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Most TKL keyboards are rather difficult to pick out of a lineup when looked at from a top-down angle. Of this sum, 1 lb, 8.2 oz is concentrated in the brass weight. Fully built, the keyboard weighs approximately 7 lb, 1.3 oz. The Alu XO v3 measures 19mm tall in the front, 41mm tall in the back, 368mm wide, and 147mm deep. However, you can easily pick from a pretty large selection of quality stabilizers these days - just make sure the wires are straight, apply some lube, and you’re off to the races. As is typical with higher-end boards, the stabilizers themselves are not included. This is a welcome improvement from the XO v2’s included plate-mount only stabilizers, which did not fit well on the plate and were often regarded as quite rattly. On the bright side, PCB-mount stabilizers are supported on the XO v3. While I imagine many users will be connecting the XO v3 to a desktop via a USB-A port, modern PCBs should really implement the additional resistors necessary for C-to-C connections as a means of futureproofing. This means that if you own a modern laptop that only has USB-C ports, you will have to use a dongle to establish a connection. Instead, the XO v3’s implementation of USB-C only allows for use with USB-C to USB-A. My biggest gripe with the PCB is that it does not support USB-C to USB-C connections. A USB-C port is built directly into the PCB about three-fifths of the way along the top of the case. The PCB also features per-key RGB via surface mount LEDs. Kailh hotswap sockets are present in the correct south-facing orientation and with support for 5-pin switches. The PCB comes in either a solder or hotswap variant (with hotswap carrying a $10 premium). I hope this was an isolated incident, but it still might still be a good idea for Monstargear to package their screws separately to avoid potentially damaging the keyboard in transit. Despite all this packaging, two of the case screws came loose from the housing and were resting against the back of the aluminum case when I took the keyboard out of its bubble wrap sleeve. The interior of the box is extensively padded with thick foam to separate the various components. The keyboard comes in an absolutely massive box containing the aluminum housing, PCB, plate, accent weight, thin dampening foam, braided USB-C to USB-A cable, clear plastic dust cover, cleaning brush, switch puller, and keycap puller.
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Extras were made available in December 2020 (no total quantity specified). The keyboard was offered on a FCFS basis in four different colorways over the course of three days - 260 units in navy/white, 260 units in white/navy, 50 units in white/white, and 70 units in navy/black (640 units total). The XO v3 is the third iteration of their custom TKL board, announced in September 2020 and made available for sale in November 2020.
#KEYBOARD PCB PC#
The Korean company mostly specialized in gaming PC components until 2019, when they introduced their first custom keyboard. I have no financial arrangement with them, and all opinions are my own.Ĭhances are, when you think of custom mechanical keyboards, Monstargear isn’t the first brand that comes to mind. Pricing - $435 ( solder), $445 ( hotswap)ĭisclaimer - I received the Alu XO v3 from Monstargear for review. Plate - PVD brass (only included option) FR4, aluminum, steel (purchased separately) PCB - solder or hotswap (south-facing, 5-pin), per-key RGB, USB-C, VIA/QMK support Weight - brass with PVD finish or stainless steel In this review, I determine whether the XO v3 is a viable contender in the custom keyboard space!Ĭase - CNC aluminum with anodized and/or electrophoresis finish On top of that, it is offered as an in-stock product, forgoing the group buy format most manufacturers have adopted. Right off the bat, its design is a distinct departure from the common “rectangle with hard edges” styling often found with TKL boards. The Monstargear Alu XO v3 has two key factors which set it apart from other premium tenkeyless keyboards on the market.