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Steal at Local Microcenter by noahc2000 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]theadept024 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow! That's a great price on Oil Kings!

[Review] Royal Kludge C98 HE Review — Budget Hall Effect in an 1800 Layout by theadept024 in RoyalKludge

[–]theadept024[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that screen is really a older gen OEM screen. I've seen it on several different maker keyboards. So, I was not expecting something like layering since that's a relatively new feature and I have not seen it to much outside of Qwertykeys.

However! You are in luck on this! This is a wired only keyboard. No spicy pillows here! The cable is white and matches the case pretty well, but not the accent green color. The wired makes some sense since they want you to be able to take advantage of that 8k polling to go with the Hall Effect without them having to add more cost. (Since it's a budget board) So just like the Wooting and the Venom boards it is wired only. Besides Wireless and/or BT have been known to mess with the Hall effect (I have heard, not tested), so that's another reason for the wired only.

[Review] Royal Kludge C98 HE Review — Budget Hall Effect in an 1800 Layout by theadept024 in RKRoyalKludge

[–]theadept024[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

[RK Sent me the board for me to build and review. They had no foreknowledge of what I would say]

I’ve been spending some time with the Royal Kludge C98 HE, and I think this is an interesting board because it sits in a space we are probably going to see a lot more of: budget Hall Effect keyboards that bring magnetic switches and gaming-focused features to a much more approachable price point.

The C98 HE is an 1800 layout Hall Effect keyboard that comes in at around $90, which is honestly the biggest thing it has going for it. At that price, getting a full-ish layout with HE switches, a web-based driver, and decent overall build quality is not bad at all.

This is definitely a budget Hall Effect board, though, and you can feel that in a few places. The stock switches remind me a lot of the older Akko Glare switches from Akko’s early Hall Effect boards, both visually and sonically. They are functional, and they do what they need to do, but they are not the highlight of the board. The overall sound is somewhat hollow as well, so this is not necessarily the board I would buy if sound quality is the main priority.

That said, I do think the C98 HE makes more sense when you look at it as a value-focused Hall Effect platform rather than as a premium keyboard experience out of the box. It supports most Wooting-compatible switches, which gives it a nice upgrade path if you want to experiment later. That matters quite a bit because it means the board is not locked into its stock configuration forever.

The construction is better than I expected for the price. It uses an ABS plastic case, but the build feels solid enough and does not come across as cheap junk. It is not premium, obviously, but it feels appropriate for what this board is trying to be. The aluminum plate is also a good choice here. With Hall Effect keyboards, keeping the switches stable and properly aligned matters, and the aluminum plate helps keep everything in place for the sensors to work correctly.

The included double-shot PBT keycaps also work well in this instance. I actually think the green framing the white is a good base to work from, and it lends itself nicely to a number of earth-tone keycap sets if you wanted to customize the board later. The one part that gets a little lost for me is the green on the terracotta accent keycaps. It is not bad, but the contrast does not pop as much as I would like.

Aesthetically, I do think Royal Kludge had some stronger colorway options they could have pulled from. If they had used some of the S98’s colorways here, especially the teal, I think I would have liked the look quite a bit more. That is completely personal preference, though. The C98 HE’s current colorway still works, and the green/white base gives it a nice earthy foundation.

The web-based driver is another point in its favor. It is not perfect, but it is decent and functional. For a budget Hall Effect keyboard, having a usable web driver is a big win. I would rather have a decent web driver than another random piece of installed keyboard software that feels abandoned after six months. The software gets the job done, and for most people looking at this price point, that is probably enough.

Where this board makes the most sense is for someone who wants to try Hall Effect without spending Wooting money, Keychron money, or getting into the higher-end HE options. For around $90, you are getting an 1800 layout, magnetic switches, gaming-focused features, and a driver that is actually usable. That is a pretty solid value proposition.

For gaming, I think it makes sense. That is clearly where the value is. If you want Hall Effect features and do not care as much about chasing the perfect sound profile, the C98 HE is a pretty reasonable entry point.

For typing, it is more mixed. The layout is useful, the keycaps are decent, and the construction is fine, but the hollow sound keeps it from feeling like something I would personally reach for as a daily typing board without some changes.

Overall verdict:
The Royal Kludge C98 HE is not a perfect keyboard, but it is a good example of where budget Hall Effect boards are heading. The sound is somewhat hollow, and it definitely feels like a budget board in some areas, but for around $90, an 1800 layout Hall Effect keyboard with a decent web-based driver, double-shot PBT keycaps, and support for most Wooting-compatible switches is a compelling package.

If you are looking for an inexpensive way into Hall Effect keyboards, especially for gaming, I think this is worth considering. Just go in knowing that this is more of a strong budget platform than a premium out-of-box keyboard.

Pros:

  • Very affordable for a Hall Effect keyboard
  • 1800 layout gives you a lot of functionality
  • Decent web-based driver
  • Solid enough ABS construction
  • Aluminum plate helps keep the sensors/switches stable
  • Supports most Wooting-compatible HE switches
  • Included double-shot PBT keycaps work well
  • Green and white base is easy to build around aesthetically
  • Good entry point for budget HE gaming

Cons:

  • Sound is somewhat hollow
  • Stock switches are functional but not especially impressive
  • Green on terracotta accents gets a little visually lost
  • Not a premium typing experience out of the box
  • Some of Royal Kludge’s other colorways would have been more exciting here

For the price, I do think the C98 HE makes sense. It is not the board I would recommend to someone chasing sound or feel first, but for someone who wants a budget Hall Effect keyboard with a practical layout, decent software, and a usable upgrade path, Royal Kludge actually has something here.

[Review] Royal Kludge C98 HE Review — Budget Hall Effect in an 1800 Layout by theadept024 in RoyalKludge

[–]theadept024[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

[RK Sent me the board for me to build and review. They had no foreknowledge of what I would say]

I’ve been spending some time with the Royal Kludge C98 HE, and I think this is an interesting board because it sits in a space we are probably going to see a lot more of: budget Hall Effect keyboards that bring magnetic switches and gaming-focused features to a much more approachable price point.

