Mechanical keyboards aren’t low cost (although you will discover some first rate budget-priced mechanical keyboards when you look), and customized mechanical keyboard kits are a cash pit — there’s no different solution to put it.
Irrespective of how “value it” a keyboard package feels, spending $500 and even $863 on a custom keyboard kit is hard — particularly when loads of mass-produced mechanical gaming keyboards really feel good and gained’t break the financial institution. However there are some customized keyboard kits that actually stand out, and present us why keyboard fans are prepared to spend extra on customized kits over pre-built planks.
The IRISLabs JRIS65 is one such stand-out: A 65 % gasket mount barebones mechanical keyboard package with a beautiful exterior in a variety of colours, spectacular construct high quality, and wonderful worth — beginning at $165 (with sure colours topping out at $180).
Specs
| Switches | N/A |
| Lighting | N/A |
| Onboard Storage | 4 profiles |
| Media Keys | With FN or configurable |
| Connectivity | USB Kind-C to Kind-A |
| Cable | 5-feet, coiled |
| Further Ports | N/A |
| Keycaps | N/A |
| Software program | QMK/VIA |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 317.5 X 114.3 x 25.4mm |
| Weight | 2.8 kilos |
Design of the IRISLabs JRIS65
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The JRIS65 is a gasket mount barebones mechanical keyboard package that comes with nearly every thing you could get began together with your first board besides switches, keycaps, and stabilizers. The JRIS65’s beginning worth of $165 is fairly beneficiant to start with, however I might have appreciated a set of clip-in Cherry stabilizers, that are included with different similarly-priced customized kits such because the CannonKeys Bakeneko.
The JRIS65 might not include stabilizers, but it surely does include nearly every thing else, together with a carrying case, IXPE foam, PCB tape, gasket jackets/socks, shims, rubber toes, PCB, POM plate, screws, poron plate and case foam, a coiled Kind-C to Kind-A cable, a cleansing material, a transparent sheet to guard the chrome end on the burden, and a silicone battery compartment cowl when you get the wired model (the wi-fi model simply comes with a battery).
Gasket mount mechanical keyboards have grown in recognition during the last yr, however lots of them barely meet the mark. Most gasket mount boards take poron foam pads, slap them onto the change plate and name it a day — which works, to a level, however is usually a bit disappointing. Nonetheless, the JRIS65 does issues in another way by including flex cuts to the PCB in addition to two completely different construct strategies.
The JRIS65 can make the most of both gasket socks or jackets; after making an attempt each, I a lot desire the latter. The gasket socks wrap across the tabs on the PCB, just like the identify entails, whereas the jackets simply go on the sides. Whereas the socks are the identical materials, I discovered that the socks supplied a firmer rebound. IRISLabs additionally solely included 9 gasket socks (10 are wanted), so after I examined them I had to make use of a set of jackets on one of many tabs.
Now that I’ve the internals out of the way in which, we have to talk about the outside of the JRIS65 as a result of it’s attractive. The underside case of the JRIS65 contains a metal chroma PVD weight, which meshes fantastically with the anodized pink chassis. If you happen to’re not a fan of pink, the JRIS65 may also be out there in E-white, yellow, black, milky white, maroon, titanium gray, navy blue and some multi-colored choices. The rainbow chroma PVD weight isn’t your solely possibility right here both, as IRISLabs additionally affords this board with anodized aluminum, that includes black, silver, and gold. Extra choices, together with plate supplies could be present in the Geekhack thread.
Like most customized boards, the JRIS65 options QMK and VIA help, permitting you to discover your wildest desires in key configurations.
Assembling the JRIS65
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Assembling the JRIS65 was fairly easy; I solely hit two bumps within the street. I made a decision to make use of the next configuration: case foam, PCB, case foam, change plate, and gasket jackets as an alternative of socks. The JRIS65 did embody two different items of froth, however I didn’t deem them obligatory. My evaluate mannequin was pink, so I made a decision to make use of my C3 Equalz Banana Split switches, which matched the case completely.
