This Compact Gaming Keyboard Will get a Lot Proper, however a Few Issues Fallacious Too

One of the very best issues about mechanical keyboards, at the least for me, is that there are a ton of selections and choices so you’ll find the one that completely matches your preferences. Whether you are a hardcore gamer who wants the most important, finest and quickest one round otherwise you’re a extra causal gamer who wants one thing nice at work and occasional play, there’s one thing for everybody.

Cherry has lengthy been probably the greatest keyboard makers and continues to have an enormous presence and affect on the trade. The latest model of it is well-liked compact gaming keyboard, the XTRFY K5V2, provides quite a bit for each hardcore and fanatic avid gamers to like.

What I like in regards to the Cherry K5V2 keyboard

I typically neglect how a lot I take pleasure in smaller keyboards. They take up much less area on my desk whereas nonetheless giving me all of the important features I would like. The K5V2 is a 65% keyboard which retains issues good and compact with the one further keys being Delete, Page Up and Page Down, all of that are tucked in on the proper edge. There’s a tiny Cherry magnet on that facet too which I discovered to be an odd inclusion however at the least you’ll be able to take it off.

Cherry switches have lengthy been synonymous with construct high quality, and fortunately its keyboards are simply as nicely constructed. The K5V2 has a metallic plate, two layers of sound-dampening and pre-lubed PCB stabilizers, all including as much as a really stable keyboard. No a part of the K5V2 feels low cost.

Glorious Cherry keys

There’s a motive Cherry has been such a dominant participant within the mechanical keyboard area: it makes fantastically tactile switches. The K5V2 I reviewed has Cherry’s new MX2A Red switches. They haven’t got fairly as a lot audible clack as I’d like, however they nonetheless really feel nice. They’re clean and responsive with sufficient tactile suggestions to remind me why I fell in love with Cherry switches within the first place.

This keyboard is a part of Cherry’s XTRFY lineup which is all about gaming, so the corporate has included its “super-scan technology” which will increase the polling charge of the keys. The firm claims the keyboard is scanning keypresses each half millisecond for an extremely quick response charge, and whereas I wasn’t capable of immediately check that declare, I can say it responded extremely quick for me.

Detailed customization

If you do not just like the MX2A reds (or actually some other a part of the keyboard), Cherry allows you to customise nearly each facet of the K5V2. From the bottom to the keycaps, the cable, even add-ons, you’ll be able to choose and select from a powerful array of colours and supplies on your K5. The normal mannequin is available in all black, with non-PBT keycaps and the aforementioned MX2A Red switches. I personally favor PBT keycaps, however the ones on the bottom model at the least enable the RGB mild by.

Even although there’s not a lot in the best way of software program customization for remapping keys, Cherry did conceal secondary features behind nearly each single key on the keyboard. Using key combos, you’ll be able to change the lighting results, entry media controls, program macros and even management your mouse all with out having to maneuver your fingers. I’ve not used a keyboard with this a lot pre-programmed mapping earlier than, and I’ve to say I prefer it.

It’s useful too for utilizing the K5V2 for issues apart from gaming. It took me some time to memorize among the shortcuts, but it surely’s truly made me a bit quicker at my day job of assessment writing and analysis.

What I do not like in regards to the Cherry K5V2 keyboard

As nice because the switches and keys are on the K5V2, I’ve seen the sensation would not look like common throughout the keyboard. This doubtless has to do with the pre-lubed PCB stabilizers. While they definitely add to the graceful high quality of the typing expertise, the texture and sound of the stabilized keys (area bar, backspace, and many others.) are noticeably totally different from the remainder of the keyboard. I would not say it is dangerous, however on the very least, I discovered it distracting.

No software program assist

This appears to be one in all Cherry’s greatest alternatives for enchancment. I’ve examined a number of of their keyboards, and it is at all times hit and miss as to that are supported by the Cherry Utility software program. There would not appear to be any rhyme or motive behind it, and whereas the bodily keys on the K5V2 have an additional layer of performance and could be considerably custom-made by way of the {hardware} itself, there isn’t any option to modify something with Cherry’s software program.

No wi-fi connectivity

Being such a compact keyboard, the K5V2 is sort of begging for wi-fi connectivity, however there’s none right here. I notice area is treasured on a 65% keyboard, however I’ve seen firms embody wi-fi assist on keyboards smaller and thinner than this one, so it is undoubtedly attainable. At least you’ll be able to select a very nice coiled cable in order for you, in order that’s one thing.

Should you purchase the Cherry K5V2 keyboard?

There’s quite a bit to like in regards to the K5V2, particularly in the event you favor compact keyboards like I do. It’s very nicely constructed, nice for gaming and extra customizable than most different keyboards I’ve examined. Plus, it is backed by the Cherry fame. However, it is definitely not the most affordable you’ll find. It’s $140 for the bottom mannequin, however I’ve seen it on sale for as little as $70. Of course, including customization choices apart from the usual white or black will begin to add up. The highest-end configurations can push $300.

But in the event you’re in search of a stable, compact gaming keyboard that is nice for each work and play and you do not want a lot software program assist, the K5V2 is straightforward to advocate.

The Cherry K5V2 is a superb compact gaming keyboard. The Cherry MX2A Red switches are fantastic to sort on and the granular ranges of customization allow you to set it up simply the way you prefer it on your play type. There’s no software program assist, nevertheless, and the keypress acoustics aren’t fully uniform. Regardless, it is nonetheless simple to advocate.