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Since my last review of Bloody keyboards, I’ve had the Proxy Boom AT98 on hand, and it really left a strong impression. The entire series—Bloody AT98 Renegade, Bloody Renegade AT87, and Bloody Proxy Boom AT98, developed in collaboration with Savage Impact—definitely deserves a dedicated review. Given their price point, these keyboards offer an impressive range of features and design choices that are worth discussing in detail.
Specifications
- Polling frequency: 1000 Hz
- Plastic: PBT
- Backlight: 7 presets
- Switches: linear optical Alpha
- Switch endurance: 100 million keystrokes
- Total key travel: 3.8 ± 0.2 mm
- Initial force: from 48 ± 3 cN
- Cable: detachable Type-C with lock, 1.8 m
- Dimensions (AT98): 138×385×41 mm
- Dimensions (AT87): 133×360×40 mm
Video about Bloody Renegade/Proxy Boom AT98 and AT87
Market position and package contents
The price starts at around $80. As expected, the 98% layout models are generally more expensive, while the 87% versions come at a slightly lower price. In terms of design and functionality, the Bloody Renegade AT98, Bloody Proxy Boom AT98, and Bloody Proxy Boom AT87 are nearly identical.
The only differences between these models are the number of keys (layout) and the printed design on the plastic. Everything else, including the packaging and accessories, remains the same. Each keyboard comes with a cable, user manual, warranty, a keycap puller (but not a switch puller), and a set of additional PBT keycaps.
Out of habit, I was about to mention that the additional keycaps are the only PBT ones in the set, assuming the default keycaps were ABS. But no—the stock keycaps are also PBT, every single one of them. Just a reminder: this is for a keyboard priced at $80.
Design
The print is bold, distinctive, and dynamic. If you want a keyboard that stands out visually even when it’s powered off and without RGB lighting, the Renegade and Proxy Boom models are solid choices.
As far as I can tell, the top plastic panel is also made of PBT. This means the print should remain intact for a long time without noticeable wear.
The build quality is solid, rating around 8 out of 10. There’s not much metal, which keeps the weight down—ranging from 907 to 956 grams, depending on the layout. Inside the case, there are silicone vibration dampeners. It’s not a gasket mount, nor is there foam, but the system is still highly effective. Most users will likely be satisfied with the acoustics, which you can check out in the video review above.
Switches
Personally, I like the sound of, for example, A4Tech FS100 better. It was in the video about formats.
That being said, my experience is somewhat subjective, considering I typed this script on a scissor-switch A4Tech FX60. Even the room’s acoustics can influence how the keyboard sounds. So while I can describe the typing feel, capturing the exact sound experience is tricky.
Both the Bloody Renegade and Proxy Boom keyboards—whether AT98 or AT87—feature proprietary Alpha optical switches. These switches are quiet, well-built, and rated for 100 million keystrokes, though they are not hot-swappable. Actuation force is set at 48g, while the actuation depth is adjustable from 0.8mm to 3mm in 0.1mm increments, allowing users to fine-tune the typing experience to their preference.
Software
The keypress actuation step can be adjusted through the proprietary software, KeyDominator3. While the software is relatively new, its design is fairly basic and somewhat outdated in places. However, it offers plenty of functionality and a wide range of customization options, including a large number of macros.
It’s also worth noting that on the official product pages, there are separate PDF files explaining how to use the software. Personally, I found this to be a great touch, as it’s something I often feel is missing from competitors. Not every brand provides this, but it’s something that’s definitely useful for most users.
Prospects
Why am I concerned about the market? Because just a few years ago, I would confidently say that such keyboards should cost between $120-170. Yes, I understand these Bloody models aren’t full-sized, but if they were, the price would likely range from $150 to $240.
But I wouldn’t say $80 is a fair price. And that’s what concerns me. The keyboard industry has been rapidly evolving, especially in terms of features for affordable models. In fact, I can find a non-Bloody mechanical keyboard, from a lesser-known brand, for less than $25. Not from AliExpress, and not flawless in terms of quality, but still, $25. That’s the typical price of an average membrane keyboard.
For $80, I can get silicone dampeners, PBT keycaps, switches with adjustable actuation force, built-in memory, a detachable cable, two adjustable height angles, a unique design, and software support… Yes, there’s no wireless functionality, but that’s not necessarily expensive. Adding a battery, Bluetooth 5.0 chip, and a 2.4GHz adapter would cost maybe $25 at most.
Add another $15 to make the keyboard a full-size model, and you would get something like the hypothetical Bloody Renegade AT108 Wireless, which would include everything you could realistically want for $40 more. Sure, it won’t have hot-swappable switches, but honestly, if the switches last for 100 million presses, do you really need that feature? Of course, it’s better to have it, but honestly, is it a top priority? For me, it’s not.
This is where the situation becomes tricky, because I don’t see where the industry can develop further. I don’t see the average consumer being willing to pay more than, say, 5,000 UAH, you know? Anything more expensive is already in the hobbyist territory—like “lubing stabilizers once a year” or “understanding the difference between Cherry MX and Gateron.”
Though, I’m sort of lying here. There are, of course, two possibilities: either the industry will keep pushing down the prices for all these great features, and in three years, a fully-loaded mechanical keyboard will cost as much as what we now pay for an 87% model. Or, there will be some sort of marginally useful feature. Like wireless charging under Qi2, for example, so we don’t even need cables anymore.
Read also: LEOBOG A75 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Review
Main drawback
However, there’s one catch with the Bloody Renegade and Proxy Boom that, while it doesn’t strip these keyboards of their potential to be among the best on the market, does shake up their position quite a bit. The keyboards feature a STATIC multi-color backlight with seven settings, but it isn’t customizable, even within the proprietary software.
In other words, there are no rainbow effects, color shifting, or reaction to keystrokes. Just seven static colors with adjustable brightness – and that’s it. TECHNICALLY, it’s RGB since there are multiple colors, but… you get the idea.
I can’t justify this except by assuming that Bloody wants to artificially lower the price of the AT98 and AT87 to make room for upgraded versions. In a way, they have the right to do so, and personally, I think static lighting effects suit these keyboards. Maybe the collaboration contracts with Savage Impact even made this a requirement—just a guess, of course.
Conclusions
All of these models—Bloody Renegade AT98, Bloody Renegade AT87, and Bloody Proxy Boom AT98—might mislead with their pricing and superficial features like RGB lighting or stylish prints. However, the longer you use them, the more you realize that such prices for this range of features are, at best, advantageous for the user, and at worst, disrupting the industry.
Honestly, I’m fine with both options. Yes, there’s no full RGB or hot-swappable switches, but I don’t see it as a major issue. So, yes—I would recommend them!
Read also:
- HATOR Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless Review – Play, Customize, Modify
- HyperX Alloy Rise 75 Wireless Keyboard Review
- Epomaker Cypher 96 mechanical keyboard review: Built-in calculator included
