EVGA Z15 Mechanical Keyboard - Hot-Swappable Kailh Speed Silver $89 C&C @ Budget PC ($99 Del via Amazon AU)

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LTimR31 on 08/11/2021 - 13:19 bpctech.com.au (831 clicks)
Last edited 25/11/2021 - 11:14 by 1 other user

UPDATE: Deal has gotten even better for BF it seems, now only $69 pickup and $89 delivered on Amazon

$89 Deilvered via Amazon AU

This deal is back, $20 cheaper if you can pick up from BPC in Mt Waverley (Melbourne).

I'd been looking at a $99+del GMMK to dip my toe into mech keyboards, but this with hot-swappable Kailh switches was a bit too good to pass up. Super low latency, RGB, volume wheel; the Speed Silvers are not for everyone of course (linear, very high 1.1mm activation - fast for gaming but might lead to inadvertent button presses), but you can always swap them out and still be at a relatively low cost. I tried the Speed Silvers as part of a friend's tester kit and although they weren't my favourite linears, they still felt decent.

I ordered via Amazon last Thursday and it still hasn't shipped, listed as arriving on the 24th Nov. So don't order if you're in a hurry hoping for Amazon quick shipping; it ships from BPC not Amazon AU. EDIT: Arrived 10/11 after being ordered 4/11.

Pinching info from previous deal post:

Rtings review

@Juiciness

The EVGA Z15 and the EVGA Z20 are both fantastic wired gaming keyboards with very similar designs, but there are a few differences. The Z20 has dedicated macro keys, a USB and audio passthrough, and a unique time-of-flight sensor that you can program to perform certain functions when you approach or move away from your keyboard. It's available with linear or clicky Light Strike LK Optical switches. On the other hand, the Z15 is a hot-swappable board that lets you easily swap out the switches without needing to solder anything.

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  wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww on 08/11/2021 - 13:47

  +3

  North facing 3 Pin sockets for anyone thinking of actually using the 'hotwswap' feature

  • 

    TimR31 on 08/11/2021 - 14:55

    Does this make it not compatible with some switches? Or just a PITA if you don't know how they clip in?

    EDIT: did some reading, seems like North facing better for RGB shine-through, but South facing has higher keycap compatibility. Does that about sum it up?

    And do you know if the keycaps that ship with the board are the type that interfere?

    Cheers for the info

    • 

      iridiumstem on 08/11/2021 - 21:56

      +1

      So north facing LEDs interferes with Cherry Profile keycaps. Most gaming keyboards use OEM Profiles which are taller and do not suffer the simliar problems. So I doubt the keyboard would have issues with its own keycaps.

      I think that info is more if you are looking at getting a new keycap set (I feel like there are more Cherry Profile keycaps available than OEM profile keycaps). There are other profiles available of course, that may suit you more that does not inferfere with north facing LED. i.e. I have a ASA profile keycap set and I think it works OK with the north facing LEDs. The profile might not be for everyone though.

      The 3 pin socket does mean that the PCB mount switches (which are also known as 5 pin switches) wouldn't fit onto this. A lot of the switches you can get are 5 pin switches. You can technically cut the 2 pins (they are just two plastic nubs) on it to make them compatiable, but it's irreversible.

      • 

        TimR31 on 08/11/2021 - 22:28

        Thank you, great info. I also found this with some explanations about Cherry vs OEM keycaps.

        When I looked at the bottom of a couple of my friend's tester switches, looked like they only had two metal pins, but maybe there were more plastic 'pins' that I didn't clock as significant

        • 

          iridiumstem on 08/11/2021 - 22:36

          +1

          @TimR31: There are other profiles other than Cherry profiles (which probably have more options available with the GMK clones and such).

          There are also switches that are free from the interference issues, but those would be genuinely difficult to find. Kailh Artbox switches are modified box switches that are available in Korea that apparently doesn't have the interference issues (but it'd be hard to find them in Australia and not everyone likes Box switches). My personal opinion is, I think you'd be far better off looking at a different keycap profiles than to look at switches that can work with Cherry Profile keycaps on a North facing LED boards.

          • 

            [Deactivated] on 08/11/2021 - 22:54

            @iridiumstem: iridiumstem… I was going to PM you but the button is turned off. Several years ago you purchased a Samsung Note or Tab Pro. If you used memory cards with it, do you happen to remember the largest size card that worked? I own one and I'm trying to find out what the largest card is that will work. (Back then manufactures often said their product would take xxGB, but they only quoted the largest card available at the time. Later larger cards came out and sometimes they would work too.)

            • 

              iridiumstem on 08/11/2021 - 23:00

              @[Deactivated]: Tab Pro…? Mine died aeons ago so I cannot really give you a value. Sorry about that :S

              • 

                [Deactivated] on 09/11/2021 - 00:18

                @iridiumstem: Ok thanks. ;-)

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  Truck-kun on 08/11/2021 - 13:58

  +1

  Just notice your deal is hotswappable! That's actually really good compared to mine

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  bangbangbooya on 08/11/2021 - 15:50

  +1

  Thanka OP. Took the plunge and got it from BPC!

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  GordyPantz on 08/11/2021 - 21:34

  +1

  Sounds like a steal! thanks OP

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  macmanluke on 09/11/2021 - 11:51

  +1

  i couldnt buy it just for the font on the key thats horrible haha
  Good deal otherwise

  • 

    TimR31 on 09/11/2021 - 12:01

    +1

    Yeah not my favourite either, sort of Klingon-esque? I'll probably replace the keycaps relatively quickly I think

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  TimR31 on 11/11/2021 - 21:55

  Arrived on 10/11 after ordering on Amazon on 4/11, so 4 business days to deliver. Not too bad, especially given the current mail environment. Not very well packed (just wrapped the box in black film wrap) but appears to have arrived intact.

  Shipped via Fastway Couriers