Have you heard of the brand HippoKeys?
Although it may not be familiar in Japan, it is a company based in Washington State, U.S.A., that deals with mechanical keyboard-related products.
KawamuraIt would be positioned like a select store like Yousha Kobo in Japan.
HippoKeys has released the Hippo65 keyboard as its own product.
Currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter, the world’s largest crowdfunding platform, the product has attracted a great deal of attention due to its cost-effectiveness.
We were given the opportunity to review the Hippo65 in advance of its global launch.
This article will tell you all about the appeal of Hippo65.
Representative of GreenEchoes Studio
He launched his own media as a site operator and web writer, and now plans and manages multiple corporate media. He often types heavily in his work, and in his search for greater efficiency, he became addicted to the keyboard swamp and established “GreenKeys”.
- 驚くべきクオリティの高さと価格の安さ
- 【デザイン】ケースとキーキャップの統一感が素晴らしい
- カスタムされたスムーズな打鍵感と心地よい打鍵音
- 日本国内では無線利用はNG（工夫する必要あり）
- 無線モード用のキースイッチの位置があまり良くない
- 海外購入のため日本人には抵抗がある可能性あり
[blog_parts id="41919"]
Conclusion: Hippo65 is a good keyboard to buy.
In conclusion, the Hippo65 is a keyboard that you will not regret purchasing.
The reason for this is that the price is not commensurate with the quality, in a good sense, i.e., it is the “strongest cost performance” keyboard.
It is a “pre-built” custom keyboard with the entire coordination completed, so there is no need to assemble it, and the Cracky key feel of the gasket-mounted construction with custom key switches is far superior in quality to other keyboards in the same price range.
Crowdfunding is the most economical way to purchase at this time.
- Super Early Bird: $89.00 (36% off)
- Early Bird: $99.00
- KS Special Price: $109.00
Crowdfunding period (Japan time*)
August 20, 2024 at 11:00(PM) – September 21, 2024 at 3:59(PM)
*Kickstarter time is shown in PDT (U.S. Pacific Standard Time, Daylight Saving Time).
Shipping start date: November 2024
Why not consider this opportunity?
Hippo65 Overview
coloring
The colors available for selection are as follows
- Navy Blue
- Dreamy Pink
- Retro White
- Classic Black
About Specifications
| Hippo65 | |
|---|---|
| Material | CNC Machined 6063 Aluminum |
| Surfacing | Anodizing, Electrophoresis |
| Layout | 65% Layout (ANSI | 66 Keys) |
| Switches | Orange Switches – Manufactured by Huano |
| Lighting | RGB Support 18-Types |
| Acoustic | 3.5MM Poron Foam 0.5MM x 8 IXPE Switch Bottom Foam 0.08MM PET Acoustic Pad 1.8MM Poron Switch Pad Poron Bottom Foam (Bottom insulation) |
| Connection Modes | Triple Mode (Wired, Bluetooth, 2.4G) |
| Battery | 6000mAh (800-hour battery life without RGB) (70-hour battery life with RGB) |
| Keycaps | Double-shot PBT |
| PCB | 1.2mm non-slotted FR4 |
| plate | FR4 |
| Back Weight | Gradient Glass |
| Stepped caps | supporter |
| Structure | PCB Gasket |
| Latency | Wired-2ms 2.4G-3ms BT-7ms(Fastest mode) |
Keyswitch used
The switches used are orange switches custom made by Huano exclusively for this purpose.
Orange Switches – Manufactured by huano:.
- Top Case: POM
- Spring: Stainless Steel
- Stem: POK
- Bottom Case: Modified Nylon
- Type: Linear
- Operating Force: 42±5gf ●
- End Force: 52±5gf
- Total Travel: 3.4±0.3mm
- Pre-travel: 2.0mm±0.3mm
- Lube: Pre-lubed
Crowdfunding Schedule
Crowdfunding period (Japan time*)
August 20, 2024 at 11:00(PM) – September 21, 2024 at 3:59(PM)
*Kickstarter time is shown in PDT (U.S. Pacific Standard Time, Daylight Saving Time).
Shipping: Scheduled for November 2024
Hippo65 review using actual equipment
Now let’s review the actual photos.
Exterior Review
Let’s start with the exterior.
The “Retro White” color was reviewed this time.
It has an ivory case with a white keycap, and the legendary color of the keycap is soft beige.
The MOD key accents are a pale café latte color and a dark chocolate coloring, which is appropriate for the classic look.
The key case is engraved with a cute Hiipo (possibly a hippo) icon.
The tilt angle is about 7.7 degrees, about the same as a typical keyboard.
(Typical mechanical keyboard typing tilt angles are about 6 to 8 degrees.)
The keycap profile is the common Cherry profile.
The top half of the bottom surface has a mirrored plate that provides a very beautiful reflection.
The lower bottom of the bottom is stamped “hippokeys”.
The four corners of the bottom are equipped with special non-slip rubber feet.
KawamuraA high point is that the case itself has a special digging for rubber feet. This is a common specification for high-end keyboards, but it still gives a high-end feel.
On the back is a sculpted USB Type-C insert.
Included are a USB Type-C to Type-A cable and a keycap puller and key switch puller.
As for the keycaps, they are made of double-shot PBT, so there is no need to worry about the print disappearing with use.
The key switches are custom made by a Chinese key switch brand called Huano.
It is pre-lubricated and is a short stroke switch with a Cracky bottoming sound.
