# GranVela Mechanical Eagle Z-77 Review: Blue-Switch 87-Key TKL and Who Should Skip It > The trade-offs are fixed 9-mode lighting, soldered switches, and a non-detachable cable. Tags: keyboard, granvela, mechanical, 87-key, blue-switch, backlit, tenkeyless, budget Source: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B01DBVGZSA Article page: https://web-autoai.com/articles/z-7787?lang=en Prices and ratings change over time — check the article page for the current values. --- ## Overview The GranVela Mechanical Eagle Z-77 is an entry-level 87-key tenkeyless (TKL) mechanical gaming keyboard built around clicky blue switches (Gaote / Outemu). The white chassis carries a multi-color backlight, and the board handles both gaming and long typing sessions well enough for the money. The short verdict: this is a board for people who want to find out whether they like mechanical switches without risking much money. What it does not have — per-key RGB, hot-swap sockets, macros — was never part of the design. A floating-key layout over a metal backplate keeps flex under the keys lower than you would expect at this price. The board measures 357 x 156 x 30 mm, a standard TKL footprint that leaves room beside a 30 cm mouse pad. ## Compatibility Guide Connection is USB wired only, via a fixed (non-detachable) cable. It is plug-and-play on any PC, Mac, or Linux machine with a USB-A port — no driver, no companion software. There is no Bluetooth and no 2.4 GHz wireless, so it is not an option for tablets or wireless-first setups. If your laptop only has USB-C, you will need a USB-A to USB-C adapter or a hub; neither is included. It works through a hub, but the backlight raises power draw, and cheap bus-powered hubs can make brightness unstable. A direct port on the machine is the safer choice. The spec lists N-key rollover with anti-ghosting. Over USB, whether full NKRO is truly active depends on firmware and OS, so read it as "simultaneous presses will not fail you in a game" rather than a lab guarantee. WASD plus Shift, Ctrl, and Space register together without trouble. Physically, the 87-key layout has no numpad. Heavy numeric data entry needs a separate keypad. In exchange you reclaim roughly 80-90 mm of desk width, which lets you pull the mouse closer to center — a real advantage for low-sensitivity FPS players who swing from the elbow. One installation caveat: the cable is permanently attached. Unlike detachable USB-C models, a damaged cable effectively means replacing the whole keyboard, and you cannot re-route it to suit where your PC sits. ## Product Info | Item | Detail | | --- | --- | | Keys | 87 (tenkeyless) | | Switch | Blue / clicky, Gaote / Outemu | | Backlight | Multi-color, 9 preset modes, color not changeable | | Interface | USB wired, fixed cable | | Rollover | N-key rollover / anti-ghosting | | Dimensions | 357 x 156 x 30 mm | | Color | White | Check the retailer's page for the latest price. Amazon pricing moves constantly and drops further during sales, so check the product page for the current figure before ordering. Overseas marketplace listings exist, but shipping and lead time usually make a domestic purchase the better deal. Only the keyboard is in the box — no keycap puller, no spare switches. A few-hundred-yen wire puller makes cleaning far safer. Warranty terms vary by seller; through Amazon, initial-defect coverage is the baseline. ## How It Compares Against branded wired TKL boards such as the Logitech G G413 TKL SE, the branded option gives you tighter switch consistency and real support, at a higher price. The Z-77's argument is purely cost: mechanical switches, backlighting, and anti-ghosting for the least money. If you are shopping today, hot-swap boards and QMK/VIA customs like the Keychron V1 also compete. They cost more, but switch swaps and remapping mean the gap widens the longer you keep the board. Try-before-you-commit goes to the Z-77; treat mechanical keyboards as a hobby and you should start with a hot-swap model. Magnetic-switch boards with rapid trigger (MCHOSE Ace 68 and similar) are a different category entirely. If you need adjustable actuation for competitive FPS, this board cannot meet that requirement. ## Living With It Blue switches fire a mechanical click partway through the keypress. Feedback is unmistakable and many people type more accurately on them — but they are among the loudest keyboards sold. On voice chat or a work call, your microphone will pick up every keystroke, and noise suppression will not fully remove the click. O-rings can soften the sound, but they only reduce bottom-out noise; the click itself is unchanged. Buying this expecting to quiet it down later is the single most common regret. If quiet matters, choose a linear or tactile board instead. The backlight cycles nine preset patterns via Fn + Ins. It lights up, but you cannot assign colors per key or tie effects to in-game events. ## Things to Consider **The backlight color cannot be changed. ** It is multi-color zone lighting with nine presets, not per-key RGB. If you want the color-tuned, stream-ready setup you see online, skip this one. **No hot-swap. ** Switches are soldered to the PCB. "Try blue, swap to red later" is not on the table without desoldering. If you already suspect you will change switches, a hot-swap board is cheaper in the long run. **ABS keycaps. ** They will develop shine with use. Function is unaffected, but expect to consider a replacement set after a year or two — and check that space bar and shift widths match standard sizing before buying caps, since budget boards occasionally use odd widths. **Fixed cable. ** For travel you wrap it around the board, and a break means replacing the keyboard. **Watch the listing details. ** The Amazon entry for this product shows a region label and display currency that do not line up (a US seller label alongside a yen price). Boards in this price range also tend to bundle color and switch variants under one ASIN. Before ordering, confirm from the images and title that you are getting the 87-key white blue-switch version — listing metadata really is wrong sometimes. **Check the key layout. ** Export models are usually US ANSI, so the positions of @, :, and _ differ from a Japanese layout and there are no conversion keys. US layout works fine once Windows is set accordingly, but confirm the layout on the listing so the legends match what you actually type. ## Best Use Cases For the specific job of "find out if mechanical suits me," few options beat it. **Budget gamers** — FPS and MOBA players who want mouse room get a TKL footprint plus dependable multi-key registration. Enthusiasts who want RGB customization or macros will find it thin. **A second or backup board** — Cheap enough to keep as a spare, or to leave permanently at a second desk. Driverless operation means it works the moment you plug it in. **It is wrong for three groups**: anyone who needs quiet, anyone who wants to swap switches, and anyone who wants per-key RGB. If any of those apply, raise the budget and look at a different model. ## FAQ **Q: Does it work with a Mac? ** A: Yes, over USB with no setup. The Windows and Alt keys sit opposite to the Mac convention, so swap Command and Option under System Settings → Keyboard → Modifier Keys. **Q: Can I turn the backlight off? ** A: Yes. Fn + Ins cycles the nine patterns and one of them is off — handy for dark rooms or when the lighting is distracting. **Q: Are red or brown switch versions available? ** A: No. This model ships with blue (clicky) switches only. For linear or non-clicky tactile feel, look at other models or brands. **Q: How loud is it, really? ** A: Among the loudest switch types on the market. Not appropriate for voice chat, shared rooms, or late-night use next to a sleeping household. **Q: Can a failed switch be repaired? ** A: Only by desoldering and resoldering. Without the tools and experience, a dead switch means replacing the board — an accepted trade-off at this price. **Q: Can I fit aftermarket keycaps? ** A: Outemu / Gaote switches use Cherry MX-compatible cross stems, so most aftermarket sets fit. Backlight shine-through may suffer, so pick doubleshot or shine-through caps if lighting matters. ### Product Disclosure (Amazon) - Manufacturer: GranVela - Seller: Amazon US - Fulfilled by: Amazon US - ASIN: B01DBVGZSA - Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.