JYMV: "It won't be from kbdfans if they did everything perfectly". KBD67 Lite: "Well...maybe I'm special."

While the NK65 comes assembled (just add switches and keycaps), and thus is more like a "semi-custom" hot-swappable board, the Portico and Kara come as kits for you to assemble all the parts, so these probably fit the "custom" moniker a bit better IMHO. But either way, we're splitting hairs here... I think the whole conversation about "Production" and "Custom" boards is moving in a direction where "Production" boards will get more customizable (i.e. Clorious GMMK Pro) and "Custom" boards will get more and more mass produced, so the lines will blur --and KBD Fans seems to be uniquely positioned to take advantage of that, since they seem to have their manufacturing vertically integrated to their business, unlike NovelKeys and TKC for example. Maybe it makes more sense to classify these different product segments as "mass market" and "enthusiast" products (based on quality and features)?

Thanks for the soundtest, sound is the most important thing for me, so your soundtest made me order boards for the whole family.

Yooo some fire b-roll on this vid

Love watching these as someone relatively new to the hobby, your reviews seem unbiased and critical of the actual product. Bought the kbd67lite, cant wait for it to ship!

I'm heavily considering the D65 and after watching so many reviews I'm so glad i found yours, everyone else does a decent/good job.. but I truly felt like yours was one of the best. Thank you for making this and I'll probably be picking up one of the D65's I'd pick up something "better" but lets be honest. anything better i have to wait 1-2 years for.. and theres such a slim chance of even getting one. i wish companies would just charge $800 that the scalpers and resellers buy the boards for instead of charging low then just having their boards end up on resell market anyway

Your vids are getting better and better. Awesome review 👌🏼

Lubed Gateron Yellows... RIP stock Gateron Yellow JYMV

The trend in custom entry seems to be injection molded case with limited colorway runs to match specific keycap sets, a trend that was started by NK65 limited editions. Now KBDfans, Wuque, TKC, even Rama seems to be going down this path with KBD67 Lite, ikki68, Portico, Kara, etc.

Waiting for Glarses to get here

I agree with you in that the portico/nk65/kara aren't technically a custom due to the limiting factors they have due to the lower price point. I think a great entry/beginner custom would be the soon to be ikki68 Aurora by Wuque studio imo. Really appreciate the vid. The little things like a countdown for people to due volume down after sound tests are what really show the quality you put into your videos

JYMV uploads are the highlight of my year. Can't wait for next year's video!

I've been thinking about what it means to be a "custom" keyboard for a bit now and here's where I'm at atm: I would consider consider the NK65, Portico, and Kara entry-level customs because they don't come with switches or keycaps (wait does the Kara come with them?), so it allows some degree of customization. I wouldn't call the Drop ALT/CTRL a custom keyboard since it comes with everything you need. But the moment someone changes out the keycaps and/or switches, does it then become a custom keyboard? Sure. I don't really care what we call it, maybe there's a better name for these off-the-shelf/accessible "custom" mechanical keyboards, maybe we just call them keyboard kits, but I wouldn't just call them entry-level mechanical keyboards because spending $100-$150ish dollars before switches and keycaps is simply not entry. I'm just happy to see more people getting into mechanical keyboards, and these cheaper keyboard kits are a great way for people to get their feet wet. Actually I wouldn’t even call them keyboard kits because they don’t come with switches and/or keycaps, but maybe one day it’ll be easier to order everything you need in one place instead of things being out of stock

As expected. Great breakdown of the keyboard.

Wait. Did you say you HAVE a Kara? I wasn’t aware they’ve been shipped

I closed my eye and listened to the sounds and I really think that the no foam at all sounded deeper

This is a very nice review

I know judging from sound tests aren't the best way to judge, but from hearing many different gasket mounted boards, it seems like they deaden the sound too much and don't allow for enough resonance to get a good sound profile. I'm sure the typing feel adds to the experience, but it just seems to me that gasket mounting is sort of counter intuitive for good sound profiles and resonance.

If it comes without switches/keycaps and requires assembly, it's definitely a custom.

Great review as always. But what constitutes as “custom”? The Kara and Portico all come with the same parts as The D65. The Kara even has an option for a brass weight add on, different plate colors and backplate as extras. I hope you can explain your thoughts in an upcoming video. I would love to hear them.

love this kind of thing just got into the hobby, why wouldn't you consider the nk65 entry a custom? I ordered a NK65 and a ID80 as my first cases.

