Chicony KB-5981 review (Monterey Blue)

[chyros]

Here's my latest review:

Chicony KB-5981 with Monterey Blue (SMK Alps mount) switches

This is apparently the only SMK Alps mount model of board with windows keys. The board itself is somewhat, but not terribly sturdy, and has a generic "Model M"-like shape. It is partly clamped, partly bolted, and as such feels reasonably put together, but certainly nothing to write home about. The two-part flip-out feet are nice, and it has a (very rudimentary) cable gutter, but really, the only truly notable feature of the keyboard is the switches.

The Monterey switches are apparently held in high regard, and frankly, I can see why. They feel delicious to type on. At 60 gf, they're at a very comfrotable medium weighting that should be compatible with most people's tastes. The typing feel is very comparable to Alps switches, but with sharper, very crisp tactility. The switches feel so delicate that it actually makes you type lighter. The click is pretty much a quieter, higher-pitched, shallower version of Alps SKCM white. Although the Monterey switch definitely feels more refined than the Alps switch, I still prefer the bassier, fuller clicky sound of the Alps, although having a quieter switch can be a big advantage in an open office.

For gaming, these switches hold up well too. They're light and have no hysteresis, and have a quite low actuation point, so it's pretty easy to quickly tap them. It only has 2-key rollover though, so some combinations don't work very well.

All in all this is one of my favourite keyboards, purely and solely due to the switches. I can definitely recommend any board with these switches in it, especially if you like Alps switches.


(PS, is it possible to embed YT videos here?)

[jacobolus]

(PS, is it possible to embed YT videos here?)

Yup:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6t85Vb4gck[/youtube]

The important bit is to make sure you link to the http: rather than https: version of the URL.

Also, people said this on your other video, but damn you have a soothing voice.

[chyros]

Cheers dude... and cheers xD .

The code doesn't seem to work though Oo . Or at least, I can't see it.

[jacobolus]

I love these switches, but IMO the case and keycaps on this and other Chicony boards are atrocious. When I was using a KB-5181 for a month, I ripped the case off and threw it away, and just set the bare plate + pcb on top of a wooden plank, and replaced all the <2x1 size keycaps with ones from an Apple Extended Keyboard II. Dramatic improvement.

[chyros]

I love these switches, but IMO the case and keycaps on this and other Chicony boards are atrocious. When I was using a KB-5181 for a month, I ripped the case off and threw it away, and just set the bare plate + pcb on top of a wooden plank, and replaced all the <2x1 size keycaps with ones from an Apple Extended Keyboard II. Dramatic improvement.

Yeah, the case really isn't the best, and the caps are very standard. It's really only the switches that are great about it xD . I tried putting some thick PBT dyesubs from an AT101 on it, which quite dramatically changed the sound, but it actually became MORE high-pitched Oo . The case is somewhat flimsy, but not all Chiconys are as bad as that; my 5162 is comparable to an AT101W or similar boards of the day and therefore quite sturdy.

Do you know how to embed this video maybe? Oo

[jacobolus]

The video is properly embedded. Perhaps some issue with your browser or its plugins?

[chyros]

You can see it? Oo That's weird, it only shows a big empty space for me there. I can see embedded videos on other sites (using Chrome) so I'd be surprised if it were that, but I'll check it out anyway, cheers.