Qwertykeys x ATK Hex80 HE Custom Keyboard Review

Overview

The Qwertykeys x ATK Hex80 is a prebuilt TKL/80% custom Hall Effect (HE) keyboard designed in collaboration between Qwertykeys and ATK, bringing together Qwertykeys' expertise in the custom mechanical keyboards and ATK's expertise in the gaming space. With futuristic design elements (keycap fonts, bottom case design, RGB effects and accents), the Hex80 is a keyboard meant for gamers. The Hex80 provides a comfortable yet firm typing experience with its gasket mount, quick and responsive actuations with the Owlab Ti HE switches, an 8 KHz polling rate with extreme modes, and a intuitive web driver for customizability. The Qwertykeys x ATK Hex80 offers the best elements of both custom mechanical keyboards and gaming features and just might be the best sounding and feeling HE keyboard yet.

In this blog, we will deep dive into:

Design Features
Product Details
What's included in the box
Build Experience
Typing Feel
Typing Sound
Conclusion

Qwertykeys x ATK Hex80 Product Details

Hex80 Key Design Features

Mounting

Hex80 uses a gasket mount to provide a comfortable typing experience while retaining stability for accurate gaming performance. It uses a carbon fiber plate to add firmness to the softer gasket mount, balancing a typing feel that is softer than something like a tray mount or top mount while also providing enough rigidness for accuracy and responsiveness during gaming.

Top Case

The top case of the Hex80 definitely stands out. The first thing you'll notice are the accents above the arrow keys. They're not just for show either. The accents on the Hex80 also has practicality by being physical button that control the RGB modes (left two buttons) and also toggles between different keymap profiles (right triangular button).

The Hex80 is designed with uneven bezels with thicker top and bottom bezels and thinner side bezels. It also has chamfered edges, adding another dimension and striking shadows to the Hex80.

Bottom Case

The Hex80 went above and beyond for the bottom case design. When you flip the Hex80 over, the first thing you'll notice is the unique design of the bottom weight. It has an integrated PVD mirror polished weight as well as several cutouts that is gives the Hex80 its own character, truly making it a one of a kind custom keyboard. The PVD mirror polish is perfect and has a small tasteful engraving on the corner with the logo Hex80 ATK Gear x QC.

Side Profile

The side profile of the Hex80 is very intricate. With its multiple layers of design, it's kind of like a box on wedge on another wedge. There is an initial incline that rounds into the bottom case, providing a sleek design element while also providing a practical area for your fingers to be able to lift the Hex80. And then the bottom weight adds another layer underneath the first part of the bottom case, giving the Hex80 a unique side profile that sounds out.

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PCB Design

RGB

The Hex80 features south-facing per-key RGB which you can toggle between different RGB effect modes by pushing the buttons above the arrow keys. On the left are two buttons, with the one on the top used as the RGB switch and the one on the bottom used as the Light Bar switch. On the right is a triangular key used to toggle between different profiles.

If you're a gamer who enjoys RGB, the Hex80 is just for you, with a wide selection of RGB modes, effects, and colors. Or if you would prefer to use the Hex80 without the RGB then you can always toggle it off for a more stealth setup.

Connection

For connectivity, the Hex80 is used in wired mode. It features a 32K scan rate, 8000Hz polling rate, 0.08Ms latency, and 0.01mm sensitivity.

For software, the Hex80 uses ATK's HUB drive that is accessible by web browser and desktop client. It supports features such as: RT (Rapid Trigger), RS (Rappy Snappy), adjustable actuation points, SOCD (Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions), DKS (Dynamic Keystrokes), MT (Mod Tap), TGL (Toggle Key), and key remapping, and music-reactive lighting.

The Hex80 also features the ability to achieve 120% overclocking performance to maximize its performance.

With these features the Hex80 maximizes what a Hall Effect gaming keyboard can offer.

Hex80 Switch Details

The Qwertykeys x ATK Hex80 comes prebuilt with Owlab Ti HE magnetic switches. They're made with a proprietary PG-3 self-lubricating material to achieve an smooth and stable typing experience.

