Is This $130 NEO Better Than $400 Owlab? NEO Ergo

#keybored Is This $130 NEO Better Than $400 Owlab? NEO Ergo
Keyboards these days are getting good... too good. So good where "Entry" boards are starting to rival their flagship counterparts... I think it's starts to happen within the QK family as well... wait... does that mean that this $130 NEO Ergo is as good as the $400 Owlab Spring? We will find out!
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Links to Products Shown in this Video
NEO Ergo Keyboard
qwertykeys.notion.site/Neo-Er...
Customers who purchase the Neo Ergo from qwertykeys.com between May 20th and June 18th will be eligible for a $10 discount
Kinetic Labs Polycaps Whale Keycaps
kineticlabs.com/keycaps/polyc...
Gateron Cream Soda Switches
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KBDFANS - For international Viewers
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Swagkeys - For Korean Viewers
www.swagkey.kr/
Shot on Sony A7 III + Sony FE35mm F1.8 and Shure MV7 Dynamic Mic
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Shure MV7
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[@cheepee5563]

I like it when you provide no foam sound test. I think you should do it for every single video

[@Keybored]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@LeonValenti]

Man, with every new Neo board, I'm more and more cognizant of the money I've wasted on more expensive boards. The quality for price destroys a good chunk of the higher end standards of yesteryear 😂

[@Keybored]

I don't even know what the difference between these and like a 300 dollar keyboard is anymore... And I see so many of them

[@cooljaybz]

@@Keybored now its just like,, "oh i just got extra money to spend thats why i got expensivo"

[@anonymouwus]

For expensive boards, you not only pay for the board, but the time and effort that goes into R&D and design of the board. Neo is great, but it's a mass produced board. Comparing it to something more expensive is an apples to oranges comparison.

[@nobody-bt7mu]

@@anonymouwus Not entirely. You act like there is less time and effort that went into NEO boards just because they were mass produced. Companies and group buy runners can limit the stock however they want or set the price high which results in less buyers. Yes bigger companies such as Qwertykeys have more resources to mass produce their NEO boards but they can also choose to make them a lot more expensive. Neo ERGO is the perfect example of a keyboard that wouldn't be weird to have triple its price tag and its quite obvious why.

[@thestreamreader]

They spent a lot of time designing this board. It has been a long time coming. Been waiting on this for a while. I compare everything to NEO and QK now. Example Keychron needs to redo their whole line-up a reprice now IMO. They can't justify the $200+ price. The biggest gripe I have with QK right now is that not every board supports VIA. Where anything keychron releases does. Example I want the QK65v2 but the PCB'S are all trimode and dont offer VIA support. Please correct this QwertKeys. Then companies like Keychron won't have a leg to stand on.

[@KcCake]

Thank you scott for this review. I needed more no foam sound tests!

[@ascourter]

Great overview of the board. Thanks!

[@Keybored]

Thanks!

[@VigilSerus]

Fell in love with ergo/alice format with the Libra40, this feels like its right at home!

[@Keybored]

It's actually a pretty good typing experience for sure!

[@gustavomachado3488]

Always my go-to reviewer for new keyboard models. Love your channel. Congrats.

[@Keybored]

Thank you so much!

[@ghost-type]

Definitely. I enjoy his humour and attention to detail

[@lenguyenquangvinh2684]

love your videos, Scott

[@Keybored]

Thank you so much!

[@ghost-type]

I placed an order for this yesterday. I got the grey to go with my dualshot 2s. This will be my first in this style so I'm excited to try it. I love the design with the magnets and the easy way to build. I think I'll have a lot of fun trying different things. The quality seems amazing. Especially considering the price.

[@ImOnMy116]

thanks for the great video Scott, appreciate your thoughtful and comprehensive reviews! Absolutely wild to see the quality at this price point these days!

[@Keybored]

It definitely is so wild... I have a keyboard I'm reviewing right now and I can't believe it even exists...

