Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 Gaming Keyboard Evaluate – The All the pieces Keyboard

Between the K70, K100, and K55 from years previous, Corsair had persistently been within the dialog for high keyboard maker alongside the likes of Razer and SteelSeries (and Keychron, in the event you ask me). In current years, although, the aforementioned manufacturers had pulled forward with their new fashions, weaving improvements in right here and there to maintain issues contemporary. Corsair has now closed that hole and made an announcement with the brand new Vanguard Pro 96. It’s not simply because it adopted magnetic switches, however issues just like the 96% structure, good macro buttons, and LED show add as much as make it a form of “greatest hits” of the most effective gaming keyboards. There are a number of minor design quirks I’m not an enormous fan of, however the Vanguard Pro 96 seems like one of many extra full gaming keyboards I’ve examined, even within the high-end area.

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 – Design and Features

The Vanguard Pro 96 has the fundamentals locked down with double-shot PBT keycaps, a powerful aluminum body, and vibrant RGB backlighting that shines via the uncovered keycaps. The body flares out a bit which makes for a barely wider base, and whereas that’s not essentially a design flaw, it is not fairly as clean-looking as among the finest keyboards lately (although it’s tidier than most different Corsair boards). You additionally get a pleasant padded wrist relaxation that attaches magnetically with somewhat branded aptitude within the center.

However, this provides room for the cleverly applied macro buttons on the left facet of the board (designated G1 via G5). The six programmable buttons angle outward of the bottom, making them simple to see and press in a second’s discover. Most different keyboards with macro buttons have them as an additional column of keys that provides some undesirable bulk, and fortunately, Corsair found out a strategy to convey the purposeful advantages with out the heft.

You’ll discover a vivid 1.9-inch LCD display on the high proper of the keyboard subsequent to the textured aluminum rotary dial. It acts as a form of heads-up show that reveals your keyboard’s data and allows you to management most of the Vanguard Pro’s settings on the fly. I’ve praised this sort of characteristic on Razer’s new BlackWidow and the SteelSeries Apex Pro, and Corsair has executed one thing comparable on different high-end choices, however it is a smooth rendition of the concept. I want that it was extra intuitive to navigate the menus on the display (you could have use the FN + F12 to shuffle via the controls), however when you get the cling of it and/or customise its features by way of the online software program, it is pretty clean crusing.

While this is not one thing I can attribute to the Vanguard Pro alone, I’m simply actually blissful that Corsair determined to make use of the 96% structure – it is a format I’ve gushed about since getting a Keychron K4 years in the past (and subsequently reviewing the K4 HE) as a result of it does not compromise full-size performance and nonetheless saves an honest quantity of deskspace. Sure, you lose a devoted middle column, however since I hardly ever use these controls and may nonetheless entry them by way of the keypad, it is a simple concession to make. And the very fact it was nonetheless capable of slap on a LCD management panel, rotary dial, and macro keys is the form of design I’ve been on the lookout for.

The final headlining characteristic is Corsair’s personal MGX magnetic switches, which stack up extraordinarily properly to their Hall Effect contemporaries. Each keystroke comes with a clean, linear really feel and a constant resistance curve (from 30g to 55g) all through its full 4.0mm journey distance. Like any Hall Effect keyboard price its salt, you may regulate the actuation level anyplace between 0.1mm to 4.0mm, which is likely one of the predominant benefits of getting magnetic switches. Corsair has solely used the MGX switches on two of the highest K70 fashions, and so they shine simply as vivid on the Vanguard Pro.

One minor annoyance is the unnecessarily obtuse USB-C port placement – it is saddled deep into the underside of the board and the cable must be wedged via notches. Once it is set, it is effective, since this is not precisely a journey keyboard. This additionally highlights the very fact the Vanguard Pro is a wired-only keyboard, which limits its versatility. At a time when keyboards on this worth vary provide 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity, it is a bit disappointing. On the upside, you do not have to fret about battery life, particularly in the event you’re utilizing the super-fast 8000Hz polling fee. As I’ve famous on different enthusiast-level keyboard opinions, excessive polling fee is not very helpful for a tool centered on binary enter (whether or not the hot button is actuated or not) versus a mouse that continually tracks indefinite miniscule actions. At least you already know you are getting the most effective efficiency potential.

