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Introduction

I’m glad to see that mechanical keyboards are taking off with the gaming crowd. It used to be just me that was rocking a mechanical, then I slowly started getting my friends into it by selling them keyboards and inviting them to try out mine.

When I went back to the Computer Gaming Society IRC channel someone told me “Hey! Will! We’ve all got mechanicals now! Aren’t you proud?”

And I was, of course. Mechanicals make excellent sense for gamers looking for every bit of performance they can get, particularly if they’re playing competitively. They give you that slightest edge; they’re faster, more durable and they feel better than normal rubber dome keyboards.

The big difficulty is the price – where you can pick up a cheap dome keyboard for £3 and a gaming one for £20, a mechanical that costs £60 to £100 is a big step up.

What do you do then to justify a keyboard that’s nearly £200? You write a review on it, of course. Allow me to introduce you to the Topre Realforce 105UB – the Cadillac of keyboards.

Specifications

• Stroke: 4 mm
• Peak Force: Differential Peak Force
  Allocate 30g, 45g, 55g +/- 15g Peak Force
• Interface: USB (or PS/2 via supplied adaptor)
• Power Supply: DC5V +/- 0.25V, 100 mA (MAX)
• Cable Length: 1.5m
• Width: 455mm
  Depth: 168.5mm
  Thickness: 39.6mm

Packaging

The Realforce 105UB arrives in an understated plain brown box, the only indication that there’s a keyboard inside is the weight – about 1.5kg or 3.3 lbs.

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Inside, you’ll find the keyboard itself (in a clear plastic covering) and almost nothing else. There’s a brief manual, but that’s OK. This is a keyboard. We know what it does.

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Introduction

Mechanical keyboards have become increasingly popular over the last year, particularly as peripheral manufacturers sponsor pro-gaming teams, and today we’ve got one more: The somewhat redundantly titled Cooler Master Quick Fire Rapid, a tenkeyless mechanical keyboard available with your choice of Cherry MX Blue, Brown, Red and Black switches.

Like many other manufacturers, Cooler Master started out in a specialised area (cooling) but has since branched out into a number of different areas, including peripherals. Corsair has followed a similar path and impressed me with their Corsair Vengeance suite of mechanical keyboards and gaming mice; can Cooler Master do the same?

Features

• Mechanical CHERRY MX switches
• Windows Keys disabled in GAME mode
• Extra key-caps bundled (with keypuller)
• Laser-marked keycaps
• Anti Ghosting
• NKRO in PS/2 mode
• 1000Hz/1ms response time in USB mode
• Multimedia shortcuts
• Rubber coated Keyboard surface
• Removable braided USB cable with cable routing

Specifications

Introduction

Diablo III is one of the most hotly anticipated titles of 2012, so it’s no surprise that bigger peripheral makers are jumping on board with their branded products. Today I’m taking a look at the Diablo III gaming mouse. It’s sleek, has a massive sensitivity and should mean I get to spend a few days “testing” it by playing a load of games.

Let’s get down to the hard work shall we?

Features

• Ambidextrous form for left or right handed use
• Omron switches for extra durability (10 Million click lifespan)
• Double-braided nylon cable
• Gold-plated USB connection
• Three illumination zones (CPI Switch, Scroll wheel and D3 logo)
• Seven reconfigurable buttons
• Macro button assignment
• Steelseries software for customisation
• Avago laser sensor with up to 5700 CPI

Packaging

The box for the D3 mouse follows on in the Steelseries WoW tradition of emulating the Blizzard WoW packaging. The front of the packaging has a real Diablo feel to it.

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On the back of the box, there is a list of the main features in the four main Western European languages (English, French, Spanish and German) alongside a picture of the software control panel used to configure the mouse.

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Like the Blizzard boxes and the other Steelseries WoW gear before it, the box has a flap held by a magnet which opens to reveal some information about the mouse alongside a plastic window showing off the mouse in all its glory.

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The flap itself has a short multi-language passage with an overview of the mouse, along with the command to “Prepare for victory.”

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The box has the usual spartan contents alongside the mouse itself: a quick start guide, a Steelseries warranty slip and a Steelseries sticker.

