KiiBOOM Phantom 98 & Pixelpop Arcade keycap set evaluation

Disclaimer

As at all times: I acquired this evaluation unit, together with the additional keycap set, without cost. This may increasingly introduce every kind of biases, each detrimental and optimistic in my expertise, so take the whole lot I write with a grain of salt.

Variants

4 obtainable colour variants: clear, pink, black, and purple. Plus not indicated, however there’s additionally a teal colorway within the images.

I went with the purple model, primarily to match the theme of the additional keycap set I used to be provided.

Unboxing & Contents

The KiiBOOM Phantom 98 got here in a really good cardboard field as it’s standard from KiiBOOM:

Contents:

• The pre-built keyboard itself with keycaps and switches mounted
• a white braided cable
• separate keycap puller and swap puller
• screwdriver
• wi-fi dongle (holder connected to the cable)
• guide
• an enormous microfiber fabric
• 2x spare switches
• 2x spare screws

The keycap set got here within the good three-level trays that appeared on my radar final 12 months, because of KiiBOOM and MoeeTech. Frosted, stackable, they snap into one another.

First impressions, design language

The persistently clear acrylic (case and keycaps) and polycarbonate (switches) design ends in a chic keyboard well-suited for RGB.

The coloured encoder knob and PCB are good extra touches, identical to the color-matched switches and backside plate. Effectively, even the acoustic PET layer is purple.

Specs

• Structure: 98% (1800), 97 keys + encoder
• Case materials: acrylic
• Keycaps: translucent, SA-like excessive profile
• Switches: translucent PC KiiBOOM Jacaranda (45gf linear)
• Stabilizers: plate mounted (screw-in stab help)
• Typing angle: about 6 levels
• Mounting: gasket mounted
• Plate: frosted PC with out flex cuts
• PCB: hotswap, south-facing per-key RGB, underglow, no flex cuts
• Connectivity: wired, 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
• Software program help: QMK/VIA
• Battery 2x4000mAh
• Dimensions: 395×150 mm + 24/38/38 mm peak (entrance/again/residence row caps)
• Weight: 1635g

Structure

With its comparatively uncommon 1800-ish ANSI structure, that includes 97 keys, the KiiBOOM Phantom 98 saves some house whereas guaranteeing that each one important capabilities are simply accessible for brand new customers transitioning from e.g. a fullsize structure.

The 1800 structure is thought of decreasing the keyboard’s general width by eradicating the basic navigation and arrow cluster, and repositioning the arrows between the primary alpha space and numpad, in a barely offset method.

This particular structure variant encompasses a bit extra symmetric F13 perform row, with a Del key by default rather than the F13 key. As well as, left of the rotary knob there are two extra keys, remnants of the navigation cluster: PgUp and PgDown by default.

In contrast to most of the extra prevalent 60 or 75% layouts, this 1800 variant just isn’t cramped in any respect: the offset arrow cluster is simple to find when contact typing, so you aren’t getting misplaced when altering between the house row and arrows.

1800 / 98% means numpad, arrows, perform row, quantity row – solely the basic navigation cluster is absent, nevertheless, three out of the six keys can be found in different positions.

Keycaps

Colour-matched, clear keycaps, mentioned to be Cherry profile based on the product web page, however that is not possible. It is fairly laborious to acknowledge the profile with absolutely clear caps, however it’s positively one thing a lot larger, nearer to SA. The legends are SA-style as properly.

With reference to keycap compatibity, the 1800 structure ought to be extensively supported if you happen to go for a premium keycap set.

Be careful for the 1U modifiers on the proper aspect, plus the smaller proper Shift.

Switches

The board comes with KiiBOOM’s Jacaranda switches, that are comparatively gentle (45gf) linears. Smoothness and stem wobble is common.

• Actuation power: 45gf
• Backside power: 55gf
• Whole journey: 3.8mm
• Pre journey: 1.6mm
• High housing: PC
• Backside housing: PC
• Stem materials: PC

The PCB options hotswap sockets, so you are not restricted to the manufacturing unit setup as you’ll be able to simply swap switches.

Construct high quality, construction, case

Very strong construct high quality. The entire thing has an honest mass regardless of being plastic. I imply, 1.6 kg is certainly authoritative. This isn’t layered acrylic however a two-piece design. The highest case is a 8 mm plain sheet of acrylic, the underside one is a thick milled one.

Typing angle: fastened, about 6 levels, no adjustable toes.

The disassemble may be very straightforward. Eight uncovered screws, and also you obtain a tiny screwdriver within the bundle, so you do not even need to search for one. The one lacking device is a small hex key to take away the steel encoder knob, however this step just isn’t even necessery if you would like to examine e.g. the battery.

Mounting

Gasket mounting. The plate/foam/silicone/PCB sandwich options this gorgeous uncommon one-piece silicone gasket layer, which surrounds the sandwich and sits on notches carved into the underside case. By the way in which, gasket mounting normally serves for some additional cushioning, often leading to a softer typing expertise.

Plate

Frosted PC plate, no flex cuts.

Plate-mount stabilizers, color-matched for the ridiculous degree of element, however the PCB helps screw-in stabs as properly.

PCB

This can be a prebuilt keyboard so most of you will not have to get this far in disassembling it. The PCB options hotswap sockets and south-facing LEDs. It is ANSI-only, with a single house and backside row structure choice.

Yep, it is coloured as properly, completely matching the sunshine purple colorway.

Weight

No fancy weight, however a pleasant color-matched plate to cover the batteries. In any other case the clear backside case would expose the wiring and energy supply.

Even the battery tray is surrounded by a purple silicone ring, just like the gasket layer – for higher look from the perimeters.

Sound & Sound dampening

This can be a comparatively loud keyboard.

No foams within the backside case, the standard PORON sandwich padding has been changed (or simply hidden?) by the silicone gasket layer, however there is a PET acoustic movie – coloured as properly.

Consequently, the Phantom 98 provides a reasonably tender, nonetheless considerably direct typing really feel mixed with a loud sound.

Lights

Effectively, per-key RGB in not a vital characteristic for me, nevertheless, provided that the Phantom 98 is sort of fully clear (bar the PCB), I spent some extra time with testing the lights than standard.

The keyboard is supplied with south-facing RGB backlighting (FN+]}), plus impartial underglow (FN+B). Mixed with clear acrylic case, the frosted PC plate and clear default keycaps, the setup is very nice for configuring and having fun with varied lighting results.

Loads of colours and patterns.

To your curiosity: The acrylic case, whereas barely tinted, is sort of completely clear, so it does not actually diffuse the sunshine.

Wi-fi

The Phantom 98 is a tri-mode wi-fi keyboard (Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wi-fi, and USB Sort-C wired connections) with 8000mAh battery capability (2x4Ah). There is a bodily mode selector button on the again of the case, however I am undecided about its position in decoupling the battery.

Principally, protecting the board plugged in consistently results in accelerated degradation of the lithium battery. You must observe correct battery care practices, so you must take away or disconnect the battery if you happen to do not want wi-fi performance.

Verify the battery for swelling usually, even when disconnected or eliminated. Disassembling the Phantom 98 is comparatively straightforward, solely eight screws, so you’ll be able to rapidly unplug or examine the batteries.

Software program

That mentioned, my keyboard wasn’t acknowledged by the actually previous PC and OS I used for testing. Importing the JSON file did not assist both. I am going to need to attempt with a distinct host pc.

Comparability

Worth & Availability

The KiiBOOM Phantom 98 is on the market for a worth of $175 $169. Do not forget to make use of the KBDNEWS coupon code to say your 5% low cost!