Everything you need to know - about the new 60% king!

[@markpew8111]

The quality of your review is phenomenal! I hope to get a board like this in the future. It's so nice to see more and more great entries into the custom keyboard market. This is truly wonderful time to get into the hobby.

[@IOSam]

Thank you so much Mark!!! Very much appreciated!! And I couldn’t agree more with you! The amount of options in all segments of the mechanical keyboards hobby today (from the super budget all the way to the super premium) is just mind blowing, which means this hobby is finally becoming as accessible as we always wanted… Which is awesome! As for the Arc60, it has been my main daily driver for a few months now and I couldn’t be more impressed with it… A true master class in keyboard design!

[@Akeynote]

Really appreciate the coverage on this one. There is a place for longer content on keyboards! 😊

[@IOSam]

Thank you Akeynote! While I know long form content is not exactly a popular format today (for most people who joined this hobby in the last couple of years), I'm betting on the future here. I believe there is a smaller (but growing) minority out there, who (like you and me) can appreciate in-depth/well-researched videos. And I believe those folks are much more likely to engage and participate (in a productive way) in the kind of community I'm trying to build here.

[@esra_erimez]

I was just think that you hadn't made a video in a while yesterday! And, here it is!

[@IOSam]

Haha… Yeah, my video production workload for these long reviews is really bad… But I’m getting better at it, and the goal of posting at least twice a month is getting closer this year! ;) Nice to see you around here as always Esra!

[@hantuan107]

one of the most innovative keyboard I've built! The sounds and feels are amazing as well

[@IOSam]

I can say the same here (and certainly for a 60%)! I keep coming back to this little board...

[@MrJeekz]

I have it, it's such a good buy. Beautiful sound, incredible flexibility, looks amazing, feels nice and heavy. Definitely a very premium keyboard. If you're afraid of getting a 60 because of arrow keys like I was - just split left shift and make the extra key move you to another layer where WASD are arrow keys. It's basically more convenient than arrow keys after a while since your right hand doesn't leave the mouse for arrow keys.

[@IOSam]

Indeed! Vertex knocked this one out of the park. One of the best designed keyboards I've ever tried (and even better when you consider its price)! And nice tip there on the split left Shift for WASD arrows!

[@Morthy125]

Hi, I'd just like to say I came across your content recently and have been enjoying it a lot! I love how thorough you are in all your reviews! Keep up the good work!

[@IOSam]

Thank you for the awesome feedback Morthy! I highly appreciate it!!! And you can rest assured the good work shall continue around here! 👊😎

[@LearnHax]

Almost 10k! You got this!

[@IOSam]

Almost there! 🤞🥳

[@esra_erimez]

I'm typing this on my new Keychron Q6. It is quite simply the most sublime typing experience of my life. Gateron Oil Kings with SA ABS keycaps. I will have to get another Q^ for my MT3 /dev/tty PBT keycaps. I can't thank you enough.

[@IOSam]

That is so nice to know Esra! As someone who definitely understands the need of a full-sized board for work, I can certainly understand your bliss with a high quality 108 keys mechanical keyboard (specially with your choice of switches and keycaps)!! So glad to know I was able to help you in finding “keyboard happiness”!!! 😁

[@walkthroughonthego2476]

Phenomeanal review! gave me everything i need to make the purchase!

[@IOSam]

Thank you my friend!!! That's always the main goal of all my reviews, so I'm very glad to read your feedback!

[@travispeayarlal1485]

Just finished watching your Royal Kludge RK96 vs Womier K98 video and i ended up buying the new RK96 limited edition with RGB lighting for $80! Im a newbie when it comes to custom keyboards but Ive recently taken an interest in it. U got a new subscriber! Thanks for the amazing quality videos and keep it up, those subscriber numbers will surely go up... Ppl recognize quality work anywhere. Cheers!

