Reddit mentions of DREVO 84 Key Gramr Backlit Edition Tenkeyless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, Brown Switch Black

I have this keyboard. It's ok build quality and at $60 probably worth it if you want the 75% form factor. This layout is by far my favorite, very compact for desk space while maximizing productivity/convenience keys. Also I grew accustomed to the aligned f-key layout on laptops which not many keyboards have.

If you're tempted by this but $60 is too much, consider the backlit DREVO for $42. It seems to be roughly the same keyboard with some minor changes to the bottom row. The right alt/fn/ctrl are a single space which allows the spacebar to be a more typical size if you want a new keyset.

You should try a 75% since that layout has become pretty standard in recent years.

Budget:

• Drevo Gramr
  
  Mid-range:
  
  
• Keycool 84
  
• MK84
  
• Drevo Excalibur
  
  High end (custom):
  
  
• KBD75 (pretty easy to find right now since a huge GB just shipped)
  
• RS84
  
• AMJ84 (hard to find here in the US but was run primarily on TaoBao)
  
• TriC 84
  
• B.Mini
  
• C.mini (aka b.fake mini or ps2avrgb 75%)
  
• GON MX Mini
  
  Super high end:
  
  
• TX75
  
• Duck Octagon V1 and V2
  
  
  --
  
  Here's a 75% that I'm currently using: http://imgur.com/a/DMMql

Velocifire VM-01, Drevo Gramr, Nixeus Moda for browns. If you have a bit more money, though, I would go for a board from cooler master. I have one (with browns) and it's functional as well as RGB backlit without looking too "gamery". Hope this helps!

If you're looking for a tactile switch then MX Brown isn't particularly tactile but you may like it, it's good to try a variety of different switches as well, so perhaps try getting a switch tester. However if you just want to get straight into getting a board, here a few options:

• the Magicforce68 has been a pretty good option for some time at £30 with Outemu Brown switches (Cherry MX clones)
  Link
  
  
• There's also the DREVO Gramr 84 with a similar layout, which I prefer to the Magicforce68 Link
  
  
• RK61 is another one available on Amazon, it's a 60% board so may take some getting used to coming from a full size board Link
  
  
• Aerocool TK50 is a full size board with MX brown clones Link
  
  It might also be a good idea trying to get a board with hotswappable switches, so that you can buy new switches in the future to swap in. There are also some good tactile vintage boards you can get, however prices for these may vary - Chyrosran22 on YouTube has a lot of videos about some really good vintage boards and does many overviews of different switches.
  
  Hope you're able to find a good board for a good price! - Just PM me if you wanna talk more.

Drevo Gramr with Outemu browns would probably be your best bet. Ugly font on doubleshot keycaps, white backlighting, nice housing (Keycool rebrand), KC84 layout (my favorite, but everyone has their preferences). Usually goes for around $37 with promocodes and as low as $35, though it's not on sale at the moment. If you don't mind the slightly longer shipping (from experience, usually about a week despite the much longer estimates on the site), you can get it on Aliexpress from a good seller for $37 now (or $34 with Aliexpress's coupon games, probably not worth playing). It's also available on eBay for $42 from a well-rated distributor (Dinsdale). If you're on the extreme cheap end of things, Dinsdale occasionally auctions things and you could potentially get the keyboard for ~$30.

We have some Keyboard enthusiasts (myself included) attend. People have since turned up with suitcases full of custom keyboards. The razer RGB ones have nothing on what we bring to the party ahaha

The one @ 2:27 is actually a Drevo Gramr 84 with the tops of the keys sanded down to the translucent plastic. It makes the keys feel HORRIBLE but it looks quite nice.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DREVO-84-Key-Tenkeyless-Mechanical/dp/B01H6DHITE

Then something like the Drevo Gramr or Noppoo Choc Mini would work.

Drevo Gramr then?

