through the years, we've checked out a lot of keyboards here at mmo, but today we're searching on the rare board that's earned its way into every day use. I'm talking about the Epomaker GK68XS, a fresh crowdfunded keyboard launching to Kickstarter today. The group in the back of it aren't new to the keyboard world, however, and it's clear from the ultimate product that they've developed whatever price a a lot closer seem. I'm here to do exactly that. here is our evaluate of the Epomaker GK68XS.
requisitesif you've certainly not heard of Epomaker, don't worry. The company has been operating on their own web site and Amazon for some time, focusing on selling keyboards to a worldwide viewers. They symbolize many manufacturers that commonly operate within the enthusiast sector, like Akko, who you might understand through their work with Ducky, in addition to budget-conscious brands like Royal Kludge, Ajazz, and Magic force. With the GK68XS, they're releasing what looks to be their very first product and, frankly, they've done an awesome job with it.
As you could have guessed from the name, the GK68XS is a 68-key mechanical keyboard. That puts it in league with different 65% keyboards, just like the Durgod Hades, Ducky One 2 SF, and Rama Works KOYU. This design takes the widely wide-spread 60% design, which does away with the feature row and everything correct of the alpha keyset, and restores the arrow keys and a element of the navigation/modifying cluster. in this case, Epomaker has restored the delete and web page up/down keys (this varies between boards). The bump from 65 to sixty eight% comes from the house bar, which, as that you may see can be cut up into three secti ons, adding two extra keys, and a single-unit Fn key between Alt and Menu.
This design is effortlessly my favorite. As a gamer, it gives me instant access to all of my most-used keys and places everything else on secondary layers, accessed with the Fn or Layer switch keys. It continues the arrow keys as physical buttons, which is extremely advantageous for games, but even more so for primary writing initiatives, which is also the case for the navigation buttons. The simplest element I didn't like was the position of the backspace, since it's a row larger than my KOYU and one unit to the appropriate of most sixty five-percents. happily, remapping it's convenient if this trips you up too.
The keyboard is extremely compact, handiest a single column wider than a 60% however is functionally a whole lot greater valuable for daily initiatives and gaming. This size is incredible in case you have a small desk or without difficulty need to retain area for big mouse actions. I'm not a "sweeping mouse flow" man myself, but I still discover it more relaxed to have my wrists closer together, and it's more ergonomically sound.
The huge element you're probably questioning about is the spacebar. Out of the field, the Epomaker comes with a very common spacebar. internal one of the vital accessory programs (along with extra keycaps, switches, keycap and switch pullers, a braided USB cable, and a fabric shuttle case — there are loads of add-ons!), you'll discover a module that can also be swapped out to cut up the spacebar into three separate keys.
Why try this, you may ask? basic. on the grounds that the GK68XS has this type of compact design, you'll be inserting your whole secondary functions (like any of these F keys) and gaming macros on secondary layers. right here's every thing I maintain attached to my Fn button.
You'll notice that I don't have the rest related to gaming right here. That's as a result of all of my game shortcuts are on a layer all their own that I entry via holding the left spacebar. here is absolutely customizable, too. I might entry it simplest when held or faucet to live switch — peculiarly beneficial in case you desire a gaming keypad on one layer and a normal keyboard to your base layer. The keyboard can keep up to 3 extra layers of keys, practically making it four keyboards in a single.
if you look closely at the screenshot above, you'll also notice a bit dedicated to macros. The keyboard comes preloaded with macros for half a dozen games, together with Overwatch and PUBG, but that you may also record your personal or remap keys. which you could also completely personalize the keyboard's lighting right down to particular person keys. There are a whopping 128 distinctive lighting presets. Epomaker additionally shares that you should download new lighting presets, though I'm not certain where to find that as of this writing. lighting fixtures animations can also be saved an uploaded as files, although, so the functionality is evidently there.
The application is rough around the edges. It's absolutely useful and didn't crash, however it's no longer essentially the most consumer pleasant. I'm fairly conventional with various kinds of software, and even used a outdated edition of this suite in my 2018 evaluation of the GK64, however still had to spend a very good twenty minutes clicking around to determine how every little thing worked. fortunately, there's a useful guide tab on the bottom that tells you fundamental functions like lighting fixtures controls and resetting the keyboard to default settings right off the bat. still, you'll want to be organized for some rough edges — like desiring to practice each alternate to a given layer.
notice: The Shift key's raised as a result of I had recently taken it off and didn't press it down all of the manner. It sits as it should be in any other case. construct fine and usage Impressions back to the keyboard itself. Epomaker has executed a brilliant job with build first-rate and building. The board I confirmed become built inside a superb, one-piece aluminum case (plastic options can be found). It comes with your choice of switches from either Gateron or Cherry, and lines incredible, thick-walled, PBT keycaps with dye-sublimated legends.
