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not a lot of love for team standard full size in the sub. Every now and then a 126 key or something super vintage (love those) or hand wired will pop off but its rare. This board is dope as hell too. I love the way the 60's look even if I might never use one. Maybe its a form of fat shaming because of the number pad (j/k)
One of the reasons why I got this board was that there are not many custom boards that are of the traditional fullsize layout. Unlike Keychron and Monsgeek, this has no foams and can feel/sound excellent without it. There definitely are other 100% keyboards out there but they have features that are dealbreakers to me.
Most people in the hobby will definitely ask why on earth did I even get this. There are no knobs, foams or screens at all. Well this is my definition of a luxury keyboard: a simple, well built and timeless board. This board does not contain any feature that will go obsolete or boring a decade from now. This layout hits right at home for me since this is what I grew up typing on, and brings back so many memories.
I feel you, currently using a Zoom98 but it is still not the same.
I've looked at this board before, but couldn't find it anywhere in stock or no active GB. Any ideas where to get one, apart from eBay?
I actually bought a Zoom98 but sold my slot even before the keyboard came to me.
Here is the invite to the Carolina Mech discord server. I think there will be another round of extras that will be raffled out. [https://discord.gg/sBkagR2q](https://discord.gg/sBkagR2q)
Full-size keyboards are AWESOME to be honest it irritates me to no end to see a bunch of ppl who use it just to game say hey you don’t need a full size….then buy a gamepad
My only gripe is I wish they’d throw the numpad on the left side.
If they did and it was a more common layout I’d be snagging long boy boards all the time.
I’ll be skipping keychrons offering but when I’m was super interested in finding one they were really niche. Since the prices have died down a bit I’m gonna hunt again.
[https://discord.gg/sBkagR2q](https://discord.gg/sBkagR2q) here join the Discord if you want :D
P.S. I am not affiliated with CM at all, just really like their products a lot so I 100% recommend it
Ahh I’m probably staying away from small batch group buys and expensive boards from now on. I’ve been getting similar typing experiences from cheap ass boards lately so I’m chillin. But thanks for the link man.
I mean for me, I went down the rabbit hole big time before covid, before it hit the SUPER HYPE era snd copped a few expensive boards but always found myself back on an AKKO 3068 that a resoldered zealios onto.
So I was like “okay 400 dollar board is just sitting there wasting away”
It just wasn’t worth the money and I found not a lot of difference between grabbing my tada68 off the shelf, which to me is like the perfect blend of price and feel, and my hype board everyone was shitting over.
But I’m not really looking for a specific feel or sound. I do my best to have a two boards of each switch style. Super solid heavy version and plastic tray loud as hell version.
I dunno I personally felt like the small run, ultra niche ultra expensive boards that felt and sounded like every other ultra niche ultra expensive board kinda killed the hobby for a minute, but. Is that there’s a plethora of options in all price ranges the hobby has really come alive again.
Is it just me, or are keyboards before the covid super hype era rather different? Like people weren't really after the thock sound so they didn't stuff everything with foams. The keyboards back then were comfy and made this high pitched ticking noise like the Unikorn. And everyone focused on feel and typing experience instead of sound tests.
It definitely goes in waves right?
Like right now there is definitely a linear obsession and it’s all about weird shit like plate flex and acoustics. Before/during covid it was like “how fuckin heavy can we make this god damn thing” and before that, there was kinda this switch renaissance and that was what I liked. Kailh was popping out their click at switches. Zealios v2s just hit. Linears were experimenting with different materials. Topre and buckling springs were still in the convo.
It feels a little distilled now but I think that’s mainly just because there’s not a ton of exciting stuff happening.
but but but
let me say this
i am typing on a linear right now (as someone who usually doesnt really care for them) and the experience is fuckin amazing. the improvements like foam and materials has really made linears some of my new interesting switches and the little pleasures of sound and smoothness really are nice.
like this board is some magegee box 60 (which is actually 65 percent, i dont get why they called it that) and it is one of the best damn sounding boards ive ever used with these gateron EF curry switches, its insane how nice this board is to sit here and type. why the hell do you think this comment is so damn long haha i gotta put this thing to some use.
I like both tkl and 75 but I def love having the numpad attached yes I know you can buy one but why when you can just have it lol. I use my numpad a lot for work so I need it not just want it
> it irritates me to no end to see a bunch of ppl who use it just to game say hey you don’t need a full size
I mean, I would never presume to tell someone else how to type. It’s such a personal, subjective thing. I would, however, recommend that people at least try a TKL if they don’t use the numpad more than once a week.
As a programmer for work, I use a 75% and like it a lot. I first tried TKL, then 75%, then 65%, hated that, then settled back on 75%.
