Keycap Kevin vs. Michelle

Shortly after Michelle started working for us, I infected her. The virus in question? Custom mechanical keyboards. In other words, keyboards you buy as a kit and then customise with keycaps and switches of your choice.

Michelle’s delighted with her KDB67 Lite. It made me realise that it won’t be long before she buys a second keyboard (Michelle’s note: naively, I was less aware of this...). In the coming months, I bombard her with potential group buys. A group buy involves joining forces with others to pre-finance a keyboard kit. In April 2023, I won her over. Zoom75 went into group buy. Michelle was over the moon with the design and the personalisation options.

We both bought a kit and decided to pit the keyboards against each other at a later stage in a Community vote. Michelle’s been using her Zoom75 for a few weeks now. I’ve only recently started because the keycaps took over two years to arrive. But enough talk, let’s raise the curtain on our keyboards!

Kevin

I go for the colour «Wild Green». In my case, the stylish weight on the back is coated with PVD (link in German). Instead of the standard rotary knob, I opted for an LCD screen. I also install an additional internal weight. In return, I do without batteries. I always hook up my keyboard with a cable anyway. Instead of the batteries, I install sound-absorbing mats.

For the remaining insulation material, I use PE and plate foam. I leave out the case foam completely. Why? Because I believe a keyboard should sound good even without damping. However, I want my Zoom75 to have a deeper sound. That’s why I still install a few sound-absorbing elements.

For the switches, I opt for Hippo Linear Switches from Kinetic Labs, which I lubricate myself. The stem of the switch is made of UHMWPE plastic. In combination with the nylon housing, this generates a deep, muffled sound.

I use GMK Symbiote keycaps. The description of the ABS plastic keycaps reads as follows:

«Introducing GMK Symbiote, an unknown life-form that possesses the ability to combine with mechanical objects, metamorphosised into a new type of hybrid organism. What started as a symbiotic relationship, turned into complete absorption of the host machine. A retrofuturistic sci-fi themed mechanical keyboard keyset with pale and organic colours.»

As a sci-fi fan, I’m instantly taken with the description. But I also like the purple/pink colour of the keycap set in combination with the green of the keyboard. Except for the F-row and control keys on the right, I don’t use special keycaps on my keyboard. I use a split space and backspace key for this.

Michelle

Kevin hasn’t made things easy for me in recent weeks and months. Nevertheless, as a demanding candidate, I want everything to be perfect. This is the case with the Zoom75. In addition to the size and shape, I particularly like the elegant design of the matt black Special Edition. The incorporated gold rims and the small engraved telescope are simply magnificent.

On the first mechanical keyboard I customised, I’m missing the rotary knob for the volume. That’s why I opt for the gold-coloured knob here instead of an LCD display. It goes wonderfully with the rest of the design. Including the back. Sure, the shiny black part is susceptible to fingerprints. But the matt-gold middle section certainly has its charm. Sadly, I don’t get to see the back.

Unlike Kevin, I decide to install the battery. For the most part, I use my keyboard with a cable, but it’s still handy to have a back-up plan. I don’t hold back when it comes to insulating material and install everything available to me: case foam, PE foam and plate foam. After all, I prefer a sound that’s as deep and warm as possible.

When it comes to the switches, I ask Kevin for advice. I go for MM Switches from Wuque Studios, because I get to choose the individual parts myself. This also makes lubrication less time consuming.

The keycaps are a tricky one. I want something cute that still goes well with the elegant design. Unlike Kevin, I insist on my ISO layout, which reduces the selection. I end up falling in love with sweet purple cat paws. My set for a sophisticated, playful look: Subarashī by PBTfans.

This is what my and Kevin’s keyboards sound like.

Now it’s your turn. Which keyboard do you prefer?