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EVGA Z15 Mechanical Keyboard - Hot-Swappable Kailh Speed Silver $69 Delivered @ BPC eBay

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EVGA Z15 Mechanical Keyboard - Hot-Swappable Kailh Speed Silver $69 Delivered @ BPC eBay
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PTimR31 on 25/11/2021 - 23:46 ebay.com.au (723 clicks)
Last edited 27/11/2021 - 00:41

My old deal got declared EXPIRED, but the deal has only got better, and I'm extremely happy with mine, so feel like I have to post again:

use code SHO50FF for a further 5% off

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 but might lead to inadvertent button presses), however 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.

From a previous 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.

@wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

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

This is part of Black Friday / Cyber Monday deals for 2021
Computing Black Friday Computer Peripheral EVGA Keyboard Mechanical Keyboard

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closed Comments

  • MasterScythe on 26/11/2021 - 00:03
    +1

    $77.90 delivered from scorptec on ebay using SHO50FF

    • TimR31 on 26/11/2021 - 00:09
      +1

      Hit me with a link and I'll update the OP

    • dbtrk on 26/11/2021 - 14:41
      +1

      Code didn't work for me so i just did C&C from the south melb store… i hope these a quieter that my cherry browns on my corsair

      • TimR31 on 27/11/2021 - 00:45

        I'd say so, but let us know how you go

  • dodgey on 26/11/2021 - 00:04
    +1

    Same price at Scorptec

  • MasterScythe on 26/11/2021 - 00:21
    +2

    The only video of modding one:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnJaRpsB940
    And Good photos of the internals.
    https://www.techpowerup.com/review/evga-z15-rgb-gaming-keybo…

    I'll be designing a 3D print to remove the EVGA logo block.
    I'm thinking about putting a power-only USB port in its place, to slow-charge devices or perhaps power a little fan or an LED strip. Whatever low power USB needs you may have.
    Need it to arrive to see what I can figure out :)

    • TimR31 on 26/11/2021 - 00:23

      Wow, awesome! I think the logo does stick out rather tastelessly… Super clean look otherwise

      • MasterScythe on 26/11/2021 - 00:29
        +1

        I assume you've bought one also; so if I'm successful I'll try remember to ping you with the outcome.

        This thing is going to be sweet with a foam mod, or a rubber pour.
        Keen as. Can't wait.

        • TimR31 on 26/11/2021 - 00:38

          Yeah typing on it right now! Paid $99 and thought it was a steal…

          I'm guessing the foam is for sound deadening? That is intriguing…

          • MasterScythe on 26/11/2021 - 01:01
            +2

            @TimR31: If you're new to modding, I suggest:
            https://www.youtube.com/c/HipyoTech
            There's a lot of modders out there, but most are either sponsor kings, or 'hype' men, or cynical and elitist.
            Hipyo tends to be accepting that things like knockoffs exist, and sometimes, things are out of stock, etc etc.
            If you don't want to be yelled at, sold things, or talked down to? Thats the channel.

            Yes, foam fills the void inside the board meaning it no longer feels hollow or resonates. Pouring liquid polyurethane does it even more so.
            People will also use painters tape on the under side of their top plate, to isolate the metal from the plastic case with something a little softer.
            Then you get stabiliser isolation (basically thick tape on the plate, before clicking the stabilisers in).
            And switch lubing, and metal bar adjusting…. etc.

            I just saw this was put up 10 days ago:
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR9yZggYn1o

            He does the 'bandaid' mod on the stabilizers (tape on the top and bottom), and polishes the rods.

            The world of this goes DEEP, and it's kinda fun.
            Just invest with your TIME and not your WALLET.

            You absolutely do NOT need to spend big, to tune well.
            Just like owning a welder and a pipe cutter, is much better than living close to a bolt-on shop.

            • dodgey on 26/11/2021 - 22:28

              @MasterScythe: @masterScythe Let me know how you go with your modding too please!

              I've been using an RK84, but I'm gonna pull my Akko Reds into this and leave my Akko Lavenders in the RK84. Have some foam in that one and it's been great!

              No lubing or bandaids for me for now.

  • mrjayviper on 26/11/2021 - 00:21

    How's the quality of the switches? Thanks

    • TimR31 on 26/11/2021 - 00:26

      I'm a relative newbie to mechanical keyboards, have only played around with a tester kit before getting this one. But the guy who loaned me the test board and switches said Kailh are a step up from the usual Cherry/Gateron in most OEM boards.

      They were not my favourite linears (as I said in the OP), but I really like using them. Maybe I'd like others more, but these are good

    • MasterScythe on 26/11/2021 - 00:27
      +3

      Kailh Speed Silvers.
      They're very short throw, so if you rest your fingers, you might have a problem with accidental presses; but if you're a hover typer, you'll be fine.

