Love the board. This board came recommended to me as my first entry point and I have to say it is awesome. Everything about it from the presentation, quality, sound, weight, build quality is great. This was my first time putting together a keyboard and although I did get a little lost around the Enter, shift, windows key setup... it was still great. Definitely would recommend!
My overall impression of the Neo 80, upgrading from small, light KBD65 to a hefty solid board.
Pros:
- VERY easy install, (the ball catch system is genius and saved me so much time). A simple pull off of the top case and I am able to access the pcb, stabilizers with ease. Along with the magnetic daughter boards, which really is beneficial for anyone new like me, this is my second board. I am worry free of breaking any wires and all that gimmicks, a simple drop in, connect via cable or dongle and I am ready to go.
- Quality: For a considerable “budget” 80% keyboard it for sure doesn’t feel anywhere close to $120. Very clean. This in my opinion clears the “end-game keyboards” that are so costly. I am given a premium board feel without selling a kidney, the Neo 80 is a very hard keyboard to beat.
- Mounting types: Although I haven’t explored all of them (ran out of time and fingers hurt) I can already say that it is the easiest keyboard to build. Hats off to all the contributors to Qwertykeys/designers of the board, took efficiency and quality to a new level. I currently have gasket mount installed on my Neo 80, man was it easy. The PCB has dedicated spots where each little gasket piece goes and all you need to do is apply a very small amount of pressure for them to be locked in.
- Packaging: When I first opened it, I am glad to see the condition my keyboard was in. Everything was well packaged and undamaged in shipping. The amount of spacing I’m given for free, countless small pockets, useful to bring the already included other mounting types, cable, etc. Seriously, I don’t think I can fill it all up. I like how it is also not using velcro or nothing at all like some cases to secure the board, which really bothers me. The flexible straps is probably one of the best options to go with, velcro may be tighter but won’t last as long and will loose strength.
- Build process: Since the case requires no screws to put together and the PCB no wires, the speed of building the Neo 80 is unmatched. I already had lubed Neo switches and keycaps on standby, all I had to do was lube the stabilizers, install the mounting system of my choice and I was set to go.
Cons:
- Plastic wedge for the Clip in stabilizers. Yes it was absolutely optional to do without and get the OwlLabs stabilizers but I wanted to try the clip-ins because it came with it and I have no others. Small issue for me was fitting the wedges in. Often it would go flying off my tweezers or off the board (I do not know if I was to do it at an angle or straight so I did both to which ever worked on each of them. Again this is absolutely avoidable with **** in stabilizers.
-Other Notes: I am also glad to receive the free gifts I was given with the Neo 80 keyboard for free. Like I mentioned earlier, the case is well organized (better than my old KBDfans one) much more dedicated small pockets for individual stuff you may need. A metal/aluminum keycap puller and switch puller, after using the cheap plastic ones you get from a keycap set (which will scrape and ruin your keycaps) is a nice addition that I don’t have to spend an extra 5-15 dollars for. The USB-C cable also suits my Black top and weight, champagne bottom with a sleek look. Now I’m not big for coiled cables but for free the cable is more than enough and I am grateful for it. The clip-in stabilizers are fairly decent I would say, the small plastic pieces you install in the prongs from the bottom were hard for me (may vary for others) but in the end it was well worth it. Reduced the motion of the stabilizers and added stiffness to it. I didn’t use any dielectric grease or thicker lube for the stabilizer wires but only 205g0. There is no tick that I am able to hear in all my stabilizers.
Overall: Amazing board for anyone really whether you’re just getting into custom keyboards or your looking to pick this keyboard up I highly recommend the Neo 80. It’s a steal for what gives. Again, designers did premium quality work into the board. Definitely would get another if I could/ when I need to. Easy, simple, admirable. 9.5/10