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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: hasagi on Fri, 07 February 2020, 21:50:22

Title: Drop CTRL vs Hexgears Gemini, and a couple of other hotswappable metal TKLs
Post by: hasagi on Fri, 07 February 2020, 21:50:22

Hello, I am looking for a hotswappable metal TKL around US$200, and have narrowed down my search to the Drop CTRL and Hexgears Gemini. I have made some comparisons below based on after hours of scouring the subreddit:

• The Drop CTRL has QMK firmware which makes it much much easier to customise. However, I have read of double-tap issues plaguing board which makes me pretty nervous. Also, it does not support PCB mount switches, which is a bummer. Stabs seem to suck, but im not too worried as I can just swap them out and lube those.
• For the Hexgear Gemini, I really like the fully black frame of the keyboard. However, its Gemini's proprietary configurator seems to be a mess to deal with and its PCB seems to have tolerance issues where pulling out and pushing in switches could damage the sockets. It also does not support PCB mount switches.

Other options I have considered:

• The CU80 looks promising, but seems like I am a month too late for the group buy.
• KPRepublic's XD87 is a hotswap TKL, but unfortunately does not have a metal case.
• LFKeyboards's TKL PCB with an Aliexpress Aluminium case looks pretty solid but seems to have pretty limited plate options unfortunately.

Having weighed all of my options, I still cannot come to a conclusion - which is why I am posting here! Which board would you guys recommend? or if there are any other hotswap metal TKL boards I have missed, I would love for your opinion!