Recently we had reviewed the DisplayPad and MacroPad from MOUNTAIN and we did mentioned their ability to get installed as add-ons to the MOUNTAIN EVEREST (MAX) keyboard. Today we will test the main keyboard and several other peripherals from MOUNTAIN, like the NUNATAK mousepad and the MAKALU67 wired mouse. Let's begin our (MOUNTAIN) journey!

Everest Max keyboard

MOUNTAIN mentions at their press release

"...When we looked at the keyboard market, we didn’t feel users really had enough choice with their keyboard. In the last 10+ years, other than switches, we don’t think there has been big steps in terms of development. So MOUNTAIN started developing the Everest keyboard over two years ago with the mission of bringing real innovation and user-centric design to the market. We came up with four key pillars: Innovation – Performance – Aesthetics – Customization.

The innovation and performance go hand-in-hand with the customization through connectivity and the integrated display keys and detachable media dock. When it comes to aesthetics, it is not only about using the best and highest quality material across the board. We spent a lot of time to perfect the look of the Everest to blend in the modularity. Last but not least, we have gone the extra mile to really bring enthusiast-grade sound design to the consumer keyboard experience by lubricating all stabilizers manually, clip the space bar stabilizer and add padding inside the keyboard. While genuine Cherry stabilizers with manual lubing labor certainly isn't the cheapest option, it is the best..."

The Everest Max Keyboard includes several important and unique features like

• The modular design
• Numpad with screens
• Media Dock
• Magnetic Riser Feet

EVEREST MEDIA DOCK WITH DISPLAY DIAL
A whole mountain range of controls and information on top of your keyboard. Also, the first of its kind to feature a display! Apart from easily accessible media controls, the display will enable you to monitor your system, display or switch profiles. 

NUMPAD OR NOT-PAD?
If your daily routines include punching in numbers every so often, or you have an elaborate script and hotkey setup, the Everest Numpad is for you. It was designed to fit snugly and securely to Everest and look great while serving alongside its bigger brother, either on the right or the left side of your keyboard.

CUSTOMIZABLE DISPLAY KEYS
To maximize your efficiency, modify the 4 display keys on your Everest Numpad to your heart’s desire. Choose your favorite shortcuts, macros or hotkeys and pick an image to make them your own.

GET THE EDGE FOR STREAMING
Base Camp features a tight integration with OBS Studio to enable recording, streaming, transitions and more with the push of a button. Includes custom icons for Display Keys to make sure you’ll never lose track of what’s important..

MEET ME JUST RIGHT
Everest’s unique patent-pending riser feet design enables a secure and sturdy stand that goes beyond the capabilities of flimsy plastic solutions. In addition, a set of spacers allows you to find the perfect height so that Everest will always meet you at the perfect angle.

RGB ALL THE THINGS
Set your desk ablaze with the widest array of RGB features we can muster. 16.7 million colors and numerous RGB modes are at your disposal. With individual RGB lighting for every individual key and a slick RGB strip around Everest’s entire body, the choice is yours. For additional synchronization we also added Razer Chroma™ RGB support

EXTRA SMOOTH
Sound is a crucial aspect of every mechanical keyboard, and Everest goes the extra mile to achieve superiority. Featuring genuine Cherry stabilizers with tight tolerances, factory-tuned with Glaze GPL 205 Grade 0. Everest’s stabilizers do away with rattle and noise, placing them in a league of their own.
 
SWITCH IT UP
We selected the gold standard of mechanical switches. Prefer something different? The modular approach makes it easy for you to replace the stock switches with any other compatible hot-swap variant, no soldering required.

Numpad USB-C Connector
The Numpad Connector has a little bit of movement on purpose, so that you can move and lift the TKL without the risk of bending the connector or unplugging the Numpad.

