Mechanical Keyboard Sound Isn't That Simple
Figure 1: I couldn't think of a more literal way to represent this article if I tried... Looking back just a few years ago, there’s no doubt that the huge influx of people that joined the hobby at the peak of the COVID pandemic were drawn to keyboards by way of YouTube, TikTok, and other audio-visual content platforms. Even as the output from these content creators has waned in recent months, their collective impact and legacy on the keyboard hobby is rather firmly etched in the history books. As a result of all of their sound tests, build logs, and opinion videos, the message is clear to any new person joining the hobby: mechanical keyboards are all about the sound. Thock this, clack that. Whether it’s keyboards, keycaps, or even singular switches, seemingly everyone new to the hobby meticulously pores over each component of their keyboard not in an attempt to figure out how it will feel in hand, but how it will sound as they’re furiously grinding their way out from...
Mar 27, 2024
The quality of components is really high. Especially compared to usb connectors you can get from sites like aliexpress, I was really impressed with the push-down-style terminals and how they fit together with the thickness of the wires and their isolation.
The length of the paracord was really quite accurate. For those who dont know, paracord and cable do not have the same diameter. Paracord is usually always a bit thinner than a four string copper cable like usb uses. So the longer the desired total length of the cable is, the longer the paracord needs to be relative to the cable . I'd say, my paracord was about half an inch too long, but at a total length of 6 feet and for a mass production product, this is basically PERFECT.
Also the melting of the paracord ends is also as good as it possible can be. Just to explain, if you melt too much, the end becomes one giant glob of plastic, if you dont melt enough, the paracord seperates its self into its individual strings in no time.
The assembly procedure was very easy following the video guide. Of course, it takes some time to shove the paracord all the way over the cable, as the fast forward at the corresponding point in the video would indicate. So dont be mad, if you have to spend a few minutes shoving the paracord over...
Regarding the "low quality" of components some people seem to critizise. Wrong. ... to explain, a custom cable consisting of individual off the shelf parts will always be more fragile and less robust compared to a complete off the shelf completely rubber coated cable. The cable you get from assembling this kit is 95% as good as any custom usb cable will ever be.
My only real critizism is not related to the product, but to the product page here on massdrop and the video it is showing. The video details the cable layout of a usb b MINI connector, not MICRO. Micro has a mirrored layout compared to mini. If you just follow allong with the video and dont pay attention to the type of connector, your computer starts beeping as soon as you plug in a device with the cable and your device will not work. Reading only the last page of this dicussion thread, this error happened to A LOT of people.
Now, I am not saying it is Massdrop's fault. I am also not saying its 1UP's fault, or really anybody else's. It's just, this is the internet. Most people on the internet do not pay attention to small details like that. Especially since most wont even know that the connectors have different layouts. So in the interest of the customers, maybe make a big red warning sign above the video that says something like:
!! "Layout shown in guide is USB B Mini, not USB B Micro. Check pdf manual here http://1upkeyboards.com/images/instructions/solderless_diy_cable_instructions.pdf for micro layout." !!
TLDR awesome, high quality custom cable for a fair price.
Edit: The cables also do not come with instructions other than a QR code. why would I want to read instructions on my dinky phone when It's easier to read and watch on a pc. Why not an actual instruction book?