Also the backspace being one unit back is disappointing. Everything else is perfect though...

[@JTTR]

Yeah, I agree. If you're an application developer, you're not hitting tilde enough to warrant a dedicated key but if you're a Linux sysadmin or some variation of a DevOps engineer, I can see it being nice.

[@randomlyhere]

Does anyone know where I can find keycaps for keyboards with 3 spacebars?

[@antoniobisconti7072]

What is the PCB's models of gk68xs wireless ?

[@jasonvaesen]

would it be possilbe to install this pcb in the acrylic case you showed(ikbd i guess?)? or is it only compatible with the case it comes with?

[@hipoypoy]

Anybody know if pbt shot white pudding keycaps are compatible with this? Or will there be keys that wont fit

[@extreme0]

is is possible to bind keys to mouse buttons LMB/RMB or mouse movement? (horizontal/vertical movement) like on ducky sf?

[@JamesBrooks01]

cannot get bluetooth to work please help

[@jerome4871]

how do you check the battery life of the keyboard or when it tells you that its about to die?

[@demon6937]

what is your favorite 65% keyboard? I hope the software of this keyboard will be improved

[@sulfmare8127]

question can you put in screw in stabs on this?

[@YayaTia_II]

Band-aid mod, lube the stabilisers on the split spacebar please and do they come clipped? it looks like it. Also, lubed switches and maybe put foam in the keyboard to shore up the places with gaps to further soften the impact of the feel of the keyboard? Typing this on a Keychron K6 so it will be an interesting comparison. Yeah, backed the $169 aluminium version full kind of worried about scratching the paint but hope I can be precise.

[@JTTR]

Yeah, the stabs are the pre-clipped style. I'm thinking of adding some neoprene on the left and right side of the case. Got stuff coming in the mail so soon.

[@YayaTia_II]

@@JTTR awesome. Keep it up nice channel nice review looking forward to that video new sub Btw.

[@BKplayer100]

Good stuff

[@mikobegaming]

Dat uniqlo shirt!

[@joseaguiar2462]

What are the differences between this and sk64s.

[@happi6969]

can i only get it by backing the kickstarter? or will i be able to just buy it in a couple of days?

[@ivanaviNiebla]

Those hotswap sockets don't seem to be the Kaihl ones. Are they branded? Because they are very interesting if removing switches is that easy with them.

[@JTTR]

At 8:28, you can kind of see the branding. I don't have the keyboard apart right now but from that clip, it looks like they're Gateron.

[@ivanaviNiebla]

@@JTTR Oh right, they are Gateron. Didn't notice the text at first. Sadly it seems there's almost no info about them or wich pcb have them.

[@charlestown4719]

Am I understanding this right, that the software writes to the onboard memory on the keyboard and thus you can take your macros with you where ever you plug it into?

[@JTTR]

Right, you have option to store 3 profiles to the onboard memory and those settings go with you.

[@minicotexx]

Is it possible to change the led color on layer switch?

[@zarekivey]

Should I get this or the Anne Pro 2 for 30 less?

[@koicrusader]

Is the shift on right side 1.75 u or 2u?

[@SLEEVED1014]

what is the program that you are using

[@Freshhness]

is it possible to swap the alu plate for a brass one?

[@sontungtrinh710]

Hi, is it possible to swap out the case with after market ones?

[@void5338]

does the akko roses fit in?

[@viduvidanapathirana9595]

hi, can someone tell me what the spacebar size is?

[@MatthewDavilaa]

How do you know if it's full charged?

[@UltimateMajor]

PINK PINK PAINT IT PINK

[@Flamvelation]

what angle is this keyboard at?

[@giselletrejo9109]

would the kbdfabs 60% case woukd fit the epomaker one? I'm thinking of getting the plastic case tier so I can switch it for the aluminuim 60% case, just not sure if it would fit

[@JTTR]

Don't do it. It's not going to fit and my gut says it's going to be a huge pain trying to find a 65% case that has a battery channel if you want it soon. If you want an aluminum case, you should get the one they're offering.

[@giselletrejo9109]

@@JTTR okay, thanks for responding! I'll just do a paint job on their aluminum case and hope for the best eheh

[@andymm9828]

which one should i buy this one or anne pro 2 ?

[@koicrusader]

Anne pro if you won’t customize your keyboard but this one if you want to customize it

[@ahumblerequest5222]

The rattle 😖 but a great value for mooey

[@0829Brittster]

Awesome video!! I really wanna get this keyboard from their Kickstarter but I'm not familiar with the processes. If anyone can help me I'd greatly appreciate it! :)

[@estebanpapp2779]

How can I download the software?