Royal Kludge - R65

I'm pretty new to the custom keyboard hobby, but had I known how much nicer a quality keyboard was to use, I would have gotten one a long time ago. These days, you can get a really nice keyboard for cheap. You don't have to go deep into custom land. Something like one of these will blow you mind how much nicer they are to type on. ;) [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPWX3WTL?ref\_=ppx\_hzsearch\_conn\_dt\_b\_fed\_asin\_title\_3&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPWX3WTL?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1) [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBPXNY9Z?ref\_=ppx\_hzsearch\_conn\_dt\_b\_fed\_asin\_title\_2](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBPXNY9Z?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2) [https://www.amazon.com/EPOMAKER-Mechanical-Swappable-Five-Layer-Bluetooth/dp/B0CW96HFFY](https://www.amazon.com/EPOMAKER-Mechanical-Swappable-Five-Layer-Bluetooth/dp/B0CW96HFFY) [https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R65-Mechanical/dp/B0CNP4P4X3](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R65-Mechanical/dp/B0CNP4P4X3) Mice are a similar situation. A good Logitech mouse is a sweet thing to have! ;) \[Imgur\](https://i.imgur.com/pg7QzQ9.jpg)

If you want a quiet keyboard, you need to get silent switches and replace the "percussive" ones that come with it. There's a whole mythos that's grown up about the noise keyboards make. You can get a set of Outemu silent switches for about $18-$25 depending on the size of your keyboard. * https://www.amazon.com/PAKJEL-Outemu-Pre-Lubed-Mechanical-Keyboard/dp/B0CFF76YRG * https://www.amazon.com/KPREPUBLIC-Tactile-Mechanical-Keyboard-Factory/dp/B0D773KH74 * https://www.amazon.com/KPREPUBLIC-Outemu-Mechanical-Keyboard-Tactile/dp/B0BZ48GW7K * https://www.amazon.com/Metrickeys-Pre-Lubed-Tactile-Mechanical-Keyboard/dp/B0DQQ3T3RH Try one of these keyboards: * [Redragon K717 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K717-Programmable-Mechanical-Dampening/dp/B0DL578X3K) * ($30) * [CIDOO QK61](https://www.amazon.com/MechLands-QK61-Programmable-Swappable-Mechanical/dp/B0D8VMD3P3) * ($60) * [Skyloong GK61 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/MOLGRIA-Dual-Space-Swappable-Double-Shot-Mechanical/dp/B0CZ9F8P76) * ($54) * [Royal Kludge RK61 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-Mechanical-Ultra-Compact/dp/B089GN2KBT) * ($40) * [Womier WK61 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/COSTOM-WK61-PRO-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0F5HYHWY8) * ($31) * [Womier VK66 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/Percent-Keyboard-Mechanical-Mounted-Backlit/dp/B0CDC14PL5) * ($39) * [KBDcraft Adam 60%](https://kbdcraft.store/products/adam) * ($70 lego case) * [KBDCraft Lilith 65%](https://kbdcraft.store/products/lilith) ($85 lego case) * [Akko YU01](https://www.amazon.com/Akko-Mechanical-Transparent-Swappable-Bluetooth/dp/B0DJ77MY6V) * ($129) * [XVX M67 Jadestone](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHCRJPR6) * ($47) * [Inland Gaming MK Pro 75](https://www.microcenter.com/product/664376/inland-gaming-mk-pro-75-barebones-keyboard) * ($85 barebones, $100 prebuilt) * [Womier RD75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-RD75-Pro-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0DG82QD1X) ($95 w/ coupon) * [Kiiboom Loop75](https://www.amazon.com/KiiBoom-Loop-75-Structure-Mechanical/dp/B0D62RNXXM) * ($85 w/ coupon) * [Womier WD75](https://womierkeyboard.com/products/womier-wd75) * (wood! $86, $76 without the ugly caps) * [Glencreag WK84](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYDM9N49) * (wood! $95 w/ coupon) * [Jamesdonkey J2](https://www.amazon.com/JamesDonkey-Wireless-Mechanical-Keyboard-Swappable/dp/B0DQWL5GS7) * (make sure you get the hotswap version) * [Redragon K715](https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K715-Programmable-Mechanical-Dedicated/dp/B0DKXLDJ24) * ($32.50) * [Royal Kludge RK R65 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R65-Mechanical/dp/B0CNP1BG1W) * (make sure you get the QMK/VIA version, $48 with coupon) * [Royal Kludge RK R75 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R75-Mechanical/dp/B0CWGR5KM9) (make sure you get the QMK/VIA version, $51 with coupon) * [Royal Kludge RK R87 Pro QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R87-Pro/dp/B0D5B2LRB5) (hotswap knob(!), $55) * [iLoveBee B87](https://www.amazon.com/iLovBee-Wireless-Mechanical-Bluetooth-Swappable/dp/B0D1XLXGBK) ($51) * [ElecFox Linky87](https://www.elecfox.co/products/linky-87-tkl-customized-mechanical-keyboard-87-keys-wired-wireless-bluetooth-led-gaming-keyboard) ($40) * [Monsgeek M1 v5](https://www.monsgeek.com/product/monsgeek-m1-v5-via-1980s-mechanical-keyboard/) ($95) * [Akko 5075B VIA](https://en.akkogear.com/product/5075b-via) ($60 barebones) * YMDK [YMD75](https://ymdkey.com/collections/75-diy) ($64-$110 diy) and [YMD96](https://ymdkey.com/collections/96-diy) ($60-$142 diy) * [Monsgeek M2 v5 VIA](https://www.monsgeek.com/product/monsgeek-m2-v5-via-mechanical-keyboard) ($120) [More](https://github.com/ArgentStonecutter/keyboards/blob/main/via-boards.md)...