Seems best to start very cheap so you can start to figure out what you like, maybe this one https://www.amazon.com/DREVO-Backlit-Mechanical-Keyboard-Switch/dp/B01H6DHITE?th=1&psc=1

DREVO 84

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H6DHITE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_STy9ybF1THWT7

I didn't find any Magicforce keyboards offered for sale right now. Here's the Drevo that was mentioned. https://www.amazon.com/Drevo-84-Key-Tenkeyless-Mechanical/dp/B01H6DHITE/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1483889113&sr=8-7&keywords=tenkeyless+mechanical+keyboard

Perhaps https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/rv7/Drevo-84-Key-Backlit-Tenkeyless-Mechanical-Keyboard/B01H6DHITE/ ?

Magicforce is also a good option.

I have the Drevo 84 Key with brown switches and absolutely love it.

Also tried/have the Magic Force 68 key with browns and quickly realized I rely on the function keys too much in photo editing and gaming. But for just typing I prefer typing on it to typing on the Drevo.

But the drevo also has a number pad which is really useful for data entry from lab work. The media control shortcuts are also in a more logical/traditional layout.

Drevo is more functional. Magic force better for pure typing.

Some older side by side photos

I have and like my Logitech G410 which fits all of your criteria. From logitech you will pay more than your budget but you can get it for cheaper via 3rd party. Its $70 right now on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Spectrum-Tenkeyless-Mechanical-920-007731/dp/B01645FHEI

I also really like and actually use my Drevo TKL more tho which is not RGB: https://www.amazon.com/DREVO-84-Key-Tenkeyless-Mechanical/dp/B01H6DHITE/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1506356645&sr=1-5&keywords=drevo But one of the main reasons I really like this keyboard isthat the F-keys are directly in line with the number keys.

Drevo also has a RGB option but it doesnt have the inline F-keys: https://www.amazon.com/Element-Water-Proof-Mechanical-Keyboard-Anti-Ghost/dp/B01FXF7HFC/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1506356645&sr=1-15&keywords=drevo

Overall I use my drevo for the very specific reason of the in-line f-keys and its a feature I really value. However if this isnt important I would recomend the G410. But any of these listed keyboards wont steer you wrong.

Cheers!

So this past Saturday night I was browsing some reddit. I happened to stumble across this photo, which awoke a desire in me to own a mechanical keyboard. Until now I thought mechanical keyboards were just a gamer thing and the only style they came in was black keyboards with RGB flashing all over the place. But seeing that picture made me realize that there is a huge variety of ways you can aesthetically customize a board. So the past few days I've spent a lot of my spare time doing research and trying to decide what I ultimate want in my "dream" mechanical keyboard. I've ordered a cheaper mechanical keyboard off Amazon for now until I've settled on what I want.

Sorry for the story, I just thought it was worth mentioning and giving you my very brief history and knowledge of mechanical keyboards (or lack thereof). Anyway, I have two questions:

1. What are some quality 75% or higher keyboards with a completely compact design? By compact design, I mean no empty space between key groupings. Like this. I want f-keys and some kind of arrows (either actual arrow keys or a numpad with numlock). Preferably Cherry MX switches, or something that supports Cherry MX stemmed keycaps. I imagine I'm looking in all the wrong places, but I haven't seen many keyboards like that. The Red Scarf III Ver.A pictured above was part of a massdrop, and the Drevo 84 Key Gramr is a budget board. I assume the Noppoo Choc Mini 84 NKRO is my answer? Are there any others?
   
2. Where can I get my hands on a nice set of SA/DSA profile keycaps? I'm in love with the Nantucket set, but they just wrapped up a groupbuy. The few times I've seen them on r/mechmarket they've either sold out super fast or are priced higher than I can comfortably pay for them. Royal Navy seems equally hard to hunt down. I also wouldn't mind a carbon/industrial look like the GMK Carbon set. I know that pimpmykeyboard has some SA and DSA sets, but I'm not too fond of any of them (and if I'm going to be spending $100+ on a keyset, I want to be happy with what I get).

