I copped this board and I agree with the review. What made the sound better for me was the Plate foam and tape. However, I took out the foam since it change the feel way too much even with softer tadpoles. Made the sacrifice of that creamy sound for a better softer feel. Board is worth it for those that are in the fence.
good detailed review andy! if you see geon's streams showing how he designs boards, you can really tell that he knows what hes doing and hes very knowledgeable in this area,
@@SlimeMachine no need to be sad bro the frog tkl sales will be slower next time first time it was 30 seconds until it was sold out seconds time it was 3 minutes if you are fast you definitely have a shot in the future I'm gonna wait for the navy
Great review buddy. Always love your insights. One suggestion. Make your thumbnail different for your reviews in order to differentiate it from your typing sound videos.
all the "$400 isn't affordable" comments. Honestly wish people could just accept that mid and high quality tier boards are going to be expensive. If you can't afford that it's fine, just say that. It's affordable for the level of quality. Damn.
Are those tadpoles easily found online in standard sizes? Or are they custom made just for the keyboard? If the latter, then its a bad thing cause if you lose or damage them, and extras are no longer sold, say goodbye to the keyboard
It is not really budget, even many hardcore enthusiasts would disagree with that. Not sure why this board was advertised as budget. It originally cost 285 but people didnt realize that was without pcb and shipping
@@Tao-dh9yz if i recall correctly this does no include pcb, making the kbdfans one considerably cheaper. Also I referred the entire hobby. I understand that most of this things are not massed produced, but I still think (most) things are overpriced and Hobby enthusiast are being taken advantage of.
Hey Andy, if I were to purchase this board, which configuration would give the best thock and should I buy this board next run or just join the matrix me gb
there's different tiers of keyboard. the frog is for the more typical custom keyboard enthusiast whereas the gmmk pro is definitely for someone newer. the gmmk pro has odd design choices that make it a bad buy in a lot of scenarios for an enthusiast. the frog takes a lot of the desirable features that an enthusiast wants (low front height, different mounting style, f13 key layout option, colors) and offers it a lower price
@@AndyVNguyen Thanks for the replay. I'm pretty new to this and was very surprised at the prices of some high end boards and I want to be as informed as possible before making a purchase
Wasn't the f1-8x also under 400$? I know that board was Korea only and also much more limited but it's not that much more expensive then the frog with a pcb no?
i streamed an alternative build (no pcb foam or case foam) on twitch yesterday and I had a MUCH worse experience. www.twitch.tv/videos/1108478043 from yesterday's experience i'd recommend the k80. the alphas on the frog are good but the spacebar is lacking in a very distracting way.
Sounds like it might be good. Gonna lose some smoothness. Hyperglides are all different than the old switches - both the top and bottom. They do the same thing tho.
What makes Jane better than Frog, I don't know. Jane does not have a daughter board too, and no flex, does not come with brass material depends what version. I really want to hear the answer.
Id place it in the mid bracket despite what geon advertised it as, the price comes to 330usd without taxes and shipping added on. GMMK pro and the soon to be keychron K1 are the low end/budget options. The board is fantastic though, Geon is a great manufacturer of keyboards, in my opinion he prices what he makes generously.
You state that 400$ is budget (but no really budget), when in fact most group buys I see are below that price. You speak of features, that only come with "higher end" boards? And then it even sounds hollow and you basically need too mod it? I find you come across a little biased ;)
Also, $325 with pcb instock is cheaper than GB TKLs. The curves and machining and are typically found in more expensive boards. Hollow spacebar is the nail in the coffin because it needs the foam to balance it out, which isn’t desirable.
geon doesnt own the factory that manufactures the frog, he doesnt have permission from the government to manufacture enough, so he only manufactures the f series boards in his own factory
@@AndyVNguyen I'm planning to build a TKL of my own, but I was debating between both of these boards. Monstargear has their XO K80 Alu available, but no gasket kit in stock, while Frog TKL is on a FCFS limited monthly order. If you had the recommendation between either board, which would you recommend?
