@@daynerhoades right? The huge symmetrical bezels are great. There are a pretty large number of U80’s out there so definitely check on Mech Market and EBay!

Agreed! The U80 is so nice. Thanks for watching!

Hahaha, thanks so much! Gotta keep those hands clean! 🧼

Thanks so much! I am excited for my SOYA theme build, I mentioned it in briefly in the unboxing video I made. From the pictures I've seen going by on Reddit it looks like quite the chameleon with keycaps.

Thanks for the kind words! I hope it turns out exactly how you dream it will!

Thanks, Sviz! I think I’ve seen you in the Charue discord where the meetup is being planned?

@@_IanOfEarth Yup! there's also an invite for a server there somewhere that me and a couple peeps run for NorCal :)

@@sviz is that the CA Meetup Discord by chance?

No need to feel bad for me! This is my hobby, so anyone who gets to enjoy it with me already makes it worthwhile.

Hey! Thanks for your kind words! My schedule does not allow me to stream, so all KZfaq as of now. Might change in the future, but no plans as of now.

Thanks for asking! I actually 3D printed it!

@@_IanOfEarth sick tray! Awesome video as always

Thanks for your kind words and your question! I am actually going to be building one of the new Mode Eighties later this year for a friend and am REALLY excited to do a comparison between the Eighty versions if I get that opportunity. You're right, both are very minimal and modern looking as well as having a semi-flexible mounting style. The U80 is a real statement piece on your desk. As I mentioned in the video Wilba's design input is the reason the blockers are so big between the F-Row and the alphas and the alphas and the nav cluster. They are usually 0.25u but are 0.5u on the U80 and that is just one of the things that gives it such an imposing look. It also has huge, equal bezels on all sides. The Eighty retains a lot of the modern, dare I say monolithic, design queues that the U80 also has but in a much tighter package. If I were going to recommend one or the other, I'd still probably lean towards the (new) Eighty due to the flexibility in mounting styles and ability to configure it how you want it, as well as being a tighter package over all. I really do enjoy typing on both though, and I've added it to my potential video list to compare them head to head once I've had some more time with the U80.

They are smoother than GMK for sure, but there is a little bit of texture to them.

I personally like stiffer typing feels which this delivers. The MUTE mount system does give the whole system a small amount of flex and bounce, but keys do not bounce and flex independently of each other if that makes sense. If you like a bouncier type feel this is not the keyboard for you. That said, the default plate on the U80-B is PC not Alu and the PCB will have flex cuts which this does not so it will almost certainly be softer, but my money is on still not flexy or bouncy. As for sound you can hear the tests at the end of the video. It is a large keyboard with a lot of air in it so you can hear the case quite a lot. The dampener and weight both tone that down, I prefer the weight's sound personally over the dampener but both are fine. I do hope to make a video before the end of the U80-B pre-order period using my U80 with the PC plate and some PE foam I got for the U80 to give people an idea of what it might sound like PCB not withstanding, but no promises I will have that done in time. Lots of other projects in the pipe.

@@_IanOfEarth Thank you so much for replying. I do like stiffer typing feel. I am currently using Sat 75 and although for many, the sound isn't their preference, it is for me. I love non foamy sound but I don't like a lot of hollowness. As long as the typing experience is comfortable, stiff but not harsh, I think I may like it. I'm going to do a little bit more research before the GB closes and make a decision. Appreciate all your input. I just subscribed.

@@_IanOfEarth Decided to grab the Lake with internal weight and alum plate. Wish I could give you commission. Appreciate the video.

@@brewjin just make sure to report back with how you like it! Glad my video was of help!

Sure! Both make the length of the sound considerably shorter, because they take up space in the chassis. Some might call this deadening or dampening if you are familiar with those words. The difference I find between the two, and the reason I ultimately prefer the weight, is that the weight seems to either enhance or less aggressively dampen the low end sounds that I prefer. With headphones on during the sound tests I can hear that myself but that will depend on your equipment. Ultimately, I think both are an improvement over nothing internal with the silicone dampener giving you a higher frequency leaning timbre and the weight emphasizing the lower frequencies. Hope that helps! Make sure to get subscribed, my second U80 build will have the polycarb plate which is the standard on the U80-B.

I really like it! The caps feel nice, they sound great, most of the legends are tack sharp, no complaints!

I’m very impressed with it, the keys are on the smoother side but have a light texture to them.

I don't need that shame public 😂

😮‍💨 sorry

I said I would 😅

I'm not totally certain what your comment means, but yes, I do enjoy the keycaps I showed in this video!

@@_IanOfEarth you know keycaps looks nice i make self massage atm