TECWARE Phantom 87 Key Mechanical Keyboard, RGB led, Typewriter Sound, Outemu Blue Switch

I recently purchased the Tecware Phantom RGB TKL keyboard and downloaded the accompanying software. I am thoroughly impressed with the quality, attention to detail, design features, and user experience.TL;DR: If you can afford it, buy it. well-designed, well-made, user-friendly, great hardware/software features, outstanding valueThe keyboard's quality and features are phenomenal, not to mention the great price. It's the perfect complement to my recent gaming PC build. The keyboard is well-manufactured and has many 'little' features that really polish the whole experience (the keycap puller clicks into a cutout underneath, the braided USB cable has a cover for the connector on a rubber leash, 4 extra switches and a switch puller are included). The switches feel as expected, and the keycaps are well-made. It's a sturdy board, and has a very clean look. As advertised, it's plug-and-play, though the software (available at Tecware.co) allows for more customization. The TKL size is great for freeing up desk space.The software is user-friendly and allows for complete key reassignment, including Fn functions and macros. The RGB is uniform and high-quality. It comes pre-programmed with 18 different modes, as well as complete color options in the software with the ability to create and save profiles with customized key settings and RGB effects/layouts. There's Fn functions on the keyboard to quickly change RGB features (change static color, select one of the 18 preset modes, set to the default moving rainbow, change direction of movement, increase/decrease speed of effect, increase/decrease brightness). There's indicator lights that blink when you've reached a maximum or minimum speed/brightness.Only a few minor gripes: Though there are 3 channels to route the cable out of the rear (left, middle, right), the braided cable is too thick to fully settle into the cutouts (however, it's really only a narrow part of the molded plastic on the keyboard that prevents this, a little filing of the plastic would easily solve the issue). Also, there's a slight 'tinny' sound after hitting some of the larger keys (space bar, backspace, enter, etc.), but it doesn't occur with the standard 1x1 size keys (might be fixed with o-ring dampeners on those larger keys). Some users may find it more ergonomic to use with a wristpad, but that's somewhat of a personal preference, as a built-in wristpad would take up more deskspace.Note: the backlit keycaps are manufactured much better than my camera makes them look.

Tecware has made vast improvements from when these older posts were created. I ordered the phantom plus elite and love it. I'm not an extreme keeb enthusiast, like building it from scratch, but this definitely feels like a keyboard 4 or 5 times the price to me. I love the thock sound of the keys, I got the wraith orange. It is tri-connection (FYI, because this freaked me out until I understood, the "4" will pulse when you first get it because it's looking for the 2.4 g connection. 1,2, and 3 are for BT. You use Fn + the number to BT pair the keeb. If you switch devices the current connection key number will pulse until it connects to the device or you switch the connection). The elite version comes with the magnetic shealth. You can decide if you want it on or not. The keeb is universally hotswappable, though I read kailth switches are a little too big. That is a small percentage of total types of switches though. This does come with north facing rgb lights. You can use south facing switches but they not an issue unless you want to swap keycaps. These are pbt double shots, so to quality as with most of the parts of the keeb. The sound absorption is too of the line to me.Don't let the fact that youtube is not pushing techware deter you from trying tecware. After 100s hours of research it seems that the youtubers are getting paid very well or just copying each other. Tecware is not a well known company outside the enthusiast community, though they are seen as entry level for the hobby. Tecware is a company in the Philippines, so i have to give them love since they aren't a big three electronics country.My only negative, really the only thing this keeb didn't have yet (but seriously not an issue for me), it's not isn't gasket mounted. It is under $100 and even my "heavy hands" are confortable so mention it to temper expectations.

TD;LR : if you want a great mechanical keyboard with fantastic lighting and amazing build quality, buy this keyboard it's the best for the price, especially when its on sale.To preface this I am not a mechanical keyboard expert, however, this keyboard is fantastic. It feels like it should and the RBG is bright and great looking. The braided usd cable is fantastic quality and the channel that allows the cable to be routed is super convenient. The build quality is fantastic, the metal plate looks great and I can't flex the board at all. The keycaps feel nice. The font isn't super "gamery" but its still weird, because the caps are double shot the font can't have complete circles. This in addition to the weird curved top font makes some of they symbols difficult to read. in the included pictures you'll see what I'm talking about. most of the symbol on the number keys are hard to read. this is a really minor thing though and it doesn't detract significantly from the value of this keyboard. The other gripe I have is that the media functions are printed onto the caps and not integrated into them meaning they will fade eventually and on my model that aren't evenly printed. My final minor problem is that the software only works when I run it as an administrator and is decent to use but not fantastic. You should still buy this keyboard though. For the price, this is probably the best keyboard you can get. There are no major problem with this keyboard the minor ones I listed are pretty insignificant If you bought in on a lightning deal like I did, its definitely the best for the price with the features that it has.