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 – Software and Customization

With many Corsair merchandise, you’d have to make use of the iCUE software program suite for personalisation – one in every of my least favorites amongst peripheral software program because it’s fairly convoluted to navigate. In a stunning flip for the higher, Corsair made the Vanguard configurable solely via the Corsair Web Hub which is a browser-based instrument. This is what number of boutique keyboards go about software program, such because the Keychron K4 HE – it is a way more agile strategy to customization, particularly because you’re capable of keep away from bloated download-only suites. It places the Corsair product catalog in a bizarre spot the place you might want iCUE for some, however not all, units; general, nonetheless, it is a good transfer and I hope for it to be a development transferring ahead.

In the Web Hub, you may customise the RGB backlighting with a complete roster of results and coloration schemes whereas adjusting their velocity, habits, and directional stream. More importantly, that is the place you regulate the actuation and reset factors for the magnetic switches on a person foundation. You can set customized key assignments, assign the 5 facet macro buttons, and construct macro sequences for them, whereas additionally saving a number of layers you may change between.

Here, you will discover the Flash Tap operate that permits simultaneous opposing cardinal route (SOCD) enter, a characteristic that’s turning into fairly widespread amongst trendy gaming keyboards. (Be cautious although – whereas this allows you to quick-strafe with inhuman effectivity in video games like Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant, it’s a bannable offense as a result of it veers into dishonest territory.) Rapid Trigger, then again, is not fairly as contentious because it lets the magnetic change acknowledge any upward motion as a reset level, making repeated inputs simpler.

The final noteworthy factor right here is the Elgato Stream Deck button close to the right-side FN key, which turns out to be useful for content material creation. This will admittedly cater to a small crowd, nevertheless it’s a pleasant value-add that works like an additional instrument to complement those that use the Stream Deck app and need extra management.

There’s lots happening software-side between the web-based software program and Stream Deck app if you wish to get essentially the most out of the keyboard, and I suppose it could have lots to relegate this stage of fine-tuning to iCUE. But because of this, Corsair has sturdy and easy-to-use instruments for adjusting the broad roster of options on the Vanguard Pro with out a bloated app you want to obtain.

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 – Gaming and Performance

Gaming on a Hall Effect keyboard has been powerful to come back again from, even with some standout mechanical keyboards just like the Razer BlackWidow Low-Profile which might be nonetheless surefire greats. The advantages of magnetic switches shine via on the Vanguard Pro – the precision of Corsair’s MGX switches and their gentle contact and adjustable actuation factors put it up there with a few of my favourite performers.

As per typical, I did my rounds of Counter-Strike 2 ranked matches to check out the keyboard in a multiplayer surroundings. And to no shock of my very own, the precision of the Vanguard Pro was unbelievable for taking part in a extremely aggressive shooter. Setting my actuation factors to 0.8mm lets my inputs register with a barely faster edge, and consistency of keystrokes lets me jiggle-strafe and jump-crouch with ease. Assigning purchase sequences to the macro keys is one other nice-to-have as properly.

I additionally prefer to undergo raids in Final Fantasy XIV to get a way of how a keyboard holds up in an MMORPG the place there’s much more to juggle by way of controls. The magnetic switches positively held up by way of in-game efficiency, letting me hit my assault rotation effectively (and use an extended actuation level to mitigate essential enter mishaps). But it is the G1 – G5 macro keys that actually push the Vanguard Pro above its contemporaries. Mapping frequent actions that normally require a key combo is a godsend; even little issues like summoning my mount or hitting my restrict is a superb high quality of life characteristic I’m going to have bother letting go. It’s not that macro keys are revolutionary – I do know they have been round for the reason that introduction of gaming keyboards – it is the good design that permits for simple entry and with out including any further bulk to the board itself.

I additionally kind out all my keyboard opinions on the keyboard itself, and over the course of utilizing the Vanguard for every week, it has ridden the stability between being simple on my fingers in order to not tire them out after a protracted day of typing for work, but agency sufficient to stave off errant inputs from having a heavy hand. All of the options across the edges are candy, however they would not imply a lot if the Vanguard Pro 96 did not nail the basics. It does splendidly.