      Speaking as someone who has binged every custom keyboard youtuber in existance, and done some of my own; my opinion is controversial.
      In the world of switches, I honestly think people convince themselves of subtle differences among same-spec switches, more often than there are actual differences.
      If only because people type with multiple fingers, and test with 1.

      Kailh and Outemu arguably are 'nicer' than the original Cherry brand, however, Cherry still has a MUCH higher QA factor on their contact mechanism (but not much else); meaning they usually are reliable for longer, but are less likely to all feel equal.

      At the end of the day, switches are SUPER cheap.
      Finding a hotswap board.
      With a sub 10ms input delay.
      That is full size?
      That's a unicorn.

      If you don't like them, grab a set of BoxBrowns and swap them out.

      • TimR31 on 26/11/2021 - 00:33

        They're very short throw, so if you rest your fingers, you might have a problem with accidental presses; but if you're a hover typer, you'll be fine.

        Probably also depends on the weight of your fingers. I find I mistype a bit because I'm fairly inaccurate, but with lean hands, resting my fingers on the keyboard hasn't ever triggered them accidentally.

      • mrjayviper on 26/11/2021 - 00:51

        Thank you

      • bheart on 26/11/2021 - 01:17

        Just after your advice. I am looking for a either 65%/75% or TKL if I have to that is hot swappable, wireless if possible, and can customize keys to the board. Does this exist in the budget range (<$150)?

        I saw a few keychron, especially the K2V2 but they don't map keys to the board (kind of deal breaker) and their key caps aren't good (which I can live with)

        • MasterScythe on 26/11/2021 - 01:31
          +3

          See, it's a tough question to answer.
          Mainly because the elitist keyboard groups are really…. bad people…. lol; or at least, bad role models (they're probably fine people).

          On one side, there isn't a hotswappable keyboard I know of, that isn't tragically slow. With this, the only exception.
          Have a look on RTINGS. Remember anything over 16ms is a whole frame at 60hz, and while the human reaction time from binary nothing-to-something is slower than that, predicted movements are MUCH faster (say, rhythm games, or if you're tracing someone with a scope).
          https://www.rtings.com/keyboard/tests/latency
          So when it comes to gaming? The casuals will love the feel, but you genuinely are leaving measurable latency on the table.

          On the other side, are they typists? Because if they are, then anything less than a full size keyboard is blasphemy for productivity.
          No Home and End keys? How do you Shift-Home to highlight a row?
          No Insert? How do you overtype?
          No PgUp\PgDn? How do you CTRL+PgUp to change tabs without leaving the board?!
          I guess you could train yourself to use layers, but…. the main reason to go a lower percentage board, is to get mouse-room, and, if you're a typist, not a gamer, that should be the least of your worry!

          So, yes, the things you've listed exist, you'll find tens of options for a PCB and a case, and keycaps, etc on ebay, and be able to build it for well within budget. But I fear what you DIDNT say, is going to end up being the hangup for you.

          Look on Banggood for 'keyboard PCB' you'll find tons of options for you, if you're willing to live with the compromise.
          This is one area where brand means literally nothing for quality, if you're willing to put some build time into it.
          But there's no escaping latency in custom keyboard land.
          Thats why this is a unicorn.
          But you need to be OK with full size…. (I am, I type a lot, if you can't tell :P)

          EDIT:
          I'm going to correct myself.
          Apparently the GMMK Pro has new firmware.
          https://www.rtings.com/keyboard/reviews/glorious/gmmk-pro
          Not wireless, but 26ms down to just shy of 7ms is one hell of an improvement.

          • DmytroP on 26/11/2021 - 01:56
            +1

            @MasterScythe: I had multiple presses registered with GMMK Pro, to fix it I did a reset and increased the latency. Not sure which change helped, but it's possible the GMMK pro has issues with the lower latency configuration.

            • MasterScythe on 26/11/2021 - 02:10
              +2

              @DmytroP: You'd be better off playing with debounce values, rather than artificial latency.
              Thats what you're describing.
              At least thats the upside; open source, so you can change that before you compile the firmware.

              • DmytroP on 26/11/2021 - 09:35

                @MasterScythe: Thanks, I don't remember the debounce settings in the official firmware, but going to switch to QMK firmware anyway (it was reported to be free from the bug with multiple activations). The keys mapping in the official app is strange, I can re-map keys but the original value would be used with Fn, I can't change both normal key and Fn+key mappings independently. QMK seems to be much more flexible and it supports the GMMK Pro.
                Overall seems to be a nice keyboard, using it with the Boba U4T switches and Durock v2 stabilisers.

  • belongsinforums on 26/11/2021 - 12:08

    This one or the evga deal?

    • TimR31 on 26/11/2021 - 14:14

      What's the "EVGA deal"?

      • belongsinforums on 26/11/2021 - 16:20

        Oops i meant the keychron from pcbyte

        • MasterScythe on 26/11/2021 - 16:56
          +1

          They're entirely different target audiences.
          This is a low latency gaming board, Keychron make budget multipurpose boards, focusing on value at the cost of input lag.

