[Pre Order] EPOMAKER 680 Gasket Mechanical Keyboard DIY Kit US$62.10 (~A$90) Free Shipping @ Epomaker

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Sammyboy on 13/05/2022 - 10:09 epomaker.com (843 clicks)
Last edited 13/05/2022 - 13:43 by 1 other user

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RRP US$79, now with US$10 Group Buy Discount and Extra 10% Discount with code. Pre-order processing Time before shipping: Late June - July, 2022 avg. (This is a rough estimation. It may change without prior notice.)

This is a very good deal for a gasket mounted mechanical keyboard with RGB and acrylic base and finally Skyloong is VIA and QMK programmable. Keycaps and switches are not supplied.

IMO most of the brands under Epomaker are very good for their price. I own Skyloong, Akko keyboards. I've found them much better quality (heavier thicker case and key caps than the general Keychron boards (which has quite a big following). The only downside was that Epomaker boards weren't VIA or QMK programmable. So finally they have implemented it. Keychron has just started releasing some gasket boards but they are much more expensive. Their 65% gasket Q2 is USD$149.

It would be hard to find something similar with those specs.

For those that don't know, Group Buy is like a pre order. However the final production dates can be more likely to change and if they fail to get enough orders, there is a chance the order will be cancelled and you will be refunded.

You will have to get your own keycaps and switches.

The other option is wait until these boards appear on Amazon much later after the group buy. But could also come prebuild with switches and caps

Edit 1 - for those unsure about Epomaker…they are a massive company. So will be quite safe to buy from, unlike some of the one off group buy start ups which have disappeared after one dodgy release. I've bought from them and also from their sub company Akko (.com and .eu) and all have arrived pretty fast via courier.

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  ginormousgiraffe on 13/05/2022 - 10:39

  +7

  Pair this with:
  8x Gateron Yellow Switches (10 pack) - $30.80 (You could probably get away with 7 packs but you might want a few spare if it's your first time)

  1x Tribosis 3204 - $9.46

  1x Durock Plate Mount Stabilisers - 14.50
  +$6.50 shipping

  1x Aliexpress keycaps ~$55

  You will also need a small paintbrush for a dollar or so and a keycap opener which is another few dollars (or free with a 3d printer). With the keyboard you're looking at around $200 for a keyboard that will beat almost all prebuilt keyboards. It should look and feel great.

  • 

    SteamedHams00 on 13/05/2022 - 10:47

    +1

    Would use Krytox 205g0 for linear switches, Tribosis 3204 for tactiles

    • 

      ginormousgiraffe on 13/05/2022 - 10:49

      +1

      I would too but probably not worth the $30 difference for an entry build.

    • 

      Hugh G Rection on 13/05/2022 - 19:45

      nope, krypton for both. for tactile switches you only do the side rails, don't put any on the leaf or you will lose that sharp bump. it will be a smooth bump if you lube the leaf side.

• 

  dainese on 13/05/2022 - 10:40

  +1

  Looks similar to this one: https://www.keebmonkey.com/products/keebmonkey-kbmg68pro-gas…

  Nice neat unit. I have the one from Keebmonkey. The plate isn't large enough to allow screw in stabs though the PCB supports. Heard that you have to dremel and cut plate, which is a proper pain in the butt

• 

  Jackolow on 13/05/2022 - 18:44

  Does anyone have any good recommendations for a 100%/96% base?

  It'll be my first build, but I have an idea for switches and keycaps already. Just need a base to put it on

  • 

    Hugh G Rection on 13/05/2022 - 19:41

    very hard to find. your best bet for something decent would be getting a TKL and numpad on the side.

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  Hugh G Rection on 13/05/2022 - 19:41

  -1

  trash. save your money. this is very similar to my acr67 that i and many others complained about already.

  is it a gasket mount? kinda. this has zero movement as you would expect from a typical gasket mount. there is no room in the case for movement. it is flat against the pcb, and you use huge rubber feet in the back to get you the typing angle you want, instead of the case having room inside to travel and the case creating the angle.

  this is a stiff board, spend a little more on a kbd67 and be a million times happier. the kbd67 is the the bottom of the list for custom keyboards, but very good. then you work up from there.

  • 

    Sammyboy on 13/05/2022 - 20:49

    +2

    That's like saying don't buy a Hyundai Accent. That's trash. Go buy a BMW 320 it's much better. A KBD67 will set you back USD $99 plus USD $40 shipping. That's 2.5x the cost of the Skyloong. This suits a certain budget. It's a good beginner board to start with and much better than what's on offer at that price point. Ironically the KBD67 gives a much better sound in the original plastic case than the upgraded aluminium case. I almost bought the mirror finish case until I heard the sound comparisons. Ended up buying the Phase One (honestly dunno what I was thinking) from kbdfans instead…which has been delayed in Sydney which I'm not happy about. Been typing on a Mojo68 which has a lot of flex to it. Really comfortable to type on.

  • 

    Sammyboy on 14/05/2022 - 02:33

    btw I didn't neg you