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87% would recommend to a friend 
For demonstration to youguys, I won't fix the double typing problem. This is how often I get the double typed with my keyboard. At first two months, it was worrking amazingg. Now it start to doublee ttyingg. or sometimees it igggnnores the type. I thhinnk keyboardd wornns ouuuutt. I playy PUUBBBG So yees I ddo preesss my keeyys hardd. I ddoon't knnow if it's swticch problem or just flawed design. But for sure something is worned. I'm ggoingg to change the switchhes to Cherry MXX soonn anny wayy. So I willl updatte if it''s swwitch probblem or not. It stilll looks beauutiful annd stuff, but not failed as a mechanicall keyboard especially at this price point. Iff you arre just goinng to play a videogame, not a problem. But if you gonnna type stuffs, this double ttyping isssues are riddiculous.
Drop CTRL V1 Mechanical Keyboard
01 / 14
Drop CTRL V1 Mechanical Keyboard
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Product Description
To put it simply, the CTRL mechanical keyboard has it all. Constructed with a solid aluminum frame with a built-in switch plate, it’s stable and fortified Read More
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4.3
(1,336 reviews)
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4star(377)
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keyboard_arrow_downinfiCathi
11
Feb 2, 2021
AHHH, wait they had a lighting update? 🤔 I'm honestly too lazy to change it most days so I stay on rainbow. Was thinking about doing the pudding keycaps, but I do love the grey combo standard look too much. 😭
Sonicbaboon
3
Jun 15, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
Looks amazing, functions just as well
Great for someone looking to get into the mechanic keyboard community without having to assemble everything, definitely a stepping stone for me until I make my own keyboard
Recommends this product? Yes
Tiltmaniac
7
Jun 9, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
The new CTRL fixes the minor annoyances of the original release. It has a wonderful feel, and a great look. With the box-whites, it is awesome for productivity. With the configurator, it is just as easily a Mac keyboard as a PC keyboard, with the cmd, alt, and Ctrl keys where you'd expect 'em to be.
ackzot
44
Jun 2, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
I like the design of this keyboard. I've been using it as my daily driver for almost a year. I got the Halo Clears (replaced the springs with a lighter ones- cannibalized from some gateron blues) so it is pretty tactile. I also replaced the stabilizers.
However that being said, The first couple of CTRL had various manufacturing issues in terms of fit and finish. Drop (Massdrop) worked with getting me replacements. So kudos to Drop for working with their customers.
Kaladyn
55
Mar 28, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
Buyer beware. The keyboards looks great. Build quality is excellent. But there are a few major issues.
- Ghosting is insane. The double tap rate makes it unusable with the default switches. MassDrop will offer a full refund, but that still means I lose my shipping costs and import duties.
- It's programmable, but it's a very involved process and there's no on-board memory. You unplug the cable, you lose your changes (that were hard to make in the first place). I had issues retaining the programming on the keyboard, others haven't. Point is: Other keyboards at this price point make this a lot easier with proper software support.
- The magnetic feet will detach immediately is you try to move the keyboard sideways. This is just silly.
(Edited)
Kaladyn
55
Apr 28, 2019
Maybe I did it wrong. I found the process rather complicated and gave up on it after a few tries. I'll cross out the section. The point I was trying to make was that other keyboards at this price point actually come with decent software support. Evidently, I didn't get that across very well.
Sanlitun
69
May 22, 2019
KaladynI've found that it will save profiles when powered off but it will NOT save brightness settings. Is there a way to set brightness in the configurator?
Sandwiches
43
Jan 26, 2020
checkVerified Buyer
Build quality is superb, performs like a drurnkk one-night-stand
I've had this keyboarrrrd for a while, and I've had the the prroblem with keys being triggereeed twice, up to 7 times on a single stroke. This problem has been mentioned bby many ppeople herre. I haven't contacted support because I'm an (extremely) busy personn, no time to pay $200 forr a keyboard for it to perfform worsse than a $20 one and spend hourrs with a fulfillment process and exchanginng emails (that would cosst me more than the keyboard in time)). I am a prrogrammer and so this is simply not acceptable. The reason I stopped using it is because it was so bad that sometimes I couldn't even enter my computer password correctly, often taking 30-40 trries. It's been sittting on the shelf taunting me for the last 6 months, and I busted it out to write this review. Don't buy this keyboarrd. Enough people have had this prorbllem.
YES: I reseated the switches.
YES: I trried other switches.
This problem occurrred brand new, out of the box. I type at 105WPM with a 0.24% error rate (unless I'm using this keyboard, then it'ss morer like ~10%). I didn't corrrect the typos above to demonstrate how irritating this keyboarrrd is DO NOT BUYY THE HYYPEE
Grrrrade: 0/10
YES: I trried other switches.
