RK61

I've gotten QMK boards for as little as $21, you just have to keep your ear to the ground. The wired QMK/VIA Royal Kludge RK61 is a pretty cheap dependable option despite the awful default layout and the source code in the QMK repo works and a VIAL port is easy and worthwhile. My Github.

Yuck. Just no. Here's what I would recommend: 60%: Redragon K717 Pro * ($18) CIDOO QK61 * ($60) Skyloong GK61 QMK/VIA * ($54) Royal Kludge RK61 QMK/VIA * ($40) Womier WK61 Pro * ($29) YMDK DK61 * ($88 barebones, wooden case) KBDcraft Adam 60% * ($70 lego case) 65%: Womier VK66 Pro * ($39) Royal Kludge RK R6

40%: Inland MK47 * ($40) 60%: Redragon K717 Pro * ($30) CIDOO QK61 * ($60) Skyloong GK61 QMK/VIA * ($54) Royal Kludge RK61 QMK/VIA * ($40) Womier WK61 Pro * ($31) YMDK DK61 * (barebones, $88 wooden case, $38.50 bare PCB) KBDcraft Adam 60% * ($70 lego case) 65%: Womier VK66 Pro * ($39) Womier Q61 v2 * ($42) Ro

This one is easy so far, if their web app is hosted at QMK.something it's the scam. If you see "usevia.app" or "vial.rocks" it's at least emulating QMK. Emulating? Yes, there are proprietary boards that are "VIA compatible" or "QMK compatible" that have ported the VIA module to run on top of an emul

If you feel up to installing new firmware or at least wiping the layout with a new JSON file, I've been using the Royal Kludge RK61 as a platform for firmware hacking. The stock layout is terrible but since the source code is posted it's easy to modify and with 16 layers in VIA there's plenty of roo

Can't disagree with this. These are both decent board options. The default layout on the GK61, with the mod-tap arrows, is better, but the GK61's gasket mount is a bit more premium. I don't think the prebuilt switch options are that much of a big deal, especially on a 60% board where a 70-pack of sw

I would buy a new rk61, the new qmk/via based model is much much nicer than the old firmware. And you can completely reprogram the screwed up layout that Royal Kludge came up with with something sane. Also, XVX has some great keycap options.

Ok, here's some boards I personally have tried and liked under 80USD: CIDOO QK61 * ($60) Skyloong GK61 QMK/VIA * ($54) Royal Kludge RK61 QMK/VIA * ($40) Womier WK61 Pro * ($26) KBDcraft Adam 60% * ($70 lego case) Womier VK66 Pro * ($42) Womier Q61 v2 * ($42) XVX M67 Jadestone * ($47) Redragon K715 * ($30) K

The Royal Kludge RK61 is in the main QMK repo and cheap. The standard layout is kind of screwed up but since it's qmk it can be fixed, and the firmware builds reliably... if you have a look in my GitHub I've got a vial port for it. It's a 60% of course but with mod-tap arrows you shouldn't have any

My favorite backlight pattern is "typing heatmap" which keeps surprising me when I look down and I'm like "really, I've been hitting the "J" that much?" or whatever. I need a replacement of something roughly the same size. There's a lot of great 60% options, then. The last year or so has been kind o