[@ImOnMy116]

dang, can’t wait to see the review (as if my $300 OG Tofu 60 and $130 cast alu Bakeneko60 can sustain anymore of a beating, haha)!

[@VijaiShyam]

Banger vid as always! Shame cant really get these here.

[@64BBernard]

They should be available soon, I would think.

[@Keybored]

I hope they make it more widely available!

[@joshuaadesida]

I love how the middle is angled up and tapers down. I just bought the Q10Max and although I don’t have buyers remorse, if the Neo Ergo came in a 75% with function row and potential a knob, I’d immediately get that.

[@Keybored]

Welcome to the hobby!

[@joshuaadesida]

@@Keyboredit really be like that😂

[@BriskWalkZombie]

Fine, fine I’ll get it. Good review!

[@Keybored]

Haha sorry for your wallet!

[@IronCan88]

This is the first budget alice that comes tented. Usually temted require more raw material and machining time, so i am surprised to see it offered at thia price. Will have to order one myself too

[@Mylnr]

I still have my OWLabs Spring in a box unbuilt and looking at this is has me tempted

[@Sensates85]

The key to these bags is to just twist the openings, they will open right away.

[@Keybored]

I was thinking flame thrower

[@Sensates85]

@@Keybored that works too 😂

[@jgould30]

You have to grab at the locking area of the bag to open them. Once you do that they come apart pretty easy.

[@MarbsMusic]

LOL...OMG I'm so happy to see I'm not the only person that hates those bags!!! I have 5 QK/Neo boards and they are definitely my favorites and plan to get this one as soon as I can get it on order! I thought it was still pretty poppy even with all the foam. The OL was definitely deeper but not sure it's worth the extra $$$.

[@Keybored]

So much more money!

[@MarbsMusic]

@@Keybored Orders went live last night, got Ano Green and silver because I have a Botanical set with spacebars... yes my keycaps dictated the color of my keyboard!

[@mntish]

Thank you Scott

[@Keybored]

You're welcome!

[@vucanes]

My first entry into ergo board may as well be this one. What a great price.

[@Keybored]

You get a lot of board!

[@IronCan88]

This is the best at this price. You will not find another tented ergo of same quality at this price. Even the triple priced owlab springs isn't tented

[@jgould30]

Regarding the wireless switch. I've heard comments about it so many times with other Neo boards. People grt the impression you are supposed to swotch it off after every use. That's not true. You only need to switch it to off of you plan to keep it unplugged for a LONG time lole on storage. Otherwise just leave ot switched On and when you aren't using it they'll go onto various sleep/deep sleep modes. Everyday use of my Neo65's last months before needing to be plugged on to charge and I never flip the switch to off.

[@jaroldharold1589]

The build's so good!

[@Keybored]

Quite surprising actually how good these are

[@lawbinson]

Having that up arrow be left of the right shift is tough.

[@Bart4Games]

great keyboard, i'm ordering one right now. For people prefering the owlab spring, keep in ming that weikav record exists and cost 100 bucks..

[@gaphs879]

The glazing is crazy (I'm no longer picking up the S-one alice)

[@inspire1ove]

have you tried the PP plate with just plate foam? no case or pe foam. Curious to hear what it sounds like.

[@ronakbarman]

neos work best when gasket mounted, no foam except the pe sheet, try it out, it sounds like the best of both worlds

[@shahroznaeem]

I've been eyeballing some of the better Alice keyboards after using the Cidoo AMB066 but I'm wondering if it'd be an actual upgrade or not. 🤔

[@Tojoblindeye]

Man the Spring Sounds so damn good haha

[@kurious_kuromi]

i love my spring with only plate foam. however i will also be getting the neo ergo bc i wanted a tented alice for the longest time

[@geoffreysmith3907]

so let me start of with the production quality is top notch as usual but something feels different about this video. did you make any changes in your editing or is something missing from this video?

