C87 Mechanical Keyboard

Royal Kludge C87 Magnetic Mechanical Keyboard

The Royal Kludge C87 is a wired magnetic mechanical keyboard featuring an 87% keyboard layout, adjustable backlighting, Windows and Mac operating system modes, and dedicated multimedia controls.

The keyboard connects to a compatible computer through a USB Type-C to USB-A cable. It includes an Fn key for secondary functions such as changing backlight brightness, adjusting lighting speed, switching lighting modes, locking the Windows key, and restoring factory settings.

The C87 uses magnetic switches that require the correct magnetic pole orientation during replacement. After replacing a magnetic switch, calibration must be performed through the keyboard driver.

Product Overview

C87 Keyboard Specifications

Main Keyboard Features

The Royal Kludge C87 provides the following functions:

• Compact 87% magnetic mechanical keyboard layout.
• USB Type-C wired connection.
• Dedicated function-key row.
• Adjustable keyboard backlight brightness.
• Adjustable backlight effect speed.
• Multiple lighting modes.
• Monochrome lighting switching.
• Side lighting adjustment.
• Backlight on/off control.
• Windows and Mac system modes.
• Multimedia playback shortcuts.
• Screen and keyboard brightness controls on Mac.
• Caps Lock, Scroll Lock, Windows Lock, and Mac status indicators.
• Windows key locking.
• Factory reset through an Fn shortcut.
• Magnetic switch replacement with driver-based calibration.

Keyboard Layout and Components

The C87 has a compact keyboard layout with standard typing keys, function keys, navigation keys, and directional arrow keys.

Keyboard Components

Keyboard Layout

The 87% layout includes:

• A dedicated function-key row containing F1 through F12.
• A standard alphanumeric typing area.
• Modifier keys such as Shift, Ctrl, Alt, and Windows.
• Navigation keys including Insert, Home, Page Up, Delete, End, and Page Down.
• Separate directional arrow keys.
• Status indicator lights.

The Fn key is used with selected keys to access additional lighting, multimedia, and system functions.

Magnetic Switch Replacement and Calibration

The C87 uses magnetic switches that require correct orientation when a switch is replaced.

Magnetic Switch Orientation

When replacing a magnetic switch, the switch body must be installed with its N-pole facing downward.

This orientation is required for the keyboard’s magnetic switch mechanism.

Calibrating a Replaced Magnetic Switch

After replacing the switch body, the keyboard must be calibrated through its driver software.

The replacement procedure is:

1. Remove the switch that requires replacement.
2. Position the replacement switch with the N-pole facing downward.
3. Install the replacement switch in the appropriate position.
4. Open the keyboard driver.
5. Perform the required switch calibration in the driver.

Calibration is required after replacing the magnetic switch body.

Before First Use

The keyboard should be connected to a computer through its USB cable before operation.

Initial Setup

1. Position the keyboard on a suitable working surface.
2. Locate the USB Type-C connection port.
3. Connect the USB Type-C end of the cable to the keyboard.
4. Connect the USB-A end to an available USB port on the computer.
5. Select the appropriate Windows or Mac operating system mode.
6. Configure the keyboard’s lighting preferences if required.

Wired USB Type-C Connection

The Royal Kludge C87 operates through a wired USB connection.

How to Connect the C87 Keyboard

1. Locate the USB Type-C port on the keyboard.
2. Insert the USB Type-C connector into the port.
3. Connect the USB-A connector to an available USB port on a computer.
4. Use the keyboard through the wired connection.

The USB Type-C to USB-A cable provides the connection between the keyboard and the computer.

Keyboard Indicator Lights

The keyboard has four indicator functions.

Indicator Light Guide

Caps Lock Indicator

The Caps Lock indicator corresponds to the keyboard’s capitalization setting.

Scroll Lock Indicator

The Scroll Lock indicator corresponds to the Scroll Lock function.

Windows Lock Indicator

The Windows Lock indicator shows the status of the Windows key lock feature.

Mac System Indicator

The Mac indicator remains illuminated while the keyboard is operating in Mac system mode.

Backlight Controls

The Royal Kludge C87 provides keyboard shortcuts for controlling the backlight brightness, effect speed, lighting modes, monochrome switching, and side lighting.

Complete Backlight Shortcut Table

Increasing Backlight Brightness

Press Fn + Up Arrow (↑) to increase the backlight brightness.

Decreasing Backlight Brightness

Press Fn + Down Arrow (↓) to decrease the backlight brightness.

Increasing Backlight Effect Speed

Press Fn + Right Arrow (→) to increase the speed of the backlight effect.

Decreasing Backlight Effect Speed

Press Fn + Left Arrow (←) to reduce the speed of the backlight effect.

Changing Backlight Modes

Press Fn + Scroll Lock (ScrLk) to switch between the keyboard’s available backlight modes.

Switching Monochrome Lighting

Press Fn + Pause to activate the monochrome lighting switching function.

Adjusting Side Lighting

Press Fn + Insert (Ins) to adjust the side lighting.

Turning All Lights On or Off

Press Fn + Backspace (Back) to turn all keyboard lights on or off.

Windows Key Lock

The C87 provides a shortcut for controlling the Windows key lock.

Locking the Windows Key

Press Fn + Win.

This activates the Windows Lock function.

Windows Lock Indicator

The Win Lock indicator displays the status of the Windows key lock.