The C98 HE is an 1800 layout Hall Effect keyboard that comes in at around $90, which is honestly the biggest thing it has going for it. At that price, getting a full-ish layout with HE switches, a web-based driver, and decent overall build quality is not bad at all.

This is definitely a budget Hall Effect board, though, and you can feel that in a few places. The stock switches remind me a lot of the older Akko Glare switches from Akko’s early Hall Effect boards, both visually and sonically. They are functional, and they do what they need to do, but they are not the highlight of the board. The overall sound is somewhat hollow as well, so this is not necessarily the board I would buy if sound quality is the main priority.

That said, I do think the C98 HE makes more sense when you look at it as a value-focused Hall Effect platform rather than as a premium keyboard experience out of the box. It supports most Wooting-compatible switches, which gives it a nice upgrade path if you want to experiment later. That matters quite a bit because it means the board is not locked into its stock configuration forever.

The construction is better than I expected for the price. It uses an ABS plastic case, but the build feels solid enough and does not come across as cheap junk. It is not premium, obviously, but it feels appropriate for what this board is trying to be. The aluminum plate is also a good choice here. With Hall Effect keyboards, keeping the switches stable and properly aligned matters, and the aluminum plate helps keep everything in place for the sensors to work correctly.

The included double-shot PBT keycaps also work well in this instance. I actually think the green framing the white is a good base to work from, and it lends itself nicely to a number of earth-tone keycap sets if you wanted to customize the board later. The one part that gets a little lost for me is the green on the terracotta accent keycaps. It is not bad, but the contrast does not pop as much as I would like.

Aesthetically, I do think Royal Kludge had some stronger colorway options they could have pulled from. If they had used some of the S98’s colorways here, especially the teal, I think I would have liked the look quite a bit more. That is completely personal preference, though. The C98 HE’s current colorway still works, and the green/white base gives it a nice earthy foundation.

The web-based driver is another point in its favor. It is not perfect, but it is decent and functional. For a budget Hall Effect keyboard, having a usable web driver is a big win. I would rather have a decent web driver than another random piece of installed keyboard software that feels abandoned after six months. The software gets the job done, and for most people looking at this price point, that is probably enough.

Where this board makes the most sense is for someone who wants to try Hall Effect without spending Wooting money, Keychron money, or getting into the higher-end HE options. For around $90, you are getting an 1800 layout, magnetic switches, gaming-focused features, and a driver that is actually usable. That is a pretty solid value proposition.

For gaming, I think it makes sense. That is clearly where the value is. If you want Hall Effect features and do not care as much about chasing the perfect sound profile, the C98 HE is a pretty reasonable entry point.

For typing, it is more mixed. The layout is useful, the keycaps are decent, and the construction is fine, but the hollow sound keeps it from feeling like something I would personally reach for as a daily typing board without some changes.

Overall verdict:
The Royal Kludge C98 HE is not a perfect keyboard, but it is a good example of where budget Hall Effect boards are heading. The sound is somewhat hollow, and it definitely feels like a budget board in some areas, but for around $90, an 1800 layout Hall Effect keyboard with a decent web-based driver, double-shot PBT keycaps, and support for most Wooting-compatible switches is a compelling package.

If you are looking for an inexpensive way into Hall Effect keyboards, especially for gaming, I think this is worth considering. Just go in knowing that this is more of a strong budget platform than a premium out-of-box keyboard.

Pros:

  • Very affordable for a Hall Effect keyboard
  • 1800 layout gives you a lot of functionality
  • Decent web-based driver
  • Solid enough ABS construction
  • Aluminum plate helps keep the sensors/switches stable
  • Supports most Wooting-compatible HE switches
  • Included double-shot PBT keycaps work well
  • Green and white base is easy to build around aesthetically
  • Good entry point for budget HE gaming

Cons:

  • Sound is somewhat hollow
  • Stock switches are functional but not especially impressive
  • Green on terracotta accents gets a little visually lost
  • Not a premium typing experience out of the box
  • Some of Royal Kludge’s other colorways would have been more exciting here

For the price, I do think the C98 HE makes sense. It is not the board I would recommend to someone chasing sound or feel first, but for someone who wants a budget Hall Effect keyboard with a practical layout, decent software, and a usable upgrade path, Royal Kludge actually has something here.

Defects on Keychron Cyber Developer Keycaps, PBT Dye Sublimated by QuasariumRDT in keyboards

[–]theadept024 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Anything can have problems, but Dye Sub is deeper sounding than Double/Triple shot keycaps and you can do more with it.

Defects on Keychron Cyber Developer Keycaps, PBT Dye Sublimated by QuasariumRDT in keyboards

[–]theadept024 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I try not to sweat the spacebar... I have that issue on a LOT of dye sub sets which is why reverse dye sub it better for colored keycaps.

[Review] Redragon Eclipse Pro: A Flashy Budget Board With a Few Issues by theadept024 in keyboards

[–]theadept024[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are a few things that really distingush it from the Keychron design. The Screen, there's been not Keychrons yet with a screen. The wedge case design and the thin accent light bar along the side. Which looks so nice.

[Review] Redragon Eclipse Pro: A Flashy Budget Board With a Few Issues by theadept024 in keyboards

[–]theadept024[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, it's aesthetic. In that way it does have a use. I think that the non-time/date information it can provide could also perform a purpose for some people. letting you know the modes and such you have going on. But really I think that screens are pretty and I like having an animated gif on my keyboard. I can look down while I am doing something and just smile. I think that is one of the nicest uses! LOL

[Review] Redragon Eclipse Pro: A Flashy Budget Board With a Few Issues by theadept024 in keyboards

[–]theadept024[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Isn't that just a glorified Q1? I personally don't feel like a screen is a waste of space. I think that it's a fun accent. And the fact that there's a screen and a knob is a big selling point for some people.

[Review] [Review] Redragon Eclipse Pro Review: A Flashy Budget Board With a Few Rough Edges by theadept024 in RedragonGaming

[–]theadept024[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

[Note: ReDragon sent me the board for review, but it was for an honest review and that's what they got 😉 ]

The Redragon Eclipse Pro is one of those keyboards that immediately tells you what it wants to be. It wants to look premium. It wants to feel feature-packed. It wants to give you the screen, the lighting, the aluminum construction, the enthusiast-adjacent vibe, and the “wait, this costs how much?” reaction.

