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Showing 1 of 28 conversations about:
chriswck
6
Jul 26, 2020
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Spotted this release a week or so back, and since I'm cheap, went on Taobao to try a bit of luck. Lo and behold, the base version (without Drop collab(?)) retailing for just below fifty USD. Not sure what changes Drop will be making to this particular release aside from the key caps; but in case you're curious, this is what I found with the non-Drop "base" version.
- Bought the RGB Gateron Red Switch with Bluetooth 5.0, all black PBT key caps. Board has a plastic frame, small 5/6(?) degree incline. Extensible legs to further prop up the back (one height). Came with a ~1.5m USB-A to USB-C cable, wire key cap puller, short/stout key switch puller, user manual (a single A4 printed paper). According to manual, keyboard weighs in at around 870g
- Hot-swappable, plate mount "cherry-like" stabilizers, white aluminum plate, PCB supports 3/5 pins
- Switch housing wobble present, filmed them and they're now very fine. These "cherry-like" stabs do not look like genuine cherry. They have a good amount of wobble, and the "stab slider" had way more wiggle room than what I've seen before with any other stabs. They came out of factory with a small amount of lube - did some mods to eliminate the wobble and re-lubed them - still feels off, e.g. the two sides of the space bar feels different and inconsistent. Not sure if it's just my batch or not.
- Wireless connectivity - Bluetooth connects up to 3 devices. Not sure how to figure out the encryption used as some the commentors have been asking - will give it a try if you let me know how
- Media function keys - supported. (1) My PC (2) Homepage (3) Calculator (4) Media Player (5) Previous (6) Next (7) Play/Pause (8) Stop (9) Mute (10) Volume down (11) Volume up. No print on caps
- MacOS support - (kind of) supported with a Fn key combination toggle. The keys along the space bar row will be in Mac format. Media function keys remain unchanged. (No additional Mac-friendly key caps, like those from Keychron)
- RGB features - pretty much identical color schemes with those on a Keychron; can adjust speed and brightness; static and dynamic color schemes; lights can be toggled on/off. LED light sits on the top/north side of the PCB. Keyboard remembers the last used color scheme and brightness level after switching off and back on (not sure if this is a given for RBG keyboards, but thought I'd just put it here as well)
- Battery life - been using this for almost a week, without much lighting on and still going. Some sources say the capacity is around 2700mAH.
- Programmability, firmware support - did not find any official firmware update support nor programmability software, using the QR code official links on the bottom of the keyboard even in Chinese version. Right now Fn+Del = Ins
(Edited)
ShadesGuide
0
Jul 31, 2020
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chriswckHey! Thank you so much for the details you provided.
I've got a few more wireless-specific questions for you if you don't mind. =)
1. If you're using the keyboard in wired mode, what do you do to switch to wireless? Do you just hit Fn + 1,2,3 like on Keychron keyboards?
2. I'm assuming there's no physical switch on the keyboard to change between wired/wireless mode--I haven't been able to find one on any of the images I've found online. Do you have to disconnect the USB cable to connect to a device wirelessly?
3. It looks like a dongle comes with this keyboard in particular. Is the dongle necessary to use the keyboard wirelessly?
(Edited)
baller1308
1
Aug 5, 2020
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ShadesGuideThe keyboard on Drop is not Bluetooth, it requires a receiver for wireless usability. The difference will be little to no lag when compared to the Bluetooth version. So if you wanted to use it for gaming it should be fine, if it is like other 2.4 wireless keyboards. Downside is that you won’t be able to switch quickly between multiple devices like Bluetooth.
natthaps
37
Aug 9, 2020
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chriswckI also ordered the Bluetooth from taobao and when paired with my MacBook Pro 2015, the input sometimes gets laggy or repeated. However, it functions perfectly fine with my phone (Samsung Galaxy S10) and my 6th generation iPad.
I guess the Bluetooth model also need firmware update as well, but Keycool website seems inaccessible at the moment. Did you manage to find the firmware update?
ShadesGuide
0
Aug 11, 2020
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natthapsHey! How do you switch between wired and wireless mode on your Bluetooth version? I'm so tempted to pull the trigger and get the same one on taobao.
natthaps
37
Oct 1, 2020
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ShadesGuideThere should be a manual in English bundled in the box, so you don't need to worry about this.
chriswck
6
Feb 12, 2021
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kevinhHey! Sorry for the tardy response. Now with a bit more experience - was still quite new to the mech keeb scence back then - I now realize, yes, those stabs were terrible haha. I would say to just get a new set of genuine Cherry or Durock stabs. I ended up selling this board in favor of my Keydous NJ68 - my daily driver ever since. 75% not really my thing, and really enjoy 65%. Good luck!
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