[@Keybored]

Hmm... I'm not sure. I feel like it's been a bit different also but not quite sure what I have been doing differently...

[@albertko1]

That flex with a CF plate 😮

[@Keybored]

You should see plateless haha

[@kafka0015]

I liked the foamless sound and will just get the wired config. I don't want to deal with disassembling the keyboard to turn on the "wireless" feature. It kinda defeats the purpose of being easy to switch to IMO. Nice review!

[@Keybored]

Very true!

[@benjamintwm]

Hi Scott, do you think having the wrist rest is necessary or it's quite comfortable without it? Thank you!

[@IronCan88]

It's only $20 for the matching wrist rest. Remember it's tented so taller in the middle. I recommend spending the extra $20 to have the wrist rest and not need it, than to need it and not have it😊

[@ItsMunjer]

Hi Scott. Did you have any issues with that up arrow key when typing? It doesn't get pressed accidentally instead of the shift key? I'm guessing it's a non-issue since all the reviews I've seen so far don't even mention it at all.

[@three36ixx]

you can build it without arrow keys. 4 different possible combinations

[@ItsMunjer]

@@three36ixx Yeah, saw the alternate layouts, but would like to have arrow keys. Was hoping the layout would be similar to the bear65v2

[@VladK-1]

I guess it’s intended for people like me who never use the right Shift.

[@thatFarHunt]

You installed the diffusers incorrectly. You should have installed it from the bottom of the plate before installing the switches, not the top.

[@sentimentalhermit]

Ha, I've seen a few other YT reviewers install the diffusers like this, too. The notions page mentions that the diffusers install on the plate (one sentence!), so QK/Neo needs to clarify this when they post the build guide

[@doonnk]

That said either way is fine

[@KPong1337]

Notion page is updated but either way works.

[@Keybored]

Yup was told either way works, I tried it the other way too but it's about the same... Plus you have to disassemble everything to take it out then :(

[@leftcoastfunk]

@@Keybored At least they wouldn't be sticking up as far between the keycaps that way. Honestly you're either going to use them or not use them so it shouldn't be a huge deal that you'd have to disassemble everything. And if you're trying out different builds you're gonna be swapping plates and/or foams anyway

[@robmarth2226]

Btw Scott, the way you installed the LED diffuser is incorrect 😅 They should be inserted in between the place and PCB (together with the plate foam)

[@Keybored]

Haha they told me it works both ways! I did it from the top so I can easily pop them out if I don't like it :)

[@user-ln7cf1mr4q]

i wish if you did a plateless soundtest

[@Zefraxii]

I like it but I'll wait for the QKlice board I quite like their new maximalist designs

[@hollydillion1315]

That's what I'm thinking. The Neo is just the beginning.

[@Keybored]

Haha I wonder how the QK one will be like!

[@IronCan88]

I am hoping the qk Alice is a 75% ...I need the F row for work. If it's tented and 75% similar to keychron Q10, then I am definitely getting one

[@yanbinliu8592]

I am very tempting to order this keyboard. My question is, if the Owlab Spring is available at the same time with same price which one you would order? Area to consider: Ergonomics > Build quality > Sound. Thanks in advance. @Keybored

[@TMKM]

im hoping they will make an ergo with a stronger vertical tilt at some point. would be awesome

[@Keybored]

Like a mountain haha

[@TMKM]

@@Keybored exactly! my dad has switched to a vertical mouse and he really wants a keyboard like that too. sadly they are hard to find if u dont want to diy

[@tanishreddygottimukkula4922]

are you going to do a zoom65v3 review?

[@GandalfWhite-gt9wy]

theres a v3??

[@LizardsAreCool69]

​@@GandalfWhite-gt9wy gb starts mid next month

[@Keybored]

Yup! It's on the way!

