Skyloong GK75 Triple Mode Keyboard Review - Switch to Knobs! 9

Skyloong GK75 Triple Mode Keyboard Review - Switch to Knobs!

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Value and Conclusion

  • The Skyloong GK75 keyboard is a recent release that comes in various options of case material, plates, keycaps and switches. It sells for $89.99-170.99 from the Epomaker shop depending on the specific combination, as of the date of this review
  • Great value for the feature set, especially for the plastic case version
  • Extremely customizable keyboard with replaceable knob modules and switches
  • Space bar can be split for multiple keys too
  • Hybrid wireless connectivity with 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.1
  • Multiple different pre-lubed switches available
  • Hot-swappable sockets for 3 and 5-pin switches
  • Pre-lubed stabilizers
  • Multiple different case, plate, keycaps available
  • Plenty of pre-programmed controls and shortcuts
  • Software drivers for key mapping, macro assignment, and LED control
  • Per-key 16.8 M RGB switch lighting with multiple effects and customization
  • Foam sheet and silicone gaskets add noise dampening and improves typing experience
  • Long battery life
  • Dual OS support
  • Nice set of accessories including coiled, split cable
  • Aluminium case version is a hefty price increase
  • GK6XPlus software really needs to be revamped
  • Opaque keycaps result in LED accent lighting only
  • Battery charging could be faster
The Skyloong GK75 is an excellent keyboard held back by its weak software experience. The good thing is that you don't need to rely on it much and it does do key mapping well enough which is the biggest thing to do there. Given the heavily customizable nature of the keyboard, you can choose how many switches the keyboard will eventually have. This comes in the form of standard and split space bar key modules but also knob modules and a novel hot-swap socket that supports both 3/5-pin mechanical switches but also rotary encoder switches. As such, the GK75 can have as many as four knobs—indeed, it ships as such—or none at all. These knobs have some functions already programmed in but you will need to use the GK6XPlus drivers to make the most of them. Anything beyond this comes with the same user experience complaints I have had about this software program for a couple of years now to where Skyloong really, really needs to come up with a new program and perhaps go with a different USB microcontroller since the Weltrend one currently utilized seems to be the cause of it.

Even beyond this novelty factor of modules, the Skyloong GK75 is one of the most feature-rich peripherals on the market to where it easily merits a recommendation. It is effectively a family of keyboards given the various options of case, plate, keycap set and switches on offer. The least expensive plastic case version comes in at $90 currently, down from an MSRP of $99, and can easily compete against anything else on the market. This is assuming it has the same knob module feature too, which I don't see why it would not. There's the usual stuff including hot-swappable switches, easily replaceable keycaps, software + hardware customization, key mapping, RGB LEDs, and so on. Add to this hybrid wireless connectivity with both Bluetooth 5.1 and 2.4 GHz with a neatly stored USB dongle, long battery life, well-programmed pairing and sleep functions, as well as the ability to be connected to up to five devices—although working directly on a 1:1 basis—further sweetens the deal. Then there is the part where you get good typing support and dampening via the silicone shallow gasket mount as well as the thick foam sheet, and add to this the vast plethora of accessories that were almost spilling out of the box! It does appear that Epomaker is getting the GK75 kits and assembling them based on the order to where the cost of the kit is the same or $5 less than the assembled keyboard with the cost of keycaps and switches included. At this point I don't see any reason to go for the kits alone and the Skyloong GK75 is an easy win in my books.
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Aug 21st, 2024 03:15 EDT change timezone

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