Is this the best budget keyboard?! (Its Not) - Neo65

[@keybound]

After lots of feedback we'll be revisiting the Neo65 again really soon! I did buy a second one and havnt built it yet due to not really liking how the first one came together. Thinking a zero foam build using the o-ring mount and comparing how the board sounds with and without a plate! What else would you guys like to see for the next build?

[@JesusXina]

This board is absolutely fantastic if you’re more into a clacky sound signature. The sound without any foam is really nice to me

[@Clau5380]

As far as I know, most gummy o ring mount boards require you to use a clip in stabs. Because the o ring wont sit flush at the bottom part if its not a clip in stab. Also I had this one for a week now. And I must say I’m honestly impressed at how this board sounds without foams. Compared it to my envoy with the same config and they are really close. But yeah the build process and that ribbon cable annoys me tho.

[@gamingsoups]

i actually didn't really have any. problem with the stabs at all, the clip ins are there cuz thats the only ones compatible with o ring mounting. I also think that the ribbon cable isnt necessary at all to be able to hold in the board, the friction from o ring or gaskets is more than enough for stability

[@keybound]

i'm not a super dexterous person and having installed TX stabz on another keyboard which i had zero problem with, this was immedietly apparent to me how much more i struggled with it. Coulda been that specific board who knows. And yeah especially with the O-ring mount the ribbon cable doesnt help at all. However i do think for extra stability the ribbon does help with the gasket mounting style.

[@kaibeh]

ribbon cables and jst are not made for extra stability 🤦

[@gamingsoups]

@@kaibeh yea ik

[@albertko1]

Actually I had a round 1 Neo65 and suspect that those stabs were actually TX. Mine were super tight could barely get the plugs into the stabs. I first attempted to use some spare bandaid mod tape under the stabs but because of the tight tolerances, you couldn't get the plugs in at all.

[@ivan_akbar]

Hi there, the stabs will be easier to mount if you push it downwards with the pcb laying on the deskmat. It worked for me. It is quite nice actually, since it was originally came as a gift so I did not expect much but it worked just fine. For the sound, the gummy is pretty compressive so it might not sound as "airy" compared to the gasket mount. I'd say try using the gasket mount. Also if you dont want to remove the weight during config change, you can find longer FCP cable - it only works for gasket since the gummy is very tight.

[@shylocutus]

i love the neo, hella slaps if you making clacky foamless builds

[@kenli4646]

Try oring mount without the foams

[@albertko1]

I tried it with the lower duro o-ring and there was some give but still quite stiff. The sound did become much more muted and less resonant.

[@parisgiovanos766]

Though the same here something was feeling wrong for neo65 so I choose to go for the baeur lite and im very happy!

[@TheGameDealer]

Hi, i have the Akko PC75B and i want change it up a bit, decided to buy something a little better. was gonna buy the new qk65 v2 but no website selling it is shipping to my location. i have the option to buy the neo65 but i dont like how it sounds from the different builds i saw compared the qk65 v2. can you please recommend me something like those ? 65% aluminium kb that can prefereably sound deep and thocky. i've seen ppl recommending the cidoo v65 prebuilt version. is there any other recommendations ?

[@keybound]

I have a Cidoo review up if you want to check that out, however the board for me was too foamy with not a lot of room to adjust. I'll basically always suggest the Tofu 65 2.0. You get 3 different mounting styles and it has a very even sound profile on all the keys. If you buy their foam kit you can get the board super thocky while having a clear tone and they offer a ton of different plate types. it is more expensive however but i think the cost is worth it. If you are trying to stay around the 100$ range then the Cidoo V65 Pro is a really great option as you can get it with switches and keycaps for 125$

[@TheGameDealer]

@@keybound isnt the tofu a 200 dollars kit ? i think with aditional keycaps and switches it will be out of my budget. and the only decent kb i can ship to my location rn for reasonable price is the cidoo.

[@keybound]

@@TheGameDealer It is more expensive which is the downside. I think the Cidoo might be a great alternative for you. Also check out the Nuphy Halo65. Its a topmounted aluminum keyboard that comes pre-built with a ton of switch options and a VERY good sound. Much better than the Cidoo in my opinion.

[@shentobento1079]

im gonna be honest, the stab thing is just a skill issue. its really easy to put them in for me

[@keybound]

the weird thing is, the Neo80 i got later was fine. But for some reason i had a hell of a time with it on the Neo65.

[@khantazmir5456]

Neo 70 is a way better option in my opinion. Neo 65 actually is not that great

[@keybound]

Ive been thinking about picking up a NEO70 to compare, but i agree the Neo65 fell pretty short for me. I still recommend it because its a great price and its a good entry point into the hobby, but right now i still think the Tofu65 is the best entry level keyboard even if it is almost 100$ more.

[@bosenngantor9160]

nahh depends on what are you looking for...I mean Neo70 is just a neo65 in FRL (70% layout), no difference at all in terms of how it sounds and feel. The improvement is on the magnetic pcb, but for anyone who used to build mechanical keyboard, for sure both are the same, just a bit easier to build. So idk what "way better" you're talking about. I'd say the best cheap board now is cycle7 tho

[@VanWatches]

@@keyboundwould you try out the new qk65v2?