Review: Epomaker Tide 75 aluminium keyboard
Review unit provided by Epomaker
The Epomaker Tide 75 and Tide 65 are wireless mechanical keyboards with 75% and 65% layouts, with 82 and 66 keys respectively. Prices are USD 139 and USD 119 respectively.
The solid build quality comes from the 6063 aluminium alloy. Weight is 1.8kg and 1.27 kg respectively for the big and smaller keyboard. Colour options available are black, blue, pink and purple.
The other main selling point is the clean design with the letters/legends printed in front of the keys rather than on top.
The contrast of the legends look alright in bright environments but not so good in dim lighting so backlight is needed if you want to see the legends.
After using this keyboard for a few weeks, I found out that I still have to look at certain keys when I type, especially numbers. I guess it would be possible to get used to typing without having to look at the keys, but that will take some time. So after my experience with this keyboard, I realised that I still prefer having the legends on top of the keys. But for those who prefer a clean design, this is about as clean and minimalist as it can get.
The big mirror on the back may not be seen in use but it does make the keyboard feel more classy. It's not easy to clean fingerprints off the mirror though.
One downside to the design is there's this weird curve at the back in the middle near the top because of the screw hole there. The keyboard has straight lines at all places except this place.
That's the USB-C port for charging, and the power switch. For switching between bluetooth or 2.4Ghz connection, and Mac or Windows, you have to use keyboard shortcuts listed in the quick start guide.
That's the 2.4Ghz USB-A wireless receiver.
That's the knob that can be used to adjust volume. The keyboard is compatible with VIA and QMK so you can use the software provided to customise the keys, e.g. create shortcuts, macros, adjust the lights.
There's only the Epomaker Lemon switch available for this keyboard and it's great for fast typers because the typing experience is light and breezy. The switches sound great too. The keyboard is hotswappable.
There are give layers of sound-dampening materials: Poron PCB-plate foam, IXPE switch foam, PET noise cancellation pad, Poron case foam, and PET insulation pad. The noise is not that loud but also not that soft.
Here are the specs for Epomaker Lemon switch:
- Type: Linear
- Pin: 5 pin
- Upper housing material: Pa6
- Bottom housing material: Pa66
- Stem material: POM
- Spring: 22mm
- Actuation force: 40g±2g
- Actuation travel: 1.6mm
- Bottom out travel: 3.5mm
- Lifespan: 50 million times.
The backlights look beautiful. There are many colours and effects/movement to choose from using the keyboard shortcuts.
Battery capacity of the keyboard is 4000 mAh. With the backlights on all the time, battery life is just 2 days. With backlights off, battery life is at least one month. So if you use the backlights only at night, you'll get battery life somewhere in between.
The items included with the purchase are:
- Quick start guide with keyboard shortcuts and usage instructions
- USB-A to USB-C charging cable
- Allen key
- Switch and keycap remover
Epomaker would usually include additional switches but this time they did not. Or maybe someone forgot to pack them in.
Conclusion
This is a keyboard for those who appreciate a clean design and for those who can type without looking at the keys. Build quality is extremely solid for those who need the heft.
Pros and cons at a glance
+ Clean design
+ Solid metal build quality
+ For fast typing
+ Bluetooth, 2.4Ghz and cable connection
+ VIA and QMK customisable keys
+ Decent one month battery life for non-lighted mode
+ Beautiful backlights with many colours, patterns to choose from
+ Classy mirror underneath even though it can't be seen
+ Mac and Windows compatible
- Only one (Epomaker Lemon) switch option
- 2 days battery life for all-day-lighted mode
- Keys without legends on top may not be suitable for all
- Weird curve underneath the keyboard
- Heavy but expected given the build quality
- Contrast of the legends not good with dim lighting so backlights are needed
Availability
The Epomaker Tide 75 and Tide 65 are available direct from Epomaker online store.
They are also available from Amazon:
Tide 75: US | CA | UK | DE | FR | ES | IT
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