While the NK65 comes assembled (just add switches and keycaps), and thus is more like a "semi-custom" hot-swappable board, the Portico and Kara come as kits for you to assemble all the parts, so these probably fit the "custom" moniker a bit better IMHO. But either way, we're splitting hairs here... I think the whole conversation about "Production" and "Custom" boards is moving in a direction where "Production" boards will get more customizable (i.e. Clorious GMMK Pro) and "Custom" boards will get more and more mass produced, so the lines will blur --and KBD Fans seems to be uniquely positioned to take advantage of that, since they seem to have their manufacturing vertically integrated to their business, unlike NovelKeys and TKC for example. Maybe it makes more sense to classify these different product segments as "mass market" and "enthusiast" products (based on quality and features)?
@rheejin99873 жыл бұрын
JYMV: "It won't be from kbdfans if they did everything perfectly". KBD67 Lite: "Well...maybe I'm special."
@Dusk0073 жыл бұрын
kbd67lite definitely isn't perfect. the gaskets provide very little flex (I mean really it just seems like kbdfans can't make a good gasket mount at this point)
@bjholland83222 жыл бұрын
@@Dusk007 yep
@anbuknight2 жыл бұрын
PCB also have freezing issues until I update firmware w/ qmk.
@MK0042003 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the soundtest, sound is the most important thing for me, so your soundtest made me order boards for the whole family.
@SimGunther3 жыл бұрын
Might be the only exception of his :)
@BrianStormy3 жыл бұрын
Hello, it’s me your brother. Can I get a board too? 😂
@mkuroglu3 жыл бұрын
How about us? We are all brothers
@Yurio3 жыл бұрын
Love watching these as someone relatively new to the hobby, your reviews seem unbiased and critical of the actual product. Bought the kbd67lite, cant wait for it to ship!
@devin12343 жыл бұрын
Mine should be coming Monday, it's great to see them ship it out so ahead on schedule
@Yurio3 жыл бұрын
@@devin1234 oh thats great! I thought they would ship in March cuz of the timeline they published a while ago. Lets gooo
@HipyoTech3 жыл бұрын
Yooo some fire b-roll on this vid
@inspiregaia3 жыл бұрын
A wild hippo in its natural habitat
@inf1n1t3s33s4ll2 жыл бұрын
BipyoShmex
@gerryramosftw2 жыл бұрын
I'm heavily considering the D65 and after watching so many reviews I'm so glad i found yours, everyone else does a decent/good job.. but I truly felt like yours was one of the best. Thank you for making this and I'll probably be picking up one of the D65's I'd pick up something "better" but lets be honest. anything better i have to wait 1-2 years for.. and theres such a slim chance of even getting one. i wish companies would just charge $800 that the scalpers and resellers buy the boards for instead of charging low then just having their boards end up on resell market anyway
@allisterjones2 жыл бұрын
haha I'm thinking the same for this upcoming xmas.
The trend in custom entry seems to be injection molded case with limited colorway runs to match specific keycap sets, a trend that was started by NK65 limited editions. Now KBDfans, Wuque, TKC, even Rama seems to be going down this path with KBD67 Lite, ikki68, Portico, Kara, etc.
@jimmynguyen9733 жыл бұрын
I've been thinking about what it means to be a "custom" keyboard for a bit now and here's where I'm at atm: I would consider consider the NK65, Portico, and Kara entry-level customs because they don't come with switches or keycaps (wait does the Kara come with them?), so it allows some degree of customization. I wouldn't call the Drop ALT/CTRL a custom keyboard since it comes with everything you need. But the moment someone changes out the keycaps and/or switches, does it then become a custom keyboard? Sure. I don't really care what we call it, maybe there's a better name for these off-the-shelf/accessible "custom" mechanical keyboards, maybe we just call them keyboard kits, but I wouldn't just call them entry-level mechanical keyboards because spending $100-$150ish dollars before switches and keycaps is simply not entry. I'm just happy to see more people getting into mechanical keyboards, and these cheaper keyboard kits are a great way for people to get their feet wet. Actually I wouldn’t even call them keyboard kits because they don’t come with switches and/or keycaps, but maybe one day it’ll be easier to order everything you need in one place instead of things being out of stock
@Donbros3 жыл бұрын
NK65, drop alt, kara and portico are all same. They offer both barebones and full assembled (not sure about portico, but they will do that eventually as everyone). They are custom on gk61 level just more expensive and feature full
@jimmynguyen9733 жыл бұрын
@@Donbros ah right the special NK65 editions comes fully assembled. Hmm I think then there’s a conversation around if a custom keyboard is something you just assemble yourself, or is it something that’s not readily available, or is it elements of both. We could also separate out the NK65 special editions away from the NK65EE. Special editions are custom in the sense that the special switches, keycaps, and/or case won’t be available again (as least I believe so, not sure if they will ever be rerun), and NK65EE is a custom because you’re buying and assembling keycaps and switches. But then if you can buy a NK65EE fully assembled with regular switches and keycaps, is it a custom? You could argue no because it was never self assembled, but you could also argue yes because I got to choose what switches and keycaps I want with the keyboard, but then what makes that different from a hot swap keyboard on Amazon that comes with multiple switch choices (although generally with just one keycap set choice) Perhaps “custom” isn’t the word we’re looking for to describe these entry level kits vs more expensive, limited kits. Maybe it’s something like “enthusiast”
@dxm72793 жыл бұрын
@@Donbros the kara doesn't offer assembled at all bwt and neither does the portico (I think).but yeah basically agree with you.
