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geekhack Community => Reviews => Topic started by: berserkfan on Mon, 27 January 2014, 09:52:03

Title: Looking for a review of Azio Levetron Mech5
Post by: berserkfan on Mon, 27 January 2014, 09:52:03
Hi Folks

This is not a Review. This is Seeking a Review.

I want an informed, Geekhack-style, geek quality review of the Azio Levetron Mech5.

I find that keyboard very intriguing. It may be very ugly, but it is also offering a modular design and truly innovative in its choice and design of buttons and layouts.

Looking on places like Amazon and google search, I find myself up against many poorly informed reviews, including from people who have never tried any non-Cherry black switches before.

The general takeaway, after skimming a bunch of reviews, is that:
Azio's numpad seems to have an unreliable connection. Many people report losing connection with the keyboard.
The keycaps are of very poor quality.
All positives tend to be very standard and could apply to any other black switch plate mounted keyboard.

Now I am hoping to hear informed views from geekhackers. Does anyone have an Azio?
Title: Re: Looking for a review of Azio Levetron Mech5
Post by: FoxWolf1 on Mon, 27 January 2014, 18:51:50
Don't have the Azio but will second your request for a review. Always been intrigued by these, because they have some less-often-seen features, and I care far more about function than looks.

The switch covers built into the plate especially interest me...increased protection against debris and liquids seems like A Good Thing, but I've only seen 1-2 other keyboards with that feature.
Title: Re: Looking for a review of Azio Levetron Mech5
Post by: berserkfan on Tue, 28 January 2014, 01:13:35
Quote from: FoxWolf1 on Mon, 27 January 2014, 18:51:50
Don't have the Azio but will second your request for a review. Always been intrigued by these, because they have some less-often-seen features, and I care far more about function than looks.

The switch covers built into the plate especially interest me...increased protection against debris and liquids seems like A Good Thing, but I've only seen 1-2 other keyboards with that feature.

Care to tell me what other keyboards had that feature? I am very curious. If these other makes aren't expensive, I might just try them out.
Title: Re: Looking for a review of Azio Levetron Mech5
Post by: FoxWolf1 on Tue, 28 January 2014, 02:20:17
The mechs from the (usually very cheap and junky) Aula brand each have variants of the system-- they don't do it quite in the same way as the Azio does, and may not protect quite as well.

Here's how it looks on their full-size (the name usually translates to something like "Dragon Abyss"):
(http://hk2.image4.pushauction.com/direct/ba/ba219cb0-fddb-43bd-a255-941d2c4b49b7/5e/5e2c714c-1887-472d-b43f-ea5761a6cda0.jpg)

Different version of the feature, from Aula's "Evil Spirit Mad Scorpion" TKL model:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTk5WDk5OQ==/z/QQcAAOxyVLNSroMG/$_57.JPG)
Title: Re: Looking for a review of Azio Levetron Mech5
Post by: johndavis33 on Thu, 20 February 2014, 14:54:57
What is going on with the switches? What's that covering on them?
Title: Re: Looking for a review of Azio Levetron Mech5
Post by: Zeal on Mon, 24 February 2014, 01:41:57
Quote from: johndavis33 on Thu, 20 February 2014, 14:54:57
What is going on with the switches? What's that covering on them?

It seems like some kind of rubber dampener? Anyone know?
Title: Re: Looking for a review of Azio Levetron Mech5
Post by: yasuo on Mon, 24 February 2014, 01:45:16
may for low travel bottoming out