Epomaker Glyph evaluate

That stated, earlier than putting an order, an important factor is to know precisely what you need. Be sure you’re conscious of your preferences and the options you want, and take a look at the complete evaluate under for all the small print and photographs.

Specs (and ToC)

The contents:

• The pre-built Glyph with switches and keycaps mounted
• quick-start information
• braided USB cable
• mixed swap+keycap puller
• wi-fi dongle within the magnetic compartment
• 3x spare switches
• 2x spare silicone ft
• mud cowl
• wrist relaxation

Fairly a bundle.

First impressions, design language

There is a single coloration variant with a single swap choice: the retro white (beige) case with the sunshine linear Wisteria V2 switches.

As you possibly can see, the typewriter-inspired Glyph is very distinctive. With its 9009-style accents, it stays true to the aesthetic it goals to evoke — regardless of the pretty widespread 75% format.

There’s minimal branding within the high left half, mixing into the case (some extra on the underside), however in any other case the great rounded curves, the large shows, and all of the little particulars mimicing typewriter components steal the present.

That includes 83 keys (ANSI US model solely), the Glyph optimizes house close to width – nonetheless, it has a 50% overhead on the subject of depth. All of the performance of a 100% is there after all, you simply must resort to key mixtures and additional layers generally.

The format is fastened, there’s just one fundamental association supported: no stepped CapsLock, break up spacebars or backside row variations.

Legend consistency is okay, perhaps the “Delete” is a bit crowded. As well as, the legends will not be precisely within the heart of the in any other case round keycaps, however a bit larger and perhaps additionally to the left? This latter could also be an phantasm. That stated, perhaps barely bigger legends may have been extra typewriter-like.

Anyway, the switches characteristic MX stems, so – additionally close to keycap compatibility – this format ought to be extensively supported when you go for one thing totally different. Unsure about how different profiles would match the retro idea, although. Cherry with its onerous edges would look undoubtedly unusual in my view, perhaps one thing else with rounded corners: MOA, MAO, in all probability even MDA.

Switches

Epomaker Wisteria V2 swap specs

• Kind: linear mechanical
• Actuation: 38gf
• Backside-out: 45gf
• Mounting: PCB (5 pins)
• Actuation journey: 2 mm
• Whole journey: 3.6 mm
• Materials (high/backside/stem): PC/PA66 Nylon/POM+PTFE
• Spring: 20.5 mm
• Mild diffuser
• Manufacturing unit lubing: sure

I just like the look, this mid-century fashionable typewriter aesthetic can suits effectively in lots of work environments. Good construct high quality as effectively, with genuine materials decisions and likewise good texture of the plastic and metallic components. Comparatively heavy (1.2kg), so it will not transfer round throughout day by day typing. Not a typical gamer board, however it’s secure to imagine that it will keep secure throughout a frantic gaming session as effectively.

Typing angle: minimally adjustable with flippable silicone ft.

Disassembly

Effectively, I actually needed to look beneath the hood, so I attempted to eviscerate the Glyph as traditional.

Sadly, there aren’t any seen screws wherever. That is excellent news for a lot of of you, however it’s not optimum from the reviewer’s perspective, or – and that is extra essential – when you’ll must test battery well being.

All in all, it is a pre-built mannequin, not designed with frequent disassembly in thoughts.

Upon nearer inspection you may discover two screws beneath the detachable rear ft. The highest and backside case components are snapped collectively, however prying them open fails, as there must be two additional screws, most certainly hidden beneath the again metallic plate glued to the underside case. So no method to entry these with out doing a little hurt to the case.

Because of this, I deem this board non-serviceable.

Construction & Mounting

The Glyph options high mounting, which means the plate/foam/PCB sandwich is screwed to the highest case. No gaskets, no flex cuts wherever.

This construction often leads to a really direct, onerous typing expertise, however for some motive not on this case.

Plate

No flex cuts, comparatively inflexible.

Stabilizers

Colour-matched plate-mount stabilizers.

