A total of 39 reviews of this product on Reddit.
·
https://www.amazon.ca/indépendant-changeant-Commutateurs-Mécaniques-Bricolage/dp/B07N2KZ5VN/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?crid=1OKG8ATDLK28X&keywords=gk61&qid=1642150908&sprefix=gk%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-6 this is always a good option but if your looking to get a realy good deal I’d look on taobao
·
best I did find (didnt extend my search to aliexpress/bangood yet)
is for 100€ without shipping now
YMDK GK61 kit for 50
keycaps for 15
and mx silent red switches for 35
sadly the kit is a 60% and i really do use pos1/end keys…alot
i mean i havent tried with 60% keybaord yet… if the price would be same for 80% it would be nice… i think i should look into how these are programmed. i think i just need pos1/end and the arrow keys for navigating through code.
for a custom board id say i could drop 100 on it. i just didnt want to throw that money onto a razer keyboard that i have to throw away in 2 years or so if u know what i mean… (nothing against razer its just different if i can swap all the parts and repair easy)
i think ill extend my search to aliexpress and ill look thorugh the extensive guides here to see what manufacturers are good (im sure theres also trash i could buy on aliexpress right?)
thanks so far!
·
I think this is a good value. Just buy some switches and some keycaps. Its hot swap, so you don’t need to solder anything. Decent starter board. Maybe toss in some gateron yellow switches. They run about .20 cents a switch.
·
Looking to get a new keyboard. Upgrading from a RedDragon K552 to a 60%. I was thinking of going to a Ducky Mecha, but also considered buying a GK61 Aluminum, and build my own. Any insight to this? Thanks.
Link to GK61
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N2KZ5VN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_kiGCFb30HT9GZ
·
You might be better off starting with a cheap hot swap platform. Like the GK61.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N2KZ5VN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_-lvnFbY1NJ9DF
This way you can try out switches and figure out whaYOU like. You light, med, and heavy linears. Tactiles. Clickies. There’s a lot to chooce from.
Try a good middle ground switch that’s cheap like the Gateron Milky top yellow. Or for a bit more the Novelkeys Silk yellow. And a cheap set of PBT keycaps from Amazon or AliExpess. Spend some time getting to see what you prefer while you save up to make a super nice build.
·
GK61 GK61x RGB Hot Swap Independent Driver Tyce-C ANSI Replacable Space Cherry MX Switches Mechanical Keyboard DIY Kit Case Plate PCB https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N2KZ5VN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Q3t3Eb64C71GD this us the link for the regular gk61, non optical. If you need arrow keys go for the gk64 or bm60. Keep in mind youll need a set of keycaps with special shift keys but you can get whatever 60% case. The bm60 also is only the pcb, so youll need to buy the a different plate(also sold on amazon).
Edit: Also to my knowledge I havent found a gk66 that isnt optical so I personally wouldnt go for it.
·
look into mx zilent switches, they’re frankenswitches but when lubed they’re super smooth and quieter than most membranes.
You could throw them into one of these as the board would need to be a custom
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N2KZ5VN/
Switches can be purchased on novelkeys assuming you’re us based
·
The link doesn’t work for me, but from the Amazon product number it appears to be this. Why are you worried you won’t like it?
·
I had trouble finding it as well, this is where I ordered. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N2KZ5VN/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o08\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
·
If you want a barebones kit, Amazon has one that’s pretty good: https://www.amazon.com/Independent-Bluetooth-Mechanical-Keyboard-Plastic/dp/B07N2KZ5VN/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=gk61&qid=1591527775&sr=8-3
​
It met my requirements, at least!
·
Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. If you dont mind checking the link I found would be very helpful to me. This is the link. If you could just make sure this isn’t the optical version that would be great, Thanks.
