Plum Nano75 Electrastatic Capacitive Bluetooth RGB Keyboard

TT1 · 01 Sep 2017, 20:47

Hi guys, 1st post here, didn't know there were other big keyboard communities a part from geekhack

(i'm a newbie/mainstream keyboard enthusiast!).

I was thinking about buying a plum nano 75 but i had a few questions. Firstly, is it an easy keyboard to program? I would like to program 1 of the layers (i assume the pro layer) for gaming and swap back and forth between my gaming and office (regular layout for windows) layouts. The keys i was thinking about changing (for my gaming layout) are:

F2, F3 and F4 to Q,W and E // 0 to ` (tilde key, next to 1) // 9 to tab // tab to caps (no need to re-bind caps lock), would i be able to do this? Also is the software hard to use? I wouldn't be able to handle anything complex. My limit would pretty much be to install the software and re-bind the keys on it, that's about it haha.

Also, in order to use the arrow keys do i HAVE to change the keyboard to "media mode", is there no other way of having access to them (while being on office layout)?

Thanks for your time!

mech greenhand · 02 Sep 2017, 07:06

In office mode, Fn+ W,A,S,D functions as arrows

TT1 · 02 Sep 2017, 07:45

And is the only way to change between layouts (office to pro for example) with the switch behind the keyboard? There's no way to program a key that would allow us to change between the different modes (office/pro/media)?

I actually don't mind having to use the switch behind the keyboard to change modes, just wondering if it's possible to program a key that would let us change modes a bit quicker.

zslane · 02 Sep 2017, 17:52

Switching between modes is strictly through the physical switch.

Flemoz · 08 Sep 2017, 22:48

I just got a hold of the 45g variant of the Plum75 and the first impressions were really positive. Coming from Cherry MX Clear, the switches felt buttery smooth like nothing I've ever tried before and don't even get me started on the satisfying sound it makes.
Unfortunately, it had some severe keychattering issues with about 5 switches with one of them (the Q switch) starting to give out some rattling noises as well when pressed.

Apparently, I must have been really unlucky in this department, since I can't find any info on others having the same issue with Plum keyboards. Here's hoping that I can somehow get it replaced through AliExpress : (

mech greenhand · 09 Sep 2017, 05:55

HI, did you get it from my shop ( ez mandarin shoppers ) ?
If it is new new bluetooth non-backlit version, this can be fixed by the firmware update. I have sent you the file download link on aliexpress.
This problem was caused by the new function in the keyboard. This function was not in the RGB version.

Flemoz · 09 Sep 2017, 09:43

Yes, I did indeed get it from your shop. I also downloaded the firmware and installed it, which fixed the issue! Thank you very much!
I had no idea the keyboard was a new version, do you mind telling me what the difference is from the new and old version is?

mech greenhand · 09 Sep 2017, 09:50

One major change is the stroke changeover between 2mm and 3mm for the new keyboard. But seems it is not perfectly done yet, so the new firmware update just frozed this function for the moment...

mech greenhand · 09 Sep 2017, 09:52

This has no impact on keyboard normal use. Plum engineers keep working to add more functions to the keyboard to make it more powerful...

Flemoz · 09 Sep 2017, 09:58

I see, thanks for your help : )

zslane · 22 Sep 2017, 20:34

hexpyws wrote: ↑Anyone have any commentary on the battery life on Bluetooth?

So I've been tracking the time between charges on my Plum Nano 75 here at work, and have found that I get around 80 hours between charges, and that's with the RGB backlighting turned OFF. That is what we would expect from the old BT 3.0 model, not the new BT 4.0 model, so I'm not sure why the battery performance is so poor.

Re: Loud thwack noise
I was able to determine what causes the really loud noise when stabilized (SA profile) keys bottom out, and it turns out to be the stabilizer wire smacking against the plate. My solution has been to put small strips of felt around the stabilizer mounts so that the wires have something soft to land on.

This Nano 75 has been really good as my iPad keyboard, but I still think I'd prefer a 60% version of it (in white of course), without RGB backlighting, and with longer battery life.

blueredcat · 24 Sep 2017, 13:12

Has anyone got the non-backlight version? What is the battery life if so?

mech greenhand · 25 Sep 2017, 14:12

Roughly 10 days with normal use...

mikehotel · 03 Oct 2017, 00:28

Just ordered my black 75 w/ 45g! Hoping to keep it all stock

mech greenhand · 03 Oct 2017, 05:45

mikehotel wrote: ↑Just ordered my black 75 w/ 45g! Hoping to keep it all stock

Hi,

Yes got your order, but pls note the black version is only wired , not with bluetooth ..
Are you aware of it ?

mikehotel · 03 Oct 2017, 06:01

mech greenhand wrote: ↑
mikehotel wrote: ↑Just ordered my black 75 w/ 45g! Hoping to keep it all stock

Hi,

Yes got your order, but pls note the black version is only wired , not with bluetooth ..
Are you aware of it ?

