Mode Eighty Review
We use computers everyday not only for work but also for personal use. With the evolution of technology, innovations are continuously being done here and there and one great innovations are customized keyboards. One of the most popular used computer keyboards is the Mode Eighty. It is considered as TKL with clean and professional-looking design. Moreover, it sports a stack mount which has brought out debates with its users due to its foam structural component.
Specifications
- Construction – stack mount Poron foam
- Form factor – TKL WK 87 keys/ WKL 84 keys
- Case – CNC 6063 aluminum with anodized and electrophoresis finish
- PCB – solder or hotswap, USB-C via daughterboard, VIA/QMK support
- Plate – aluminum, FR4, POM, polycarbonate, carbon fiber, PVD brass (purchased separately)
- Stabilizers – PCB-mount (not included)
- Price – about $470 to $490
- Availability – pre-order
Introduction
The Mode Eighty has been launched in September 2020 in the Interest Checks in Geekhack. Unfortunately, it has been taken down by the moderators due to it being ready for sale and should have been categorized under the Group Buys and Pre-Orders section. This has resulted for the original thread to cease. Do not worry as this is just a minor setback. This keyboard has been released in three stages – the Founder’s Edition, the First Edition and that Standard Edition.
The Founder’s Edition is a limited edition wherein only 50 keyboards with PVD rose gold bottoms were released. It is priced at $690 and it was sold via raffle and Vickrey auction. It is available in dark grey or silver top on its WK configuration and solderable PCB.
The First Edition on the other hand was released in silver chrome or dark chrome bottoms. Only 450 keyboards were made. It comes in hotswap option. In 2020, the standard edition has been made available for pre-order with only 1000 units. It is priced at $470-490.
Unboxing this keyboard definitely is a memorable experience. It provides you the feeling of getting a premium product. The keyboard box is protected with a bubble sleeve and the keyboard is packaged in a black box. Its internal parts come in translucent ziplock sleeves. It has a great branding message and a hard shell carrying case. Inside the case, you would find the keyboard wrapped in order to ensure that it will not get any scratches.
This keyboard comes with the following:
- Aluminum housing
- Aluminum plate
- PBC
- Bottom foam
- Plate foam
- Daughterboard
- Rubber feet
- Screws
- Hex Keys
- Hard shell carrying case
- Microfiber cleaning cloth
- Sticker
Mode Eighty Keyboard Review
Design and Construction
With Mode Eighty, you will have two design choices in terms of its construction – stack-mount where its assembly has been put together with three screws. This type of construction became controversial due to its foam structural component. Users were concerned that due to its foam structure, the sound profile determined by internal cavities of this keyboard would not be existent. In fact, foam has been seen as a stopgap solution to reduce unwanted resonance. Its Poron foam is soft and very flexible. Assembling it would feel good with the amount of pressure that the Poron compresses. Keep in mind however that due to this mounting style, you would not have any room for space below its PCB and bottom case.
The plates of this keyboard measure about 1.5mm . Its plates includes large stabilizer cutouts which allows you to access its PCB mount stabilizers without having to desolder the whole keyboard itself.
However, if you are using hotswap PCB with aluminum plate, you will be able to attach it through eight screws and standoffs. It ensures that it maintains the distance between your PCB and plate. Its other plate option on the other hand do not have standoffs. The bottom case comes with a machined area for its daughterboard which allows USB-C port. This is put together with four small screws which is connected to the mounted JST connector on the PCB.
The exterior of the bottom case on the other hand includes two long slots for the rubber strip feet which ensures that your keyboard will stay in place while you are typing.
PCB has been designed by Gondolindrim. It comes with hotswap or solder variants. It comes with glossy black finish. Its hotswap utilizes Kailh sockets with 5-pin support. It does not RGB but it comes with MODE and Gondolindrim branding found on its bottom back side.
Assembling and disassembling this keyboard is very easy and straightforward. It measures 19mm tall on its front and 3mm tall on its back. It is 358mm wide and 150mm deep. The typing angle is 5.5 degrees. It weighs about 4 lbs, 10.5 oz.