[@IOSam]

Hey Travis! Man, so nice to read your comment!! Thank you!!! And happy to know my videos were helpful in your quest… That’s the main reason why I keep making them. And yeah, the numbers have been ticking up consistently for the last couple of years, and I have nothing but immense gratitude for every single viewer who subscribed to this channel so far!

[@travispeayarlal1485]

@@IOSam np! Ur doing great! If I may give u one little feedback. The little pop up on the left side that happens from time to time for product link etc is a bit loud and distracting from listening to u... maybe lower it a bit more or use another sound effect. It's not a big deal but just something I noticed. 👍

[@IOSam]

@@travispeayarlal1485 Thank you so much for the feedback!!! While the sound is there to call attention to those lower thirds, it is not supposed to overtake the audio of the A-roll. So, I'll definitely tune it down in my next videos! 👍

[@dekdek5851]

I appreciate your insight Sam! Thanks!!

[@IOSam]

My pleasure to help! And thank you for the nice feedback!!!

[@persistence05]

Nice choice Sam. Arc60 is my fav.

[@IOSam]

I have to admit myself that this board has been "stuck" to my desk for a while... :) Wonderful typing experience!

[@jammies701]

Loved the vocal edit parts when parodying foam haters. Usually I don’t prefer it, but it’s nice to change up the sound without changing the switches or keycaps sometimes

[@IOSam]

Hehe… Thank you! Sometimes I just can’t help myself and I have to say something when I see people stopping themselves from experimenting with their keyboards because of some keyboard influencer’s opinion. To me, experimentation is the whole point of this hobby and if people don’t try things (specially the easy non-destructive mods), they’ll never find out the ideal configuration that could work for them, and thus will never realize the full potential of the hobby.

[@placeholder3863]

@@IOSam well 1. Many designers put foam without thought, so a good indicator of good design is whether it sounds good with and without foam 2. Many people use foam and never try a board without it, so the same argument about experimentation can be applied to foam. You are guilty of this too, not a single typing test with 0 foams for the arc60 3. Foam generally does the same things, it's pretty easy to predict how a board will sound with foam I appreciate the arc60 selling foam as extra instead of shoving it down everyone's box. It means those who want it can still have it, but those who don't, will not have to deal with more waste.

[@IOSam]

@@placeholder3863 I agree with pretty much everything you said there, except with the part where you say I didn’t test the Arc60 with zero foam, which I did here (kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3_Xno2Gd7ODa9k ) and here (kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3_Xno2Gd7ODa9k ). If you pay attention on the sound test #2 and #3 description screens (and watch through the whole sound tests) you’ll see that many of the configurations tested had NO FOAM AT ALL. Other than that, yes… I am of the opinion that people should try EVERYTHING ON THEIR OWN, so they can find out WHAT THEY ACTUALLY LIKE, and not take KZbin and Twitch influencers’ word as gospel.

[@hantuan107]

super thorough review as usual btw, love it!

[@IOSam]

Thanks a ton, my friend!!!🙏

[@DelbsMais]

Kind of unusual question, but I would love to know as you mentioned N-key Rollover: How's the polling rate on the PCB? I have a Bakeneko60 that has only 125hz, and as I do some "enthusiastic competitive" gaming, I feel as it falls short on some moments. Great video by the way, highly appreciate how you dove in entirely in depth

[@IOSam]

