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RK Royal Kludge S98 Top Mount 96% Keyboard (98 Keys) Wireless (BT/2.4G/USB-C) $127.99 Shipped @ GearGarden via Amazon AU

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RK Royal Kludge S98 Top Mount 96% Keyboard (98 Keys) Wireless (BT/2.4G/USB-C) $127.99 Shipped @ GearGarden via Amazon AU

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Bad Company on 20/01/2025 - 17:46 amazon.com.au (3520 clicks)
Last edited 20/01/2025 - 17:48 by 1 other user

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Very good price for a well reviewed mechanical keyboard with a little LED screen on the top right.

My Corsair K95 RGB (MX Blue) experienced an RGB LED issue last year but the problem magically went away. No excuse to get one for myself so I bought one for my wife. Thank you for teaching me the OzBargain spirit, you trained me well.

(There's also a buy 2 save 5% going on, but nope, still not enough of an excuse to get two.)

There are four colour schemes:

Lavender Purple
Turquoise Green
Clay Green
Sky Blue

The first two are equipped with the Linear Viridian Switch while the latter two are equipped with Pale Green Switch, a linear and tactile switch, respectively. My wife picked the Sky Blue because the colour suited her mouse pad lol!!! That worked out great because she's not a gamer, the tactile switch should suit her needs very well.

Price History at CamelCamelCamel.

Computing Computer Peripheral Keyboard Mechanical Keyboard Royal Kludge

29 Jan 8:49am

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Comments

daniltaru on 20/01/2025 - 18:19

+1

This or a Keychron V6? (I don't need wireless).
- drprox on 20/01/2025 - 19:07
  
  +1
  
  This. It's way cheaper. Not huge experience with keychron but wife bought one and it entirely stopped working within 2 months. Full refund (eventually…).
  
  I've read of plenty of similar experiences.
  
  Personally I use an a.jazz and the cheapness let me swap the switches for something I preferred. It's been excellent for over a year.
Silent-BoB on 20/01/2025 - 18:25

I was just eyeing up this very deal and came here to post and see if others had much experience with it. Might just pull the trigger on the clay green
- dubo1981 on 20/01/2025 - 22:24
  
  +1
  
  I bought one before Christmas and it's decent. I came from a travel mac keyboard with the low key travel and find this is a little more draining on the fingers and for some reason I have more accidental spelling errors.
  
  But otherwise it does what it says on the tin. Colourful lights, thocky, good volume knob, heavy.
  
  I wish it came with extra Mac keycaps though, as I'm currently stuck with the Windows ones, and I'm not sure where to get replacement caps that are the same colour as the rest of the set.
  - ThePunchingBag on 21/01/2025 - 09:01
    
    +1
    
    Try Aliexpress… Might get lucky there
burkey on 20/01/2025 - 19:06

+1

I've got the Clay Green, with the Pale Green switches, and it is such a nice keyboard. Very pop-corny sound to the typing, and just a a very nice keyboard to both type and game on.
My previous keyboard was a Keychron K8 with red switches, and I'd take this any day of the week over it.
- viper8548 on 21/01/2025 - 11:47
  
  tactile or linear better?
  - CrispyChrispy on 21/01/2025 - 14:24
    
    +2
    
    Personal preference. One is not better than the other.
Belgian on 20/01/2025 - 19:17

+2

I ordered it a month ago (pale green, at that price) and I couldn't be happier. It's my first "expensive" keyboard though. The only downside is that the screen customisation (e.g. adding a gif) can only be done through the RK drivers which are a bit buggy. Other than that it's an absolute pleasure to type on it.

If you do a lot of typewriting / emailing and are in the fence, pull the trigger. It makes a difference.
Phoebus on 20/01/2025 - 20:57

would jump on this if I needed another keyboard
- CrispyChrispy on 20/01/2025 - 21:06
  
  +13
  
  You would definitely need this keyboard if you jumped on your old one
d3ft on 20/01/2025 - 21:02

Can any owners comment on how quickly the wake from sleep is, particularly over Bluetooth? The near instant wake of MX Keys is the reason I use it but I'd like to go back to a mechanical.
- dubo1981 on 20/01/2025 - 22:24
  
  Maybe 3-5 seconds to connect to my Macbook Air after a keypress.
supafly on 21/01/2025 - 09:05

I’ve had one for a few months now. Great keyboard to use, though battery needs to be recharged every 3-4 days of heavy use.
Thatduckling on 21/01/2025 - 11:47

Anyone have a recommendation for a 100% layout similar to this?

