This is why I felt the Romer G and SteelSeries low profile mechanical switches are quite good for quicker actuation and, for the Romer G, tactile feedback for typing purposes. The only thing that annoys me with Logitech's Romer G keyboards are the lack of on-board memory so that I can store settings without having to fire up LGS. The SteelSeries Apex m500 is just priced way out there to justify a purchase but it felt good to type on.
15 years of graphics and print experience say the font is mighty fugly and disproportionately stretched. You either haven't seen all that much keyboards or you have no notion of aesthetics.
I've probably seen a lot more keyboards than you have, and I do have a notion of aesthetics. Just because my opinion is different than yours does not make it any less valid. The font is smooth, large, and easy on the eyes.
I'd have to side with ddriver on this one. The font looks pretty ugly to me -- The letters are way too wide and bold, and have a pretty nonstandard (almost "gamer") design to them. And while I personally don't mind it, ALL CAPS HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BE A FAIRLY BAD IDEA for labelling things.
It is not just "gamer" it is "shitty 80's game" written all over. The font is obviously stretched far beyond the intent of the designer. Spacing is too small. Zero design skill, I'd fire that guy... out of a cannon.
The font is made this way from practical reasons. Keyboards with Cherry MX switches have very bad quality of backlight (surprisingly wasnt mentioned in review). The light is bleeding all over the place a very little light is actualy reaching the key itself, so keys are backlit pretty badly and colors are pale. This big font is put there to simply help with this issue, so letters catch more light and colors are thus more easily recognizable.
If you can, show us some better solutions, because I don't think there are many left. Those keys are backlit mainly in its upper half, so you want to fill this part of space, which results in what we see here - big, wide and bold font.
@inighthawki: "I'd have to side with ddriver on this one."
Why side with anyone. It's a matter of preference and opinion.
Speaking of opinion, I collected several more to illustrate a point: I think the spacing is too small for my preference. The the font is also obviously stretched, but this aspect bugs me perhaps a little less than ddriver. It's not my preference, but it also isn't the worst I've seen out of a big name brand.
My granfather really likes it. Large letters and backlighting are pluses. He would like the secondary functions to also be back lit.
My eldest sister really likes it. Again, large letters and backlighting.
My youngest sister thinks its alright. Large letters are nice. Doesn't really care for backlighting. Spacing is a little cramped, but not too bad.
My dad doesn't really care.
My nephew loves the font. Best looking font he's seen on a keyboard.
I would suppose that as people get older and their eyesight weakens, this type of aesthetic is quite suitable. Of course gamers (the target audience) tend to be a bit younger than my grandfather, but perhaps the younger generation finds the stretched look aesthetically pleasing. Point is, aesthetics are a largely opinionated subject and everyone is entitled to one. I personally don't place a lot of value on aesthetics as long as they don't hinder the practical functionality of the device. All else equal (or nearly so), however, and I'll go for the better looking option.
Exactly, III-V. The complaint that this looks like a gamer keyboard is a bit silly considering it is primarily sold as a gamer keyboard. Corsair focuses quite strongly towards that demographic. I mean, it's literally in its name. Though, I think Corsair is keeping the gamer look at an acceptable moderate level compared to a lot of other brands. Personally I think it looks okay. The only reason I didn't get this specific keyboard when I bought a new one last year was because I wanted a more compact design, so I got the CM Quickfire TK.
To me the Romer G keys feel better than cherry mx browns even with O-rings. It's alsoncalled buying, trying and if it doesn't suit my needs it goes back. I also only buy keyboards when they are on sale (which thankfully Best Buy seems to be doing lately). My last mechanical keyboard is the CM Storm trigger but it needs a new PCB and since my parents need a new keyboard I'd figure I'd fix it up and get a new toy.
RGB or the monochrome K70? The mono K70 definitely has issues with LED reliability that led Cherry to redesign them when they did the switches for the RGB series. They were having ESD issues do to the LED placement on the old switches.