This was recently restocked and they added a purple version, I ordered one the second I saw it because it's exactly the asymmetrical purple board I was looking for lmao

@jymv sorry If I'm miss understanding but when you say stiff, do you mean resistance on the key? like harder to push?

Agree, the foam only killed the nicest part of a keyboard sound for me. Great review as always. Entry level custom keyboard: Prebuilt custom: NK65e Built-from-bits custom: Poseidon 60 Case with whichever gh60 sized board fits your needs/you can find in stock.

The ikki68 aura would be a great addition to the entry level shootout Edit: someone else mentioned already

what if you cut off the side mounting tabs on the plate, would that create more flex?

Do you think leaving the side gaskets out in the build would be viable to make it a softer typing experience?

I tried inserting the gaskets into the case indents, but the gaskets doesn't seem to be thick enough to protrude out. Also did your d65 case manage to sit flush before inserting the screws into the bottom case?

Saka 68 is an entry level custom imo. even cheaper is ikki68 aurora

Do you think it's a good board for a first custom kb at this price? My budget is around 500$ (keycaps, switches and board included). I see it's still available with the PC and FR4 plate. If not, could you recommend me another 65% at ~ the same price?

Would not appling gaskets onto the side mounting spots somewhat fix the stiffness problem?

Haven't been able to differentiate between the stiff feeling keyboard and not stiff feeling keyboard. Any comparison that I can find? I think my Epomaker is less stiff than this.

Do you think I should install standoffs for my D65? I have PC and brass plate with PC case.

Are you able to buy different colour blockers separately? I can't find anywhere that does it

Thanks for the video. I really like your review. I also find the the D65 is stupid stiff, I was thinking of giving up to type on it and I didn't think the pc plate would help a lot. But anyway after watching your video I have ordered one today along with the 8xmii pc plate. Also the tofu V2 is also very still to type on, but I cannot find a plate for it, hope I can find the file. Btw, I saw you on the monoflex discord. I have ordered one.

Had to get an FR4 plate, alu plate was too stiff. Now it's great though.

Are you going to review the maja from kbdfans? i think it is pretty good and i am curious what you think about it

I have a D65 on the way, now I'm considering getting a half FR4 plate or a PC plate for it. If I wanted to use the plate foam, would it be a better idea to cut the plate foam or would I be able to remove the conductive foam? Sorry if this is a stupid question, still kind of new to custom keyboards.

what are the differences with the KBD67 MarK Il?

You guys think I should wait for this to go in GB again or buy the KBD67mkii in stock?

omg this is the best sounding keyboard ever! 10/10

Can you upgrade a budget keyboard (ex.Redrago K552 Kumara)

kbdfans really need to finally move to daughter boards. D84V2 is more flexy than this is but still doesnt have a daughter board and that just creates an uneven pressure on the plate. It's very noticeable there, otherwise it's actually pretty good board for the money. It's disappointing to see them reusing same old pcb designs for new cases while cheap stuff like a keychron have daughter boards. The finish and build quality feels a lot better than any keychron with their horrendous looking ano. They just like to shoot themselves in the foot.

Ikki68 Aurora (entry)

Hi there, I have a d65 on my desk, what should I do to make the board protected from ESD? I am using a fr4 plate. Thanks！

No KBD67 Lite? I have that and a portico on backorder atm

Are you planning to do a Space65 review?

Can you review KBD67 Lite?

1:42 that gap on D65 is slightly irritating

Do you think that the GMMK Pro gasket mount will do much and be good?

Why won't you consider NK65/kara an entry level custom? They're custom to me since you still have to build it yourself. Maybe because the community has grown so much such that it doesent feel "special" to own an entry level custom keeb anymore?

Where can I buy those small accent squares at?

ponker bless.

Not all gasket designs are made equal.

I think you should remove the side gaskets

If a board comes with keycaps and switches installed its not a custom.

Custom = assembling by yourself. I would also hardly call nk65 custom they are more like mainstream keyboard from enthusiasts perspective

You definitely ordered a Boop didn't you?

NGL You sound like Handler jesus

Oh come on the Vega is worlds better than the D65.

Imo one of the worst Gasket Mount boards out there. For the same price you could get a Vega, which looks better, sounds better and feels better. Might be one of the best keyboards ever created considering the somewhat low price point.

thanks for the sound test I have concluded this board is shit

Hey awesome video, great content. I’m going to stay unsubscribed though.