          If I was in an office I'd take the keychron.

          As someone who both games and types, I've gone with this.

          • belongsinforums on 26/11/2021 - 17:03

            @MasterScythe: Thanks very much! Recommended switches for gaming? Currently have a budget blue switch kogan keyboard and i want to try something different and hopefully better. Gaming performance most important

            • MasterScythe on 26/11/2021 - 17:06
              +1

              @belongsinforums: The Kailh Speed Silvers that come in this EVGA will be a good test to see if you like what most brands consider premium gaming switches.
              Full linear, and half the travel distance to actuate.
              Not every gamer, likes 'gaming' switches.

              I for example know I'll be putting a Kailh Black into my spacebar right away to give it some resistance.

              You might hate them, and if you DO, then the best replacement IMO would be 'box brown' switches.
              They're about 10% shorter travel than any cherry or exact clone of, still have a tactile bump like you'll be used to with a blue, but gets rid of the metallic twang that you can't really get away with as a gamer, because it RUINS open-mic quality.

              • belongsinforums on 26/11/2021 - 17:13

                @MasterScythe: Thanks again! I always wanted to try browns

                • TimR31 on 27/11/2021 - 00:53

                  @belongsinforums: Just to be totally clear, "Browns" and "BOX Browns" are two different types

                  • belongsinforums on 27/11/2021 - 00:59
                    +1

                    @TimR31: Ok thanks. I ordered just the standard board with the silver switches. Super happy i waited. Was going to spend 200 on a hot swappable board earlier in the year. 65 delivered express is fantastic

                    • TimR31 on 27/11/2021 - 12:57

                      @belongsinforums: I paid $99 earlier in the month and I'm still happy so yeah, fantastic deal. I'm guessing BPC were required to buy tons of the keyboards to get access to EVGA GPUs, hence getting rid of them so cheap?

  • jaffar on 26/11/2021 - 18:39
    +2

    It's currently on BPC's eBay page at $69. Combine with shopoff to get 65.55 delivered. Think I'm going to have to take the plunge at this price…

    • TimR31 on 27/11/2021 - 00:44

      Cheers, have updated the OP, much cleaner now!

  • wildchill on 30/11/2021 - 01:20

    Just got this board today.
    Is there a way to make the RGB static Green ? (without using the software)

    Also noticed the board doesnt have any memory, so if it loses power, it forgets the RGB mode is was last on.
    Which i thought was odd, coz even a Kogan KB can remember its RGB mode.

    • TimR31 on 30/11/2021 - 09:42

      Hmm, I haven't unplugged it since I got it, so can't speak to the other thing, but I believe only way to get solid green is with software. What's your objection to installing the software? 'Unleash' doesn't seem especially invasive like some other brands, plus you can update the firmware, and set the polling rate to full 4000Hz

  • wildchill on 01/12/2021 - 11:18
    +1

    Yep confirmed, definitely needs to be set thru the Unleash software. And the board retains the config too (even if u plug it into another random PC).

    My objection was really just coz…. I couldnt be bothered… Lol

    All I wanted was it to be backlit green. Honestly didn't think it would have needed software just to do that.
    Like my previous board didn't.

    • TimR31 on 01/12/2021 - 12:07

      Fair enough. Must say I prefer the default red as it's less harsh on the eye at night. I do feel like green suits the font though somehow; maybe a Klingon connection?

  • [Deactivated] on 10/12/2021 - 14:21
    +1

    Perfect for office use. Noise level is similar to an everyday membrane keyboard if not quiter (when not bottomed out).

    Keystrokes are clean and crisp in comparison.

    A compromise to the usually click/tactile switches - shorter keystroke, lower actuation force.

    Solid build. Having media keys is a big +.

    Overall, a good tool for office enviroment.

  • belongsinforums on 14/12/2021 - 10:12
    +1

    my review, having previously used two cheap blue switch keyboards:

    • keys are indeed very light and prone to accidental keystrokes/double keystrokes if you rest your fingers on them
    • big upgrade from my previous no-name mech keyboards in terms of comfort and 'feeling'
    • media keys are surprisingly useful. i love the volume roller
    • my typing accuracy has improved with this but itll probably take a while to get used to how easy it is to accidentally double tap a key with the short keypress distance
    • keyboard is noticeably quieter than a blue switch one

    im too much of a cheapskate to buy new switches or keycaps anytime soon so ill stick with these silver switches until they break. highly recommend at this price point

    • TimR31 on 14/12/2021 - 10:33

      Cheers for the review, I agree with everything! Especially the volume scroller usefulness; was a big surprise for me. I wouldn't have considered it important when making a decision prior to owning this board, but now I wouldn't own one without.

      My typing style thankfully doesn't induce double presses, but I am having to increase my accuracy to stop accidentally hitting two keys at once. But it's such a joy to use that I genuinely don't mind hitting backspace and typing again

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