@hawwat3 жыл бұрын
Your vids are getting better and better. Awesome review 👌🏼
@bodythetan3 жыл бұрын
Wait. Did you say you HAVE a Kara? I wasn’t aware they’ve been shipped
@JYMV3 жыл бұрын
Sorry, I meant to say that I'm waiting on them
@bodythetan3 жыл бұрын
@@JYMV you and me both :)
@kale13093 жыл бұрын
I agree with you in that the portico/nk65/kara aren't technically a custom due to the limiting factors they have due to the lower price point. I think a great entry/beginner custom would be the soon to be ikki68 Aurora by Wuque studio imo. Really appreciate the vid. The little things like a countdown for people to due volume down after sound tests are what really show the quality you put into your videos
@raydominiqueterre74623 жыл бұрын
What limiting factors would that be?
@kale13093 жыл бұрын
@@raydominiqueterre7462 the lack of options such as different plate materials, except for the kara. And also plate mounted stabs in the nk65 and all three have fixed layouts
@raydominiqueterre74623 жыл бұрын
@@kale1309 I get your point but I mean fixed layouts are inherent with hotswap pcbs and layouts are also limited to case design. Besides the plastic case, I think the Portico and especially the Kara can be considered as "custom". The NK65 however can be debatable, depends on how you look at it, since there are repercussions to opening the NK65EE.
@dxm72793 жыл бұрын
I understand where you're coming from but I really think that at least the kara/portico are custom. If u consider fixed layouts to make a keeb not a custom the what about all of the other hotswap ramaworks keebs? I agree than the n65 isn't really a full custom, especially considering that it is prebuilt out of the box.
@mena41083 жыл бұрын
JYMV uploads are the highlight of my year. Can't wait for next year's video!
@raydominiqueterre74623 жыл бұрын
Great review as always. But what constitutes as “custom”? The Kara and Portico all come with the same parts as The D65. The Kara even has an option for a brass weight add on, different plate colors and backplate as extras. I hope you can explain your thoughts in an upcoming video. I would love to hear them.
@kuro0renji3 жыл бұрын
injection plastic that just a fancier unbuilt mass production keyboard?
@raydominiqueterre74623 жыл бұрын
@@kuro0renji they aren' technically mass produced because of the groupbuy, except for the NK65. So in order for a board to be "custom" it needs to be limited?
@kuro0renji3 жыл бұрын
@@raydominiqueterre7462 I think the point might be the "injection plastic"
@raydominiqueterre74623 жыл бұрын
@@kuro0renji I see your point, but not being classified as "custom" because a product is made of plastic doesn't make sense. Would love to hear your argument as to why they can't be custom because of their injection molded plastic cases.
@kuro0renji3 жыл бұрын
@@raydominiqueterre7462 Not gonna spend time arguing this, I stay with my opinions and you stay with yours.
@JN-gn2pl3 жыл бұрын
Waiting for Glarses to get here
@Instinct04253 жыл бұрын
Same
@FeinnSan3 жыл бұрын
Same lmao
@TurboZarya3 жыл бұрын
Same
@clownd23 жыл бұрын
love this kind of thing just got into the hobby, why wouldn't you consider the nk65 entry a custom? I ordered a NK65 and a ID80 as my first cases.
