My 75% Thread

[SightUp]

I have been looking for a 75% keyboard for at least the last three months, if not more. I am going to confine my 'check' to this thread, bumping it every month or so to see what's new. Here is what I would really like in my new 75%.

• ninja keys, if there is one in the kit
• floating keys
• thin bezel
• programmable keys or the del keys on the very top right
• no LEDs
• alloy chassis
• nothing extra that isn't on other keyboards

Clearly, I am not going to get all of those, but I am OK with just some of those. So...

What's on the table right now available to purchase, about to drop and being spoken about?

[Sup]

There is no low profile 75% aluminium case. There is a YMDK 84 Kit it has a low profile acrylic case,plate,stabs,pcb etc. Key caps can be easy bought separate. How the quality is no clue.

It looks like this.

[Zuology]

• ninja keys, if there is one in the kit
• floating keys
• thin bezel
• programmable keys or the del keys on the very top right
• no LEDs
• alloy chassis
• nothing extra that isn't on other keyboards

Clearly, I am not going to get all of those, but I am OK with just some of those. So...

What's on the table right now available to purchase, about to drop and being spoken about?

Have you checked out http://keyboardcatalog.com/75-percent

Floating style (which generally also have thin bezels) restricts your selections in what is already a small selection of 75% boards. 

If you mean ninja printed keycaps, you can always do that after the fact, and is the most realistic option.

Have you looked at the XD84 from kprepublic? They have some inexpensive floating-style cases, and you can use other "standard" 75% PCBs like KBD75, etc.

Not trying to sell you on stuff, but I have a Drevo Excalibur with mx brown switches, silvery aluminum alloy case, very minimal. It does have white backlit LEDs which are very easily disabled. DEL key is in top right corner. Easy OEM off-the-shelf option. Can be tricky to find through normal retail depending, but if you're in CONUS you can PM me if interested. I do have a set of ninja-printed keycaps that may also fit.

[SightUp]

There is no low profile 75% aluminium case. There is a YMDK 84 Kit it has a low profile acrylic case,plate,stabs,pcb etc. Key caps can be easy bought separate. How the quality is no clue.

It looks like this.

Show Image

This is nice. Is it a temp drop? Or is it always available?

• ninja keys, if there is one in the kit
• floating keys
• thin bezel
• programmable keys or the del keys on the very top right
• no LEDs
• alloy chassis
• nothing extra that isn't on other keyboards

Clearly, I am not going to get all of those, but I am OK with just some of those. So...

What's on the table right now available to purchase, about to drop and being spoken about?

Have you checked out http://keyboardcatalog.com/75-percent

Floating style (which generally also have thin bezels) restricts your selections in what is already a small selection of 75% boards. 

If you mean ninja printed keycaps, you can always do that after the fact, and is the most realistic option.

Have you looked at the XD84 from kprepublic? They have some inexpensive floating-style cases, and you can use other "standard" 75% PCBs like KBD75, etc.

Not trying to sell you on stuff, but I have a Drevo Excalibur with mx brown switches, silvery aluminum alloy case, very minimal. It does have white backlit LEDs which are very easily disabled. DEL key is in top right corner. Easy OEM off-the-shelf option. Can be tricky to find through normal retail depending, but if you're in CONUS you can PM me if interested. I do have a set of ninja-printed keycaps that may also fit.

I actually like KDB75 but evidently it's of lower quality than say a Xeno or that other one that is of equal cost....

I do not buy used things. Not saying I am better, it's just a weird OCD thing of mine.

http://keyboardcatalog.com/75-percent is down atm....

[Zuology]

You won't likely be finding a low-pro 75% high quality kit (ie Xeno or similar) any time soon, given that the general opinion is that low-profile is considered cheap and sounds/looks bad to many who pay top dollar for high-end customs. That is no slight to your taste or desire, just the fact.

[SightUp]

I am more than willing to make a couple of sacrifices of what I want if most of the other things are observed! Just let me see them when they are announced and I will be happy to thumbs down it or  .

[SightUp]

Bump!

Anything new?

[SightUp]

Bump!!

[rondg]

I think the only option you have for now is build your own.

You can check out a case in kprepublic -> https://kprepublic.com/products/anodized-aluminium-flat-case-with-metal-feet-for-custom-mechanical-keyboard-black-siver-grey-colorway-for-xd84-75?_pos=2&_sid=ac076364b&_ss=r

I think (not sure, double check) that case will support the generic 75% PCBs like the kbd75 pcb. The firmware it uses is QMK, which is programmable -> https://kbdfans.com/collections/75/products/kbdfans-75-pcb-75?variant=3253744893965

I'm not sure what ninja keycaps are but here is a front-printed keycap -> https://kbdfans.com/collections/cherry-profile/products/kbd75-keyboard-keycaps-collection?variant=28945544118320

For the leds, just don't install any or don't turn the underglow on.

Buy a switch tester if you don't know what switch you want.

[Mr.Elli0t]

You could do something like this with the XD84:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi3lu7lmLzjAhWGGM0KHZauC6EQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reddit.com%2Fr%2FMechanicalKeyboards%2Fcomments%2F6wubw4%2Fsa_hyperfuse_xd84_with_bent_steel_case%2F&psig=AOvVaw1Cfwe_bXj9VSGSQncpAJVo&ust=1563461138997020

I built an XD84 and love it as my first budget 75% keyboard.

[captainkai]

I was thinking about going custom but settled on a Vortex Race 3 and am absolutely loving it.  Non-standard Esc and Del but everything else suits my needs perfectly.

https://i.imgur.com/DjDoGLI.jpg