·
sry to bother u again but would this work w the switches? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N2KZ5VN/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A257ALKOU7JKIJ&psc=1
·
So I can use gateron yellow with this? https://www.amazon.ca/Independent-Bluetooth-Mechanical-Keyboard-Plastic/dp/B07N2KZ5VN?th=1&psc=1
·
Here is a hotswap GK61 on amazon.
The GK61 listed is compatible with the holy panda switches. The board I linked does not include switches or keycaps. Do also keep in mind that the switches in the board are north-facing. Meaning there will be interference with cherry profile keycaps.
·
That listing has two kinds of boards:
- Optical. Not useful if you want to put Gateron black inks in it.
- Mechanical pre-built soldered. You could put the Gat black inks in it, but you’d have to desolder the switches it comes with and solder in the inks. Not impossible but kind of a hassle.
If you are committed to the GK61, then you probably want the mechanical hot swap version: https://www.amazon.ca/Independent-Bluetooth-Mechanical-Keyboard-Plastic/dp/B07N2KZ5VN/ However, it looks like that is shipped from China.
Also worth noting that the plastic GK6x boards feel and sound very plasticky. You can improve the sound with some dampening material under the PCB.
I unfortunately don’t know of a good hotswap option that is readily available in Canada.
·
GK61 is a good option:
https://www.amazon.ca/Independent-Bluetooth-Mechanical-Keyboard-Plastic/dp/B07N2KZ5VN
For a metal case you’re looking at a higher price point. You’d probably want to order a kit from kbdfans or aliexpress
·
You can buy a a gk61 that is compatible with creams, I bought mine from Amazon
·
GK61 GK61x RGB Hot Swap Independent Driver Tyce-C ANSI Replacable Space Cherry MX Switches Mechanical Keyboard DIY Kit Case Plate PCB https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N2KZ5VN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_27IbGbQ2WMJXB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
·
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07N2KZ5VN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_vBM2Fb8GETXJJ
Thats the link, also no it does not work with opticals only 5 or 3 pin mechanicals (so standard cherry or gaterons and most switches actually)
·
So, I’m looking at ordering my first “custom” mechanical keyboard and I just wanted to run the parts by you guys to make sure they are compatible before I pull the trigger.
​
https://kbdfans.com/products/pls-do-not-delete-switches-option?variant=34158116176011
(gateron yellow)
https://kbdfans.com/products/pbt-pudding-backlit-keycaps?_pos=1&_sid=e6d456e5c&_ss=r
Am I good to go with these parts?
·
Amazon. It’s hotswappable and pre assembled with a case and plate
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N2KZ5VN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KePjDbY1EK1G0
·
(Small comparison of GK61 and GMMK)
The GK61 or GMMK Compact come with the case, plate, stabs, and PCB already put together. The GMMK is $8 more. Build quality is pretty similar I imagine.
I don’t even have the GMMK & it’s software, but I can tell you right now it’s almost definitely better than the GK61’s software, as it is notoriously awful (at least for english speakers, half of it’s in Chinese whether or not you pick English at setup). I decided to get the GK61 over the GMMK because I hate the floating switch design with the silver bezel, and I don’t really need macros that much. But I will say they are a nice option to have, especially for 60% boards without the F# keys, tilde and whatnot.
Their stabilizers are pretty meh on both, so you may want to upgrade those in the future either way. GK61’s are Plate Mount, and the GMMK’s appear to be as well, so you could just get some genuine Cherry Plate Mount stabs from Novelkeys or wherever else they might be cheaper. There’s some Youtube tutorials on how to disassemble plate mounted stabs and put them back in. It’s very easy.
If you like linear switches, Gateron Yellows are pretty cheap on Amazon. Good tactiles are more expensive ($50-70+ for ~70), but if you don’t care about really nice, very tactile switches like Zealios, T1, Aliaz, or Holy Pandas then You’ll probably find Gateron Browns or Kailh Box Browns just fine. Switches are kind of a personal adventure I think, as they are very preference & taste based. Hard (for me) to recommend.