@tornado09253 жыл бұрын
Bro these are my exact boards. I just ordered the id80 v2
@clownd23 жыл бұрын
@@tornado0925 yea they seem pretty entry level to me, I specifically wanted something with hotswap cause I dont want to get into solder on top of learning everything else just getting into the hobby.
@billynightmare3 жыл бұрын
I closed my eye and listened to the sounds and I really think that the no foam at all sounded deeper
@Triannosaurus3 жыл бұрын
I know judging from sound tests aren't the best way to judge, but from hearing many different gasket mounted boards, it seems like they deaden the sound too much and don't allow for enough resonance to get a good sound profile. I'm sure the typing feel adds to the experience, but it just seems to me that gasket mounting is sort of counter intuitive for good sound profiles and resonance.
@madness84813 жыл бұрын
@jymv sorry If I'm miss understanding but when you say stiff, do you mean resistance on the key? like harder to push?
@JYMV3 жыл бұрын
Stiff vs flexible refers to the bottom out feel. Stiff here would mean that when you bottom out it's really solid with no vibrations or bounce whereas flexible would have it feel a bit like a trampoline
@involuntarysoul38672 жыл бұрын
what if you cut off the side mounting tabs on the plate, would that create more flex?
@powahause59383 жыл бұрын
The ikki68 aura would be a great addition to the entry level shootout Edit: someone else mentioned already
@D3NPA3 жыл бұрын
*aurora
@saladtable97392 жыл бұрын
Are you able to buy different colour blockers separately? I can't find anywhere that does it
@TheDredgenProject3 жыл бұрын
As expected. Great breakdown of the keyboard.
@JackiesBoards3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video. I really like your review. I also find the the D65 is stupid stiff, I was thinking of giving up to type on it and I didn't think the pc plate would help a lot. But anyway after watching your video I have ordered one today along with the 8xmii pc plate. Also the tofu V2 is also very still to type on, but I cannot find a plate for it, hope I can find the file. Btw, I saw you on the monoflex discord. I have ordered one.
@jaycielinh3 жыл бұрын
try the o-ring mod on the standoffs on the tofu! it makes it very flexy and better to type on
@ImJustStandingHere3 жыл бұрын
This was recently restocked and they added a purple version, I ordered one the second I saw it because it's exactly the asymmetrical purple board I was looking for lmao
@jorgeoaa3 жыл бұрын
they also stocked burgundy and i copped that so fast i couldn't resist
@nicholasm89463 жыл бұрын
I tried inserting the gaskets into the case indents, but the gaskets doesn't seem to be thick enough to protrude out. Also did your d65 case manage to sit flush before inserting the screws into the bottom case?
@makavelisoft3 жыл бұрын
Do you think it's a good board for a first custom kb at this price? My budget is around 500$ (keycaps, switches and board included). I see it's still available with the PC and FR4 plate. If not, could you recommend me another 65% at ~ the same price?
@BuzzLiteBeer3 жыл бұрын
If it comes without switches/keycaps and requires assembly, it's definitely a custom.
@XYZen1th2 жыл бұрын
Would not appling gaskets onto the side mounting spots somewhat fix the stiffness problem?
@ivoruiter66053 жыл бұрын
Are you going to review the maja from kbdfans? i think it is pretty good and i am curious what you think about it
@JYMV3 жыл бұрын
I didn't really like the way the layout looked so I skipped that one
@ivoruiter66053 жыл бұрын
@@JYMV so does that mean you keep all the keyboards you review?
@altrock173 жыл бұрын
Do you think leaving the side gaskets out in the build would be viable to make it a softer typing experience?
@JYMV3 жыл бұрын
I think it's a possibility but you'd maybe run into collision issues if you type hard. I guess no harm in trying
@altrock173 жыл бұрын
@@JYMV I'll try it and keep ya posted on the result, building mine tomorrow I think.
@altrock173 жыл бұрын
@@JYMV I built it without the side gaskets and I don't think it made a difference, still super stiff for a gasket-mount. I think if KBDFans had made the cutout grooves in the case like even half a millimeter deeper, it would have been a much nicer typing experience.
@fredflint91532 жыл бұрын
@@JYMV @Keybored I have been planning on getting the d65. Which is better, d65 kit or the kbd67 v3 kit? Because if i assemble all the parts for the kbd67 v3 alu case it will be the same price as the d65
@chrinaldi3 жыл бұрын
Haven't been able to differentiate between the stiff feeling keyboard and not stiff feeling keyboard. Any comparison that I can find? I think my Epomaker is less stiff than this.
