REVIEW – If you don’t know by now, I’m a mechanical keyboard enthusiast, AKA nerd, and Das Keyboard will always hold a special place in my heart. You see, my first mechanical keyboard was a Model S with blue clicky switches. I wasn’t a good typist at the time, so I bought one with blank keycaps. Yes, I’m a masochist. It wasn’t easy, but I learned, and along the way, I really learned to appreciate a well-built keyboard. I also picked up 2 more Das Keyboards on down the road because I loved them so much. So when they offered the new Delta Force 65 for review, I knew I wanted in. I knew I would be getting a great keyboard, this is Dad Keyboard’s first 65%. The others I had were 100% and TKL, so I absolutely needed this one. Guess what? I GOT IT. I guess you’ve figured that out already. Now, read on if you want to know if it lived up to my expectations.
⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $219
Where to buy: Das Keyboard
What is it?
The Delta Force 65 is a 65% keyboard with hot-swappable switches, south-facing LEDs, full CNC aluminum case, a multifunction knob, and QMK/VIA app compatibility.
What’s included?
- One DeltaForce 65 keyboard
- One black USB-C cable (PVC)
- One keycap and switch puller
- Documentation
Tech specs
True PBT Dye-sublimation
65% compact layout
PBT keycaps – KCA profile
South-facing RGB LEDs
CNC aluminum case
CNC aluminum volume knob
Gasket mount architecture
Multiple layers of sound-absorbing material
Two-layer PCBA
Pre-lubed screw-in stabilizers
1000Hz polling rate
USB-C connector for detachable cable
Support for open source QMK/VIA firmware & software
Height: 1.5 in (3.8 cm)
Width: 4.5 in (11.4 cm)
Length: 12.5 in (31.8 cm)
Weight: 3.9 lbs (1.77 kg)
Cable length: 6 ft (detachable USB-C)
GATERON RED SWITCHES
Hot swappable
Pre-lubed
50M keystroke lifetime lifespan
Linear actuation
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
Designed in Austin, Texas
Made in China
AVAILABLE LAYOUTS
US ANSI Layout (65%)
WARRANTY INFORMATION
1-year limited hardware warranty
Design and features
Like I’ve said, the Delta Force 65 is the first 65% keyboard that Das Keyboard has produced so far as I know. This size is about as small as you can go without having to memorize a bunch of Fn key combos to accomplish some of my most widely used shortcuts and functions. First off, this saves a ton of space on your desktop, which is important when space is at a premium.
The next great feature is hot-swappable switches, which, in my case, was a must. You see, currently, the Delta Force 65 only comes with Gateron red switches. Now, Gateron makes some great switches, and if you’re a reds fan, you should be perfectly happy. I, however, am not, and I’ve made that plain over the dozens of keyboard reviews I’ve done. I did use the switches as is for a few weeks, but they’re way too responsive for my heavy-handedness. So if you’re a gamer or light typist, this thing will be fast.
For long-time Das Keyboard fans, you all know you could get one of their great boards in your favorite color, as long as that color was black. That’s not really an issue. But what if you wanted something different? With the Delta Force 65, Das Keyboard has dipped its toes into the camouflage color spectrum. They have four to choose from. I chose the Cyber Shadow camo colorway. Yeah, not the most exciting of colors, but the design looks great with that splash of red.
The key caps are PBT, so you don’t get that nasty, yucky shine after using them. They also used the dye-sublimation method for the cyber shadow camo design for a lasting finish. The legends are pretty sharp and not like some lesser quality key caps, where the legends can look fuzzy.
For you gamers or Razer fans, there are south-facing LEDs with plenty of customizations so you can drool over all the pretty colors. I like mine a little subdued, so I typically stick with a breathing mode with brightness turned down. And for customization fans, the Delta Force 65 is QMK and VIA compatible through the web app so you can change set yours up any way you like.
For typing comfort and that thocky sound we nerds are looking for, Das Keyboard gives us layers of gaskets and foam. Yes, Shrek and Donkey, layers, but not like an onion because not everyone likes onions. Das Keyboard has this to say about the subject. “The DeltaForce keyboard boasts a gasket architecture for an excellent typing feel, complemented by a multi-layered padded design for optimal sound quality. It includes three layers of sound-absorbing material—two layers of Poron and one IXPE layer. IXPE, or irradiation cross-linked polyethylene, is a lightweight, shock-absorbing, and moisture-resistant foam used for cushioning and sound dampening within the keyboard.”
Assembly, Installation, Setup
It’s plug and play. It works right out of the box, at least on a Windows system. I’m guessing it would be the same for a Mac since it’s compatible. As I’ve said earlier, though, if you really want to, you can customize it to your heart’s content using VIA and QMK.
Performance
True to Das Keyboard form, the Delta Force 65 performs admirably. The only issue I had was with the switches. Again, reds, I hate ’em. One thing that surprised me was that I didn’t have the normal cramped feeling I’ve had with other 65% keyboards. The Delta Force layout works great for me. I also fixed the switch issue by replacing them with tactile switches I like much better.
Final thoughts
Other than the switches, the only thing I don’t like is the included USB-C cable. It’s your typical, plastic-coated, boring cable. For the price of the keyboard, I would expect something a little nicer. Speaking of nicer, Das Keyboard does offer some great aviator-style cables and deskmats, albeit sold separately. I love the Delta Force 65. It has become my daily driver. I think it makes a perfect addition to the Das Keyboard lineup. Keyboard nerds like me should do themselves a favor and check it out.
What I like about Das Keyboard Delta Force 65 mechanical keyboard
- Build quality
- QMK/VIA compatibility
- Hot-swappable
- LAYERS! (of foam)
What needs to be improved?
- Give me a choice of switches
- Rethink that cable that comes with it
- To quote Delmar from O Brother, Where Art Thou? when he and Everett are breaking Pete out of prison, that’s all I got.
Price: $219
Where to buy: Das Keyboard
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by Das Keyboard. Das Keyboard did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
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- YUNZII AL80 QMK/VIA mechanical keyboard review
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