however the case is accessible in plastic, if you can come up with the money for the additional, i would highly recommend picking up the aluminum case. It's accessible in both grey or crimson and is quite simply one of the crucial most advantageous materials of the entire keyboard. It weighs more than some enormous keyboards at 1.2kg, however that heft and pressure make for an outstanding typing event. There is no ping by any means and the most effective method i used to be in a position to hear any key reverb changed into if I actually held my ear above the keys. It's also well machined with no visible machining marks anywhere on the floor. this is a case I wouldn't be surprised to look shipped with a custom kit, let alone a pre-constructed keyboard, and that i wouldn't be stunned it there become even some damping material inner. I'm now not bound of the accurate angle, but i used to be in a position to class on the board with ease and not using a wrist rest or aftermar ket tilt toes.
The keycaps are equally excessive great. They use the XDA profile, which ability every row is an identical height and the letter keys all characteristic huge established legends. I discovered them very relaxed. I verified the gray set, which also contains crimson accents on the arrows and break out key. They're thick-walled, which you can hear within the typing sounds should you backside out. The dye-sublimation technique used for the legends also potential that they won't fade away, even after years of heavy use.
The downside right here is that they're now not shine-via, which reduces the quantity of RGB that makes its approach out. in its place, what you get is a light-weight bed effect that works well with the white PCB. The lights remains visible and appears respectable, but you won't be in a position to see the legends in the dead of night.
underneath these caps, the switches are sizzling-swappable. here is a type of facets that each gaming keyboard should have since it places the vigour in the palms of the gamer. Ever wish to are attempting a brand new swap however didn't are looking to purchase a whole new keyboard? The Epomaker lets you do that. All you must do is pull the historic change out and press the brand new one in. That additionally skill that if a switch ever dies, that you would be able to change that single button and never the entire board. Or, much more wonderful, you can test with have various kinds of switches in distinctive areas, like linears on your WASD keys and clickies in every single place else. I in my opinion love it because it opens the door to a a lot wider world of switches so that you can discover in a pre-made board. There are dozens and dozens obtainable and a great deal greater variety than Cherry currently offers.
scorching-swap has been standard within the GK line of keyboards (it's a favored line in the customized keyboard world and has many versions), nonetheless it's clear that Epomaker has taken feedback from the neighborhood. the availability of case alternate options, customizable keycaps alternate options — each of excessive great, small touches like the lack of ping when slamming the keys — these are all things even most important agencies get incorrect and Epomaker nailed.
They even went so far as to lube the stabilizers so they wouldn't rattle. in case you're now not a keyboard fanatic, the doubtless sounds vaguely dirty (trust me, i do know… I'm the man telling my colleagues to lube their stabs). but, in case you've used a gaming keyboard, you've likely noticed that the longer, stabilized keys have a more robust pitched sound and can even sound a bit of affordable or grating. That's because the wire underneath is literally rattling against the plastic housing of its mechanism. The repair is fast and easy (add a small quantity of grease to the wire) however most corporations quite simply pass that step, even if it capacity a worse universal typing adventure.
Epomaker took that step however, at the least on my board, have been a bit over-zealous with the lube. The stabilized keys were quiet, but also felt a little gradual in comparison to the rest of my keys. After getting rid of the extra, I discovered the keyboard to present a truly super typing journey. The keys are fast and responsive, the sound is one of the choicest I've ever heard on a prebuilt keyboard, and the standard sound is quieter than the substantial majority of my construction gaming keyboards.
briefly, Epomaker nailed it.
Oh, additionally: the keyboard has a microphone constructed into it. one of the vital lights presets makes use of the microphone to set off the LEDs, so it could flash together with your track or key clacking. fairly neat.
remaining ideasThe Epomaker GK68XS isn't a wholesale new keyboard. It's constructed on an outstanding, proven basis which has allowed the crew to center of attention on customizing the board, its options, and bring the unbelievable construct exceptional I've skilled over the last two weeks of use. It's not each day a evaluate merchandise is available in that i take advantage of after the assessment is completed, however this is fully going to live in my rotation. It's a premade keyboard that seems like a custom. It's a custom that's been premade for you.
It doesn't depend the way you examine it. on the conclusion of the day, what it is is a great keyboard and a challenge it truly is absolutely price helping. It is among the most reliable pre-constructed boards which you could purchase at this time and is greater than competent for any genre of online game you savour. if you need a brand new keyboard or just wish to upgrade your gaming setup, the Epomaker GK68XS is a pretty good choice.
9.0Amazing
execs
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