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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Fri, 19 October 2012, 17:05:26

Title: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Fri, 19 October 2012, 17:05:26
Came across this on OCN a few minutes ago, thought I'd share it here.

http://en.360buy.com/product/newmen-blue-axis-wired-gaming-keyboard-gm-10/651866.html#
(http://img30.360buyimg.com/erpWareDetail/g5/M00/01/0C/rBEIDE_Gz50IAAAAAAG0_n_N7DsAAARdwIUnuEAAbUW193.jpg)

Looks like it's some cheap piece of **** board, but for $38 it might be worth it...

Here's another one:

http://en.360buy.com/product/genius-m1-mechanical-keyboard-black/586351.html

Turns out these all have fake Cherry switches, but they might still be worth buying... I might buy one and swap out the fake switches for Cherry MX Clears.

Discuss.
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Linkas on Sat, 20 October 2012, 06:59:21
How can I distinguish fake and original cherry switches? I have never seen fake cherry switch.
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Human on Sat, 20 October 2012, 08:10:34
Rapoo V7 is the original board(of fake Cherry).  Then Genius come out with their M1 and not long after that more and more brands start rebranding the same stuff over and over.

If I am you, I will go for the RapooV7(cost only 210RMB shipped in TaoBao) and swap off those fake switches and put real Cherry onto it. The Rapoo V7 actually had programmable at hardware level.
http://deskthority.net/news-reviews-f4/the-rapoo-v7-fully-programmable-mechanical-under-40-t1153.html

Though, the main downside(apart from the fake switches) are probably the 2KRO part.
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Human on Sat, 20 October 2012, 08:11:35
How can I distinguish fake and original cherry switches? I have never seen fake cherry switch.
Those fake switch are made by Kaihua(kailih). They don't have the Cherry Logo and TM on the switches.
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Sat, 20 October 2012, 08:13:53
I just bought one for the hell of it.  I will most likely swap out the fake switches for real ones.
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: ranviper on Sat, 20 October 2012, 09:23:41
Post a review of the keyboard, before and after the switch swap. Could be very informative, or at the least interesting. Or vice versa rather.. lol
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: wetto on Sat, 20 October 2012, 09:26:22
That is, if it's even possible to switch the fake ones for real ones.

Else, guess we'll see another one of those videos where keyboards are destroyed or not?
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: BucklingSpring on Sat, 20 October 2012, 11:21:05
TVS Gold is about the same price and comes with REAL Cherry switches.
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: wetto on Sat, 20 October 2012, 11:57:50
TVS Gold is about the same price and comes with REAL Cherry switches.

Someone needs to be the first courageous souls to buy that thing, even if he's just gonna badmouth it later. We're all curious about this thing and how bad it is.  :p
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: TheQsanity on Sat, 20 October 2012, 22:15:54
With a price like that, the reviews must be good. May concider it too.
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: wetto on Sat, 20 October 2012, 22:25:48
Well, there's already articles about one of its variations here:

http://deskthority.net/news-reviews-f4/the-rapoo-v7-fully-programmable-mechanical-under-40-t1153.html

http://www.overclock.net/t/1083383/rapoo-v7-pro-mechanical-keyboard

I think it uses the same switches.



But.... I think we'll never see this happen with Cherry switches, even on the worst iOne keyboards...

(http://42.120.41.196/data/attachment/forum/month_1108/1108251341e9c4c22c0f404d44.jpg)
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: TheQsanity on Sat, 20 October 2012, 22:55:38
Who cares its cheap!
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: bounce on Sat, 20 October 2012, 23:06:11
if only it was clicky and ISO it try it for the lulz :D
Title: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Sinzz on Sun, 21 October 2012, 01:52:58
Those look like the shogun keyboards that were on this forum a while back
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: BucklingSpring on Sun, 21 October 2012, 15:35:33
TVS Gold is about the same price and comes with REAL Cherry switches.

Someone needs to be the first courageous souls to buy that thing, even if he's just gonna badmouth it later. We're all curious about this thing and how bad it is.  :p

I own one... But I don't know if I qualify to badmouth it according your standard.
I didn't buy it... It was given to me for free by a very nice Indian guy working for Infosys.

-Soft keycaps making them terribly wobbly and easy to remove from the switch... They will come off even when you are not trying to do so.
-Paper light keyboard... I think this keyboard is metal detector proof.
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Lu_e on Sun, 21 October 2012, 15:41:24
(http://www.seinfeldscripts.com/images/newman1.jpg)
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Sun, 21 October 2012, 15:57:43
^ Well hello, Newman...
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: darksakul on Mon, 22 October 2012, 09:49:34
Well, there's already articles about one of its variations here:

http://deskthority.net/news-reviews-f4/the-rapoo-v7-fully-programmable-mechanical-under-40-t1153.html

http://www.overclock.net/t/1083383/rapoo-v7-pro-mechanical-keyboard

I think it uses the same switches.



