Lelelab Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit R2 Review

The common sense of the world would be that “a keyboard is something you can buy and use right away.

But the world is a big place.

There are “keyboard making kits” in the world, and there are “DIY keyboards” that you can assemble yourself by selecting parts of your favorite color.

Among them is the Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit from LeleLab, a DIY keyboard kit that boasts a wonderful degree of perfection.

This article reviews the Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit.

As for the Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit, it was provided by LeleLab via zFrontier for promotional purposes.

Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit Overview

The Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit is a “build-it-yourself keyboard kit.

(Keyswitch and keycap are required separately for assembly.

In Japan, kits like this are not sold very often, but overseas, kits like this are sold as if they were plastic models.

Perhaps the most significant feature of the Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit is the ability to choose your own case color and side acrylic panel color.

The parts that can be selected are (1) acrylic plate, (2) color of lighting on both sides of the board, and (3) color of the case.

The substrate can also be selected from two different sidelight colors (6500K fluorescent light color/2700K light bulb color).

Maxum 65 R2 is the first collaboration work between XTIA, a brand that makes PC chassis, and LeleLab. This work is a fusion of the robust aluminum alloy frame typical of PC chassis makers and Lelelab’s “transparent” acrylic plate quality The result is a work that combines the robust aluminum alloy frame typical of PC chassis makers with Lelelab’s “translucent” acrylic plate.

Of course, it is not only the looks, but also the structure of the keyboard that is carefully designed to provide the best keystroke feel.

Although very simple in structure, the “gasket mount” construction, in which a silicone cap attached to the board is sandwiched between aluminum frames, allows for a soft keystroke feel.

In addition to this, a gray silicone insert is laid on the bottom to reduce the echoing sound inside, and other details can be seen.

In addition to this, IXPE foam is laid over the board as a switch pad, and there is no extra effort made to absorb sound.

Click here for assembly guide ▷▷▷.

The assembly guide is in Chinese, but can be viewed in Japanese by using the browser’s translation function. In addition, you will be able to understand it just by looking at the pictures.

Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit keystroke feel

This is a recording of the keystroke sound.

The overall feel is soft and gasket-mounted, with a core that is “just right,” perhaps due to its compatibility with the FR4 plate.

It is difficult to say about the keystroke sound, as it tends to depend on the keyswitch, but it will be reproduced with a flat characteristic.

In this case, we used what is generally referred to as a “white axis (lightweight linear axis)” keyswitch, resulting in a “slightly clacky” keystroke sound with a peak in the treble.

Review] Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit in real photos

Let’s take a look at the actual photos of the Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit.

The product is already assembled.

The keyswitch is Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and the keycap is the ” LeleLab München Schwarz Keycap Set ” sold by LeleLab.

Let’s start with the case exterior.

It comes with a special glossy case like this one.

It is also made of cushion and is convenient for storage and transportation.

The overall appearance is here.

In this case, it was assembled in the following manner.

• Frame color: Sparkle Painted Black
• Substrate color: Light bulb color LED
• Acrylic color: Smoky Clear

The “all black specification” is also compatible with the keycap.

The size is almost the same as the general TKL size because of the left and right margins for the diffuser.

The frame is made of aluminum alloy and weighs more than 1 kg.

There is an acrylic plate that fits into the aluminum frame on all four sides, and the light can be seen through the gaps in the acrylic.

I have reviewed many keyboards in the past, but I have never seen a keyboard with such a well-calculated lighting.

It creates an atmosphere as if the keyboard is floating in the case.

Besides the sides, the overflowing ride is truly artistic.

This yellow bar is the LED.

Since 2700K was selected, a yellowish color is mounted.

Another key point is that even without lighting, it reflects the surrounding landscape and provides a very good accent.

It really is a keyboard that “looks good” on a desk.

The switch plate is made of FR4, which is commonly used.

It has a good balance of hardness and elasticity, creating just the right amount of keystroke feel.