The new QMK versions of the RK61, RK R65, RK R75, and RK R87 are quite nice. All their other boards are distilled ass because of their lousy restrictive software. I had one of the old R87s and gave it away because it was so awful.

You can always replace the keys on a mechanical keyboard. Try this one: https://www.amazon.com/HITIME-Keyboard-Topographic-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0DM5KX694 It's wireless but can be used wired. If you want a wired-only board, this one is not a bad choice: https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R65-Mechanical/dp/B0CNP1BG1W It's only available in that gold and brown, but it does have rather handsome keycaps.

I would strongly recommend against that specific Royal Kludge model. The QMK/VIA versions of the RK61/R75/R65/R87 are OK. Magnetic is not going to give you better battery life. Even TMR requires more power than simple switches. Nuphy Air75 v2 perhaps.

Yuck. Just no. Here's what I would recommend: 60%: * [Redragon K717 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K717-Programmable-Mechanical-Dampening/dp/B0DL578X3K) * ($18) * [CIDOO QK61](https://www.amazon.com/MechLands-QK61-Programmable-Swappable-Mechanical/dp/B0D8VMD3P3) * ($60) * [Skyloong GK61 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/MOLGRIA-Dual-Space-Swappable-Double-Shot-Mechanical/dp/B0CZ9F8P76) * ($54) * [Royal Kludge RK61 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-Mechanical-Ultra-Compact/dp/B089GN2KBT) * ($40) * [Womier WK61 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/COSTOM-WK61-PRO-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0F5HYHWY8) * ($29) * [YMDK DK61](https://ymdkey.com/products/ymdk-dk61-iso-ansi-via-vial-wired-hot-swap-hot-swappable-keyboard-kit) * ($88 barebones, wooden case) * [KBDcraft Adam 60%](https://kbdcraft.store/products/adam) * ($70 lego case) 65%: * [Womier VK66 Pro](https://www.amazon.com/Percent-Keyboard-Mechanical-Mounted-Backlit/dp/B0CDC14PL5) * ($39) * [Royal Kludge RK R65 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R65-Mechanical/dp/B0CNP1BG1W) * ($48 with coupon) * [KBDCraft Lilith 65%](https://kbdcraft.store/products/lilith) ($85 lego case) * [Akko YU01](https://www.amazon.com/Akko-Mechanical-Transparent-Swappable-Bluetooth/dp/B0DJ77MY6V) * ($129) * [XVX M67 Jadestone](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHCRJPR6) * ($47) * [XVX MU68](https://www.xvxchannel.com/products/xvx-mu68-fuji-wave-keyboard) * ($100 wood) * [Yunzii AL68](https://www.amazon.com/YUNZII-AL68-Mechanical-Swappable-Structure/dp/B0DG1QZR7N) * ($75) * [Weikav Nut65](https://www.amazon.com/Glacier-Wireless-Detachable-Swappable-Anodizing/dp/B0D5CBPPGJ) ($86) 75%: * [Monsgeek M1 v5](https://www.amazon.com/MONSGEEK-M1-Topographic-Hot-swappable-Side-Printed/dp/B0FH6LKTST) ($105) * [Akko 5075B VIA](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FLDJZPH9) ($60 barebones) * [YMDK YMD75](https://ymdkey.com/collections/75-diy) * ($64-$110 diy) * [Inland Gaming MK Pro 75](https://www.microcenter.com/product/664376/inland-gaming-mk-pro-75-barebones-keyboard) * (~~$85~~ $40 barebones, in-store only) * [Womier RD75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-RD75-Pro-Mechanical-Swappable/dp/B0DG82QD1X) ($95 w/ coupon) * [Kiiboom Loop75](https://www.amazon.com/KiiBoom-Loop-75-Structure-Mechanical/dp/B0D62RNXXM) * ($170) * [Womier WD75](https://www.amazon.com/Womier-Mechanical-Swappable-Translucent-Keycaps-POM/dp/B0DT8SP79R) * (wood! $96) * [Glencreag WK84](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYDM9N49) * (wood! $95 w/ coupon) * [Redragon K715](https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K715-Programmable-Mechanical-Dedicated/dp/B0DKXLDJ24) * ($32.50) * [Royal Kludge RK R75 QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R75-Mechanical/dp/B0CWGR5KM9) * ($51 with coupon) 80%: * [Royal Kludge RK R87 Pro QMK/VIA](https://www.amazon.com/RK-ROYAL-KLUDGE-R87-Pro/dp/B0D5B2LRB5) (hotswap knob(!), $55) * [iLoveBee B87](https://www.amazon.com/iLovBee-B87-Mechanical-Keyboard-Swappable/dp/B0DFG91F96) (hotswap knob, $40) * [ElecFox Linky87](https://www.elecfox.co/products/linky-87-tkl-customized-mechanical-keyboard-87-keys-wired-wireless-bluetooth-led-gaming-keyboard) ($40) * [Jamesdonkey