Review: SIKAKEYB HM80 magnetic keyboard

Review sample provided by SIKAKEYB

The SIKAKEYB HM80 is a 82-key magnetic keyboard that's designed for gamers. This keyboard requires a cable connection and only works with Windows.

Price of this keyboard is USD 159, and at the time of review it's USD 127.20.

I'm not a gamer, and definitely not a keyboard gamer, so the nuance of a gaming keyboard may be lost on me. So my review will be from the perspective of a general user and graphic designer.

Specifications

• Switch: GATERON Magnetic Jade Pro Switch
• Standard: 82+2 Key
• Connection: USB-C, cable only
• Material: ABS
• Keycap: PBT Dye‑Sub Keycaps (1.8 mm thickness)
• Backlight: RGB / RGB IC rainbow lights
• Internal filling: Multiple layers of PORON cotton
• Structure: Hard gasket structure
• Center plate material: Aluminum alloy positioning plate
• Driver: HM Driver
• Response rate: Native 8k
• Travel adjustable range: 0.01 mm – 4.0 mm
• Screen: 1.14‑inch color screen
• Size: 352.39 × 139.70 × 37.71 mm
• Weight: 950 ± 50 g
• OS Support: Windows 10 and higher

Things included

• Keyboard
• USB-A to USB-C cable
• Two extra switches
• Replacement keycaps for Tab, CapsLock, and Shift
• Keycap and switch puller
• User manual

The keycap and switch puller isn't the usual cheap standard ones that other companies give out.

There's only one option for switch and it's the GATERON Magnetic Jade Pro Switch.

• Switch Type: Magnetic (Hall Effect)
• Typing Style: Linear
• Mounting: 2-pin
• Compatibility: Hall-effect / magnetic keyboards (N-pole facing PCB)
• Initial Force: 36 ± 5 gf
• Pre-travel: Adjustable (via software)
• Total Travel: 3.5 ± 0.1 mm
• Spring Length: 20 mm custom spring
• Initial Magnetic Flux: 120 ± 8 GS
• Bottom-out Magnetic Flux: 700 ± 30 GS
• Stem Material: POM
• Top Housing: PC (polycarbonate)
• Bottom Housing: Nylon / PA66
• Spring Material: Stainless steel
• Lubrication: Factory pre-lubed
• Lifespan: 100 million+ keystrokes
• Sound Profile: Low / quiet (HiFi style)
• LED Support: SMD LED compatible
• Features: Adjustable actuation, analog input, reduced wobble, improved light diffusion

Design

This keyboard has a beautiful retro design and feel. The colour scheme is mostly warm grey except for the red Esc key. It's a gorgeous keyboard from any angle.

The keyboard is made with ABS plastic and build quality is better than I expected. There is minimal flex to the keyboard deck and surfaces are matte textured with a rougher finish. It looks like a well made keyboard, and should be since this is more expensive compared to other wireless mechanical keyboards of similar size.

The height is quite standard for a mechanical keyboard. The back is slightly lower compared to many other mechanical keyboards I've tested.

The back has a two-tone design. The five rubber feet have good grip on the table.

The foldout feet has two options for height. On the back of the keyboard is the on-off switch and the USB-C port. Since this keyboard is not wireless, there's no internal battery. The cable connection provides best latency performance. Response rate of this keyboard is up to 8000 Hz.

Typing experience on this keyboard is extremely satisfying with the GATERON Magnetic Jade Pro switch. The thic-thoc sound is nicely dampened and sounds consistent even with the bigger keys.

One of the main features of this keyboard is it uses magnetic switches. Each key press is detected by changes in a magnetic field, and the travel distance can be read continuously.

There's a small 1.14-inch display can actually show the travel distance of the keys. You can use the Windows driver provided to customise the key travel. For example, to get faster response you can set the key travel to take less time.

Some advantages of magnetic switches are for:

• Rapid trigger: Keys can be re-activated as soon as you release them.
• Durability: There's no physical contact so there's nothing for wear and tear.
• Adjustable key travel: As mentioned above. This is probably the main advantage compared to other keyboards.
• Smoothness: Magnetic switches may feel smoother.

If response time and key travel matters to you, then this is the keyboard to consider. There aren't many keyboards with ability to customise the key travel.

Conclusion

This keyboard is pricy. If you're not a gamer, there are many other good mechanical keyboards that are more affordable. The advantages of using the magnetic switch would benefit gamers more than non-gamers.

The main advantage here is really the adjustable key travel, and perhaps for rapid trigger. Things like extra durability and smoothness can be matched by non-magnetic switches too.

Availability

The SIKAKEYB HM80 is available from SIKAKEYB online store.