But.... I think we'll never see this happen with Cherry switches, even on the worst iOne keyboards...

Show Image
(http://42.120.41.196/data/attachment/forum/month_1108/1108251341e9c4c22c0f404d44.jpg)

Yeah I never though I see Yellow stems.

But honestly I only seen that happen with metal keycaps where the step got stick or some idiot used glue to keep the keycaps in place.
Even then you more than likely pull out the whole stem assembly over just snapping off the stem
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: wetto on Mon, 22 October 2012, 09:52:37
Well, there's already articles about one of its variations here:

http://deskthority.net/news-reviews-f4/the-rapoo-v7-fully-programmable-mechanical-under-40-t1153.html

http://www.overclock.net/t/1083383/rapoo-v7-pro-mechanical-keyboard

I think it uses the same switches.



But.... I think we'll never see this happen with Cherry switches, even on the worst iOne keyboards...

Yeah I never though I see Yellow stems.

But honestly I only seen that happen with metal keycaps where the step got stick or some idiot used glue to keep the keycaps in place.
Even then you more than likely pull out the whole stem assembly over just snapping off the stem

That is, if you do use original Cherry MX switches, that most likely won't happen... But since this ain't the case...
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Tue, 30 October 2012, 17:17:14
It came in the mail today:

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/IMG_2198.JPG)
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/IMG_2199.JPG)

Out of the box, the space bar stabilizers are already broken.  Not cool...

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/IMG_2205.JPG)

They were ****ty stabilizers anyways... at least they're intact on all the other large keys:

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/IMG_2206.JPG)

Red Kailh (Cherry MX clone) switches:

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/IMG_2201.JPG)
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/IMG_2209.JPG)

Overall, the switches themselves aren't too bad.  And at least it came with 8 (WASD and arrow keys) actual Cherry (Black) switches:

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/IMG_2202.JPG)
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/IMG_2203.JPG)
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/IMG_2208.JPG)

Side-by-side switch comparison:

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/IMG_2220.JPG)
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/IMG_2221.JPG)
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/IMG_2222.JPG)

EDIT: Resized images.  Hopefully you can see them now...
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 30 October 2012, 18:16:43
Worth the $38, do you reckon?
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: SmallFry on Tue, 30 October 2012, 18:18:50
What do they Rip0meter at?
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Tue, 30 October 2012, 18:20:19
What do they Rip0meter at?
brb...
*grabs handful of nickles to go find out*
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Tue, 30 October 2012, 18:34:29
The Kailh red clones weigh in at 50g on the Rip-O-Meter, where as the MX Blacks weigh in at 60g.

(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/IMG_2228.JPG)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/IMG_2229.JPG)

Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: FoxWolf1 on Tue, 30 October 2012, 19:32:33
Very interesting! So what's it like to use? Is the plate plastic? Has it disintegrated into dust and scraps of tape yet?
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Tue, 30 October 2012, 19:51:41
Very interesting! So what's it like to use? Is the plate plastic? Has it disintegrated into dust and scraps of tape yet?
Haven't typed on it yet.  It's more of a project board, I immediately began disassembling it as soon as I got it.  I really have no interest in typing on it until I receive the MX Clear switches for it (I'm sure mkawa has shipped them out by now...)

As for the plate, it is a 1/16th inch steel plate (surprisingly, as I too was expecting a cheap plastic plate).
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: TheQsanity on Tue, 30 October 2012, 19:52:57
Im sure the keyboard should be decent. But the keycap plastic might be thin or something. First - look review?

How much for the board and shipping + the mx clears with shipping.

Keep us updated on any issues you may come across!
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Tue, 30 October 2012, 20:01:59
Keycaps are complete ****.  Too thin, with crappy stabilizers (broken off on the space bar already :( ).  Will have to look into getting a replacement set if at all possible...

Anyone out there seen stabilizers like this before?

(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/IMG_2231.JPG)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/IMG_2206.JPG)
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: danielucf on Tue, 30 October 2012, 20:44:08
Man at $39 it seems worth the extra money to just get a CM QFR with MX Blacks at $51 if the $40 off coupon still works. Then you at least get normal stabilizers and decent keys.
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Tue, 30 October 2012, 20:45:50
Man at $39 it seems worth the extra money to just get a CM QFR with MX Blacks at $51 if the $40 off coupon still works. Then you at least get normal stabilizers and decent keys.

