Our review unit featured Gatreon Yellow, a quick-acting linear switch similar to the Cherry MX Reds found in many gaming keyboards, but with a high actuation force. Where the potential of the keyboard really shows is when you expand into secondary layers. Heck, even the sounds are satisfying.I initially used it for gaming, but after I stopped gaming, I still completed a ton of typing on it. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. General Return Policy This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. The CTRL is Ready for Action The day has finally come. You can find him on Twitter @Bombur. Bottom line: Build your own killer mechanical keyboard with the Drop CTRL. You can control the brightness and effects directly with hotkeys, but you need the user manual to learn the full list of hotkeys. Today, its also available in a high-profile version with a taller case that hides the keycap housings. The Drop has magnetically attachable feet, which you can also position to create a negative incline, and it has a USB passthrough. I was stuck with the Razer green switches for forever, and Im not looking to go back anytime soon. Click to play video. Initially, it felt like too much pressure for each press. It's not a deal-breaker, but worth bearing in mind when shopping around for aftermarket switches. There's no onboard memory for storing settings like RGB lighting, but this isn't a gaming keyboard. Our unit has Cherry MX Brown switches, but it's also available with Linear Kaihua Speed Silver switches, tactile Halo Clear or Halo true switches, and clicky Kaihua Box White or Cherry MX Blue switches. This may just be me being picky. See Source link below for more information. But I dont think Ive ever experienced a super rattly keyboard in the first place. Also, ithas magnetically attachable feet, which you can position to give a negative incline. One of the most special things about this keyboard is that it features hot-swappable switches. The Drop is a 65% size compact board that has a better build quality, more incline settings for better ergonomics, and significantly better latency. Intel to Go Ahead with "Meteor Lake" 6P+16E Processor on the Desktop Platform? There's also a high-profile version of the CTRL that comes with a shroud to cover the switch sockets. The tall top half of the case and thicker bottom combine to add under three pounds of weight to the keyboard, bringing its mass to a respectable 4.4 pounds. There's rubber underneath the feet and, combined with the weight of the aluminum frame, it doesn't slide around easily. You can also flip them around to have it on a negative incline. All Digital Download sales are final and are not eligible for return or refund under the Micro Center Return Policy. DROP CTRL High-Profile Mechanical Keyboard Tenkeyless TKL (87 Key) Gaming Keyboard, Hot-Swap Switches, Programmable, Backlit RGB LED, USB-C, Doubleshot PBT, Aluminum (Gray, Kaihua Speed Silver) Visit the DROP Store 213 ratings | 16 answered questions Deal -15% $22950 List Price: $270.00 FREE Returns Style: Kaihua Speed Silver Barebones We couldn't add you, please check that your email address is correct and try again. Why Drop's new custom mechanical keyboard is such a big deal Competition is ramping up for custom mechanical keyboard kits like the Drop CTRL. Drop CTRL Mechanical Keyboard - Space Gray Story | Mechanical Keyboards Since theyre plate-mounted, it takes only minutes to completely replace them with a higher quality set (opens in new tab) and doesnt require disassembling the whole keyboard. Drops other keyboards are all smaller, and some have non-traditional layouts. It lacks the software of the best gaming keyboards. But it lacks per-key RGB and programmability. A key important detail is that the keyboard is not cheap, you are paying a bit extra for features such as an anodized aluminum frame with hot-swappability. NEW 2 Disney Cruise Line DCL Castaway Club PLATINUM Black Lanyards ID Holders (#155212240812), 4" Brass Ring Globe Ball Shade Holder Vintage Antique Kerosene Oil Lamp Parts (#165878793367), NEW Drop BIIP MT3 EXTENDED 2048 Keycap Set for 60% to 75% Keyboards MODIFIERS (#155396505096). Drop ALT Mechanical Keyboard PCBA. It has low latency, though some gamers may prefer it lower. Kaviso, LLC . It also has a USB passthrough feature. Best Products; See All; Computing. Drop also sells different keycap sets to give it a unique aesthetic. The added density of the material and slight texturing present on their surface feels good under the fingers. The Drop ALT is an excellent gaming keyboard. The ENTR's main appeal is its the build quality; the components, and how theyre put together. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. All trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. I didnt experience any learning curve or slow down in my typing speed getting started on the CTRL. View cart for details. You have a rainbow wave and breathe effect, a scrolling red line, and six static colors. The Drop CTRL is an awesome mechanical keyboard with a floating keycap design and a sleek aluminum frame. You'll need to bear in mind that there's no wrist rest included either, which makes the pill harder to. What is your favorite Drop CTRL hotkey? Is it normal to not be able to change wifi channels on a modem? After launching its Elvish and Dwarvish mechanical keyboards, DROP is back with a new Mordor-themed Black Speech keyboard. The CTRL is light on additional features there are no tilt feet, DIP switches, or cable routing channels but it does have one cool trick up its sleeve: a built-in USB Type-C hub. I knew I wanted something quieter, but I didnt know the difference between tactile and clicky