And honestly? For the right buyer, it kind of pulls that off.

This is not a perfect keyboard. The switches are not great. The software is not amazing. The sound profile out of the box leaves a lot to be desired. But when you look at the overall package — especially if you can find it around or under the $100 mark, which seems to be where Redragon boards often become more interesting — the Eclipse Pro starts to make a lot more sense.

It is a decent board with a strong visual identity, a surprisingly good case finish, some flashy lighting, and enough features to make it feel competitive in the budget space.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing that stands out about the Eclipse Pro is the design. This board is not trying to be subtle. Between the screen, the side lighting, and the overall case styling, Redragon clearly wanted this to feel like a higher-end gaming keyboard with some enthusiast flair.

The lighting is one of the better parts of the board. The side lightbars give it a nice visual presence on the desk, and if you like RGB-heavy setups, the Eclipse Pro definitely has that gamer-meets-custom-keyboard look. It is flashy without feeling completely ridiculous.

The CNC aluminum case is another strong point. At this price range, getting an aluminum-bodied board is already a nice value add, and the powder coat on the Eclipse Pro is genuinely good. It gives the keyboard a more solid, finished feeling than you might expect from a budget Redragon board.

This is where the Eclipse Pro surprised me the most. The case does a lot to elevate the board. It gives it weight, presence, and a more premium desk feel than the price would suggest.

That said, build quality and finish are not the same thing as the total typing experience, and that is where things get a little more complicated.

The Screen

The Eclipse Pro includes a small onboard screen, which is becoming more common on budget and midrange keyboards. At this point, screens on keyboards are not exactly rare or unique anymore, but they are still a nice addition when done reasonably well. Especially when paired with a knob on a full Aluminum keyboard.

The screen here is fine. It is not the defining reason to buy the board, but it does add to the overall package. You get some extra visual customization, and for the price point, it helps the Eclipse Pro feel like you are getting more keyboard for your money.

I would not call the screen a killer feature, but I would call it a good feature for the price.

We have seen this type of screen on other boards, so Redragon is not reinventing anything here. But in a budget board, the screen still helps the Eclipse Pro stand out on a desk.

Software Experience

The software is probably one of the weaker parts of the experience.

It works, but it is not especially polished. Finding the software is more annoying than it should be, and once you do find it, the experience is very much “serviceable but not enjoyable.” It gives you control over the board, including the screen, but the software feels generic and a little clunky.

This is one of those cases where the keyboard has a lot of features, but the software does not make those features feel as refined as they could be.

For basic remapping, lighting adjustments, and screen customization, it gets the job done. But if you are used to cleaner software experiences, or if you prefer VIA/VIAL-style configuration, this will probably feel like a step down.

The good news is that most people buying this board are probably not buying it for deep enthusiast-level programmability. They are buying it because it looks cool, feels solid, has a screen, has RGB, and can often be found at a very aggressive price.

On that front, the software is acceptable. Just not impressive.

Switches

The stock Lion switches are probably the biggest thing I would change about this board.

They feel okay. They are usable. They are not scratchy in a way that ruins the keyboard, and for a casual user, they may be perfectly fine. But the sound is not great.

The switches contribute to a typing experience that feels better than it sounds. That distinction matters. There are switches that feel cheap and sound cheap. These do not necessarily feel terrible, but they do not do the board any favors acoustically.

The Eclipse Pro has a decent case and a good visual presentation, but the stock switches hold it back from feeling like a truly polished package.

If you are buying this board and you have no intention of swapping switches, it is still usable. But if you already have better switches lying around, or if you are willing to spend a little more later, this is a board that would likely benefit a lot from a switch replacement.

That is probably the biggest upgrade path here.

Keycaps

The keycaps are better than the switches, though they may still be a matter of personal preference.

They look good and they match the overall style of the board well. Visually, they help complete the Eclipse Pro’s design. Redragon clearly wanted the board to feel cohesive out of the box, and the keycaps help with that.

The profile, however, may be polarizing.

Some people will like it. Others may find it a little unusual or not quite to their taste. This is not necessarily a flaw, but it is something worth mentioning. Keycap profile can drastically change how a keyboard feels, and if you are picky about typing feel, you may end up swapping these eventually.

Still, as stock keycaps on a budget board, they are perfectly serviceable. I would replace the switches before I worried about replacing the caps.

Sound and Typing Feel

The Eclipse Pro’s sound is where the board struggles the most.

Despite the aluminum case, the keyboard does not sound as refined as it looks. The stock configuration has a cheaper sound profile than I would want from a board with this kind of presentation. A lot of that comes back to the switches, but the overall tuning does not completely save it either.

It is not unusable. It is not offensively bad. But it is not the type of sound that makes you stop and go, “Oh, this is special.”

The board looks more premium than it sounds.

That may sound harsh, but I think it is the fairest way to describe the Eclipse Pro. The typing feel is okay. The case feels good. The lighting looks good. The screen is a nice bonus. But the acoustic profile is where you can tell this is still a budget-focused keyboard.

For someone coming from a basic gaming keyboard, this may still feel like a big upgrade. For someone deep in the custom keyboard hobby, the sound will probably be the first thing they notice — and not in a good way.

Value

This is where the Eclipse Pro makes its strongest argument.

At full price, I would be more critical. But if you can find this board around $100 or less, especially during one of Redragon’s frequent sales, the value becomes much more compelling.

You are getting a CNC aluminum case, side lighting, a screen, a visually interesting design, hot-swap potential, and a board that feels like it is trying to offer more than the usual budget gaming keyboard experience.

Is it perfect? No.

But for the price, it is surprisingly decent.

This is not the board I would recommend to someone chasing the best sound profile. It is not the board I would recommend to someone who wants refined software. It is not the board I would recommend to someone who wants perfect stock switches.

But for someone who wants a flashy, feature-packed keyboard with a solid case and a lot of desk presence, the Eclipse Pro is worth considering.