Yes, I don't use bluetooth. It's exactly what I am looking for

TT1 · 06 Oct 2017, 20:57

EDIT: Nvm i figured out the problem, had to restart my computer before i could get the key rebind software to work (it wouldn't save any of my new key binds before that).

Kirigarou · 12 Oct 2017, 12:01

Hi is the RGB version of this keyboard Wireless?

mech greenhand · 12 Oct 2017, 17:01

Kirigarou wrote: ↑Hi is the RGB version of this keyboard Wireless?

There was a bluetooth RGB nano75 keyboard, but now it is out of stock and probably no more productions.
All new stock of bluetooth keyboards are non backlit. Same thing for the plum84/87/108 bluetooth EC keyboards.

mikehotel · 21 Oct 2017, 18:11

Does the black version have PBT keycaps? If not, where can I find some?

rich1051414 · 21 Oct 2017, 23:04

I am not sure I understand this keyboard. Is this keyboard supposed to be a Topre clone? The price of it is confusing. Seeing as this keyboard is a clone, I cannot understand paying a topre like price. It seems to miss the mark on hitting any large niche in the market. Only the particularly curious would buy it, as a topre is nearly as cheap and has the accolades to justify the price.

$150 for the 75% is a lot of money, that is well into the premium category, a place where clones are rarely considered. Perhaps someone can explain what these boards are offering that is particularly unique.

zslane · 22 Oct 2017, 00:04

I think these differentiate themselves from Topre in the following ways:

1. They have MX stems. The only Topre keyboard that has this feature is the Realforce RGB which is a $250+ product.
2. Some of them have Bluetooth (like my Nano 75).
3. They are fully programmable.

Also, Plums aren't manufactured in the same numbers as Topre boards, which means they don't enjoy the same level of cost reduction due to volume production.

So ultimately the price tag is a bit high, not because a Plum is a "premium" product, but because it is a niche produce with a unique set of features manufactured in relatively small numbers.

mikehotel · 22 Oct 2017, 05:19

I tried the HHKB, and every single variation of the Realforce 87 keyboards. I prefer the Plumb switch. It sounds close enough to topre (for me, at least) and feels better. Absolutely worth the price IMO. Well, that's because genuine topre is absurdly expensive.

I'm currently typing on the 45g 75 black version, but I'm deciding if I prefer the 35g 87 version better.

mech greenhand · 22 Oct 2017, 06:11

mikehotel wrote: ↑Does the black version have PBT keycaps? If not, where can I find some?

The black 75 keyboard has POM keycaps, not PBT. But this keyboard is compatible with standard size cherry mx keycap, so you can replace with other keycaps as you like.

blueredcat · 26 Oct 2017, 05:17

Is there a bluetooth 75 black with POM?

mech greenhand · 26 Oct 2017, 14:53

For now, the black 75 is only wired version, no bluetooth yet. White Bluetooth version has PBT keycaps.

zslane · 26 Oct 2017, 19:03

I'm looking forward to the 60% model. I'm hoping it will be:

1. Bluetooth
2. NOT backlit RGB
3. Available in white

nimblekimble · 11 Nov 2017, 09:40

It looks like I'm running into a problem with the new bluetooth+usb keyboard (non-backlit) and possibly stroke changeover. Some keys are working fine, then there are some that only register every 2nd or 3rd keystroke(p, [, ...), and some keys don't register at all (\, BackSpace, +, ...). I've installed the new firmware 3 weeks ago or so, but that only helped matters for a bit, and the faulty behavior started showing again after half an hour or so.

It seems to be somewhat better when using Windows (at least on Windows when I click Fn+F9 I seem to be able to sort of 'reset' the keyboard and the faulty keys work again for a bit), but I usually don't have a Windows machine available most of the time. Although, maybe I'm interpreting this wrong and it's not Windows that makes things better but something else.

Anybody else got similar problems?

mech greenhand · 15 Nov 2017, 16:34

nimblekimble wrote: ↑It looks like I'm running into a problem with the new bluetooth+usb keyboard (non-backlit) and possibly stroke changeover. Some keys are working fine, then there are some that only register every 2nd or 3rd keystroke(p, [, ...), and some keys don't register at all (\, BackSpace, +, ...). I've installed the new firmware 3 weeks ago or so, but that only helped matters for a bit, and the faulty behavior started showing again after half an hour or so.

It seems to be somewhat better when using Windows (at least on Windows when I click Fn+F9 I seem to be able to sort of 'reset' the keyboard and the faulty keys work again for a bit), but I usually don't have a Windows machine available most of the time. Although, maybe I'm interpreting this wrong and it's not Windows that makes things better but something else.

Anybody else got similar problems?

Hi, yes, FN+F9 is the changeover of two different stroke distance for the keys. Did you buy from my shop ? And which firmware version do you use ?
If the situation still does not help much, we can contact plum for further support, like offering the PCB assembly unit to changeover or other solutions. Please PM me if you need support.

Lbibass · 17 Nov 2017, 16:30

Hey, just curious if you'd ever release a 60% keyboard. I like the price point, and the nice keycaps, but I want a slightly smaller form factor!