Aesthetics and Details
As you could have seen, the design of this type of keyboard is minimal. As they say, less is more. It provides a minimalistic and professional look. It looks clean, straightforward lines of keyboard. It comes in anodized color green/navy.
This keyboard is available in six different color combinations – Viridian (green/grey/grey), Deep (navy/silver/silver), Imperial (red/grey/red), Deco (grey/gold/gold), Monochrome (e-white/grey/grey), Celestial (e-white/gold/gold). Keep in mind that if you plan to get the ones with e-white colors, you will have to spend additional $10.
As mentioned earlier, since this keyboard sports a minimalistic theme, it is not surprising for its face not to have real defining characteristics. Though this is the case, it provides a classic look. In fact, this keyboard comes with thin side bezels which are measured at 5mm. Its top bezel comes with a height of row of keys at 20mm and bottom bezel at 8mm.
This keyboard’s F row comes with tight tolerances. In this case, we highly recommend to take the PCB/plate/switch/keycap assembly especially if you would need to and plan to take out the mentioned row of keycaps. This way, you could avoid any scratching to the inner edges of the bezel.
Its most defining characteristic is its seamless sides and its cut in the lower half of the rear which provides visually appealing angles. Its design is unique. Its back side is smooth and comes with USB-C cutout. Its daughterboard which could be found between F12 and Scroll Lock keys which decreases the risk of USB port replacement. Its cable connector is hidden by its recessed port and rear cut which makes this keyboard look neat and clean.
The bottom case comes with contrasting grey color. It hex screws are painted. It comes with small mode logo at its bottom case. Overall visual, this Mode Eighty keyboard is clean, neat, simple and minimalistic.
Build Quality
This keyboard’s build quality is impressive. Its anodization is great. Not only it is appealing, it also feel good on its fingers. It is packaged properly and carefully and it ensures that everything is protected and would reach you in perfect condition.
Its plate finishing is good and it does not have any real flaws. Its PVD mirrored finish of its brass plate is great and its fR4 plate features matte black surface and gold outlines. It has a MODE branding above its arrow keys. Its plate is polycarbonate plate. Switch cutoff tolerances are tight on most of its plate options.
Typing Feel and Sound
No matter what material has been used for the plate of this keyboard, if the typing feel and sound do not feel good, this keyboard would not be amazing. This keyboard sports a sound of Jenga blocks tapping together. Its alphas have consistent clacky sounds while its number and function row produces a deeper sound.
Though to some, the use of a foam is a concern, for many it is not a dealbreaker. With its low-frequency sound, you would not disturb others nor would its sound be offensive. In fact, its sound is very pleasing to the ears.
Mode Eighty comes with aluminum plate and if you wish for other options, you could just pay additional cost. As mentioned earlier, no matter what plate you have decided to use, it would not affect the typing feel and sound.
Layout and Programmability
This keyboard is compatible with WKL and WK tops. Its WKL variant has a 1.5U and 7U bottom row and its WK utilizes 1.25U and 6.25U bottom row. Its hotswap is compatible with 6.25U and 7U bottom rows. Its bottom row key has two hotswap sockets.
The WKL variant on the other hand comes with 7U bottom rows and its switches are under and its spacebar is to its left. The hotswap PCB supports stepped and standard caps lock keys. If you plan to use a solder PCB, then you will have additional options for split right shift and split backspace.
Availability and Competition
Unfortunately, you would have to wait once you have placed your order for you to be able to get your Mode Eighty keyboard. The good news is that instead of waiting 6 to 12 months, you will be able to get it within 1 to 3 months.
As for competition, this one goes head to head with Geonworks F1-8X, Monokei KFE CE, RAMA Works U80-A, KBDfans KBD8X MKII and CannonKeys Devastating TKL.
Mode Eighty is in the expensive side with it originally sold at $690 which has been reduced to $470.
Conclusion
If you have budget and would want to buff up your computer setup, Mode Eighty is a great investment. We hope that through this article, you were able to get useful information about Mode Eighty.
