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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: FetchOpt on Sun, 25 October 2020, 16:30:01

Title: First Build: 96 Key Keyboard suggestions
Post by: FetchOpt on Sun, 25 October 2020, 16:30:01

Hi! I am recently getting into mechanical keyboards and have been putting a bunch of time into exploring different keyboards and all of the parts that go into them. Currently, I have a Ducky one two mini frozen llama 60% which I use for gaming. However, I have been looking into getting another keyboard for work-- I would prefer to build this one, so a DIY kit/individual parts list would be ideal for me as I want to experience the building aspect!

So far, the iQunix F96 boards look awesome, I really like the formatting and how you are getting a full keyboard on a TKL size board essentially.
Link to above mentioned keyboard (for reference) https://iqunix.store/products/iqunix-f96-kat-mechanical-keyboard-wireless-bluetooth?variant=31857467129916

My work requires me to use Excel a lot, so it is crucial for me to have arrow keys, function keys, page up/dwn, and a NUM pad.
I also have considered getting something along the lines of a KBD75v2, since it has everything I want except the NUM Pad-- which I could always build or purchase on its own to have. https://kbdfans.com/collections/diy-kit/products/kbd75v2-custom-keyboard-diy-kit
RBG isnt essential to me, but it definitely is nice to have.

I have spent a lot of time searching around the internet for what I am looking for, and there are some good options out there. I wanted to make this post to see if I am missing anything and if there are better options out there, I know there are so many options and different keyboards out there from group buys to products available now.
Keep in mind, I really would prefer to build this keyboard, otherwise I would have just bought an already assembled one like the Iqunix KAT I linked above  :)

Any and all suggestions, information, and encouragement is welcome!
Thanks in advance :)

Title: Re: First Build: 96 Key Keyboard suggestions
Post by: subramandal on Tue, 27 October 2020, 07:39:03

If you are looking for a READILY available 96% keyboard kit that you want to build yourself, there are a few options from YMDK that come at various price points. I recall the KBD19x from KDBfans being available for purchase a month ago, but I could be mistaken.

1. YMDK 96 (hotswap or soldered PCB)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32997924067.html

2. YMDK Melody 96 w/ acrylic bottom (hotswap or soldered PCB)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000324958017.html

3. YMDK Melody 96 w/ brass weight (hotswap or soldered PCB)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000324958017.html

Title: Re: First Build: 96 Key Keyboard suggestions
Post by: FetchOpt on Thu, 29 October 2020, 10:41:43

I really like the Harmony-- thank you!

Title: Re: First Build: 96 Key Keyboard suggestions
Post by: treeleaf64 on Thu, 29 October 2020, 22:20:35

Good luck. Yeah that board is nice for a first build

Title: Re: First Build: 96 Key Keyboard suggestions
Post by: Damogron on Thu, 29 October 2020, 23:55:00

There's few potentially coming soon if you're willing to wait...

https://zambumon.com/sar/
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=108777
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=109254
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=107608

Title: Re: First Build: 96 Key Keyboard suggestions
Post by: DrivenKeys on Sat, 31 October 2020, 03:26:52

If you look at Kickstarter, the Epomaker GK96 and SK96(optical) are about to drop on Monday. They're hotswappable 96 key compact full size with a pretty deep level of programmability. Epomaker/Skyloong seem to sell pre-built versions of popular hobbyist boards, so this might be a good budget option for you to begin with.