Epomaker Shadow-X Wireless Mechanical Keyboard

[VSG]

Epomaker goes for a novel 70% form factor with its new Shadow-X keyboard. This helps cut down the entry barrier to smaller keyboards while also providing useful features such as an OLED screen, hybrid wireless connectivity, hot-swappable switches, good quality keycaps and pre-lubed switches, and long battery life all for a wallet-friendly price.

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[Chrispy_]

Just like the last Epomaker review, why cut out the Function key row when there's clearly plenty of room for it? This is a 70% keyboard with the footprint of an 80% TKL.

Aside from the same criticisms as last time with the absurd use of a digital 3-position rotary dial that takes the place of the more useful PgUp key, and an OLED screen that's too small and cramped with far too much redundant info, this is at least a good quality, affordable, backlit, wireless keyboard.

For the price, I'm willing to overlook the flaws but that doesn't eliminate them, just makes them easier to swallow.

 

[bonehead123]

Just like the last Epomaker review, why cut out the Function key row when there's clearly plenty of room for it? This is a 70% keyboard with the footprint of an 80% TKL.

Aside from the same criticisms as last time with the absurd use of a digital 3-position rotary dial that takes the place of the more useful PgUp key, and an OLED screen that's too small and cramped with far too much redundant info, this is at least a good quality, affordable, backlit, wireless keyboard.

For the price, I'm willing to overlook the flaws but that doesn't eliminate them, just makes them easier to swallow.

Agreed on all points, however, I can NOT & will NOT let them off the hook for their silly design flaws, regardless of the price.....

I say that if you're gonna do somethin, do it RIGHT or don't do it at all

Also, what is so "novel" about this KB anyways ??? or the 'Rona for that matter.... I just don't understand in what context this word is being used in either instance....

 

[VSG]

Just like the last Epomaker review, why cut out the Function key row when there's clearly plenty of room for it? This is a 70% keyboard with the footprint of an 80% TKL.

Aside from the same criticisms as last time with the absurd use of a digital 3-position rotary dial that takes the place of the more useful PgUp key, and an OLED screen that's too small and cramped with far too much redundant info, this is at least a good quality, affordable, backlit, wireless keyboard.

For the price, I'm willing to overlook the flaws but that doesn't eliminate them, just makes them easier to swallow.

The top and bottom bezels house the gaskets used for the gasket mount structure here, hence the larger bezels. It's not wasted space as mentioned in the review. I am not sure the OLED screen is too small or cramped tbh, I found it plenty useful in use.

 

[champsilva]

Just like the last Epomaker review, why cut out the Function key row when there's clearly plenty of room for it? This is a 70% keyboard with the footprint of an 80% TKL.

Aside from the same criticisms as last time with the absurd use of a digital 3-position rotary dial that takes the place of the more useful PgUp key, and an OLED screen that's too small and cramped with far too much redundant info, this is at least a good quality, affordable, backlit, wireless keyboard.

For the price, I'm willing to overlook the flaws but that doesn't eliminate them, just makes them easier to swallow.

People are reinventing the wheel and this is driving me crazy.

So much keyboard formats, some weirdos.

 

[Chrispy_]

The top and bottom bezels house the gaskets used for the gasket mount structure here, hence the larger bezels. It's not wasted space as mentioned in the review. I am not sure the OLED screen is too small or cramped tbh, I found it plenty useful in use.

Yes, the gasket mounting accounts for about one-third of the wasted space. What's the rest of it for? Between the wasted space at the top and bottom combined you still seem to have room for a full-sized Function row - here, I quick-and-dirtied it in PS:

I'm willing to bet they just reuse the lower half of their injection moulds for larger TKL layouts to save on costs, and honestly I'm willing to forgive that now that we know the cost of these things. For those people who want Function keys on a layer rather than dedicated keys for ergonomics reasons, this is an option. I'm just hoping they also release a 75% variant of this with better use of the space for those that like dedicated keys.

 

[VSG]

Yes, the gasket mounting accounts for about one-third of the wasted space. What's the rest of it for? Between the wasted space at the top and bottom combined you still seem to have room for a full-sized Function row - here, I quick-and-dirtied it in PS:

View attachment 311696

I'm willing to bet they just reuse the lower half of their injection moulds for larger TKL layouts to save on costs, and honestly I'm willing to forgive that now that we know the cost of these things. For those people who want Function keys on a layer rather than dedicated keys for ergonomics reasons, this is an option. I'm just hoping they also release a 75% variant of this with better use of the space for those that like dedicated keys.

You know there is space needed for where the gaskets fit into as well? This is ~130 mm wide with 5 rows, and 6-row keyboards are 140-150 mm wide typically depending on the mount structure used.

 

[Chrispy_]

You know there is space needed for where the gaskets fit into as well? This is ~130 mm wide with 5 rows, and 6-row keyboards are 140-150 mm wide typically depending on the mount structure used.

Yeah, I've accounted for that:

Below the indicated ridge is the recess the gasket sits in, and above the ridge is big old void of wasted space.