[@luispadilla2842]

I was hoping you would review this keyboard but with all the reviews I've seen I'm still not sold on the sound

[@Keybored]

It's Def a better sound with no foam imo

[@luispadilla2842]

@@Keybored agreed, does the CF plate cost extra than the other plates and you should consider a foam less pp plate build

[@nobody-bt7mu]

@@luispadilla2842 $5 usd more for the CF plate.

[@lecxarcangel5644]

Is it VIA supported?

[@oopsalldrip1376]

holy moly

[@zette4273]

Neo/QwertyKeys needs to make 1800 frl with no separated arrow cluster, like wind x

[@Zarazkowy]

Neo is a line of products from Qwerty.

[@Keybored]

That would be interesting!

[@sosa4440]

waiting for a neo65 update

[@Cam-i]

The Spring is not 3x more than the ergo, the ergo with plate and hotswap comes to around 180 which ends up being over 200 without keycaps or switches

[@glowinthedarksharkk]

Would it be possible to get the board without a weight and badge to save on costs?

[@VladK-1]

Not possible.

[@beansy2419]

Like the vid, but I think its a little misleading when you list the plateless price of the NEO in the title. When you didn't show a plateless build at all.

[@MrSkullhead0]

The bags comment in the beginning made me laugh because those bags are downright horrendous. I’d pay an extra $5 on top of my order to just get better ones 😂😂

[@Keybored]

I don't even know how it can be so bad... Might as well glue it

[@yuan81]

The sound is more natural without the foam.

[@Keybored]

Absolutely!

[@KeyboardSavant]

Does covering the LED cutouts with black electrical tape seem out of the question? Would the light bleed be too obvious? I genuinely do not understand the placement of these LEDs. I wish this was optional.

[@Keybored]

I think if they just made the diffuser like half the size it would be ok

[@198Immortal]

You are so right about the bags, they're the worst! lol

[@onion_____]

Are you mentally challenged 😂

[@Keybored]

I don't even know why... I feel it's on purpose lol

[@user-jk5um1om8l]

Anyone know what the black and purple keycaps are? Thank you.

[@Keybored]

GMK Black Lotus

[@user-jk5um1om8l]

@@Keybored thanks !!! 🙏

[@albinohopper45]

Fuck man I’m trying to sell my spring to get 2 of these and this vid is gonna make me have to drop the price😂

[@Keybored]

Hahaha 2 builds of this may be actually worth it

[@hoshinoakira1379]

that diffuser tho, omg 😂, and the best thing is.. near lucid do the same too 🤣

[@64BBernard]

So did Alexotos! 😂

[@Keybored]

Yeah it's odd to say the least!

[@ChubiPanda]

That right shift position makes me uncomfortable.

[@Keybored]

A few others commented about this also

[@marounboumelhem3984]

bring back the middle part !

[@Keybored]

Hahahaha some like it some hate it, what do you guys want?! Make up yo minds! Hahahaha

[@marounboumelhem3984]

@@Keybored middle part was peak Scott

[@theodorosanastasioy8846]

I now just thought there's an erroneous approach when comparing keyboards considering their price and different features/cost production. One approach almost all reviewers follow. For example, two same keyboards and one carries a valuable weight stone. Which is the best? This path cannot sell for long to experienced users. Probably, optimal is to focus on the product pros and cons and that's it while it's nice for buyers to know the price range of each presenter, similar to visiting a store's label.

[@TheWallgazer]

I just cut the top off the bags at this point

[@Keybored]

I know... That's next for me too. I told QK that

[@thestreamreader]

If only they supported VIA on the Q65v2. Big miss!

[@three36ixx]

you have to get the wired pcb

[@thestreamreader]

@@three36ixx There is not an option for it at purchase. The QK65v2 only has tri-mode pcb's at purchase.

[@PC-ju6pp]

What's the point of these large semi-space keys? Give me more thumb keys!