You'd be surprised how similar the switch quality is. Apparently, this has to do with the Cherry patent expiring and others can now produce the same type of switches. I haven't confirmed this, I've only read it from a handful of other sources. Anyway, I bet if you looked at a few reviews, you might even change your mind.

Do yourself a favor and YouTube these models:

Ajazz AK33

Drevo Gramr

Qisan

Plugable - best one of the list

Drevo Gramr

And just barely over $50 Drevo Calibur

i hope and extra fiver doesn't break the bank but this has Kalih Browns which are a good knock of cherry switch.
https://www.amazon.com/DREVO-84-Key-Tenkeyless-Mechanical/dp/B01H6DHITE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494265648&sr=8-1&keywords=drevo+gramr

With the Magicforce 68, I noticed that the "Escape" key is on the same location as the Tilde ~ key. I assume that means each time I want to hit "Escape", I have to hit Fn+~ to get the Escape command, is that correct?

I know everyone recommends the Magicforce 68 as a budget Mech, but as I game a lot and sometimes have a lot of windows open in general, the necessity of the Escape Key being a one-button switch may be a dealbreaker for me...

Also--is there any consensus on the Drevo Gramr 84? From what I read and searched, it's a very solid board for it's price of just $40. I believe they're Outemus, and I'm planning to get a Brown Switch Keyboard. Are there any other potential Brown keyboards (on Amazon only, US) that I should consider around that price range? Can be TK or TKL.

Very stupid question but will these http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/104-key-cherry-mx-keycap-set.html#ad-image-0

work with this keyboard https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01H6DHITE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ?

Reason being I need the Korean layout but I don't know the best way to go about it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/rv7/Drevo-84-Key-Backlit-Tenkeyless-Mechanical-Keyboard/B01H6DHITE/ref=lp_10755741031_1_3?srs=10755741031&ie=UTF8&qid=1478667658&sr=8-3

Boom: £39.99 - I don't know of any 75% that come with Cherry Clears.

You can always mod this board to have them! :)

What are my options for some after market key caps on my Drevo 84 keyboard? I understand the bottom row and right shift key are non standard.

Ideally sourced from UK or EU.

I have this and it's pretty nice. The key sizes are kind of weird though, so finding keycaps is kind of difficult.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01H6DHITE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493662306&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=drevo+gramr+84&dpPl=1&dpID=41CZcziHdpL&ref=plSrch

haha
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H6DHITE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just bought a Drevo Gramr with brown switches and noticed that I can hit the tactile bump in the switch and the press does not register; I have to press another mm or so before it registers.

Is this normal for all brown switches or is it just a problem with these imitation ones.

I'm looking for a 75% mechanical keyboard with a layout similar to Vortex Race 3 75%

I'm currently looking at DREVO 84 Gramr. Are there any better choices, especially ones w/o the crappy font on keycaps, they can be even plain black?

My budget is up to +/- 80 USD with shipping. I'm fine with used pieces and I live in Europe.

This is the exact one I got.

I chose it because it looked subdued, and not all sorts of wild. Also, I saw someone's post with white keycaps, and I thought it looked stunning, so in the future, I might switch the letters to white or cream PBT. I don't intend on using the backlight, but it's there if you want it.

UPDATE: Drevo with aftermarket white stealthy keycaps

EDIT: added detail

https://www.amazon.com/Drevo-84-Key-Tenkeyless-Mechanical/dp/B01H6DHITE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479348398&sr=8-1&keywords=drevo

You can still use em with the FN layer.

I was also first sceptical about the 60% layout but after i build my own it works good. And also you pretty much only gonna use F5 and maybe F12 ( for BIOS or STEAM screenshots)

Out of all that you wrote i would go with the Magicforce with some nice Gateron Brown switches best bang for your buck.

Or the Drevo Gramr has F keys and for only 40€ good enough https://www.amazon.es/Drevo-84-Tenkeyless-mec%C3%A1nico-retroiluminado/dp/B01H6DHITE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479331621&sr=8-1&keywords=Drevo+Gramr ( haven't found a portuguese amazon site) But it has Outemu switches not Gateron or MX but for that low of a price i think you can't make much wrong.