I just wanna find a wkl tkl with a lil sumn sumn of a booty (exposed weight on the back), or I might just buy the ac081 and mod the life out of it (bc it has a lot of flaws but it’s super cheap)
liking the mini video reviews added to these sounds tests on new boards!
I copped this board and I agree with the review. What made the sound better for me was the Plate foam and tape. However, I took out the foam since it change the feel way too much even with softer tadpoles. Made the sacrifice of that creamy sound for a better softer feel. Board is worth it for those that are in the fence.
Looks like a solid board!
Absolutely love the video quality and format. You have such engaging and non-boring videos.
good detailed review andy! if you see geon's streams showing how he designs boards, you can really tell that he knows what hes doing and hes very knowledgeable in this area,
Ever since I built my mysterium TKL I have always chosen an fr4 plate love the sound they produce
I love how you sound so excited!
Really enjoy this type of review very fast and it includes all the main point
i like it quick and easyy
i love the new layout of these review vids
glad you enjoy them!
I'm also a fan of the mini reviews. Thank you for taking the time to film them!
i like these type of reviews Andy, nicely done.
Glad you like them!
the sound test on the begining with the way that you are doing is really nice
Really want this board! Gonna keep trying every month until I get it lol
I just got it today really excited but not really cuz just built a mode 80 lol
@@tonchok9488 I just built a first edition 80 and still want this so bad, missed one the drop this morning :(
@@SlimeMachine no need to be sad bro the frog tkl sales will be slower next time first time it was 30 seconds until it was sold out seconds time it was 3 minutes if you are fast you definitely have a shot in the future I'm gonna wait for the navy
Great review buddy. Always love your insights. One suggestion. Make your thumbnail different for your reviews in order to differentiate it from your typing sound videos.
how are you only at 18k subs, you deserve to have more
The sound on this switch is really good
I want to use this switch
What's the name of the switch?
Info in description
I like it and shiii cherry topped h1s might be the move lol. Great video, love the new format.
they're so good it's hard to tell if the board sounds good or the switches sound good lmao
That build sounds magnificent omg
hahah i did my best with the tools i had
You made this keyboard sound more than it costs
bro this PE foam craze is nice, sounds so so so good
this isn’t pe foam
all the "$400 isn't affordable" comments. Honestly wish people could just accept that mid and high quality tier boards are going to be expensive. If you can't afford that it's fine, just say that. It's affordable for the level of quality. Damn.
Saying affordable is fine but definitely not a 'budget' board
Are those tadpoles easily found online in standard sizes? Or are they custom made just for the keyboard? If the latter, then its a bad thing cause if you lose or damage them, and extras are no longer sold, say goodbye to the keyboard
I'm really surprised of what people consider budget in this hobby... It's insane
Lol ikr. 😅
It is not really budget, even many hardcore enthusiasts would disagree with that. Not sure why this board was advertised as budget. It originally cost 285 but people didnt realize that was without pcb and shipping
Its budget in terms of alu TKL with a brass weight. The pricing of this comes in alignment with a lot of FULL alu tkls.
@@Tao-dh9yz if i recall correctly this does no include pcb, making the kbdfans one considerably cheaper.
Also I referred the entire hobby. I understand that most of this things are not massed produced, but I still think (most) things are overpriced and Hobby enthusiast are being taken advantage of.
@@mankinPT actually no. Frog is 340 including pcb which is on par and if you have watched JYMVs video on it, you will realise why its bad.
Hey Andy, if I were to purchase this board, which configuration would give the best thock and should I buy this board next run or just join the matrix me gb
I think this board really shines with the 50a and alu plate. It sounds a little hollow in some areas but it's a good hollow imo
yeah i think that combo with some mx blacks or black cherry pies would sound great
Alu plate with hyperglides is the way to go on this board. Really takes advantage of the tadpole mount.
what are the strengths of the tadpole mount?
I think cherry top h1 on alu wouldve been lit fr4 seems to "stretch" the sound out im
ooh never thought of that before
New video format is tight. Definitely stick with this.
