I sometimes bumped into a problem the place the keyboard would cease recognizing an enter if I held sure keys (sometimes Shift+W when gaming) for too lengthy (20+ seconds). Nevertheless, this subject wasn’t fixed, and I might launch and re-press the important thing with out fail. It solely got here up in fringe circumstances the place I used to be shifting in a single route or performing one motion for an prolonged interval.
There have been a couple of cases the place a keypress would register a number of instances, however these had been few and much between in my testing, solely occurring two or thrice throughout 10+ hours of testing. That stated, I fear this subject might turn out to be worse over time.
Fast-Entry Customization
{Photograph}: Henri Robbins
Total, the meeting and design of this keyboard is spectacular. The standout function is the short disassembly system. This consists of 4 snap-release mechanisms with ball bearings and is derived that enable the highest and backside case to come back aside with none instruments. This makes customization and modification of this keyboard extremely simple.
The parts used all really feel high-quality and stable. Each the highest and backside case are constructed from aluminum, and the snap-release mechanisms are steel as nicely. The case doesn’t have any externally-visible imperfections, and all the things appears to be assembled nicely.
The biggest draw back of the steel case is the fastened typing angle. Whereas most moldable keyboards have flip-out toes to regulate the keyboard’s angle, the GX87 has a everlasting six-degree angle. This can be a pretty normal angle (most keyboards sit between 5 and 7 levels), so it shouldn’t create any points for the common particular person when typing.
{Photograph}: Henri Robbins
There’s a slight mismatch of colours between the keycaps and the case on the all-white unit. The distinction is simply sufficient to trouble me, however realistically this subject may be ignored with out subject. Or it may be fastened with aftermarket keycaps, or averted fully by selecting a special colour mixture.
Whereas the flex cuts within the PCB enhance typing really feel, additionally they make it more durable to take away and reinstall switches, because the hot-swap socket will bend downward when making an attempt to put in a change. This subject is alleviated by disassembling the keyboard, since you possibly can assist the underside of the PCB when putting in new switches, though this does make customization barely extra tedious.
Total, for $140, you’re getting a fully-built keyboard that feels good to kind on, performs nicely, and is simple to customise. The switches really feel good, the gasket-mount system is well-engineered, and it is satisfying to make use of. It isn’t essentially the very best at anyone factor, nevertheless it’s nicely balanced.