Since my evaluate pattern shipped with the inaccurate quantity of gasket socks, I used the jackets on the remaining gasket tab (it’s the identical materials, so it’s shut sufficient). As a result of the socks coated the whole tab, I discovered that the sound and bounce was too tame for my liking. The jackets, alternatively, felt extra responsive and satisfying to sort with. After making an attempt each builds, the socks got here off however the jackets stayed on.
Putting in the switches was simple sufficient, however the flex from the POM change plate made change set up a bit clumsy. I like to recommend that you simply hold superb nostril tweezers close by in case change pins find yourself bending.
As a result of the JRIS65 makes use of a daughterboard, a JST cable is required — and boy, was it a ache to attach. The JST cable was oddly brief and the set up was so awkward that I didn’t need to take the board aside once more. Nonetheless, as soon as the board was assembled, all of my frustrations have been thrown out the window as a result of it was definitely worth the problem.
Typing and Gaming Expertise on the IRISLabs JRIS65
Regardless of being a gasket mount board, the JRIS65 had much less bounce than others that I’ve tried, such because the CannonKeys Bakeneko — however that’s okay. It’s exhausting to clarify, however the typing expertise felt very managed and the flex wasn’t overwhelming. Every keystroke had the correct amount of bounce and, effectively, it’s simply so satisfying to sort with.
After taking the JRIS65 aside, I put in the brand new Drop (Gateron) Holy Panda X’s, together with its new DCX profile keycaps. Whereas typing on the JRIS65 was already very pleasurable with linear switches put in, the tactile bump from the Holy Panda switches added some oomph to the typing expertise.
Once more, the general typing expertise with the JRIS65 felt managed, and managed to completely bridge the hole between bouncy and stiff.
The JRIS65 doesn’t have an overwhelmingly excessive polling fee, nor does it have RGB — this keyboard wasn’t precisely designed to take part in a Valorant event. Nonetheless, it’s a mechanical keyboard package: with the best switches, it might probably nonetheless play ball. As a result of it’s a barebones package, you should use any MX-style change you need — whether or not it’s one thing quick, comparable to Kailh Velocity Silvers, or heavy, comparable to Gateron Oil Kings.
My recreation of selection was Name of Obligation: Vanguard, for the reason that new zombies map was just lately launched. The JRIS65 labored superb in-game, however I wouldn’t decide this over a gamer-oriented 65 % keyboard such because the Asus ROG Falchion NX.
Software program for the IRISLabs JRIS65
Like most customized mechanical keyboards (each package type and never), the JRIS65 is supported by open-source firmware/software program QMK/VIA. QMK is a bit dated and requires pretty intensive coding, however VIA is extra accessible, and is likely one of the finest keyboard configuration softwares for remapping keys, customizing structure, and recording macros (in addition to configuring lighting, however the JRIS65 has no RGB).
My full-time job consists of plenty of information entry inside Excel, so it’s a bit exhausting to get to know a board after I’m working. Nonetheless, as a result of VIA is so fast and simple, I arrange a numpad within the second layer. Was it sensible? Not likely, but it surely was higher than the usual quantity row. The JRIS65 has onboard reminiscence and might retailer as much as 4 profiles in QMK/VIA.
Backside Line
The IRISLabs JRIS65’s beginning worth of $165 leaves you with sufficient bread to purchase dearer switches or caps, however, other than the C3 Equalz Banana Splits, I constructed mine utilizing comparatively reasonably priced elements. My keycaps are GMK Peach Blossom (opens in new tab) clones (I missed the group purchase, OK), which I purchased on Amazon for $45, and the stabilizers are Cherry clip-ins (opens in new tab) — that are killer, once modded. This finally ends up being lower than $300 for a tremendous customized keyboard.
The customized mechanical keyboard passion, with its lengthy group purchase wait instances and not-insignificant costs, isn’t for everybody. However when you’re seeking to get began, the JRIS65 is a lovely, well-built, and comparatively reasonably priced customized barebones package. Nonetheless, when you’d relatively follow one thing pre-built, Keychron’s Q-series, which incorporates the 65 % Keychron Q2 and the 75 % Keychron Q1, is full of fanatic options and is comparatively reasonably priced.