By: FIRST LAST
MONTH DAY, YEAR
Review in progress.
Contents in this article are incomplete, and may contain errors or incorrect information.
I have used several different keyboards throughout my life, most of them membrane keyboards passed around my family until they eventually gave up the ghost. I did use a HAVIT KB389L for a while but that was an exception to the typical office or workstation keyboards I was used to. It was with this user history that I unboxed the Epomaker RT82. Up to this point I had never used a 75% keyboard for day-to-day tasks, but the RT82 was up to the task. A very different typing experience compared to my membrane keyboards, and with a much quieter and far more satisfying sound than my clicky blue switch KB389L. The product provided for review is the Epomaker RT82, equipped with Epomaker Creamy Jade Switches. Epomaker positions themselves as a mechanical keyboard brand focused on making feature-rich, customizable keyboards available at accessible prices. Their aim is to make quality mechanical keyboards available to a broad market of enthusiasts and everyday users, rather than merely niche premium buyers. Their mission statement reads:
“We are committed to providing feature-packed keyboards with affordable pricing that ship worldwide. Our goals for our keyboards are three things: customizability, affordability, and high standards.” The key question is whether the Epomaker RT82, in practical use, meets these criteria.
Our RT82 unit arrived from Epomaker's location in Shenzhen, China. Traveling with Yanwen, this large parcel traveled overseas to our APH Networks location here in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It was packaged in a white packing bag. Alongside the Epomaker RT82, we received three other keyboards: the TH108 Pro and Split70 which have already been reviewed by APH, as well as the Luma40, which will be reviewed in the coming weeks. A few of the boxes had creases or dents upon arrival that can be seen in the photo below, perhaps indicating a bumpy trip to APH Networks.
The Epomaker RT82’s box is an appealing lavender and black with white accents. The front of the box displays the name of the keyboard with a simplified illustration of the layout. The sides of the box briefly describe product features and list basic specs with QR codes for the Epomaker store. The back of the box is primarily concerned with certifications and warnings. Overall, the packaging is direct and to the point, with information tucked away for those who care to look.
Here are the technical specifications as listed on the manufacturer’s website:
Brand: Epomaker
Model: RT82 (Retro White Colorway)
Layout: QWERTY, ANSI US Layout,75%
Number of Keys: 80
Screen: 1.14-inch LCD Screen
Battery: 4000mAh Rechargeable Battery
Battery Life: 14 hours (RGB LED On & Screen On); 17 hours (RGB LED On & Screen Off); 45 hours (RGB LED Off & Screen On); 115 hours (RGB LED Off & Screen Off)
Connectivity: 2.4Ghz Wireless/Bluetooth/USB A-C
Compatibility: Mac/WIN/Android
Front Height (mm): 21.8
Typing Angle: 5 degrees, 7.5 degrees, and 11 degrees (two-stage adjustable kickstand)
Case Material: ABS Plastic
Plate Material: PC
Flex-Cut: No Flex Cut
Stabilizers: Plate-Mounted Stabilizers
Mounting Structure: Gasket-Mount
Sound Dampening: Sandwich Latex, IXPE Switch Pad, PET Sound-Enhancement Pad, Bottom foam and Bottom Silicone
Keycaps Profile: Cherry Profile
Keycaps Material: PBT Plastic
Keycaps Manufacturing Technique: Dye-Sublimation Printing
Switch: Pre-Lubed Mechanical Switch
Hot Swappable: Yes, RT82 is Hot-Swappable Keyboard that’s compatible with 3/5-pin mechanical switches
RGB: Yes, RT82 Backlit Keyboard has customizable RGB backlight with south-facing per-key LEDs
Polling Rate: 1000hz in Wired and 2.4Ghz Wireless Modes, 125hz in Bluetooth Mode
Latency: 3ms in Wired Mode, 5ms in 2.4Ghz Mode and 15ms in Bluetooth Mode
Anti-Ghosting: Yes, the RT82 Gaming Keyboard supports N-Key Rollover
Keyboard Dimensions (mm): 326.7 x 143.2 x 39.8
Keyboard Weight: about 1kg
Inside the box you will find the RT82 Keyboard along with a trio of alternate keycaps for MAC, a keycap/switch puller, a multilingual user manual, a 2.4G receiver, a USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable, a card with QR codes for VIA and other relevant software/support sites, two extra switches, and the detachable mini display.
Upon opening, the keyboard was in a protective soft plastic sleeve and nested in a cardboard frame, with accessories stored underneath. All the accessories were individually packaged or bagged in plastic except for the cable, card, and manual. The screen came further protected within a foam box. Overall, the quality of the packaging left me comfortable with the level of protection provided.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. A Closer Look - Hardware and Software
3. A Closer Look - Disassembly and Internals
4. Conclusion
