CheckMag | 4 unique Epomaker custom mechanical keyboards get massive discounts in limited-time 11.11 Big Sale Event
We reported late last month about the start of the Epomaker 11.11 Big Sale Event. At the time, the sale had only discounted a handful of mechanical keyboards and keyboard accessories. This week, however, Epomaker added a slew of mechanical keyboards to the list of discounts, some with more than 50% off the already relatively low retail prices.
1. EPOMAKER x LEOBOG K81 and K81 Pro - up to 58% off
The Epomaker X Leobog K81 is a 75% mechanical keyboard with some unique aesthetics and features that make it stand out from the aluminium rectangular prisms that have become ever so common in the mechanical keyboard space. The most striking thing about the K81 series is the colourful transparent acrylic case, which add can add a bit of fun to a PC setup, whether you're a hardcore gamer or prefer a more cosy look. The K81 Pro also has a programmable knob and a 0.85-inch OLED display in the F row to communicate connectivity, time, and general keyboard status information.
The Epomaker X Leobog K81 is a pre-built kit complete with switches and keycaps, while the K81 Pro is sold as a DIY kit with only the case, plate, PCB, and knob. Regardless of whether you opt for the Pro or regular K81, you'll get a 3,000 mAh battery, south-facing RGBs, a hot-swap PCB with Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4 GHz, and USB type-C connectivity and 3/5-pin switches, and a silicone gasket mount.
The pre-built K81 is available in Morse Code — clear keycaps with white tops and a minimalist blue legend and solid blue accent keycaps with white text — and Pink Bunny — whose keycaps feature varying shades of pink and a large, cartoonish font and cutesy bunny-themed accent keys — colourways. Meanwhile, the K81 Pro is available in either Pink or Green (which looks more like a smokey grey than green).
The Epomaker X Leobog K81 is not compatible with QMK or VIA, but it can be customised with Epomaker's custom driver software for Windows or macOS. The Epomaker X Leobog K81 Pro is discounted to $49.50, down from $99, and the pre-built K81 is discounted to $49.98, down from $119. The pre-built K81 comes with Leobog's Ice Crystal switches, which sound nice enough, according to a sound test on YouTube.
2. Epomaker Shadow-X - 50% off
The Epomaker Shadow-X switches things up with a somewhat unorthodox exploded 70% layout, featuring a full arrow cluster and a nav cluster with a metal rotary encoder in the top right corner. Between the arrow keys and the navigation cluster, the Shadow-X also has a small colour LCD for basic keyboard information, although it lacks a function row, relying on layering for those inputs.
The Shadow-X is constructed of aluminium and features a healthy selection of configurations, with a total of four double-shot PBT keycap options, each with its own selection of switches. Epomaker offers the Shadow-X in the following configurations:
- Black and Silver case and SA-like keycaps, with Gateron Pro Yellow, Epomaker Budgerigar, Epomaker Bluebird, or Epomaker Wisteria Linear switch options.
- White Blue case and Cherry profile keycaps, with Epomaker Mulan, Epomaker Wisteria Linear, or Epomaker Flamingo switch options.
- White Green case and Cherry keycaps, with Gateron Pro Yellow, Epomaker Mulan, Epomaker Wisteria Linear, or Epomaker Flamingo switch options.
- White Purple case and Cherry keycaps, with Gateron Pro Yellow, Epomaker Mulan, or Epomaker Wisteria Linear switch options.
Anyone interested in the Shadow-X should probably avoid the Epomaker Flamingo switches. We are in the process of reviewing the Epomaker TH40, which we received with the Flamingo switches. In our experience, they are scratchy and inconsistent in feel, and generally have a pretty unsatisfying typing feel and sound.
Epomaker Shadow-X highights:
- Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4 GHz, and USB type-C connectivity
- 3,000 mAh battery
- Silicone pad, poron foam, and IXPE switch pad
- South-facing LEDs
- Gasket mounting
- Customisation with Epomaker driver software for Windows and macOS
- Polycarbonate plate
During the Epomaker 11.11 sale, the Shadow-X is discounted by 49% from $85.99 to $43.85.
3. Cidoo Nebula - 50% off
The Cidoo Nebula is a 65% wireless mechanical keyboard that also takes a unique approach to aesthetics, with three colour options to choose from, each littered with cute anime- or cartoon-style cats, koalas, or unidentifiable cloud creatures. The 65% Cidoo Nebula claims to have a space-saving design, featuring a compact 65% layout that includes arrow keys, three navigation keys, and a metal programmable knob.
The Cidoo Nebula has an ABS case with a foam gasket mount, FR4 plate, and a 1.2 mm thick flex-cut PCB with south-facing RGBs. The MDA-profile keycaps on the Cidoo Nebula are dye-sublimated PBT, which might not appeal to everyone, but should make the keys more durable than ABS. Connectivity again includes USB type-C, Bluetooth 5.0, and 2.4 GHz, and the 3,000 mAh battery should provide for decent battery life in wireless mode.
One of the biggest highlights of the Cidoo Nebula is its VIA-compatible firmware, which allows users to configure the rotary knob and setup macros and secondary functions with layers. The 60 gf Cidoo Carda switches that populates the Cidoo Nebula are pre-lubed switches with POM top and bottom housings and UPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) stems. The POM housings should give the switches a smooth feel, while the UPE stem should make them sound somewhat clacky.
The Cidoo Nebula is available as a pre-built kit for $43, down from $85.99, and as a barebones kit with just the PCB, plate, internals, and case, for $27.50, down from $54.99.
4. Epomaker EP64 - 40% off
The Epomaker EP64, as the name suggests, is a 60% keyboard that's down to downright budget prices for mechanical keyboards. While its design isn't as flashy or premium as some of the aforementioned keyboards, the Epomaker 11.11 sale has the EP64 down to just $35.99 with Wisteria switches or $33.59 with the Mulan switch — a minimum discount of 40% from the normal price of $59.99.
The Epomaker EP64 is a compact 60% keyboard with a hot-swap PCB, Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4 GHz, and USB type-C connectivity. Despite the compact design, it maintains the arrow cluster, delete, and backspace keys, although there is no navigation cluster or F row. In terms of construction, the EP64 has an ABS plastic case and steel plate, and dye-sublimated PBT keycaps.
Epomaker calls the EP64's colourway Bauhinia, as it is inspired by the flower of the same name. While the combination of pink and purple isn't for everyone, a set of YMDK DSA Profile 9009 dye-sub keycaps can be had in a variety of colours for just $15.99 from Amazon.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
Source(s)
Epomaker
