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Tech Reviews

KiiBOOM Phantom 98 Lite Review: Adorable & Functional

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Disclaimer

KiiBOOM sent me the Phantom 98 Lite mechanical gaming 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 Moonshadow V2 mechanical keyboard and the Cypher 29 gaming keypad. I’ll also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you click on it before you buy anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the Box?

  • Phantom 98 Lite
  • Dust Cover
  • Stickers
  • Branded Cleaning Cloth
  • 2 x Extra Switches
  • USB-C to USB-A Braded Cable
  • Wireless Dongle
  • 6 x Keycaps
  • User Manual

Unboxing

Features

If you’re looking for an adorable frog themed mechanical keyboad that not only looks good, but is also packed with utility, check out the KiiBOOM Phantom 98 Lite.

Aesthetic

Kiiboom once again proves why it is the best looking brand when it comes to high end feeling affordable mechanical keyboards. The newest color of the Phantom 98Lite, the adorable frog themed green, is sure to make a splash against any backdrop. This addorably themed keyboard features 97 swappable keys. The Moa profile keycaps not only enhance the keyboard’s cuteness, but provide the user with a comfortable typing experience. These dye-sub PBT keycaps have been manufactured to stay looking great, even through your sweatiest team fights. As a nifty little feature, the wireless dongle is securely stored under a cute magnetic frog themed plate that ties the whole look together rather nicely. Now, this wouldn’t be a gaming keyboard without a little RGB. The beautiful south facing rgb, that you can of course switch off if you don’t want to enjoy the light show.

Comfort

The Phantom 98 Lite comes out of the box with the ideal typing angle for most users, but the adjustable kickstands are ready for those like me who prefer a steeper angle. The layered gasket design is designed with enough sound dampening to keep your neighbors from beating down the door during your midnight raids. The keyboard is currently available with the Mossy Silent switches, with Mochi switches planned for late April for those who prefer a little typing ASMR. The switches are soft the reduce typing fatigue, and the Moa keycaps are contoured to make typing feel extra delightful.

Performance

This gaming keyboard promises low latency connections for both its wireless and bluetooth connections. The Phantom 98 lite can switch between 5 different connections quickly and easily. Gamers can enjoy a healthy gaming session with the impressive 8000 mAh battery. When the battery eventually runs out, gamers can enjoy the snappy wired connection with the included braided cable. Best of all, the keyboard offers official support for both Mac and Windows devices, and even includes extra keycaps for those who don’t want the windows keys. Most importantly, the Phantom 98 lite is VIA compatible for additional utility. Users can easily remap, rebind, and program useful macros to improve their workflow.

Sound Test

Review

If you are looking for keyboards that fit a cute cozy aesthetic but are also backed by their quality, then you are looking at KiiBOOM. I have yet to be disappointed by one of their products, and the Phantom 98 lite is no exception. This keyboard is not only the cutest thing to hit my table, but it is one of the most comfortable. If you are looking for something affordable and like the frog aesthetic, get yourself the Phantom 98 lite.

Aesthetic

This keyboard is adorable. I love the cute frog theme and the color. The keyboard has all of the keys I need for my workflow without feeling too big. I don’t really use Mac devices, but I appreciate that I have the option to swap out the windows keys if I’m feeling froggy. Most importantly, the high quality of the keyboard makes it very good option for those trying to upgrade their aesthetic.

Quality

Out of the box, this keyboard feels like it is more expensive than it is. The keyboard comes in fun, clean packaging that makes it feel like a premium product. The gasket does have a little flex to it, but nothing that is noticeable when typing. It is cleanly machined like the keycaps and switches. The keycaps are all printed very cleanly with a clear and legible font. Sometimes, these cutesy themes use fonts that are hard on my dyslexia, but not today. The printed images are all cute, and none of it feels like it will fade or smudge in the near future. Eventually, you will have to replace the keycaps, but luckily everything is easily swappable. At this price point, you aren’t really doing better.

Performance

The keyboard worked great. I did not notice any ghosting or malfunctions in my two weeks of testing. The connections were fast and responsive, and I was able to do my GW2 grind comfortably and without issue. Battery is excellent and I was able to get about 8 hours of continuous use out of the box, and about the same after the first charge. I did add a few shortcuts I needed for work through VIA. The process is easy and it gives the Phantom 98 lite it’s versatility.

Comfort

Comfort is where I have my first issue with the keyboard. It isn’t the most uncomfortable keyboard I’ve used, but I wouldn’t get this keyboard if you need better ergonomics. I have a repetitive stress injury that flares if the ergonomics are not right, and unfortunately, the Phantom 98 lite triggers it. This is a problem that is unique to me and other people with similar hand issues, normal people won’t notice the pain. The keyboard is comfortable enough to get a good amount of work done, but I am left with some soreness. If you aren’t suffering from a similar injury, the keycaps feel really good to the touch, the switches are light, and typing angle is excellent.

Conclusion

The KiiBOOM Phantom 98 Lite is an excellent keyboard for those who want a cute frog themed keyboard that works well and is high quality. My only complaint is that I don’t have access to dial for volume controls, but the keyboard has built in shortcuts to mitigate its absence. If you don’t need special ergonomics and like the design, you are getting a high quality cute keyboard that you will absolutely fall in love with.