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Introduction

We’ve already favourably reviewed the Corsair Vengeance M90 gaming mouse, and now it’s time to try out its younger sibling, the M60. Apart from sharing a name with one of gaming’s most treasured light machine guns, what does the M60 offer? Well, it’s aimed at a much different audience: FPS gamers. With few additional buttons and a dedicated ‘sniper mode’, the M60 offers a much lighter experience that should definitely please its target market. How does it live up to expectations? Read on to find out.

Specifications and Features

• 5700 DPI laser sensor, adjustable on-the-fly
• Sniper Mode – instantly rachet down to a low sensitivity for precise aiming
• 1ms / 1000Hz polling rate – executes your actions precisely, without delay
• Motion detection at 165ips and acceleration up to 30g – ideal for low-sensitivity gamers
• Tunable sensor-lift & surface quality detection – fine-tune to your requirements
• Adjustable centre of gravity – adjust the balance to suit your style
• Superior build quality – Machined aluminum monocoque chassis provides unmatched durability and stability, as well as a premium look and feel
• PTFE Glide Pads – ensures mouse movements are silky smooth
• Metal, weighted scroll wheel with rubberized surface – improved traction, control and feel

Packaging

The packaging of the M60 is quite similar to the M90 but in a red color scheme instead of a blue one. It’s a standard shrink-wrapped plastic job, but thankfully includes a cut-out panel in the back which lets you remove the mouse without shredding your hands.

On the front of the box, you’re given a first look at the mouse itself, along with a list of features.

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The back of the box is similarly pedestrian, offering features in several languages as you’d expect.

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It’s a tastefully done package that should attract the eye with its red colour, but isn’t quite up to the par with the full boxes used by other companies (although it is a lot more space efficient).

Let’s continue on to the mouse itself.

Introduction

We liked the Corsair Vengeance K90 mechanical gaming keyboard, but many gamers won’t want to spend the extra dosh on backlighting and 18 macro keys. For them, the Corsair Vengeance K60 may be a good bet – at £80, it’s a fair amount cheaper than the K90, but offers the same hearty helping of Cherry MX Red mechanical switches and unique aluminium design. Let’s have a look at how this FPS-focused keyboard measures up to its bigger brother.

Features and Specifications

• Cherry MX Red Keys – the perfect keys for gamers
• Removable wrist rest – game for longer in greater comfort, giving you the edge
• Red, contoured WASD and gaming keys. Switch out the standard WASD and 1-6 keys with textured and contoured red gaming keys, for the ultimate precision gaming experience. The visual and tactile highlights allow you to hit the keys with greater precision, and without having to look down to find your control and action keys
• 100% anti-ghosting technology and 20KRO on USB – hit as many keys as you want!
• Selectable 1,2, 4 or 8 ms report rate – faster than even the fastest gamer needs!
• Media keys – easy access to your music controls, for when you take a break from owning
• Super build quality – metal top-plate provides unmatched durability and stability, as well as a premium look and feel

Packaging

The packaging of the Corsair Vengeance K60 is similar to its bigger brother, but utilising a red color scheme instead of the K90′s blue. It offers the same cutout on the front to allow you to see the keyboard’s distinctive aluminium chassis and ‘floating’ mechanical keys. The keyboard’s packaging also shows off the unique WASD-only wrist rest, which also conceals red WASD and 1-6 keycaps and a key puller for replacing them.

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On the back is the standard multi-lingual lists of features and specifications that we’re already gone over. Now, onto the keyboard’s physical features.

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Introduction

While they’ve been part of the PC gaming scene for as long as the genre of play has existed, it’s only in recent years with the growth of competitive gaming that the mechanical keyboards have really begun to get a look in. Yes they’re expensive, yes they tend to be relatively feature free, but they’re fast and they feel great when using them.

With that in mind, it’s time to take a look at another: the Qpad Mk-85. Having looked at the Mk-80 previously with its Cherry Blue switches, I was very much looking forward to what the same sort of design could do when combined with the much more gamer orientated red variant.