I like the knob dial, but hoping to find something cheaper than Keychron..
- Bad Company on 21/01/2025 - 12:02
  
  +5
  
  No need to go for a 100% layout as this actually has all the keys. Delete, Home, Page Up and Page Down have their dedicated keys. Scroll Lock, Print Screen, Pause and End are function keys that are accessible by holding down FN key.
  
  The only thing missing is the Insert key, but the zero key on the number pad doubles as an insert key with Number Lock off, or go with Shift + 0 on the number pad with Number Lock on. This is however not printed on the key cap, you'll just have to memorise it.
  
  The above should apply to all keyboards, not just this one, not sure why it's not printed on the key cap.
  
  So yeah, this 96% layout actually makes a huge amount of sense. I mean, how often do you need Scroll Lock, Print Screen, Pause, End and Insert? Perfectly suitable to put them as function keys IMO.
  
  (But yeah I get where you're coming from, I would have preferred a full 100% layout too. Just don't let this stop you.)
  - Thatduckling on 21/01/2025 - 13:08
    
    +2
    
    I would say mainly Ins Del Home End PgUp and PgDn were the mean reasons I second guessed purchasing this one.
    
    I use these keys a lot for linux terminals.
    
    But after reading your message I am considering again. Appreciate the detailed response on this!
    - Bad Company on 23/01/2025 - 09:42
      
      Wife's at the office today so I commandeered the keyboard for today. Turns out, and I didn't realise this, that I use End key quite a lot and it being a function key is annoying.
      
      The Insert key being a function key thing doesn't bother me, but if you use Insert key often it'd be pretty annoying too.
      
      I'd say don't buy……
      - Thatduckling on 23/01/2025 - 11:07
        
        @Bad Company: Thanks for the update. I still hadn't pulled the trigger yet either as I wasn't 100% sure.
        
        I think i'm still chasing a full 100% layout with a dial knob.
        
        So far the main ones I have found are all keychron.. and they're quite expensive.
        
        Bad Company on 23/01/2025 - 11:32
        
        @Thatduckling: They are, and don't have that little screen, just got the knob. Royal Kludge has a 100% layout available but it looks like it may be an older design, no knob, no screen, doesn't even look that good.
        
        Oh well, my Corsair K95 RGB is still good for another few years while I wait. The only real complaint I have against my keyboard is "chatter", or double typing, very annoying.
        
        Thatduckling on 23/01/2025 - 13:18
        
        +1
        
        @Bad Company: Take a look at Ajazz AK35i V3 on amazon or aliexpress.
        
        Reviews online look good, for a 100% layout
        
        Bad Company on 30/01/2025 - 14:08
        
        @Thatduckling: Hey sorry it took me a while to respond, been busy lately. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find the perfect full size keyboard for myself. Did you end up buying the Ajazz AK35i V3? For me personally, it uses avocado switch so that's a turn off, it also doesn't have sound deadening foam. (Not interested in modding.)
        
        I looked into 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard (there's a full 108 key version available, albeit not yet in Australia) but it uses a clicky switch (same as my current keyboard, got sick of it) and has no foam, pass.
        
        Also looked into the Keychron line up and there's just nothing that makes me want to buy. They are admittedly good products, but would make an average purchase for me, if that makes sense.
        
        I think I'll keep using my current keyboard and keep an eye in this space.
        
        Thatduckling on 30/01/2025 - 15:40
        
        @Bad Company: I did end buying the AK35i V3, actually it arrived today and I've been testing it out all morning.
        
        So far pretty happy with it and how it sounds. My last keyboard has Cherry Speed Silver switches (on the Clacky side) and I would say the avocado switches are quieter (and more thocky).
        
        https://youtu.be/FxyoGkZLhME?t=516 sound review
        
        I don't know much about foam vs foamless so I can't really comment there. The YT video above has a pretty good analysis on it though.
        
        I'm enjoying the dial knob, and even the little lcd screen on this. I would say its worth considering, but depends on your requirements!
        
        Hope you find something that meets your needs
        
        That new 8BitDo is definitely interesting, I nearly bought their 10 keyless + separate numpad a few months ago.
        
        Edit:
        Just wanted to add that my only dislike about the ak35 are the LED indicators for Numpad, Capslock and Charging. They're kind of bright, and oddly placed. I'm thinking of covering them as the LCD screen has indicators for these as well.
        
