Hexgears Gemini Dusk Aluminum TKL Hotswap RGB Double Shot PBT Mechanical Keyboard

This is the most expensive and the best keyboard I've ever owned. I bought this keyboard because I wanted to test out the Kailh BOX brown switches. It has exceeded my expectations in all facets. I love the built-in leg design and have never seen a design quite like it. It's a much better design than the little plastic legs that flip out. Those always seem to break for me at some point. The only thing I haven't tested is the software to control the lighting, but the keyboard itself is easily a 5/5.

I have been using this keyboard for about 4 months now, and for context this is my first mechanical keyboard and apologies for some incorrect terminology. Build: The keyboard is a bit loud for my liking (I have yet to try O-rings or quieter switches) however the sound is manageable (a thick desk pad removes a lot of the sound). In terms of build quality, it quite nice, the frame is all metal with a removable keyboard heightener to angle the keyboard towards you (it's magnetic, you just need to put a bit of elbow grease when taking it off). The keyboard does not possess any sort of sound dampening on the inside, which explains in part why it is so loud. Lighting: The LED lighting does provide a vast array of colors, however I have noticed a bug that when changing layers the brightness levels returns to the highest brightness level and not the one set at. Additionally, the edge lighting is pretty terrible. They are the same LEDs are the ones for the keys however, the edge lighting LEDs are spaced too far apart and create a gap in the lighting (it's extremely obvious and cannot be glossed over). Original keycaps: The keycaps the keyboard is shipped with feel OK, not bad, but not great. They feel like the metal that the keyboard is made of (even though they are plastic). The major complaint with the keycaps is that the letter shine-through is of very low quality. On almost every key, you can see black lines and shadows from pieces of plastic blocking the shine-through. The software: The big seller of the keyboard, the ability to program the firmware. I can attest that it does work and will stay to your settings even when it's suddenly unplugged. However there are major issues with the software used to achieve this, the software used has not been updated since release and is not user friendly in the slightest. I have used it maybe twice since initially setting up the keyboard and just setting the lighting to blue. Most of the pain of this software comes from setting up the lighting, it will make you cry at some points. If you aren't buying the keyboard for the lighting, then you won't see the software AS sucky. Programming layers and different keys isn't that much work and probably the hardest part is figuring out how to flash the keyboard for the first time. NOTE: The software issue is not just gemini but any keyboard using the kiibohd configurator (granted, they are more recently updated but the general UI problems still exist) Overall: I like the keyboard and I like the level customization to it. However, I cannot recommend this to the average person, if you are someone who programs or is used to using their problem solving skills, then I would say that this keyboard is an option. But to those who do not have those or are wanting it for the RGB, STAY AWAY. This style of programmable keyboard is not for the average user, and as a result has a very user-unfriendly interface. Be ready to write code (both in their KLL language and an external language like python to automate coding) so that you can have a cool lighting animation and be ready to struggle. TL:DR The keyboard is nice, but the software that comes with it is not for the average user and requires a bit of problem solving skills and programming ability if you want custom lighting animations. Buy at your own risk.

This is a really nice keyboard, with one real let-down (the software). Pros: - Really solidly made (outside of the RGB between the two parts, the top and bottom are both made of metal). - Good double-shot PBT shine-through Cherry profile keycaps as standard. - Easy to clean (floating keys always make keyboards so much easier to dust). - Very nice to type on %u2013 I went with the Kailh BOX Red switches as standard and they're very pleasant to use, easily better than Cherry MX Reds. - Dual USB C ports on the back, so you can pick whichever side is most convenient to plug it in to (Note: They do not offer passthrough, they're literally for plugging in your keyboard and that's it). - Included hard-case for travel (actually a really nice one too). - Powerful customisation options via the software, including the ability to have up to 7 layers of pre-sets for key functionality. - They even went as far as having custom switch housing made, so that it's black and blends in to the board. - Ability to hot swap switches. Cons: - Software basically hasn't been updated since release. There's an outstanding bug present since then (though there are workarounds available). - Software is not beginner friendly. If you're wanting a sleek easy to use UI like with most 'gaming' keyboards this probably isn't for you. I've been able to use it just fine to do everything 've wanted to do (customise layout, lighting, etc.) but I am a programmer and used to dealing with other people's badly made software. - Included Keycap remover is plastic. TL;DR: If you want a solidly made, pleasant to use keyboard with hot swappable switches that doesn't break the bank this is a good option. Between the keycaps, switches and software you have an incredible amount of customisation options. There is going to be a learning curve when it comes to the software for the average user however.

Just received this keyboard today and I am returning it. The software included with this keyboard is absolute garbage and doesn't seem like it's ever going to be updated. I was unable to change any of the lighting or remap any keys. It's too bad because everything else about this board is great.