There’s some pretty cheap sub $25-30 keysets from vendors like YMDK, NPKC, and Bossi on Amazon.
·
I got the GMMK Compact when it first came out.. it’s a great basic 60% board.. all the stabilizers are pretty good and lubed a lot. I would say the stabs on my GK61 are a little bit worse sounding. I recently got the GK61 from amazon and it’s pretty solid as well. I opt for the Plastic case and no bluetooth so it was 50$ shipped (looks like they raised the price to 54$. I think the raised the price because they might have imported some to the US so the shipping doesn’t take as long.. it now says “fulfilled by amazon” which it didn’t say when I ordered it.. so I’m guessing amazon has some in stock in their warehouses… so shipping won’t take a month.
One thing I hate about the GK61 is it doesn’t have a variety of “SOLID” colors to choose from.. it has a few RGB light effects to choose from and the only “SOLID” color they give you is some green color.
GMMK compact has raised feet and weighs a lot more than the GK61. I don’t like raised boards.. so the feet don’t matter to me. Personally I like white cases and the gmmk doesn’t come in white. You can get the GK61 in a white plastic case, though.
I haven’t tried the software for the gmmk (cause I’m lazy and it has a good choice of onboard solid colors to choose from), but the GK61’s software isn’t english friendly.. I took me about 30-ish minutes of messing around to understand how limiting it is and how to save RGB effects to the on-board memory (also very limiting). One nice thing about the GK61’s layers (it has 3) is that you can customize each key (except on the default layer) to whatever you want (but you lose fn functionality.. like fn arrow keys)… and switch to each layer takes less than one second.. pretty fast, imo. also the gk61 software is sketchy asf, imo.. I wouldn’t keep it installed.
GK61 has usb c.. gmmk doens’tGK61 sounds pingy to me.. gmmk doesn’tgmmk comes with a dust cover.. GK61 doesn’tgmmk has better build quality than the GK61GK61’s RGB is A LOT brighter than the gmmk (which is NICE and I’m glad it can get so bright.. but I usually keep it pretty low-medium cause it’s distracting, imo)GK61 cost 54$ and the gmmk compact will be around 68$ after shipping
I personally like the GMMK Compact more because the build quality feels a lot better (although you can get metal cases for the GK61 which will increase the cost $30ish and you’ll have to wait a month-ish for shipping)
I’d say get the GK61 from amazon and use the extra savings (14$) towards switches and keycaps if you’re on a tight budget. I think I like the USB C and white plastic case over the weight and better build quality of the gmmk compact. And it’s not that the plastic case on the GK61 is bad.. it feels really solid.. it’s just.. light.. and plastic.
I think they’re both pretty good boards if you’re looking specifically for a 60% hotswappable prebuilt. It’s just going to depend on whether you want one USB C or more weight or brighter LEDS, etc.
here’s the amazon link
·
mhm, around 50 huh? I’m not aware of any decent keyboards at around 50 but the cheapest I’d go with at this point is the GK61x DIY kit.
·
Not really sure on good ones in that price range. So hopefully someone else can help. They do make GK61s that take regular switches, like this one. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N2KZ5VN/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_i_ikLxFbVM31QWG no idea on quality though.
·
I would recommend building your own, now that might seem scary or unnecessary.. But trust me, it’s so much fun! For budget mechs I would go with a GK61 hot swap[1], that allows you to quickly pull out switches and swap for others ones. great for beginners. Next for switches,there are many many different variants of switches, but there are only 3 categories. Clicky, a sharp tactile bump with a click. Tactile, a quieter smoother switch with a tactile bump. Linear, same force the entire way down. These are all different in how they feel. If you want click switches i would recommend the Box Jade switches[2], a super strong click that feels absolutely amazing. Once you click those, you want to do it again, and again and again. For my favorite tactile, (controversial one here) I recommend the Novelkeys_ Blueberry switch[3] a super tactile switch but a bit scratchy when unlubed. Still WAY better than and nicer than your standard Brown switch. And for linears, I am a sucker for that Novelkeys Cream switch[4]. An Amazing switch that sounds just perfect. Finally, if you want white keycaps, there are many options, but if you want to go cheap you can find some OEM white keycaps[5] or if you want to go with nice caps, the PBT BoW[6] from you guessed it: Novelkeys.xyz
·
Thanks so much!!