switches even. A more universal downside is that the largely metal construction can cause reverberation on particularly hard bottom outs or when the switches being used have ping from their internal springs. You can see the specs on the product page, but Ill summarize them below: I received my keyboard on August 12, 2019 with Halo Clear switches and the original keycap kit. Then there's the integrated USB passthrough with dual rear USB-C ports allowing one to connect a mouse or other accessories through the Drop CTRL as opposed to hunting for a free USB port. Still, the higher force requirement dramatically reduces the number of unforced typing errors. Many jobs today require you to Over the last year, the custom keyboard hobby has exploded, bringing with it a plethora of new innovations and modifications. (3 updates.) They feel good to type on and lend a nice solidity to the experience, but arent as thick as some of the premium aftermarket sets like the GMK Blue Samurai that was sent with my sample and photographed for this review. Update 12/17/2021: We initially listed our Macro Programmable Keys test result to 'All', but this is incorrect. Even better, its sub-$100 price means that you won't spend an extraordinary amount of money for an excellent typing experience. How to Configure your CTRL Keyboard! | Drop The Drop CTRL isnt designed to be a gaming keyboard, but that doesnt mean youll be stuck swapping keyboards when you want to play games. The Drop ALT is a highly-customizable mechanical keyboard. The stock keycaps feel nice to type on. Micro Center is happy to honor its customary 30-day return policy for Aerial Drone returns due to product defect or customer dissatisfaction. Sometimes it's not possible to choose the best keyboards off the shelf and if that's the case for you, a custom keyboard kit like the Drop CTRL may be just what you require. *If you are a Micro Center Insider or if you have provided us with validated contact information (name, address, email address), you wont even need your receipt. It has a USB passthrough and much lower latency. The doubleshot PBT keycaps feel nice, and the Cherry MX Brown switches provide good tactile feedback, but you can get the board in several switches. Since I was sent the barebones kit, I had to install my own switches. Now to do the typing test. In the work-from-home era, you can use it across many workspaces, such as your desk, coffee table, or kitchen table. You may feel fatigued after typing for long periods because of the high profile of the keys and lack of wrist rest. LED Keys. There are three options for fans of tactile switches: Cherry MX Brown RGB, and Drops own Halo Clear and Halo True switches. However, the ALT is a smaller, compact model without function keys, while the SHIFT is a compact full-sized keyboard with all the standard keys. Keyboards dont need to be complicated to make a strong impression. Theyre also doubleshot, which means the legends are made from a second piece of plastic, so will never chip or fade with time. Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Intro Drop CTRL Mechanical Keyboard Review: Tenkeyless and Hot-Swappable Switch and Click 686K subscribers Join Subscribe 547 Share Save 31K views 2 years ago Link to Drop CTRL:. Some lubricant should help here. Drop Mito Mt3 Noctua Keycaps Offer Luxury Style To Mechanical Keyboards DROP CTRL High-Profile Mechanical Keyboard Tenkeyless TKL (87 Key) Gaming Keyboard, Hot-Swap Switches, Programmable, Backlit RGB LED, USB-C, Doubleshot PBT, Aluminum (Gray, Cherry MX Blue) Visit the DROP Store 212 ratings | 16 answered questions $29500 FREE Returns Style: Cherry MX Blue RGB Barebones Cherry MX Blue RGB Cherry MX Brown RGB It has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys, and every key is macro-programmable. It's well-built, and you can change the position of the feet to create a negative incline. As someone who uses a lot of gaming keyboards, I think of linear switches as having a hair-trigger: You can accidentally actuate a Cherry MX Red and Cherry Speed Silver key by brushing the keycap. The Drop ALT and the Dream Machines DreamKey are mechanical gaming keyboards, but they have different features. Its also fully programmable via QMK, meaning you can assign macros or custom keybindings to every key. Noctua and DROP collaborate to create the DROP + MiTo MT3 Noctua keycaps for mechanical keyboards, offering style and functionality DROP's latest keycaps set plans to be a fan favorite for PC and keyboard enthusiasts. Used DROP + MiTo GMK Laser Custom Mechanical Keyboard Keycap Set *READ DROP CTRL Mechanical Keyboard Tenkeyless TKL (87 Key) Gaming Keyboard, Hot-Swap Switches, Programmable Macros, RGB LED Backlighting, USB-C, Doubleshot PBT, Aluminum Frame (Halo Clear, Gray) Visit the DROP Store 614 ratings | 39 answered questions $22000 FREE Returns Color: Space Gray Style: Halo Clear Barebones Cherry MX Blue RGB Its still possible to use these switches if youre willing to clip off the two additional feet, but the last thing you want to do with a set of expensive aftermarket switches is clip the feet off and make them irrevocably less stable. link to Keychron Q1 Pro review: a remarkably great keyboard without getting your fingers dirty. The added height of the high profile case did leave me reaching for a palm rest to elevate my wrists and maintain a comfortable typing posture. On the other hand, the Razer has much lower latency, and it has customization software to set macros, reprogram keys, and create profiles. I've taken this keyboard for a spin over the past couple of weeks and feel like I'm ready to discuss what makes this such a good choice, as well as where it could be improved.