The new Glorious GMMK Pro is a fine entry point… But not without effort and work

Here are my first impressions and review of the GMMK Pro in Black.

Glorious PC Gaming Race released the reservations for their newest enthusiast entry-level keyboard on November 11th of last year. After some delays due to port congestion, the first batch of reservations have been making its way to buyers.

The GMMK Pro in Black with Keyreative blanks mimicking GMK Panels on the Team Liquid X Tokidoki deskmat (Photo by me)

GMMK Pro unboxing begins with a warning

GMMK Pro barebones kit in Black (Photo by me)

I own a few of Glorious’ other products, and generally their packaging and boxes have provided a nice experience. They’ve come a long way from their streamlined monochrome boxes to all-new holographic images with the “ASCENDED” gamer-inspired ethos. It’s cute, but it’s not my thing, personally.

On my Twitter, I asked which keyboard folks wanted to see on my debut keyboard build Twitch stream: The Glorious GMMK Pro won over the C3Equalz Portico. I did a full-blind unboxing: I opened the package, and cut the tape, etc etc. Taeha Types covered this in his GMMK Pro review video too, but for folks who have the first batch of GMMK Pros, they will need to update their firmware. There is even risk of bricking the keyboard if you don’t do this step. With that said, I didn’t plug in the board on stream.

Instructions outlining that installing the Glorious Core software and doing a firmware update is crucial and mandatory for the functionality of your GMMK Pro (Photo by me)

I’m not entirely sure how many units the first batch is comprised of, but if you’re one of the early adopters, definitely look out for that.

I will give full props to the Glorious fulfillment center on placing this card on top of everything within the package. Before you can even get to the keyboard and components, this card is top of of everything. Small details like this in the form of communication is so important.

Stock GMMK Pro… How is it?

When you open up the GMMK Pro box, a layer of foam with a folded card sitting in a cutout referring users to the Quick Start Guide.

Removing the foam layer, unveils the GMMK Pro in a protective packing sleeve, and underneath it, lies the following parts:

• USB-C Cable
• Plastic orange keycap puller
• Basic metal switch puller
• Optional extra gasket strips in a bag

The optional extra gasket strips has the following note on bag: “Due to minor variances that can occur during the machining process of your GMMK Pro, you may need to apply additional gasket strips for peak acoustic quality. For more info and application instructions visit: gloriouspcgaming.com/QuickStart”

Stock GMMK Pro barebones in Black comes with an aluminum Black plate, prelubed Glorious GOAT stabs, and a Black knob (not pictured). The white acylic pieces are a part of the diffusing system for the RGB side panels and slot on the sides between the plate and PCB. Deskmat is Switch Swirl by Alexotos. (Photo by me)

I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting, but when you remove the GMMK Pro from its protective packing sleeve, it’s pretty much ready to go.

All you need to do is put in your switches, and mount some keycaps. Unlike their first GMMK line that only accepts 3 pin switches for their hot swap boards, the GMMK Pro is ready for 5 pin. Excellent change here — Those who are intending to explore more of the hobby are no longer limited to switches, or needing to clip legs off expensive switches that may be repurposed for a different board.

On stream, I went with Gateron Robins, and the chat wanted to see Dazon’s Strawberry Lemonade. I don’t have a photo of this, but let me share my thoughts on this first iteration of the stock and out-of-box experience:

• This thing is HEAVY af. I am indifferent to board weights, but I think for what this keyboard was trying to achieve (a premium experience), I guess it’s fitting
• Gateron Robins are not the right choice for the GMMK Pro, especially stock. It was my first time using those switches, and they are not great. I recommend using another switch, especially ones that have transparent or clear housing so that the RGB can shine here
• The GMMK Pro stock sounded hollow and definitely called for foam
• There was some pinging, but it didn’t feel like it was coming from the switches. It was a part of the sound acoustics with the metal parts
• The stabs were okay, but I don’t think them being prelubed made any sort of impact

My daily driver is an Ergodox EZ, and periodically I use a TKC1800, Massdrop Laser ALT high-profile, or a C3Equalz Portico. Out of all of the keyboards, the feel and sound of the GMMK Pro was the least impressive.

