WOBKEY RAINY75 Review｜A unique keystroke feel like the sound of rain

RAINY75 is a mechanical keyboard sold by WOBKEY, a Chinese keyboard brand.

The product quickly became a hot topic of conversation, as it offered a full aluminum body at a surprisingly low price.

It is also famous for being posted on SNS by film director Makoto Shinkai.

雨の日が増えてきましたね。最近はRainy75というキーボードを使っています（キーキャップは換えています）。打鍵音が雨音のようだというキーボード。打っていて楽しいです。
ずっと部屋に籠もりがちなので、気分によってせめて使うキーボードを変えています。 pic.twitter.com/XjZyEq5mgJ

— 新海誠 (@shinkaimakoto) May 15, 2024

Overseas, the project has been a great success, garnering support from 4,729 people on the crowdfunding site Kickstarter in January 2024.

In Japan, the product appeared on the crowdfunding site Makuake and became very popular, with a total of 308 people purchasing the product and raising approximately 5.6 million yen in support.

After that, the product is sold by KIBU Corporation, which sponsored the crowdfunding campaign, acting as the sales agent.

The product can be used with peace of mind as it has been certified for technical conformity.

This article will tell you about the appeal of Wobkey Rainy75.

Rainy75 was provided by KIBU Corporation.

Conclusion: I can recommend Rainy75.

In conclusion, I can highly recommend Rainy75.

Frankly speaking, the aluminum alloy body, gasket-mounted construction, luxurious sound-absorbing materials, wireless compatibility (with technical certification), high-quality keycaps… It is “astounding” that such a full-featured, top-quality keyboard can be purchased for as little as 20,000 yen.

The Rainy75 is a must-have for anyone looking for a custom keyboard with a good typing feel.

Choose the “Lite series” if you want to use the pseudo-Japanese alignment and split space bar.

If you have no problem with the normal US layout, we recommend the “Color series” if you prefer a softer keystroke feel, and the “Pro series” if you prefer a harder keystroke feel with more repulsion.

Product Specifications and Overview

Rainy75 is available in three types, Lite, Color, and Pro, depending on the difference in use.

Be careful when choosing the color and weight combinations you can select, and the key switches used by default, as they differ.

In particular, if you would like to use a pseudo-JIS layout (ISO layout) or a split space bar, please note that only the Lite series is supported.

Keyboard Overview

	Lite	Color	Pro
Price (including tax)	20,000 yen	22,000 yen	25,000 yen
variety	black silver	silver blue (colour, color) white	black blue (colour, color) white pink purple
keycap	Double-shot PBT
key switch	HMX purple Violet / 45±5gf AP 2.0±0.6mm Travel 3.5mm		JWK black and white WOB / 40±5gf AP 2.0±0.4mm Travel 3.5mm±0.04mm
plate (often as in “tectonic plate”)	PP		FR4 PP
Tilt Angle	Approx. 7 degrees
Case Material	Aluminum alloy
access method	Type-C / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth
hot swap	support
weight	Approx. 1.8kg
Battery capacity	3500mAh		7000mAh
Size	320 x 135 x 35mm
weight	glass		stainless steel
Plate Options	JIS layout US split space bar layout	incompatible
RGB	incompatible	support

Differences between each model

Rainy75 is available in three models (Lite/Color/Pro), each with a different red section in the table above.

The critical difference between the Lite series and the Color/Pro series is “whether or not the switch plate can be replaced.

If you want to use a Japanese-style layout or a split space bar layout, choose the Lite series.

Color/Pro is also an option for those who are comfortable with US layout.

The Pro has a longer battery life, uses stainless steel weights, and uses FR4 plates, so the key feel is slightly harder and more resilient than other models.

The key switches have also been changed.

Key switch specifications

We also sell individual key switches at the KIBU store.

sales destination

Sold by: Wobkey (China)

Authorized distributor in Japan: KIBU Co.

included thing

• keyboard body
• keycap puller
• Three replacement key switches
• handling instructions
• USB Type-C Cable
• 2.4GHz wireless receiver (dongle)

Rainy75 Review

Appearance and Features

Let’s take a look at the exterior.

The white color of the Lite series is the one we will be reviewing.

The coloring is based on white, with black 3-key accents that are very crisp.

The keycaps are made of PBT material, which is highly resistant to abrasion and oil, so there is almost no risk of shine even after long-term use.

Another major advantage of the double-shot (two-color molding) is that the printing never disappears.

The Rainy75 consists of a top case and a bottom case; the screws connecting the top and bottom are located off the keyswitch.

The structure has no visible set screws from the exterior, and the back of the device is also very beautiful.

You can see in the image that the glass mirror is also really beautiful in the reflection.

The back has a USB Type-C port, presumably communicating from the top of the switch plate, as there is no “slit” for wireless communication, which is common on keyboards with full aluminum alloys.

The typing tilt angle is just right at about 7 degrees, and it is very heavy at about 1.8 kg, so it is unlikely to be unstable or shift when typing.

The fact that these specifications can be purchased starting at 20,000 yen is an amazing cost performance.