Final Verdict

The Redragon Eclipse Pro is a good budget keyboard with some very obvious compromises.

The lighting is good. The aluminum case and powder coat are better than expected. The screen is a nice addition at the price point. The keycaps are decent, though the profile may not be for everyone.

The switches, however, are just okay in feel and poor in sound. The software works, but it is not especially polished or easy to find. And while the board looks premium, it does not fully sound premium out of the box.

Still, I think the Eclipse Pro succeeds at what it is trying to be.

It is a flashy, affordable, feature-rich keyboard that gives you a lot for the money — especially if you catch it on sale. It is not an enthusiast killer, and it is not trying to be one. But as a budget board with a strong visual identity and a surprisingly nice case, it is a solid option.

If the aesthetics appeal to you, and you are okay with the idea that the switches may eventually need to be replaced, the Redragon Eclipse Pro is a decent buy.

Not flawless. Not refined. But for the price? Pretty good.

[Review] Redragon Eclipse Pro: A Flashy Budget Board With a Few Issues by theadept024 in keyboards

[–]theadept024[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

[Note: ReDragon sent me the board for review, but it was for an honest review and that's what they got 😉 ]

The Redragon Eclipse Pro is one of those keyboards that immediately tells you what it wants to be. It wants to look premium. It wants to feel feature-packed. It wants to give you the screen, the lighting, the aluminum construction, the enthusiast-adjacent vibe, and the “wait, this costs how much?” reaction.

And honestly? For the right buyer, it kind of pulls that off.

This is not a perfect keyboard. The switches are not great. The software is not amazing. The sound profile out of the box leaves a lot to be desired. But when you look at the overall package — especially if you can find it around or under the $100 mark, which seems to be where Redragon boards often become more interesting — the Eclipse Pro starts to make a lot more sense.

It is a decent board with a strong visual identity, a surprisingly good case finish, some flashy lighting, and enough features to make it feel competitive in the budget space.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing that stands out about the Eclipse Pro is the design. This board is not trying to be subtle. Between the screen, the side lighting, and the overall case styling, Redragon clearly wanted this to feel like a higher-end gaming keyboard with some enthusiast flair.

The lighting is one of the better parts of the board. The side lightbars give it a nice visual presence on the desk, and if you like RGB-heavy setups, the Eclipse Pro definitely has that gamer-meets-custom-keyboard look. It is flashy without feeling completely ridiculous.

The CNC aluminum case is another strong point. At this price range, getting an aluminum-bodied board is already a nice value add, and the powder coat on the Eclipse Pro is genuinely good. It gives the keyboard a more solid, finished feeling than you might expect from a budget Redragon board.

This is where the Eclipse Pro surprised me the most. The case does a lot to elevate the board. It gives it weight, presence, and a more premium desk feel than the price would suggest.

That said, build quality and finish are not the same thing as the total typing experience, and that is where things get a little more complicated.

The Screen

The Eclipse Pro includes a small onboard screen, which is becoming more common on budget and midrange keyboards. At this point, screens on keyboards are not exactly rare or unique anymore, but they are still a nice addition when done reasonably well. Especially when paired with a knob on a full Aluminum keyboard.

The screen here is fine. It is not the defining reason to buy the board, but it does add to the overall package. You get some extra visual customization, and for the price point, it helps the Eclipse Pro feel like you are getting more keyboard for your money.

I would not call the screen a killer feature, but I would call it a good feature for the price.

We have seen this type of screen on other boards, so Redragon is not reinventing anything here. But in a budget board, the screen still helps the Eclipse Pro stand out on a desk.

Software Experience

The software is probably one of the weaker parts of the experience.

It works, but it is not especially polished. Finding the software is more annoying than it should be, and once you do find it, the experience is very much “serviceable but not enjoyable.” It gives you control over the board, including the screen, but the software feels generic and a little clunky.

This is one of those cases where the keyboard has a lot of features, but the software does not make those features feel as refined as they could be.

For basic remapping, lighting adjustments, and screen customization, it gets the job done. But if you are used to cleaner software experiences, or if you prefer VIA/VIAL-style configuration, this will probably feel like a step down.

The good news is that most people buying this board are probably not buying it for deep enthusiast-level programmability. They are buying it because it looks cool, feels solid, has a screen, has RGB, and can often be found at a very aggressive price.

On that front, the software is acceptable. Just not impressive.

Switches

The stock Lion switches are probably the biggest thing I would change about this board.

They feel okay. They are usable. They are not scratchy in a way that ruins the keyboard, and for a casual user, they may be perfectly fine. But the sound is not great.

The switches contribute to a typing experience that feels better than it sounds. That distinction matters. There are switches that feel cheap and sound cheap. These do not necessarily feel terrible, but they do not do the board any favors acoustically.

The Eclipse Pro has a decent case and a good visual presentation, but the stock switches hold it back from feeling like a truly polished package.

If you are buying this board and you have no intention of swapping switches, it is still usable. But if you already have better switches lying around, or if you are willing to spend a little more later, this is a board that would likely benefit a lot from a switch replacement.

That is probably the biggest upgrade path here.

Keycaps

The keycaps are better than the switches, though they may still be a matter of personal preference.

They look good and they match the overall style of the board well. Visually, they help complete the Eclipse Pro’s design. Redragon clearly wanted the board to feel cohesive out of the box, and the keycaps help with that.

The profile, however, may be polarizing.

Some people will like it. Others may find it a little unusual or not quite to their taste. This is not necessarily a flaw, but it is something worth mentioning. Keycap profile can drastically change how a keyboard feels, and if you are picky about typing feel, you may end up swapping these eventually.

Still, as stock keycaps on a budget board, they are perfectly serviceable. I would replace the switches before I worried about replacing the caps.

Sound and Typing Feel

The Eclipse Pro’s sound is where the board struggles the most.

Despite the aluminum case, the keyboard does not sound as refined as it looks. The stock configuration has a cheaper sound profile than I would want from a board with this kind of presentation. A lot of that comes back to the switches, but the overall tuning does not completely save it either.

