OHY XVX Starry MDA Profile Keycap Set, 122 Keys Review
Side-printed legends on an MDA profile, with a translucent polycarbonate top over ABS and a sparkle finish moulded in.
| Brand | OHY |
|---|---|
| Key count | 122 |
| Profile | MDA, higher than OEM and lower than SA |
| Top layer | Polycarbonate, translucent black crystal texture |
| Second layer | ABS |
| Finish | Sparkle, integrated into the material |
| Best for | Touch typists who want a clean top surface and a taller profile than OEM |
Product Overview
Two things make this set different from the usual aftermarket cap. The first is the legends: they are printed on the side of each cap rather than the top, so looking down at the keyboard shows a clean, unmarked surface. The letters are visible from the front as you sit at the desk.
The second is the profile. MDA sits between the two shapes most people know, higher than the OEM profile most keyboards ship with and lower than the tall SA profile. OHY positions it as ergonomic and aimed at reducing finger fatigue over long sessions, which is the usual argument for a sculpted taller cap.
Construction is dual material rather than single. The top layer is polycarbonate with a translucent black crystal texture, over a second layer of ABS. The sparkle finish is integrated into the material rather than applied on top, which is what OHY credits for resisting fading, wear and oil.
Score Breakdown
This verdict is based on the manufacturer's stated specifications, the current Amazon listing and its product images, the confirmed materials and design, real buyer ratings, and our research into the product category. Scores are consistent editorial judgments, not laboratory measurements, and we did not receive a paid sample.
Key Features
Letters sit on the front face of each cap rather than the top, so the keyboard reads as a clean unmarked surface from above.
Taller than the OEM profile most keyboards ship with and lower than SA, which changes the sculpt and the reach between rows.
Legends are a second piece of plastic moulded into the cap rather than printing on the surface, so they cannot rub away.
The touch surface is polycarbonate with a translucent black crystal texture, over an ABS second layer.
The finish is part of the material rather than a coating, which OHY credits for resisting fading, wear and oil.
Specific layout support from 61 up to 108 key boards, rather than a vague compatibility claim.
A keycap puller comes in the box so stock caps lift off safely without levering them with whatever is to hand.
Design and Build Quality
The set covers 122 keys, which OHY states fits most ANSI layout mechanical keyboards, naming 61, 63, 68, 84, 87, 100, 104 and 108 key boards. Compatibility is with all MX switches and MX clones, with Cherry MX, Gateron and Kailh named specifically. Colour is listed as Starry Black.
Legends use double shot printing, meaning they are moulded into the cap as a second piece of plastic rather than printed onto the surface. That is the part of the durability story that is straightforwardly true: a moulded legend cannot wear off because there is no layer to rub away.
The material pairing is worth understanding. The surface you touch is polycarbonate, which is harder than the ABS most stock caps use. The ABS forms the second layer underneath. OHY claims resistance to fading, wear and oil from the integrated sparkle finish, and we have reported that as the manufacturer's claim rather than as a measured result. The listing publishes no dimensions or model number.
Performance in Everyday Use
Side printing is a genuine preference split rather than an upgrade. If you touch type, a clean top surface looks better and the side legend is still there when you need it. If you glance down to find a key, side printing makes that harder, because the letters face away from your eye line when you are looking from above.
MDA profile changes the feel more than a material swap does. Taller than OEM means a longer reach between rows and a more pronounced sculpt, which some typists find more comfortable and others need a week to adapt to. If you are coming from stock OEM caps, expect an adjustment period rather than an immediate improvement.
The translucent polycarbonate top is what carries the backlight. Unlike a pudding style cap, where a clear lower section glows around the base, here the translucency is in the top layer with the sparkle finish catching the light. The effect is a shimmer across the cap rather than an underglow at its edges.
Coverage at 122 keys is generous and the layout list is specific, which is more useful than a vague compatibility claim. The constraint is ANSI: this is not an ISO set, so a UK or European layout keyboard with a tall enter key and an extra key beside it will not be fully covered. Check your layout, not just your switch type.