Huh, I didn't realize they released a "Lux" version of many of their boards (RGB & non) which updated the internals and added USB pass thru... There goes the last excuse I had for clinging to my original K90 (in silver, with the rubber dome F keys). That pass thru port helps keep the desk tidy...
What is this fixation with WASD on all "gamer" keyboards? It was never a standard to begin with, and most people moved to ESDF back in Quake days at the minimum.
WASD remains the most common configuration of movement keys for modern games. There are literally tens of thousands of games that use WASD by default. I've never come across any game that defaults to ESDF. Arrow keys occasionally, but never ESDF.
It was more or less a defalult with proplayer crowd because one could bind more keys around, especially in UT scene. Then some moved even further with YGHJ.
WASD became "the norm" simply because it's the most convenient as you get easier access to the large keys on the edge of the keyboard. Makes it easier to use more keys without having to look where you're pressing, I mean, just because you like gaming it doesn't mean you like learning how to be a words-per.minute obsessed typist. Most people never moved to ESDF like you claimed, some did and some actually even stuck with the original arrow keys, even though the arrow keys are even more impractically located for a left handed use. But, most people use WASD today.
As an owner of this keyboard as well as a number of other Cherry switched keyboard and Logitech Romer G, I can say that I definitely prefer the feel of the Romer G key. It is quiet, smooth and fast. Unfortunately Logitech go and spoil it by placing the switch in a series of crappy keyboard chassis.... I am currently using this keyboard as my number one, however I will swap back to the Logitech as I prefer TKL. Just my opinion.
I have the non RGB version of this - I only sort of like it. The key spacing is just a little off from what I am used to (various MS and Logis) and I mistype way more than I used to. DO NOT get any liquids on this keyboard, even a small amount, as it will start to freak out, once dry it will work again though. It's pretty loud even with O-rings on it too. I really don't know why I haven't replaced this other than it was expensive and looks cool?
The arm rest that comes with the keyboard is flimsy. Unlike the keyboard itself, which has a sturdy metal body, the arm rest is made of plastic. The plastic tabs that hold it in place are poorly designed and break off easily. (An image is available at http://imgur.com/a/6YaT9)
To make matters worse, Corsair refuses to replace the part under its warranty. Instead, they want $10, plus tax and shipping, to replace the armrest.
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Omega215D - Friday, July 1, 2016 - link
This is why I felt the Romer G and SteelSeries low profile mechanical switches are quite good for quicker actuation and, for the Romer G, tactile feedback for typing purposes. The only thing that annoys me with Logitech's Romer G keyboards are the lack of on-board memory so that I can store settings without having to fire up LGS. The SteelSeries Apex m500 is just priced way out there to justify a purchase but it felt good to type on.JoeyJoJo123 - Friday, July 1, 2016 - link
Then use O-rings to prevent bottoming out your standard profile keys?wsjudd - Friday, July 1, 2016 - link
I agree, o-rings are a much cheaper solution than buying a new keyboard with new switches, and they work on every keyboard :)ddriver - Friday, July 1, 2016 - link
I guess they put a blind man in charge of selecting the font on this oneMargalus - Friday, July 1, 2016 - link
I wish more companies would use blind people then. That the best font I've seen on a keyboard in years.ddriver - Friday, July 1, 2016 - link
15 years of graphics and print experience say the font is mighty fugly and disproportionately stretched. You either haven't seen all that much keyboards or you have no notion of aesthetics.ddriver - Friday, July 1, 2016 - link
Font spacing on keys that have more than one character is very bad too.Margalus - Friday, July 1, 2016 - link