As a Canadian, who spent:

• $215 on the GMMK Pro barebone
• $25 on the GMMK Pro polycarbonate plate
• $12.50 on an extra gold knob
• $35 on shipping
• $40 getting the thing into the country

…. I was pretty determined to get this thing to my liking.

Let’s open up the GMMK Pro and make this thing work for us

Now here’s where I started getting frustrated.

First thing is first: I think Glorious did a great job on their assembly video:

How to disassemble your GMMK Pro (Video by Glorious)

Confession: I had SUCH a hard time removing the screws from the case. They were SO tight, I sweated, and I needed help to get the screws out. I wrestled with this thing for a good 30 minutes trying to unscrew the screws.

Upon opening up the top case from the bottom — I was shocked that there was actually foam in this thing! However, I don’t think it’s the ideal material, so I would have liked to see a bit more research go into different materials as well as fit tolerances to make an impact on the acoustics.

Lo and behold, there is foam! Also pictured is the power connector to the daughterboard. May be intimidating to newcomers but you’ll be OK

I wanted to make a few changes to the board. Initially my intention was to add some simple foam from some keysets I had but I skipped this. I wanted to use the polycarbonate plate, Durock V2 stabs, and I decided on using KTT Roses to showcase the RGB in the board.

A look at the Polycarbonate Plate for the GMMK Pro. note the plate uses its own screws, so store the stock screws someplace you won’t lose them.

Taking apart the plate and PCB assembly was pretty straight forward: there are two different types of screws, however. I also found that there are different screws altogether for the polycarbonate plate. I don’t know how I feel about the pointed screws and how they’d affect the tolerance and hold over time and use, but seeing that it is a cheaper material, I am willing to let that one go.

I heard that Durocks stabs are unusable on the stock aluminum plate. This is accurate. If you are planning on using Durocks stabs with the stock plate, be prepared to alter the plate yourself. I heard that the Durock stabs work with the Polycarbonate plate, and technically this is true, but definitely not without some flexing and fight.

It was a challenge to make the Polycarbonate Plate work with Durock stabilizers. It took approximately 4 fittings (taking it off and on again) for the tolerance to wear off and accommodate the RGB diffusers (seen on the left), and mount onto the plate as designed.

Onto stabilizers. I’ve never had prelubed stabs before, and I can safely say that I don’t think I want prelubed stabs ever again. I understand that Taeha said that he didn’t think there was enough lube on the stabs… But I didn’t like this.

Glorious GOAT Stabilizers prelubed with G-Lube. They make note to wipe the PCB of lube in their YouTube tutorial on disassembling the board but I had to remove a lot of it off and needed to use shop towels.

It seemed like the lube was applied with a dropper. I was taught to put lube on just the sides (left and right of the switch, not north and south, hopefully this makes sense) of the inner housing and stem, along with where the wire goes into the stem, so I’m not sure how the lube was applied, but I think I would rather do this myself.

The foam between the plate and PCB will need to be carefully removed from the adhesive of the aluminum plate

I didn’t love that I had to remove the foam from an adhesive on the stock aluminum plate. I would have preferred it to not be glued onto the stock plate, or I would have liked to see the Polycarbonate Plate come with another foam cutout.

I really had to fight with the Polycarbonate Plate to make it work. Initially I was trying to stray away from using the pointed screws, but I ended up using them in the end. because of how tight the PCB, foam, and plate assembly was, I opted to only use 4 screws near the RGB diffusers, and the two standoffs in the center of the board.

It was quite a fight, but the Polycarbonate Plate finally accommodated the Durock V2 stabilizers.

I found it best to line up the plate with the rotary knob and work from there. I also attached the RGB diffuser pieces to the plate before mounting it onto the PCB. I found it easier to put things together this way.

I don’t have too much to say about the KTT Roses, but they’re priced at less than half of the price of C3Equalz Tangerine Switches, and they’re okay linears. It would be interesting to try them lubed. I think there are more refined switches out there, but as far as entry-point and affordability goes, I don’t think you can go wrong with the KTT Roses.