Hey Delbs! Thanks for the question! This is indeed one topic I should start covering on my keyboard reviews, so I appreciate you asking it! While Vertex has not mentioned the polling rate of this keyboard (at least in the documentation I have seen so far), when testing it using the Keyboard Inspector App ( github.com/mat1jaczyyy/Keyboard-Inspector/releases/tag/0.4.0 ) it seems to indicate this keyboard is operating at 1,000 Hz. But I say “it seems” because the way this app tries to infer this is not exactly the most scientifically sound method possible… Which means it would be super nice if custom keyboard manufacturers and designers would explicitly mention this spec on their interest-checks, group-buys and pre-orders. While many enthusiasts will always remind you that you can program your keyboard’s QMK instructions and force the controller to operate at 1 Khz, I see some obvious problems with that argument: 1st) reprograming your keyboard through QMK is anything but straightforward; and 2nd) some PCB controllers simply cannot operate at 1 Khz even if you force it on the firmware level. So, while you might get lucky to get a custom board that can operate at that speed, my advice for anyone who plays sweaty competitive games is to get a secondary production keyboard that is designed specifically for low latency gaming, such some options from Corsair, Razer and now Wooting (and then just try to mod their stabs to make them more usable for other tasks), to use when gaming. In fact this has been my stance on this topic for a while now 👉www.iosamfranco.com/post/imho-gmmk-pro-and-its-input-latency-issue-should-you-care

[@DelbsMais]

@@IOSam Damn, that was exactly what I needed to know and more! Thank you 🤍

[@inviz4021]

Hi ! Why do you say that only the case foam can be used with a soldering pcb? Why can't we use pe foam? Thanks!

[@IOSam]

Hey Inviz! The reason why I say that you can’t (or shouldn’t) really use PE foam on a plateless build is three-pronged: 1) The first is that the PE foam you get in the iFoam kit, that ClickClack offers for the Arc60, is a full foam sheet (without any adhesive) instead of those individual PE foam stickers offered by KBDFans for example. And that means it will be particularly difficult to keep that sheet in place when the PCB is upside down for you to solder the switches on top of it; 2) The second is the fact that PE foam has a lesser effect on soldered switches when compared to slotted ones (in hot-swap builds), since one of the reasons why PE or EVA foam sheets between the switches and the hot-swap PCB changes the sound profile and increases the sound volume, is because they allow the switches to slightly move up and down as you hit the keys (where the foam provides the “suspension” to return the switch to the “up” position -this “travel distance” is very small, in the fractions of a millimeter, but it is enough to amplify the sound). Once you solder the switch to the PCB, the switch is now cemented and can no longer move up and down when you hit it, and then the whole thing about the switch compressing the foam and hitting the PCB (which creates another “soft clash” point that produces additional sound) can no longer happen here. 3) The third is that the heat of the molten solder will inevitably melt parts of the PE/EVA foam sheet between the switch and the PCB during the soldering process, which will make a bit of a mess for you to clean if you ever decide to desolder and replace switches in the future for example.

[@ivanbardov]

This saturday just got better, all hail tIO Sam 🙂

[@IOSam]

It’s tIO time!!! Haha… Thanks Ivan!! Always nice to see you around my friend!

[@francois.m]

Loved the packaging. But would've loved to receive it in a carrying case with the other stuff in sleeves.

[@IOSam]

Yeah… While I like the super protective packaging, I think ClickClack should at least offer an optional matched case for a fully built Arc60 for a fair price.

[@esra_erimez]

I wish there was a 104 sized custom keyboard.

[@IOSam]

Alex reviewed one the other day (kzbin.info/www/bejne/bImVfqxnqpeNrs0 ), and Thomas did an unboxing of the new Keychron full-size Aluminium Q6 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHKufoWQhLKribc ), which, while still a production board, it is a very nice one! But I agree with you... Premium full-sized keyboards are very hard to come by these days! I think it is, partially, because of the high cost of manufacturing one (and because most keyboard enthusiasts are also gamers looking for small form factor boards). They way trends are going, it seems 96% keyboards will likely take over full-sized ones even on the production keyboards segment, because of their smaller frames (while keeping the numpad). I have a KBDFans Odin here (kbdfans.com/r?id=oevfpb ) that I'll review sometime this year, and it is an exquisite keyboard! Possibly my favorite board with a numpad at this time!

[@esra_erimez]

@@IOSam I just ordered it! THANK YOU!!!

[@IOSam]

@@esra_erimez Always happy to help my keeb friends to find typing bliss! :) And please, please drop by here (or on my sub-reddit) to let us know how it goes once you get it!

