Leaf&Core

Mode Tempo Review: Why Do I Even Own Other Keyboards?

Danielle from Leaf and Core
Reading Time: 7 minutes.

Mode Tempo keyboardWhy not have luxury in your life? It was a thought that ran through my head as I was taking a look at my completed Mode Tempo on the online configurator. I convinced myself and clicked “buy.” I paid a hefty sum for this keyboard, and it always makes me feel guilty to spend that kind of money. I always ask myself, why not spend $100 on children’s cancer research instead? Supporting organizations that protect civil rights. Feeding the hungry. Providing medicine to the sick. Shelters for the unhoused.

Don’t I have better places for this money to go?

And I do. That’s why any time I buy something expensive, I hate it before I like it. Because it makes me feel so guilty for spending money on myself, a trinket, of all things, rather than someone who needs it more. I hate so many of my purchases before I allow myself to like them, and this was an amount of money I would have considered incomprehensible for the vast majority of my life. Even now, some time and some economic hardships later, I’ve come to view these purchases differently than I did when I had income to spend. Back when being a software engineer was still a lucrative and reliable career path.

I learned how to build fantastic keyboards, and I enjoy doing it and using them. Someone else designed this keyboard, but I chose its parts, its keys, the firmness. I lubed the switches, chose the stabilizers, band-aid and holee modded the stabilizers. I’ve been doing this for years and this keyboard is the peak of my craft. This is the best keyboard I’ve ever built. And I loved doing it. That has value too.

Despite my own misgivings, the Mode Tempo may be my favorite build ever. It’s become my favorite keyboard in my collection as well. And that’s saying something. I built most of these. They’re my babies, my creations. Each one unique. But, like many parents, I picked a favorite.

Of course it was the youngest. Sorry, older siblings, but, be honest, you always knew. At least, I did.

Specs, As Tested

The Build Process

I wish all build processes were this easy. It has a sort of blend between “tray style” mount and gasket mount. In the case of the Mode Tempo, the plate, pcb, and any foams not in the case, are placed atop silicone wedges with a lattice structure. These provide cushioning and flexibility for an almost gasket-like experience. However, to secure them in place, there are just two screws through the setup. You can keep these loose to allow the greatest level of flexibility. They’re a bit cushioned, and don’t rattle around.

The most difficult part of the build process is the daughterboard. I hate daughterboards. I always want a longer cable on them so I can move the top portion of the keyboard out of the way without having to disconnect it. I actually ruined a daughterboard by moving the keyboard too far away from the base once, and had to order a replacement when my soldering skills and tools weren’t delicate enough to fix the connector.

If you’ve built one keyboard, you’ll have no difficulty with this. Mode has also put official build guides online. They provide a nice screwdriver and everything you need, including plenty of options for the lattice mounts. I just wish I didn’t have to fumble with a daughterboard and all too short cable every time I wanted to take it apart.

Layout

This is a standard HHKB layout. Control moved to the place of the caps lock key (caps lock is Fn + Tab), backspace is closer to the home row for easier and faster access, and a dedicated tilde key within reach of your pinky makes code blocks in markdown and accessing the home folder in terminal easy. The arrow key situation is still an issue for many. I’ve gotten so used to the HHKB layout at this point that I can use them without too much difficulty now. Interestingly, the stock configuration also had arrow keys on the A, S, and D keys, but not the W key for the up arrow. It’s a strange omission, but easy enough to fix.

This keyboard uses QMK firmware, and is Via compatible, so you can simply edit any keys in a web interface. Just be sure to download them and back up your configurations on your machine, in case you ever reset the keyboard and have to do all of your custom macros all over again. I had to do this for my Ploopy Adept recently, and was not happy about that, but more on that in my review of the Ploopy Adept. Just make sure you’ve backed up your configurations, you never know when you’re going to lose them somehow and have to remake everything from the factory default settings. I haven’t had this happen with either of my Mode boards though.

Design

Alright, with setup out of the way, let’s get talking about the real star of this show. The design! This is, by far, one of the most beautiful keyboards I’ve ever seen. It’s also highly customizable. You can even preview the appearance and weight of your final build in Mode’s configurator. The heaviest build using copper accents, weights, and even a copper plate weighs nearly 4.5 lbs. My first build used a walnut accent with brass weight and pom plate. This comes out at about 3.8 lbs. It’s a heavy build for a small keyboard, but even with lighter materials, it feels dense and high-quality.

