Edit: The switch at 8:50 is Outemu Silent Peach V2 Switch not Gateron smoothies. Sponsored by Varmilo: Save 5% with code hipyotech varmilo.com/products/minilo98-pro/?ref=hipyo ✔Buy Hipyo Tech keycaps, deskmats and more!! hipyo.co/ ✔ Varmilo Minilo98 Pro: varmilo.com/products/minilo98-pro/?ref=hipyo Kailh Prestige Silent Switches: varmilo.com/products/switches/?ref=hipyo The above links are affiliate links which give me money when you make a purchase.
*You 60% and TKL keyboard users confuse me. Do you not do your taxes? Do you not make spreadsheets, or do numerical research or calculations??? The keypad is designed so you can calculate things or enter numerical data without looking at the keys and do it quickly and effectively. You can't do that with the 1-0 keys above the alphabet keypad.*
As a numpad user I feel like I’m taking crazy pills because the numpad gets dunked on. I clicked this video as soon as I saw that beautiful section to the right of the arrow keys!
If I built a mechanical keyboard for work I’d never even consider *not* having a numpad! However, at home having more desk space is more important since it’s mostly used for streaming/gaming. Dunking on numpads is silly.
ISO Gang here. Thanks for highlighting the ISO options. Even when keyboards dont have those options, knowing that when they do, you'll mention them, is great comfort to us who want decent keyboards, but with a more traditional layout.
ISO gang rise up, I love split left shift for gaming and my JIS Realforce got me used to the tall enter key, both looks and feel. Almost bought that compact ergo with the southpaw numpad because of the iso support, if only it had tenting...
I have been recommending "bad" silent switches for YEARS and the community has always ridiculed me for it. I call this sound signature as "Muted". They are not silent, they are not thocky either, but they have properties from both. The bottomout sounds like a solid punch rather than a deep plastic to plastic contact. I SERIOUSLY RECOMMEND LICHICX RED (tactile) and LICHICX LUCY (linear). honorable mention to GATERON CAP BLACK CRYSTAL SILENT REDS (better if you can get milky cap bottom housing and use the gateron nothpole as top housing). It is very important to spring swap these switches so they can also give that DEEP UPSTROKE. SEMI SILENT SWITCHES ARE AWESOME AND THIS IS A HILL IM WILLING TO DIE ON. Thank you for this video!! Bonus. The Rainy75 lite has the perfect internal acoustics to accentuate the deep punchy sounds of "bad" silent switches.
@@MrYeungMoney i use lichicx crimson red, also known as jkdk red. The invokeys daydreamer is also the same exact switch but with a heavy spring. Theremingoat wrote a review on both. Lichicx are my fave silent switches because they dont use dampeners. The whole bottom half of the stem is made of solid silencing material. No mush, all thump.
This is true. I am not a keyboard nerd but goddamn did my Wooting start feeling good when I got Jade switches. I just kept on typing and tapping the keys after installation. I just enjoy using this now on top of being a great GAM1Ng KBd.
To me clacky sounds better because it makes the keyboard more lively usually whereas as a thocky keyboard usually just sounds dead to me. Sometimes i like the dead sound tho
Rather than "deep and subjectively good," I think a more widely applicable definition would be "deep and partially muffled." "Clacky," by contrast, would be "higher pitched and sharp"
I don't need a num pad a lot but do prefer it for any number entry when needed. So in my ideal scenario I'd have it as a separate piece that I can move aside or even rebind if I felt dirty
Same! I see so many nice keyboards that I want to buy but I resist the urge because I know I won’t use them due to the lack of the numpad which I need for work 😅
Rust isn't the factor that gives you tetanus, it's soil/dirt on rust that does. I.e. a rusty old nail in dirt. It's a common misconception with tetanus. Not saying you shouldn't immediately visit a professional at first symptoms either. And hopefully Hipyo will recover from this terrible terrible injury.
So when can we get an actual 100% build? Some of us use our keyboards for work. Numpad, can't live without. Placement of end, home, delete, page up/down.... is perfect. I've been using the Montech MKey because it's the closest to what I need, but I can't get it apart to mod it.
