The Dygma Defy: A Premium Keyboard That Hits Both Ways

Note: This video was re-uploaded to resolve issues with the audio levels on the original.
This is an honest review of the Dygma Defy based on several weeks of use. It has a solid build with the best sound and feel, with some of the best hardware out of the split keyboards I've reviewed (at the time of publishing). The RGB underglow is amazing. The built-in tenting is the best I've tried. But, on the other hand, the firmware limitations are a major hinderance for those who want to get the most functionality out of their keyboard.
You can use my affiliate links to help support the channel at no extra cost to you.
- Dygma Defy: dygma.com/IFCODINGWERENATURAL
- Gateron Pro G Whites 3.0 (amazon): amzn.to/3za8YVM
Timeless Homerow mods: github.com/urob/zmk-config#ti...
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
1:42 - Who is the Defy for?
4:58 - Build quality and design
6:35 - Quality control issues
7:33 - Sound and feel
9:30 - Key switches
10:48 - Pricing and customization
12:45 - Built-in tenting ROCKS!
14:00 - Palm rest
14:45 - Travel case
15:50 - RGB underglow and backlighting
19:36 - The thumb cluster
21:17 - The Neuron
22:12 - Why I won't be switching to the Defy
23:24 - Kaleidoscope
24:30 - Bazecor and firmware limitations
28:45 - Modding
30:50 - My final verdict

[@ifcodingwerenatural]

For the sake of preserving comments, here’s a link to the original upload: th-cam.com/video/mfSLSlVguJc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=T2b7d-EdoSx9PPKm

[@gungun974]

Oh that why you unlisted the first video. Yesterday I didn’t have the time to watch it so 2h ago with the beauty of YT history I managed to watch it even in unlisted but I didn’t find any error or things strange to force you to take it out.
Anyway nice keyboard but the voyager is already my darling ^^

[@Glitch_860]

Dygma's support is top notch. I have had some issues with my Defy. But was usually resolved with any new updates from Dygma. Early on I had 1 issue which required a firmware reflash, Dygma team was VERY helpful in providing me the tools and instructions to get things working again. I also maybe biased as I have been a backer from the beginning with Raise 1. And they were gracious enough to interview me for feedback which they added my interview to a recent video they did. Great Video!

[@TechVisionExplained]

Love the intro 😆
Thank you for the amazing work and effort you put in those videos. I'm deep in the ergonomic keyboard rabbit hole, and I'm itching to get a new keyboard even if I absolutely don't need a new one and your reviews are extremely helpful.

[@ben.sufiani]

Thanks so much for the audio update

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

Rewatch boost! Went with the Glove80, but this would have been my non-concave well option.

[@jennib3395]

“Don’t tell my wife” lol 😂

[@pedrofigueira3581]

I have and love the defy, but I also live in the EU, meaning that for me the price tag is not that crazy because I would have to pay 23% extra and a carrier fee for handling customs if I would buy any of the others, so basically a voyager for 365 USD turns into a 500 USD voyager, where as in the defy that doesn't happen because the shipments are DDP for the EU, and if you remove the underglow the price stays at 539 and I have more thumb keys, better tenting, a nice palm rest, RFI and Bluetooth connectivity, for 39 USD more.
Now to the other issues, yeah, they need to work on their software, I know they are on it, but missing some basic feature may be a deal breaker for some, specially when the price difference isn't 39USD for them

[@nezunskyfire292]

Not being able to add the tenting to the base model after purchase is a complete deal breaker for me. I'd like to get the Defy after saving up, then buy the tenting if I still want to keep using it after trying it out. That's a hook point for some strong buyer's remorse.

[@jwaldrop2011]

that thumb cluster looks cursed.

[@STatic4009]

I have 2 Defys. Wireless for travel and a wired one at home. I find the software and experience is better on the wired key board.
Both have the Gateron Yellow keys.

[@beowulf_of_wall_st]

It looks good except the thumb keys all seem like they have you folding your thumbs way under your hands and that seems really painful

[@Chrispycode]

I had problems with the thumbcluster low profile keycaps breaking multiple times and got replacemant in at most 7 days later every time.

[@user-te5fs3xu9u]

Quick question: How comfortable it is to reach the second row of the thumb cluster?

[@darksinge]

20:40

[@sierr1302]

Algorithm

[@caedis_]

Something something something glove80 something qmk something engagement

[@CodemanBen]

Engagement boost 🫶

[@ifcodingwerenatural]

I appreciate it 😂