Hero 84 2018 Edition Mechanical Keyboard Cherry MX Switches Mini Gaming 84 Keys Keyboard (Stop Production) (Cherry MX Brown)

Used it for Gaming. Keys are misfiring. Something is wrong with the wiring. Wires are crossed.

I really wanted to love this keyboard, but I ended up returning it due to what I think was a faulty USB port (will explain further below). There are also things to know below such as slight layout/picture discrepancies and 2 keycaps that were switched and not interchangeable.Disclosure: This was my first true mechanical keyboard experience. I'm now typing on a kbd75.The box it came with says Keycool 84 2S RGB/LED. Everything else included in the box was written in Chinese including a packet with instructions. It included the keyboard, a USB connector, a plastic keycap puller, and a keycool Velcro wire organizer.The Good:Layout: The 84 key layout is definitely a nice form factor and isn't available as readily as other form factors at lower price points. Its only about a foot in length, so it doesn't take up much desk-space. As someone who uses a drawing tablet frequently and looking for desk-space, this is a big bonus. Also, if you play any MMOs, the function keys being so nicely laid out can definitely have an appeal.Build Quality: Overall, seemed really solid. Didn't flex much. Its plastic, had a rounded thin bezel, rubber feet, and the lift in the back could go up or down. It also comes with a little plastic housing for where the USB port plugs into - as its supposed to help avoid damage. There are also 3 different routing choices for the wire, so you could channel it to the sides easier if you wanted. This model has no backlighting, but the capslock key does light up when activated. As a side note, I have reason to believe the PCB is pre-wired for LED, possible even RGB, in case you were interested in modding - you'd have to solder on the LEDs and resistors. Afterall, the box it came in says its LED/RGB very apparently.The stabilizers - After the short time I had it, started to get the rattle, especially the backspace. They probably could be lubed or something.Keycaps: The keycaps it comes with are nice. The color theme is called chalk. The PBT maybe felt a little more rockier texture than other's I've tried, but I haven't tried much. I did some searching around and found the keyset by itself for about $35.Cherry Mx: I did a double check and this indeed comes with switches labeled as Cherry (included picture). My personal preference was MX browns. The bump is near the middle, and they were light. It was my first mechanical experience and my typing speed went through the roof immediately, at least compared to a laptop keyboard.The Bad:USB issues: I don't want to deter anyone for this reason. I probably was unlucky, but I had connecting/disconnecting issues to my windows 10 laptop. I tried everything I could. Did the same on other machines. Definitely narrowed it down to a problem with the keyboard.I was told by many that it was probably a faulty USB port issue on the keyboard. If amazon didn't have such a good return policy, I could have probably soldered the connection. I liked it enough where I thought of ordering it again, but I went with something else instead.Picture discrepancies:The amazon seller has pictures of a keyboard that has an attached braided cable with a windows key on the left side and a function key on the right side. Other people received that version of the keyboard, as I saw a review on reddit where the guy says the cable is attached, for this same exact listing.The version I received had a detachable cable, which is actually a GOOD thing, but nonetheless the cable wasn't braided, so it differs from the picture.Switched Keycaps:The biggest thing to me was that the windows keycap and the function keycap were switched AND different sizes, so they couldn't be swapped out. Also since it isn't programmable, its just something you'd have to deal with, at least until you switch out some keycaps. For example, initially I thought that all of the function + F1-12 key shortcuts were not working. This was until I started hitting Windows + F1-F12, so yeah. There is that.I actually contacted the seller about this because I was curious if they could send me out the correct keycaps. They said it is all they have and that all of their stock is the same.As I was saying before though, not everyone received the same version of the keyboard I received. I'm pretty sure others got the pictured version earlier on in the year. On the keycool website they list a keyboard that has a keycap set that looks similar to this one, except the board they have listed is their newest bluetooth compatible one. My bet is the seller here (or their supplier) are trying to mimic the look of that same board but without bluetooth.Summary:Overall, for the price and the contents, you get a pretty good deal. It was $120 all in all - decent keycaps, 84 key layout, decent build quality, cherry mx switches, and the fact that you have the amazon return policy. If I wasn't having USB disconnecting issues, I would have kept it.If you do a little research you can find this board elsewhere for slightly cheaper but from overseas. I'm speaking for the version I received, not the original version they were selling. Overall, including the fact that you can buy with Amazon's return policy, makes this version a nice value. It is fairly hard to find anything else in this form factor that is still available at the time of this writing that has cherry mx switches under $120.

So far I gotta say I love this keyboard. The presentation, keycaps and style are amazing. Loving the MX brown key caps (they have a better feel for typing than reds by a lot ).I like keeping things short and simple so let me brief it:Pros:- 84 key format. Best format (IMO), having all keys reachable without having to raise your palm.- Caps have an amazing feel which makes it easier to get used to and recognize where you are at on the board.- Loved the Cherry MX Browns. As always, great switches.- Good function keys for gaming like the windows lock (fn + Windows Key) or the keyboard lock (fn + F12)- Art style/design. Don't need to say much about this. A preference thing, but it has some nice "swag".Cons:- The only con it has is the lack of num lock through fn keys. Is the only thing I miss, but haven't needed so far.All in all, would recommend 100% based on the sad fact that there are too few keyboards on this form factor.