How's the sound / feel of that? My wife has been on the hunt for a thoccy full keyboard for work which is why I clicked this video but 160 dollars is a bit more than we'd like to spend at the moment. But I see the MKey going for 80 dollars right now which is far more tempting.
Someone wanted me to spec them a silent keyboard with linears (They have no idea about keyboards, so that's not what they said, of course) "on the cheap", so that's the first switch I went to. I even put Lemons into a fighting controller for a friend, and I'll do the same. Outemu is just the best on a budget.
LEGIT. Thock is like like punk rock. "What's punk rock?" it's whatever you want it to be. It's special because of the friends we made along the way, and the way a keeb feels when we interact with it.
My personal preference is a deep pitched, creamy marbly sound. *chefs kiss* I also really really love a silent switch that sound reminiscent of raindrops on a window. I hope to build a silent keyboard soon specifically to take to my office!
Zero experience on modding but I work on a logitech at work and simultaneously lost my will to live so thanks for reviewing keyboards like this for us filthy casuals!
While it isn't actually a word, I would assume it to be onomatopoeia, just like "click." When you say "click," the "i" actually forces you to either whisper the vowel or use a higher frequency for the vowel. This corresponds to the high pitched sound a tactile switch makes when actuated. You can analyze "thock" the same way. The "o" is almost baritone by comparison. The "TH" by itself also implies the sound of a linear switch being actuated rather than a tactile switch clinking. The baritone nature of the "o" in thock also reflect the way in which a linear switch echoes inside the keyboard when it bottoms out.
Always nice to see more decent ISO keyboards. I'm in Québec and our Canadian French keyboards are ISO, we use the extra keys for grammatical accuracy. ISO is the international standard, it's really only the U.S.A. and Taiwan that officially use ANSI, which is really terrible at typing any language other than US English. The entire effing world officially is on ISO by academic and government standards but online shops often only carry ANSI-English, so as local companies are bought out or pushed to bankruptcy we can't even find proper keyboards to type our own languages in our own countries anymore.
So. Instead of "thock" how about a keyboard that sings instead of pings. Or maybe a keyboard that sounds like tubular bells? Or the best a keyboard that sounds like angels are walking softly across the keys? LOL.
This is an awesome keyboard and I would love to see more videos (or a roundup video) for keyboard with numpads/tenkey. I work in accounting and I struggle to find quality information on them! 98, 96, 100?! Let’s go!
Frankenswitcing is so fun, with so many possibilities. I recently made switches from CIY/KPrepublic sakura pok stem and 37g springs with Gateron smoothie housings, gives out a bright and creamy sound, I love it.
Thanks for doing a video for us few that like/need a numpad! ❤ Like many in the comments, I too like and use a numpad. And while I like a couple 75% keyboards, finding a stand alone numpad that aesthetically and aurally match seems impossible. For me, getting an "all-in-one" unit is preferred.
I have been searching for a keyboard with a number pad that looks cute, sounds nice and is cheap…this does most of those things….now I gotta wait for a sale.
Durability-wise, Kailh box switch variants are next to Cherry, but also had their share of issues in the past like it cracks the stems of keycaps. Nowadays, they made so many improvements while keeping their switches as durable by keeping the same box switch architecture. Very underrated switches.
I like the deep, marbly sound. I used to like clicky, but I just got a Keychron Q2 with Gateron blues, and it legit sounds like typing on broken glass! Swapping those switches out now!
Skyloong GK104 haver (thanks Hipyo for the coupon!) and numpad user here, I have a black model and swapped the caps to black Womier caps and it looks less tacky imo. Wish I could turn off the numpad screen when I don't need it, but it's not distracting and the calculator function is super helpful.
I also got it with their silent switches and after lubing them the sound is nice and deep, but also pretty quiet. It really is a lot of value for the money, if you can get past the software lol.
Dude. I’m building a Rohan themed keyboard to be my *main* keyboard for my desk set up and THESE SWITCHES ARE WHAT I NEEEEEEED. I settled for MMD Princess v3 because i do love a good tactile but what I had in my head was a sound like horse hooves thudding from a distance. These are them!! (Edoras Drop keycaps by the way)
Writing this comment from this keyboard. I absolutely love the thocky switches, probably my favorite keyboard ever. It's quiet enough that you can't hear it through my mic on streams but just loud enough to thock irl. I also love the southfacing LEDs which look awesome with side printed keycaps!
