We have also mentioned before that more and more mechanical keyboards in the current commercial products have begun to support hot plugs. However, most of these initiatives are testing the waters, and there are still not many manufacturers who can use hot-swap technology for their products. The Black Lord happens to be such a minority existence, whether it is its K series that focuses on entry and mainstream markets, or the krypton series for high-end players, which has the function of hot-swappable key axes. For example, the K685T multi-mode mechanical keyboard and the krypton AC081 mechanical keyboard that we are going to introduce today are such products.
Supports three-mode, hot-swappable "civilian-grade" products
Black Lord K685T multimode mechanical keyboard
Product parameters
Keyboard form: mechanical
Connection: USB wired, 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.0
Keyshaft: Black Lord custom mechanical shaft
Number of buttons: 68
Color: White
Backlight: RGB backlight
Size: 311mm×102mm×35mm
Weight: 580g±5g
Reference price: 299 yuan
Small fresh exterior design
In terms of appearance, the Black Lord K685T multi-mode mechanical keyboard is a product that "subtracts" to a certain extent, such as its use of a small 68-key mini button matching, the shape is relatively simple, the square with a narrow border design and not kitsch fresh pure white "fruity" color. So it gives us a more grounded and attractive overall appearance, which is very different from the K690T we previously reviewed.
▲The lower right corner of the Black Lord K685T multi-mode mechanical keyboard is designed with a nameplate to play a finishing touch.
In terms of details, the Black Lord K685T multi-mode mechanical keyboard uses ABS keycaps made of two-color injection molding, and its surface has a similar matte effect, so it has a relatively hard feel when touched. Since the Black Lord K685T multimode mechanical keyboard supports wireless functionality, it is designed with a USB-C charging interface on top.
▲AbS keycaps made of two-color injection molding process have good light transmission.
▲ From the left side, the Black Lord K685T multi-mode mechanical keyboard adopts the OEM key height, while it does not design too many edges and corners, and the overall design is relatively simple.
▲In order to facilitate power supply, the top of the Black Lord K685T multimode mechanical keyboard is designed with a USB-C interface.
Turning it over, we can find that the bottom of the Black Lord K685T multimode mechanical keyboard has eliminated the foot design and only retained the foot sticker, while the bottom center is also designed with a power switch and a nano USB transceiver storage slot. After turning on the power switch, the Black Lord K685T multi-mode mechanical keyboard can light up the flowing magic light effect, and after combining with the ABS keycap with good light transmittance, it can bring obvious "light pollution" to the desktop.
▲The Black Lord K685T multimode mechanical keyboard is designed with a power switch and a storage slot for the nano USB transceiver in the center of the bottom.
Feature-rich and practical
Just like the K690T we introduced earlier, the Black Lord K685T multi-mode mechanical keyboard also supports Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless and USB wired three-mode functions, so it can adapt to more working environments and can better meet the needs of users and players with multi-platform needs. At the same time, the Black Lord K685T multi-mode mechanical keyboard has a built-in 1850mAh lithium battery - according to official data, in the case of turning off the backlight, it can work continuously for 10 to 13 days, and players no longer have to worry about the power.
In addition, the Black Lord K685T multi-mode mechanical keyboard adopts a hot-swappable shaft seat, which supports replacing the common three-foot and five-foot key shafts on the market, which is very convenient for players with strong hands-on ability or replacement button needs.
▲The Black Lord K685T multi-mode mechanical keyboard adopts a hot-swappable shaft seat.
Hands-on experience
The K685T multi-mode mechanical keyboard we reviewed uses the Black Lord's autonomous red axis, which is similar to the Cherry MX red axis, with a smooth hand feel of straight up and down, and will be slightly softer than the Cherry MX red axis when actually tapped. In order to better demonstrate its use in common scenarios, we selected League of Legends and Eldon's Ring of Law for practical testing. In the "League of Legends" game operation, the smooth feel with the lightweight autonomous red axis makes my fingers less tired after a long period of game operation, and at the same time, I am also handy when pairing lines and mending knives.
▲The black lord K685T multi-mode mechanical keyboard of the review uses the black lord custom red axis
In the operation of the "Elden Ring of Law", the Black Lord K685T multi-mode mechanical keyboard in the wireless connection state does not have any delay, allowing me to switch freely in jumping, tumbling, skill use and other operations when challenging elite monsters. In addition, this product also has a good performance in daily office, such as lightweight buttons are very suitable for long-term code words. Of course, like all keyboards with mini-key layouts, it also lacks some efficiency in statistical work.
In short, comprehensive functions, attractive appearance and good playability are the characteristics of the Black Lord K685T multi-mode mechanical keyboard. And as a member of the Black Lord K series, its price is also grounded, so it will be very suitable for players who need an entry-level mini mechanical keyboard in the near future.
All-metal, custom-built hot-swap toys
Black Lord Krypton AC081 mechanical keyboard
Product parameters
Keyboard form: mechanical
Connection: USB wired
Key shaft: Kaihua BOX mechanical shaft
Number of keys: 81
Color: Gray
Backlight: RGB backlight
Dimensions: 25.7mm×134.7mm×40.7mm
Weight: 1590g±5g
Reference price: 999 yuan
Excellent texture and distinctive features
We previously reviewed the AC064 kit for the Krypton series, which impressed us with its support for tri-mode connections, hot-swap capabilities, and the appearance of an all-aluminum alloy housing. Different from the AC064 kit, the Krypton AC081 mechanical keyboard we introduced this time is a product with a high degree of completion that adapts to the key shaft and keycap. From the overall shape point of view, the light Kr AC081 mechanical keyboard uses a relatively traditional narrow border, while also making some key adjustments.