So if this is budget, what is the GMMK Pro? Why choose the frog over the pro?
there's different tiers of keyboard. the frog is for the more typical custom keyboard enthusiast whereas the gmmk pro is definitely for someone newer.
the gmmk pro has odd design choices that make it a bad buy in a lot of scenarios for an enthusiast.
the frog takes a lot of the desirable features that an enthusiast wants (low front height, different mounting style, f13 key layout option, colors) and offers it a lower price
@@AndyVNguyen Thanks for the replay. I'm pretty new to this and was very surprised at the prices of some high end boards and I want to be as informed as possible before making a purchase
Very nice sound
Wait can someone explain the process of buying this board? idk where to look for the sales
it varies from board to board. frog was sold via swagkeys and had its own checkout system
Hey Andy, have you tried the frog with just case foam in it? If not, do you think it would still sound hollow?
I think case foam by itself is a good combo. Doesn't sound hollow. I did it with another build.
But I can’t seem to be fast enough for one when they drop 😢
me neither
If you never typed on mech keyboard, please don't. Please stay on your rubber dome kb 😅 5:05
wise words
Seeing that Spotify throttled message makes me crack up
That plug-in is dumb lmao
Hey Andy, what does switching the top housing to a cherry top do? Also nice video!
2:51
Having trouble buying this board cos I don’t know when they drop, is there a specific date and where is said date posted?
join their discord for more info geon.works/Discord-2d8985aa4d3047deba3af06ec5be5e98
Man you really know how to make a board sound good, just copped one and i was just wondering for Sound and feel, this or the Mode80?
The mode is stiffer and sound is up to your preference
How thick is the case foam in millimeters?
Wasn't the f1-8x also under 400$? I know that board was Korea only and also much more limited but it's not that much more expensive then the frog with a pcb no?
Yeah not that much more expensive. I guess material costs caught up to the frog. Looks like the f1 was 330 base without pcb.
what cable was used in the beginning ?
that's a fake lemo cable
Cherry top H1s are fire
but how does this compare to the monstargear k80?
i streamed an alternative build (no pcb foam or case foam) on twitch yesterday and I had a MUCH worse experience.
www.twitch.tv/videos/1108478043
from yesterday's experience i'd recommend the k80. the alphas on the frog are good but the spacebar is lacking in a very distracting way.
Sounds super deep
Thinking about getting cherry tops to put on my pewters. Any thoughts? Also, are hyperglide tops the same? Is it just the bottoms that are different?
Sounds like it might be good. Gonna lose some smoothness. Hyperglides are all different than the old switches - both the top and bottom. They do the same thing tho.
Forgive me for what i'm about to do.
Alphas sound really good
My real question is, WHERE can I buy it, I can’t find it anywhere
Swagkeys
Man I just need someone to drop a nice gummy o-ring alu tkl with weights that doesn’t have a super limited run or groupbuy only
Same
I bought frog tkl for 410 USD. Group buy price was 300 usd.
When will the Matrix Me run?
geekhack.org/index.php?topic=112811.0
well looks like i have to wake up early and try to get a green one tomorrow
JTK Zen started shipping out already?
yeah i got mine from zfrontier
I want this just because it has Frog in its name
Wait what site can you buy the frog?
Swagkeys has been selling
If you have a top mount tkl and fill it with foam, you shouldnt buy top mounts. standing by it. let the foam gasket boards be foamy
I do agree
Is casefoam thinsulate?
it's the poron foam
How does it compared to the Matrix ME?
Idk bro I don’t have one
@@AndyVNguyen will be waiting for you to review 1 soon
matrix is gasket mount
@@mikeybroe1 yeah I know but that doesn't mean it's better
What makes Jane better than Frog, I don't know. Jane does not have a daughter board too, and no flex, does not come with brass material depends what version. I really want to hear the answer.
i think this with bcp’s on alu and only case foam could do well
I might have enough to try that on my personal unit.