Features

• Key switch: Cherry MX mechanical switch technology
• N Key Roll over:Full N-Key roll over via USB
• Key strokes:50 Million
• Lighting: Individual LED backlight on every key for enhanced visuals
• Lighting features:Four levels of brigthness allow you to locate keys easily
• Connectors: Gold plated USB connectors for extremly low latency
• Media keys:Media keys for volume control, play, pause and skip tracks
• USB Hub: Two high speed USB 2.0 ports
• Audio ports:3.5mm headphone-out and microphone-in jacks
• Cable: 1.8 meter braided cable
• Extras: 4 extra orange key caps and key cap puller
• Dimensions:Keyboard: 44,8 x 14,9 x 3,5 cm (17,6 x 5,8 x 1,37 inch)
• Wrist pad: 44,8 x 6,6 x 1,7 cm (17,6 x 2,48 x 0,66 inch)
• Weight:1.27 Kg (2.8 LBS)
• Warranty: 2 year
• Software: Customizable profiles, programmable keys and macro recording

Unboxing

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No box with this keyboard, just a small bundle that includes some orange alternative keys – 4 in total – a little tool for removing keys, a driver CD and lovely soft plastic coated wrist rest.

Introduction

Corsair are old hands in the PC component market, offering a wide range of memory sticks, hard drives, power supplies and what-have-you. They’re relative newcomers, however, to the world of PC peripherals, having just launched their Vengeance line of keyboards and mice this year. We’ve already reviewed the rather handsome Vengeance K90 keyboard, which was a top-end model that offered significant value to MMO and RTS players through extra features like macro keys and good software.

Today, we’re looking at its similarly named compatriot, the Vengeance M90. The mouse shares a similar approach to the K90, offering MMO and RTS gamers something nifty through extra buttons, rather comprehensive software and top-notch specifications. Before we have a look at the mouse proper, let’s have a look at those specifications.

Features and Specifications

• 5700 DPI laser sensor, adjustable on-the-fly – smooth, accurate tracking; higher performance
• 15 buttons, including 9 macro buttons – effortlessly select your favourite combos and macros
• On-board memory – save favourite profiles, configurations and macros directly on the mouse
• 1ms / 1000Hz polling rate – executes your actions precisely, without delay
• Motion detection at 150ips and acceleration up to 30G – accurate tracking without skipping.
• Tunable sensor-lift & surface quality detection – adjust to your mousing surface and style
• Superior build quality – Machined aluminium chassis provides unmatched durability and stability, as well as a premium look and feel
• PTFE Glide Pads – ensures mouse movements are silky smooth
• Metal, weighted scroll wheel with rubberised surface – improved traction, control and feel

Packaging

The packaging found on the Corsair M90 is quite standard for a mouse, although thankfully it’s possible to remove the mouse via the cut-out panel on the back, rather than destroying your hands (and your sanity) trying to open the shrinkwrapped plastic. On the front of the box, you’re given a first look at the mouse, as well as a small list of features.

The rear of the box contains more features in several languages, as you’d expect.

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It’s a tastefully done package, but nothing entirely remarkable. Let’s continue on to the mouse itself.

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Introduction

It’s hard to be a PC gamer and not hear of SteelSeries. They’re renowned for some of the highest quality gaming peripherals produced today. Partnered with some of the biggest games companies in the world, and sponsoring some of the best professional gaming teams; SteelSeries are hard to avoid.

Today I’m looking at the latest headset from the firm, the SteelSeries Sibera v2 – Natus Vincere. It’s bright yellow, so is likely to draw attention, but will it draw customers? Let’s see.

Specifications

Headphones

• Frequency response: 18 – 28.000 Hz
• Impedance: 32 Ohm
• SPL@ 1kHz, 1 Vrms: 112 dB
• Cable length: 1 + 2 = 3 m (9,8 ft.)
• Jacks: 3,5 mm

Microphone

• Frequency response: 50 – 16.000 Hz
• Pick up pattern: Uni-directional
• Sensitivity: -38 dB

Packaging

I’m quite fond of the the Siberia v2s packaging for a few reasons. The first is that it displays the headset quite well, despite only featuring half of the physical product via the window.

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I do like boxes that come with windows built in, rather than cardboard doors. However, as you can see in this case, there was a bit of minor damage to the window in its transit to me. Bloody postal service.

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The front of the box also features the Natus Vincere logo along with the Siberia v2 logo and the headset features.

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The back of the box has a full list of all the technical features and specifications.