I’m super impatient and the kdbfans shipping looks a bit slow. Plus the mechanicalkeyboards.com site doesn’t actually work. So I ended up cobbling stuff together from Amazon. I’ll see how it works!
If anyone is wondering:
Case / Plate / Stabilizers: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N2KZ5VN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Keycaps: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088M5VWWZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
Switches: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZF2GLLK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
·
Here’s the link for the gk61 on amazon. You’ll definitely be able to find it for cheaper on some of the chinese sites (try aliexpress, kbdfans, and kprepublic).
What you found are regular gateron blacks, which are not bad, but definitely not as good as gateron inks. You can find black gateron inks in stock here and the silent inks here.
If you want silence over everything, I would say grab the silent inks. However, the bottom out definitely feels mushier than on the regular inks. Looks up some sound tests to see if you really like the silence compared to the regular sound.
Definitely do not use wd-40. The most popular lube by far is Krytox 205g0, which you can find in quite a few places. You can find it on divinikey as well as the inks. Some other popular lube options are tribosys 3204 and 3203.
This really only applies if you’re lubing switches for a custom build though. If you plan on spraying lube in switches for a pre-built keyboard, you should do some more research since I’m not too familiar with it. I’ve seen some people use superlube spray but that’s about it.
·
i found this kit on amazon but I’m not sure if it’s good is it decent?gk61 case
·
Definitely!
​
So I will throw in some numbers…
GK61X: $50 + shipping ($67 on Amazon)
The Amazon would probably be the best as they have Prime for that. If you buy it from AliExpress, expect to wait a month or two for it to arrive.
​
Gateron Milky Switches: $16.80 for 70 switches
Milky Black or Yellow @ $2.40 per 10 switches. You will need at least 70 switches. The only difference is spring weight. Both Yellow and Black are amazing. I highly recommend lubing these, but stock are fine.
​
Novelkeys Silk Series Switches: $38.50 for 70 switches
Currently, only Silk Red is available. Yellow and Black are sold out, but they will restock periodically. Silk switches are prelubed, so you don’t need to mess with these. They are very smooth out the bag. If you want the Yellow or Black though, you can get the Dry series, which are unlubed and in stock.
​
Novelkeys Cream Switches: $45.50 for 70 switches
These are amazing, but only when lubed. They sound very good and are very smooth, but they have to be lubed.
​
Lube: Krytox 205g0 (Teal Technik has it for $7.99 and is more than enough to lube 70 switches)
Okay, so this is the true game changer in terms of how your keyboard feels and sounds. It is very hard to convey what lubing does, without you personally experiencing it first hand. Only thing I can say is that it takes you scratchy switch and makes it buttery smooth. It also changes the sound of your switch, making it sound more thocky (have a deeper, but satisfying sound).
​
The switch sound is also dependent on your plate and case material. Metal cases with steel or brass plates tend to sound very metallic and have a higher pitch sound. Plastic cases with aluminum plates sound a bit deeper.
​
I recommend Teal Technik as they give you 3 ml for $8 and ship fast. They are based in Oregon. 1upkeyboard also sells 205g0, but for $8, they only give you 2ml and it takes forever for them to ship. They take 2 weeks to ship.
​
Lubed Sound Clips:
Lubed Creams (Brass Material): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6gW18XE6EM
Lubed Creams (GK61 Plastic Case): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYiMP42bTpc
Lubed Gateron Milky Yellow (not sure about KB): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQBWfKC5nxU
​
How to Lube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSgPKPoFo2k
​
Keycaps is all your preference. You only need a 60% keycap set for the GK61. You can find lots of keycaps on AliExpress for $12 to $30 or more.
