top of page

Reviving the magic of vintage clicky keyboards (Zeal Clickiez + NCR-80)

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:

(Amazon)👉 https://amzn.to/3iiArsC



I/O SAM SUBREDDIT (ask any questions about my videos):



SOCIAL LINKS:



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 0: US East » https://bit.ly/krytoxg0 | US West » https://bit.ly/3FS1nw1

- 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

- 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

- 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:



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




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

bottom of page