The PCB itself has cutouts for the lower corners. This allowed Mode to design their keyboard case with tapered sides to give it a floating illusion. Even the bottom plate, something you won’t see very much, is gorgeous. My Mode Tempos are my prettiest keyboards, for sure.

After building my first Tempo, I realized I loved the keyboard so much I wanted another design of the same setup. I’d vary the weight, accents, make a completely different keyboard, even slightly change the lattice blocks I used to change the feel a little. It’s incredible how buying the same keyboard twice could lead to something so unique. While they’re the same kit, my two Mode Tempo keyboards have a different typing feel and sound, as well as dramatically different appearances.

Sure was an expensive impulse though. It’s cool to have two of them, but I do regret spending so much.

Sound

I went with full foam and softer lattice for a more “thocky” sound. I even used Boba U4Ts in one build and Gateron Quinns in the other to give it a poppy and thocky sound, without any ping. I’m not a fan of “clacky” or “pingy” sounds. On all of the rows but one, the sound is perfect. However, the top row, perhaps due to its proximity to the accent, the lattice support elements, or something else, has a more muted sound. On a keyboard, rows often have slightly different sounds, but the top row is incredibly muted in comparison to the others. It’s not a bad sound, just a bit jarring that the number row makes a completely different sound than the rest of the keys. It doesn’t make a huge difference, as I don’t use the number row that often (in before I buy a 40% keyboard next), but it’s something worth noting.

I used Durox V2 stabilizers, and provided my own stickers for a “band-aid mod.” I also added a bit of lube and holee modded the stabilizers. Along with the rest of this dense keyboard, the stabilized keys sound fantastic. Though I’ll admit, I likely could have added a little more, or a slightly thicker lubricant, because after a few months, a small amount of ping started to come back in the space bar. At least it’s easy to take apart and add more lube!

Shipping, Company Relations

Often with a customized board, you can expect weeks to get your order. Group buys can take months, even years. I’ve completely forgotten I’ve bought something before, only to receive a shipping notification years later. I received my Mode keyboard in a single day. I did place the order early on one morning, but had it by the next afternoon. It was insane. When I ordered another one, it came just as fast. Daughterboard to fix my keyboard after my mishap taking it apart? Also fast shipping. Mode has everything in order to quickly put out a custom order and ship it to keyboard enthusiasts. It’s such a strange change of pace from everything else in the keyboard hobby, where you could participate in a group buy and not see your keycaps for two years. I could not be more impressed by this. Getting a completely custom build so quickly feels impossible. But they’ve done it now three times for me, proving it wasn’t a fluke.

You’ll get a nice hard case with your keyboard, complete with all the parts and tools you need for a basic assembly. It’s an incredibly high-end setup, but, I suppose, you are paying high-end prices. Still, I’ve seen far more expensive keyboards that don’t provide a full customizable package with a custom design like this, and they take far longer to ship as well.

Overall

This is the only keyboard I’ve made twice. I’ve been making keyboards for years, and this is the only time I’ve bought the same kit twice. I loved my original KBDFans Boop, and the Tofu60 2.0 as well. But the Mode Tempo is just in a league of its own. Compact, stylish, customizable, easy to assemble, and absolutely gorgeous. The top row sound may bother some people, but I not only don’t mind, I see it as a fun quirk of a board I already love. This keyboard is art. With this one keyboard, Mode quickly became my favorite keyboard company. If they do make an HHKB-like 40%, my wallet’s in trouble.

The board so nice, I built it twice. That could likely summarize the entire review, as I don’t take clutter lightly. But this is a fantastic keyboard, and I couldn’t just have one. It’s a bit sad, however. Since getting these, I don’t use my other boards much at all. It’s just too hard to get away from something this perfect. These take up little space on my desk, look great doing it, and feel great to type on. They even both sound unique and amazing. They’re the peak of my hobby, and it’s hard to see my other boards as not measuring up.

The Mode Tempo is available via Mode’s website. There are plenty of customization options, but you can get a kit for as little as $300 if you have your own switches and keycaps already, and don’t mind skimping on the foam. My builds (separated by considerable time, I might add), were under $350 each, as I’ve been in this hobby long enough to have keycaps and switches aplenty. Prices for options can easily run over $500 with keycaps, switches, stabilizers, and the most expensive options, so be sure to keep an eye on price while you’re building your dream keyboard!

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