KTT Roses on the Glorious Polycarbonate Plate on the Glorious GMMK Pro in Black (Photo by me)

Here are my thoughts on this iteration of the GMMK Pro build (Polycarbonate Plate, Durock V2 stabs unlubed, KTT Roses):

• The Polycarbonate Plate was hands-down the easiest way to deal with the not-so-ideal acoustics. Relieving all the metal on metal parts, it was a softer typing experience, which I prefer
• KTT Roses were a much better choice for this board as it has RGB. I also think they’re a better switch than the Gateron Robins that I used in the stock build
• I will probably be lubing the Durock V2 stabs but they feel more sturdy than the prelubed Glorious GOAT stabs, and I prefer to be doing the lubing myself
• Even after these changes, I am hesitant that replacing the gasket strips would help much but I am willing to try for the next round

GMMK Pro final verdict and thoughts

I preface my final thoughts that this is just my opinion.

As far as keyboards go, I am not that picky or particular. My ErgoDox EZ is my daily driver and I don’t use lubed switches and the board doesn’t even have stabilizers. It’s a pretty simple out-of-the box solution, but it’s also a reason why I like it.

I’ve owned GMMK boards before: I had a TKL that I have since gifted to someone, and I would still recommend their boards as affordable solutions to those looking to get into the mechanical keyboard hobby to start trying out different switches.

If you are planning to buy the GMMK Pro and using it without any further modifications, I would give this keyboard a pass. It’s a minor thing but I’d also like to see Glorious adopt a wire keycap puller as plastic ones can scratch and damage keycaps. I feel that if someone is willing to invest $170 into a board, they may also invest in higher quality keycaps too. Why risk a new hobbyist damaging their keysets? I do think that Glorious has done a fantastic job being receptive to feedback on social media. I think entering the enthusiast market is new to them, and it’s something they want to actively pursue. This is the first release, and it seems that they created the GMMK Pro to be another flagship item for the brand. Perhaps more changes will be implemented along the way? The Glorious Core software is not my favorite, I would much rather be using VIA and I believe it’s in their road map for future support.

If you don’t mind the effort, work, and extra money spent on parts, the GMMK Pro may be for you. I think the availability of the keyboard will make it appealing to a lot of folks entering the hobby. I personally missed out on the Satisfaction 75 Group Buy, and I thought that the GMMK Pro would be an affordable alternative, a poor man’s Satisfaction 75. I still think it is that, with some limitations.

As far as a gateway keyboard to get into the hobby, I think there are so many options out there. It depends at what point you’d like to get into: do you want to get into lubing your switches and stabilizers? Do you want to solder your board? Do you know what kind of layout you like? I understand that Glorious is marketing the GMMK Pro as “meant to be customized and modified” but it seems like this is somewhat along the lines of “it’s not a bug, it’s a feature!”. At the same time, I’m curious what Glorious had intended: what part of the tinkering did they want their community to explore? With the C3Equalz Portico, I like that it exposes owners to building stabs and taking apart the board off the bat. (Again, this is my personal opinion.) I still believe that it should sound great stock, otherwise the sound profile might have been better using a plastic case like their GMMK line.

Overall, after wrestling with the GMMK Pro and building it 4 times in the same night, I’m okay with it. It’s a good looking board, and with some fight and interest in tuning, I think you could make this board into something very enjoyable for daily use. I love photographing keyboards and I’m glad the GMMK Pro is now a part of my collection and repertoire.

Have you ever seen glossy keycaps? Here’s KAM Little Pilot made by Keyreative and designed by kema. Deskmat is Team Liquid X Tokidoki. (Photo by me)

I wrote this for my own leisure and for informational purposes. This is my personal opinion from my own personal experience, and others’ experience may (probably will) vary! I purchased the GMMK Pro myself. If you found this little write-up useful, let me know! You can reach me at @comfythinkies on Twitter, or the same username at Gmail via email.