Hi all, thanks for watching. Just want to say, if you already have this board, please don't let my comments about value affect your enjoyment of it. That would be the most wasteful move.
Great review, even as a simp, I think the price for the Kara is a little ridiculous though I imagine a decent amount of the money went to packaging. Could probably cut off like 30 bucks if they just stuck it in a carboard box with their logo.
@@GrandSekiza maybe have two options then. One option is to place it in a piece of shit cardboard box and the other option is for them to use their artistic organized packaging and up the price. That way both morons can buy either one.
Hit the nail right on the head. I'm glad the community has someone who isn't afraid to be critical. Some things have to be said, and as our community grows, it's important to keep standards high.
I recently tried a Kara at a small meetup, and it definitely didn't meet my expectations. While I do enjoy nice packaging and art, I do agree with your points made on that end for sure. I loved this review, straight to the point and valid reasons. Nicely done
Man... is the "damper" vs. "dampener" argument a lost cause already? I'm about to give up explaining the difference to people... I can assure you most folks unfortunately won't even get the joke of your comment! XD
The beautiful packaging won't go away. Many love the "premium unboxing" experience, citing the need for tools, smells and otherworldly feeling when revealing the product. Sadly not everyone is like you, they want the novelty of opening a fancy box, which creates the illusion of elevating the status of the product and ultimately contributes to more waste.
I like having like sturdy packaging that's nice so I can put it back in the box for storage. Having everything be sealed individually in color coded baggies and shipped in a corpo-art box that looks at home in silicon valley is a hard pass from me.
Even as a Kara owner, I'm inclined to agree with you. It's my first and probably only Rama board, so there's that, but I really do appreciate your honesty and I can't argue with your closing thoughts on RAMAWORKS tbh. Good work.
A great and honest review. Watched multiple streams and other youtubers but none were as real and genuine as you. It's disappointing how everyone simps for rama but in reality, they are putting out products that are not proportionate to its prices.
Zack_szh Take note and pay attention. APPLE is a CORPORATION Apple is a fruit They sound the same, however, they are not the same CORPORATE names are always written in the ALL CAPS iteration. You are essentially a zombie. You have eyes and cannot see - Ears and cannot hear.
Dodged a bullet with this one. Thanks for the awesome review and I share many of your opinions about RAMA too. They have been progressively getting worse and worse to the point where you are now just paying the RAMA tax.
Imagine dedicating so much on packaging but couldn't even hide a simple wire from a translucent base.. I can't unsee that just as much as I can't unsubscribe from this channel now. Gotta love your plain brutal honest reviews, it is a quick fact check to bring nerds out from the keebs fantasy world.
I bought the brass plate ,its a improved version that can be fit with 3rd party stabs Newer gmmk pro are shipped with new plates able to accommodate durock v2 stabs
The deal breaker for me not wanting this keyboard is the sound, It just sounds so cheap, and so sad. It doesn't sound like something worth $120, and definitely not worth $160. I'm so glad I dodged such an expensive bullet
It's hard to find many HHKB options - it's what drew me to rama, i prefer it over any other keyboard layout which is why the KARA is very appealing to me. Overall, while it is a bit on the pricey side, it's not much cheaper than the actual HHKB but with mechanical switches over the capacitive style switches (and thus all the customization choices). That is worth the price for me. Great video and and editing.
Was looking through the comments during the with/without dampener comparison and literally couldn't tell the difference between the two so... I guess buying it is a huge waste of money.
I think all your observations about the product itself match my own experience, but having tried all the other board you mentioned in this review, it’s hard to judge what you consider to be a good or bad value. The Portico, NK65EE, and GMMK Pro are all pretty bad to me while still exceeding the cost of a good prebuilt when switches and keycaps are factored in, so I don’t think they help your argument that much in comparison. The Kara is at least, as you said, decent. Given that they’re definitely going to keep making this keyboard for a while, it would be very interesting to check back in in a year or so when we can compare against the next wave of entry level keyboards like the Q1, Ikki 68 and Bauer Lite that could end up being better keyboards than the Kara and not just cheaper ones.
Agree that the price is steep, especially considering the competition. The board itself is great HHKB though, it just needs to be $60 cheaper, and yeah accesories are way overpriced.
Well said at the end. I frankly think they’re trying the break out of the r/mk niche and be more of an industrial design shop. I don’t know how I feel about that. That said, all the offerings in this price range is garbage. And pretty much waste of money. I much rather just buy an HHKB.
Weird. It almost sounds like you have a pre-production Kara. No such issues with my Haze version. With the PC plate, the Kara is indeed a very different typing experience than the M-60A. I didn't care for the Kara with Glorious Panda switches, but the Kara really came alive for me with linear Banana Splits. The typing experience is good enough that I'll keep the Kara in rotation with my M60-A, TFV2 and PFU HHKBs. Regardless, if you're cross-shopping the Kara with a 65% or 75% board, then you're probably not going to be happy with the HHKB layout and lack of dedicated arrow keys under any circumstance.