        Bad Company on 30/01/2025 - 17:22
        
        @Thatduckling: Ah thanks for the review! My bad, AK35i V3 does have sound deadening material, that's my mistake.
        
        Yeah not a fan of the linear switch (the avocado switch for the tri-mode with LCD, or sea salt and hyacinth switch for the wired-only without LCD are all linear switches), but hey, being hot swappable, and at this price, I'm open to buying a set of tactile switch and changing them over myself if I can't stand them.
        
        Thanks for linking the YouTube video. I watched it, and am intrigued. The screen looks like exactly the same unit as the one on my wife's RK S98. In fact, Ajazz's 98 key model looks pretty much exactly the same as my wife's RK S98 albeit with a different colour scheme. Those companies are probably working together.
        
        Do you mind telling me which website you bought it from? I found plenty on aliexpress and Ajazz Official Store's offering sounds very reasonable. This link here: https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005007217405062.html
        
        Just over $60 for the wired version with no LCD and white light, and around $120 - $130 for the tri-mode version with RGB lighting. Unbelievable value.
        
        Agree, the LED lights look oddly placed. That's all right, won't complain at this price range. Might tape it over or something haha.
        
        Thatduckling on 30/01/2025 - 17:35
        
        @Bad Company: No worries, and yes after watching that video I was pretty much sold haha
        
        I got the black|gray|yellow option from this store: (~$150 shipped inc. tax)
        https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007845693466.html?spm=a2…
        
        I did look at their official and flagship stores on Aliexpress but at the time it was showing 'This product can't be shipped to your address.'
        
        Yep, the wired with no LCD is pretty cheap! I was tossing up between the extra frills or not..
        
        I ordered on 24/1/25 so around 1 week to get here, not bad!
        
        Thatduckling on 30/01/2025 - 17:37
        
        @Thatduckling: Also I did try to use the coupons from this post - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/889500
        
        I couldn't seem to get it to work though, maybe you'll have better luck if you decide to buy it.
        
        I'm not super familiar with Ali so maybe I was just doing something wrong.
        
        Bad Company on 30/01/2025 - 21:10
        
        @Thatduckling: Thanks mate, wonder why the Ajazz official store on Aliexpress didn't work for you? It worked for me and gave me a price of $126 after tax in the desktop browser or $123 in my mobile phone app. I ordered from the app. Bought the "Gray Rice Orange" colour (the only colour left out of all tri-mode colours).
        
        Based on the website's description, the tri-mode edition and wired-only edition differ slightly in terms of materials used. Looks like you don't just gain RGB and wireless connection, but slightly upgraded sound deadening material too. The wired edition's value can't be beat, but I thought I'd get the tri-mode.
        
        Now the waiting begins…..
        
        Oh by the way, the coupons didn't work for me either because they're non-stackable with Big Save sales and welcome offer. I was a new user, and the store was running a Big Save promotion, so none of the coupons worked, haha.
        
        Again, thank you for the excellent recommendation. Can't wait to retire my Corsair, the key chatter is really annoying me.
        
        Thatduckling on 30/01/2025 - 22:30
        
        +1
        
        @Bad Company: Yeah true, I'm looking again and it looks like it works now. I think it was a stock issue maybe..
        
        On the mobile app stock quantity is very clear, but on desktop less so..
        
        Anyway, glad to hear you also got one! Enjoy :)
        
        Bad Company on 11/02/2025 - 17:47
        
        @Thatduckling: Hey mate, how's everything going, and how's the keyboard?
        
        I received mine today. Like you said, it leaves a good initial impression on build quality and how it sounds. The factory-lubed "Avocado" switches feel very nice. The key strokes feel and sound "dampened" if that makes sense, a very refreshing experience after years of using the un-lubed Cherry MX Blue switch in my Corsair which was not just loud, but felt sharper and more rigid (and a lot of metallic noise could be heard).
        
        Been typing quite a bit on it and I haven't detected even one case of key chatter. Woo hoo! I absolutely hated that with my Corsair and now I'm free!
        
        Also, not sure if this is in my head or perhaps it's the shorter stroke or a newer processor with the new keyboard, it just feels more "immediate". With my old keyboard, there was a latency. Most of the time it was barely noticeable and didn't present as an issue, but occasionally it got bad enough to be disruptive, like the keyboard was taking time to think. This one, the screen updates immediately, and I haven't experienced any case of the keyboard freezing or becoming stuck with repeating a key stroke, which happened with my Corsair from time to time.
        