I've probably seen a lot more keyboards than you have, and I do have a notion of aesthetics. Just because my opinion is different than yours does not make it any less valid. The font is smooth, large, and easy on the eyes.inighthawki - Friday, July 1, 2016 - link
I'd have to side with ddriver on this one. The font looks pretty ugly to me -- The letters are way too wide and bold, and have a pretty nonstandard (almost "gamer") design to them. And while I personally don't mind it, ALL CAPS HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BE A FAIRLY BAD IDEA for labelling things.ddriver - Saturday, July 2, 2016 - link
It is not just "gamer" it is "shitty 80's game" written all over. The font is obviously stretched far beyond the intent of the designer. Spacing is too small. Zero design skill, I'd fire that guy... out of a cannon.Rhosta - Sunday, July 3, 2016 - link
The font is made this way from practical reasons. Keyboards with Cherry MX switches have very bad quality of backlight (surprisingly wasnt mentioned in review). The light is bleeding all over the place a very little light is actualy reaching the key itself, so keys are backlit pretty badly and colors are pale. This big font is put there to simply help with this issue, so letters catch more light and colors are thus more easily recognizable.ddriver - Sunday, July 3, 2016 - link
Big and Ugly are two different things. The font can be big without being ugly. Much like it can be ugly without being big.Rhosta - Sunday, July 3, 2016 - link
If you can, show us some better solutions, because I don't think there are many left.Those keys are backlit mainly in its upper half, so you want to fill this part of space, which results in what we see here - big, wide and bold font.
Felix_Ram - Monday, August 8, 2016 - link
Here's an idea, how about you keep your little bag of angry shi-te to yourself and not ruin my day.BurntMyBacon - Tuesday, July 5, 2016 - link
@inighthawki: "I'd have to side with ddriver on this one."Why side with anyone. It's a matter of preference and opinion.
Speaking of opinion, I collected several more to illustrate a point:
I think the spacing is too small for my preference. The the font is also obviously stretched, but this aspect bugs me perhaps a little less than ddriver. It's not my preference, but it also isn't the worst I've seen out of a big name brand.
My granfather really likes it. Large letters and backlighting are pluses. He would like the secondary functions to also be back lit.
My eldest sister really likes it. Again, large letters and backlighting.
My youngest sister thinks its alright. Large letters are nice. Doesn't really care for backlighting. Spacing is a little cramped, but not too bad.
My dad doesn't really care.
My nephew loves the font. Best looking font he's seen on a keyboard.
I would suppose that as people get older and their eyesight weakens, this type of aesthetic is quite suitable. Of course gamers (the target audience) tend to be a bit younger than my grandfather, but perhaps the younger generation finds the stretched look aesthetically pleasing. Point is, aesthetics are a largely opinionated subject and everyone is entitled to one. I personally don't place a lot of value on aesthetics as long as they don't hinder the practical functionality of the device. All else equal (or nearly so), however, and I'll go for the better looking option.
III-V - Friday, July 1, 2016 - link
Do you think everything that isn't Helvetica is "ugly?"Fun fact -- what is visually appealing to people is quite subjective.
theduckofdeath - Monday, July 4, 2016 - link
Exactly, III-V.The complaint that this looks like a gamer keyboard is a bit silly considering it is primarily sold as a gamer keyboard. Corsair focuses quite strongly towards that demographic. I mean, it's literally in its name. Though, I think Corsair is keeping the gamer look at an acceptable moderate level compared to a lot of other brands.
Personally I think it looks okay. The only reason I didn't get this specific keyboard when I bought a new one last year was because I wanted a more compact design, so I got the CM Quickfire TK.
