Lighting and Performance

The Skyloong GK75 supports N-key rollover USB and 2.4 GHz out of the box, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. It defaults to 6KRO with Bluetooth as expected. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys either, and seen above are all the functions with dedicated keys on the base layer. This is on the default configuration as it ships meaning one space bar key and four knobs, and yet I was surprised to see the Del key tied to the bottom knob when pressed down. Of course then I saw the default key map in the software program and that cleared things up. You can also use it to remap the keys as desired - saved on the keyboard itself, as well as decide to go with more switches on the keyboard too.


Based on the various pre-programmed functions as well as those available via the software program, I can see people going with four knobs itself given you still have a push function as with a typical key in addition to the rotary function that can be tied to, among other things, volume control, zoom, switching between tabs on your browser, switching between active applications, and much more. I ended up going with three knobs and one switch—I need a proper Del key! Skyloong has additionally placed other functions tied to the Fn layer as seen above to where, outside of a first round of key mapping and playing around with macros and lighting effects, I dare say you will be better off uninstalling the software program altogether and relying on the set base layer and other onboard controls.


Regardless of whether the software drivers are installed or not, the keyboard lights up in a rainbow wave effect. Given the GK75 comes in different options of keycaps, I decided to keep this section short to show you just how this particular combination of the "Gray Dawn" keycaps on the gray anodized CNC aluminium case would look powered on. The keycaps are opaque as we previously saw so the LEDs only light up the sections between them. Add to this the non-floating nature of the keycaps and there is no side lighting either. I suppose it helps somewhat pick out the alphanumeric keys in white, but otherwise there's not much point in having these LEDs on to hurt the battery life in wireless mode.

Wired mode works as expected without hitches, but the wireless connectivity is going to be a primary feature of interest for potential customers with the Skyloong GK75 having both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity on offer. The keyboard can be paired with up to three devices simultaneously in Bluetooth mode to make for a maximum total of five devices across the three modes. The user manual describes how to pair the keyboard in the wireless modes and some of the LEDs actually come in handy here to act as indicator LEDs to describe the operating state and battery status during charging/discharging. There is also an auto sleep mode pre-programmed which turns off backlighting first before placing the keyboard in sleep mode to preserve battery life further. This contributes to a battery life on the order of a couple of weeks at least with the LEDs off owing to the higher-than-average 4000 mAh battery used here, which really is how you would be using the keyboard with opaque keycaps anyway. Charging is pretty much an overnight affair but really not an issue given you will only have to do it every few weeks in typical use.


This sample of the Skyloong GK75 comes with the Skyloong Glacier Brown switch throughout, except for the modifiers that get the slightly heavier Glacier Rose with the goal of providing a similar enough typing experience with the larger keys. I'd say the goal is mostly met in normal use to where you would be hard pressed to really tell the switches are different. Both are tactile switches with the Glacier Brown itself coming off as a slightly heavier Cherry MX Brown. The tactile bump is early on in the travel of the switch which makes it different from those that have it closer to actuation. I am not a fan personally of this but will concede this is one of the smoother such implementations thereafter. Actuation itself is rated at 2 mm and 55 gf with total travel of 3.8 mm before the switch bottoms out. Given the peak force is early on at the tactile feedback point itself, you are very likely to bottom out too. The silicone sheet and gaskets help absorb some of this impact to make for a dampened, supported typing experience that does not feel as fatiguing over longer periods of time. I can see this combination working out quite well for those who type a lot thus.


As always, the sound of a keyboard is based on more than just the switch type. So when comparing sound clips, consider the keyboard as a whole. In this case, I have provided above an example sound clip of me typing on the Skyloong GK75 keyboard at ~95 WPM as it comes out of the box with the Skyloong Glacier Brown switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with tactile switches. I did bottom out constantly here for reasons seen above and I have to say that shallow gasket mount in combination with the foam sheet between the PCB and the bottom case panel work well together to cut down on higher frequency pings and reverberations in the keyboard. The thicker PBT keycaps and lubed stabilizers also help to an extent, and you end up with a relatively dampened sound signature that is primarily from the pre-lubed switches bottoming out. It's certainly a better sounding keyboard in my opinion than many mainstream offerings and approaches the overall typing experience that keyboard enthusiasts are looking for.