The typing tactile and auditory experience is further enriched in the V65 with the use of high-quality Poron foams. Poron foam in our construction dampens reverberations within the housing, effectively dampening resonance and allowing a cleaner sound profile. Finally, the V65 comes with a PC plate, which best fits the gasket mount compared to other more flexible plates such as steel or FR4. This adds to the stability of the keyboard over long gaming sessions. Aluminium Casing & Retro Dye-Sublimation PBT Keycaps

In addition, the CIDOO V65 V2 offers several other useful features, such as a programmable layout, allowing you to assign custom functions to any key, and full N-key rollover, ensuring that every key press is registered even when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously. The dye-sub PBT keycaps in grey-beige color was specially designed to integrate into the retro-theme. PBT keycaps are often considered the top choice for keycaps, even over ABS keycaps, as the PBT material is much more durable, oil-resistant (does not get shiny over time like ABS ones), and stays true to color. Quark Customized Matte Linear Switches & Hot Swappable Layout

South-facing LEDs & Light Diffusers

The CIDOO V65 comes with an CNC aluminum body. Our aluminum has been electrically treated to give the keyboard body a better surface finish and a silky-smooth texture. Not only are the resulting colors extremely long lasting, the process also strengthens the aluminum itself, making it durable and corrosion-and-oxidation-resistant. Such is the state of CIDOO, and really most other Chinese keyboard brands today, that the subject of this review is already outdated to an extent. I admittedly sat on this keyboard for longer than I wanted to but I was still surprised to see the CIDOO V65 get surpassed by the V65 V2. But a closer look at both revealed very minor changes. Both are 65% form factor keyboards with wireless or wired connectivity, a gasket mount structure, and the exact same chassis/keycaps/switch combination for the pre-built versions. Both also come in kit-only forms for those wishing to build their own keyboard, although that's not what we are doing today. Indeed, the newer CIDOO V65 V2 appears to have a different microcontroller and an updated gasket design but is otherwise so identical that I still decided to put out this review knowing that it's going to be very representative of both versions. Oh, both are also open-source keyboards with VIA support out of the box. That alone should have got the attention of many keyboard enthusiasts reading this review which begins with a look at the product specifications in the table below.

Its origin as the FinalKey V65, a custom keyboard kit, provides it an edge. It’s a pre-built custom keyboard, removing the fuss of self-assembly while retaining the essence of bespoke craftsmanship. FunctionalityI was used to more mainstream software interfaces like Razer's Synapse, so did have a slight learning curve as I got used to the software. However, once I was able to wrap my head around it, it became straightforward and easy to use. By utilizing additional layers, I was able to assign new functions to keys, such as using FN and Enter as the print screen button. Final Thoughts The CIDOO V65 V2 is a high-quality and versatile mechanical keyboard that offers an excellent typing and gaming experience. Its gasket-mounted design, Quake Matte Linear switches, and PORON foam layer contribute to a satisfying and responsive feel, while its Bluetooth connectivity and VIA support make it highly adaptable to various setups and preferences. Retro Dye-Sublimation PBT Keycaps and polycarbonate plate also provide a durable and aesthetic touch to the keyboard. The keyboard's weight and premium build quality further enhance its stability and reliability, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a compact and reliable keyboard for work or play. On the battery front, having the RGB off will get you plenty of wireless typing time – after a few weeks I’m sitting at around 50%. RGB will drain the battery very fast though in a wireless configuration. What I like