Owlab Ti HE Magnetic Switch Details:

Type: Linear
Top Housing Material: PC
Bottom Housing Material: PA (closed-bottom)
Stem Material: POM
Bottom-Out Force: 50g
Total Travel: 3.4mm
Initial Magnetic Flux: 120gs
Bottom-Out Magnetic Flux: 50gs
Factory Lube: Yes

Owlab Ti HE Magnetic Switches

What's included in the Hex80 box?

Includes:

ATK x QK Hex80 Prebuilt Keyboard
Custom Carrying Case
User Manual
Quick Start Guide

Complimentary Extras:

8K USB Cable
Switch & Keycap Puller
4 Backup Switches

Hex80 Build Experience

The Hex80 comes prebuilt with switches, plate-mount stabilizers, keycaps, and 5 layers of foam (Poron foam, IXPE and PE sheets, and two layers of case foam).

Since the Hex80 comes prebuilt, the initial build experience is mostly comprised of the unboxing and setup experience. The Hex80 is amazing to use straight out of the box, but for those who are interested in tinkering with different configs (keycaps, switches, mounting, etc), below are our thoughts on the build experience.

The Hex80 is designed with a hidden screw design, that is accessible by removing the keycaps surrounding the area of strategically placed screws.
Fully customizable with different switches (check for HE switch compatibility) and keycaps.

Hex80 Typing Sound

The Qwertykeys x ATK Hex80 comes prebuilt with an acoustic package, which includes 5 layers of foam, with Owlab Ti HE magnetic switches, and PC keycaps. The combination of the Hex80's case design as well as these components come together to create a typing sound that is unique to the Hex80.

Stock

In its stock form, the Hex80 sounds just as good as a standard custom mechanical keyboard. Magnetic HE keyboards usually have a reputation of not having the best typing sounds when compared to mechanical keyboards, but the Hex80 redefines what HE keyboards can offer in terms of typing sounds. The Owlab Ti HE switches provide a smooth and full sound profile, while the 5 layers of foam give the Hex80 that marbly sound signature. The stock plate mounted stabilizers are also well tuned straight out of the box giving the mod keys clean and consistent performance with no rattle or ticking from the stabilizers. The stock keycaps give the Hex80 its own character, but if you are not a fan of PC keycaps, you can always swap them out for something like PBT keycaps to give it a more thocky typing sound. There is no hollowness or pinging within the Hex80, it is truly a well designed keyboard that brings together the best of the gaming features with the best of the custom keyboard features.

Hex80 Hall Effect Keyboard Unboxing and Sound Test:

Hex80 Typing Feel

Right out of the box, The Qwertykeys x ATK Hex80 in stock form provides a smooth and comfortable typing feel. The implementation of the gasket mount with gasket sleeves provides a nice typing feel especially when bottoming out, something that tray mounted Hall Effect keyboards lack. To balance the relatively softer mounting style, the Hex80 uses a carbon fiber plate to provide more rigidity for a more controlled gaming experience. The Hex80 is comfortable because the gasket mount absorbs any excess force and vibrations, while also retaining the stability needed to game with precision and accuracy. The OwlabTi HE switches work in harmony with this mounting style by providing a smooth and responsive actuation. The Hex80 is am amazing option for a gaming HE custom keyboard that balances comfort with performance.

Conclusion

The Qwertykeys x ATK Hex80 stands as refined custom Hall Effect (HE) keyboard that blends premium design elements with enthusiast-level performance, all at an accessible price point. The Qwertykeys x ATK Hex80 sets a new standard for what a prebuilt custom HE keyboard can be like. The Qwertykeys x ATK Hex80 is visually stunning, and customizable with different switches, keycaps, and RGB lighting. In collaboration with ATK, the Qwertykeys x ATK Hex80 maximizes its features to produce a custom gaming keyboard with premium features like the 120% overclocking performance. It can also be practical for everyday use as well with the option to switch from extreme mode to normal mode.

Things to Note

Before installing magnetic hall effect switches on your Qwertykeys x ATK Hex80, check and ensure they are compatible with the Hex80. Depending on the design of the board, incompatible magnetic switches may damage the HE PCB.