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Tech Reviews

Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite Review: Solid Keyboard or Just Average?

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Disclaimer

MechLands sent me the Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Mechlands Vibe108 and Vibe99 mechanical key boards.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • Galaxy 100 Lite
  • Wireless Dongle
  • USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
  • 2 Additional Switches
  • Mac Keycaps
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • User Guide

Unboxing

Features

The Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite promises to be the only mechanical keyboard you need. Whether you need a work horse to carry you through that 9 to 9 grind or a reliable tool to get you through the next raid, this keyboard is ready for any task.

Aesthetic

The Galaxy100 lite is a full sized keyboard available in two colors: Yellow and Black. I have it in yellow, and it has a classic feel for those that like the aesthetic, but the black is a stylish little upgrade for any aesthetic.

The keyboard has 100 keys and knob. The keys are all lit with dynamic and customizable RGB to make it a true gaming keyboard. Its aluminum frame makes it sturdy, but gives it its classy feel. If you are looking for a keyboard that is simple and gets the job done, the Galaxy100 Lite is a strong contender.

Comfort

The Galaxy100 promises comfort with its ergonomic design and soft mechanical switches. The typing angle is fixed at 7 degrees, but this is fine for most users. The 5 layer gasket mount muffles enough of the noise to keep the neighbors happy without taking away from any of that thacky goodness. Enjoy comfortable typing sessions with a stable, sturdy keyboard that feels good to the touch.,

Performance

The Galaxy100 lite is ready for any workflow. Whether you are looking at high level competitive play or just need something to type out your next novel, the Galaxy100 Lite does it all. With a low latency connection in both wireless and Bluetooth connections, users can enjoy high performance without any of the wire clutter. The impressive 8000mAh battery promises 39 hours of use with all the lights one. That means you don’t have to worry about your keyboard dying when you need it the most. But for those who want enjoy the lowest latency, the high quality braided cable is ready to deliver the performance you need.

Sound Test

Review

The Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite is an average full sized keyboard. While you can definately do worse at this price point, you can certainly do better. If you need a full sized keyboard, you’re better off with the Vibe108.

Quality

The Galaxy100 Lite looks good out of the box. The aluminum frame is well machine and gives it the sturdy heft that will keep the keyboard from sliding all over your desk. The keycaps are clean and feel good to the touch. The lettering is legible and it doesn’t feel like it will wear off. The keyboard looks like a more expensive, albeit retro looking keyboard. However, the aesthetic is a bit of an acquired taste.

Aesthetic

The Galaxy has a classic feel, and the yellow scheme makes it look like a thrifted keyboard with a bit of a modern flare. The problem with the aesthetic, it isn’t going to fit in every setup. The keycaps and switches are easily swapable, but might as well buy a full sized keyboard with a scheme you like. I wasn’t too crazy about the look, and even less crazy about the typing experience.

Comfort

The typing experience is average at best. I got my keyboard with the Marble White switches, and I can honestly say I prefer the Wisteria switches. The switches feel heavy and left a bit of fatigue after each extended use. The sound is also a bit too crunchy. If you are getting this keyboard, I recommend starting with the Wisteria switches. The Wisterias are awesome. Otherwise, the typing angle is fine and I never felt like it destroyed my hands, but I did need to take breaks. Note that I do have a repetitive stress injury that flares when I don’t have the right ergonomics, and this keyboard just didn’t have enough. Get the Vibe108.

Performance

The keyboard’s performance is the only thing saving it from a bad review. The keyboard works as intended. I could handle my casual level of gaming and MMO grind without performance issue. There was some fatigue, but not enough to make me stop. The impressive battery life gave me about the advertised 40 hours of use on a single charge, and that is nothing to scoff at. If you like the aesthetic and want something that will work, the Galaxy100 Lite is a solid choice.

Conclusion

Honestly, if this was the first full sized mechanical keyboard I ever used, I wouldn’t noticed the issues. Having used better keyboards like the Mechlands Vibe108, it gets hard to recommend. It all comes down to whether or not you like the aesthetic. If you like the retro feel of the keyboard and the yellowed color scheme, the keyboard works well enough and is comfortable enough to be worth the price tag. However, if you are looking for a good full sized budget keyboard, you have better options. Check out the Mechlands Vibe108.

You can pick up the Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite from the official Mechlands store, or AliExpress.