You can pick up the KiiBoom Phantom 98 lite on the official KiiBOOM store, or on Amazon through 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

Tech Review: Razer Orbweaver Keypad

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My search for a more ergonomic gaming setup eventually landed me the Razor Orbweaver. Unfortunately, this device is no longer supported by Razor, and each day becomes an increased gamble of whether or not it will continue to work. That said, I love this keypad to bits and will continue to use it till it officially dies. I won’t be linking to this product because all I could find were listings with inflated prices that are not justifiable for this keypad. The most ideal price for this would be $50-$60 new, and that is pushing it.

The Orbweaver is a 30-button keypad that you can reprogram to fit your gaming style. The keypad can be easily remapped through the official Synapse app. You can save multiple different profiles that are game or program-specific. You can program the device to automatically switch profiles when certain programs or games are running. One issue I have with the software is that you do need to have an account with Razor to access your keybinds. The software will occasionally log you out, and if you lose your password, you have to start over. I wish they would have had onboard memory so that I didn’t have to sign into synapse every single time. Otherwise, the program is pretty straightforward, but I have heard people having issues with the buggy software.

Please note that Razor is no longer supporting the Orbweaver. There will no longer be any updates to the firmware or the software; it will eventually become unusable. I am sure there are third-party open-sourced solutions for remapping this device, but I haven’t looked into any because the current configuration works for me.

Images are from Amazon store

Build quality is another issue that you should consider when buying this keypad. It looks cool out of the box, but it feels cheap. I purchased mine as an Amazon renewed, and while I did get lucky, one of the directions on the thumbstick stopped working when the window for exchange closed. Since then, the bottom thumb key has stopped registering presses consistently, and I fear it will eventually stop registering presses completely. Aside from these two issues, the Orbweaver works perfectly, and I still plan on daily driving it till it dies.

What I love about the Orbweaver is how customizable the experience is. You can readjust the wrist, palm, and thumb rests to fit your hand size. People with larger hands might have an issue, but I was able to find a perfect configuration that has allowed for a much more comfortable gaming experience. I used to get bad wrist and hand pain that limited how much meaningful gaming I could get from a session. I used to only be able to manage 30 minutes of gaming before I had to give up because the pain was too much. I can now play for a lot longer without issue, although I still recommend taking regular breaks and stretching. This isn’t a perfect solution, and the pain comes back if I use the computer for longer than I should. This is currently the best solution I have found for me and my hands.

For gaming, the Orbweaver has been a fantastic upgrade. The pain in my hands and wrists used to make it difficult to hit all the number keys. This greatly affected my reflexes, and it made competitive gaming impossible. I love being able to remap the key to fit both my hands and my play style. I no longer have issues with overextension to reach the keys. If you are looking for something more comfortable, or even something that is more convenient, this keypad is a great option.

I love the Orbweaver, and under normal circumstances, I would be recommending it, but it’s just too expensive for what you are getting. Anyone over $50 new is asking too much. Buying it used is a gamble because the build quality isn’t reliable enough to be worth the risk. It won’t be falling apart, but it is something to keep in mind before paying. This device is also reaching the end of its life, and when Razor stops supporting its software, you will have to deal with third-party solutions. It is probably a better idea to look for alternatives or the Orbweaver’s successors if you thinking of buying a keypad unless you find it for cheap and don’t mind working a little harder.

Tech Reviews

Tech Review: Kinesis Freestyle2 Ergonomic Keyboard

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Last post I wrote about the Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB Keyboard, an ergonomic gaming keyboard that is nice but expensive. Know that if you are purchasing the Freestyle Edge, you are paying for the luxury of RGB backlighting. You can see my full review of the Freestyle Edge here. For a more affordable option, consider the Kinesis Freestyle2.

Before I begin, I would like to mention that I am not a doctor, and this review is based on my personal experience. For medical advice, always consult a doctor. This is not a paid review, but I will be using affiliate links to the products. If you choose to purchase anything I recommend, I get a small commission if you buy using my links. It isn’t much, but every little bit helps.

The Kinesis Freestyle2 is a wired split keyboard designed for ergonomics. The keyboard comes in a nine-inch split and a 20-inch split variation. I have the nine-inch split version, and I don’t feel like I need any more. Plan for your setup. I have wide shoulders, and the split design has allowed for a more comfortable position.

All images are from the amazon Product page.

My only complaint about the Kinesis split keyboards is that they do not come with the optional tenting kit. Kinesis offers an optional tenting kit for all their split keyboards for a more ergonomic experience. I used the Freestyle2 without the kit, but I am so used to the tilt that I had to buy the kit for this one as well. Most people should be fine using the keyboard without the kit, but personally, the tenting kit makes long typing sessions a lot more comfortable. The Freestyle2 has two options for tenting, a 15-degree variant ($40 on Amazon) and a 90-degree variant ($200 on Amazon). I use the 15-degree variant and think it is perfectly fine, but the 90-degree is a solid option if you prefer a vertical keyboard. I don’t have any experience with the 90-degree version and can’t speak on how sturdy it is.

