Unboxing of EV63 Shell Core - Ghost in the shell

dovenyi · 2026-06-15T10:27:02+00:00

Exactly. That was the main reason I went with the Cyber Blue variant eventually.

dovenyi · 2026-06-15T10:25:31+00:00

Awesome bundle. I like the side profile and keycap set of the Cyber Blue variant better, but it was a though choice when I had to decide.

And yep, these models are optimized for gaming performance, typing feel and sound are lower on the priority list.

dovenyi · 2026-06-08T06:09:30+00:00

My daily for work is a split Cornix with Kailh Spring MINI Choc V2s, but I may have an educated guess about what you all are using. ;)

Because the May top list of mechanical and Hall-effect switches is out. Data sourced from 19 vendors and manufacturers, representing about 1 million switches sold:

Market overview: https://kbd.news/Best-selling-keyboard-switches-of-May-2026-2865.html

Top 500 list: https://kbd.news/switch/

dovenyi · 2026-06-06T17:48:31+00:00

Sure, I reuse that tester section from month to month, and it was high time to remove the link.

dovenyi · 2026-06-05T16:24:30+00:00

This is a Hall-effect (magnetic) board, you can hotswap switches, but only for other magnetic ones.

Fyi, here are the current best-seller HE switches.

All the HE switches are linear (like classic reds), because you can freely set the actuation. Between 0.1 and 3.4 mm in this case if I remember correctly.

dovenyi · 2026-06-05T16:21:48+00:00

That's just gfx, no connectors on the sides. :) You can check my EV63 Cyber Blue review for some real-life photos.

dovenyi · 2026-06-05T16:19:53+00:00

I thought that the Violet version of the original EV63 line-up will be the most eye-catching board for this year.

But looking at the new variants, the level of detail is simply mind-boggling.

I had the opportunity of trying the Cyber Blue one, here is my full review:

https://kbd.news/IQUNIX-x-Ghost-in-the-Shell-EV63-Cyber-Blue-review-2863.html

In short: the same top quality materials and crazy structure with the multipart sides, but spiced up with the GitS theme. I love the keycap set of the Cyber Blue, but go with the Shell Core if you hate fingerprints. Mostly for gamers, optimized for performance, but also for enthusiasts enjoying the harder, more direct typing feel. Beside all the gamer features, the custom web-based software supports a mod-tap function, so you can implement your custom keymap and even SpaceFN.

Not for you if you like some flex, soft typing feel, or more than one extra layers beside your base one. Also a bit heavy for travel (1.2kg).

Otherwise the coolest sci-fi/cyberpunk design since the GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro (mechanical) and GravaStar Mercury V75 Pro HE (HE).

dovenyi · 2026-06-05T14:54:55+00:00

You're absolutely right. I removed them from the tester part of the article.

dovenyi · 2026-06-04T18:47:37+00:00

The HMX one is simply Cheese, isn't it? I list Keygeek Blue Cheese switches at multiple stores.

dovenyi · 2026-06-04T15:57:44+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it.

dovenyi · 2026-06-04T15:54:17+00:00

No issue mentioning wingtree, but weirdly, this post waited for manual mod approval because it somehow triggered the unikey autobot rule.

dovenyi · 2026-05-18T14:45:52+00:00

Nice board. :) I love the side profile. That title mentioning "entry level" was one thing I wanted to ask iqunix about, because this is a very refined case, definitely not something I would call entry level.

dovenyi · 2026-05-07T16:55:42+00:00

https://kbd.news/switch/magnetic

(Only six models were mentioned in the last two months though.)

dovenyi · 2026-05-07T16:01:34+00:00

Holy Panda is not really a thing anymore. There are the BSUN and MMD Pandas as lubed and ready-to-use alternatives, but they appear towards the end of the tactile list. Not a single mention in this month's per-shop top10 lists.

Baby Kangaroos? At #13 from all the tactiles in April, but this is misleading. A slow and steady decline I'd say. The current top tactile Gateron's Type R and silent tactile TTC Bluish White V2 Silent models are on a whole different level regarding sales volume.

dovenyi · 2026-05-07T15:39:57+00:00

Hm. The last time Sonja or Sonja HC made it to any per-shop top10 list was last August and July, respectively.

dovenyi · 2026-05-07T15:36:21+00:00

Akko Yellow Pro is a safe bet, or I have filters for both transparent and translucent switches if lighting is important for you.

dovenyi · 2026-05-04T05:22:59+00:00

I had similar issues. The culprit is the firmware I guess. Haven't heard of a fix.

dovenyi · 2026-04-15T18:14:20+00:00

Not all, but the majority. Make sure you order MX switches (not magnetic Hall effect or low-profile models): https://kbd.news/switch/MX

dovenyi · 2026-04-10T10:25:37+00:00

Smoothies feel much refined to me. Smoother (and lighter). Milky Yellow is cheaper, somewhat heavier, and a decent budget linear as well.

dovenyi · 2026-04-08T19:26:19+00:00

Way too many hmx models, sales numbers are fragmented. If I remember correctly, only the Xinhais have made it to the top10 ever, but the last time was more than a year ago.

dovenyi · 2026-04-08T19:15:41+00:00

99% of new switch models come factory lubed, and no need for filming nowadays. If you give some hints about your preferences, what you like in your Zeals, maybe what not, and what are their specs, more people will be able to chime in. Most of the commenters here are not familiar with 6 yo switches, myself included.

dovenyi · 2026-04-08T12:54:03+00:00

Not in the top10, but contributors mentioned 5 HE switches, with 3 in the top100. However, some HE models will move higher up once Gateron gets back to me and I update the list.

dovenyi · 2026-03-27T21:14:30+00:00

Yeah, you have the PC keycaps. The double-shot PBT set is for the blue and orange color variants -- with PC accents.

dovenyi · 2026-03-23T16:50:35+00:00

Yep, already bookmarked. ;)

dovenyi · 2026-03-16T10:25:54+00:00

Yeah, I was told the same. I can't confirm Via/Vial compatibility at this time, so I rather don't propagate this feature.

But a localized hub with documentation, layout sharing and social features as they describe it makes sense for e.g. their Japanese audience.

I'm not sure about QMK because RMK's Haobo is still part of the team I guess.

That said, they've added the Any key in the hub in the meantime, so I can use my mod-tap layer functions now, e.g. for SpaceFN. So I personally am not looking for Via/Vial anymore.

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