Page 4 - Conclusion
The Epomaker RT82 is a solid candidate among keyboards with novelties or unusual features. The mini display is a definite net positive addition, allowing for the user to inject some character or extra personality into their keyboard using the DIY GIF software, or even just as a useful display that will show your time and remaining battery percentage (of the keyboard). The lighting options and customizations are pleasant and thorough, allowing for precise adjustments to even hue or saturation based on the users’ preferences, without even needing to open software. The PBT keycaps feature a pleasant color scheme, with a retro feel, while being resistant to wear and tear. The typing experience is pleasing, with a consistent, thocky sound profile and smooth key travel. Upon opening the keyboard, I found a well-organized, simple internal structure that required minimal tools to disassemble. While overall this keyboard has provided a pleasant experience, there are some things that must be considered before purchase. The most pronounced issue as mentioned earlier is the color accuracy of the backlight. While you can almost certainly find a color that you enjoy using the VIA software, the RT82 struggles significantly to match certain colors, although it does excel at color matching within the blue/green range. If your setup revolves around colors like bright orange, vivid magenta, or less saturated/pastel colors, you may want to give this keyboard a pass. Another minor detail is that the F key row does not have secondary functions printed on the keycaps, so with the original keycaps, the keyboard will require a bit of memorization. At the time of writing, the Epomaker Rt82 is listed for $85.99 USD on Amazon, as well as on the official Epomaker website. This price point places the RT82 in a competitive position, in line pricewise with several comparable keyboards, but featuring extensive customization with unique features such as the mini display or the retro theme that will set it apart in the eyes of certain buyers. After using this keyboard for several weeks, I personally believe that it does enough to justify its $85 USD price tag, although the downsides/weaknesses mentioned above must be considered. I would recommend the Epomaker RT82 to users who value easy customization, a seamless typing experience, or niche features like the mini display, while demanding that build quality and durability be up to snuff. In conclusion, my experience with the Epomaker RT82 has largely lived up to the Epomaker mission statement: providing a keyboard experience with “customizability, affordability, and high standards.”
Epomaker provided this product to APH Networks for the purposes of evaluation.
APH Networks Review Focus Summary:
8/10 means Definitely a very good product with drawbacks that are not likely going to matter to the end user.
7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks, but should be considered before purchasing.
-- Final APH Networks Numeric Rating is 7.1/10
Please note that the APH Networks Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other publications.
The Epomaker RT82 is a keyboard suited to users looking for customization, a quality typing experience, and a retro aesthetic, while appreciating niche features.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. A Closer Look - Hardware and Software
3. A Closer Look - Disassembly and Internals
4. Conclusion
