Mode Envoy – Super good affordable 65% custom keyboard

This is about the Mode Envoy keyboard by Mode Designs. Great value for an entry level 65% custom keyboard.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
0:19 – Intro to Mode Envoy
1:31 – About the assembly
2:19 – Setting up the sound tests
4:08 – Sound tests
6:18 – Discussion about sound tests
7:54 – My build configuration
8:17 – Mode Envoy vs Mode SixtyFive
9:10 – Outro

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CONTACT

[hardlinenexus]

This video isn't about switches, but with the very little time spent with the Mode switches and also first impression out of the bag/box, the Obscura linear switches are really good in stock form, I love the long pole and full matte black housing and stem. It's like one of my favorite linear switches (Owlab Tungsten switches) but Vintage MX Black vibes. I'm going to manually lube these myself and I have a feeling they will be really good. Same can be said about the Tomorrow switches. The Anthracite switches aren't quite my style because tactile + silent. I do like silent switches but only in linear form.

[grsamael]

Top quality production and to the point presentation, this channel deserves many many more subs!
Keep up the great work mate.

[DA-jwnm]

He is on the take. $219 base model is not what most people call "affordable entry level"

[Immortal]

I'm so glad I ordered POM and alu plate and not any of the combinations that sounded the same. Will be playing around with my configurations as well and hopefully find an endgame worthy combination. Great video btw, cant wait for future updates on this board!

[Randomlosername]

This video has me so excited for my envoy. I went Green with copper everything and I managed to snag a set of GMK Civilization. I cannot wait to slap those bad boys on this keyboard.

[ciousli]

On a sidenote, if someone wanted to do a soundtest for all (in my opinion) sensibly distinguishable configurations of the envoy for a single switch, I think there would be 504 or 336 relevant configurations.

For plate builds there are:
- c=3 cases (PC, Anodized Al, Coated Al)
- m=2 mount styles (lattice, solid)
- p=5 plates (FR4, Al, Cu, POM, CF)
- b=2 switch connections (solder, hotswap)
- f=2^3=8 foam combinations (case, plate, switch)

For plateless builds:
- p'=1 (only plateless)
- b'=1 (hotswap+plateless is excluded)
- f'=2^2=4 (plate foam+plateless is excluded)

Total configurations = c*m*(p*b*f + p'*b'*f') = 480 with plate + 24 plateless = 504.
If anodized and coated alu cases sound the same (do they?) then c=2 and the number of configurations drops to 320 + 16 = 336.
With the three switches they provide (silent, obscura, tomorrow) that would make a total of 1512 or 1008 soundtests.

[earlgixxer]

I just ordered the black case with copper plate, weight, and accent (prior to watching this video). I plan to combine it with ink v2's and my DROP MT3 SKIIDATA keycaps, which are the deepest sounding keycaps I've used. SO looking forward to getting this thing together and tweaking it! Thanks for the video!

[TypingOasis-ASMR]

The sound is really good.. I want to have it!

[GalenCrayn]

I have ordered the black one with gold and aluminum + pom plate. Switches will be the new Akko Cream Yellow Pro V3 (have them here and they sound awesome) or the Durock Poms. Keycaps: KDBFans Resonance - Doubleshot PBT

[Fleshlight_Reviewer]

I like mode's clean/minimal design. I'm hoping mine will sound like the sound tests mode has.

[Sylanthus]

do you prefer the Envoy with the copper or the aluminum plate?

[irreplaceablefundamentals]

Thx! Maybe I will have two modes, sonnet & envoy.

[xBULLgogi]

Too bad you couldnt test out the Polycarbonate case which is what i ordered. Great review overall though thanks

[brocky]

This is the best video I've seen on the Mode Envoy. Would you say different weights will alter the sound? The configuration I got was the Mirage with all silver mirror and alu/carbon fiber plate. I wish I saw this video beforehand then nI would've picked up the POM instead of the carbon fiber.

[Rivek]

Mine will be similar! Full copper but in green instead of black like yours. Planning for MX Black Hyperglides broken in, and GMK WoB. Should be a nice clacky board!

[rainicestorm]

i know its quite late to ask but how would you compare the sound of the envoy to the old sixtyfive? im looking to get a used unit of either one and local market has them around the same price

[kiljonlenin]

They don’t have white or black in stock. Should I spray paint it?

[DingDongMcgee]

Pretty sure the Envoy doesn't include foam by default. You need to add the foam kit ($12). Just a heads up.

[johnathanchan]

Ngl i instantly felt and had a look of disgust when the soundtest for the silent switches started

[FPty]

ngl I would of definitely snagged this if I didn't already have 65%, if they had come out with a TKL version (which I'm pretty sure they will do later on) earlier but I've just ordered a TKL (monokei x kage). I was looking forward to using the 'lattice style mount' with mx blacks on copper but ig not. also... great informative review I'm sure you've helped someone make a better decision on what materials they would want to use!