For example, it saves some function keys on the basis of the key position of the traditional 87-type button layout, and adjusts the position of the function key and the arrow key, so it looks slightly unique, and also makes the size control at 325.7mm× 134.7mm×40.7mm. In addition, its shell is mainly composed of two CNC aluminum alloy parts, the frame and the lower cover, which have excellent texture and full weight, and its corners have been polished and the edges are naturally transitioned.
▲ From the left side, we can find that its key height is different from oem, this is because the lightweight Kr AC081 mechanical keyboard uses a self-developed JSA height ball cap.
As a mechanical keyboard for high-end players, the Krypton AC081 mechanical keyboard also made some ingenious designs on the fuselage, such as a replaceable "peace" nameplate designed on the top right of its upper cover, and a triangle icon was added next to the arrow keys. At the same time, the light Kr AC081 mechanical keyboard uses the self-developed JSA-height PBT two-color ball cap, and the gray and pink are intertwined to add a bit of vitality and personality. In addition, it also adopts a key-and-wire split design, and has a USB-C interface reserved on the top of its fuselage.
▲The PBT cap with the height of the self-developed JSA has gray and pink, which looks quite energetic and personalized.
It is worth mentioning that the Krypton AC081 mechanical keyboard also comes with an additional set of replaceable character keycaps, which are printed with different patterns such as "black, red, plum, square" and "gender", for example, I will replace the ESC keycap with the same height of the spades keycap.
▲The packaging of the lightweight KR AC081 mechanical keyboard provides an additional key puller and a special keycap, full of sincerity.
Turning the keyboard over, we can see that the bottom of the krypton AC081 mechanical keyboard is quite minimalistic, and the feet are removed. Of course, in order to ensure the friction of its bottom, it uses a round non-slip foot sticker at each of its four corners, which is quite stable when placed on the table. After connecting it to a PC, the Krypton AC081 mechanical keyboard will have a flowing magic light effect, but it is limited by the opaque ball cap, so the light is mostly in the gap, which is relatively not eye-catching.
▲ The bottom design of the light krypton AC081 mechanical keyboard is quite simple, it omits the feet, and only retains the non-slip foot sticker.
▲The wiring texture of the woven material is good, which is very in line with the positioning of the keyboard.
Fully customizable and hot-swappable
For high-end players with strong hands-on ability nowadays, products that can be better split and contribute to DIY structural design are more in line with their tastes, while Krypton AC081 allows players to adjust the structural design of each layer, and adopts a Gasket mount gasket structure - gasket structure is different from the traditional positioning steel plate, it is by adding gaskets up and down the PCB positioning board to buffer the vibration and impact of tapping the keyboard, canceling the screw fixing, As a result, mechanical noise inside the keyboard is reduced when keys are tapped. In addition, the positioning plate of the krypton AC081 and the PCB board are designed with a layer of silicone sandwich cotton in the middle, which can further offset the noise between the structure and the structure when tapping the keyboard, which is quite intimate.
It is worth mentioning that the light Kr AC081 chooses the Kaihua BOX white shaft, which is similar to the Cherry MX blue shaft, with a clear sense of paragraph, but it will be slightly harder. In terms of specific parameters, it has 45cN pressure grams, 1.8mm± 0.3mm trigger stroke, 3.6mm±0.3mm total stroke and 80 million electrical life. At the same time, the White Shaft of Kaihua BOX adopts a waterproof and dustproof design, which can further enhance the durability of the keyboard.
▲The review of this light Kr AC081 mechanical keyboard uses the Kaihua BOX white shaft.
In addition, the light Kr AC081 also uses Kaihua's hot-swappable shaft seat, and players in need can replace the shaft body according to their own hand preferences, without having to do flying wire and welding treatment. It is worth mentioning that the light krypton AC081 adopts the satellite axis of Jiadalong, and the rebound force is acceptable and the structure is stable.
▲The light krypton AC081 mechanical keyboard adopts a hot-swappable shaft seat, which supports most of the five-foot and three-foot key shafts on the market.
Hands-on experience
In actual testing, we still chose two games, League of Legends and Eldon's Ring of Law. In the "League of Legends" game operation, the light krypton AC081 using the Kaihua BOX white axis can indeed bring me a rebounding and hard hand feeling, and the strong sense of passage can help me play a good skill combo that requires rhythm when aligning. However, due to the existence of the Gasket mount gasket structure, the button will dive slightly a short distance when it actually touches the bottom, so it has a softer feel when it hits the bottom.
It is worth mentioning that after the choice of JSA-high PBT ball cap, the keys of the light Kr AC081 will be slightly higher than the mainstream mechanical keyboard, so players are better equipped with a wrist rest. In the operation of the "Eldon Ring of Law", the light Kr AC081 can also better cope with the needs of the game, and when fighting against the enemy, jump slash combos, quick rolls, and skill release can get a quick response, so it can make me more comfortable when challenging the level elite. Of course, in the daily typing office experience, the Kaihua BOX white axis with the ball cap can give a good feel, but the omission of the number keys also makes the keyboard slightly inferior when entering data.
Unlike the main entry-level and mainstream market Black Lord K series, the audience group of the light Kr series is mainly enthusiast-level players with certain hands-on ability and high-end players with certain economic conditions, so the main design feature of the series is that it is made of all-metal CNC shell and fully supports customization. This also means that even if the Krypton AC081 is a highly completed product, high-end players with ideas can still replace its internal components, make it their own keyboard, and play tricks.