Tech Reviews

Is the TH108 Pro Worth It? An Honest Review

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Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me the TH108 Pro mechanical keyboard to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Mechlands Vibe 108 and Vibe 99 Mechanical Keyboards.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • TH108 Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • 2.4 Ghz Wireless Dongle
  • 2 Extra Switches
  • Manual

Unboxing

Features

The Epomaker TH108 promises to be the last full-sized keyboard gamers need. This stylish keyboard will not only upgrade your aesthetic, but has the features and performance to upgrade that young productivity.

Style

The TH108 Pro comes in three fantastic colors: Black, Blue/White, and Pink. I got mine in pink, but I wouldn’t mind collecting all of the colors.

This fullsized keyboard has 104 keys of swapable cherry profile switches. Each key is lit with customizable RGB, but you can always turn if off if for longer battery life. The TH108 comes with either the Creamy Jade or Sea Salt Silent switches. You’ll want the creamy switches for that disarable typing ASMR, and the Sea Salts if you prefer to sit with your own thoughts. The clean machining give the keyboard its classic feel, but the customizable LED screen and unique volume dial placement give it a modern flare. The fun schemes make it stand out against any setup.

Comfort

Epomaker strives for ergonomic design with a TH108 Pro‘s ideal typing angle. This keyboard does have kickstands for those of us who prefer something a little steeper. The five layer gasket design helps dampen some of the sound without completely eliminating it (unless you get the Sea Salts). Both switches promise a soft and satisfying typing feel that is ready to perform when you need it.

Performance

The TH108 Pro is an easy upgrade for any gamer in need of a full sized keyboard. The 104 switches are designed for low latency performance, with a bit of anti-ghosting protection for when you need it. You have additional switches if any ever fail. The fast wireless connections are perfect for the gamer who wants to reduce wire clutter, but the unbeatable wired connection is always ready for your next raid. Most importantly, the 4000mAh battery boasts a 40 hour life with everything on (200 with everything off) so you don’t have to worry about your keyboard dying mid raid. The handy, customizable LED screen will keep you on top of your battery life so it is never a surprise.

Gimmicks

What makes this keyboard Pro is the customizable LED screen. The screen shows users useful information like date, time, and battery life, but it can be customized with a GIF for some added personality. The side facing volume dial is in the perfect position for easy use.

Sound Test

Review

The TH108 Pro is a solid keyboard for those who need a full sized key board and want the LED screen. Otherwise, you can make do with just the TH108.

Aesthetic

I received my TH108 Pro keyboard in black, and I love the color scheme. The black makes it look like a classic keyboard, but it has a bit of color accents to make it pop. All the colors look cool though, and I wouldn’t mind it getting the other colors. Looking at you pink. The side facing dial is my favorite feature of this keyboard. It not only looks good, but it feels a lot more natural when tuning my volume. It has definitely ruined normal dials for me. The LED screen make the keyboard look very modern. It will definitely stand out and get you some compliments.

Quality

Out of the box, the keyboard is fine. The machining is solid, and everything looks clean. It is a little on the lighter side so there is a bit of flex, but if you aren’t traveling with it or throwing it around, it’s fine. It looks high quality, and feels good for the price.

Gimmicks

The main selling point for this keyboard is the LED screen. The LED screen is useful, especially for staying on top of your battery life, but I always forget I have it. I don’t even bother customizing the screen with a GIF because I never look at it. For those who want to have that flare and quick access to that information, it works and it is easy to customize. I personally don’t care for keyboards with screens, but I don’t mind having them.

Performance

The keyboard works great. I didn’t notice any ghosting or latency in my testing. The keyboard also has a respectable battery. I got about 40 hours on a single charge with everything on. It did good enough with my MMO grind, and a lot of the indie games I review for this blog. If you need an affordable full sized keyboard that just works, the TH108 Pro can handle whatever you throw at it.

Comfort

The TH108 Pro took some getting used to. The switches feel a little heavy, which caused a bit of fatigue. Not enough to force me to stop typing, but enough to notice some discomfort. I have some hand injuries that require special ergonomics so your mileage may vary. If you need special ergonomics in your full sized keyboard, I would get something like the Redragon Wyvern. The function bar is also not lined up with the number row which made it a little awkward to use in gaming. I never got used to it, and it made the size a little useless. I get the full-sized keyboard for gaming because I need the function bar for Guild Wars. I am sure if I stick with it I can get used to it, but it just feels more efficient to rebind my actions to not use the function bar.