There is nothing on the back side except for non-slip rubber.

It is very simple.

There is only one USB Type-C hole on the back, which is otherwise flat.

As described below, when disassembled, only the insertion slot is daughterboarded and connected to the main board with a flat cable.

This makes it possible to obtain a more even keystroke feel, since the sinking of the key is independent of the insertion slot.

The frame structure is really simple, with just four aluminum plates fixed with screws on four sides, giving it a cool, rugged look.

The screws are fixed to the side panels.

In addition, the aluminum frames on all four sides are of the same thickness, thus making them very robust.

Now that we have disassembled it, let’s take a look at the structure.

First, a large 2400 mh battery is installed at the bottom, and a silicone insert for soundproofing is laid on top of it in a way that serves as a bridge.

A red cable comes out of that gap and connects the battery to the board.

I see that the sound-absorbing foam is placed under the board, and the same foam is placed on top of the board, so that the sound-absorbing process is like a sandwich between the boards.

The substrate also has a silicone cap, which fits into a depression on the inside of the frame, creating a gasket structure.

As for the tilt angle, it is about 9 degrees.

Considering that the typing angle of a typical keyboard is about 6-7 degrees, the tilt is a little tight.

Now let’s look at a picture of it on my desk.

I can’t get enough of this overflowing lighting.

Incidentally, this wristrest is called “Dragon Scale Wristrest” and is sold as an option for LeleLab.

It is made to perfectly fit the general TKL size and is made of aluminum alloy and acrylic sheet.

Advantages of the Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit

Looks outstandingly cool.

The best thing about the Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit is that it is outstandingly cool.

There is no twist to it, but I think this is the best way to put it.

The matching of the different materials of the aluminum frame and acrylic plate is wonderful, and the crisp design in which matte and glossy senses cohabitate is a work of art that expresses matte (static) and glossy (dynamic) senses in a single color of “black,” including the key caps.

Lighting is beautiful.

I have never seen such beautiful lighting.

This overflowing, glowing keyboard is unique.

We have seen keyboards with a variety of beautiful lighting, such as the Tokyo60 and Halo60HE, which have adjustable light output on the sides of the body, but we have never seen a keyboard that glows so gently and profoundly.

It is exactly the kind of keyboard that you would want to attract as an interior decoration, like indirect lighting.

Customize it to your liking.

The Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit can be customized to your liking.

This time, it was an “all black specification,” but just by changing it to a silver frame, the atmosphere will change dramatically.

The ability to freely select a combination of frame color and acrylic plate color to match one’s own desk is also a major attraction.

Disadvantages of the Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit

Assembly required and additional parts need to be purchased

The Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit is only a “DIY keyboard kit” and requires self-assembly and the purchase of additional parts.

Keycaps can be purchased at LeleLab, but you will need to make your own arrangements for the key switches.

The purchase hurdle may be a little high for Japanese.

LeleLab is a Chinese brand

Therefore, a PayPal account or credit card information is required to make a purchase.

Since many Japanese have never used overseas mail-order services, a “spirit of challenge” is required.

Just a note, LeleLab is a reliable company. As for the companies listed on this site, we are basically in direct contact with them, and we have never had any problems with overcharges, delayed deliveries, or lost packages. Naturally, there has been no unauthorized use of credit card information. Recently, browsers have been enhanced with translation functions, so even overseas sites can be purchased without any problems.

In addition, since the total amount of the shipment is 16,666 yen or more, it falls under the category of personal importation, import duties and import consumption tax, as well as a fee for having the delivery service provider cover those costs for you.

Summary｜Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit is a must have for keyboard fans

This has been a review of the Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit.

In my experience, the Maxum 65 Custom Keyboard Kit is the first keyboard that combines such practicality and interior beauty.

For those looking for a keyboard that is both beautiful and comfortable to type on, this is the right product for you.

Please consider purchasing one!