PCB

The black PCB is a part of the thick plate/foam/PCB sandwich. It options hot-swap sockets, south-facing per-key LEDs, and no flex cuts.

Shows

Spectacular dual-display setup.

There is a very lengthy monochrome character show displaying the date – a strip about 13 cm large. Its viewing angle is kind of slim.

And there is one other, brighter, colourful show with plenty of capabilities: Time, connection kind, OS, CPU, battery standing, day of the week. Nevertheless, utilizing the rotary encoder, you possibly can entry the menu with much more capabilities, e.g. customizing lights, language. For some capabilities you need to set up the devoted software program: like displaying customized pictures and likewise CPU I suppose – I used to be unable to check the software program although.

Rotary encoder

The encoder is built-in horizontally, as it will be the platen knob of an actual typewriter.

By default, it is used to regulate quantity, however the FN+knobpress combo switches to navigating the show menu.

Carriage return lever

On the opposit facet there’s this tiny imitation of a carriage return and line house lever of the mechanical typewriter.

It does have some capabilities (up: Enter, down: Backspace), however I doubt anybody will apply it to an a day by day foundation – or ever. So this half is generally an ornamental component.

Pencil/telephone/pill holder

This can be a good and helpful characteristic for individuals who need to use the keyboard for textual content enter on their telephone or pill. Simply put the gadget within the holder.

Nevertheless it works as a pencil holder as effectively.

Backside weight & Ft

What appears to be like like a easy sticker on the underside is definitely a metallic plate. I am fairly positive that it is the identical materials, ending and white portray because the swap plate. It appears to be like like glued to the underside case.

Some data, specs, bumpons, and a magnetic compartment concealing the two.4GHz receiver. Press the highest half to take away the lid.

Two-stage typing angle adjustment. Flipping the 2 rear silicone ft leads to two totally different typing angles, nonetheless, the distinction is negligible: about 1 and a couple of levels, respectively.

Sound dampening & Really feel

Sandwich foam, sandwich pad, sound-enhancement PET layer, swap socket pad, backside insulating movie, backside silicone filling the underside case.

Given the highest mounting, non-flex-cut aluminum plate, non-flex-cut PCB, the Glyph gives a comparatively loud sound.

Based mostly on the specs, I used to be anticipating a a lot tougher, direct typing really feel, however it’s truly fairly good.

The sound of the keys is comparatively heterogeneous, relying on the gap from the closest screw/pole I suppose. There are undoubtedly extra clacky and extra thocky fashions on the market, the Glyph is someplace in between.

All in all, I might say that the out-of-the-box typing expertise is common. The principle design aim was the look, the sound and typing really feel is much less essential right here.

RGB lights

The board comes with per-key RGB (south-facing LEDs), plus a flowery ambient mild strip on the rear half.

The keycaps will not let mild by means of, however the switches characteristic mild diffusers.

By the best way, the software program has 18 acquainted presets in its lighting part, plus some dynamic ones. These can be found by means of the show menu as effectively. From delicate ambient glow to vibrant full-spectrum animations, you possibly can fine-tune colours, brightness, pace, and modes to match your temper and setup.

If you happen to’re not the RGB kind, press FN+Ins or FN+House to activate/off all of the lights.

Connectivity

The Glyph is a tri-mode wi-fi keyboard powered by a 8000mAh battery, so you possibly can swap between wired USB-C, Bluetooth or 2.4GHz connection choices.

The USB-C socket is positioned within the heart rear a part of the case – unsure about full battery decoupling although. No bodily battery on-off key beneath any keycap.

The Glyph would not make this course of simple. There is not any bodily swap to disconnect the charging circuit and successfully isolating the battery from the PCB, and even opening up the case is a problem.

Software program

Hm. Customized proprietary software program, as it’s anticipated from a keyboard with two big shows. To be clear: no QMK/VIA/Vial assist.

Customized software program can have its deserves like implementing non-standard options, but additionally its dangers.

Value & Availability