Vortex Gaming

1. Introducing the Monstar Guts Alice Wireless Mechanical Keyboard

This review will cover the Monstar Guts Alice Wireless Mechanical Keyboard.

MonstarGear is an innovative company specializing in the research and development of custom mechanical keyboards, AI liquid-cooled server PCs, PC cooling devices, Touch Squares, Monstar Decks, mobile games, and gaming gear. They consistently release gaming gear with high quality for the price, including keyboards, mice, speakers, and headsets.

They particularly stand out in the field of custom mechanical keyboards, offering products that allow users to choose and assemble keyboard housings, switches, and keycaps according to their preferences.

The Monstar Guts Alice Wireless Mechanical Keyboard adopts the Alice layout, reducing wrist fatigue during keyboard use. This split key layout helps maintain a natural wrist angle, providing comfort even during extended use. Additionally, its compact 66-key layout enhances space efficiency, making it suitable for office use.

It supports not only wired connections but also wireless 2.4GHz mode and Bluetooth mode, enabling use in various environments. The wireless 2.4GHz mode is activated by pressing and holding the Fn+R keys, while Bluetooth mode allows pairing with up to 3 devices by combining the Fn key with the Q, W, and E keys. The built-in 3,000mAh battery allows for extended use.

It supports a hot-swap function, allowing users to replace switches with their preferred ones. It comes standard with MonstarGear Honey switches and features Cherry-style stabilizers for stable typing. The keycaps are made of durable dye-sublimated PBT material and feature a Cherry profile to reduce finger strain.

The keyboard features an LCD display and a knob on the top. The knob primarily controls volume and mute functions, but it can be configured for other functions via key mapping. The LCD display shows the date, time, connection mode status, and battery level, and you can set GIF images or custom images via dedicated software.

It supports VIA dedicated software, allowing for various customizations such as key mapping, macro settings, and RGB lighting control. VIA software can be accessed directly through the website or used by loading a JSON file.

Now, let's take a look at the Monstar Guts Alice Wireless Mechanical Keyboard.

Key Features of the Keyboard

Product Specifications

2. Package Contents

The package includes the keyboard, a dedicated plastic cover, a C-type charging/wired cable, a keycap & switch puller, and a user manual.

3. Keyboard Appearance

Overall look of the Monstar Guts Alice Wireless Mechanical Keyboard

It is a 66-key mini layout keyboard with the number keys and F-row removed, and it features a comfortable Alice layout for typing.

The split space bar and one B key on each side eliminate unnecessary movement and make typing more convenient.

It features dye-sublimated PBT keycaps with a semi-permanent lifespan and a Cherry profile.

The corners are softly rounded.

It supports wired, 2.4GHz wireless, and Bluetooth modes, allowing for more convenient connection and use with multiple devices.

It features a knob for volume control and a 1.14-inch screen that can be customized to the user's liking.

Bottom View

There are two large anti-slip pads on the front bottom and two more surrounding the stands to prevent slipping.

The wireless receiver is stored inside the left stand on the bottom to prevent loss.

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The stand can be adjusted in 2 stages, allowing for a total of 3 height adjustments.

2-stage height adjustment

3-stage height adjustment

4. Keycaps and Switches

The keycaps are made of PBT material with a two-tone black and white color scheme using dye-sublimation and feature a Cherry profile.

It comes standard with linear Monstar Honey switches that produce a tactile, pebble-like typing sound.

The PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches, and the stabilizers are lubricated.

5. LED Images and Video

The Monstar Guts Alice Wireless Mechanical Keyboard supports RGB mode, allowing users to customize the backlight settings according to their preferences.

Settings can be configured in combination with the FN key, and you can refer to the manual.

Monstar Guts Alice Wireless Mechanical LED Change Video

The Monstar Guts Alice Wireless Mechanical features a 1.14-inch LCD screen and is set with a total of 3 screens: 2 GIF images of the Monstar's symbol, a cat, and 1 screen displaying the time, date, and connection mode.

The LCD screen can be customized to your liking through dedicated software provided separately.

You can use the open-source QMK VIA to map keys to your liking. Personally, I need the Windows and Delete keys, so I'm using the left Alt key as the Windows key and the unused I \ key on the top right as the Delete key.

The Alice layout is a truly attractive keyboard that allows for comfortable and fast typing if you invest a little time in the initial adaptation. I've handled many keyboards, but this is a truly satisfying product.

6. Typing Video

The typing feel varies greatly from person to person, so please use it as a reference only.

Monstar Guts Alice Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Typing Video

The Monstar Guts Alice Wireless Mechanical Keyboard provides the best typing experience by completely blocking out any echo with its seamless sandwich structure of top plate - PC reinforcement plate - PORON foam - IXPE pad - PCB board - PORON foam - bottom plate.

The switches and stabilizers are factory-lubricated, so there is virtually no noise or wire rattle.

The 5-pin linear Monstar Honey switches have a moderate actuation force and a slightly high bottom-out force, so you can feel a bouncy feedback, making typing very enjoyable, and the tactile pebble sound is even addictive.

Typing gives you the feeling that you are "using a truly high-end keyboard."

7. In Closing...

So far, we've looked at the Monstar Guts Alice Wireless Mechanical Keyboard.

It is an ergonomically designed product with an Alice layout that may be unfamiliar to most users compared to typical keyboards.

The split space bar has 2 keys on each side, and the B key, which is used differently by left-handed and right-handed users, also has 2 keys on each side, eliminating unnecessary movement and allowing for more comfortable typing.

It takes some time to get used to the unfamiliar layout, but once you get used to it, it will give you a level of satisfaction that makes it hard to find a keyboard that is more comfortable and faster to type on.

It comes standard with Monstar Guts Honey linear 5-pin linear switches, which have an addictive tactile pebble sound, and the switches and stabilizers are factory-lubricated, so there is no noise or stabilizer wire rattle.

The PCB board has a hot-swap design that allows you to replace the switches with your preferred switches and customize them.

It has a knob for convenient volume control and playback, pause, etc., and the LCD screen allows for various customizations such as desired images or GIFs.

It also has RGB LEDs that provide various effects and supports the open-source QMK VIA for key mapping, making it a very attractive keyboard.

This concludes the review of the Monstar Guts Alice Wireless Mechanical Keyboard.

'This review was written with a product provided by MonstarGear.'

IT Inven User ReviewSkywalkers
2025-02-11