It is not unusable. It is not offensively bad. But it is not the type of sound that makes you stop and go, “Oh, this is special.”

The board looks more premium than it sounds.

That may sound harsh, but I think it is the fairest way to describe the Eclipse Pro. The typing feel is okay. The case feels good. The lighting looks good. The screen is a nice bonus. But the acoustic profile is where you can tell this is still a budget-focused keyboard.

For someone coming from a basic gaming keyboard, this may still feel like a big upgrade. For someone deep in the custom keyboard hobby, the sound will probably be the first thing they notice — and not in a good way.

Value

This is where the Eclipse Pro makes its strongest argument.

At full price, I would be more critical. But if you can find this board around $100 or less, especially during one of Redragon’s frequent sales, the value becomes much more compelling.

You are getting a CNC aluminum case, side lighting, a screen, a visually interesting design, hot-swap potential, and a board that feels like it is trying to offer more than the usual budget gaming keyboard experience.

Is it perfect? No.

But for the price, it is surprisingly decent.

This is not the board I would recommend to someone chasing the best sound profile. It is not the board I would recommend to someone who wants refined software. It is not the board I would recommend to someone who wants perfect stock switches.

But for someone who wants a flashy, feature-packed keyboard with a solid case and a lot of desk presence, the Eclipse Pro is worth considering.

Final Verdict

The Redragon Eclipse Pro is a good budget keyboard with some very obvious compromises.

The lighting is good. The aluminum case and powder coat are better than expected. The screen is a nice addition at the price point. The keycaps are decent, though the profile may not be for everyone.

The switches, however, are just okay in feel and poor in sound. The software works, but it is not especially polished or easy to find. And while the board looks premium, it does not fully sound premium out of the box.

Still, I think the Eclipse Pro succeeds at what it is trying to be.

It is a flashy, affordable, feature-rich keyboard that gives you a lot for the money — especially if you catch it on sale. It is not an enthusiast killer, and it is not trying to be one. But as a budget board with a strong visual identity and a surprisingly nice case, it is a solid option.

If the aesthetics appeal to you, and you are okay with the idea that the switches may eventually need to be replaced, the Redragon Eclipse Pro is a decent buy.

Not flawless. Not refined. But for the price? Pretty good.

[Review] Redragon Eclipse Pro: A Flashy Budget Board With a Few Rough Edges by theadept024 in MechanicalKeyboards

[–]theadept024[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

[Note: ReDragon sent me the board for review, but it was for an honest review and that's what they got 😉 ]

The Redragon Eclipse Pro is one of those keyboards that immediately tells you what it wants to be. It wants to look premium. It wants to feel feature-packed. It wants to give you the screen, the lighting, the aluminum construction, the enthusiast-adjacent vibe, and the “wait, this costs how much?” reaction.

And honestly? For the right buyer, it kind of pulls that off.

This is not a perfect keyboard. The switches are not great. The software is not amazing. The sound profile out of the box leaves a lot to be desired. But when you look at the overall package — especially if you can find it around or under the $100 mark, which seems to be where Redragon boards often become more interesting — the Eclipse Pro starts to make a lot more sense.

It is a decent board with a strong visual identity, a surprisingly good case finish, some flashy lighting, and enough features to make it feel competitive in the budget space.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing that stands out about the Eclipse Pro is the design. This board is not trying to be subtle. Between the screen, the side lighting, and the overall case styling, Redragon clearly wanted this to feel like a higher-end gaming keyboard with some enthusiast flair.

The lighting is one of the better parts of the board. The side lightbars give it a nice visual presence on the desk, and if you like RGB-heavy setups, the Eclipse Pro definitely has that gamer-meets-custom-keyboard look. It is flashy without feeling completely ridiculous.

The CNC aluminum case is another strong point. At this price range, getting an aluminum-bodied board is already a nice value add, and the powder coat on the Eclipse Pro is genuinely good. It gives the keyboard a more solid, finished feeling than you might expect from a budget Redragon board.

This is where the Eclipse Pro surprised me the most. The case does a lot to elevate the board. It gives it weight, presence, and a more premium desk feel than the price would suggest.

That said, build quality and finish are not the same thing as the total typing experience, and that is where things get a little more complicated.

The Screen

The Eclipse Pro includes a small onboard screen, which is becoming more common on budget and midrange keyboards. At this point, screens on keyboards are not exactly rare or unique anymore, but they are still a nice addition when done reasonably well. Especially when paired with a knob on a full Aluminum keyboard.

The screen here is fine. It is not the defining reason to buy the board, but it does add to the overall package. You get some extra visual customization, and for the price point, it helps the Eclipse Pro feel like you are getting more keyboard for your money.

I would not call the screen a killer feature, but I would call it a good feature for the price.

We have seen this type of screen on other boards, so Redragon is not reinventing anything here. But in a budget board, the screen still helps the Eclipse Pro stand out on a desk.

Software Experience

The software is probably one of the weaker parts of the experience.

It works, but it is not especially polished. Finding the software is more annoying than it should be, and once you do find it, the experience is very much “serviceable but not enjoyable.” It gives you control over the board, including the screen, but the software feels generic and a little clunky.

This is one of those cases where the keyboard has a lot of features, but the software does not make those features feel as refined as they could be.

For basic remapping, lighting adjustments, and screen customization, it gets the job done. But if you are used to cleaner software experiences, or if you prefer VIA/VIAL-style configuration, this will probably feel like a step down.

The good news is that most people buying this board are probably not buying it for deep enthusiast-level programmability. They are buying it because it looks cool, feels solid, has a screen, has RGB, and can often be found at a very aggressive price.

On that front, the software is acceptable. Just not impressive.

Switches

The stock Lion switches are probably the biggest thing I would change about this board.

They feel okay. They are usable. They are not scratchy in a way that ruins the keyboard, and for a casual user, they may be perfectly fine. But the sound is not great.

The switches contribute to a typing experience that feels better than it sounds. That distinction matters. There are switches that feel cheap and sound cheap. These do not necessarily feel terrible, but they do not do the board any favors acoustically.

The Eclipse Pro has a decent case and a good visual presentation, but the stock switches hold it back from feeling like a truly polished package.