Lolimaster - Saturday, July 2, 2016 - link
There is a reason this is yet another RGB keyboard :POmega215D - Sunday, July 3, 2016 - link
To me the Romer G keys feel better than cherry mx browns even with O-rings. It's alsoncalled buying, trying and if it doesn't suit my needs it goes back. I also only buy keyboards when they are on sale (which thankfully Best Buy seems to be doing lately). My last mechanical keyboard is the CM Storm trigger but it needs a new PCB and since my parents need a new keyboard I'd figure I'd fix it up and get a new toy.zeeBomb - Friday, July 1, 2016 - link
Whats a good mechanical keyboard under $80 CAD?TrevorH - Friday, July 1, 2016 - link
Nice keyboard, shame about the LED reliability. Am now on my 4th K70 under RMA...DVDxR - Friday, July 1, 2016 - link
RGB or the monochrome K70? The mono K70 definitely has issues with LED reliability that led Cherry to redesign them when they did the switches for the RGB series. They were having ESD issues do to the LED placement on the old switches.Impulses - Friday, July 1, 2016 - link
Huh, I didn't realize they released a "Lux" version of many of their boards (RGB & non) which updated the internals and added USB pass thru... There goes the last excuse I had for clinging to my original K90 (in silver, with the rubber dome F keys). That pass thru port helps keep the desk tidy...SlyNine - Friday, July 1, 2016 - link
Sad that there is still no 1080GTX review.RaichuPls - Friday, July 1, 2016 - link
I've already given up on asking about that, and the GTX1070 review, and the Galaxy S7, and the HTC 10.... You get my pointLolimaster - Saturday, July 2, 2016 - link
I can cry more, still waiting Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet review, sobsobsob equisdededemr_tawan - Saturday, July 2, 2016 - link
What's about buying one and make your own review :)Michael Bay - Saturday, July 2, 2016 - link
What is this fixation with WASD on all "gamer" keyboards? It was never a standard to begin with, and most people moved to ESDF back in Quake days at the minimum.Urzu1000 - Saturday, July 2, 2016 - link
WASD remains the most common configuration of movement keys for modern games. There are literally tens of thousands of games that use WASD by default. I've never come across any game that defaults to ESDF. Arrow keys occasionally, but never ESDF.DanNeely - Saturday, July 2, 2016 - link
90% of games I've played in the last decade or so that show a UI default of WASD actually do WASD or arrow keys.Michael Bay - Sunday, July 3, 2016 - link
It was more or less a defalult with proplayer crowd because one could bind more keys around, especially in UT scene.Then some moved even further with YGHJ.
theduckofdeath - Monday, July 4, 2016 - link
WASD became "the norm" simply because it's the most convenient as you get easier access to the large keys on the edge of the keyboard. Makes it easier to use more keys without having to look where you're pressing, I mean, just because you like gaming it doesn't mean you like learning how to be a words-per.minute obsessed typist. Most people never moved to ESDF like you claimed, some did and some actually even stuck with the original arrow keys, even though the arrow keys are even more impractically located for a left handed use. But, most people use WASD today.Death666Angel - Sunday, July 3, 2016 - link
"It was never a standard to begin with" Pretty sure most games I own have it as the default key bindings for moving. So, standard.Footman36 - Sunday, July 3, 2016 - link
As an owner of this keyboard as well as a number of other Cherry switched keyboard and Logitech Romer G, I can say that I definitely prefer the feel of the Romer G key. It is quiet, smooth and fast. Unfortunately Logitech go and spoil it by placing the switch in a series of crappy keyboard chassis....I am currently using this keyboard as my number one, however I will swap back to the Logitech as I prefer TKL.
Just my opinion.
Icehawk - Sunday, July 31, 2016 - link
I have the non RGB version of this - I only sort of like it. The key spacing is just a little off from what I am used to (various MS and Logis) and I mistype way more than I used to. DO NOT get any liquids on this keyboard, even a small amount, as it will start to freak out, once dry it will work again though. It's pretty loud even with O-rings on it too. I really don't know why I haven't replaced this other than it was expensive and looks cool?cainsworth - Wednesday, January 18, 2017 - link
The arm rest that comes with the keyboard is flimsy. Unlike the keyboard itself, which has a sturdy metal body, the arm rest is made of plastic. The plastic tabs that hold it in place are poorly designed and break off easily. (An image is available at http://imgur.com/a/6YaT9)To make matters worse, Corsair refuses to replace the part under its warranty. Instead, they want $10, plus tax and shipping, to replace the armrest.