Internal Structure Review
Then, let’s review the internal structure while disassembling it.
Already disassembled, the Hippo65 has a two-piece construction like this.
All six screws become accessible when all keycaps are removed, and the top screw can be removed by unscrewing the adjacent keyswitch.
Next to the CapsLock key is a switch that turns the radio on and off.
To operate this switch, you would need to remove the keycap.
Stabilizers are well lubricated.
You can see that the bottom case has a hole for the silicon pole installed on the PCB, and that it is a gasket-mounted structure with a silicon pole.
KawamuraThere are various types of gasket-mounted structures, but the silicon pole type tends to have a relatively bouncy feel with little sinking.
The PCB foam is sandwiched under the switch plate, and the bottom foam is below the PCB.
Underneath the bottom foam are two 3000mAh batteries (6000mAh total) and a daughter board embedded in the bottom case.
KawamuraThe bottom surface is not just flat, but has a slit structure, which seems to have some effect on the keystroke sound.
The PCB is not directly equipped with wired connection terminals, but is a flat cable that goes through the daughter board.
KawamuraPersonally, I appreciate that the terminal separation method is the best way to avoid “unevenness” in the feel of the keystroke if it is a gasket-mounted structure.
Hippo65 keystroke review
Frankly, I find it hard to believe that this is a keyboard that can be purchased for around $100.00.
The keystroke feel is silky, and the typing sound is a pleasant image of slightly muted high notes.
It would be more like Creamy or understated Cracky than Thocky.
Advantages and Attractiveness of Hippo65
- Amazing quality and low price.
- Design] Great sense of unity between the case and keycap.
- Customized smooth keystroke feel and pleasant keystroke sound
Amazing quality and low price.
After all, the keyboard’s price point, which is not commensurate with its perfection, is a notable advantage of the Hippo65.
With a gasket-mounted design, five layers of sound-absorbing material, a full aluminum body, a set of custom key switches and keycaps, and a mirror pattern on the back, the specs make it as good as a high-end keyboard, yet it costs only about $100.00! It’s hard not to be amazed.
KawamuraI don’t know how they can afford this kind of price….
I think this is one of the best value for money mechanical keyboards I have seen so far.
Design] Great sense of unity between the case and keycap.
After all, we believe that a keyboard is only complete when the case color and keycaps match.
In this regard, the Hippo65 comes “complete” with a set of keycaps, so there is no need to look for keycaps that match the case.
In addition to the “Retro White” offered this time, you will be able to choose a color that suits your taste.
Customized smooth keystroke feel and pleasant keystroke sound
Hiipo65 not only looks good, but also has a very high quality feel and sound.
The pre-lubricated keyswitches are surprisingly smooth, and the pressing pressure is around 40gf, which is popular among Japanese people, so typing will be light.
It is also shorter than the stroke width of a normal keyswitch (approximately 3.4 mm), allowing for fast typing.
KawamuraIt is the same stroke width as the so-called “silver axis.
- Top Case: POM
- Spring: Stainless Steel
- Stem: POK
- Bottom Case: Modified Nylon
- Type: Linear
- Operating Force: 42±5gf ●
- End Force: 52±5gf
- Total Travel: 3.4±0.3mm
- Pre-travel: 2.0mm±0.3mm
- Lube: Pre-lubed
Disadvantages of Hippo65 and cautions to check before purchase
- Wireless use is not available in Japan (need to devise a way to use it).
- Keyswitches for wireless mode are not well positioned.
- May be resistant to Japanese due to overseas purchase
Wireless use is not available in Japan (need to devise a way to use it).
Hippo65 supports triple-mode wired and wireless connections (BT/2.4GHz band), but unfortunately, it is not legally allowed to use wireless connections in Japan due to lack of technical qualification.
Since some provisions in the Radio Law can be interpreted as restricting the use of the product even when it is “with wireless connection capability,” the battery connector used for wireless connection should be disconnected before using the product in Japan.
Keyswitches for wireless mode are not well positioned.
In Hippo65, the wireless connection switch is located next to the CapsLock key.
Therefore, the keycap must be removed to turn the wireless function on and off.
KawamuraIn particular, you may not need to worry too much about this in Japan, since the wireless function is not used.
Presumably, the switch is in this position to reduce the machining cost of the aluminum body.
May be resistant to Japanese due to overseas purchase
At this time, the Hippo65 can only be purchased through Kickstarter, and there is no indication that it will be sold to the general public or by a Japanese distributor.
KawamuraThis was my first time working with Hippokeys.
In addition, it is unclear whether future purchases will be available at the Kickstarter price.
Therefore, This is the best chance to purchase Hippo65. However, the hurdle for Japanese is the fact that it is an “overseas mail order”.
For those who are not comfortable with English-language sites, this crowdfunding may also be difficult to participate in.
KawamuraHowever, these days, browsers have translation functions, and by using these functions, purchases can be made just as if you were shopping on the Internet in Japan.
For English conversion of addresses, please refer to this site for an easy way to do so.
summary
This is my review of the Hippo65.
Despite the legal barriers to wireless connectivity, the Hippo65 is a keyboard that we rate as a satisfactory value for wired connectivity alone.
I still can’t believe that this can be purchased for around $100.00.
Even those who have multiple mechanical keyboards found this product satisfactory.
It is also ideal for mechanical keyboard beginners who are looking for a “slightly better keyboard with good key feel.
Please get it on Kickstarter!
