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Drop Carina Mechanical Keyboard Kit

Drop Carina Mechanical Keyboard Kit

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60% Switch Plate
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Drop Holy Panda X Mechanical Switches
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Drop Skylight Series Keycap Set
Product Description
Fashioned with a frosty acrylic case and programmable LED lighting, the 60% Carina mechanical keyboard kit comes together in minutes, and shines bright for years to come.
Review Highlights:
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Pleasantly Surprised!
So for my first dive into the custom market I couldn't of asked for a better keyboard. The build was therapeutic and painstakingly fun. If you look past the stabs which you should, because we all know Drop's Stabs need work that's being nice about it. The case is well constructed and thought out (could use one more screw on bottom left side) 2 USB type C ports, 60% layout, easy setup and guides along the way. Did have some trouble with the flash as this was my first one, but as soon as I took a deep breath and read closely I was good to go. As for RGB works good, looks good and for me a plus. I work a lot at night and still can't remember the keys so north facing switches works in my favor so I can see what I'm doing. Last but definitely not least this is the quietest keyboard I have ever used and I Love It. 70g Silent Tactile Aliaz Switches Lubed w/Krytox205 G0, Band-aid modded the PCB, Cherry Plate Mount Stabs Modded and Lubed of course (Krytox205 G0/Dielectric Grease), Brass Plate, and White Pudding Caps. Yeah Ya boy set this SH** up right!!
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Would recommend to a friend.
This is an amazing beginner and overall keyboard kit for anyone!
I bought this after I bought the NK65 Entry and I wanted to compare them, and for me, this beats it. This keyboard is literally AMAZING. The only downside I experienced or would recommend doing, is getting different stabs, just because the ones included rattle quite a bit. Besides that, this is an almost perfect board for me. Also another quick thing, putting on keycaps might require a bit of extra force usually on the ones with stabs but just check all of them by pressing them down with extra force.
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Would recommend to a friend.
See all 290 reviews
Q&A Highlights:
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Very new to this side of mech keyboards and this caught my attention off the rip. Is there anything (aside from the switch plate) that I need to purchase to make this a complete keyboard? I'd hate to order this only to realize I need something else!
you'll also need switches and key caps
Will this assemble without the add-on plate or do I need to also get a plate to assemble with this?
u do need a plate to fully assemble it
See all 121 questions

The Brightest Spot in Your Setup

Named after the Carina constellation, which signifies the hull of a ship in Latin, this keyboard is one vessel with a formidable foundation. Built with a frosty acrylic case and fully programmable RGB LEDs, the Carina is designed to brighten up any space. Sculpted in the 60% form factor, it’s space-efficient and portable. Unique to the Carina’s design is the combination of a tray-mount construction and hot-swap capability. In lieu of an integrated plate, the keyboard features a tray mount, allowing you to easily switch to a new plate material (three of which are available) for a different switch feel. Even with this added layer of customization, we’ve retained the keyboard’s hot-swap capability, so you can plug in new switches on the fly—no soldering required. Perhaps best of all, it takes just a Phillips-head screwdriver and a few easy steps to assemble.

Note: This kit comes disassembled and does not include a switch plate, keycaps, or switches. The kit includes a case, PCBA, stabilizers, USB cable, and all necessary hardware. Use the add-on feature to order your Carina switch plate.

Drop Carina Mechanical Keyboard Kit
Drop Carina Mechanical Keyboard Kit
Drop Carina Mechanical Keyboard Kit

Next-Level LED Lighting

When it comes to LED lighting, the Carina is second to none. Choose from millions of colors for every single key, set the keyboard to cycle through the entire spectrum, or opt for a single color to match your workspace—the possibilities are endless. What’s more, the LEDs are situated toward the center of the PCBA (as opposed to the edges), which makes them appear even smoother under typical lighting conditions. Don’t worry about flickering, either: the LEDs display at a high frequency of 100 hertz for clarity, night or day.

Drop Carina Mechanical Keyboard Kit
Drop Carina Mechanical Keyboard Kit
Drop Carina Mechanical Keyboard Kit

Fully Programmable Via QMK

Customizing your keyboard is essential, especially for smaller layouts. That’s why the Carina features a fully programmable PCBA, designed for modification. Using QMK firmware, you have total control over every key. Plus, the configurator allows you to customize keymapping so you can easily fine-tune your keyboard for gaming, work, or play. It’s also outfitted with the latest USB-C connection for reliable performance.

Drop Carina Mechanical Keyboard Kit
Drop Carina Mechanical Keyboard Kit

Pick a Plate, Any Plate

A keyboard’s plate is a slim piece of material (usually metal) that sits between the switches and the PCBA. Depending on the material you choose, the plate will interact with the switches differently. In an effort to offer even more customization, the Carina is available with your choice of three add-on plates. First is aluminum. The most common material found in custom keyboard kits, aluminum offers a good balance of stiffness and flexibility to complement most switches. Second is brass. With a higher stiffness rating than aluminum, it provides an even sturdier feel. Last is copper. Similar to brass in its chemical makeup, copper provides a rigid, satisfying feel. Many typists prefer to match stiff plates with tactile switches to accentuate their tactility, while others prefer to pair flexible plates with linear switches for a more dynamic feel. If you can’t decide, get all three and find what works best for you.

Drop Carina Mechanical Keyboard Kit
Drop Carina Mechanical Keyboard Kit

Switch plate options

Specs

  • Form factor: 60%
  • Layout: fixed, ANSI (61-keys)
  • Case type: High-profile (frosted acrylic CNC case)
  • Mount type: Tray 
  • Typing angle: 6 degrees
  • Custom PCBA
  • Hot-swap switch sockets
  • QMK firmware
  • Stabilizer mount: plate-mounted Cherry-style only
  • Switch mount: plate-mounted (3-pin) or PCBA-mounted (5-pin) MX-style 
  • Plate: 1.5mm thick aluminum, brass, or copper switch plate (must be added to purchase)
  • Dual USB-C connectors
  • Dimensions: 11.5 x 4.1 x 1.5 in (29.2 x 10.4 x 3.8 cm)
  • Weight (no switches or keycaps): 16.4 oz (465 g)

Included

  • Acrylic case
  • PCBA
  • Stabilizers
  • USB cable
  • Assembly hardware
  • Rubber feet strips

RETURNS—NO QUESTIONS ASKED

We get it. Sometimes what you ordered just doesn’t work out. If that’s the case for you, don’t fret! All customers (both US and international) may return this item in new, unused condition within 30 days of delivery.

Shipping

Estimated ship date is July 31, 2023 PT.

Payment will be collected at checkout. Cancellations are accepted up to 2 hours after checkout for in-stock items, or up until pre-order ships.

As Seen In
Top Customer Questions121
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Question
Where can I find the QMK version that work with the Carina?
Feb 6, 2021
Top Answer
cappie013
19
Found it! https://drop.com/mechanical-keyboards/configuratorRead More
Feb 7, 2021
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Question
What is the size of the space bar?
Feb 21, 2021
Top Answer
Feb 22, 2021
Question
Will this assemble without the add-on plate or do I need to also get a plate to assemble with this?
Jan 21, 2021
Top Answer
okhate
9
u do need a plate to fully assemble itRead More
Jan 25, 2021
See 3 More
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User Photos242

Customer Reviews

4.2
(290 reviews)
5star
(146)
4star
(103)
3star
(19)
2star
(10)
1star
(12)
88% would recommend to a friend
By Feature
Sound
SilentLoud
Feel
StiffFlexible
Build Quality
4.0(3)
Paired SwitchPopular among reviewers
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