MechLands Vibe99

MechLands Vibe99, one of the latest keyboards from Mechlands.

The Mechlands Vibe99 makes part of the largest mechanical keyboards from the brand; being specifically part of the Vibe series – in the past we have reviewed the 75% sibling of the Vibe99 (Mechlands Vibe75)

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MechLands Vibe99 Review

Tests & Scores

ACCESSORIES & PACKAGING
³^_/5

The Mechlands Vibe99 comes in a simple cardboard box including inside:

• USB cable
• Switch/keycap puller

DESIGN
^4.25^_/5

As we mentioned in the intro, the Mechlands Vibe99 is one of the larger models from the brand and despite looking like a 100% full-sized keyboard, this one has instead an optimized 98%, 1800 layout.

This layout means that it can offer almost all the keys of a full-sized layout but with a noticeably smaller foot print.

In fact, the Vibe99 includes 100 keys, the full F number row and a complete numpad.

On top of that, between the main keys and the numpad you can find a display screen and a column of 2 navigation keys (page up and page down). A nice embellishing horizontal RGB strip light can be found right at the bottom of the display screen

Aesthetically, the Mechlands Vibe99 has a dark but not dull theme with an harmonic combination of colors that include a black and grey case (the top cover being grey) and a keycaps set that is mainly centered on grey keycaps with some extra ones being black and Bordeaux.

The Mechlands Vibe99 is available in 2 different colors:

• Mechlands Vibe99 blue
• Mechlands Vibe99 black

DISPLAY SCREEN
^3.75^_/5

The display screen of the Mechlands Vibe99 is fairly small with 1.06″ of diameter in a vertical alignment but with a multicolor panel.

We also noticed that some of the fonts are way too small are will not be easy to read at a normal distance – for example: date, status icons.

On the other hand, it is nice seeing that the screen includes useful status indicators like caps lock, scroll lock, num lock, connection mode, Win/Mac mode, battery charge, date and time.

Moreover, the screen support upload and playback of animated color GIFs.

CONSTRUCTION & BUILD
^4.5^_/5

The external case of the Vibe99 is made of ABS plastic, which gives them sufficient ruggedness and a way lighter weight than metal keyboards.

Internally, the keyboard sports a hot-swappable board to ease the process of switch replacement without any soldering involved.

In addition to this, the Mechlands holds inside a gasket-mount design, flex-cut PC plate and 5 layers of sound dampening material.

KEYCAPS
⁵^_/5

The keycaps included with the Mechlands Vibe99 are made of double-shot PBT and have Cherry profile.

At touch, the keycaps have a subtly textured finish which gives them character without feeling fatiguing.

The colors used for the keycaps gives them superior contrast and perfect readability thanks to the use of dark keycaps with white fonts.

SWITCHES
⁴^_/5

This Mechlands keyboard is only available with 1 type and model of switches pre-assembled from factory; therefore if you want a different linear flavor, clicky, silent, tactile then you will have to replace the switches yourself.

The specific switch model included with the Vibe99 are the Mechlands Cream Mint, a linear switch that shares many of the specs and feel of some of the most popular Epomaker switches; with a heavier force and short pre-travel.

MechLands Cream Mint Switch

• TYPE: Linear
• CONTACT RESISTANCE: 500mΩ MAX
• OPERATING TEMPERATURE: -25℃ TO +85℃
• OPERATING LIFE: MORE THAN 50000000 CYCLE
• OPERATION: 45±5gf.
• PARAGRAPH: 50±5gf.
• CONDUCTION STRPKE(PT): 2.0±0.40mm
• THE WHOLE TRIP(OP): 3.6±0.40mm
• CK VALUE: 50%-80%
PIN: 5-PIN

CON

CONNECTIVITY
^4.75^_/5

This keyboard includes a tri-mode connectivity system, which expands its usage not only as a wired keyboard but also as a wireless one – the model includes specs like 1000Hz and NKRO.

Wired, the design incorporates a detachable USB-C connection while the wireless system includes Bluetooth and 2.4G connectivity – 2.4G with the dongle included.

To set the keyboard in the desired mode, you can access the dedicated switches on the back edge panel.

SOUND
⁵^_/5

The Mechlands Vibe99 responded with a confident, refined sound profile that could be defined as a mix of clack, pop and thock.

The dampening layers also proved to perform very well as the keyboard never showed resonance, echo nor a hollow feel while the stabilizers came tuned and lubed as they should, thus never presenting rattling noises.

BATTERY
^3.5^_/5

A battery with 4000mAh is common standard on modern keyboards but we would had liked to see a battery with a higher capacity, considering the 1800 layout and being equipped with a display screen.

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MechLands Vibe99 Technical Specifications

Model
MechLands Vibe99
LAYOUT
1800
Number of Keys
100
Case Material
ABS Plastic
Plate Material
Flex-Cut PC
Stabilizers
Pre-lubed plate mount
Mounting Structure
Gasket Mount
Connectivity
Wired, 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
Battery
4000mAh
RGB
South-facing RGB
Hotswappable
Yes
Anti-Ghosting
NKRO
Polling Rate
1000Hz (Wired/2.4GHz), 125Hz (Bluetooth)
Keycaps Profile
Cherry
Keycaps Material
Double-shot PBT
Dimensions
418 x 150 x 42mm
Weight
1.14kg
Front Height
20.5mm
Inside the Box
• Keyboard
• Manual
• Keycap/Switch Puller
• 2.4G Dongle
Type-C Cable