@@AndyVNguyen clack through the case hollowness
I saw a stream with BCPs and it was the best sounding Frog I had heard!
@@rawrens could u tell me where u saw it? i’d love to hear it
@@mikeybroe1 I don't have the link, but his twitch was booyjeegae
sure cop!! if i can take a hold of one:((
godspeed my friend!
I got the 50A tadpoles on mine, and it is one of the best typing experiences I have. It’s close to my Jelly Epoch tbh. It’s so impressive.
Damn fr? Jelly was a flex monster
This probably highly benefits from the PE foam mod.
if u want that sound u should’ve got a jelly
@@mikeybroe1 Uh no
@@LEK yes
@@mikeybroe1 My man I dont think you are the one to tell me what I want or what I dont
@@LEK fine go ahead and use pe foam in a top mount and fry ur pcb
Is it worth it?
Andy: Yes
Wallet: Hell nah
gg
Isnt apollo $400 too? Just wait for that to ship. Its better investment.
good luck i mean that board is not a 9/10 looks (imo) like the frog is tho and i think graystudio doesn’t have a record for timely delivery
Id place it in the mid bracket despite what geon advertised it as, the price comes to 330usd without taxes and shipping added on. GMMK pro and the soon to be keychron K1 are the low end/budget options. The board is fantastic though, Geon is a great manufacturer of keyboards, in my opinion he prices what he makes generously.
the non-enthusiast are crying about how 300 dollar keyboard case is budget lmao
Yeah don't buy the aftermarket price, it's not how this board meant to be.
saw one going for $700, scalpers are everywhere.
fuck i just copped the sixtyfive, hope the monthly restock thing keeps going cuz i'm gonna get this as soon as i get the sixtyfive
that's like another 3 months of drops, not sure if it'll continue that long. we can all dream tho
@@AndyVNguyen nuts, let's all pray that geon can keep up the good work
You state that 400$ is budget (but no really budget), when in fact most group buys I see are below that price. You speak of features, that only come with "higher end" boards? And then it even sounds hollow and you basically need too mod it?
I find you come across a little biased ;)
You are reading between the lines and are correct in that I don’t give a favorable review of the board ;)
Also, $325 with pcb instock is cheaper than GB TKLs. The curves and machining and are typically found in more expensive boards. Hollow spacebar is the nail in the coffin because it needs the foam to balance it out, which isn’t desirable.
Anything will top what I have hand it over 🔫🙂
geon doesnt own the factory that manufactures the frog, he doesnt have permission from the government to manufacture enough, so he only manufactures the f series boards in his own factory
I'm going for the matrix me
Budget 🤨
sounds like my q1 with alpacas xD
lmao woops
tfw monthly drops will be harder with all these reviews 😪
A does sound a little bit like a frog!
how would you compare this board to the Monstargear xo K80 you reviewed a while back?
That k80 had better sound especially gasket mounted, but the looks of this is better
@@AndyVNguyen I'm planning to build a TKL of my own, but I was debating between both of these boards. Monstargear has their XO K80 Alu available, but no gasket kit in stock, while Frog TKL is on a FCFS limited monthly order. If you had the recommendation between either board, which would you recommend?
Sound goes to k80 looks go to frog
F r o g
Thats one clacky boi
Affordable custom? Probably not.
Affordable kustom? Yeah
I just wanna find a wkl tkl with a lil sumn sumn of a booty (exposed weight on the back), or I might just buy the ac081 and mod the life out of it (bc it has a lot of flaws but it’s super cheap)
lol I think I understand. price is a huge issue yeah. needa be hella flush to get a lil sumn sumn good
God damn
I wonder if PE foam and tempest mod would have saved it also. Actually I think adding PE foam would have made it even better.
Dont buy aftermarket lol
Couldn’t buy it even if I wanted to
please don't buy it aftermarket ... precedes to buy aftermarket
how does this compare to the kbd8x?
the kbd8x has a better sounding spacebar imo but the alphas on this sound better. they look very different.