Conclusion

The TH108 Pro is a solid keyboard. It isn’t anything I would rush to, but if this is our budget and you want an LED screen, you aren’t doing much better. This is a keyboard that does just enough. It is comfortable enough to get those long sessions of gaming in, and it works fast enough to keep you competitive. I wouldn’t get this over the TH108 as a matter of taste, but there is nothing wrong if you want a little GIF to spice up your day.

You can pick up the Epomaker TH108 Pro, and other keyboards like it, on the official Mechlands store.

Tech Reviews

Aula x Epomaker F75 Max Review: The Best Budget Mechanical Keyboard

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Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me the Epomaker x Aula F75 Max for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Vibe108 and Vibe99. I’ll be using my Mechlands affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you end up buying from them directly.

Table of contents

What’s in the box?

  • F75 Max Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • 2 x Extra LEOBOG Reaper Switches
  • Shortcut Sheet
  • Wireless Dongle
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • User Manual

Features

Aula and Epomaker come together to make another spectacular, stylish compact keyboard that is ready to not only take on your next raid night, but upgrade your aesthetic. Whether you need a work horse for that nine to five, or a daily beater for your epic grind, the F75 Max is looking like a strong contender with a very reasonable price tag.

Aesthetic

The Aula x Epomaker F75 Max comes to us as a 75% keyboard with a TFT customizable screen and a knob. The 75% layout means that it is compact enough to fit on any desk, but with enough utility to make it worth it. The keyboard comes in four flavors: White Blue, Black, Pink White, and Caramel Pudding.

This keyboard looks great in every color, but all the keys and switches can be easily swapped if you ever want to change up the aesthetic. Each key is lit up by south facing LEDs for some added customization, but you can always use the keyboard with everything off.

Gimmicks

What makes this 75 a Max edition is its included TFT screen and Knob. The TFT screen displays useful information like date, time, battery life, and connection type. Meaning you don’t have to memorize any shortcuts to know how much gaming you have left on your current charge. Most notably, the keyboard comes with built in media and volume controls, so you never have to leave the game to adjust your volume.

Comfort

The F75 Max comes with a comfortable typing angle out of the box that should be suitable for most users. It does have a two-stage kickstand for people like me who prefer a steeper angle. The gasket design helps mitigate some of that sound so you still get that satisfying thack, without keeping the whole house up with your typing. Most importantly, the switches and the board give users the soft typing feel they crave at a very reasonable price.

The F is for Gaming

For those of you who need a little more utility for your gaming needs, the F75 Max is compatible with NKRO. The fast wireless connections on both wireless and bluetooth make it a strong competative tool, and the 1000hz poling rate on USB make it invaluable. There is a wired version for those who prefer the edge and don’t mind the cable clutter.

Performance

At this price, the F75 Max promises to be an unrivaled work horse. The switches promise long lasting, anti ghosting technology for accurate inputs out of the box. The impressive 4000 mAh battery promises about 30 hours of use with all of the lights on so you don’t have to worry about reaching for a wire during your most important team fight. Whether you need to spend long hours at the office or finish that last paragraph for finals, you can can count on the Aula x Epomaker F75 Max to be there for you.

Sound Test

Review

The Aula x Epomaker F75 Max is an impressive budget keyboard that has all the keys you need, plenty of the style you want, and all more utility than you can handle. If you are looking for an upgrade for your setup, make it the F75 Max.

Looks

These Aula colabs always look good. If your intention is to have a good looking keyboard that isn’t going to drain your bank account, these colabs are a great entry point. My issue with these colabs is that while they look good, they are hit or miss. Some of them look good, but have a general cheapness that can’t be ignored. Others strait up don’t worth. Luckily, the F75 Max seems to be a step in the right direction where you get a good amount of value and utility as well as a good looking keyboard. I got the Caramel Pudding keyboard and absolutely love the scheme. The other colors look good too, but the unique ones with the prints are fun.

Quality

With the F75 Max, you are still getting a cheap keyboard. If you’ve never used a finer keyboard, you won’t notice the flaws. But there is some cheapness. With the Carmel Pudding, some of the designs looks smudged and the print quality isn’t great. It doesn’t seem like they will rub off any time soon, but you can definitely buy better custom keycaps. For what it is it, the keyboard is still fun and looks nice on the table. The machining is fine, the keycaps feel nice to the touch, and all of the keys work. Most people will be impressed by the unique, and quirky vibe this keyboard will bring to your aesthetic.

