Custom 173 Keys Keycaps Kit, - Review

Custom 173 Keys Keycaps Kit, Clone GMK Merlin, Cherry Profile ABS Double-Shot Injection for ANSI & ISO Layout Mechanical Keyboards, Compatible with Gateron Kailh Box Cherry MX TTC Switches by BowJian – A Disappointing Experience

If you are a mechanical keyboard enthusiast, you know how important keycaps are for the overall experience. They can make your keyboard look stunning or detract from the overall feel. That's why I was excited to give the Custom 173 Keys Keycaps Kit by BowJian a try. Unfortunately, my experience was not what I expected, and I didn't enjoy the kit as much as I thought it would.

Compatibility - Not for every keyboard

The Custom 173 Keys Keycaps Kit is compatible with most switches like Gateron, Kailh, Cherry MX, TTC Switch mechanical keyboards, and any mechanical keyboard switch with a cross on the back. However, the kit is not compatible with every mechanical keyboard. If your keyboard doesn't have the cross on the back, you might have to search for a compatible kit.

ABS Keycaps - Disappointing Tactility

ABS is a popular choice for keycaps due to its durability and bright, shiny finish. When I first saw the keycaps, they looked great, but my excitement faded as soon as I started typing. The keycaps were too slippery and felt wobbly when typing. I missed several keystrokes due to accidental presses on adjacent keys. The Cherry profile of the keycaps did add to the overall aesthetic, but the wobbliness distracted me from enjoying the typing experience.

Custom Keycaps - Aesthetic Beauty but at a cost

The keycaps come in three parts: 104 standard keycaps, 62 supplemental keycaps, and seven personalized keycaps. The personalized keycaps feature unique icons, including a skull, a gust of wind, and a leaf. While the custom keycaps did make the keyboard look unique and vibrant, they were problematic in terms of installation. Installing the personalized keycaps was a pain because they didn't have any notches or markers to indicate the correct angle for installation. It was trial and error for some time until I finally got them in place suiting my preference.

Durability - Time will tell

While the Double-shot injection process has its advantages, including a beautiful and durable keycap, it remained to be seen how long-lasting these keycaps would be. After almost one week of use, the keycaps still look and feels like new; however, long-term usage would be the only way to determine the durability.

Conclusion: A disappointing experience

The Custom 173 Keys Keycaps Kit by BowJian has its share of positives like aesthetic appeal, durable material, and compatibility, but overall, my experience was disappointing. While I loved the look of the personalized keycaps and appreciated the feel of the Cherry profile, the overall typing experience suffered due to the slipperiness and wobbling of the keycaps. The installation process was problematic due to a lack of notches or markers in some of the custom keycaps.

In conclusion, I cannot recommend this kit for all mechanical keyboard users. If you prefer having a beautiful keyboard display and are willing to overlook some of the negatives mentioned above, then this keycap kit may be of interest. However, for those who prioritize keyboard functionality and an excellent typing experience, I suggest sticking to more trusted and reliable brands and products.

Custom 173 Keys Keycaps Kit,

View Product Price