The main differences between the Freestyle Edge and the Freestyle 2 are the switches and backlight. The Freestyle2 is a membrane keyboard with no backlight and it honestly doesn’t need either. The key presses are soft and responsive, but they aren’t customizable. I have been using this keyboard regularly for two years and haven’t seen any visible signs of wear and tear. Unfortunately, Kinesis doesn’t offer keycap replacements keycaps or mac conversions for this keyboard. The Freestyle2 also comes with a few preprogrammed macro keys for productivity. I haven’t found too much use for these with my workflow.

I used to use a cheap flat keyboard for work that left my hands useless by the end of my shift. There were days when I couldn’t finish my work because the pain would be unbearable. Since making the switch to the Freestyle2, I haven’t had any issues with pain in my hands and wrists. I recommend taking regular breaks and looking into stretches for added comfort. My only other complaint about this keyboard is that there is no number keypad. I don’t really need one for my workflow, the number line works well enough, but the split design makes using numbers a slower experience. It isn’t unmanageable, but people who work with numbers should look into getting a separate keypad. Kinesis offers a Numeric Keypad, currently $35.95 on Amazon, but you can choose your presence.

If you are looking to make your setup a bit more ergonomic, consider the Kinesis Freestyle2 Keyboard, currently $89 on Amazon. This is the perfect option if you don’t care about a backlight, customizations, or key switches. I will be continuing this series with some gaming peripherals that have also helped save my hands a bit more strain. Stay tuned for more.

Tech Reviews

Tech Review: Kenisis Freestyle Edge RGB Keyboard

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I’ve done a lot of research to find an ergonomic setup that fits my lifestyle. I do a lot of typing and gaming on my computer, and I needed a keyboard that could transition from both seamlessly. I was using a cheap mechanical keyboard before that left my hands useless. I love mechanical keyboards and wanted to find an ergonomic version that also had a backlight. The Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB keyboard was my answer, but it might not be yours.

Before I continue with this review, I would like to take a moment to mention that I am not a doctor. This review is based on my experience. Please consult your doctor for any medical concerns. I will also be using affiliate links for the product. If you decide to purchase the product, I get a small commission, but these will be my honest thoughts on the keyboard.

The Kinesis Freestyle Edge is a split keyboard. The split design allows for more natural hand placement, ideally relieving unnecessary strain from your hands and wrists. I have wide shoulders, and the split design allows for a more ideal placement that better fits my frame.

As far as mechanical keyboards go, the Edge is on the quieter side. I did opt for the quieter brown switches because I wanted softer key presses, but you can get one with the louder and more tactile blue switches if that fits your style better. The brown switches aren’t completely quiet, and you do get some sound, but it isn’t as loud as some of the cheaper mechanical keyboards out there.

This keyboard comes with nine programable macro keys that can be easily adjusted on the keyboard or through the official software. You can save two different profiles, which is nice if you share a computer with someone else or if you need nine extra macro keys. I don’t have much use for the macros except for media keys at the moment, but setting them up was very simple. The RGB profile can also be adjusted easily through the software. Any changes you make to this keyboard whether it be macros, profiles, or RGB is saved to the keyboard directly. If you switch to a different computer, all your profiles and macros transfer with the keyboard. It’s nice to not have to have another account to access your preferences or lose them if your computer wipes.

I love this keyboard and have been daily driving it for nearly three years without any issues. My only complaint with this keyboard is that it doesn’t come with the lift kit. Kineses offers a separate kit which isn’t necessary, but I do recommend it getting one. I used the keyboard without the kit for about a week before giving in and buying one. There was nothing wrong with the flat setup of the keyboard, but I use my computer too much and needed the additional ergonomics. The lift kit offers a more natural position for your hands, and I honestly can’t go back to using anything else.

The keycaps are nice. They are very soft to the touch, but you can customize your keyboard with third-party caps if they fit MX switches. Be mindful of the measurements. You might have trouble finding spacebars that fit this board. If you have a mac, Kinesis offers a separate kit to change your command keys. Unfortunately, the kit is an additional $28, and you have to install it yourself. The installation is very easy, even if you have no prior experience.

The Freestyle Edge is an adequate keyboard for gaming. The keys are responsive and easy to press, but the function keys are a bit out of reach for me. I often had to stretch to hit these keys, and my performance suffered. Games where I needed to press these keys more often would also tire my hands out more quickly. This is possibly a personal problem for my short stubby fingers, but it is something to keep in mind. Games that don’t require the function keys are fine. I could play for a lot longer before feeling any discomfort. I still recommend taking regular breaks and doing stretches keyboard this won’t fix the issues completely. For people who play and work a healthy amount, the Freestyle Edge is a fantastic solution.

So is it worth it? Honestly, this keyboard is a bit pricey for what you get. I bought it because I liked the style and the RGB and didn’t mind the tax for both options. But if you are on a budget and only need the ergonomics, there are better options. The Kenisis Freestyle Edge has made a huge difference in my setup, and I do not regret my purchase. I understand that this keyboard isn’t for everyone, but for those interested, you can buy it on Amazon.