This problem occurrred brand new, out of the box. I type at 105WPM with a 0.24% error rate (unless I'm using this keyboard, then it'ss morer like ~10%). I didn't corrrect the typos above to demonstrate how irritating this keyboarrrd is DO NOT BUYY THE HYYPEE
Grrrrade: 0/10
(Edited)
Recommends this product? No
elijahblake
4
Mar 17, 2020
I’m happy it fixed it for you. But reading that thread you sent me all the way to the end makes it sound like many people are still having the issue. Which switches are you using? I just cant justify dropping $200 or even $50 for a keyboard having chatter.. I have a 60$ kB with cherry reds that has 0 chatter. Does it do everything the drop kB does? Not even close... but it types with no double input 100% of the time.
(Edited)
elijahblake
4
Jun 11, 2021
elijahblakeI ended up getting the ALT a little over a year ago and it's not perfect but I will say hardware wise it is possibly the best keyboard I've had. I do feel Drop should contribute more to QMK and work with the devs there to help get more support/interest for future drop boards.
I don't have the chatter in my alt. It's become my secondary board now, using a kbd67 lite for primary. Software wise the kbd67 is better and it has 5 pin support so I don't have to clip my switches. But sometimes the keycaps pull my switches out, never had that issue with the ALT.
I do wish Drop would make some hardware upgrades to the ALT and CTRL and I am interested in the new Keychron QMK board coming out.
Dinklesoft
18
Jan 8, 2020
checkVerified Buyer
Poor QA and service; there's better out there
My CTRL arrived with one of the stabilizers missing one of its magnetic inserts that slot into the keyboard. This means that one of the stabilizers moves horizontally with even slight movements of the board, moving the entire board. Not the biggest issue, but I did send a support request about getting one of those complete stabilizers.
However, a larger concern is that the R key does not have PCB inputs. I discovered this while pulling the stocks switches to insert a set of Holy Pandas, and the attached photo shots an empty key slot, with the E key to the left for comparison with the expected inputs. Since this renders the keyboard unusable, I put in another support request to Drop, however I'm still waiting on a reply to either ticket after 2+ days now.
Supremely disappointed with the keyboard and Drop and wouldn't recommend anything.
(Edited)
Recommends this product? No
aaronanpku
94
Sep 3, 2018
checkVerified Buyer
Many steps into the right direction.
This is the first review I've written on MD, because I really feel like contributing to the community after receiving the CTRL board.
(I won't review the switches and keycaps because I joined for a bare bone version and have Zealios 62g and SA dancer and dasher set on it)
Let's talk about the silver elephant in the room.
This is NOT the render color and there is no point debating because anyone who feel this is close to the render is justifying the emperor is wearing new clothes. Although some people don't mind this, there was something went wrong in the production or QC. The texture is sparkly and slightly dark and mostly silver (see comparison with the space grey Macbook and notice the sparkly texture). Since I joined the drop mostly for the matte grey finish, I plan to get the case powder coated to creamy white if it doesn't interfere with the switches install.
Otherwise the case feels well-made, it is solid and surprisingly thin! The magnet feet design is smart but sadly the angle is too low so I will make a 10 degree feet for the board.
2. The PCB.
The PCB is the best feature of CTRL for me. If paired with more polished configurator for both key mapping and LED, I really believe this (hot-swappable/easily-programmable/LED-enabled PCB) IS going to be the new standard for future mechanical keyboards. I am used to soldering/desoldering my boards but the ability to swap switches whenever I want is just so liberating. Looking forward to see MD make the configurator better.
3. The LED.
I've always wanted to see the custom mechanical keyboards catching up to the LED game with the gaming keyboards. Personally I don't need backlit for individual keys, but I do like under glow. CTRL's sandwiched case coupled with the diverse LED options is definitely a big step into the right direction for mechanical keyboards aesthetics. We will surely see more and more keyboards incorporating this feature in the future.
However, lacking the ability to easily set the default is really really annoying and my least favorite pattern happens to be the flamboyant RGB ripple default... And I have to see that every time I reconnect...
So please enable the default change in the configurator unless most people actually favorite the default.
My favorite is this two tone under-glow (see below) that I nicknamed "Blade Runner". :)
4. Verdict.
I gave CTRL a 4/5 where one point deducted because of the case surprise. However, I do believe CTRL did a lot right things that will help setting the good trend of mech keyboard design. Making a high-quality keyboards at a mid-high price range at large scale is most surely hard but I have no doubt that future variant of CTRL will improve the imperfections in this first gen. For that, I am happy, but for now, I am going to be improving my first gen CTRL myself. :)
PS. to the case makers/vendors, it would be lovely if you start to make custom version cases available for CTRL.
This is the first review I've written on MD, because I really feel like contributing to the community after receiving the CTRL board.
(I won't review the switches and keycaps because I joined for a bare bone version and have Zealios 62g and SA dancer and dasher set on it)
Let's talk about the silver elephant in the room.