        All in all, I'm loving it. The only thing is, like you said, the number lock, caps lock and battery indicators are in a weird spot and too bright.
        
        Oh, and of course I had to compare it to my wife's Royal Kludge RK98. The build quality and sound are quite similar. Her RK98 has tactile switches. The tactility is very subtle, and the keys are buttery smooth (also factory lubed). I have to say I prefer the tactile ones, but the AK35i's switches do a good job and the "thock" is very satisfying.
        
        The RK98's RGB lights are way brighter if that's your kind of thing. The AK35i might as well not have them lol. I personally don't care though.
        
        If I get bored I might swap out the switches to a tactile variant. For now I'm perfectly contend and will leave it for some time. I must say this: thanks for your recommendation and review, I probably would not have bought it otherwise.
        
        Thatduckling on 11/02/2025 - 22:36
        
        @Bad Company: Hey!
        
        Keyboard is good mate. running perfectly and very happy with it.
        
        Your review sounds pretty familiar to my experiences so far as well. Glad to hear you're having a good experience and seeing improvements over the previous board. I've found I am using the dial knob more and more to control volume and it's a really nice feature to have!
        
        I think the bright indicators are less noticeable now after a couple weeks of use. I do wish you could change that in the software somehow. Overall its a very minor issue and all the positives make it easy to live with.
        
        I will eventually buy a different set of switches to try. I'll have to do some research or feel in person before buying something though. Mainly because I feel a little bit of typing fatigue, I'm not sure if thats the switches or the keyboard ergonomics… Still gotta play around a bit I guess.
        
        Anyway, enjoy! I am also quite pleased with this find, I thought I had exhausted the options until I somehow stumbled across it.
        
        Bad Company on 18/02/2025 - 17:16
        
        @Thatduckling: Hey mate, I wanted to wait a few days before responding. My experience pretty much mirrors your experience. It's still running perfectly and I'm very happy with it. Also like you, I've learnt to ignore the indicators. Oh well.
        
        Speaking of switches, are you sure you're ready to jump into that rabbit hole? XD
        
        Like I said, I intend to change the switches to a tactile one, but I immediately got overwhelmed. I think I'll postpone my project a bit, haha, I'm in no rush after all, the default switches do a fine job.
        
        I find it surprising that you're experiencing typing fatigue. I find the default switches pretty good, a little bit on the light side to be honest (and I miss the notched feel). Perhaps a short travel switch is what you're looking for?
        
        Problem is how to get a feel of all the switches haha. A "switch tester" is rather expensive. The real problem is, it's not even representative of how you will feel when actually typing. Where does one even start lol……
borgainerz on 21/01/2025 - 19:18

this or LowFree Flow 100 ?

I
dr death on 22/01/2025 - 03:52

which type of switch is more silent ?
- Bad Company on 22/01/2025 - 12:37
  
  +1
  
  Generally linear and more silent and tactile is noisier but tactile is more satisfactory when typing.
  
  This video review has both, look at comment no. 1 for times to skip to if you're in a hurry:
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMh82jzvSuI
  - dr death on 23/01/2025 - 01:48
    
    thanks man
- MadPunchMan on 22/01/2025 - 13:04
  
  Personally I prefer Kailh Lonely Island Silent Switches
MadPunchMan on 22/01/2025 - 13:03

I’d like to recommend a DIY mechanical keyboard I’ve been using, the Keydous NJ98. I wasn't fond of the sunken arrow keys on other models, so I opted for this one. It offers three connection modes and features a customizable display for images. The keyboard is powered by a large 8000mAh battery, has web-based drivers, and boasts RGB lighting. It also includes interchangeable screen keys and a volume control button. The keys are programmable, and most importantly, it comes with dedicated computer buttons. I’m using it with Kailh Lonely Island Silent Switches, which provide a quiet typing experience, similar to that of electrostatic capacitive switches.

If you have friends or colleague from China, you can have them purchase the keyboard for you directly from Taobao. It will take about a month to deliver, but you’ll receive a brand-new keyboard.
- Namidairo on 24/01/2025 - 20:50
  
  You probably won't get much beyond an auto reply email if you need to talk to them (Keydous, Taobao merchants, your Chinese friends…) right now though, since everyone will be off for CNY public holiday for the next couple weeks?

RK Royal Kludge S98 Top Mount 96% Keyboard (98 Keys) Wireless (BT/2.4G/USB-C) $127.99 Shipped @ GearGarden via Amazon AU

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