I'm looking to buy a good but cheap tenkeyless with browns. Can be cherries or gaterons, I actually prefer gateron browns. Massdrop is having a drop on a nice looking one but I really don't want to have to wait until March for it to show up.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/magicforce-82-key-mechanical-keyboard

I did find this one on Amazon, but it's quality looks questionable, and it's definitely not a standard sizing for the rows. Thoughts? I'd like to spend under $70.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H6DHITE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1MRPHNGA69Q4E&coliid=IYSBU5VATPDLW&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DREVO-84-Key-Mechanical-Keyboard/dp/B01H6DHITE/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1505119902&sr=1-1&keywords=drevo

Im currently thinking about buying my first mech board, something around $50. I've only tried greens and browns before and really liked them. The keyboards I was looking at are the [Drevo 84] (https://www.amazon.com/Drevo-84-Key-Tenkeyless-Mechanical/dp/B01H6DHITE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480668408&sr=8-1&keywords=drevo), Qisan 68 , [Corsair k65] (https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Compact-Mechanical-Keyboard/dp/B00DOWCQ0I/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1480667218&sr=8-8&keywords=mechanical+keyboard) , [Corsair k70 refurb] (http://www.corsair.com/en-us/corsair-gaming-k70-mechanical-gaming-keyboard-cherry-mx-brown-ch-9000516-na-refurbished), and the [Ajazz ak33] (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ajazz-Geek-AK33-Backlit-USB-Wired-Gaming-Mechanical-Keyboard-for-PC-Laptop-/121991387736?var=&hash=item1c6740da58:m:m8UdK8NaQRLhr0Zm2pw3NJA). I dont mind not having the numpad, but I'm not sure which of these boards is the best. Also the ak33 seems really appealing for the price but I'm not sure how loud the switches will be in comparison to browns. Any help will be appreciated!

If I purchase this Keyboard, will I then be able to use keycaps from a set like this?

Sorry for the noobie question, new to r/mk haha

What about the CM Quickfire Rapid. If you don't mind buying second-hand, they go for $40-50 shipped on /r/mechmarket often enough. Cooler Master is definitely a well-recommended brand around here. Good mechanical keyboards (ex. Ducky, Leopold, Filco, topre) don't tend to go on sale all that often, so that's one thing. I'm not super elitist about quality but I feel like anything between $50-100 brand new is just an awkward price range. It's too expensive to be a "good deal" but not quite expensive enough to get you good quality.

For lesser recommended but still-better-than-Chinese-random we have this Rosewill and this Drevo.

I'm not super knowledgeable about cheap boards since I'm pretty picky about board quality but those should be some good starting points.

Well I'm just using a pretty standard Logitech K270 (~US$23?) at the moment.

Yeah, I noticed this one as well.

Only problem is I have limited places to test Cherry switches let alone non-cherry/cherry 'knockoffs'. I'm in Aus, which doesn't necessarily help either.

Thanks for the link though!

OP delivers

yeah the nixeus looks like a good option.

I am looking to get them from amazon so that would be fine. I am also looking at this Drevo Gramr which looks pretty good, but I also can't tell if it's standard.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H6DHITE

I mean as you said, it looks standard from most keys but I am not sure about the keys on the right side for the home, del, page up, etc. Seems like they would be, just in a different position. It's the same layout on my laptop keyboard too.

Hey guys,
I'm fairly new to mechs, but from the ones I tried out, I really like Cherry MX Browns (Reds and Blacks aren't my thing and I haven't tried Blues, but those are probably out of the question as I live in a dorm). I've been looking to buy a board with the following requirements:

• I don't really want to spend more than 70€ (I'm a broke student), shipping included
  
• I want it to be tenkeyless (meaning no Magicforce, even though it looks quite good)
  
• It has to be available in Europe (I specifically live in Slovakia, but Germany would do as I do have methods to get a parcel to here from there)
  
• ANSI layout is a plus, as it's easier to get keycaps imo, as well as a backlight, preferably white or RGB.
  