@nicholasm89463 жыл бұрын
Do you think I should install standoffs for my D65? I have PC and brass plate with PC case.
@JYMV3 жыл бұрын
Nah I think you should skip especially for pc. When I tried on the Vega, it didn't even work correctly due to the flexibility
@nicholasm89463 жыл бұрын
@@JYMV I'll try your recommendation, thanks!
@mingbot403 жыл бұрын
This is a very nice review
@madduckuk3 жыл бұрын
Agree, the foam only killed the nicest part of a keyboard sound for me. Great review as always. Entry level custom keyboard: Prebuilt custom: NK65e Built-from-bits custom: Poseidon 60 Case with whichever gh60 sized board fits your needs/you can find in stock.
@Kizzster3 жыл бұрын
Do you think that the GMMK Pro gasket mount will do much and be good?
@JYMV3 жыл бұрын
I'll need to wait to see for sure but mounting seems like something they could easily get wrong being a newcomer to custom keyboards. I don't think it'll be broken but it might have some quirks
@Kizzster3 жыл бұрын
@@JYMV Yeah there were 2 stand off screws in the middle holding the plate/foam/pcb together not sure how that will effect it
@rad1ata3 жыл бұрын
I have a D65 on the way, now I'm considering getting a half FR4 plate or a PC plate for it. If I wanted to use the plate foam, would it be a better idea to cut the plate foam or would I be able to remove the conductive foam? Sorry if this is a stupid question, still kind of new to custom keyboards.
@JYMV3 жыл бұрын
If your plate is not metal, the conductive foam will have no chance of doing anything so you should leave it out. Even for alu plate, you can probably leave it out
@rad1ata3 жыл бұрын
@@JYMV thanks! One more question, sorry. I'm building this with silent switches, what plate do you think would make a bigger difference in sound, half FR4 or a regular PC plate?
@JYMV3 жыл бұрын
I don't use silent switches much but half plates might be slightly louder? I don't think it'll be a meaningful difference
@rad1ata3 жыл бұрын
@@JYMV I see. Thanks for the help.
@jtangjt3 жыл бұрын
Saka 68 is an entry level custom imo. even cheaper is ikki68 aurora
@hqmzqkhaled3 жыл бұрын
Can you upgrade a budget keyboard (ex.Redrago K552 Kumara)
@dorcondorcon2 жыл бұрын
what are the differences with the KBD67 MarK Il?
@JYMV2 жыл бұрын
The 67 might be a more familiar top mount feeling vs the 65's exceptional stiffness
@yariban97353 жыл бұрын
Had to get an FR4 plate, alu plate was too stiff. Now it's great though.
@canIhavethishandle3 жыл бұрын
where did u get an FR4 plate?
@rapidzabyss8353 жыл бұрын
Did u get a custom cut?
@rad1ata3 жыл бұрын
did you get a half or full plate? I'm still waiting on mine and I was worried about the alu plate being too stiff
@yariban97353 жыл бұрын
@@rad1ata I got a full plate, since I have the hotswap PCB, but I would expect both to be good.
@yariban97353 жыл бұрын
@@canIhavethishandle I got it off of a user by the name u/MrSimbaBoy on r/MechMarket. He's got FR4 plates for a couple other boards, like Key65, Polaris, Vega, etc.
@rayl37983 жыл бұрын
Are you planning to do a Space65 review?
@JYMV3 жыл бұрын
At some point yes but with the CV, the original seems less and less relevant
@bb_lou3 жыл бұрын
No KBD67 Lite? I have that and a portico on backorder atm
@JYMV3 жыл бұрын
I was planning on getting one but I was making Thanksgiving dinner!
@bb_lou3 жыл бұрын
@@JYMV If you want it lent to you for a full comparison of all the cheap kits that came out this year, lmk. I wanted to do one myself but couldn't justify the price considering I don't like the NK65 and wasn't sure about the Kara
@devin12343 жыл бұрын
@@JYMV Divinikey will be stocking the KBD67 Lite by March. Check their Discord for updates
@sewerPig3 жыл бұрын
You guys think I should wait for this to go in GB again or buy the KBD67mkii in stock?
@drangus70003 жыл бұрын
just got my d65 about a week ago and have been used the mkii in the past, I would go with the d65 IMO. not a big fan of the brass plate on the mkii
@mauricioandre33773 жыл бұрын
Can you review KBD67 Lite?