How It Performs: The Evidence
| Decision factor | What we found | Evidence and measurement | Score | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legend construction | Side-printed, double shot moulded | Listing states side-printed legends adopting double shot printing technology, with legends molded into the keycaps rather than surface-printed | 9.0 | A moulded legend cannot wear away, unlike printing on the surface |
| Profile | MDA, higher than OEM and lower than SA | Listing states the MDA profile is higher than OEM and lower than SA, delivering ergonomic comfort | 8.5 | Profile changes the feel of a board more than a material swap does |
| Materials | Polycarbonate top layer over ABS | Listing states PC top layer with translucent black crystal texture plus ABS second layer | 8.0 | The touch surface is harder polycarbonate rather than the ABS of most stock caps |
| Backlight handling | Translucent top with an integrated sparkle finish | Listing states the sparkle finish emits a shimmering glow when paired with keyboard backlighting | 8.5 | Determines whether an RGB board's lighting is visible through the caps at all |
| Layout coverage | 122 keys across ANSI 61 to 108 key boards | Listing states a complete 122-key set fitting most ANSI layout keyboards including 61, 63, 68, 84, 87, 100, 104 and 108 keys | 8.0 | Specific layout lists are far more useful than a general compatibility claim |
| Switch compatibility | All MX switches and MX clones | Listing states full compatibility with all MX switches and MX-clones including Cherry MX, Gateron and Kailh | 9.0 | Stem type decides whether the caps physically fit at all |
| Readability | Legends on the side face only | Listing states unique side-printed legends creating a minimalist look with clear visibility | 6.0 | Looking down at the board from above does not show the letters |
| Published specification | No dimensions or model number | The listing gives no item dimensions and no manufacturer model or part number | 6.5 | Harder to match against a second set or confirm a return revision |
Who Should Buy It
- Touch typists who want a clean keyboard surface
- RGB boards where a sparkle finish catches the light
- ANSI layout keyboards from 61 to 108 keys
- Anyone wanting a taller profile than OEM without going to SA
- Builds where the keyboard is part of the look
- Anyone learning to type, or keyboards that are not ANSI layout or MX stem
- Side printing is harder to read if you look down at the keys
- ANSI only, so ISO layouts are not fully covered
- MDA profile needs an adjustment period from OEM
- No dimensions or model number published
Full Specifications
How It Compares
| Feature | OHY | Typical budget | Premium option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legend position | Side printed | Top printed | Blank, no legends |
| Profile | MDA, between OEM and SA | OEM | SA, tall and sculpted |
| Legend construction | Double shot, moulded | Surface printed | Dye sublimated |
| Touch surface | Polycarbonate | ABS | PBT |
| Backlight handling | Translucent top with sparkle | Opaque | Translucent lower layer, pudding style |
| Layout support | ANSI only | ANSI | ANSI and ISO kits |
Alternatives Worth a Look
A set with a clear point of view. Side-printed legends give the cleanest top surface you can get without going blank, MDA profile is a real alternative to the OEM shape rather than a variation on it, and double shot moulding means the legends themselves cannot wear away. Two things to settle first: you need to genuinely touch type for side printing to make sense, and you need an ANSI layout board, because this is not an ISO set.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does side-printed mean in practice?
The letters are on the front face of each cap rather than the top, so looking down at the keyboard shows a clean unmarked surface while the legends remain visible from where you sit. It suits touch typists and makes glancing down for a key harder.
What is MDA profile?
A sculpted keycap shape that sits between the two most people know. OHY states it is higher than OEM, which is what most keyboards ship with, and lower than SA, which is the tall vintage shape. Expect a slightly longer reach between rows than you are used to.
Will they fit my keyboard?
If it uses MX switches and an ANSI layout, very likely. OHY names Cherry MX, Gateron and Kailh and lists support for 61, 63, 68, 84, 87, 100, 104 and 108 key boards. ISO layouts, with a tall enter key, are not covered by this set.
Are these PBT or ABS?
Neither alone. The top layer you touch is polycarbonate with a translucent black crystal texture, over an ABS second layer. That differs from a single-material PBT set, and the surface hardness comes from the polycarbonate rather than the ABS underneath.
Will the legends wear off?
No, and that part is straightforward. The legends are double shot, meaning moulded into the cap as a second piece of plastic rather than printed onto the surface. There is no printed layer to rub away. OHY makes broader claims about resisting fading and oil, which we report as the manufacturer's own.
How do they look with RGB lighting?
The translucent polycarbonate top with its integrated sparkle finish catches the backlight across the cap, which OHY describes as a shimmering glow. That is a different effect from pudding style caps, where a clear lower layer glows around the base of each key instead.
Do I need a keycap puller?
You do, and one is included. A 122 key set means removing a full board of stock caps, and levering them with a screwdriver or fingernails risks bent stems and scratched caps. The puller is the only tool required.
How many keys do I actually get?
One hundred and twenty two. That is a full set with spares for the various bottom row layouts across the board sizes OHY lists, so most ANSI keyboards will be fully covered with caps left over.
This review is based on the manufacturer's stated specifications, the current product listing and its images, the confirmed key count, profile, materials, legend construction, switch and layout compatibility and included accessories, and our own research into how keycap profiles and materials differ. It is editorial analysis, not laboratory testing, and we have not fitted this set to a keyboard ourselves. The listing publishes no dimensions or model number, and we have reported its durability claims as the manufacturer's own rather than as measured findings.