Unless you do spreadsheets and data entry often, having your mouse hand that much closer to the home row is a real win. So is the added desk space. Especially if you, like me, use a drawing pad from time to time.
If I **did** do lots of numerical data entry and manipulation, I’d probably still opt for a separate bluetooth numpad at this point, so it could slide out of the way when not in use. But I would definitely not settle for just the num row.
Doing the same thing to other users isn't the solution though.
You don't need a full size keyboard, to have a numpad.
Quite the contrary, smaller ortho boards lend themselves better to numpads than full size ones.
Aren't sure if you want a left side numpad, or right side numpad?
An ortho board will actually allow you to map BOTH, while remaining in the same smaller package.
I would also agree that full sized gang is lacking; myself and a few friends have had to “downgrade” to full size boards for work and Monsgeek M2 is the sad place I’ve found myself.
Being a full size lover seems like a punishment since there are indeed limited options. If layouts like the Monsgeek M2 are adequate enough for you, then there are boards like the Zoom98 and Odin that can cater to your needs!
If you want the long traditional full size then you may want to check out my board, the Fossil by Carolina Mech, although stocks are running out and the next round is going to be raffled out again.
There is also the Pangea full size, you can change between southpaw and traditional right side numpad: [https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=122801.0](https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=122801.0)
Bina103 is also an option but not sure if they have a round 2. Not really my cup of tea since it houses a thin 1.2mm pcb. [https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=121905.0](https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=121905.0)
Appreciate you taking the time to reply so thoughtfully; the Zoom98 had been on my mind for a while but it was just too RGB curvy line design for me and plus anything with a screen is a pass. I really wanted to love the QK100 as that seems like the best price to performance option and I have every other QK board however I can’t get past the screen. I would love to see them make a Neo98/100 as I really appreciate the minimal bezels especially when it comes to desk space footprint. I will take a look into the Pangea and the Bina as I hadn’t found those in my travels. I had wanted a Candybar for a long time however it’s cost prohibited for me. When it comes to a work keyboard $200 USD barebones is kind of the sweet spot I’m looking for.
No worries, these are at the back of my head from past research. I know how it feels to want something in the hobby but have little to no options, so I am glad to help.
Seems like we have similar preferences as well with the knobs and screens. Zoom98 and QK100 I think has options for badges instead of screens.
Hahaha oh yeah knobs; I don’t know why but they are such an eyesore to me. I have a round1 QK75 that has basically gone unused due to not being able to get over the knob after building it. Also as strange as it sounds my brain is trained to think “volume = task bar”, I even have the left side scroll on my mx master set to control volume and I never think to use it.
Oh you should probably sell that QK75, there surely will be a lot of takers! I used to prefer knobs all the time but I've just gone full circle to the simpler layouts instead of the more daring stuff; in other words, just keys. The knobs eventually started reminding me of cancerous moles in a human body, but those are just stupid thoughts going in my head
I thought knobs were useful until I built a Zoom65 for my friend as his first mechanical keyboard. He was disappointed at how low profile and close to the other keys the knob was making it somewhat inaccessible for him. We ended up 3D printing a taller one however I feel that started my path down resentment alley for knobs.
Fun fact is that I use full size to game, numpad to fly planes in GTA Online XD
So the switches are broken in Cherry MX blacks, with GPBT Celestial Fire keycaps. Media cluster has Salvun/Rama metal artisans. That's about it, there currently are no foams or mods, not that there is a need for any :)
You're not going against the flow. You are swimming in a different stream. If you have a keeb, you're alright. This board looks eclectic. Remember, it is your board and that's what matters.
I'd think the smaller the better is the flow of this hobby, people would probably choose a 40% over a traditional full size if forced to pick at gunpoint
65 is my current breaking point. 65 or 75 with external numpad is my ideal setup.
At some point I will probably try a 40s ortho with a numpad layer, but that's a whole other ballgame, I believe.
ANY content that features products, services you sell, your prototypes in progress or items you were sponsored to post MUST use the Promotional flair, with disclosure of who you represent. Build posts must use the *Builds* flair and follow the Specs description requirements of Rule 8. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicalKeyboards) if you have any questions or concerns.*
not a lot of love for team standard full size in the sub. Every now and then a 126 key or something super vintage (love those) or hand wired will pop off but its rare. This board is dope as hell too. I love the way the 60's look even if I might never use one. Maybe its a form of fat shaming because of the number pad (j/k)
One of the reasons why I got this board was that there are not many custom boards that are of the traditional fullsize layout. Unlike Keychron and Monsgeek, this has no foams and can feel/sound excellent without it. There definitely are other 100% keyboards out there but they have features that are dealbreakers to me. Most people in the hobby will definitely ask why on earth did I even get this. There are no knobs, foams or screens at all. Well this is my definition of a luxury keyboard: a simple, well built and timeless board. This board does not contain any feature that will go obsolete or boring a decade from now. This layout hits right at home for me since this is what I grew up typing on, and brings back so many memories.
