Crafting Worlds

Gaming / Tech / Opinions / Reviews

Chosfox X Masro | Geonix Rev.2 Review

Tiny, clever, and not ready yet

Links

Introduction

There are small keyboards. Then there are pocketable curiosities that look like props from a retro-future film. The Chosfox X Masro | Geonix Rev.2 lands in that second category. It arrives in a little zip bag, sports a low profile layout, offers tri-mode wireless, and advertises VIA support. On first unbox, I smiled. On closer inspection and daily use, that smile faded.

I tested two units. The second was a replacement for the first, which had visible alignment problems. Both units revealed manufacturing tolerance issues that are impossible to ignore on a keyboard this tiny. When rows are short and tightly spaced, any deviation in cap height or switch seating jumps out at you and, worse, you feel it while typing.

This review walks through the whole experience. What is delightful. What is concerning. Who this is for. Why I am telling most people to wait.


What it is

  • Footprint: ultra compact low profile board that literally fits in a hand
  • Connectivity: tri-mode on my unit with 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and USB-C
  • Hot-swap: low profile hot-swap sockets with north-facing RGB
  • Software: QMK and VIA listed by the brand
  • Battery: small internal cell sized for the form factor
  • Build: a blend of aluminum and plastic with a clean outer shell

The overall presentation is delightful. The carry bag is cute. The braided USB-C cable feels nicer than the usual pack-in. Lighting is impressively bright considering the available volume inside the case.


Design and build

The design goal is obvious. Make a fully functional, travel friendly mechanical keyboard that is smaller than your expectations. On a desk, the board looks like concept art. It is an attention magnet in the best way.

That tiny footprint also magnifies imperfections. On both units I saw:

  • Uneven key height in several places
  • Caps sitting slightly left or right relative to their neighbors
  • A spacebar that sits higher than the row and is easy to miss while typing
  • One unit where the B key repeatedly popped up and refused to seat flush

These are not superficial quibbles. On a compact low profile board, symmetry and straight lines are part of the product. If the plate or PCB tolerances are off, or if the sockets are not holding stems consistently, the resulting staircase effect across the top surfaces is immediately visible.


Layout and ergonomics

Even if every cap sat perfectly, this layout requires an adjustment period. The spacebar is small and offset in a way that asks you to retrain your thumb. If the bar also rides high relative to the row, missed presses are common until you relearn the strike zone.

This is not a criticism of experimentation. I like interesting layouts. The problem is a combination of geometry and tolerance. You can learn a new pattern. You cannot learn away a cap that sits crooked or high.


Switches and sound

My replacement unit shipped with silent low profile switches that actually deliver on silence. For office or late night use, the sound is pleasingly subdued with a soft bottom out. RGB diffusion looks good for such a shallow case and the glow sells the futurist aesthetic.

On the earlier unit, standard low profile switches highlighted the same build issues. Different stems did not meaningfully change alignment behavior, which is why I suspect plate or socket tolerances rather than switch choice alone.


Typing feel

When rows line up, low profile can feel snappy and fast. Here the experience is inconsistent because of cap height variation and the spacebar stance. I could type, but I never trusted the board for focused writing or editing. The mismatch draws your eyes and your fingers out of rhythm.

If your goal is quick chat replies, couch browsing, or a novelty board for light usage, you can make it work. For longer sessions, the micro-misalignments become a chore.


Wireless and software

Tri-mode is a win for flexibility. Switching among devices worked as expected. Latency felt fine for normal desktop use and casual gaming.

The software side raised a red flag. The brand published a firmware caution on its website warning that some users had flashed incorrect files and rendered devices unusable, with language implying that such cases may not be covered by after-sales support. Average buyers should not be put in that position. The correct path is simple. Guard the update process. Block or warn against the wrong file. Make recovery straightforward. If VIA and QMK are selling points, the update story must be safe and clear.


QC and tolerance concerns

Across two separate units, the pattern was consistent.

  • Caps do not sit uniformly
  • A few keys ride high or appear slightly twisted
  • The spacebar placement and height hurt accuracy
  • On one unit, a letter key popped up under light use

This looks and feels like plate or PCB flatness combined with socket uniformity. On such a small device, even minimal warp can show. If the cap tolerances are loose and the sockets allow micro-play, the issues add up. The fix is a combination of tighter part specs, better plate support, and improved outbound QC to catch misalignment before shipping.


The adorable factor is real

Let us give credit where due. This thing looks fantastic on a desk. The carry bag is charming. The RGB shimmer on something this small is fun. The silent switch option is very quiet. If you build a collection of unusual boards, this will make you smile every time you see it.

A product has to be a tool first. Right now the Geonix Rev.2 feels like an art object that wants to be a tool and is not there yet.


Who is this for

  • Collectors who love novelty form factors and display-worthy gear
  • Minimalists who want an ultra-small wireless keyboard for short sessions
  • Tinkerers who do not mind experimenting with caps and fitment

Who should skip

  • Typists who value straight rows and consistent cap height
  • Office users who cannot afford to relearn a spacebar or chase mispresses
  • Buyers who want zero-drama firmware and clear recovery options

Alternatives to consider

Because this board is so specific, there is no one-to-one substitute. If your goal is tiny and wireless with better day-to-day typing confidence, look for:

  • Compact low profile boards with a proven plate design and known QC
  • Models with documented VIA profiles and vendor-supplied update tools
  • A layout that does not force a relearn of the spacebar strike zone

I included a recommended alternative in the YouTube description for people who want something you can daily without the alignment lottery.


A note to the manufacturer

Chosfox, if you have a concrete plan to address tolerance, plate flatness, socket consistency, and firmware guardrails, post it in the video comments. I will pin your reply so that buyers can see it. If you would like me to retest a revised unit with documented fixes, I am happy to do that.


Pros

  • Genuinely unique ultra-compact design that sparks joy
  • Tri-mode wireless for flexible switching
  • Silent switch option is impressive for shared spaces
  • VIA listed and RGB is bright for the footprint
  • Small, tidy travel kit with a nice cable and pouch

Cons

  • Key alignment and height inconsistencies across two units
  • Spacebar sits high and is easy to miss
  • Typing requires relearning because of spacing and cap geometry
  • Firmware caution suggests an unsafe update path for casual users
  • Battery feels small for heavy wireless use
  • Keycaps feel cheap plastic
  • Overall QC state does not match the ambition

Verdict

I wanted to love the Chosfox X Masro | Geonix Rev.2. The idea is bold and the execution gets close on the fun parts. The fundamentals are not locked down. On a board this small, straight rows and level caps are non-negotiable. Add a risky firmware path and I cannot recommend the current revision.

If Chosfox tightens tolerances, flattens the plate, secures the update process, and verifies alignment at the factory, this could become a cult favorite. Until then, the smart move is to wait and watch for a revision that fixes the basics.

Links

Copyright Crafting Worlds LLC © All rights reserved. | Newsphere by AF themes.