J4](https://www.amazon.com/JamesDonkey-Mechanical-Bluetooth-Hot-swappable-Compatible/dp/B0F62ML1BT) ($53) * [Weikav Stars80 v2](https://www.amazon.com/BOYI-Aluminum-Mechanical-Keyboard-Programmable/dp/B0F6VQ7J94) ($99) * [Womier SK87](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ6ZTBGH) * ($69, seems identical to Stars80 v1) * [Yunzii B87](https://www.amazon.com/YUNZII-Wireless-Mechanical-Keyboard-Programmable/dp/B0DLKZ4HBW) ($70) * [Zouya GMK87](https://www.amazon.com/Cmokifuly-Mechanical-Keyboard-Tri-Mode-Programmable/dp/B0D9WLRRG5) * ($76 NOT QMK) 96%: * [YMDK YMD96](https://ymdkey.com/collections/96-diy) ($60-$142 diy) * [Monsgeek M2 v5 VIA](https://www.monsgeek.com/product/monsgeek-m2-v5-via-mechanical-keyboard) ($120) * [Redragon K742](https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-K742-Mechanical-Bluetooth-Swappable/dp/B0F93FMYD5) * ($56 with coupon) * [Nuphy Halo96](https://www.amazon.com/nuphy-Halo96-V2-Mechanical-2-4GHz-White/dp/B0D8634FK6) ($140) * [Yunzii IF99](https://www.amazon.com/YUNZII-IF99-Wireless-Mechanical-Programmable/dp/B0DT6MWNHP) ($100, not tested) [More](https://github.com/ArgentStonecutter/keyboards/blob/main/via-boards.md)... Disclaimers: Avoid Epomaker or Keychron unless you enjoy abusive customer support experiences. The Keychron website is a good place to browse layouts so long as you're just windowshopping. My mention of specific boards is not a general endorsement of Royal Kludge and Redragon. Most of their boards are completely ass, they just have a few recent boards with QMK firmware that are decent. If you go with Royal Kludge or Skyloong only buy those specific boards linked because they have older proprietary boards with the same model name. PS: If you're in Europe these are kind of amazing: * [Sharkoon Skiller SGK50 S3](https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Sharkoon-Skiller-Barebone-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B0F8HQFGVL) (€130) * [Sharkoon Skiller SGK50 S2](https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Sharkoon-Skiller-Barebone-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B0F8HXJJG6) (€140) * [Sharkoon Skiller SGK50 S4](https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Sharkoon-Skiller-Barebone-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B0F8HVQCQM) (€120) They also have plastic boards that are like half the price, but damn those wooden cases are sweet.

I had similar thoughts when I built my PC, ended up with a royal kludge and haven't looked back, first one died on me, drink spilled on it not by me. Immediately ordered a second one it is worth the $80 and I don't see any reason to spend more for a full mechanical keyboard

RK isn't bad at all for the price. A little bit plasticky, but hey work. North facing LED's too so if your keycaps are shine through and are form the top half of the key will be nicely illuminated

I had a rk years ago and it was fine, until a key failed. I have a keychron now and love it. But I'm also not a small keyboard person. For the price it will probably work fine for a few years, but also probably good for someone who wanted to try 60% and see how they like it.

for a mouse i recommend the vxe r1 and for a keyboard u can get the royal kludge rk65

Just keep the royal kludge since of the compwctness and sound I'd say

Just check the second one, the gold and brown is so cool. I love the color and it's hot swappable

Looking for very specific keyboard. My original razer black widow broke on me. Looking for a 75%. I tried these 3 keyboards and they are all missing one thing. Epomaker aula F-75 basically perfect just sounds kinda like shit. Epomaker HE80 sounds great but the lighting is very dim. RK royal kludge- the function keys are just too close to the letters and it triggers me. Looking for 75%, very bright RGB, sounds good, and specifically has the delete key in the upper right hand portion of the screen. A lot of keyboards have the pause break in the upper right, and my game I play doesn’t allow me to change that keybind. so I need the upper right hand key to be delete preferably, or I guess if I had to anything other than pause/break.

no way aula is better than royal kudge I own both and build battery keys each and everything is way superior in royal kudge Aula is way overhyped imo