[@Alby911]

Oh boy, the next drop has 5 new colors added to the previous round. Now I can't decide lol

[@IOSam]

Not only that, but they're now also offering new plate materials for hot-swap configurations (PC, FR4 and Carbon Fiber). So, they're not only offering more aesthetic options (colors and coatings), but also increasing the choices in terms of sound and performance. Which makes this an even better package in my opinion.

[@Alby911]

@@IOSam The Arc60 is without a doubt the best value 60%. The fact that it comes with a solderable and hotswap PCB's, makes it even more enticing for those who haven't tried soldering.

[@jammies701]

Such satisfying soldering

[@IOSam]

Soldering is therapeutic!!! :)

[@Redino20]

How does this compare to the new Tofu 60? Any thoughts? :)

[@IOSam]

While I have not tried the new gasket mounted Tofus (only the older tray mounted versions), from what I’ve seen the reviews so far, it seems it will keep the tradition of being the best (and cheapest) entry level kit in the market. Obviously, in that price tier that are always fit and finish compromises. But those are irrelevant to the vast majority of typists anyway. So, if all you care about is typing sound and experience, I’d bet the new Tofu should get you there for half the price of a luxurious kit (such as the Arc60 and the Frog Mini for example).

[@Redino20]

@@IOSam thanks a lot! with all of that considered, I guess I'll wait for r3 of the arc60 :)

[@kornboards]

hahaha: no foam "as God intended." Great review and vid.

[@IOSam]

😁 had to sneak that in there... Thanks man!!! Appreciated!!

[@marounboumelhem3984]

alright, great video Sam.

[@IOSam]

Thank you Maroun!!! Nice to see you around here again!

[@TemProduction]

38:10 what about Mode Envoy??

[@IOSam]

The Envoy is pretty new and was still in prototype stage when this second batch of the Arc60 came out earlier this year. At any rate, the Envoy is still technically a bit bigger, since it is a 65%, but at $190 it is definitely a worthy competitor to the Arc60 now!

[@TemProduction]

​@@IOSam yeah thats what I thought, I am convincing myself to believe Arc60 has the upperhand because of the provided two pcbs in one keyboard but other than that both the keyboards are very innovative and well designed. Anyways thanks for your quick reply Also I really enjoyed your video on Arc60 which is why I have subscribed Cheers :)

[@IOSam]

@@TemProduction I think between these two, it really comes down to your preference in layout really (65% vs 60%), since both Vertex and Mode Studios are exceptional teams that make top notch quality custom boards. I’d still give the edge to the Arc60 precisely for the reason you mentioned (the 2 PCBs included in give you so much flexibility to play with sound and typing feel), but that is a very subjective personal opinion. Honestly, you can’t go wrong either way. And thank you so much for your nice feedback (and sub)!!! Highly appreciated!!!

[@therealexpletive]

we need more TKL's / 80's / 75's.

[@IOSam]

Would you believe I have 5 custom TKLs on my bench right now for upcoming videos? 👀 To be fair, none of these are “brand new” releases (most came out last year), but are all very interesting boards (some of them will have second rounds) that I’m having a lot of fun putting together. Stay tuned… ⏳

[@drewpowers737]

Hey Sam, I been watching your videos and built a gmmk pro per your recommendations on mods, everything sounds great except the spacebar. I even replaced the stabs to gateron v2s. Overlubed, underlubed, but it still sounds like crap with no deep thocc like my other keys. Please help! Gmmk Pro PC Plate Gateron V2 Stabs Gateron Black Inks (lubed and filmed) Tempest tape mod Switch pe foam Extra gaskets Standoffs removed

[@IOSam]

Hey Drew, is the problem with your stabs just a "thin sound"? Or is it actually rattling or clicking?

[@drewpowers737]

@@IOSam I think both. I overlubed them originally and they were getting stuck and slow. So I cleaned them and now thinly lubed them and I would classify it as rattle yes.