Gimmicks

I’ve mentioned it before, I don’t care much for screens on my keyboards. It is nice to have a battery indicator, but I get a notification popup on screen when the battery is low anyways. Aside from the initial novelty, I never really look down to look at the screen. It is nice to have, but not as nice as the knob. The knob works as intended. It is smooth, responsive, and one of the features I look for in my keyboards.

Comfort

The F75 Max is small, but it doesn’t feel small. I have big hands and always worry when I get these types of keyboard, but I never had issues with the F75 Max. The keys feel really nice, and the switches are soft to reduce hand strain. The typing angle is perfect out of the box. Honestly, this is one of the rare instances where I didn’t have to adjust or get used to a keyboard. The F75 Max was comfortable out of the box.

Performance

I’ve used keyboards from this line that straight up didn’t work. I’ve had to change out switches or give up on them entirely. I am happy to report that I had no issues with the F75 Max. The keyboard works out of the box, with little noticeable latency. It handles my MMO grind on wireless comfortably and without issue. The battery life is incredible. It boasts 30 hours with all the lights on, and I got about that. I even lost the charging cable from how little I needed it throughout my testing. I don’t use any of the NKRO stuff for gaming, but I am sure it has its uses for those who need it.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a high quality budget keyboard with a cool aesthetic, get the Aula x Epomaker F75 Max. This is a fantastic entry mechanical keyboard at an unbeatable price. I definitely recommend it, especially if you don’t need to get that fancy with your setup.

You can pick up the Aula x Epomaker F75 Max on AliExpress, or through Mechlands using my affiliate link.

Tech Reviews

Is the Mechlands Vibe108 the Best Budget Mechanical Keyboard?

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Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me the Vibe108 mechanical keyboard for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Vibe99 and the the M75 keyboards. I’ll also be using my affiliate link where possible.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • Vibe108 Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A braided Cable
  • 2.4Ghz Dongle
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • User Manual

Features

If you are looking for your first mechanical keyboard, it might be worth looking into the The Mechlands Vibe108. The Vibe108 is loaded with the features you need, and a few you didn’t know you needed.

Aesthetic

The Vibe108 comes in white with a soft pastel blue accent to give it that cozy feel you want on your table. Each 104 key is lit up by soft south-facing RBG. It can’t be a gaming keyboard without some RGB. It comes with a few preprogrammed profiles for added customization, but you can turn it off when you don’t want to have the light show. I am a big fan of the soft strop that lights up the sides of the board.

Gimick

The Vibe108 is a full-sized keyboard with all the keys you need for your workflow. You get a number pad, a function bar, and media controls. The Vibe108 features easily accessible media buttons and a dial for volume control. You don’t know how nice it is too have media control until you have them.

Comfort

The Vibe108 mechanical keyboard comes out of the box with a comfortable typing angle, but offers adjustable heights for those who need it. I like my keyboards at the highest setting. Whether you are using the Mechlands cream mint switches for the typing asmr or the vela silent switches for a bit more stealth, you can be assured you are getting a comfortable yet satisfying typing experience.

Performance

At this price point, the Vibe108 promises peak performance at a very reasonable price. Especially for the price point.

The keyboards switches offer fast and accurate imputs with no ghosting or noticeable latency. Users can enjoy a fast connection through the supported wired, wireless, and Bluetooth connections. With an impressive 10,000mAh, users can enjoy long interrupted workflow hours without having to plug back in. Enjoy up to 200 hours of use without any of the backlights on a single charge!

Most importantly, the keyboard can be customized with the macros and rebinds you need in your life.

Sound Test

Review

Out of all the Mechlands keyboards I have tried, the Vibe108 with the silent switches has been my favorite. If you are looking for a full-sized keyboard to upgrade your current set-up, the Mechlands Vibe108 is the perfect place to start.

Quality

The quality of Mechlands keyboards tends to fluctuate, but they really stepped up their game with the Vibe 108. The gasket is well machined and light, and the keys looks like they can take a pounding. They still feel cheap if you take the time to really examine them (or know what nice keycaps feel like), but most people aren’t going to notice. Out of the box, this keyboard looks and feels like it should be worth a bit more money.

Comfort

The Vibe108 is Mechlands’ most comfortable keyboard. It is a good size that allows enough spacing for my hands to sit in a comfortable position. The typing angle out of the box is good enough for most users, and the extra height is perfect for me.