Keychron Q6 Max + Gateron banana switches, the best full layout keyboard; I didn't need to tinker with anything, thock out of the box, and no stabilizer issues.
My definition of thock seems to be the same as Hipyo's, and I love it because when I'm thocking away, it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and it's very therapeutic, almost ASMR'ish
I like deep thock and I cannot lie. Well, thock and great key travel and mild resistance. Love the videos, including this one. Thanks for trying everything so we don't have to.
At this price point and form factor, I like the IF98 Pro with the Gateron G Pro yellow switches. It is unapologetically plastic but I just like the way it feels. The YZ98 seems like it would be good for people that want south facing LEDs its like $90. I almost always will go 1800 formfactor a 75% with a separate numpad because I need it. My primary software is Blender and that is the fastest way to change views, focus, etc. Not everyone needs a numpad but for those of us that do we are going to be vocal because we really need it.
as someone who's only bought a Mechanical cheapo board because I got sick of replacing full Membrane keyboards every time one or two keys died: Tock is just the catch-all term for "pleasant keyboard sounds" maybe on the deeper end, but yeah, a lot of different pleasant Keyboard sounds seem to fall under "Thock"
also Numpads are good, they let you write Unicode wich for some reason the Number row doesn't; i just wish that for that price you were able to take it out when not needed, maybe even be able to mount it on the left
Awhile back I got some acoustic wall treatment squares at the same time as a fairly decent board that had never heard of foam and was under the impression that it was some kind of golf accessory based on it's tendency to PING, and a little light bulb appeared over my noggin. Long story short - repack your keebs with acoustic wall foam, and you will find the Diagon Alley express train to Thockland.
Just took the plunge thanks to your videos and built my first keeb. Keychron Q5 with TTC frozen silent switches. I like it a lot, very quiet with just a hint of thock. I've only had it for two days and I already want to try out other switches WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME!?!?!
You forgot the Montech Mkey. You REVIEWED the TKL version (in a short, I wish you would do a full-length video about modding it) but they sell a full-size version for less than $100. I bought the TKL and the full-size for my two PCs and I love them. Very deep and marbley and sounds like ~~heaven~~.
Hey Hipyo, Great video! I reccomend checking out VGN S99 keyboard, also has a numpad and the sound is absolutely amazing right out the box and it's cheap! Definately something that would make a good video :) It's only 90 bucks, with tri connection too...
Thock to me sounds like how marble counters look.... I have this set of reusable plastic ice cubes and they sound exactly how I imagine the best keyboard to sound, lmfao. Deep, beefy, and strong with a side of satisfaction.
I think the best value for money *with a numpad* would probably the QK100. It's barebones, and so costs a bit more to get up and running, but it's full aluminum and looks substantially better than the skyloong.
Been listening to your music lately so when I heard the "Try Things" instrumental in the background I was like wait I know that song. I have wanted to try Varmillo keyboards for a while but have never gotten around to it. Definitely interested to try this one for the thock.
Thock to me is a deep, full (as opposed to hollow) and heavy (as opposed to maybe rattling?) sound. Creamy and marbley are the same to me and they sound just like thock but not as deep, more like on the surface if that makes any sense.
Weird because you already reviewed a keyboard with this switch and it’s the 75% version of this very keyboard and said it was the most silent keyboard ever. I actually ordered one and it was completely silent haha. Interesting that the two different keyboards in the same line with the same switches sound so different
OMG - I had thought these were the alternate switch from that board but I went back and checked and YEP same switch. My only thought it that the internals on this board are a tad different than the other minilos - but even the standalone switch sound is different so I'll have to check with varmilo on this to see if something changed
@@HipyoTech Ya the gasket mount seems different for sure. It’s funny because you mentioned the same stuff. The other one came and smelled and you also took apart those switches and they drove you nuts. It was all very familiar sounding (except the sound of the keyboard!)