[@IOSam]

@@drewpowers737 Ok. So I’ll assume your using the stock aluminium plate here (please let me know if you’re not) and in that case, the main problem with the GMMK Pro’s design was to have extremely tight stabs cutouts in their alu plate. So small that even high-quality aftermarket stabs, such as your Durocks, cannot work properly. Which is why I have been recommending people to get C3 Equalz stabs for this board, because it is the ONLY set of aftermarket stabs that works well with the GMMK Pro. Now, when I say “well” I am not saying that it will have the “thockiest” space-bar you have ever tried (that might not even be possible on a thick and heavy aluminium keyboard such as this, since polycarbonate cases usually do better in that area), but C3 Equalz stabs at least will fit properly and not tick and rattle (after you lube them). The other option, would be for you to get an aftermarket plate (there are a few suppliers of FR4 plates for the GMMK Pro out there and you can use the one I tested here👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpnEmaeMqN-tnas ), since those come with properly sized cutouts that will fit Durock stabs with no problem. I know it sucks to have to spend more money with aftermarket parts for a keyboard at this price point, but this is unfortunately the “state of affairs” with the GMMK Pro (and the result of Glorious relatively little experience designing premium keyboards when they came out with the GMMK Pro, and which I’m sure they will do better on the second version of this keyboard coming out sometime later this year).

[@gittarman]

MOAR WIGS!!

[@IOSam]

☝😂

[@motoboy6666]

Question is though, how many keyboards does one need? 💭

[@IOSam]

For 99% of people, just one! Which is why one should research well before sinking in the money into a premium custom (to try to get it right the first time :)... Obviously, keyboard collectors and reviewers have a very different perspective (as well as different use cases)... But even someone like me (a collector who owns many dozens of keyboards) will have their "mainstays". While I usually pick a different keyboard depending on what I'm typing on any given day, I could be perfectly happy with 2 or 3 favorite boards to switch between day/night typing and gaming.

[@voldem0rt]

It's Called the 65Less by Angry Miao

[@IOSam]

For $398 for the base kit, I don’t see how the poorly named “65Less” (now thankfully changed to “AM Compact Touch”) can directly compete with something like the Arc60 for $275. While I found the whole touch pad thing of the 65Less a bit gimmicky, I’ll obviously reserve judgment until I can test one for myself. But my overall impression of most Angry Miao’s products is that they aspire to be some sort of Apple of the premium mechanical keyboards world, and that is not something too enticing for my particular taste. But who knows? If I ever have the chance to try one, maybe I’ll be blown away and change my mind… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@persistence05]

Nice!

[@IOSam]

Thank you!!! Cheers!

[@cincinnatiking8008]

Not in stock. Sold out

[@IOSam]

True… When I got my review sample a month ago, ClickClack had just released their second drop of this board, and it was in stock until early last week. So, it seems each of their drops have a good amount of products, but they do sell out in about 2 to 3 weeks… ClickClack confirmed with me this week they are working on their third production batch of the Arc60 and they will bring it in even more colors next time around. So, there will be products for everyone who happens to be interested in getting one. While they couldn’t give me a firm date for the next drop, they said they will publicize it on Discord and on their website when it comes out (I’ll also put the word out here on the Community tab and on other socials when it does).

[@cincinnatiking8008]

@@IOSam Excellent, I'd love to purchase one when they become available again. Thank you for the details.

[@kemovekeyboard]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@IOSam]

🙏🙏🙏

[@MrJBleedge]

"keep in stock all year around" YEAH SURE

[@IOSam]

😂 That was definitely wishful thinking on both their part and mine… But I guess what would be more accurate to say here would be “they will continue to PRODUCE this model all year round, but release it in batches/drops a few times per year”. And I can confirm a new drop is coming soon (with a LOT of units) and in new colors. So, stay tuned to ClickClack’s Discord to know when the next batch is dropping.