I got the silent switches. While I do like having a more thacky sound to my typing, my wife really appreciates the silence. These switches are incredibly quiet while still offering a satisfying typing experience. Each press is soft, with enough feedback to feel good without causing any fatigue. I daily drove this keyboard longer than my usual test period because of how comfortable it is to use. While it isn’t marketed as an ergonomic solution, it never triggered my repetitive stress injury and that is a huge win for me.

Performance

I got about 10 hours of use before needing to charge the keyboard, but I don’t think I ever charged it all the way. There was no noticeable latency and gaming was comfortable. I was able do a good amount of grinding in Guild Wars 2 without issue.

Conclusion

The Vibe108 is my favorite Mechlands keyboard. I will be recommending it to anyone who needs a full sized keyboard but doesn’t want to spend much money. This is a very pretty keyboard the is the perfect size for my workflow with the customization I need to make it future proof. If you are looking for a fun way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the Vibe108 mechanical keyboard.

You can pick up the Vibe108 on the official Mechlands store using my affiliate link.

Tech Reviews

Epomaker x Aula F75: An Honest Review

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Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me the Epomaker x Aula F75 with the LEOBOG Reaper switches to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you check out my reviews for the Mechlands Vibe 99 and the Vibe 75 V2.

What’s in the box?

  • Epomaker x Aula F75 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard
  • 2.4G Dongle
  • USB-A to USB-C Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • User Manual

Features

Epomaker and Aula have reunited to bring us a stylish and fordable solution to gaming. Whether you need a budget keyboard for work or play, the F75 promises to bring enough utility for any occasion.

The Keyboard

The keyboard has a modern clean design with well manufactured parts and clearly printed PBT keycaps. This 75 percent keyboard measure 143.2mm by 322.7mm for usable form factor experience. The 80 keys that make up the keyboard all are all lit with a beautiful south-facing RGB profile for that coveted gaming aesthetic. The switches are blubbered and as easily hospitable as the keycaps. The keyboards gimmick is the smooth volume dial that also controls the media.

Comfort and Design

The F75 has a very desirable typing angle for a comfortable typing experience out of the box. This angle can be adjusted for a more tailored experience. The prelubbed switches come in three different styles: Crescent, LEOBOG Reaper, and Ice Veign. Each designed to provide users a unique experience, the only questions is what sound and level of actuation you prefer. The five-layer padding design helps dampen the sound, while keeping a bit of that Typing ASMR alive.

Sound Test

Utility

The F75 supports three connections: 2.4G wireless (with included dongle), Bluetooth, and wired. These connections can be swapped easily with a flick of a switch. Both wireless and Bluetooth settings a fast, low latency connection ideal for most gaming environments. The included high quality cable can pick up the slack for anything else. But fast wireless connections are worthless without a strong battery supporting them. The F75 features a respectable 4000 mAh battery that is more than enough in most cases. User experience varies, especially if you’re going crazy with the RGB effects.

Review

As far as budget keyboards go, the Epomaker x Aula keyboard is a solid contender. The features and quality keep it from being a luxury upgrade, but it does enough to be worth the price price tag.

Quality

At first glance, users will be impressed by the design. Everything looks clean and the printing is clear. Picking up the keyboard doesn’t raise too many flags. The keyboard has a good weight for home and travel use, and the construction feels sturdy. I didn’t notice any concerning flex with my unit. Actually using the keyboard is where the cracks start to show.

Unfortunately, the keycaps are cheap, and they feel cheap the more you use them. They feel sharp and harsh to the touch, and they produce the ugliest typing sound. If you’re looking for good typing ASMR, you might have to swap out the caps or switches, but that defeats the purpose. If you’ve never used good keycaps or need something affordable to throw around, this doesn’t matter. They’re good enough.

Comfort

Despite the cheap keycaps, I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the F75 actually is. The typing angle out of the box is fantastic and the switches are solid. Although the keycaps are harsh to my fingers, the switches were soft to my joints. The don’t trigger my repetitive stress injury like other cheap keyboards do, and that is a huge win for me. While I wouldn’t say it is an ergonomic keyboard, it is an ergonomic enough design to keep my hands functional after prolonged use.

Performance

The F75 gets the job done out of the box. The switches all worked and were responsive, and the connection was stable. I didn’t notice any ghosting or faulty switches through my tests. This is a keyboard that is very easy to install, and even easier to tweak if needed. The preprogrammed shortcuts were all easy to find and incredibly helpful. I like the little cheat sheet included in the box. Most importantly, the battery life is great. I got about eight hours of continuous use off a single charge with the RGB on. This is enough for most cases.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a keyboard at this price range, it doesn’t get much better. With the F75, you are getting a cool looking keyboard with comfortable switches and enough keys for most work flows. The media nob is a fantastic gimmick, especially if you like working while listening to music. The Switches may feel cheap, but I never got the impression like they would fade or start to look ugly. If this is your budget, get the F75.