​
If we go with the budget option… (not including shipping or taxes)
​
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| GK61 | $67 |
| 70 Gateron Milky Switches | $16.80 |
| Krytox 205g0 (Optional) | $8 |
| Keycaps | $12 to $20 |
| Total | $95.80 to $111.80 |
​
There is also an alternative though… You can also buy your PCB, and if you have access to a 3D printer, you can 3D print your cases and plates. Several people in the custom mech community do this. PCBs (think of this as the motherboard for your keyboard) cost about $25 up to $60 per PCB. It all depends on what you want to do and what type of keyboard you want to decide on PCB. PCBs determine your layout.
·
·
Your total budget of $100 is most likely not possible with that kit with the aluminum case. A bundle of 10 switches costs at least $2.50 or so which means buying enough switches alone for that kit would at a minimum cost ~$17.50, putting you over $100 before you buy keycaps.
If you settle for the cheaper case then you’d be at ~$69. You can buy keycaps in a lot of websites, but I’ll recommend Amazon and KBDfans. I think the only shipping option at KBDfans costs $20 right now at KBDFans due to COVID-19 so Amazon’s probably your best bet for keycaps at the moment.
As for what kind of switches to buy, you don’t indicate which types of switches you prefer: linear, tactile, or clicky. But it seems most of the people on this subreddit prefer tactile switches–just don’t get Cherry MX Browns. In any case, I’d suggest you buy a switch tester on Amazon or novelkeys.xyz before deciding. Personally, I plan on making MX Zilents (linear) for a future build. It’s a frankenstein switch made with Cherry MX Silent stems and Zealio housing. You can buy switches on novelkeys.xyz and mechanicalkeyboards.com, among other websites. There’s also the Zeal switches at zealpc.net but any of those switches will probably put you over your budget.
·
Rip dude, I love it so far, you can try selling it on r/mechmarket.There’s one on amazon for $54 with a plastic case. I got my keycaps for $20 and switches are whatever you like.
Case with pcb and plate:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N2KZ5VN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1xqoEbG257K0M
Keycaps:
https://banggood.app.link/8nFuw3vsN3
I got the aluminum case from Banggood but it took like 17 days to get here.
·
Get a GK61 or similar hotswap. Try new stuff. Do research.
·
Grab some switches from Candykeys or Mechbox and some NPKC caps from Amazon.
If you need ISO, This is pretty much the only decent budget option.
·
This one’s good, otherwise you can also try GK61/GK64, also hot swappable so you can add switches yourself.
GK61 might be better because it has on the fly profile switching that GMMK doesnt have (AFAIK), you can also get it wireless if that floats your boat (also full metal case options).
·
Or should I just take something like this? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Independent-Bluetooth-Mechanical-Keyboard-Plastic/dp/B07N2KZ5VN/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=gk61&qid=1554993829&s=gateway&sr=8-2&th=1
·
Have recently got an anne pro 2 about 3 months ago with kailh box whites and I love it. But after being on this sub for a few months now i have been tempted to build my own keyboard as it looks super rewarding and the ability to fully customise it is amazing. Although I would like to get a hot swap pcb in order to be able to in the future swap switches as I’m only 16 so don’t have a budget to make as many keyboards as I like plus I’m in the UK so shipping is a nightmare. I have found this kit The hotswap kit I found and am wondering if this would be a good place to start as it seems a reasonable price point? Any advice or other hotswap pcb kits the are fairly priced please let me know!!
·
I like my AP2 don’t get me wrong, but I have been much happier with a wireless GH60 GK61 kit, which is hot swappable. Sure it’s more expensive overall since you have to buy caps and switches, but imo it’s a better experience.
I replaced the stabilizers, get to switch to whichever neato switch I’m interested in at the time (currently have Nolives!) and the RGB is a bit better.
