Wobkey Crash80 Reboot Pro Review: a supreme mechanical keyboard that breathes Rainy75!

I am sure that many of you remember the impact of “Rainy75,” which made its impressive debut on Makuake in February 2024.

In addition to its “looks,” “feel,” and “sound,” it quickly became very popular in Japan due to its price setting that defied common sense.

It has been less than a year since then, but Wobkey’s newest release, Rainy75, is coming to Japan.

Its name is Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot.

Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot will be available for sale on the crowdfunding site Makekake starting December 31, 2024.

Of course, the authorized distributor in Japan is the well-known “KIBU Co.

This article will tell you a lot about Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot.

Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot was provided by KIBU Corporation for promotional purposes.

About Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Overview

The Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot (aka Crush80RE) is Wobkey’s new keyboard, which is available internationally starting mid-October 2024.

As for Crush80, it is a mechanical keyboard with a very elaborate 80% TKL layout, with the official blog presenting the process that led to the creation of a prototype and the release of the official version.

Its most distinctive feature is the “screwless” mechanism.

Normally, keyboards are “screwed” into a case to hold the board between them.

However, the Wobkey Crush80 Reboot uses “magnets” instead of screws to join the top and bottom cases.

The connection between the daughter board and the main board also uses a magnetic connection, the “pogo pin,” which makes it very easy to replace the board and sound-absorbing foam, making it even easier to customize.

About the color of Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot

There are a total of 12 color variations: 10 Pro series and 2 Lite series!

Weight colors also vary by body color, so you will be able to choose the one that best suits your taste and desk style.

Pro-type color (10 types)

Lite-type color (2 types)

Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Price

As a commemorative price for the start of crowdfunding on Makuake, a very high discount rate is offered.

It is better to buy while the discount rate is still high, as the product may be sold out with respect to the color you want.

	Pro	Lite
Normal price	32,800 yen	26,900 yen
Early bird discount Limited to 100 each	24,900 yen (24% off)	21,500 yen (20% off)
MK Discount Limited to 100 each	25,900 yen (17% off)	23,500 yen (13% off)

The split space plate 1,200 yen (tax included) can be purchased as an add-on kit.

Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Sales Schedule

The schedule for the Wobkey Crush80 Reboot from sale to shipment will be as follows

Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Pro/Lite Difference

As with Rainy75, there are “Pro” and “Lite” versions of Crush80 Reboot.

Since there is a large price difference, make your choice after careful consideration.

Let us summarize the differences in a nutshell.

There are differences in the following seven points

(data) item	Lite (Non RGB version)	Pro (RGB Pro version)
Lighting Functions	Without RGB	South-facing addressable RGB (A-RGB) with RGB heartbeat lights
Battery capacity	3750mAh	7500mAh
switch plate	PP (polypropylene)	FR4 (glass fiber substrate)
Finish	Electrophoresis (180 Grit), Anodized (220 Grit), etc.	Electrophoresis (180 Grit), Anodized (220 Grit), etc.
backplate	Ice Patten Stainless Steel, Gray PVD Stonewash, Black PVD Stonewash	Ice Pattern Stainless Steel, Gray PVD Stonewash, Bronze PVD Stonewash, Black PVD Stonewash, Silver PVD Stonewash, Bronze PVD Stonewash
switch	HMX Frost Switch (45g)	Kailh Cocoa Switch (45g)
Acoustic set (sound absorbing material configuration)	PORON Plate Foam, 8x IXPE Switch Pad, PCB Foam (PET insulation), PORON Case Foam (PET insulation)	PORON Plate Foam, 8x IXPE Switch Pad, PET Film, PCB Foam (PET insulation), PORON Case Foam (PET insulation)
Other common specifications	Frame Material: 6063 Aluminum Connection Method: Wired / 2.4G / Bluetooth 5.0 Board VIA-compatible A1 Black PCB Stabilizer: WOB Customized Stabilizer Weight: approx. 2380 g Included: Carrying case, additional gaskets, cables, user manual, switch puller, etc.

　

1. lighting function (with or without RGB)

• Lite (Non RGB version)
  • RGB is not mounted.
• Pro (RGB Pro version)
  • Addressable RGB (A-RGB) function with south-facing LEDs.
  • Also equipped with RGB heartbeat lights.