Yeah, definitely not buying another one of these.  The only reason I bought this one to begin with was to swap out the switches for MX Clears...
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: SmallFry on Tue, 30 October 2012, 20:59:11
Herm... the springs might be worth it for that price... Korean 50g springs! How many keys does this thing have? Also, the switches are linear, yes?
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Hak Foo on Wed, 31 October 2012, 00:21:45
For the money, I'd go another Hamilton and get a 1008XM/1087XM.  It's not gonna be Cherry, but it's no-compromises layout and fairly nice build quality.
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: TheQsanity on Wed, 31 October 2012, 00:39:53
Well their caps may be compareable to Razer's. ><

At least it is programmable?

Take another picture but shine a light on it. Can't see the sabilizer.
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: wetto on Wed, 31 October 2012, 00:57:33
Well their caps may be compareable to Razer's. ><

At least it is programmable?

Take another picture but shine a light on it. Can't see the sabilizer.

If it uses the same software as the Rapoo v7 keyboard, well, it is and the software may look simple, but it's quite expandable and powerful from what I've read.

http://deskthority.net/news-reviews-f4/the-rapoo-v7-fully-programmable-mechanical-under-40-t1153.html
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 31 October 2012, 08:04:53
Herm... the springs might be worth it for that price... Korean 50g springs! How many keys does this thing have? Also, the switches are linear, yes?
Yes, these are linear switches... and I'm too lazy to count exactly how many keys there are, but I estimate there are 92 keys total.  Which means there are 84 red Kailh switches and 8 Cherry Black switches on this board...

Well their caps may be compareable to Razer's. ><

At least it is programmable?

Take another picture but shine a light on it. Can't see the sabilizer.

Will take a better pic after I get home from work.  Back to work after the crazy hurricane...
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: schizrade on Wed, 31 October 2012, 11:22:32
Kick ass project none the less.
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Alessandro on Wed, 31 October 2012, 12:01:53
Those stabilizers and the plastic parts look like what I had on my Choc Mini. The plate mounted plastic parts for sure anyway.
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Batmann on Wed, 31 October 2012, 12:42:26
Looks like someone has been busy mixing silicone!
Hope this is not true glass otherwise this measuring cup is gonna be hard to clean
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 31 October 2012, 12:46:34
Looks like someone has been busy mixing silicone!
Hope this is not true glass otherwise this measuring cup is gonna be hard to clean

Good eye, Batmann...

I tried making my first key cap mold a while ago, and still haven't gotten around to cleaning up.  Not to mention that my first mold-making attempt was an epic failure.

Almost time for attempt #2...
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Rinsaku on Fri, 02 November 2012, 05:06:33
I'm wondering how bad the fake ones are compared to the real ones. o.o
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 03 November 2012, 05:01:30
You mean before or after they snap off?
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 08 November 2012, 16:41:51
Just finished swapping out the last of the switches.

Holy ****, so much soldering...
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 08 November 2012, 16:44:50
Testing:
`1234567890-=
qwertyuiop[]\
asdfghjkl;'
zxcvbnm,./

Looking good...
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 08 November 2012, 16:58:42
Your backspace doesn't work because the "=" is still there ;)
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: esoomenona on Thu, 08 November 2012, 17:00:27
And your enter key seems to be inserting itself sporadically.
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 08 November 2012, 17:11:05
Lol... actually, I was expecting at least one dead key, but I have yet to find one...

The only thing I messed up was the LED on the Caps Lock switch.  Accidentally pulled one of the leads out of it when I was removing it.  But oh well, that's no biggy...
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: TheQsanity on Fri, 09 November 2012, 02:00:09
Nice. Pics? Gotta see what you did to them!
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: jeroplane on Fri, 09 November 2012, 02:12:05
Looking at the pictures of the stabilisers on the last page, it looks like they've used the kind that can be found in most rubberdome keyboards. I've seen them used in a Dell rubberdome, where the metal rods are clipped into the key itself which then hook onto the little hooks on the keyboard plate. No doubt one of the ways in which they cut costs to produce this keyboard so cheaply.
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 09 November 2012, 03:22:27
^ That sounds like less generic keycaps.  Only their keycaps will fit onto that board, unlike Costar/Cherry stabilisers that are basically interchangeable between keycaps.
Title: Re: Cheapest Mechanical Keyboard EVER?
Post by: dorkvader on Fri, 09 November 2012, 23:34:23
Looking at the pictures of the stabilisers on the last page, it looks like they've used the kind that can be found in most rubberdome keyboards. I've seen them used in a Dell rubberdome, where the metal rods are clipped into the key itself which then hook onto the little hooks on the keyboard plate. No doubt one of the ways in which they cut costs to produce this keyboard so cheaply.
They are also a little like cherry MY stabilizers.