KiiBOOM Phantom81 Lite overview

• White Pink: with PC Cherry caps – primarily for girls I suppose.
• Black: with translucent PC Cherry caps – extra masculine, for informal players perhaps.
• Blue: PBT MOA caps – a cute cookie/cake themed one.
• Inexperienced: PBT MOA caps – the froggy one for foolish of us like myself.

Unboxing & Contents

The KiiBOOM Phantom 81 Lite got here in a really good cardboard field as regular:

Contents: The pre-built keyboard itself with keycaps and switches mounted, mud cowl, a white braided cable, primary mixed software to take away keycaps and switches, wi-fi dongle, handbook, small microfiber material, 3x spare switches, plus a cute sticker with “BooBoo the keyboard collector”. Truly, numerous stuff within the bundle.

First impressions, design language

I actually love the theme, have particularly requested for this variant, and the keyboard is a pleasant large one regardless of the ABS housing. Comparatively heavy, sturdy, and the out-of-the-box sound and really feel is nice for a plastic board – a minimum of in case you are a fan of loud clack (and even thock relying in your deskmat and desk in my expertise).

The MOA caps match the spherical edges of the case effectively. There is a single seen branding with a darkish metally badge within the prime proper nook:

Specs

• Structure: 75%, 79 keys
• Typing angle: about 6 levels
• Materials: molded ABS
• Keycaps: dye-sub PBT MOA profile
• Switches: KiiBOOM Mochi (40gf linear)
• Mount: PCB gasket-mounted
• Plate: PC with flex cuts
• Stabilizers: plate mount (screw-in stab help)
• PCB: 1.2mm, hotswap, south-facing per-key RGB, flex cuts
• Polling fee: 1000Hz (wired & 2.4GHz), 125Hz (Bluetooth)
• Software program help: QMK/VIA
• Battery 4000mAh
• Dimensions: 335x151x44mm
• Weight: 1013g

Structure

With its comparatively compact 75% design (ANSI), that includes 79 keys, the KiiBOOM Phantom 81 Lite optimizes house whereas guaranteeing that every one important capabilities are simply accessible for brand spanking new customers transitioning from e.g. a fullsize format. That stated, the bigger than regular bevel of the case provides about 2cm to the width.

Many 75% keyboards function 2-3 extra keys. This 75% variant, regardless of 79 keys, just isn’t cramped in any respect: the arrow cluster is straightforward to find when contact typing as a result of little hole on the left (to the proper of the spacebar there are solely two modifiers) – so you do not get misplaced when altering between the house row and arrows. The additional column on the proper consists of three keys.

75% means no numpad and no traditional navigation cluster format both, nonetheless, you’ve got arrows, operate keys, full quantity row, and three of the six traditional navigation keys.

Construct high quality, construction, case

Stable construct high quality. The entire thing has an honest mass regardless of being plastic. I imply, 1kg is sort of authoritative. (The product web page and handbook point out every kind of weights from 935g to 1.2kg, however my construct is 1013g based on my scale.) The mounting depends on gaskets, and the case – a minimum of my inexperienced one – appears to be like shiny, with a reasonable tendency to gather fingerprints.

Sadly, I do not know learn how to disassemble this. The board undoubtedly wasn’t designed with disassembly in thoughts, the highest and backside instances appear to be snapped collectively. No seen screws wherever.

I actually hate this from the reviewer standpoint, however we’re talking a few prebuilt keyboard, so the vast majority of clients would not trouble with disassembly anyway.

Typing angle: about 6 levels by default, plus two-stage ft.

Construction & Mounting

Gasket mounting based on the specs and an exploded picture you could find on the product web page. The plate/foam/PCB sandwich options silicone gaskets on the plate, which sit on the underside case or backside silicone – I can not actually see it precisely. This design permits for some further cushioning, which normally leads to a softer typing expertise.

Plate

PC plate. Horizontal flex cuts improve the board’s flexibility, leading to a softer contact and altered acoustic properties.

Plate-mount stabilizers.

PCB

This can be a prebuilt keyboard so most of you will not have to get this far in disassembling it – and I did not wish to spoil the case both. The 1.2 mm PCB is sandwiched between thick layers of froth. It options hotswap sockets and south-facing LEDs. Possibly some flex cuts too, however that is solely my guess primarily based on the general really feel and expertise.

Swap

The board comes with KiiBOOM’s Mochi switches, that are comparatively mild (40gf) linears. Very nice, easy, manufacturing unit lubed.

• Actuation pressure: 40gf
• Backside pressure: 45gf
• Whole journey: 3.5mm
• Pre journey: 2mm
• High housing: PC
• Backside housing: PA
• Stem materials: POM

Keycaps

As regards to keycap compatibity, the 75% format must be broadly supported should you go for a premium keycap set.

Weight

No fancy weight, simply the plastic backside this time. And a easy sticker.

Sound & Sound dampening

Latex sandwich foam, IXPE swap pad, PE clear movie, PCB foam, backside foam, and eventually backside silicone. Along with its gasket-mounted construction, the Phantom 81 Professional ensures a delicate and comfortable typing really feel whereas delivering a pleasant out-of-the-box sound high quality. Properly, that is subjective after all, however I just like the loud clack.

Lights

As chances are you’ll know, per-key RGB in not a vital function for me. That stated, this keyboard is provided with south-facing RGB backlighting, which mixed with the PC plate, creates vibrant and adjustable lighting that enhances its visible attract – should you fancy that. Loads of colours and patterns.

Wi-fi

The Phantom 81 Professional is a tri-mode wi-fi keyboard (Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wi-fi, and USB Sort-C wired connections) with 4000mAh battery. There is a mode selector button on the again of the case, however I can not see any devoted on/off swap to disconnect the battery.

Value & Availability

The KiiBOOM Phantom 81 Lite is on the market for a worth of simply $90 $86 now. Remember to make use of the KBDNEWS coupon code to say your 5% low cost!