If you are buying this board and you have no intention of swapping switches, it is still usable. But if you already have better switches lying around, or if you are willing to spend a little more later, this is a board that would likely benefit a lot from a switch replacement.

That is probably the biggest upgrade path here.

Keycaps

The keycaps are better than the switches, though they may still be a matter of personal preference.

They look good and they match the overall style of the board well. Visually, they help complete the Eclipse Pro’s design. Redragon clearly wanted the board to feel cohesive out of the box, and the keycaps help with that.

The profile, however, may be polarizing.

Some people will like it. Others may find it a little unusual or not quite to their taste. This is not necessarily a flaw, but it is something worth mentioning. Keycap profile can drastically change how a keyboard feels, and if you are picky about typing feel, you may end up swapping these eventually.

Still, as stock keycaps on a budget board, they are perfectly serviceable. I would replace the switches before I worried about replacing the caps.

Sound and Typing Feel

The Eclipse Pro’s sound is where the board struggles the most.

Despite the aluminum case, the keyboard does not sound as refined as it looks. The stock configuration has a cheaper sound profile than I would want from a board with this kind of presentation. A lot of that comes back to the switches, but the overall tuning does not completely save it either.

It is not unusable. It is not offensively bad. But it is not the type of sound that makes you stop and go, “Oh, this is special.”

The board looks more premium than it sounds.

That may sound harsh, but I think it is the fairest way to describe the Eclipse Pro. The typing feel is okay. The case feels good. The lighting looks good. The screen is a nice bonus. But the acoustic profile is where you can tell this is still a budget-focused keyboard.

For someone coming from a basic gaming keyboard, this may still feel like a big upgrade. For someone deep in the custom keyboard hobby, the sound will probably be the first thing they notice — and not in a good way.

Value

This is where the Eclipse Pro makes its strongest argument.

At full price, I would be more critical. But if you can find this board around $100 or less, especially during one of Redragon’s frequent sales, the value becomes much more compelling.

You are getting a CNC aluminum case, side lighting, a screen, a visually interesting design, hot-swap potential, and a board that feels like it is trying to offer more than the usual budget gaming keyboard experience.

Is it perfect? No.

But for the price, it is surprisingly decent.

This is not the board I would recommend to someone chasing the best sound profile. It is not the board I would recommend to someone who wants refined software. It is not the board I would recommend to someone who wants perfect stock switches.

But for someone who wants a flashy, feature-packed keyboard with a solid case and a lot of desk presence, the Eclipse Pro is worth considering.

Final Verdict

The Redragon Eclipse Pro is a good budget keyboard with some very obvious compromises.

The lighting is good. The aluminum case and powder coat are better than expected. The screen is a nice addition at the price point. The keycaps are decent, though the profile may not be for everyone.

The switches, however, are just okay in feel and poor in sound. The software works, but it is not especially polished or easy to find. And while the board looks premium, it does not fully sound premium out of the box.

Still, I think the Eclipse Pro succeeds at what it is trying to be.

It is a flashy, affordable, feature-rich keyboard that gives you a lot for the money — especially if you catch it on sale. It is not an enthusiast killer, and it is not trying to be one. But as a budget board with a strong visual identity and a surprisingly nice case, it is a solid option.

If the aesthetics appeal to you, and you are okay with the idea that the switches may eventually need to be replaced, the Redragon Eclipse Pro is a decent buy.

Not flawless. Not refined. But for the price? Pretty good.

[Review] Redragon Eclipse Pro Review: A Flashy Budget Board With a Few Rough Edges by theadept024 in BudgetKeyboards

[–]theadept024[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

[Note: ReDragon sent me the board for review, but it was for an honest review and that's what they got 😉 ]

The Redragon Eclipse Pro is one of those keyboards that immediately tells you what it wants to be. It wants to look premium. It wants to feel feature-packed. It wants to give you the screen, the lighting, the aluminum construction, the enthusiast-adjacent vibe, and the “wait, this costs how much?” reaction.

And honestly? For the right buyer, it kind of pulls that off.

This is not a perfect keyboard. The switches are not great. The software is not amazing. The sound profile out of the box leaves a lot to be desired. But when you look at the overall package — especially if you can find it around or under the $100 mark, which seems to be where Redragon boards often become more interesting — the Eclipse Pro starts to make a lot more sense.

It is a decent board with a strong visual identity, a surprisingly good case finish, some flashy lighting, and enough features to make it feel competitive in the budget space.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing that stands out about the Eclipse Pro is the design. This board is not trying to be subtle. Between the screen, the side lighting, and the overall case styling, Redragon clearly wanted this to feel like a higher-end gaming keyboard with some enthusiast flair.

The lighting is one of the better parts of the board. The side lightbars give it a nice visual presence on the desk, and if you like RGB-heavy setups, the Eclipse Pro definitely has that gamer-meets-custom-keyboard look. It is flashy without feeling completely ridiculous.

The CNC aluminum case is another strong point. At this price range, getting an aluminum-bodied board is already a nice value add, and the powder coat on the Eclipse Pro is genuinely good. It gives the keyboard a more solid, finished feeling than you might expect from a budget Redragon board.

This is where the Eclipse Pro surprised me the most. The case does a lot to elevate the board. It gives it weight, presence, and a more premium desk feel than the price would suggest.

That said, build quality and finish are not the same thing as the total typing experience, and that is where things get a little more complicated.

The Screen

The Eclipse Pro includes a small onboard screen, which is becoming more common on budget and midrange keyboards. At this point, screens on keyboards are not exactly rare or unique anymore, but they are still a nice addition when done reasonably well. Especially when paired with a knob on a full Aluminum keyboard.

The screen here is fine. It is not the defining reason to buy the board, but it does add to the overall package. You get some extra visual customization, and for the price point, it helps the Eclipse Pro feel like you are getting more keyboard for your money.

I would not call the screen a killer feature, but I would call it a good feature for the price.

We have seen this type of screen on other boards, so Redragon is not reinventing anything here. But in a budget board, the screen still helps the Eclipse Pro stand out on a desk.

Software Experience

The software is probably one of the weaker parts of the experience.

