This is a test post from my new mechanical keyboard. I've been sent an Epomaker TH87 to review.
It has *many* blinkenlights!
Feel free to ask any questions and I'll answer them in my blog post.
Discussion
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Discussion
@Edent That seems very like the Pi 500+ keyboard
The entertaining new sequel to:
Three Men and a Baby?
Four Weddings and a Funeral?
Five Children and It?
Here's a quick video of this #MechanicalKeyboard I've been sent to review.
Let me know if you have any questions and I'll answer them here and in the blog post.
@Edent many of these use a GPL-licensed firmware called QMK, but many also blatantly violate the license. Can the keys be reassigned with VIA on this one (a typical sign for QMK use), and if so, does the vendor publish source code that compiles?
@Edent especially boards with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz support are quite often license violators. See also https://docs.qmk.fm/license_violations, which lists Epomaker (although they are AFAIK only a white-label reseller and don't actually make keyboards themselves, so expect large variance between boards for them).
@neverpanic thanks. I'll drop them a note.
@neverpanic this one doesn't work with VIA.
They've sent me another one which does work with via - but you have to supply their JSON file. Is there any other way to see if it uses QMK?
(Epomaker Split 70)
@Edent the one that supports VIA should come with source code, there is no known reimplementation of the VIA protocol as far as I know. Other than that it's hard to tell, you could try a few standard key combos like the ones on https://docs.qmk.fm/newbs_flashing. For definite proof you'd probably have to reverse-engineer the firmware binary.
@neverpanic
All their source code is at https://github.com/Epomaker?tab=repositories
I'm not competent enough to tell you if that meets all the licence requirements, but it seems better than most hardware manufacturers.
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@Edent I have a very similar Keychron K8 ISO UK TKL (like that but more muted) that I take into the office as the k/bs at work are awful (and TKL fits nicely into a backpack)
I wanted mechanical plus backlight but have the back light mostly off, static or muted, but for typing in the the dark they are very useful
@Edent gawd, #KillMeNow
if I could not turn them off, the flashing lights would drive me to pick up a hammer
@jsonstein Yes, one of the options allows you to turn them off.
Or, alternatively, you can not buy this product.
@Edent could be a band...
@Edent Looking at the product page, they don't seem to be using Open Source firmware like #ZMK - do you know more? https://epomaker.com/products/epomaker-th87
@pjacock I know *nothing* about the mechanical keyboard scene.
1. Does it have a key pad (I can't tell from the photo)?
2. How loud is it?
3. How easy is it to clean?
@Edent Typing comfort would be the main one.
Looked at their website.. wired bluetooth and wifi on the same keyboard.. definitely covering all the bases there.
Presumably the lights are programmable.. what's the software like, is there linux support.
@Edent My black keyboard is filthy. A white one wouldn't stand a chance! Do they have suggestions for best cleaning strat or just replace every X years?
@johnmclear wash your hands before you type?
TBH, I think you can just throw the keys into the dishwasher.
@Edent I'll just put on a hazmat suit before I use my PC then yeah? ;)
That's nice re keys, I recon that'd solve a decent % of the problem then I guess it's IPA and cotton buds for the rest...
TIL tho.. "Computer keyboards should generally be replaced every 3 to 5 years"
I think I'm 10 years with this one...
@Edent How deafening is it? 🙂
@davidgerard @recantha They're louder than I'm used to, but not deafening. The blinking lights which explode from wherever I touch it is a nice distraction.