You can pick up the Epomaker x Aula F75 on the official Mechlands store, or through Aliexpress.

Tech Reviews

Why the Mechlands Vibe 99 is a Great Budget Mechanical Keyboard

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Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me the Vibe 99 Mechanical keyboard to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Vibe 75 V2 and the Blade 101. I will also be using my Amazon and Mechlands affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use either.

What’s in the box?

  • Vibe 99 Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
  • 2.4G Dongle
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • User Manual

Features

The Vibe 99 is a 98% Gasket mounted mechanical keyboard. It has 100 keys supported by the hotswapable cream mint switches. The keyboard comes in black and white, with a vibrant south facing RGB profile to make it pop against any backdrop.

The Vibe 99’s gimick is the small LCD display that shows the date, time, connection and battery life. It can also be customized with a Gif or image for added flare. The gasket mounted design not only gives the keyboard its clacky sound, but it gives users a comfortable experience. The typing angle is adjustable for the ideal typing angle. Most importantly, it supports fast wireless connections through its Bluetooth and wireless connections. With its 4000mAh battery, users will hardly need to reach for the included high quality braided wire.

Soundtest

Review

If you are looking for a good full-sized keyboard, the Mechlands Vibe 99 is a fantastic option. Out of the box, users can appreciate a well manufactured keyboard with a clean and modern design. I got the white/blue version and love the soft-toned aesthetic. The keyboard is lite, and while there is a little flex, it looks sturdy enough to survive normal workloads.

As the typing experience goes, users are getting a solid mechanical keyboard with soft creamy sounding keys and a comfortable fit for most frames. The switches are very soft, yet give off the satisfying clack that I long for in my mechanical keyboard. Most importantly, they didn’t destroy my hands. I could power through long typing sessions without triggering my repetitive stress injury of feeling much fatigue. It may not be a strictly ergonomic keyboard, but it is as close as you’ll get for the price point.

The Vibe 99 performed well for my workflow. I was able to get about 10 hours of continuous use from a single charge with all the lights and effects on. I can only assume I can get a lot longer with everything off, but this thing is too pretty to keep off. None of the keys failed during my testing, nor did I experience any ghosting. I don’t play very competitive games, and fine with my casual collection.

The only thing I would change is the Vibe 99 is the LCD screen. I would have preferred volume/media controls. Having a screen with the date and time is fun for the first few minutes, but then I sort of forgot about it. If you are someone who likes to customize keyboards with gifs for bit of fun, then it becomes a bit more worth it. Customizing the screen is easy, it just wasn’t for me. That said, I would still buy this keyboard because it is a very solid budget keyboard.

If you are looking for a full sized good looking keyboard that is comfortable and performs well, check out the Mechlands Vibe 99. You can pick it up from the official Mechlands shop, or an Amazon with my affiliate links.

Tech Reviews

Is the Mechlands Vibe 75 V2 Worth It? Honest Review

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Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me a the Vibe 75 V2 mechanical keyboard for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. I will be using affiliate links. Using those really helps me out. Check out my reviews for the Blade 101 and M75.

What’s in the box?

  • Vibe 75 Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A Charging Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • User Manual

Features

The Mechlands 75 V2 is a 75% gasket-mounted mechanical keyboard with a modern design and a customizable LCD screen. With 79 Keys powered with the hotswappable Mechlands Mint Switches, the keyboard offers a responsive satisfying typing experience. With its high speed support for Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz wire connections and a 4000mAh battery, users can enjoy high performance for the most demanding workflow.

Sound Test

Review

Out of the box, the Vibe 75 V2 is a very aesthetically pleasing line. The manufacturing is clean, with a very modern design at pops with the well placed RGB. If you don’t like RGB, the Vibe 75 looks great without any of the lights. I love that the wireless dongle is hidden under the keyboard for nice clean storage. The LCD screen is nice. It produced a clear image and useful information, but I would have preferred a nob for volume controls for my workflow. It is nice to see the batter life, but I don’t know how often I would look at the screen. Customizing the screen with a cool GIF is fun, but again, I don’t look down enough for it to be the selling feature.