2. battery capacity

• Lite (Non RGB version)
  • Approx. 3750mAh
• Pro (RGB Pro version)
  • Approx. 7500mAh
  • High-capacity battery enables long-time wireless use, even with RGB lighting included.

3. switch plate

• Lite (Non RGB version)
  • Made of PP (polypropylene )
  • It is lightweight and provides a certain degree of soft hitting feel.
• Pro (RGB Pro version)
  • FR4 (glass-filled substrate material) Made of
  • Higher rigidity and more distinct keystroke feel.

4. selectable finishes and color variations

• Lite (Non RGB version)
  • Several types are available, including “Electrophoresis (180 Grit)” or “Anodized (220 Grit)”.
  • There are multiple options for battery compartment and back plate.
• Pro (RGB Pro version)
  • Similarly, “Electrophoresis (180 Grit)” and “Anodized (220 Grit)” can be selected, but
    backplates are available in more finish variations (e.g. Bronze PVD Stonewash).

5. standard switch

• Lite (Non RGB version)
  • The HMX Frost Switch (45g) comes standard.
• Pro (RGB Pro version)
  • The Kailh Cocoa Switch (45g) comes standard.

6. acoustic set (e.g., internal sound-absorbing material)

• Lite (Non RGB version)
  • This includes PORON plate forms, IXPE switch pads, PCB forms (PET insulated), and case forms (PET insulated).
• Pro (RGB Pro version)
  • The basic configuration is almost the same, but PET film is added in addition to the above.

Other commonalities

• Both frame materials are 6063 aluminum
• Wired / 2.4G / Bluetooth 5.0 connection supported
• Both boards are VIA compatible
• Stabilizer is WOB Customized Stabilizer
• Weight is almost the same, approx. 2380g
• Common accessories, packaging, dedicated carrying case, etc.

The .json file to use VIA is here ▷▷▷.

Review] Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot in photos

Let’s take a look at the actual photos in the preface.

Let’s start with the case.

The case is quite solid.

This is the actual price of 3,000 yen, which of course comes free of charge.

When you open the zipper, the keyboard is stored almost wrapped in cloth like this.

Here’s what’s inside.

A PC switch plate in a similar color is included.

Also, the additional sound-absorbing material is a nice touch.

It includes silicone caps and non-slip rubber.

(I assume this is for spare parts only, as the product is already installed.)

The technical mark was clearly visible in the instruction manual.

Weight first…but error.

This could only measure up to 2000g.

It weighs 2,380 g (catalog value), so it is almost a blunt instrument.

Let’s take a look at the exterior.

The color selected for this project is “Red”.

If you look closely, you can see that the modifier keys are bright red and the alpha keys are a bit darker red.

The accent white keycap looks great.

The printing on the white keycap is not red, but a dark burgundy.

Since this is a TKL model, the arrow keys are naturally independent, and the special keys are arranged above them.

The logo above the arrow key shines through the backlight.

It looks good.

Five dedicated LEDs were installed.

Since this is the Pro version, the switch plate is FR4.

Because of the fine slits, there is not such extreme hardness when hitting the keys.

The brightly printed keycaps are made of double-shot PBT, which is highly resistant to abrasion and oil.

Kailh Cocoa Linear 45gf keyswitches are used.

The pressing pressure is just right, and the bottom hitting sound of the key switch is pleasant.

Let’s look at the aspects as well.

As described below, the Crush80 Reboot is a three-piece case, with a step between the bottom case and the section that serves as the battery compartment and tilt leg.

The structure is like this, with LEDs installed in the gaps.

This calculated lighting is a privilege that can only be enjoyed in Pro, not in Lite.

The typing angle is approximately 6 degrees, a typical slope.

There are no switches around it, only a Type-C port on the back.

The bottom has a plate with the Wobkey logo in the center of the gorgeous weights.

In fact, it is attached here by a magnet and serves as a lid.

When the lid is removed, a USB dongle comes out from inside.

This weight shines so brightly that it reflects well.

This is beautiful.

This time, the Crash 80 Reboot can be easily disassembled because the top and bottom cases are attached to each other with magnets.

Lift the case back and up to remove it.

However, since they are attached quite firmly, you may have to exert a little force to get them off.

