Star80 vs Iskar65: Which Weikav Keyboard Should You Buy?

The iskar65 keyboard and the Star80 are two of Weikav's most popular boards, and choosing between them comes down to layout preference and how you like your typing experience.

Updated 6 Aug 2026 3 min read 8 sections

Weikav iskar65 mechanical keyboard — Iskar65 keyboard$68.00Image from the merchant

The iskar65 keyboard and the star80 sit at the center of Weikav’s lineup, and while both are well-regarded in the enthusiast community, they serve different builders. If you want a compact, no-nonsense 65% with a refined design history, the Iskar65 is your answer. If you want an 80% with more keys and room for dedicated function row access, the Star80 makes more sense.

What Is the Iskar65 Keyboard?

The Iskar65 is a 65% mechanical keyboard developed in collaboration with Bitmap Studio. The original design was floated in an interest check on Geekhack and later refined through Bitmap’s own project page, which gives it stronger design credentials than most budget-tier boards.

Key characteristics of the iskar65 keyboard:

65% layout: alphas, modifiers, arrows, and a column of nav keys, nothing wasted
Designed with a focus on acoustics and feel over raw specs
Compatible with a wide range of 65% keycap sets
A clean, minimal aesthetic that suits both WoB and colorway sets

What Is the Star80?

The star80 is Weikav’s 80% (tenkeyless) offering. It gives you the function row back without committing to a full-size board, which is a meaningful trade-off for people who rely on F-keys in workflows or gaming.

What the Star80 brings to the table:

TKL layout with function row access
Broader compatibility with standard keycap sets
Larger footprint, but still desk-friendly compared to full-size boards
Shares Weikav’s build quality DNA with the rest of the lineup

Head-to-Head Comparison

Here is how the two boards stack up on the factors that matter most to buyers:

Feature	Iskar65	Star80
Layout	65%	80% TKL
Function Row	No	Yes
Footprint	Compact	Mid-size
Key Count	~68 keys	~87 keys
Best For	Minimalists, coders	Gamers, power users

Neither board is objectively better. The right pick depends entirely on whether you can live without a function row.

Switch Pairing: What Works Best

Both boards are switch-agnostic, so you have full freedom here. That said, the Iskar65’s acoustic tuning tends to reward tactile and linear switches that have a smooth, refined feel rather than loud clacky options.

Weikav baby kangaroo switches for mechanical keyboards — Baby kangaroo switches$43.00Image from the merchant

The baby kangaroo switches are a natural pairing for either board if you want a tactile bump with enough weight to feel deliberate without being stiff. They complement Weikav’s typical sound dampening well and are worth considering if you are building from scratch.

A few pairing principles to follow:

Linears: best for fast typists who want a quiet, consistent stroke
Tactiles like baby kangaroo: great feedback for extended typing sessions
Clicky switches: fine functionally, but may fight the board’s tuned acoustics

Keycaps: How Each Board Looks Dressed Up

Weikav wob keycaps on white keyboard — Wob keycaps on white keyboard$32.00Image from the merchant

The 65% layout of the iskar65 keyboard is more limiting for keycap compatibility than the TKL of the Star80, but most modern enthusiast sets cover both. If you want high contrast and a clean visual, wob keycaps on a white keyboard is a classic pairing that works especially well on lighter colorways of either board.

Things to check before buying keycaps:

Does the set include a 65% kit or compatibility pack?
Are the modifier sizes standard for your specific board revision?
Does the colorway match your desk setup, not just the render photos?

How the Iskar65 and Star80 Fit Into the Broader Weikav Lineup

Weikav builds more than just these two boards. If you are still undecided, it is worth knowing what else is in the family:

Weikav nut65 mechanical keyboard — Weikav nut65$99.00Image from the merchant

The weikav nut65 and nut65 are alternative 65% options with their own feel and price point
The star awaken 16 80 sits in similar TKL territory to the Star80 for comparison
The keygeek rounds out the lineup if you are open to something different

Knowing the full range helps you feel confident you are not missing a better fit. The minimalist 65% concept is not unique to Weikav either, as seen in community interest checks like the 651 keyboard project, which shows just how much demand exists for well-executed compact boards.

Who Should Buy Which

Choose the iskar65 keyboard if:

You prefer a compact layout and rarely use F-keys
Desk space is limited or you travel with your board
You value a thoughtful design pedigree and clean aesthetics
You are pairing it with a set like WoB or a minimal colorway

Choose the Star80 if:

You use F-keys regularly for shortcuts, macros, or gaming
You want broader keycap set compatibility out of the box
You are upgrading from a full-size and want the TKL middle ground

Where to Buy and How to Save

Both boards are available directly through Weikav’s store. Before you check out, grab the current code at our Weikav discount page for 5% off all orders. That applies to switches and keycaps too, so if you are building out a full setup it adds up.

You can also check the latest pricing and availability since stock on popular colorways moves quickly. The iskar65 keyboard in particular tends to sell through faster given its community following.

Questions

Is the iskar65 keyboard good for beginners?

Yes, it is a solid entry point if you want a well-designed 65% without needing to build from a kit. The layout is simple enough to get used to quickly, though losing the function row takes a short adjustment period.

Does the Star80 use the same switches as the Iskar65?

Both boards are hot-swap compatible, so you can use any switch you prefer in either. Baby kangaroo switches are a popular tactile choice that pairs well with Weikav's acoustics.

Can I use WoB keycaps on the iskar65 keyboard?

Yes, WoB keycaps on a white keyboard colorway is a popular combination and the 65% layout is well-supported by most modern keycap sets. Just confirm the set includes a 65% compatibility kit before buying.

How does the Weikav Nut65 compare to the Iskar65?

Both are 65% boards, but they differ in feel, construction, and aesthetic. The Weikav Nut65 has its own tuning and design language, so it is worth comparing both if you are deciding between Weikav's compact options.

What layout does the Star80 use?

The Star80 is an 80% tenkeyless layout, which means it includes a full function row and standard modifier keys but drops the number pad. It sits between a 65% and a full-size board in terms of footprint.