The Vibe 75 has enough keys for my workflow, and the switches are very comfortable. The angle is perfect, but there is additional adjustments for those who need it. The switches themselves have a very satisfying sound, but they are a little loud if that matters to your neighbors. The switches are mostly pretty responsive. My space bar came a little defective and I would add a random space enough to be annoying. I tried resetting it, but switching out the switch seems to be the solution. It is a little troubling that the switch is defective out of the box.

As far as budget mechanical keyboards, you can definitely do worse than the Vibe 75. Aside from the switch failing, the keyboard looks good and is comfortable. Switches can be easily swapped out. If you don’t mind risk of failing. I can’t really recommend it myself because I don’t trust the switches will last long enough for it to be worth the investment. For the money you would spend on replacement switches, you might as well buy something at a higher range.

You can pick up the Vibe 75 on the official Mechlands store or on Amazon through my affiliate links.

Tech Reviews

Is the Epomaker Aula F65 Pro Worth It?

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Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me the the Epomaker x Aula F65 Pro to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my latest reviews for the Blade 101 and M75. I will be using affiliate links where possible. You are free to buy where ever you want, but it really helps me out if you use my links.

What’s in the box?

  • Aula F65 Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • 2 Additional Switches
  • User Manual

Features

The Epomaker x Aula Mechanical keyboard is a 65% keyboard with unique flare. It comes in Black Contour and Gradient Gray, and both truly pop with their RBG lighting effect. I was sent the black, and the little wave design looks a lot cooler in person.

The F65 features 65 hotswappable keys and a dial for volume and media controls. 65% can handle most workloads, but there are preprogrammed short cuts for some added utility. The 4000mAh gives users full advantage of the lightning-fast wireless connections. With 1000 HZ polling, the keyboard promises a competitive edge against other keyboards in the price range.

Sound Test

Review

The F65 Pro is a very cool looking keyboard out of the box. The sleek and unique design will make it stand out on any desktop, and the RBG effects will help it pop. The keyboard is a great size for those who care about desktop space, and light for those who need something that travels. While the keyboard is well manufactured, it does feel and sound like a cheep plastic keyboard. The board also has a good amount of flex. Not enough to worry about, but I wouldn’t throw this around in a bag without at least a bit of protection.

As far as sounds go, this thing is loud. You are either going to love the sound, or hate how cheap and loud it is. I was not a fan and recommend you listen to the sound test before making your decision. I will say the typing experience is a lot more pleasant than I expected. The keys were soft to the touch and I never felt pain or fatigue from any of my sessions. It is a surprisingly comfortable keyboard with a decent typing angle.

The keyboard also has a solid battery life. I was getting about 8 hours with the RGB effect on, which is more than enough for most work flows. As for the performance, I think mine came defective. Pressing the space bar would randomly register the imputs twice. At random intervals, I was getting two spaces and it made typing any thing longer than a sentence annoying. Switching out the switch seems to have fixed the issue for now. Replacing the switch was easy enough with the included replacement and tool, but I shouldn’t have to do so when the keyboard is brand new.

The keyboard is not bad for the price point. I’ve definitely tried worse, but the fact that it came defective makes it a gamble. I can’t recommend it because for the hassle of replacing the defect, you can pick up a better keyboard. This seems like there were corners cut to make a cool looking keyboard at a budget, and I can’t sacrifice aesthetics for performance.

If you want to take the gamble, you can pick up the Epomaker x Aula F65 Pro from Amazon, or the official Mechlands store.

Tech Reviews

Epomaker X Aula F108 Review: Affordable Mechanical Keyboard

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Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me the EPOMAKER X AULA F108 to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my latest reviews for the Blade 101 and M75 keyboards.

What’s in the box?

  • F108 Mechanical Keyboard
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • 4 Replacement Switches
  • 1 USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • 1 2.4 G Dongle

Features

The Epomaker x Aula F108 is a light weight stylish full-sized mechanical keyboard who wants a bit of style, a lot of performance, but doesn’t want to break the bank. The keyboard comes in three colors: White/Blue, Side Printed Gray, and White/Blue. I got mine in the Side-Printed Grey, but all options are extremely viable.

Black/Blue
Side-Printed Grey
White/Blue

This full sized keyboard features 108 anti-ghosting keys that delivery the accuracy you need it. The typing angle promotes comfort in your workflow while the promised low latency connections provide the performance. With an impressive 1000hz polling rate, the F108 promises to keep pace at the competative level. The 4000 mAH battery boasts up 200 hours of uninterrupted gaming, making it perfect for the folks who need to minimize that wire clutter. The Epomaker F108 is a beautiful keyboard with the performance to back it.