The case is not a simple S-N, but a solid mechanism that snaps into place so that the case does not shift during installation.

Thus, it is fixed in four places.

In addition, the main board is magnetically connected to a pogo pin in the bottom weight section screwed to the bottom case, so there is no need for flat cables or other devices.

This allows for easy form and substrate changes.

The board is mounted with a gasket using a silicone cap, which fits into a depression in the bottom case.

The inside of the bottom case, which is normally invisible, also has this finish.

I have nothing to complain about.

Advantages of Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot

Excellent keystroke sound [with keystroke sound video].

First, please watch this video.

Excellent keystroke sound.

I thought the same thing when tuning Rainy75 and Rainy75HE, but this Wobkey brand is too good at tuning the percussion sound.

The sound is not noisy and comfortable.

Easy to customize keystroke feel

The magnetic top case and circuit board make it very easy to adjust the sound of each keystroke, which is another attractive feature of this model.

If you eliminate the form, you will hear a “crackling” sound, and if you fill the form, you will enjoy a “thumping” sound, the so-called “thocky” keystroke.

Very high quality as a product

Crush 80 Reboot is really well crafted down to the smallest detail.

The quality is high in all areas, including the finish of the back weight, the dongle storage lid, the double-shot key cap, the lighting, the case, the magnetic case joint, the foam, and all other details.

Incredibly cost-effective.

Let’s look at the selling price again.

	Pro	Lite
Normal price	32,800 yen	26,900 yen
Early bird discount Limited to 100 each	24,900 yen (24% off)	21,500 yen (20% off)
MK Discount Limited to 100 each	25,900 yen (17% off)	23,500 yen (13% off)

The Crush80 Reboot is probably the only keyboard of this quality available for under 25,000 yen.

It is incredibly inexpensive.

I was surprised at Rainy75, but this is a truly outrageous price.

It would be a good idea to buy it.

Various key layouts can be selected

The Crush 80 Reboot supports a wide variety of key layouts, and it is surprising that all of these are hot-swappable.

No soldering is required to employ ISO Enter, Left Shift, Spacebar, and Split Backspace, although it is necessary to remove all keyswitches once.

As for the split space bar, two of the three split keys may be assigned to frequently used keys (Enter, Backspace, etc.).

HHKB layout is also feasible.

Disadvantages of Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot

Only a fake Japanese layout is available.

Although it is a standard disadvantage of foreign-made keyboards, the Crush80 does not have a Japanese layout.

In default use, it is a US array.

However, it is possible to create a “pseudo-Japanese” layout.

Thus, the “backslash” in the “~” line can be split, and the 1u backspace key unique to Japanese layouts can be placed.

In addition, the layout around the Enter key is also fine, as it is compatible with ISO Enter.

Note, however, that the right shift cannot be split, so there is no ³(KC_RO) as in the Japanese layout.

Care must be taken to avoid contact with pogo pins after disassembly and assembly.

The main feature of Crush80 Reboot is the connection between the daughter board and the main board via a pogo pin connection, but the pogo pins on the daughter board side may be sunken.

In that case, it cannot make good contact and is not connected to the daughter board.

It is advisable to check that the power is energized by making a USB cable connection beforehand before putting the top case on.

Any keys such as MOD-TAP are not supported on firmware.

This is also true for Rainy75, but Crush 80 Reboot does not support any key features such as MOD-TAP.

Therefore, please note that splitting the space bar and setting LT(2,KC_BSPC), etc. will not work.

Difficult to carry due to the heavy weight of the main unit

The official weight of the Crush 80 Reboot is 2,380 g.

Thus, it is safe to assume that 2,000 g is too heavy to be carried on a maximal measurement.

If dropped, it is almost no different than a blunt object, so the floor is dented and there is a risk of injury if dropped on the feet.

In case of earthquakes or other contingencies, we recommend that you do not display them standing up, but rather store them flat or in a case.

Summary｜A good one to buy

This is my review of the Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot.

It is not often that I use the phrase “one of the best cars you can buy,” but this is definitely one of the best cars you can buy.

It is truly astounding that this “all-inclusive specification” is available at this price.

Although many people prefer the 75% layout, I personally feel that in the arrow key layout, it is still easier to use the independent layout.

Don’t miss your chance to save money with Makuake.