Aug 3, 20223 min
Updated: Feb 18, 2023
Welcome to another I/O Sam joint! Today we’ll give an in-depth look into Zeal PC’s new (and pricey!) clicky switch and see if it delivers on its promise to sound and feel as good as vintage Alps SKCM and Buckling Spring switches of the 1980’s and 90’s.
And to achieve that, we’ll install them in the NCR-80, a custom keyboard kit heavily inspired by old vintage boards, to see if a roomy plastic case can indeed improve the sound of clicky switches.
Join me into this interesting time travel experiment into the intriguing world of Vintage Mechanical Keyboards sounds!
Today we’ll review Zeal PC Clickiez switches and match it with the NCR-80 keyboard kit, to see if we can build a mechanical keyboard in 2022, that sounds and feels as good as old Alps SKCM based Vintage Keyboards.
🔌 VIDEO SPONSOR - PCBWay.COM
When you're ready to produce your next custom keyboard's PCB, plate, metal or injection molded case, PCBWay can bring your designs to life!
👉 Get $5 off your first PCBWay order by using my affiliate link: https://www.pcbway.com/setinvite.aspx?inviteid=486900
MAIN FEATURED PRODUCTS:
NCR-80 👉 https://fave.co/3QaxeKr
Zeal PC Clickiez (5% off through my affiliate link) 👉 https://bit.ly/clickiez
Drop + MiTo DCD Pegaso Keycaps:
(Drop)👉 https://fave.co/3BzJGPZ
(Amazon) 👉 https://amzn.to/3OKMm08
Wowstick Electric Screwdriver:
(Bangood)👉 https://www.banggood.com/custlink/3DGEOqG8uy
(Amazon)👉 https://amzn.to/3iiArsC
I/O SAM SUBREDDIT (ask any questions about my videos):
👉 https://www.reddit.com/r/IOSam
SOCIAL LINKS:
Web: https://www.iosamfranco.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iosamfranco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iosamfranco
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/io_sam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iosamfranco
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/iosam
FULL LIST OF PRODUCTS LINKS:
🔥🔥🔥NOTE: use coupon "iosam" for 5% off in Divinikey links🔥🔥🔥
- Ducky TKL Leather Wrist Rest w/ Red Stitching: https://bit.ly/duckywristrest
- Durock V2 Stabilizers Screw-In (Divinikey): https://bit.ly/3JIg7xP
- Krytox 205 grade 2: https://amzn.to/3GDHAkk | https://ebay.us/G3ZAtJ
- Krytox 205 grade 0: US East » https://bit.ly/krytoxg0 | US West » https://bit.ly/3FS1nw1
- Krytox 105: https://amzn.to/2NjBSuB | https://ebay.us/2oK4Fv
- Krytox XHT-BDZ: https://bit.ly/3SV9Q64
- Micro Brushes (for lubing switches): https://amzn.to/3iUsQkr
- Nylon Hair Brush Set: https://amzn.to/3rUYMr1
- KBDFANS X AI03 2-IN-1 Aluminum Switch Opener: World » https://kbdfans.com/r?id=rpgrn0 | US (Divinikey) » https://bit.ly/3GKWXpt
- HONKID Aluminum Switch Opener -- Kailh/MX Type: https://amzn.to/2Uq4ohu
- 4 mm O-rings: https://amzn.to/3b2GNbA
- Self-Adhesive Clear Bumpons: https://amzn.to/3cUWlCM
- Scotch Delicate Surface Masking Tape: https://amzn.to/3BD0BPP
- Cutting Mat: https://amzn.to/3qgNHjS
- DeWalt Box Cutter: https://amzn.to/3bLgF4N
- Xool Tweezers Set: https://amzn.to/3rPrE3X
- Wiha Precision Flush Cutter: https://amzn.to/3zR3JIy
- Hakko FX888D Digital Soldering Station: https://amzn.to/3zPpkB5
- Xytronic 426DLX Fume Extractor: https://amzn.to/3PVKa7m
- MG Chemicals Flux Paste: https://amzn.to/3PRUfSV
- Mstone Acrylic Mechanical Switch Lube Station: https://fave.co/37Ne21h
- 3M Wetordry Sandpaper - 400 Grit: https://amzn.to/3zQ0r8e
- 3M Wetordry Sandpaper - 800 Grit: https://amzn.to/3cYcw2n
- Rust-Oleum Flat Gray Primer: https://amzn.to/3cZWQvp
- SEM Products Ez Coat Field Drab: https://amzn.to/3d0VPTX
- Rust-Oleum Satin Clear: https://amzn.to/3vsLp5R
- Gazzew Boba U4T: https://fave.co/3MIseKV
- Cherry MX Hyperglide Blue: https://kbdfans.com/r?id=vu3sp8
- Kailh BOX White: https://kbdfans.com/r?id=kkt3qt
- Gateron Cap V2 Switches: https://bit.ly/3zOPpQJ
- Glorious Panda: http://shrsl.com/2wnu0 | https://amzn.to/39ithTR
- Drop Holy Panda: https://fave.co/3mcRvDs | https://amzn.to/38GeG4d
- Vortex KBt Re68: https://bit.ly/vortexkbt68
- Vortex KBt Re66: https://bit.ly/vortexkbt66
- Filco Majestouch Ninja TKL: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/c/io-sam&keyboard=io-sam_filco-majestouch-ninja-tkl
- Realforce R2 Keyboard (Tenkeyless, Ivory, 55G): https://amzn.to/3xOL8vK
- GMMK Pro:(Glorious) » http://shrsl.com/314gm | (Amazon) » https://amzn.to/3whVuUv
- Razer Viper Ultimate Hyperspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse: https://amzn.to/3kOPTOm
- Glorious Model D Wireless Gaming Mouse: https://amzn.to/3P1pQBD
- Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse: https://amzn.to/3yp5fRS
- Logitech G703 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse: https://amzn.to/3zuWrKG
- GK21S RGB Hot Swap USB-C/Bluetooth Aluminium Numpad: https://amzn.to/37pQnaA
- Razer Tartarus Pro Gaming Keypad: https://amzn.to/3dNiaRw
MY KEYBOARD TYPING SOUND RECORDING SETUP:
👉 https://www.iosamfranco.com/post/my-views-on-keyboards-typing-sound-demos
REFERENCE VIDEOS & ARTICLES MENTIONED:
I/O Sam - Should you care about switch stem wobble?👉 https://www.iosamfranco.com/post/switch-stem-wobble
Chyrosran22:
- ZealPC Clickiez switches review👉 https://youtu.be/W6yV-c5Sk0I
- Leading Edge DC-2014 review👉 https://youtu.be/sH2QmZPOM1I
ThereminGoat - Zeal 3-in-1 Clickiez Switch Review👉 https://www.theremingoat.com/blog/clickiez-switch-review
TaeKeyboards - Spray Painting a Mechanical Keyboard!👉 https://youtu.be/cOH5uVwAoi0
Blacksimon - NCR80 Kit + JWICK + Cheap PBT Full Review👉 https://youtu.be/oiy1BJRcLKQ
YMDK NCR-80 QMK/VIA guide👉 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1he5iWxKlXch9wJGFR-EO2J2bkGVyo8aZ/view
MUSIC:
Epidemic Sound 👉 https://share.epidemicsound.com/p1d7b7
Streambeats 👉 https://www.streambeats.com
Playlist - in order of appearance (song name - artist):
- (PCBWay Ad): Wave push - Streambeats
- Never or Right Now (Instrumental Version) - ELFL