Being a u80 owner and recently getting my hands on the kara, I'm gonna say I was disappointed. I had much higher expectations coming from the u80, not comparing metal to plastic, but quality control wise I expected much more as my u80 experience has been nothing but flawless. I also have a portico and can say without a doubt the portico is a much better deal in everyway unless you WANT the hhkb retro aesthetic the kara offers.
I always appreciate objective review you do, keep doing what you do Community tend to put blind favoritism on particular vendors/designers, basically hivemind mentality
Been trying HHKB for FPS games like CSGO and Valorant. Took a lot to get used to but am now enjoying the closer control key for crouching and the less awkward acement for left Shift. For Coding and Typing it's just the best, 2U control is revolutionary.
I like my M60A, or at least I thought it was the greatest thing ever against the HHKB design in 2019, but switches not registering with the PCB really bothers me. I cannot tell you how many times I've had to remove switches and realign the PCB of my board just to make sure everything works properly, and I know for sure my HHKB Type-S wouldn't have given me any of these issues if I had just... not sold it back then.
I must say I was thinking about this for the longest time. The board ever really impressed me in terms of looks, but the cost is just too attractive to initially. However, after watching the reviews and currently using a M65B I think I am good for now. Thank you so much for the review. Literally the only honest review out there. Literally some WELL KNOWN reviewers on youtube will say its better with the dampener. Bravo. Keep it up!
Great video, love people express their true feeling rather than crow about whatever they got. But I have 3 Kara😂, and just pre-ordered the RW x KAIJU KINGZ. I didn't find those issue with my Karas, and I don't use internal accessories at all. The only thin I should probably mention is use a proper switcher is more critical to a keyboard.
Your comments about excessive packaging echo my sentiments! I feel as though this hobby already is so heavily enveloped into the ethos of consumerism that the least we can do is to reduce the number of plastics, and look for recyclable or biodegradable alternatives to packaging. Inks on boxes take up a lot of energy and water to print as well. Really hoping more people in the hobby start thinking about the impacts of their purchases.
@@kyrian7600 Indeed but arguably this hobby has more things to buy because of the parts needed to build a keyboard. Other hobbies like Japanese knives are really only the knives themselves. There's also just a wealth of GBs happening that assist in the facilitation of greater purchases.
As much as I like rama his fame (deserved) is getting to him, his items are usually aesthetically nice but paying a premium price because it's his brand is something hopefully he won't do like Kara in the future.
I agree: cardbox is most premium boxing for me. I would be more happy if keyboard case would be added. I don't agree with beautiful box philosophy thus not a big fan of apple
I sold mine a week after it arrived. On top of the issues you mentioned mine was also creaking near the modifiers and the plate was so deep in the case that using XDA caps was a total joke.
Great analysis as always. This is the feedback that the entry level boards need, especially for the designers and manufacturers that release multiple runs of these boards. I always wanted a Rama KARA since the first run, but the feedback here and the massive price put me off on getting a SEQ2. I mean, once you add the cost of decent switches and stabilizers to the base kit, you have something that reaches HHKB prices in a market of KBD67 Lites and the war between the Keychron Q1 and GMMK Pro. But man is the KARA really gosh darn cute.
I'm usually OK with most of their pricing since they provide interesting and unique products, but this doesn't seem like it's it. Those recent keycap case you pointed out are a perfect example, more so than this board.
That's what he said... They offer the rare hhkb layout and daughter board. But they fall short in other functional design avenues. Hope you like your overpriced nerd product.
Thank you! I was also about to make a video about this. I´ve been sending messages back and forth to RAMA for the past few weeks about this issue. I am hugely disappointed on my RAMA KARA (moon). The injection mould case is just horrible, the surface quality is just dreadful for the price! I don´t want to know what the quality will be for the new keycaps if this is the "normal standard". I own the Portico as well and even though it´s cheap feeling as well, at least the surface on it is pretty consistent. Oh, yeah, even my "cheap" Ducky One 2 Mini has a consistent surface quality.
haven't tried it myself, but i feel like the d60 lite would be the much more superior option over the kara, especially for someone who has fallen in love with the HHKB layout SPECIFICALLY like you mentioned. from what i've seen in other videos, it has a nice sound, similar aesthetics, more value, and is significantly cheaper. it also uses an actual gasket mount structure. you get stabs, cable, case dampening etc. $119 before shipping is something you really can't go wrong with imo
I have thoroughly enjoyed this. Quick question - you mentioned the bezel is quite tall on this board. Do you know which boards have the least tall front bezel? Everything I see is super chonky, and I hate using a wristpad.
I also have an issue with the screws on the back. For me that already makes it not worth the price tag. It does lack alot. It looks alright but, I honestly regret this one. since i got it off of aftermarket i got it for $300. RIP
Bought it second hand for 150, completely modded, lubed switches and replaced/lubed springs. New + lubed + modded stabs. And the board/kit was modded too. For that it really wasn't a bad deal - but from the box for 160...myeah there are better options
Thank you for saying the things in the end. That 60 dollar box with 40 dollar inserts is a total joke and without the inserts, I don't think the box holds any keycap set well... It's crazy to say but at this moment my fav rama product is the inventory...