The keyswitches are linear axes made by HMX, and the bottoming sound of these keyswitches is excellent.

This is probably one of the factors that create the so-called “rain-like” keystroke sound.

Of course, key switches are hot-swappable.

How to disassemble Rainy75 and replace it with pseudo-Japanese alignment plate or split space bar specification

Only the Lite version of the Rainy75 is available with a replacement keyswitch plate.

The following two types of keyswitch plates are available

• Plate for split space bar (PC material)｜Yellow part can be changed
• ISO layout (pseudo-Japanese layout) compatible plate (FR4 material)｜Red part can be changed

Let me disassemble it a bit.

First, remove all keycaps and keyswitches.

Remove all six screws securing the top frame.

When the aluminum frame is removed, the plate can be replaced.

As described below, the ISO layout, although similar to the JIS layout, does not have a key corresponding to “ろ”.

This time, it will be converted to a split space bar.

The stabilizer mounted on the switch plate should also be transplanted.

Note, however, that a 2U stabilizer must be provided separately for the split space bar.

A keycap is attached to complete the process.

keystroke impression

In this case, we recorded two types of keystroke sounds, one with the default PBT keycaps and the other with ABS keycaps.

There is no major difference in the nature of the sound, but the PBT keycaps have a slightly harder sound.

The overall impression is of a core, high-frequency keystroke sound.

We appreciate that the typing sound, which is closer to the high frequencies, is a characteristic of the HMX Purple keyswitch.

For those who prefer a lower “kotokoto” sound, we recommend the Gateron Pro Ultra Groly Yellow.

software

Rainy75 is a software that supports the “QMK/VIA” system, which allows the user to change the keymap.

How to change keymap

Previously, it was necessary to load the .json file, but recently the .json file has been merged into VIA, so loading is no longer required. However, since loading the file may be required in some environments, if you were unable to change the keymap, please download the .json file from here, select “Load” from the “Design” tab in VIA, and load the downloaded .json file. Please select “Load” from the “Design” tab of VIA and load the downloaded .json file.

Note: Rainy75 does not support Anykey settings.

Advantages of recommending Rainy75

Excellent keystroke sound

After all, The most attractive thing about Rainy75 is the sound of the keystrokes.

The recent popularity of the so-called “thocky” typing sound. The “thocky” typing sound has a very strong ASMR-like element and makes the typing experience wonderful.

The sound is described as “like the sound of rain,” and I felt it was exactly what it sounded like.

Low price not commensurate with massive looks

Rainy75 can be purchased starting at approx.

When we say “20,000 yen” for a keyboard, many people may imagine that it is expensive.

However, the price quotation for a keyboard with the following features is “40,000-50,000 yen”.

• Full Aluminum Body
• Equipped with weights
• Gasket mount structure
• Multi-layered sound absorbing material
• Double-shot PBT keycap
• High quality key switches
• preassembled

As someone who has used many custom keyboards, this price is “unbelievably low”.

If you are looking for an introductory custom keyboard that will satisfy your needs, this is the one to start with.

Layout can be changed by replacing plates (LITE series only)

The Rainy75 can accommodate multiple layouts by replacing the switch plates.

• Plate for split space bar (PC material)｜Yellow part can be changed
• ISO layout compatible plate (FR4 material)｜Red part can be changed

After all, a split space bar would be useful.

It is very convenient to be able to operate frequently used “Space”, “Enter”, and “Backspace” with the thumb.

Also, although it is pseudo, JIS layout style (pseudo Japanese layout) is also possible. It is also important to be able to use a pseudo-JIS layout.

Disadvantages to check before buying Rainy75

Wireless switch cannot be pressed without removing the keycap.

Perhaps to take advantage of the aluminum appearance, the wireless on/off switch is located next to the CapsLock key.

To turn this keyswitch on and off, the keycap must be removed once.

Although it is unlikely to be turned on and off that frequently, it may seem a bit inconvenient.

Japanese layout is not perfect

Compare these two.

There is no “ro” in the ISO layout of Rainy75.

The plates used in Rainy75 are “ISO layout”, which is slightly different from the customized JIS layout based on ISO layout.

Thus, one key is missing in this way.

In addition, the fact that the keycaps must be changed to accommodate Japanese key layouts and the keymap must be changed to a key layout that is compatible with Japanese key layouts also adds to the preparation effort.

Only “Lite series” models without RGB backlight can support plate change. Note that other models are not compatible.

Unable to set up Anykey

Anykey is a function that implements “simultaneous key presses” and “changing the role of the key being entered depending on the time it is pressed”.

As for Rainy75, the official response was that these features are not available.

Therefore, if you want to use Tap-Hold a lot or use combination keys as shortcuts, you should consider a different keyboard.

summary

This is my review of Rainy75.

A metal keyboard satisfies the “desire for ownership” more than just a good keystroke sound, due to its heft and looks.

Who can sympathize with me when I say that just having a keyboard on my desk makes me feel happy…?

The Rainy75 is a must-have for anyone looking for a custom keyboard with a good typing feel.

Why not buy one?