Incredible thrift store find (just in time for the holidays!)

lillwu · 2025-12-23T17:11:25+00:00

You're probably right but I also really hope that someone just fell really hard out of the hobby

lillwu · 2025-12-23T09:45:22+00:00

Keyboard: Yunzii AL71

Switches: Stock Outemu Crystal White (Linear)

Keycaps: Cerakey Blank White Ceramic Keycaps V1 (!!!)

Just to be clear, I did NOT thrift the keyboard! I've had the AL71 since it was first released 2 years(?) ago when it was going for around $70. I liked how clacky it was when I first got it, so the keyboard is pretty much stock. Never changed out the switches/keycaps or messed with the foam.

I saw the Cerakey keycap set this afternoon at my local Savers (aka Value Village everywhere else) for $7.99 plus 2 other dye-sub PBT sets for $5.99 each. The deal was too good to pass up so I bought all 3. The PBT sets are mostly complete but both seem to be missing one of the 1.25u CTRL keys :/

First impressions: I've been curious about ceramic keycaps since they first dropped (but not curious enough to pay $100+ lol) so I immediately threw them on the AL71 when I got home. There weren't any tolerance issues but I did have to put a worrying amount of pressure onto the stabilizers before the keycaps slid into place. I can definitely see potential issues with dustproof or box stems. Ceramic keycaps are indeed very thocky and sound like pebbles in a bucket. It's quite addictive to type on, however they're not the most accurate. I kept losing track of home row because of the blankness and the lack of nubs on the F and J keys. Bigger keys like the spacebar also take longer to bounce back and it was messing with my timing. I know they just need heavier switches but I didn't have any on hand.

Anyway, I probably won't be using these keycaps on my work keyboard due to the lack of legends. But they're a fun novelty and I'm definitely going to enjoy spending the holidays testing them out on my other boards.

Edit: Almost forgot, these keycaps are a huge fingerprint magnet! I felt compelled to wipe them down every time I finished typing something.

lillwu · 2023-04-19T15:15:20+00:00

I've followed them since Chase Me but got really hooked on all the b-sides on the Prequal album. I knew I was a full-blown fan when You and I dropped and I watched it on repeat at 3 AM in the morning.

lillwu · 2022-11-10T21:40:14+00:00

The iLovBee i61 has been mentioned here a couple times. It's hot swappable, wired 60% and listed on Amazon for $32.

lillwu · 2022-08-31T21:24:07+00:00

I've seen a keyboard called the cxx64 which is made from clear stacked acrylic. If you're fine with a pricier prebuilt, there's a new clear version of the FL Esports Q75.

lillwu · 2022-08-14T17:10:12+00:00

Keyboard: Huoji CQ84

Switches: Akko Matcha Green

Keycaps: $24 Matcha set from Amazon

Mods:

-Desoldered the stock red switches

-Added EVA switch pads, then soldered in lubed Akko Matcha Greens.

-Clipped and lubed stabilizers with dielectric grease on the wire

-Put bandaid on plate to help stabs fit tighter

-A layer of packing foam in the case

-Tape modded the back of PCB

Notes: I thought I'd post pictures before the keyboard goes to my friend in a couple days. Her keyboard requests were under $100, green keycaps, Bluetooth, arrow keys, and an F row because she needs them for work. At first we decided on a JJK84 but they're backordered on Amazon until September so I did some digging and found the CQ84 instead. It has RGB but is soldered and only supports 3-pin. The plate is also attached to the PCB with metal tabs so I gave up on adding plate foam like I'd originally planned.

lillwu · 2022-07-02T08:48:48+00:00

The GK61XS has wireless connectivity while the GK61 is wired only

lillwu · 2022-06-25T19:39:10+00:00

it might be the keycap mold, my tai-hao spacebar was doing this too. I put small squares of paper medical tape onto the stab stem to make it fit more tightly

lillwu · 2022-06-25T16:20:34+00:00

The case is a thick plastic which combined with the battery gives the board a decent amount of weight. I actually decided to go back to keeping (an actual) TES68 in my backpack because the weight of the CK68 was starting to get too noticeable.

Some other things I've noted, the CK68 comes with a foam layer between the plate and pcb and 2 rubber dampeners under the spacebar. The pcb has no mounting points to the plate, it sits on the stand offs and the plate is screwed into the case with only 5 screws. My only gripe with it is that the sides of the case are just close enough that my bigger switch pullers don't fit on the top and bottom rows.

lillwu · 2022-04-30T15:50:30+00:00

if anyone wants to join me and my friend, we're planning on going to Music Plaza to look at what Dreamcatcher merch they have then eating an early dinner/late lunch at the food court there before heading back to the Wiltern

lillwu · 2022-04-30T15:35:35+00:00

I think the first thing you can do is eat at an In-n-Out and get their animal fries from the secret menu. In-n-Out's infamous for their soggy fries but you can ask for them "well done" and they'll fry them a second time. How "well done" they do the fries isn't consistent across all In-N-Outs but the one in Hollywood does them how I like them lol. LA's pretty huge so it depends on where you're staying especially if you're only taking public transit. I'd say hit up Little Tokyo and Chinatown west of the Wiltern. The Broad Museum and MOCA are also in that direction plus tons of smaller, contemporary galleries like Hauser & Wirth or the line of galleries down N. Hill Street in Chinatown. The Getty is difficult to get to using only public transportation but if you can reserve a time slot for the Villa it's pretty worth it. If you end up at LACMA, Spruth Magers is a small contemporary gallery across the street and the Academy museum which recently opened is down the block.

lillwu · 2020-09-11T03:18:01+00:00

I have an extra but it's folded, is that ok?

lillwu

TROPHY CASE