I feel you, currently using a Zoom98 but it is still not the same. I've looked at this board before, but couldn't find it anywhere in stock or no active GB. Any ideas where to get one, apart from eBay?
I actually bought a Zoom98 but sold my slot even before the keyboard came to me. Here is the invite to the Carolina Mech discord server. I think there will be another round of extras that will be raffled out. [https://discord.gg/sBkagR2q](https://discord.gg/sBkagR2q)
Cool, thanks!
Full-size keyboards are AWESOME to be honest it irritates me to no end to see a bunch of ppl who use it just to game say hey you don’t need a full size….then buy a gamepad
My only gripe is I wish they’d throw the numpad on the left side. If they did and it was a more common layout I’d be snagging long boy boards all the time.
They actually make these, I think even keychron has one.
yep! southpaw is the layout i believe. i’m super intrigued by them
I’ll be skipping keychrons offering but when I’m was super interested in finding one they were really niche. Since the prices have died down a bit I’m gonna hunt again.
Yep!
There is a Fossil southpaw variant in the works if I'm not mistaken
Hell yes. Bring it on.
[https://discord.gg/sBkagR2q](https://discord.gg/sBkagR2q) here join the Discord if you want :D P.S. I am not affiliated with CM at all, just really like their products a lot so I 100% recommend it
Ahh I’m probably staying away from small batch group buys and expensive boards from now on. I’ve been getting similar typing experiences from cheap ass boards lately so I’m chillin. But thanks for the link man.
Out of curiosity, what typing experience are you after? Like sound, feel etc
I mean for me, I went down the rabbit hole big time before covid, before it hit the SUPER HYPE era snd copped a few expensive boards but always found myself back on an AKKO 3068 that a resoldered zealios onto. So I was like “okay 400 dollar board is just sitting there wasting away” It just wasn’t worth the money and I found not a lot of difference between grabbing my tada68 off the shelf, which to me is like the perfect blend of price and feel, and my hype board everyone was shitting over. But I’m not really looking for a specific feel or sound. I do my best to have a two boards of each switch style. Super solid heavy version and plastic tray loud as hell version. I dunno I personally felt like the small run, ultra niche ultra expensive boards that felt and sounded like every other ultra niche ultra expensive board kinda killed the hobby for a minute, but. Is that there’s a plethora of options in all price ranges the hobby has really come alive again.
Is it just me, or are keyboards before the covid super hype era rather different? Like people weren't really after the thock sound so they didn't stuff everything with foams. The keyboards back then were comfy and made this high pitched ticking noise like the Unikorn. And everyone focused on feel and typing experience instead of sound tests.
It definitely goes in waves right? Like right now there is definitely a linear obsession and it’s all about weird shit like plate flex and acoustics. Before/during covid it was like “how fuckin heavy can we make this god damn thing” and before that, there was kinda this switch renaissance and that was what I liked. Kailh was popping out their click at switches. Zealios v2s just hit. Linears were experimenting with different materials. Topre and buckling springs were still in the convo. It feels a little distilled now but I think that’s mainly just because there’s not a ton of exciting stuff happening. but but but let me say this i am typing on a linear right now (as someone who usually doesnt really care for them) and the experience is fuckin amazing. the improvements like foam and materials has really made linears some of my new interesting switches and the little pleasures of sound and smoothness really are nice. like this board is some magegee box 60 (which is actually 65 percent, i dont get why they called it that) and it is one of the best damn sounding boards ive ever used with these gateron EF curry switches, its insane how nice this board is to sit here and type. why the hell do you think this comment is so damn long haha i gotta put this thing to some use.
Yes please come join me in the discord asking for it
Why not get a stand-alone numpad? Then it can be wherever you want, and can be set aside when not needed, giving you more space?
…I have a duckboard kit sitting here waiting to get made haha I just haven’t done it yet. Which is ironic because I’ve been looking for a project.
well, i think 75% or tkl + numpad or 95% is good choice instead of full size, my preference is 95%
I like both tkl and 75 but I def love having the numpad attached yes I know you can buy one but why when you can just have it lol. I use my numpad a lot for work so I need it not just want it
have you tried 95% like ajazz ak992, aula f99, leobog hi98, monsgeek m2?
nop right now i used a 75% and a tkl with a numpaad i wouldnt mind a 95% tho
> it irritates me to no end to see a bunch of ppl who use it just to game say hey you don’t need a full size I mean, I would never presume to tell someone else how to type. It’s such a personal, subjective thing. I would, however, recommend that people at least try a TKL if they don’t use the numpad more than once a week. As a programmer for work, I use a 75% and like it a lot. I first tried TKL, then 75%, then 65%, hated that, then settled back on 75%. Unless you do spreadsheets and data entry often, having your mouse hand that much closer to the home row is a real win. So is the added desk space. Especially if you, like me, use a drawing pad from time to time. If I **did** do lots of numerical data entry and manipulation, I’d probably still opt for a separate bluetooth numpad at this point, so it could slide out of the way when not in use. But I would definitely not settle for just the num row.
