An Amazing Typing Experience | Maker Alexa Keyboard Review

This keyboard supports a bunch of features including plateless and hotswap, for under $250. Does it have any caveats?

↓ Links, Build Details, & Notes ↓

This prototype unit was sent to me by Maker to review and showcase.

Build Details

Maker Alexa Prototype V3 (final revision)
- Black anodized aluminum case
- Plateless
- Hotswap PCB
- Gasket mounted/top mounted (all gaskets/screws used)

Epsilon Switches
- Stock 68g progressive springs
- Krytox 205g0 (bottom rails + leaves, stem all sides + legs)
- 0.3mm Deskeys gasket films
- Cherry top & 100g SPRiT progressive spring on spacebar

Stabilizers
- TX Clip-In
- Krytox 205g0 on housings
- XHT-BDZ on wires
- C3 Stabilizer Soulmate Shims (1 layer on 2u stabs, 2 layers on spacebar)

Keycaps
- ePBT x gok BoW (~1.5mm dye-sublimated PBT)
- GMK WoB (~1.5mm doubleshot ABS)
- GMK Colour Ring (~1.5mm doubleshot ABS)

Recording Gear
- Sony a7IV camera
- Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 G2 lens
- Rode NT-1
- SM6 shock mount + pop filter on PSA1 mic arm
- Wave XLR

Sound Adjustments
- +10db in post
- High-pass filter to reduce desk reverberations

Notes
- This setup is different from the setup I used in my initial Alexa sound test as I recorded that one while I was home for the holidays
- I forgot to note this in the video, but the Caps Lock key is a bit sussy because of the stepped caps support making the PCB-mount legs pretty much useless

Affiliates
Discount code "techbro" for 5% off in-stock items (applies to all affiliate vendors)!

Contact Info
Discord: Miguel 7034

#technologybrother #makeralexa #epsilons

[reviewforthetube]

Sounds fantastic when in gasket even without foam I will say some case foam will help it not sound so empty for sure

[Estebanpueblos]

So much work for the switch table, you crazy Thanks for the great video! ❤

[annoto]

Bro, getting this board after your review. Thanks for doing this!

[lolwowanddamn]

the choice between top mount and gasket in the design is a slept on feature

[Flybeck]

I think this is the best video you've done yet.

Great job.

[rohana.]

Was glad I bought an aftermarket hex 4b when I saw this get delayed again. Fingers crossed for march! At which point I’ll have to figure out what to do with 2 plateless gasket boards…

[NBaeK]

Top mount seems to be super flexy! But sounds quite hollow. Wondering if Maker noticed that during prototyping and if so, why offer top mount at all. or maybe some foam should be included as well?

[rurouni]

Good to finally see plateless hotswap proof of concept in video form. Hopefully the doubters will swayed and more PCB designers are willing to try designing to have it as a feature!

Great video, and very informative!

[reviewforthetube]

You know what not to shabby tbh pretty good

[nononoah]

How is this compared to a 30A o ring flex wise

[EthanWuProductivity]

It’s been more then a year and still haven’t got mine😢

[zainalabidin]

how to make the switch on plateless hotswap not wobble?

[shinylitwick]

Great vid as always! Also just saw we have the same screwdriver lol

[Ditlev.]

Is the foam you used in the soundtests the switch pad foam or their modular plate\PCB foam?

[jonathanelkin]

How does it sound without any foam? Still waiting for mine to come in

[tontiv]

if running plateless, does the switch come off with the keycap when you remove it?

[brandonlee]

Is it an isolation gasket mount? Or are the gaskets just on the bottom?

[MrUigobb]

Do you prefer the Phantom or the Alexa?
I am pretty curiousa about the mounting for both of them.Thanks~

[ohwell]

dang too bad i missed the GB and pre orders for this : (

[selentatsukienjoyer]

Is there any plans for 75% by maker? I hope they make 75% with a good layout, like hex4b