- Specification

Color: Gunmetal Gray/Midnight Black
Switch: Type 3-Pin Cherry MX, hot-swappable
Stabilizer: Cherry (plate-mounted, lubricated)
Layout Standard: ANSI / ISO
Backlight: RGB
Key Rollover: NKRO over USB
Polling Rate: 1000Hz / 1ms
Keycaps: ABS (PBT Optional)
MCU: Cortex M0
Onboard memory: Up to 5 profiles
On-the-Fly System: Through FN Function Key
Connector: USB Type-C
Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1
Cable length: 2m
Product Dimensions: 265x461x43mm (LxWxH)
Product Weight: 1373g
Materials: Aluminum, ABS (PBT optional)
Media Dock Display: RGB TFT IPS 240x204px
Media Dock keys 4: media, 1: display control
Display Keys 4: 72x72px per key TFT LCD
Palm Rest Magnetic, covered in PU-Leather
Software: Support Base Camp (Windows only)
Warranty 2 years
Price: €249,99 without shipping

- Retail package

The retail package for the Everest Max is rather big and "heavy", hopefully something very good should be included inside.

The package opens via magnets and you can immediately see the keyboard at the front view

while at the bottom, several other carton boxes are included with all needed accessories and cables.

The main keyboard is made out of aluminium and it comes in two colors, Gunmetal Gray/Midnight Black, we chosen the gunmetal gray, which looks and feel very premium. The keyboard is very sturdy and heavy, it comes with 265x461x43mm (LxWxH) dimensions and overall 1373gr weight. All pre-installed keycaps have RGB lighting inside that can be controlled via the BaseCamp (windows only) software. I am sure RGB fans would like to sync with popular brands like Asus AURA, however MOUNTAIN states that (for now?) only RAZER CHROMA is supported.

From the official website you can choose from 10 different keycap ISO layouts and five (5) different Switch type (MX Brown, MX Red, MX Blue, MX Silent Red and MX Speed Silver).

Alternative you can get MOUNTAIN switches (Tactile 55, Linear 45, Linear 45 Speed), to further customize feel and performance of your Everest keyboard. MOUNTAIN also sells strip down versions of the EVEREST MAX , the EVEREST Core and the EVEREST Core Barebone for enthusiasts.

The product has rounded corners and at the whole perimeter there is an inline design element that allows MOUNTAIN products to installed and secured, like the DisplayPAD or MacroPAD.

At both sides, there are USB Type-C connections among with special magnet mounts for secure/install the included keypad.

while at the back of the keyboard, there are also two USB Type-C and one USB-Type A connectors.

At the top of the keyboard, there is the MOUNTAIN LOGO very distinguished.

The Gunmetal Gray colour includes a brushed pattern at the key area of the keyboard, very nice detail.

The retail package also includes a very good rest pad, which includes foam and secures with three magnets making it very easy to get installed.

The included keypad, includes a full numeric keyboard and four 72x72px per key TFT LCD that can be managed via the BASE Camp Software for various functions/shortcuts. The TFT LCD screens are bright and can be adjusted either to be always on/off or dim after sometime.

The installation method is very simple and easy to perform, at the bottom area, there is a slider that ejects a USB Type C male with two magnets that secure the numeric keypad at the main body. The final result is good, however if you move the keyboard around, eventually the numeric keypad will get removed, for the v2 of the Everest MAX we would like stronger magnets. At the bottom area, you can add magnetic heights to adjust the keyboard height at your likings.

Apart from the numeric keyboard, the EVEREST Max includes a media dock that includes a round RGB TFT IPS 240x204px display, 4 media keys and 1 display control. The outer shell of the RGB screen can be rotated and used to select various functions like Profiles, Lighting, Volume, Brightness, PC info, APM, Clock, etc. Rotate and press once to enter each submenu, and double press to move one level up. Note that the screen is not touch enabled. The media dock has pre-installed a male TypeC and can be installed either at the right or the left top area of the EVEREST keyboard.

The media dock has pre-installed a male TypeC and can be installed either at the right or the left top area of the EVEREST keyboard. For our tests, we used the media dock at the right top area of the EVEREST Max keyboard.

Here is how the whole setup looks like after got installed both the numeric keypad and the media dock.

At the retail package there are several also components for your using (if you like) that include

• Keycap & Switch combo removal tool
• USB Type-C to C cable (15cm)
• USB Type-A to C cable (2m)
• Extra Cherry MX Switch x5
• Extra ESC keycap x1
• Magnetic Riser feet x8

The included cables are well build and are braided

Below you can see both the 2m, Type A to Type C and the TypeC male-female cable.

At the bottom of the keyboard, users will find many ways to router their cables and perform the best possible cable management, according to their needs.