GEEKZB STORY65 V3 Review｜Mechanical Keyboard with Pleasant Keystroke Feeling with Excellent Cost Performance

Recently, a great many inexpensive keyboards with aluminum bodies have appeared on the market.

Among them, the GEEKZB STORY65 R3 is truly a “cosmetic” keyboard, with a key feel and sound that do not match its price.

In this article, we will review the Story65 R3.

If you want a keyboard that is cute and has a good feel for typing, this is the product for you. We recommend this product to those who want a keyboard that is cute and has a good key feel.

This product was provided through KPrepublic for review purposes. GreenEchoes Studio, which operates Greenkeys, may receive a performance fee if a contract is signed through a link on this site.

STORY65 R3 Overview

This product has not yet acquired technical qualification. Please remove the battery and use the product without emitting radio waves when using it in Japan.

How to change the keymap

Story65 R3 can change the keymap using dedicated software.

To download the software, go to this URL and download “GEEKZB Keyboard Setup v2.0 20240419 (1).exe” and install it on your Windows machine.

After installation, the keymap can be changed by connecting the Story65 R3 to a wired Windows machine and opening the application.

Review of Story65 R3 with photos of actual equipment

Let’s start with the finished product.

The color offered this time is “Purple”, but it does not exist in the sales lineup.

Regardless of which coloring is selected, the pastel colors are soft and colorful except for the red velvet, which is a very good match with the beige bezel of the inner frame.

In this case, the following keycaps and keyswitches were used in the build.

The typing angle is approximately 7 degrees, and the angle is fixed.

As for the paint, it has a matte finish, giving the impression of refinement throughout.

The back plate is engraved with the writing “Story65”.

The wired connection port is USB Type-C and is located on the rear of the unit.

No other switches are available.

It seems to come in a special green case, and all of them seem to be green regardless of the body color.

Keystroke Review

As for the keystroke sound, it is quite thocky.

As I expected, I had the impression that the speakers benefited greatly from the silicone gasket-mounted structure and the many layers of sound-absorbing material installed in them.

Advantages of Story65 R3

Very inexpensive as a DIY kit

The appeal of the Story65 R3 lies in its unbeatable price, which is not commensurate with its value.

Despite the very high quality of the full aluminum body, high quality paint exterior, multiple layers of sound absorbing material, slit PCB and switch plate, etc.

It can be purchased for as little as $120.

At the exchange rate of 150 yen to the dollar, the cost is approximately 18,000 yen.

Excellent stability when typing due to aluminum construction

The advantage of a full aluminum keyboard is that its weight makes typing more stable.

In particular, keyboards with aluminum bottom cases, which have a large area, are very stable when typing.

The Story65 R3 is also made of aluminum for the top frame, which will provide an even firmer feel.

Very good keystroke sound and feel

A very important factor in selecting a keyboard is the quality of the keystroke sound.

In addition to being “silicone sock gasket mounted,” the Story65 R3 has slits in both the PCB / switch plate for a relatively soft, bouncy feel.

While the keys are soft to the touch, resilience is not compromised, resulting in a pleasant feel.

The thocky sound of the keystrokes is also addictive, thanks in part to the multiple layers of sound-absorbing material.

Very fashionable in looks

Story65 R3 is very sophisticated in looks.

The dull pastel-colored body is in line with recent trends and will add a touch of glamour to your desk.

Disadvantages of Story65 R3

A little hard to assemble.

Story65 R3 is a DIY kit.

Unlike finished products, there is the advantage of being able to choose the keyswitches and keycaps of your choice, but for those who have never assembled a keyboard before, some may find the assembly itself a hassle.

For those who do, it may not be a good idea.

However, since assembly does not involve soldering, it is positioned as “the least difficult of the DIY keyboards” in terms of difficulty.

With time, assembly can be done even by beginners.

Please refer to the detailed instructions on how to assemble them here.

Wireless switch not well positioned.

The Story65 R3 has a slightly special position for the on/off switch for switching wireless functions.

As you can see from the picture, the keycap must be removed once in order to operate the wireless switch because it is attached to the right side of the right shift key.

Normally, it is installed on the side of the body, but the body is made of full aluminum, and it can be inferred that this position was chosen due to machining costs.

DIY kit contents and assembly instructions

Since the STORY65 is a DIY kit, you will need to prepare your own keycaps (approx. 70) and keycaps in advance.

Also, unlike regular keyboards, it needs to be assembled from scratch, but it is not that difficult.

Soldering is, of course, not required, and a screwdriver or similar tool is all that is needed for assembly.

contents

First, we will check the contents.

Like this, the main body is like a daughter board with an inner frame, and all other parts are stored in the inner pocket.

Let’s open them in order.

First, cushion foam.

In order from the top, these are the foam that is laid between the PCB and the switch plate, the bottom foam that is laid on the backside of the PCB, and the PCB foam that is laid on top of the PCB.

Then PCBs.

The alphabetical section in the center has a slit, which may serve to soften the impact of typing.

There are “ears” around the perimeter for attaching silicone socks, and all hot-swap sockets and LEDs are still mounted.

Other items include a switch plate, silicone socks, rubber feet (white ones for replacement), USB dongle, and stabilizers (3 x 2u, 1 x 6.25u, all lubricated).

The stabilizers are all assembled and lubricated to save you quite a bit of work!

Other accessories include a transparent sheet to be placed at the bottom of the bottom case and a transparent sheet in place of the insulating sheet to be placed on top of the PCB.

How to assemble

Let’s check out how to assemble it.

First, insert the stabilizer into the switch plate.

Checking the position of the depressions as you fit them in will ensure a smooth installation.

Next, the PCB is assembled.

Lay the sheets on top of the PCB in the order of “transparent sheet,” “PCB form,” and “switch form,” and finally place the switch plate with stabilizer attached.

The silicone socket is then fitted into the “ears” of the PCB.

Once you have reached this point, carefully fit the key switches in order.

As for the slit area, some keyswitch nails do not catch well, so it is necessary to be creative.

Here is the state with all keyswitches fitted.

This completes the assembly of the PCB section.

Then, let’s build it into the case.

Remove the six screws from the inner frame.

Remove the screws to lift the inner frame.

This bunny, however, is too cute, so I removed it this time.

It can be removed by removing two screws on the back of the inner frame.

LEDs are also transparent and stylish.

With the inner frame removed, stack the transparent sheet, then the bottom form, and pull out the connection cables coming from the daughter board. (See image)

Then, pay attention to the orientation of the terminals, fit the terminals to the PCB, screw down the inner frame, and attach a keycap of your choice to complete the process.

The battery was not installed in this case due to technical regulations.

summary

This is my review of the Story65 R3.

In recent years, the cosmetic quality of DIY kits has been outstanding, and we felt that the Story65 R3 was a standout among them.

The Story65 R3 is a good DIY kit for the keyboard novice.

Please consider purchasing one.