  I've been looking at the Drevo Tyrfing (or maybe even Gramr) with Outemu Browns, but from what I've seen on this sub, some people say the switches are okay and some think they're really bad. Is it a good choice for the price? Or is there a better option?
  
  edit: linked keebs to US Amazon

Best keyboard for writing?
https://www.amazon.es/dp/B01H6DHITE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1UF8FPJ50T51M&coliid=I379MU9TTQJE2Q&psc=1
or
https://www.amazon.es/LESHP-Teclado-Mec%C3%A1nico-Disposici%C3%B3n-Espa%C3%B1ola/dp/B01M68VP6A/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1492687382&sr=8-4
Also, if I go with the first option, which switch would be better for typing: blue, red, black or brown?

I bought a cheap brown switch from Amazon for like 35 bucks. Been my daily board for the last 4 months been pretty solid.

DREVO 84 Key Gramr Backlit Edition Tenkeyless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, Brown Switch Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H6DHITE

how about this?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H6DHITE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=ANBVDFS4KYE3&coliid=IP0ELSXJ3Q06C&th=1

Drevo Gramr

If you want to use ISO-PT, the V60 (assuming it's ISO layout) would be a better choice IMO as the Magicforce isn't made in ISO layout at all. An ANSI layout board would be easier to cover (more choices available). Both the Magicforce and the V60 use standard layout, so the only qualifier on ease of changing keycaps is whether the V60 is ISO or ANSI.

For a used board, I'd want to know:

• Does every switch work properly?
  
• Is the board backlit? If so, does every LED work, and do all the lighting modes function as they should?
  
• Is the package complete with the original cable/manual/etc, or are there bits missing?
  
• How well maintained was the board? Is it clean, kind of dirty, or Hazardous Materials level?
  
• Is there any damage? (Cracked case from being dropped, broken keycaps, broken USB port or cable, things like that.)
  
  The V60 comes in better variants, but they may be irrelevant to you depending on your preferences. They're made with Cherry, Gateron or Matias switches. Matias switches I'm told (never have tried them) are nice when new but tend to chatter badly as they get worn. On a used board, you're probably looking at older Cherry switches, which aren't as smooth as new ones (though they do smooth out with use though), so a board of a similar manufacture date that has Gateron Browns will be smoother, and Gateron Browns are more tactile as well. (Cherry Browns feel almost linear if you type quickly.) The tradeoff is Gaterons tend to wobble more on off-center presses, which I notice but you may not. IMO, the best version of the V60 would be a model with Cherry MX Clears, which are much more tactile, but also less common.
  
  As for the Noppoo Choc Mini, it's a decent board, but you can just about forget about custom keycaps, as it has a 5.5U spacebar (1U being the size of an alphanumeric key), which nearly no one makes. In that form factor I'd lean toward the Drevo Gramr 84 which as far as keycap sizes only has four that are non-standard (the right Shift and the three mods between the spacebar and the arrow keys). I'd stick to something with that layout to make keycap swapping more straightforward.
  
  De nada, amigo. Boa noite. (It's getting pretty late in Portugal.)

https://www.amazon.com/Velocifire-Tenkeyless-Mechanical-Keyboard-Switches/dp/B01MS8YTYX/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1494913560&sr=1-3&keywords=mechanical+keyboard+brown

https://www.amazon.com/DREVO-84-Key-Tenkeyless-Mechanical/dp/B01H6DHITE/ref=sr_1_20?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1494913560&sr=1-20&keywords=mechanical+keyboard+brown

If you're happy with ANSI layout and want a budget board, then any of the clone boards like the Qisan will be fine. Qisan also make the Magicforce which is a fantastic budget board owned by a lot of users here.

This is potentially an even better option, since it appears to have no non-standard keys (excluding right shift, which is easily replaceable) and is cheaper.

If you are looking for ISO Layout and don't mind spending, check out the Winkeyless B.Mini which can be built and customised to your liking :)