This review is for the Royal Kludge RK61 keyboard with Moss Green PBT keycaps and RK's Pale Green tactile switches. It was paid for with my own money. Build date on the box was 9-21-2023. Start here if you're thinking of buying this board: -Charge the board for a few hours before using it. A low charge won't let it show up on some devices and it won't type every keystroke. -You will need a Windows PC to run the double typing tool update in the product description. The seller also emailed a link a few days after my purchase. Before running the fix, I could reliably get the board to type T and G twice, then it would double type space when I hit each key only once. Typing "it" then space would turn into "itt " and "going" was "goingg ". Wired, BT, 2.4GHz mode...didn't matter. Skip this board if you want to pull it out of the box to use on an iPad or something. -Can't type numbers or keys acting weird? Hold Fn+Space for 3 seconds. Fn+Enter puts the board into another function layer without an indication of which one it's using. -I have Fn+Q bound to the Nvidia Shield via BT, and Fn+W bound to my phone. Fn+W also mutes the audio on the Shield. Good times if I need to switch devices. With all that said, I haven't had any missed key strokes or lag after updating the firmware with the Google Docs hotfix. I'm using it to write this review on the 2.4GHz mode, with the receiver plugged into the front USB on my PC's case just over a meter away and out of direct sight. I bought the board primarily to use in the living room for single player games like Hitman, so having a good wireless signal is important. Now, onto the Royal Kludge Pale Green switches themselves. My current board is a Realforce 87U with uniform 45g domes, factory silent sliders, light lube for reference. The switches have a small RK logo on the housing. They are specced for an actuation force of 40cN +/- 5cN. Using a very precise method of stacking US nickels weighing 5g each on the keycaps I measured the actuation force at 45-50g across most keys. The space bar and backspace keys feel heavier but measure similarly. Topre boards come with an extra 5g spring under the space bar so it should feel normal if you've used one. Typing on these switches is very satisfying! The tactile bump is right at the top of the stroke--there is no dead zone and the tactility is reminiscent of 55g Topre or Cherry Clears. My lubed Topre switches feel almost linear in comparison. These Pale Greens have a very pronounced tactile bump. Feels wonderful without the heavy bottoming out force like on MX Clears and no mush like Browns. I don't notice any scratchiness. What's also surprising is the amount of thock this board has. It doesn't have the typical hollow, plasticky sound. The one improvement I'd recommend is a bit more lube (or a different viscosity) on the space bars' stabilizers. The stabs are all lubed, but space has a noticeably lower and louder thock along with a slightly slower "return" to the top of the stroke due to the size of the keycap. Don't feel obligated, though, it's still just fine stock. So, if you've made it through this novel, I would give this board a solid 4.5/5 stars if it hadn't been for the annoying setup. 4/5 it is. Typing feel and sound are the highlights for me, as is the flexibility of connections at this price point. I'm very surprised with these RK switches in a good way. I almost returned it due to the connection and double typing issues, but after giving it a shakedown, I don't see a reason to buy something else. At $59 after coupon at the time of this writing, I'm not sure what other board offers tri-mode, PBT keycaps, and solid tactile key switches in the same price to performance area. Update after using it for a month: The 2.4G mode really requires line of sight to the receiver and for them to be close. Crossing a leg with the board in my lap will cause it to disconnect about 2.5 meters away from the PC, without any other obstructions or 2.4GHz devices nearby. It isn't a deal breaker per se, but using a USB extension cable for the dongle isn't as elegant as I wanted for my wireless living room setup.