@xiaotianyang65723 жыл бұрын
Hi there, I have a d65 on my desk, what should I do to make the board protected from ESD? I am using a fr4 plate. Thanks!
@JYMV3 жыл бұрын
Hey, the most common way is the run a wire from one of the screw holes to the usb port shield
@xiaotianyang65723 жыл бұрын
@@JYMV I just speaked with Kbdfans, they said that both case foam and ESD pad can protect the board from ESD. You only need to choose one of them.
@jorgeoaa3 жыл бұрын
@@xiaotianyang6572 which one did you install? the esd pad interferes with the foam so i assume you chose the foam?
@lukalikeskeebs30233 жыл бұрын
Where can I buy those small accent squares at?
@JYMV3 жыл бұрын
Kbdfans sells them as "d65 replaceable blockers"
@cutcorners60052 жыл бұрын
kbdfans really need to finally move to daughter boards. D84V2 is more flexy than this is but still doesnt have a daughter board and that just creates an uneven pressure on the plate. It's very noticeable there, otherwise it's actually pretty good board for the money. It's disappointing to see them reusing same old pcb designs for new cases while cheap stuff like a keychron have daughter boards. The finish and build quality feels a lot better than any keychron with their horrendous looking ano. They just like to shoot themselves in the foot.
@StrawberrySilk3 жыл бұрын
omg this is the best sounding keyboard ever! 10/10
@BIGEUROtv3 жыл бұрын
Ikki68 Aurora (entry)
@KudaFerrari3 жыл бұрын
1:42 that gap on D65 is slightly irritating
@loginnoggin3 жыл бұрын
not screwed together
@oikauapa3 жыл бұрын
Why won't you consider NK65/kara an entry level custom? They're custom to me since you still have to build it yourself. Maybe because the community has grown so much such that it doesent feel "special" to own an entry level custom keeb anymore?
@j.b.71333 жыл бұрын
You definitely ordered a Boop didn't you?
@JYMV3 жыл бұрын
I did not!
@j.b.71333 жыл бұрын
@@JYMV oh dang I was hoping a solid review from you. Melody65?
@JYMV3 жыл бұрын
Haha I didn't get that one either
@Donbros3 жыл бұрын
Custom = assembling by yourself. I would also hardly call nk65 custom they are more like mainstream keyboard from enthusiasts perspective
@the.alexkim3 жыл бұрын
I think you should remove the side gaskets
@drangus70003 жыл бұрын
YES. that helped a lot. on my d65 i have no side gaskets and I didn't even screw and of the plate in. the gaskets are plenty to hold it still
@SimGunther3 жыл бұрын
Not all gasket designs are made equal.
@Crokto3 жыл бұрын
If a board comes with keycaps and switches installed its not a custom.
@spidermain3 жыл бұрын
By that definition gmmk (non pro) is a custom
@Ponker3 жыл бұрын
ponker bless.
@nolancn11433 жыл бұрын
thanks ponker
@biohazardmonkey123 жыл бұрын
NGL You sound like Handler jesus
@LEK3 жыл бұрын
Imo one of the worst Gasket Mount boards out there. For the same price you could get a Vega, which looks better, sounds better and feels better. Might be one of the best keyboards ever created considering the somewhat low price point.
@psidddy3 жыл бұрын
And how would one buy a Vega? Seems like the GB ended long ago. Not really a relevant point if it can't be bought.
@amathine4403 жыл бұрын
@@psidddy ok? the d65 was a group buy too. both will probably have future rounds. not sure how you can completely discredit a keyboard just because its first round has ended
@psidddy3 жыл бұрын
@@amathine440 you are right, both are GBs that have ended. I don't discredit any of the boards. I like the Vega and the d65. However with the state of the hobby where we have short window GBs (koi, raffle, RNG, FCFS), often limited quantity and very long lead times I don't really see how you could say "get X or get Y". Maybe a more helpful comment would be to have a look at currently running GBs of keebs with similar characteristics.
@LEK3 жыл бұрын
@@psidddy I was just comparing both of these boards. They are both gasket mount, 65% and were GB's. Of course you cant get a Vega anymore or a D65, still you can compare them. Especially since they are equally priced, while the Vega can already be considered endgame though.
@cognition263 жыл бұрын
Oh come on the Vega is worlds better than the D65.
@vidas63953 жыл бұрын
thanks for the sound test I have concluded this board is shit
@Spartyo3 жыл бұрын
Hey awesome video, great content. I’m going to stay unsubscribed though.