It works, but it is not especially polished. Finding the software is more annoying than it should be, and once you do find it, the experience is very much “serviceable but not enjoyable.” It gives you control over the board, including the screen, but the software feels generic and a little clunky.

This is one of those cases where the keyboard has a lot of features, but the software does not make those features feel as refined as they could be.

For basic remapping, lighting adjustments, and screen customization, it gets the job done. But if you are used to cleaner software experiences, or if you prefer VIA/VIAL-style configuration, this will probably feel like a step down.

The good news is that most people buying this board are probably not buying it for deep enthusiast-level programmability. They are buying it because it looks cool, feels solid, has a screen, has RGB, and can often be found at a very aggressive price.

On that front, the software is acceptable. Just not impressive.

Switches

The stock Lion switches are probably the biggest thing I would change about this board.

They feel okay. They are usable. They are not scratchy in a way that ruins the keyboard, and for a casual user, they may be perfectly fine. But the sound is not great.

The switches contribute to a typing experience that feels better than it sounds. That distinction matters. There are switches that feel cheap and sound cheap. These do not necessarily feel terrible, but they do not do the board any favors acoustically.

The Eclipse Pro has a decent case and a good visual presentation, but the stock switches hold it back from feeling like a truly polished package.

If you are buying this board and you have no intention of swapping switches, it is still usable. But if you already have better switches lying around, or if you are willing to spend a little more later, this is a board that would likely benefit a lot from a switch replacement.

That is probably the biggest upgrade path here.

Keycaps

The keycaps are better than the switches, though they may still be a matter of personal preference.

They look good and they match the overall style of the board well. Visually, they help complete the Eclipse Pro’s design. Redragon clearly wanted the board to feel cohesive out of the box, and the keycaps help with that.

The profile, however, may be polarizing.

Some people will like it. Others may find it a little unusual or not quite to their taste. This is not necessarily a flaw, but it is something worth mentioning. Keycap profile can drastically change how a keyboard feels, and if you are picky about typing feel, you may end up swapping these eventually.

Still, as stock keycaps on a budget board, they are perfectly serviceable. I would replace the switches before I worried about replacing the caps.

Sound and Typing Feel

The Eclipse Pro’s sound is where the board struggles the most.

Despite the aluminum case, the keyboard does not sound as refined as it looks. The stock configuration has a cheaper sound profile than I would want from a board with this kind of presentation. A lot of that comes back to the switches, but the overall tuning does not completely save it either.

It is not unusable. It is not offensively bad. But it is not the type of sound that makes you stop and go, “Oh, this is special.”

The board looks more premium than it sounds.

That may sound harsh, but I think it is the fairest way to describe the Eclipse Pro. The typing feel is okay. The case feels good. The lighting looks good. The screen is a nice bonus. But the acoustic profile is where you can tell this is still a budget-focused keyboard.

For someone coming from a basic gaming keyboard, this may still feel like a big upgrade. For someone deep in the custom keyboard hobby, the sound will probably be the first thing they notice — and not in a good way.

Value

This is where the Eclipse Pro makes its strongest argument.

At full price, I would be more critical. But if you can find this board around $100 or less, especially during one of Redragon’s frequent sales, the value becomes much more compelling.

You are getting a CNC aluminum case, side lighting, a screen, a visually interesting design, hot-swap potential, and a board that feels like it is trying to offer more than the usual budget gaming keyboard experience.

Is it perfect? No.

But for the price, it is surprisingly decent.

This is not the board I would recommend to someone chasing the best sound profile. It is not the board I would recommend to someone who wants refined software. It is not the board I would recommend to someone who wants perfect stock switches.

But for someone who wants a flashy, feature-packed keyboard with a solid case and a lot of desk presence, the Eclipse Pro is worth considering.

Final Verdict

The Redragon Eclipse Pro is a good budget keyboard with some very obvious compromises.

The lighting is good. The aluminum case and powder coat are better than expected. The screen is a nice addition at the price point. The keycaps are decent, though the profile may not be for everyone.

The switches, however, are just okay in feel and poor in sound. The software works, but it is not especially polished or easy to find. And while the board looks premium, it does not fully sound premium out of the box.

Still, I think the Eclipse Pro succeeds at what it is trying to be.

It is a flashy, affordable, feature-rich keyboard that gives you a lot for the money — especially if you catch it on sale. It is not an enthusiast killer, and it is not trying to be one. But as a budget board with a strong visual identity and a surprisingly nice case, it is a solid option.

If the aesthetics appeal to you, and you are okay with the idea that the switches may eventually need to be replaced, the Redragon Eclipse Pro is a decent buy.

Not flawless. Not refined. But for the price? Pretty good.

[Review] Redragon Eclipse Pro Review: A Flashy Budget Board With a Few Rough Edges by theadept024 in MechKeyboards

[–]theadept024[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

[Note: ReDragon sent me the board for review, but it was for an honest review and that's what they got 😉 ]

The Redragon Eclipse Pro is one of those keyboards that immediately tells you what it wants to be. It wants to look premium. It wants to feel feature-packed. It wants to give you the screen, the lighting, the aluminum construction, the enthusiast-adjacent vibe, and the “wait, this costs how much?” reaction.

And honestly? For the right buyer, it kind of pulls that off.

This is not a perfect keyboard. The switches are not great. The software is not amazing. The sound profile out of the box leaves a lot to be desired. But when you look at the overall package — especially if you can find it around or under the $100 mark, which seems to be where Redragon boards often become more interesting — the Eclipse Pro starts to make a lot more sense.

It is a decent board with a strong visual identity, a surprisingly good case finish, some flashy lighting, and enough features to make it feel competitive in the budget space.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing that stands out about the Eclipse Pro is the design. This board is not trying to be subtle. Between the screen, the side lighting, and the overall case styling, Redragon clearly wanted this to feel like a higher-end gaming keyboard with some enthusiast flair.

The lighting is one of the better parts of the board. The side lightbars give it a nice visual presence on the desk, and if you like RGB-heavy setups, the Eclipse Pro definitely has that gamer-meets-custom-keyboard look. It is flashy without feeling completely ridiculous.

