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Product Description
Have it your way with the Tada68: a custom mechanical keyboard with 68 keys and your choice of virtually everything else. The layout is compact, though it still has the crucial arrow keys and function keys on the right side Read More
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The 65G Zealios are perfect for me. The stock keycaps are actually decent, though I'd probably prefer 2 1.5u keys to the right of the spacebar rather than 3 1u keys. The case feels a bit cheap.
Solid keyboard, customizable once you figure out firmware
I got this keyboard "for those times" when you have to type on someone's machine, or some device, that doesn't allow you to software-remap to Dvorak. It took me a while to figure out how to work the configurator (https://config.qmk.fm/#/tada68/LAYOUT_ansi), and then how to create "sticky layers" to go between Dvorak and QWERTY layouts, but once I got that sorted, this became my "dream travel keyboard" - nice to type on, and guaranteed comfortable layout.
As with any keyboard of the flashable firmware ilk, I recommend having a firmware image handy for reflashing in case it stops acting like a keyboard (which happened to my daily driver: an Ergodox Infinity - reflashing worked a treat.)
The drop is standard, nothing out of the ordinary. Glad the aluminum case was included as an option.
Chose Gateron browns (mistake) so I replaced them with Kailh Cream switches (lubed with Kryotox 205). Sings like butter on leather now. Soldering on the board wasn't great by the way.
Only issue I had was with my "w" key. Its profile is Row 3 for some reason:
Having been using it for about a day now, This is a fantastic keyboard. The layout is perfect, I slipped right in to being able to type on this, no key in a weird spot. Rarely do I miss type more then I usually do as well which I consider a massive plus. The layout editor while sketchy seeming is quite nice, Easy to use and it's nice to be able to edit the layout how you'd like, especially the FN layer. The backlight is great with its several lighting modes, Nothing really negative I can say about that. The construction seem great, Good and steady, but that leads me to my first point of negativity towards the QC on this board. The USB port is not good. I've be experiencing disconnecting if I move the cable a certain way, which i'm chalking up to a bad cable since I've tried another cable and it seems to be fine. Overall solid keyboard beside the jank-tastic cable!
I love my Pok3rs but this kb is a step above for the following reasons:
Solid. The case is solid, it feels like a brick. This kb easily weighs twice what a Pok3r weighs. I would not use it as my portable kb. The stabilizers also seem more uniform and the spacebar does not chatter like the Pok3r.
Style. The case has high profile sides and the backing plate has a satin stainless sheen to it that gives it a finished look.
Using the QMK software I was able to configure it without much hassle (although I did use my Windows box instead of my Mac for simplicity sake). The big win over the Pok3r is that if I get another kb, I can just load up my settings and go. See this https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/tree/master/keyboards/tada68
I programmed the right side 4 buttons for the lighting and left the arrows even though I'll probably never use them.
I can't speak to the keycaps, I never used them.
All that said, this was $60 more than my Pok3r RBG and $75 more than my Pok3r (no lighting), although I then went out and got new cases for them, so the spend ends up the same or more so consider that when purchasing as well.
EDIT:
Given that the Alt high profile is now available at a higher price, but with RGB, USB-C etc. for a slightly higher price, the Tada68 may be a tougher decision. I'll admit, I have an Alt on the way...
I've been using this as my office KB with o-rings on the keycaps (brown switches), it is quieter than my coworkers on their 2018 MB Pros and whatnot, probably due to the weight, but I feel like they're going to blame me for not working as hard as them.
/EDIT
It's a beauty and it feels amazing.
The only thing that should be better is the way to reprogram the keys. A small program that changes the config and saves the file without the need to go to a web and download a file and then copying it to the keyboard. That feels lazy.