[@Keybored]

:)

[@hongkong322]

qk goated

[@Keybored]

For sure! Neo lineup is fire

[@three36ixx]

your spring hasn't gotten much love lately huh? i always see it in the corner on display. dust that bad boy off :) (p.s. i can literally see the dust on it :) my most hated part of owning black chroma)

[@neomubisa]

Has this man ever mentioned where he’s from? Useless information really but I am curious 😂 (I’m thinking Hong Kong or Singapore)

[@onion_____]

North Korea

[@bosenngantor9160]

yes he has, and he's korean

[@neomubisa]

@@bosenngantor9160 lmao I’m Korean too. That’d have been my last guess 🤣

[@Keybored]

I'm from the US but currently living in Korea

[@neomubisa]

@@Keybored From the man himself! Keep up the good work 🤙 You the only keyboard channel I keep notifications on for. Question, any plans on a Keybored Keyboard? I recently got my QK65 cerakoted by Cerakote Korea, they do amazing stuff. Maybe a collab with them too??

[@not_your_business666]

As an alice lover this cursed layout makes me sad

[@leefelarca5455]

The placement of the up-arrow key is quite tragic.

[@not_your_business666]

@leefelarca5455 right! On top of that, arrows are unnecessary with alice layout, fn+wasd is way more comfortable.

[@DemVidzIsMine]

There’s multi layout support. You can have a more “standard “ layout with no arrows and a more conventional right shift

[@not_your_business666]

@DemVidzIsMine it's still not the same and fugly

[@WinkleKeebs]

it morelike Type K

[@maxmalkav]

Man, how I hate those obnoxious QK bags!

[@nobody-bt7mu]

What if terrible baggies = good boards?

[@onion_____]

Serious question, are you guys mentally challenged

[@navinnaido3203]

Thanks for pointing it out that the bags are horrible to open. I just cut them off instead.

[@Keybored]

They're so bad! Flame thrower!

[@Bayofthe91st]

We reaching the lifetime when a Triple A game title has the same price with a decent keebs

[@Keybored]

Very soon!

[@impointr]

Plateless > CF plate

[@Keybored]

Will have to try this!

[@viethuy6950]

i prefer no foam

[@Keybored]

Me too!

[@johanswork]

algo boost

[@Keybored]

Haha I appreciate it!

[@onion_____]

Yes it is better

[@Keybored]

Perhaps may be!

[@hydra6148]

yep, their white bag is cringe, i almost torn 2 of those in to pieces

[@Keybored]

I think flame thrower is the only option

[@bdluong]

you're saying "like" more often

[@minecraftmore4359]

2nd Comment! 🎉

[@Keybored]

Congrats! First next?

[@insu_na]

the thing that finally drove me out of the keyboard hobby is that manufacturers just don't care about ISO layout... I'm not gonna buy hardware with the objectively inferior ANSI layout, or pay an extra premium to get a solderable PCB that comes with an ISO option. It's unfortunate, because my keyboard is far from perfect, but it's still better than having to use ANSI, so eh.

[@Keybored]

I do see more and more coming out lately! Especially in the entry price point also!

[@taminnator]

Because all ISO users are the minorities who’s always the LOUDEST YALL DONT EVEN BUY ISO SETS/kits but fuckin ask for em or be like WheRe iSO support 🤡🤡🤡

[@benfromsg]

To me the differentiating factor between Owlab and QK is not just the price but the design language of the board. Owlab is significantly more sophisticated, requiring more thought and precise machining. QK is really made for the masses with very basic designs that a CNC machine can churn out faster. And when considered altogether, what do you know, justify their prices.

[@yvrreturn5512]

Mid

[@alfred.clement]

another type-k clone, nice.

[@user-kz9rz8ui1c]

What makes the type k unique?

[@kennethng9653]

​@@user-kz9rz8ui1cec support, more tenting with less case angle, and overall design

[@three36ixx]

you can buy 3 of these and still not be at type-k entry price

[@holiclove]