I already had it last year. The special thing about it is that although it is a complete keyboard, it has the characteristics of custom keyboards: Most components can be exchanged or replaced.
Now comes the highlight: It is also possible to put together this model yourself directly via the configurator. And that's exactly what I did.
But there are two things to consider: The more specific our requirements are, the more expensive the keyboard will be. In addition, many components are not available in the German layout.
It was important to me to check the configurator for user-friendliness, to see what service was offered and in what quality and ultimately how well it succeeded in creating my dream keyboard.
You can read about how much the whole thing would have cost me without a voucher code and what hurdles there were in the test for the Glorious GMMK 3 HE.
Transparency notice: Glorious gave me a free key to put together the GMMK 3 and for shipping. This allowed me to put together whatever I wanted. I refused preferential treatment in shipping processing (as a press representative) or simply did not take advantage of it. So shipping took as long as it would take with anyone else.
The keyboard was neatly packaged and arrived undamaged.
Which components and why?
- Basic flat:GMMK 3 Switch Plate 100 % Polycarbonate ISO (+8 Euro)
- Cable:Glorious Coiled Cable Phantom Black (+45 Euro)
- Rotary knob:GMMK Rotary Knob Jet Black
- Logo tiles:GMMK 3 Badge Jet Black Vertical
- Keycaps:Keycaps Polychroma DE (+12 Euro)
- Switch:Glorious Switches Panda Silent HE 100 ISO (+99 Euro)
- Top:GMMK 3 Top-Case Plastic Black 100
- Bottom:GMMK 3 Bottom Case Metal Black 100 (+120 Euro)
- LED orientation and connection type:GMMK 3 100 % North-Facing Wireless HE ISO (+285 Euro)
The configurator consists of ten steps in which we choose our components
The complete keyboard would be perfect for me with these configurations582 Euro, plus shipping to Germany cost 13 euros.
I have to say that at almost every point there was something that would only have been available on a US layout keyboard. I thought that was a shame, but this problem exists in other custom shops as well. The selection is significantly smaller with the German layout.
My choice – colors, layout and formats
Since I already have the Glorious GMMK 3 HE in my privately preferred 75 percent design, I decided on the classic full format. Besides, I know through oneand this post will have more value for you if I follow it.
For the case, I decided on polycarbonate in the ISO DE layout, because here too I assume that most of you will want the German layout when putting together a keyboard.
It should be polycarbonate because I like massive, heavy keyboards that can take a beating.
The cable and replacement keycaps are included with the keyboard.
Originally I wanted to create a gaming keyboard in the GameStar Tech design (i.e. with lots of purple and white). However, I couldn't even begin to realize this wish with the options available. Neither the available housing colors nor the keycaps were sufficient for this.
Also the color of the cablethwarted my plans, so I mentally said goodbye to my desired keyboard. My next alternative was a green model with a corresponding cable and keycaps. But that didn't work with the existing selection in Boardsmith either.
Last option: Simple black, because retrofitting the Glorious GMMK 3 is fortunately possible without any problems - but suddenly the black standard keycaps were sold out in the shop.
Upon request from GloriousI was once again confirmed that I could not get the keyboard in green and that the corresponding keycaps would not be available in the DE layout until further notice. A few days later, the simple black standard caps were informed that they were now available again. At least something.
So I went to Boardsmith for what felt like the 100th time to start planning my keyboard again. But even with the simple choice of black there were disagreements.
Das Coiled-Cable(A matter of taste, I know) it was available in black and now I could also get black keycaps, but in combination with my other components the top of the case is only made of plastic instead of metal. Even after some fiddling with the configurator, it stayed that way, while the underside is made of metal.
As requested, I got the knob and logo badge made of metal and in black.
Even laypeople can quickly follow all the steps in the Boardsmith configurator. There is a question mark for each important property. If you click on this, what it's about is explained in an easy-to-understand manner.
Delivery dates and service
- Ordered am22 October 2024
- 22 October:Order confirmed
- 24 October:Information by email that my keyboard is being assembled, with a linked guide so that I can take a closer look at the features in advance
- 29 October:Receive a 10 percent discount voucher by email for your next order (something like this can be handy if you want additional accessories afterwards)
- 29 October:Shipping info with FedEx tracking number
- 3. November:Info email about customizing with linked guides and software how-to
- 4. November:Information that there was a problem with the delivery and that I should contact the carrier
- Carrier message:
Delay in clearance - import
- Carrier message:
- 12. November:Email asking you to rate the keyboard (yes...)
- 14. November:Receipt of the keyboard
Although I'm happy with my keyboard, it's far from what I originally wanted. A fancy GameStar tech keyboard would have been my dream. However, Glorious cannot be blamed for the modest selection for the German layout, as other manufacturers of custom prebuilds also struggle with it. That again is the oneowed. If what is offered is not enough for you, you will have to switch to a different layout.
The overall price is also likely to annoy many people. The higher the requirements and material quality, the more expensive your keyboard will be.