My Varmilo VB87M, which I bought for 80$ (MSRP was 150$) has exactly the same sound signature as this this board, except it's a TKL and only Bluetooth.
I respect the video. Not a bad review. I disagree about the finish. At $160 I find the finish to be acceptable. I don't expect anything more at the price point and anything better would just be additional quality imo at that price range. However i do agree in general that with the kara you are paying for injected mold for looks and not typing experience. This is still a low to mid budget build and i do not expect a whole lot when it comes to overall quality but i do expect... Maybe a few more good surprises than this as far as design of functional plate placement that would make the typing experience a bit better...
Well... Portico is run by TKC, a company that is infamous for shipping broken shit. Maybe compare with to the ikki68 aurora and kbd67lite for a better comparison.
After all of the delays from this board, I don't think that this board is worth the hype, or the price. I think that it looks good, but even with the dampener, it still sounds a bit hollow. And after my Thermal gets in, I don't think that I will be purchasing another RAMA board.
I got SEQ1 and yeah it's pricey but there aren't many HHKB layout customs available. The sound and feel is good enough for me. I do feel a bit robbed by the dampener. I also got a Portico to gift to my partner and I'm impressed by the sound and feel of it, but the stabilizers are junk. Also either the Portico PCB sockets are off center or the DSA magic girl keycaps are shit. It looks pretty jank.
I would agree with some of this stuff, but I was under the impression I was paying a premium, not because there was a better value, but because that was the cost of getting it from rama, and not for the name recognition but for the cost to pay people well and pay for materials, although now that I think about it I might be making it up in my head. I guess my thought is that keybaords can either be cheap or they are a hobby. If you want to participate in the hobby then its about experimentation in materials and design, and not about cost point. I am not critisizing you or this video but actually a self reflection in this comment. I am left wondering If I made that narrative up in my head. Like I don't mind buying a rama baord as long as the designers and people around the company are getting paid well and the suppliers are getting paid well and the product is made somewhat ethically. I guess I need to do some more research into the matter. I will say that I did just get a U80 and I am in love with it. I have spent a bunch of money on keyboard stuff, a number I am too emberrased to mention, specifically at rama in the last few months, but if the cost is going to ethicallly paying people for creating something cool I dont necessarilly mind it. I think specifically about Rama that is what I am looking for. Although I think after my rama panic I will be looking into other group buys from other companies. Thanks for the great and honest review. Hopefully I can do some research into the matter to either confirm or correct my assumption about this.
Your review gives me moderate anxiety on my decision to join in U80-A SEQ2 GB a year ago. If they screwed up on their "entry-level" keyboard, I am not really feeling confident about their higher-end boards...
I've got two boards that Rama sold - An M65-B in Polycarbonate and a Thermal. I was a bit disappointed with the M-65, but the Thermal is awesome. I also bought two U80-A SEQ2s, and from my experience with other Rama boards I think they'll be pretty nice. Most of my disappointment with the M-65 has to do with the layout. I've been going back and forth between HHKB and TKL layouts for a couple of years so everything about the 65% layout just feels wrong to me. I think it has made me more critical of the M-65 than I would have been if it were in a different layout, but there is one obvious flaw in the design. When assembled, the bottom of the board bows out away from the case on the side nearest the space bar. There obviously should have been a couple of screws there to hold the bottom flush with the outside of the case. I think this is a case of Rama originally designing this case to be manufactured out of aluminum which would hold its shape better. It's not too big of a deal since you'd never notice when the board isn't upside down, but it does annoy me a bit considering how much I paid for the board. I think Rama's aluminum boards are really good, and only a bit more expensive than other options really. The anodizing on my thermal is great (on par or better with my boards from TX Keyboards, KBD Fans, and Mekanisk). The design overall of the M65 is a lot cooler than the simple, but functional designs of my TX Keyboards (love them too though), and as mentioned before I don't think there would be any issues with it if it was aluminum rather than polycarb. I think the problems that people have with the Kara can be attributed to the materials and manufacturing process Rama tried with this board. Injection molding and ABS for cases are pretty new to "custom" keyboard kits in general and I think Rama hasn't yet learned all the ins and outs of using plastics for keyboard cases. I went ahead an bought a Kara SEQ2 against my better judgement so I guess I'll get to see if Rama corrects some of the issues people are complaining about with SEQ1. The price for me is not that high since I'm used to custom aluminum TKL prices so hopefully I can throw in a dampener that I got with my M65 and have it be decent enough to use.
They are charging $64 for kate keycap case...for plastic. Just because it has the name Rama. It's undeniable they overprice their items. To be fair though, not much more expensive than GMK, and it comes with the case.
@@urabus986 Let's count Kara: 160$ kit + 25$ shipping + 50$ switches + 50$ keycaps = 285$ HHKB Hybrid: 281$ + free shipping = 281$ If you include dapmener (+45$) than kara will cost you 330$. It's a price of a new Hybrid Type-S Of course you may spend 30$ on keycaps and this is absolutely minimum if you get them from China, but this price is almost the same as new HHKB hybrid anyway
