CIDOO V98
96% QMK Wireless Gasket Hot Swappable Aluminium Mechanical Keyboard
- 98 keys, 96% layout with a Knob
- 6063 Aluminum Case
- Fully Compatible with QMK Firmware
- Dye-Sub PBT Keycaps in Cherry Profile
- Tri-Mode Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz and Type-C
CIDOO V98
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Product Feaftures
96% QMK Wireless Gasket Hot Swappable Aluminium Mechanical Keyboard
- 98 keys, 96% layout with a Knob
- 6063 Aluminum Case
- Fully Compatible with QMK Firmware
- Dye-Sub PBT Keycaps in Cherry Profile
- Tri-Mode Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz and Type-C
CIDOO V Series
Renowned for its exceptional performance, the CIDOO V series continues to impress with models like the V65 (65%), V75 (75%), V87 (TKL), and V68 (Alice). The latest addition, the V98, features a 96% layout, also known as the 1800 layout. This compact design offers nearly all the functionality of a full-sized keyboard with 98 keys, while maintaining a size not much larger than a TKL, providing the perfect balance of usability and space efficiency.
6063 Aluminum Case and Cherry Profile Dyesub PBT Keycaps
The CIDOO V98 boasts a robust 6063 aluminum case, available in powder-coated (Prebuild) and electrophoretic (barebone kit) finishes. These finishes enhance durability and resist daily wear. Complementing its retro aesthetic, the keyboard features grey-beige Cherry profile dyesub PBT keycaps. These keycaps are more durable and oil-resistant compared to ABS, ensuring the legends remain clear and long-lasting.
QMK Compatibility and Onboard Memory
Fully compatible with QMK firmware, the CIDOO V98 allows extensive customization, including key remapping, macro creation, and custom shortcuts. The onboard memory stores your settings, making it easy to switch between devices without reconfiguration. This feature significantly boosts productivity and ease of use.
Gasket Mount with 5 Layers of Foams and Finely-Tuned Stabilizers
To provide an unparalleled typing experience, the V98 incorporates a gasket mount with five layers of sound-dampening foams: plate foam, IXPE switch pads, sound-improving film, EVA foam, and case foam. Combined with flex-cut PC plate and finely tuned stabilizers, these elements work together to deliver a clean, satisfying acoustic experience.
Hotswappable PCB and CIDOO Pearl White Switches
The V98 includes a hotswappable PCB, allowing users to easily swap their favorite switches. It comes standard with CIDOO Pearl White Linear Switches, pre-lubed and featuring a 40g actuation force—ideal for both typing and gaming. The switches, with PC and Pa66 housings and a POM stem, provide a rounded typing feel.
Tri-Mode Connectivity and 4000mAh Battery
Supporting Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless, and Type-C USB wired connections, the CIDOO V98 offers seamless connectivity up to 10 meters. The 4000mAh battery ensures long-lasting performance across all three modes, perfect for multitasking.
Rotary Knob for Media Control
A convenient rotary knob allows for easy media control, letting users adjust volume and mute with simple rotations and presses.
Specifications for Custom Switch
CIDOO Pearl White Switch
- Type: Linear
- Pin: 5pin
- Upper Housing Material: PC
- Bottom Housing Material: Pa66
- Stem Material: POM
- Stem Length: 13.44mm
- Spring Length: 21mm
- Actuation Force: 40g ± 5g
- Actuation Travel: 2 ± 0.3mm
- Bottom-out Force: 45g ± 5g
- Bottom-out Travel: 3.6 ± 0.2mm
- Bottom out Force : 60gf Max
- Lifespan: 50 million keystrokes
TECHNICAL DETAILS
- CIDOO V98 Keyboard
- Keycap/switch puller
- Instruction Manual
- USB Cable
- Hex Wrench
Customer Reviews
I bought this keyboard in silent red and also bought a cheap keyboard on Amazon as my first mechanical keyboards. For someone new to this world I could definitely tell and feel the difference; the heaviness and quality and the sound of the clicking, just everything felt better so I understand the quality of a good keyboard and I like the look of this a lot. Great keyboard for me to game and work and do school on. It is harder to type on depending on your switch preferences though but I like mine a lot!
This keyboard is such a high quality keyboard. I love the colors, how heavy duty it is, the stock switches, stabilizers, and the keycaps. This beat my expectations by a mile! Thank you Cidoo 😁
I'm incredibly fond of the sound of the keyboard and its appearance
s soon as Cidoo released the V98, I ordered it to add to my collection alongside the the V21, V65 v2, V75 and V87.
TLDR:
Gorgeous vibe and build quality. Perfect for daily use, programming, absolutely the "sweetspot" layout when compared to 75%/TKL/full-sized keyboards.
Below is a short breakdown/review:
Layout (96%): 4/5
I would have like an extra 1 or 2 keys at the top on the function row e.g. "Printscreen" and "Home", but thanks to the VIA/QMK firmware, this can easily be reprogrammed/added.
Design/build-quality: 5/5
Being made of solid aluminium and powder coated in "retro beige", the build quality and solid retro-vibe is great - just as you'd expect if you owned their other V-series keyboards.
VIA: 5/5
As a Linux user, I relied on the VIA-appimage (github) for reprogramming the keys/adding custom binds...it worked perfectly.
Wireless: 5/5
While testing bluetooth/2.4ghz connectivity, I experienced a stable connection without any drops/delays. If I had to pick a wireless mode It'd be 2.4ghz for the lower latency, but I use wired most of the same anyway.
As a user of mechanical gaming keyboards for years I though I knew what they were like. But I was wrong, the quality of this keyboard while also being hotswapable is an absolute dream! While lacking in software it uses open source via which is miles better than glitchy shitty software looking at you green company, but also the feeling to type it just has that premium feel! Going to take a while to get used to the 98% but otherwise loving it! My only complaint is that the keyshortcuts for changing things on the board wasn't working for me but nothing that wasn't solvable by the via software and initially that my windows key and alt key where swapped by default which was odd! But decides that loving the keyboard and more than happy with my purchase!