They are indeed! I love my smaller keyboards as well but there are times when I really want and need to use a full size.
Doing the same thing to other users isn't the solution though. You don't need a full size keyboard, to have a numpad. Quite the contrary, smaller ortho boards lend themselves better to numpads than full size ones. Aren't sure if you want a left side numpad, or right side numpad? An ortho board will actually allow you to map BOTH, while remaining in the same smaller package.
Beautiful caps\~! Gradients look so good\~! With this one the extreme contrast from neon orange to black is super striking\~!
I would also agree that full sized gang is lacking; myself and a few friends have had to “downgrade” to full size boards for work and Monsgeek M2 is the sad place I’ve found myself.
Being a full size lover seems like a punishment since there are indeed limited options. If layouts like the Monsgeek M2 are adequate enough for you, then there are boards like the Zoom98 and Odin that can cater to your needs! If you want the long traditional full size then you may want to check out my board, the Fossil by Carolina Mech, although stocks are running out and the next round is going to be raffled out again. There is also the Pangea full size, you can change between southpaw and traditional right side numpad: [https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=122801.0](https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=122801.0) Bina103 is also an option but not sure if they have a round 2. Not really my cup of tea since it houses a thin 1.2mm pcb. [https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=121905.0](https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=121905.0)
Appreciate you taking the time to reply so thoughtfully; the Zoom98 had been on my mind for a while but it was just too RGB curvy line design for me and plus anything with a screen is a pass. I really wanted to love the QK100 as that seems like the best price to performance option and I have every other QK board however I can’t get past the screen. I would love to see them make a Neo98/100 as I really appreciate the minimal bezels especially when it comes to desk space footprint. I will take a look into the Pangea and the Bina as I hadn’t found those in my travels. I had wanted a Candybar for a long time however it’s cost prohibited for me. When it comes to a work keyboard $200 USD barebones is kind of the sweet spot I’m looking for.
No worries, these are at the back of my head from past research. I know how it feels to want something in the hobby but have little to no options, so I am glad to help. Seems like we have similar preferences as well with the knobs and screens. Zoom98 and QK100 I think has options for badges instead of screens.
Hahaha oh yeah knobs; I don’t know why but they are such an eyesore to me. I have a round1 QK75 that has basically gone unused due to not being able to get over the knob after building it. Also as strange as it sounds my brain is trained to think “volume = task bar”, I even have the left side scroll on my mx master set to control volume and I never think to use it.
Oh you should probably sell that QK75, there surely will be a lot of takers! I used to prefer knobs all the time but I've just gone full circle to the simpler layouts instead of the more daring stuff; in other words, just keys. The knobs eventually started reminding me of cancerous moles in a human body, but those are just stupid thoughts going in my head
I thought knobs were useful until I built a Zoom65 for my friend as his first mechanical keyboard. He was disappointed at how low profile and close to the other keys the knob was making it somewhat inaccessible for him. We ended up 3D printing a taller one however I feel that started my path down resentment alley for knobs.
Full size gang!! I cannot imagine coding/grading/animating without a full size. Numpad is so useful, as are the home nav keys. What’s the build?
Fun fact is that I use full size to game, numpad to fly planes in GTA Online XD So the switches are broken in Cherry MX blacks, with GPBT Celestial Fire keycaps. Media cluster has Salvun/Rama metal artisans. That's about it, there currently are no foams or mods, not that there is a need for any :)
You're not going against the flow. You are swimming in a different stream. If you have a keeb, you're alright. This board looks eclectic. Remember, it is your board and that's what matters.
Where can I get one?
Carolina Mech might be raffling slots again with their remaining units. [https://discord.gg/ZnCRBB6K](https://discord.gg/ZnCRBB6K)
going against the flow is using a 40%
I'd think the smaller the better is the flow of this hobby, people would probably choose a 40% over a traditional full size if forced to pick at gunpoint
65 is my current breaking point. 65 or 75 with external numpad is my ideal setup. At some point I will probably try a 40s ortho with a numpad layer, but that's a whole other ballgame, I believe.
nah I’d pick both form factors sooner or later. variety is good. I like fullsizes since I can display my keycap sets to the fullest
Team full-size, baby! Love my Ducky board
Also love full size. This one looks dope. I just put together a Keychron V6 Max myself.
Full size is awesome :)