Recently, keyboards with changeable keymaps are gradually increasing in number, and recently numeric keypads and “macro pads” have begun to appear that allow users to “set their own favorite keys” as well.
Furthermore, some models, led by the Keychron Q0 Max, are now available with “wireless connectivity,” and there are signs that they are gaining momentum as “left-handed devices.
With this, there has been an increase in the number of cases where the keys entered are different from the actual printouts.
In Japan, the choice of replacement keycaps is very limited, and the ones that are commonly distributed have what is called a “Cherry profile” with different slopes for different lines, so even if there is a symbol or character you want to set, it will not always fit “in its place”.
Furthermore, there are very few representations of “shortcut key icons” and the demand for software is not keeping up with the supply of hardware.
Perfect for such a “Japanese scene” is “KAM Playground” released by Keyreative.
This article will provide a full review of the KAM Playground, which is perfect for macro pads, with actual photos.
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”.
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About Keyreative KAM Playground
KAM Playground is a set of keycaps designed by French designer “biip”.
Keyreative sells many of the keycaps he has designed, and they are very popular.
Keycap with biip design
- KAT Operator
- KAT WoB Extentions
- KAT Milkshake
His western sensory design is truly “pop”.
The eye-catching icons and fonts symbolize “theirness” at a glance.
KAM Playground is a great work that allows you to feel 120% of his design characteristics of such pop.
KAM Playground Set Contents
KAM Playground has four sets available.
- BASE-$85.00
- Extensions K-01 audiophile-$35.00
- Extensions K-02 streamer-$30.00
- Extensions K-03 creator-$35.00
KawamuraDouble shot, yet inexpensive…!
- Material: PBT
- Profile: KAM Profile
- Printing: Double shot (two-color molding)
The most important feature of the KAM profile is that the slope does not change in any row.
Thus, it has the great advantage that it can be used on any line.
In addition, all printing, “including icons,” is two-color molded, so there is absolutely no concern that the printing will be erased by friction.
Review] KAM Playground in Pictures
Let’s take a look at the actual keycap.
KawamuraThis time there are all sets, so there are quite a lot of them.
First, let’s check the keycap contents in the image.
First, the base kit.
The all-double-shot covers a full-size keyboard and even includes a split space bar for $85.00, which is a fairly inexpensive part of the price.
Maybe this kit will work for most keyboards.
Then the AUDIOPHILE set.
This set of keys may be useful if you want to use the numeric keypad as an audio control device, as it includes vertical 2u-sized keys.
As the name suggests, many of the sets are related to music.
Next is the STREAMER set.
The set contents are similar to the AUDIPHILE set, but this seems to be a set for video distributors.
It would be useful with a macro pad for delivery.
The last one is the CREATOR set that seems to be the easiest to use.
It contains a very large number of shortcut key icons that may be used in various applications, from major ones such as cut and paste to redo, undo, range selection, save, and so on.
KawamuraPerhaps it is this CREATOR set that is likely to catch on in Japan.
Let’s start with the outer box.
This is already unfair.
Of course this is fashionable…!
Although the design is uniform, the quality is evident from the packaging design of the outer box, even as the icons and text change firmly from kit to kit.
We will open the package immediately.
That’s a tremendous amount.
The first and foremost point to focus on is the “double-shot” portion.
There are so many keys and so many icons as well as characters, but surprisingly, “all of them are two-color molding!
KawamuraWhat is amazing is that all of these molds have to be made from scratch.
The initial cost of making molds for so many sets would be outrageous, so it can be seen that this is a product that the company wants to sell with such enthusiasm for a long time.
For these “not-so-common” iconic keycaps, “sublimation printing” or “silk printing” is used to reduce manufacturing costs…
No way, it’s all a double shot.
This is probably the one and only advantage!
Let’s take a look at the contents of the kit.
First, the base kit.
Basic White on Black configuration.
The base black is not “pitch black” but rather slightly grayish.
However, it is not black or navy in nuance, but simply “a little lighter black.
Then the AUDIPHILE kit.
STREAMER Kit
CREATOR Kit.
As one would expect from a double-shot, the colors are very good, even for color patterns that are difficult to produce.
Now let’s look at some photos of the actual installation on the keyboard.
The keyboard used in this project is the Gravity36, a left-right split keyboard.
Let’s start with a photo of the BASE kit installed.
After all, WoB is versatile and can match any keyboard.
It is very easy to use the KAM profile to match these irregularly arranged keyboards without worrying about the slope.
Even keyboards with this type of layout can be used as a “numeric keypad” by taking advantage of the KAM profile, depending on the keymap settings.
Then, let’s also look at using it as a macro pad.
In this case, we assumed a creator pad for the left hand.
In this way, only the thumb keys used the keycaps from the BASE kit, while the rest of the keycaps used the keycap set from the CREATOR kit.
You will surely be able to get your work done because the visibility of shortcut keys for copying, pasting, redoing, undoing, and other video and photo editing will be very high.
summary
This is my review of KAM Playground.
At this time, this is probably the only icon keycap that can be used with a macro pad of such high quality.
As for the coloring, it is a little disappointing that only black is available, but it will surely help make your desk pop and make your left-hand device practical at the same time.
The BASE kit is also highly recommended for its versatility, with a WoB color that can be easily matched to any keyboard.
We encourage you to purchase the BASE and CREATOR kits as a set.
Discount Code: ryo10 ryo10
to save 10% off your purchase.
