In this review, I’m looking at the Epomaker x Feker Galaxy80 mechanical keyboard. The Galaxy 80 has a full aluminium alloy shell, triple connection modes and RGB backlights with music rhythm sync. It’s priced at $105.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by EPOMAKER for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
EPOMAKER x Feker Galaxy80
Table of Contents
In the Box
- Keyboard
- USB-C Cable
- 2.4G Receiver
- Keycap Puller
- Manual
Design
The Epomaker x Feker Galaxy80 is a tenkeyless mechanical keyboard that comes prebuilt out of the box. The first word that came to mind as I lifted the Galaxy80 from the box was ‘heavy’. This thing has a solid aluminium case and is built like a tank.
There are 5 different colourways available and a barebones kit if you’re more of a DIY person. An LED strip under the editing cluster indicates the wireless pairing and battery charge status. It’s a nice addition but, unfortunately, you can’t sync the colours with the main RGB lighting (as far as I can tell).
Just next to the arrow keys is a removable magnetic plate with a star inscription on it. Removing the plate reveals the 2.4GHz wireless dongle.
Galaxy80 has south-facing RGB LED lighting with 19 preset lighting modes and customizable per-key lighting.
The Epomaker x Feker Galaxy80 comes with Marble White linear switches. The switches are quite light with a 42g actuation force and 47g bottom-out force. Naturally, the switches and keycaps are all hot-swappable so you can swap them out at will without the need for any soldering.
As for the keycaps, we get MDA profile double-shot PBT keycaps. They have an old-school aesthetic with clear, uniform symbols. The keycaps feel nicely constructed and have a satisfying solidity to the touch.
Galaxy80 has a leaf-spring gasket structure to facilitate improved typing feel, reduced vibration and noise and customization flexibility. The gasket mount combined with PORON sandwich cotton, IXPE switch pad, PET acoustic pad, EMDP switch cotton, and PET bottom pad provides a crisp, clear response with a pleasing resonance.
Software
The software (available here) allows users to customize key mapping, macros and RGB lighting. It’s fairly basic but works well and adds a lot of versatility to the keyboard. Unfortunately, there’s no VIA support but the provided software covers most of everything you need for full customization.
Connectivity Modes
The EPOMAKER x Feker Galaxy80 presents users with a selection of three connectivity alternatives: USB, Bluetooth, and 2.4G wireless. Toggling between these options is a simple task, facilitated by the switch located on the keyboard’s rear panel.
Upon testing, I found all three connectivity solutions to perform admirably. The Bluetooth connection works fine but if you’re doing any fast-paced gaming, I’d highly recommend you use 2.4GHz which is super responsive and indistinct from using the wired connection.
Epomaker x Feker Galaxy80 Typing Performance
The marble white switches are yet another new format for me and so far, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with their performance. However, I still prefer a higher actuation force but that is purely personal preference, of course.
The typing experience is exceptional for a keyboard at this price. The material and texture of the keycaps feel premium under my fingers. With the gasket mount and various material layers, there’s enough give in the keys to provide softness while typing while still feeling crisp and tactile. The stabilizers have good stability and smoothness.
The auditory impression of the Galaxy80 is characterized by roundness, clarity, and a hint of clinking. It’s a satisfying sound that’s loud enough to give you auditory feedback but not so much that it will disturb other people nearby. Whether you’re typing out lengthy documents, engaging in intense gaming sessions, or simply enjoying casual browsing, the keyboard’s responsive feel and comfortable layout are fantastic.
Verdict
In conclusion, the Epomaker x Feker Galaxy80 is a stunning performer for a $100 keyboard. I can’t think of another keyboard that can compete at this price concerning build quality, features and performance. If you’re in the market for a TKL mechanical keyboard, this model deserves a spot near the top of your consideration list. Recommended.