Sound Test

Review

The keyboard feels cheap out of the box. It is a very light weight keyboard with a worrying amount of flex. Visually however, the keyboard has enough elegance to make up for the feel. I love the gradient scheme, but the keys are swapable when needed. I like how soft the RGB looks and love how the text is on the front of the key rather than the usual top. It gives the keyboard a very unique modern aesthetic.

I was very impressed with how comfortable the typing experience is on the F108. The flex isn’t notable while typing, and the keys seems to have just enough weight to them to provide satisfying tactile feedback without any of the fatigue. Both the typing angle and the size of the keyboard were perfect for my frame. The F108 never triggered my repetitive stress injury which makes this keyboard an instant buy for me. To sweeten the deal, the F108 has such a satisfying typing sound, but it is a little loud if that matters.

Most importantly, the F108 has the performance I need for my workflow. There was no noticeable latency, and I was able to switch between devices quickly. I think I only charged the keyboard once during my keyboard and I was using it on average about 10 hours strait a day with the backlight on. Your millage will vary depending on your backlight setting, but I am impressed non-the less.

My only complaint is the amount of flex this keyboard has. I would not travel with the F108 because it will probably snap in half. I was scared to bend it too much with my testing because it felt like it was going to break. If you need a full sized keyboard and don’t need to take it out of the house, this is a solid budget option that loops cool and has the performance to take on most work flows.

You can pick up the the Epomaker x Aula F108 on the official Mechlands site.

Tech Reviews

MechLands Blade 101: My Honest Review

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Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me the Blade 101 keyboard to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check my latest reviews for the Ajazz Alux 68 and the Mechlands M75. I will also be using my affiliate links for Mechlands and Amazon where I can.

What’s in the box?

  • Blade 101 Keyboard
  • 2.5 G Dongle
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • User Manual
  • 2 Extra Key Switches
  • Plastic Dust Cover

Features

The MechLands Blade 101 is an aluminum full mechanical keyboard. The keyboard comes in blue and black and while both colors look really good, but the keys and switches are easily swapable to match your aesthetic. If you like the clacking sound, the Blade 101 is gasket mounted with additional sound enhancing material for an extra satisfying tacking. It also wouldn’t be a modern keyboard with RGB, and the Blade 101 has a soft south facing RGB for a little extra flare.

As performance goes, users can enjoy high speed wireless connections through its Bluetooth and 2.5 GHz support, but a high speed wired connection is available when that 8000 mAh battery finally dies. Each 101 key has been prelubbed for maximum performance, and the finely tuned stabilizers promises comfort. The Blade 101 seems like the perfect full sized budget option, but how good is it really?

Sound Check

Review

The Blade 101 is undeniably one of my prettiest keyboards. I love the layout and color scheme, and the clean manufacturing makes it look like a more expensive keyboard. I also like the slightly textured caps. They made typing feel really good at first, but I can’t use the keyboard for too long without it flaring up my repetitive stress injury. People who don’t have this injury and use the keyboard a normal amount shouldn’t have this problem. I hadn’t had this issue with any of the other keyboards they sent me, and I am a little disappointed that this isn’t one of them.

Another issue I have with the keyboard is that it never charged. The keyboard held its initial charge, but I was never able to charge it again no matter what device, port, or cable I plugged it into. It also didn’t work on the USB mode when connected with the cable. I had to be on one of the wireless modes connected with a wire. This isn’t a huge deal, but I assume the wireless feature is baked into the price, and the price is too expensive for a wired keyboard that isn’t very comfortable.

The keyboard also didn’t perform well. I might have gotten unlucky and received my first defective unit, but it is an issue non the less. There was a lot of ghosting, and sometimes the presses wouldn’t register. It wasn’t unusable, but it made some tasks feel a bit tedious. The range for the wireless doesn’t feel very far. If was next to my device, I the ghosting was present, but not as bad as when I extended my standing desk. I did get about 6 hours of use out of the box with the backlight on, but I wasn’t able to test it again.

The MechLands Blade 101 is a very good looking full sized keyboard, but lacks the performance to earn a recommendation. Even if everything worked out of the box, I like the M75 a whole lot better. Go check out my review for that instead.

You can pick up the Blade 101 on the official MechLands online shop, or on Amazon through my affiliate links. It really helps me out if you do.