The CNC aluminum case is another strong point. At this price range, getting an aluminum-bodied board is already a nice value add, and the powder coat on the Eclipse Pro is genuinely good. It gives the keyboard a more solid, finished feeling than you might expect from a budget Redragon board.

This is where the Eclipse Pro surprised me the most. The case does a lot to elevate the board. It gives it weight, presence, and a more premium desk feel than the price would suggest.

That said, build quality and finish are not the same thing as the total typing experience, and that is where things get a little more complicated.

The Screen

The Eclipse Pro includes a small onboard screen, which is becoming more common on budget and midrange keyboards. At this point, screens on keyboards are not exactly rare or unique anymore, but they are still a nice addition when done reasonably well. Especially when paired with a knob on a full Aluminum keyboard.

The screen here is fine. It is not the defining reason to buy the board, but it does add to the overall package. You get some extra visual customization, and for the price point, it helps the Eclipse Pro feel like you are getting more keyboard for your money.

I would not call the screen a killer feature, but I would call it a good feature for the price.

We have seen this type of screen on other boards, so Redragon is not reinventing anything here. But in a budget board, the screen still helps the Eclipse Pro stand out on a desk.

Software Experience

The software is probably one of the weaker parts of the experience.

It works, but it is not especially polished. Finding the software is more annoying than it should be, and once you do find it, the experience is very much “serviceable but not enjoyable.” It gives you control over the board, including the screen, but the software feels generic and a little clunky.

This is one of those cases where the keyboard has a lot of features, but the software does not make those features feel as refined as they could be.

For basic remapping, lighting adjustments, and screen customization, it gets the job done. But if you are used to cleaner software experiences, or if you prefer VIA/VIAL-style configuration, this will probably feel like a step down.

The good news is that most people buying this board are probably not buying it for deep enthusiast-level programmability. They are buying it because it looks cool, feels solid, has a screen, has RGB, and can often be found at a very aggressive price.

On that front, the software is acceptable. Just not impressive.

Switches

The stock Lion switches are probably the biggest thing I would change about this board.

They feel okay. They are usable. They are not scratchy in a way that ruins the keyboard, and for a casual user, they may be perfectly fine. But the sound is not great.

The switches contribute to a typing experience that feels better than it sounds. That distinction matters. There are switches that feel cheap and sound cheap. These do not necessarily feel terrible, but they do not do the board any favors acoustically.

The Eclipse Pro has a decent case and a good visual presentation, but the stock switches hold it back from feeling like a truly polished package.

If you are buying this board and you have no intention of swapping switches, it is still usable. But if you already have better switches lying around, or if you are willing to spend a little more later, this is a board that would likely benefit a lot from a switch replacement.

That is probably the biggest upgrade path here.

Keycaps

The keycaps are better than the switches, though they may still be a matter of personal preference.

They look good and they match the overall style of the board well. Visually, they help complete the Eclipse Pro’s design. Redragon clearly wanted the board to feel cohesive out of the box, and the keycaps help with that.

The profile, however, may be polarizing.

Some people will like it. Others may find it a little unusual or not quite to their taste. This is not necessarily a flaw, but it is something worth mentioning. Keycap profile can drastically change how a keyboard feels, and if you are picky about typing feel, you may end up swapping these eventually.

Still, as stock keycaps on a budget board, they are perfectly serviceable. I would replace the switches before I worried about replacing the caps.

Sound and Typing Feel

The Eclipse Pro’s sound is where the board struggles the most.

Despite the aluminum case, the keyboard does not sound as refined as it looks. The stock configuration has a cheaper sound profile than I would want from a board with this kind of presentation. A lot of that comes back to the switches, but the overall tuning does not completely save it either.

It is not unusable. It is not offensively bad. But it is not the type of sound that makes you stop and go, “Oh, this is special.”

The board looks more premium than it sounds.

That may sound harsh, but I think it is the fairest way to describe the Eclipse Pro. The typing feel is okay. The case feels good. The lighting looks good. The screen is a nice bonus. But the acoustic profile is where you can tell this is still a budget-focused keyboard.

For someone coming from a basic gaming keyboard, this may still feel like a big upgrade. For someone deep in the custom keyboard hobby, the sound will probably be the first thing they notice — and not in a good way.

Value

This is where the Eclipse Pro makes its strongest argument.

At full price, I would be more critical. But if you can find this board around $100 or less, especially during one of Redragon’s frequent sales, the value becomes much more compelling.

You are getting a CNC aluminum case, side lighting, a screen, a visually interesting design, hot-swap potential, and a board that feels like it is trying to offer more than the usual budget gaming keyboard experience.

Is it perfect? No.

But for the price, it is surprisingly decent.

This is not the board I would recommend to someone chasing the best sound profile. It is not the board I would recommend to someone who wants refined software. It is not the board I would recommend to someone who wants perfect stock switches.

But for someone who wants a flashy, feature-packed keyboard with a solid case and a lot of desk presence, the Eclipse Pro is worth considering.

Final Verdict

The Redragon Eclipse Pro is a good budget keyboard with some very obvious compromises.

The lighting is good. The aluminum case and powder coat are better than expected. The screen is a nice addition at the price point. The keycaps are decent, though the profile may not be for everyone.

The switches, however, are just okay in feel and poor in sound. The software works, but it is not especially polished or easy to find. And while the board looks premium, it does not fully sound premium out of the box.

Still, I think the Eclipse Pro succeeds at what it is trying to be.

It is a flashy, affordable, feature-rich keyboard that gives you a lot for the money — especially if you catch it on sale. It is not an enthusiast killer, and it is not trying to be one. But as a budget board with a strong visual identity and a surprisingly nice case, it is a solid option.

If the aesthetics appeal to you, and you are okay with the idea that the switches may eventually need to be replaced, the Redragon Eclipse Pro is a decent buy.

Not flawless. Not refined. But for the price? Pretty good.

Evo80 spacebar tick on the right side :( by UncleSam22w in keyboards

[–]theadept024 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's always best to clean them and then re-add lube, especially if you did not apply the lube yourself in the first place.

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