The only other competitor to this board is probably the Monsgeek M2 as a direct 1800 competitor It's a bit dated now but overall still a solid board. They do have the M5 for the full size lovers out there.
Not an exact answer to the question at the end of the video, but I from what I've seen, the best value thockiness with a numpad is the Leobog Hi98. Maybe some consider it more on the marbley side? It also lacks some features (wired only, no QMK/VIA, no ISO option, northface RGB, no knob). But it suits my needs perfectly fine, and has the best board and sound quality I've seen in a prebuilt. $100, often as low as $87 like right now, on whatgeek or aliexpress.
thock for me is more like marbley or deep crisp sounds..Like you were typing on a aboard made of ceramic. The only board i've had that comes close to my ideal thock would be my Rainy75, which i ironically discovered through your shorts
Hey Hipyo! Could you please review the NJ80-CP HE? (crazy name i know lol) it’s rapid trigger which is great for gaming but i am wondering about the build quality, feel, and sound. I think a review from the amazing Hipyo would be amazing :D
Ive been looking for a switch like this for so long. So long. Leave it to the youtuber who got me into keyboards in the first place to put me on. Thank you hipyo
I am now running Outemu Silent Lemon because my wife hates the deep and "way too loud" sounds. I have a second board that's running Akko Rosewood, so wonderful both in sound and feel.
This was the keyboard I was thinking of getting my mum for work for her birthday (she needs the num pad). Was gonna go for the silent one after the first varmilo video but why arent they as silent as the 75% one?.
ALSO Kailh winglatch/box switches don't obstruct cherry keycaps with north facing LEDs. So if you have a cheap keyboard with north LEDs and are looking for the "thock" sound they're an interesting choice. But yeah, there are much more silent switches out there if you want silence
Thock is a full, resonant sound that makes the experience of typing - for people who have professions which demand a ton of typing, writers, programmers, etc, anyone who spends more than two hours a day, thock is the more resonant, deeper sound than the more high-pitched, clacky sound.
I was once stinky and a nunpad abuser. Have I seen the light? I did think I couldn't function without one. Been an interesting transition going to a 75% keyboard.
Missing a little of the '-CK' of the thock. Needs a little crack in the back end. Deep, solid but undeniably not mushy or muted is true THOCK. Gotta have a little knock in the thock!
So I picked up this kb with your link and I absolutely love the switches, layout and the features it has. My only complaint is that the keycap coloring contrast is so low I could not make out any of the keys at all in a low light environment. I have some old decent Cherry? keycaps from waaaaay long ago for the (I think 2017) Massdrop Input Club K-Type Mechanical Keyboard. These are some of the best keycaps for my taste with (I think) an Cherry type cap with some shine though with the lettering. So I was hoping you might be able to direct me to some newer or higher contrast color keycaps that might pair well with this board? If you don't catch this comment it's OK, thanks for all the great videos!
just wanted to ask: this year has been very very completive for 75% keyboards, do you still reckon 65%s like the womier sk71, yunzii a71 are still worth it compared to all the other 75% boards like offerings from womier, chillkey and stuff?
I found my own personal favorite sound with the gateron mini i switch. And then i had to put them in the keyboard i am building for my best friend's birthday. I don't even really love tactile, and it's kinda poppy, but it just sounds insane. I'm debating redoing my old, old max keyboards x7 with them (soldered switches and soldered LEDs old)
1800/96% keyboards seem to be more popular now as more people look at these keyboards for work. I'm a big fan for that reason. I don't think the price is terrible but I would personally wait until it is on sale. I recently got a Leobog Hi98, fully built, for $99. It is an alu 96% with 2u zero (my pref) with some interesting new Leobog switches that I don't actually hate for once, and double-shot PBT keycaps. I don't understand why they went with north-facing sockets suddenly but I can forgive them since the keyboard is otherwise amazing. It's on the clacky/marbly side but I personally prefer that over thock.
I absolutely hate how no one makes good quality prebuilts with north facing LED and shine through keycaps. It just looks way better and helps you if you use your PC at night often.
i gotta say, plastic cases wouldn't bother me as much if they put more effort into the material. I feel silly paying a premium price for injection molded ABS.