This is NOT the render color and there is no point debating because anyone who feel this is close to the render is justifying the emperor is wearing new clothes. Although some people don't mind this, there was something went wrong in the production or QC. The texture is sparkly and slightly dark and mostly silver (see comparison with the space grey Macbook and notice the sparkly texture). Since I joined the drop mostly for the matte grey finish, I plan to get the case powder coated to creamy white if it doesn't interfere with the switches install.
Otherwise the case feels well-made, it is solid and surprisingly thin! The magnet feet design is smart but sadly the angle is too low so I will make a 10 degree feet for the board.
2. The PCB.
The PCB is the best feature of CTRL for me. If paired with more polished configurator for both key mapping and LED, I really believe this (hot-swappable/easily-programmable/LED-enabled PCB) IS going to be the new standard for future mechanical keyboards. I am used to soldering/desoldering my boards but the ability to swap switches whenever I want is just so liberating. Looking forward to see MD make the configurator better.
3. The LED.
I've always wanted to see the custom mechanical keyboards catching up to the LED game with the gaming keyboards. Personally I don't need backlit for individual keys, but I do like under glow. CTRL's sandwiched case coupled with the diverse LED options is definitely a big step into the right direction for mechanical keyboards aesthetics. We will surely see more and more keyboards incorporating this feature in the future.
However, lacking the ability to easily set the default is really really annoying and my least favorite pattern happens to be the flamboyant RGB ripple default... And I have to see that every time I reconnect...
So please enable the default change in the configurator unless most people actually favorite the default.
My favorite is this two tone under-glow (see below) that I nicknamed "Blade Runner". :)
4. Verdict.
I gave CTRL a 4/5 where one point deducted because of the case surprise. However, I do believe CTRL did a lot right things that will help setting the good trend of mech keyboard design. Making a high-quality keyboards at a mid-high price range at large scale is most surely hard but I have no doubt that future variant of CTRL will improve the imperfections in this first gen. For that, I am happy, but for now, I am going to be improving my first gen CTRL myself. :)
PS. to the case makers/vendors, it would be lovely if you start to make custom version cases available for CTRL.
Shard9
49
Jan 27, 2019
Hi there, which kit of dancer and dasher includes those caps in your function row? Having a hard time finding them and I thought they look really nice :-) Thanks!
MP1995
17
Jul 19, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
For demonstration to youguys, I won't fix the double typing problem. This is how often I get the double typed with my keyboard. At first two months, it was worrking amazingg. Now it start to doublee ttyingg. or sometimees it igggnnores the type. I thhinnk keyboardd wornns ouuuutt. I playy PUUBBBG So yees I ddo preesss my keeyys hardd. I ddoon't knnow if it's swticch problem or just flawed design. But for sure something is worned. I'm ggoingg to change the switchhes to Cherry MXX soonn anny wayy. So I willl updatte if it''s swwitch probblem or not. It stilll looks beauutiful annd stuff, but not failed as a mechanicall keyboard especially at this price point. Iff you arre just goinng to play a videogame, not a problem. But if you gonnna type stuffs, this double ttyping isssues are riddiculous.
(Edited)
Recommends this product? No
Sbaek10
17
Mar 9, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
I purchased this with halo clear with key caps few months ago and everything was solid. It was built in a good quality and feels good when typing. However, I really liked to give this keyboard 5 stars but I am having an issue with double tapping problem and it is happening very frequently even as I am typing this. I saw other people have this issues as well. Not sure why it is happening.
This keyboard looks good and feels good but if it cannot properly function as it was intended, what good is that?
ivandatu
15
Mar 22, 2019
Here's an update. Just 10hrs after i replied in this thread. That one front under glow LED (which is dead center btw) has completely died, which turns out to be a positive thing for me. The lighting looks even again lols.
Seby
44
Mar 22, 2019
ivandatuNooo that sucks, I emailed massdrop to try to see their stance on the double click issue. They have horrible support ("We do not stand by the quality of our massdrop products") last thing I'm buying from massdrop that's for sure. As much as I love my massdrop ctrl right now, I'm worried for the future of it.
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- Keyboard #3: CTRL - fantastic keyboard. Outfitted with Hako Royal Clears for most of the keys, except for some keys (like Enter) which got a Kailh Box Navy (for a little click) and some keys (like the shift keys) which got Hako True Violets (my pinkies don't bang the keys as hard as the rest of my fingers).
The CTRL is probably the last keyboard I'll ever need. Don't like the switches? Swap 'em out! Don't like the backlight colors? Reprogram 'em. Don't like they keycaps? Buy new ones. Now all I need is a 21-key numeric keypad to match it. (NUM Mechanical Keyboard, anyone?) UPDATE Feb 2, 2021: Still love this keyboard. No double-typing issues (yet). Still waiting for a matching keypad . . .