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But enough about packaging; there’s a headset inside to review.

Introduction

Steelseries is well known for its many gamer and enthusiastic products. Ranging from mouse mats to brand-related headsets and keyboards, Steelseries offers high-end products for anyone who is serious about their gaming peripheral performance.

Recently Steelseries introduced another Blizzard Licensed product named the Diablo 3 Headset. In effect it’s the Siberia V2 Headset, but then much cooler! Let’s take a look, shall we?

What does Steelseries tell us about the Diablo 3 headset?

“Featuring 50mm driver units that reproduce crystal clear sounds in high, low, and mid-range tones is at the core of what is creating an incredible Diablo® III audio experience. SteelSeries provides Diablo® III Headset users the ability to adjust, personalize and save all of their audio and equalizer settings. The matte black headset features “demon” red, LED illumination on the right and left side Diablo® III logo slashes and around each earcup. It’s not the Burning Hells that power this bad boy, but a total of 18 LED lights to power the red illumination and 4 pulsation options. The Diablo® III Headset features a retractable microphone system. The microphones processor reduces the “noise” and focuses on the sound that is closer to the mic, your voice.”

Specifications and features

Headphones

• Frequency response: 10 – 28.000 Hz
• Driver Diameter: 50mm
• Cable length: 1,0 m
• USB extension length: 2,0 m
• Jack: Gold Plated USB

Microphone

• Active Noise Reduction: up to 20 dB
• Frequency response: 50 – 16.000 Hz
• Pick up pattern: Uni-directional
• Sensitivity: -38 dB

Features

• Retractable microphone system
• Crystal clear high, low and mid-tones by 50mm driver
• Optimized for Diablo 3 gameplay
• In-line volume and mute controls
• SteelSeries Engine software to configure illumination settings, equalizer presets and microphone volume
• Lightweight suspension construction

Boxing & Accessories

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The Diablo 3 Headset box has one of the better graphical designs I’ve seen coming from hardware manufacturers. According to the box, this headset is a licensed Blizzard product, which of course is a must if one wants to use a brand name like Diablo for its products.

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The back of the box features a global overview and specification list in four languages.

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The supplied accessories are no more than needed. With a useful quick start guide, a simple reference where to download the latest Steelseries Engine software, some Steelseries info booklets and a sticker. More importantly, Steelseries also supplied a 2 meter long USB-to-USB extension cable.

Introduction

Corsair hase been a major player in the RAM market for some time now, and has slowly been introducing new lines in related fields. After launching a line of headsets in 2010, it’s now moving fully into the peripheral space with the launch of its Corsair Vengeance line of keyboards and mice.

This keyboard, the Vengeance K90, is being marketed as being ideal for RTS and MMO gamers. With a heavy complement of macro keys and Cherry MX Red switches they’ve already made a good start, but will Corsair’s debut keyboard stand up to the competition? With Razer’s BlackWidow and numerous other mechanical keyboards beginning to flow from Western peripheral makers it’ll be a hard fight.

Listed Features

• Cherry MX Red keys – the perfect keys for gamers
• 18 Macro Keys and 3 Macro-Set keys for up to 54 Macros – ideal for MMO and RTS games
• 100% anti-ghosting technology and 20 KRO on USB – hit as many keys as you want!
• Blue backlighting with 4 levels of illumination – ideal for LANs and late-night gaming
• Removable, full-sized wrist rest for optimal comfort and longer gaming times
• Rapid key response – 1ms report rate – faster than even the fastest gamer needs!
• Media keys – easy access to your music controls, for when you take a break from owning
• Superior build quality – metal top-plate provides unmatched durability and stability, as well as a premium look and feel

Packaging

The packaging is quite standard for a keyboard of this type. There’s a nice side-on look at the keyboard itself with the blue backlighting active. There’s also a window cut into the box, letting you have your first look at the metal construction of the keyboard chassis and the macro keys as well.

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On the rear, there’s a wider shot of the keyboard as a whole, with backlighting and wrist wrest installed. There are also translations of the listed features into five languages.

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The side of the box shows off some more of the unique features of the keyboard – 18 dedicated and customisable macro keys, Cherry MX Red mechanical key switches and the ‘professional-grade brushed aluminium chassis’ with backlighting.

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