The same shortcut controls the locking function when the Windows key needs to be used again.

Factory Reset

The C87 includes a factory reset shortcut that restores the keyboard’s default settings.

How to Factory Reset the Royal Kludge C87

1. Keep the keyboard connected to the computer.
2. Press and hold Fn + Spacebar.
3. Continue holding both keys for 3 seconds.
4. Release the keys after the reset command has been activated.

The keyboard restores its factory settings.

Windows Mode

The C87 supports a Windows operating system mode.

Switching to Windows Mode

Press Fn + A.

This selects the Windows system layout.

Windows Mode Functions

Windows mode provides access to:

• Computer shortcut.
• Browser shortcut.
• Mailbox shortcut.
• Calculator shortcut.
• Media player.
• Playback controls.
• Audio volume controls.
• Mute function.

These functions are assigned to the F1–F12 keys.

Windows Multimedia Shortcut Keys

The following shortcuts apply when the keyboard is operating in Windows mode.

Windows Shortcut Table

Opening the Computer Shortcut

Press Fn + F1 to activate the Computer shortcut.

Opening the Browser

Press Fn + F2 to open the browser function.

Opening the Mailbox

Press Fn + F3 to activate the mailbox shortcut.

Opening the Calculator

Press Fn + F4 to activate the Calculator shortcut.

Media Player Controls

Audio Controls

Mac Mode

The C87 also includes a Mac operating system mode.

Switching to Mac Mode

Press Fn + S.

This selects the Mac system layout.

Mac Mode Functions

Mac mode includes shortcuts for:

• Screen brightness adjustment.
• Keyboard backlight brightness adjustment.
• Previous and next song.
• Play and pause.
• Mute.
• System volume adjustment.

Mac Multimedia Shortcut Keys

The following shortcuts apply when the keyboard is operating in Mac mode.

Mac Shortcut Table

Mac Screen Brightness

Press Fn + F1 to decrease screen brightness.

Press Fn + F2 to increase screen brightness.

Mac Keyboard Backlight Brightness

Press Fn + F5 to reduce keyboard backlight brightness.

Press Fn + F6 to increase keyboard backlight brightness.

Mac Media Playback

Mac Audio Volume

Switching Between Windows and Mac Mode

The C87 provides separate shortcuts for selecting the keyboard system layout.

System Mode Shortcuts

Changing to Windows Mode

Press Fn + A.

Changing to Mac Mode

Press Fn + S.

The Mac indicator identifies when Mac system mode is selected.

Keyboard Driver and Software

The Royal Kludge C87 supports driver-based configuration and magnetic switch calibration.

The driver is required when calibrating magnetic switches after replacement.

Driver Website

The driver address supplied in the manual is:

https://drive2.rkgaming.com

Magnetic Switch Calibration

After replacing a magnetic switch:

1. Confirm that the replacement switch has been installed with its N-pole facing downward.
2. Open the keyboard driver.
3. Complete the required calibration through the driver.

The keyboard must be calibrated after magnetic switch replacement.

Japanese Input Mode

The Japanese-language instructions include additional guidance for typing Japanese characters with the keyboard.

Caps Lock and Kana Input

The Japanese section describes different key outputs depending on the Caps Lock and Shift states.

It provides separate character-reference tables for:

• Caps Lock enabled.
• Caps Lock enabled with Shift.
• Caps Lock disabled with Shift.
• Caps Lock disabled.

Japanese Input Precautions

When using Japanese input, the system’s Japanese input method must be enabled.

Some shortcuts require Shift and Fn to be pressed together with the assigned key. Fn combinations only work when the appropriate key combination is used.

The character output can vary according to the selected keyboard layout and input method.

Complete C87 Keyboard Shortcut Reference

The following table summarizes the keyboard’s main controls.

Customer Support Information

Royal Kludge provides customer support for product questions and operating issues.

Manufacturer Information

For product questions or operating issues, customers can contact Royal Kludge through its customer support channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is the Royal Kludge C87 connected to a computer?

The C87 uses a USB Type-C wired connection. The Type-C end of the cable connects to the keyboard, while the USB-A end connects to an available USB port on the computer.

2. How can the backlight brightness be adjusted on the C87?

Press Fn + Up Arrow to increase backlight brightness or Fn + Down Arrow to decrease it. Backlight effect speed is controlled using Fn + Left Arrow and Fn + Right Arrow.

3. How can the lighting mode be changed?

Press Fn + Scroll Lock to switch between the keyboard’s available lighting modes. Fn + Pause controls monochrome switching, and Fn + Insert adjusts the side lighting.

4. How can all keyboard lights be turned off?

Press Fn + Backspace to turn all keyboard lights off or on.

5. How is the Royal Kludge C87 factory reset?

Press and hold Fn + Spacebar for three seconds to restore the keyboard’s factory settings.

6. How is the C87 switched between Windows and Mac mode?

Press Fn + A to select Windows mode or Fn + S to select Mac mode.

7. How should a magnetic switch be installed on the C87?

A replacement magnetic switch must be installed with its N-pole facing downward. After the switch is installed, it must be calibrated through the keyboard driver.

8. Where can the Royal Kludge C87 driver be accessed?

The driver website listed in the user manual is https://drive2.rkgaming.com/. The driver is used for supported keyboard configuration and magnetic switch calibration.