The following keyboards I've tried this:
Perixx PX-1100
Perixx PX-3000
Roccat Isku FX Multicolor Gaming
SteelSeries Apex Gaming
Logitech G510
Logitech G510s
Logitech G710 +
None of them came into question because it was most serious errors. Without going into details, it was problems like:
Defective driver
Irregular lighting
Poorly readable key lettering (futuristic font)
Uncomfortable palm rest (hand pain)
BIOS incompatibilities (no logging in Windows possible)
Lighting to exaggerated and annoying in everyday life
To loud keystroke for Office
***** PROCESSING
This keyboard is an excellent workmanship. The cable to connect the PC is sufficiently long (2 meters) and very robust fitted with a net wrapping. At the end of two USB ports are available, so make sure that the PC and enough USB slots are available. A plug is for the actual keyboard and a connector for the USB port on the back.
The rear of the keyboard (ie where the logo and the multimedia keys are located) is kept in aluminum and looks extremely dibasic. The rest kept in plastic, even the palm rest.
The palm rest has a pleasant soft rubbery surface and feels comfortable. However, what bothers me here is that is a bit too short. In the pictures sees a bit bigger. The palm rest is not just fall a little short, but "something" too domed, which has the effect that the resulting is even shorter to use. What's more, that could be a little higher because their design in the slope drops a little more down than it needs to be. And I would prefer that my hands are somewhat higher, because I have some short fingers. So I just gorged gums below the support (between rest and keyboard because there is a gap, therefore, the gums have no contact with the table surface so that the keyboard can still move freely back and forth), and thus remains the palm rest now about 3-4 mm higher, which can be seen with me. What is still to come, the surface is in new condition slightly slippery, so I was initially struggled. Since I was 17, "applying" Trick no., It's OK. Please see the not too closely, since it really depends on every individual. Finger length, distance from the keyboard, other habits, etc. Since many factors play a role and you should try it out.
In general, I would argue that only the Roccat and SteelSeries approach of the "processing" here on this keyboard. Although this keyboard, for my perception of quality, of all tried out which is best processed.
***** Typing feel and feel
I am a 10-finger-Schreiber. Previously I had the Logitech Illuminated (used to be a gift), and this was contrary to this keyboard a very short pressure point and the keys were there also sluggish.
The K50 of Corsair I would describe as follows: The attack is similar to a mechanical keyboard without the loud noise keys.
The pressure point is perhaps a bit shorter and the keys you'll hear a little more than that of my Logitech Illuminated Keyboard, but compared to the Logitech G710 + (mechanical keyboard) quieter by far.
It would prefer it if the keys were a tick quieter, but the writing feeling is so great that I no longer want to give up. And much choice I had not because I necessarily a keyboard I wanted to have more programmable hot keys.
I can write with this keyboard clearly faster than the Illuminated Keyboard. At first bothered me a bit of smooth pressure point, now I'm glad drum. Sometimes I wonder myself how quickly scurrying fingers on the keys ...
The keys sit equal attention. I've noticed no key that is substantially different from the others in this respect. Excellent. Even sitting down the key and have a good and homogeneous firmness.
My use with this keyboard is 10% and 90% Games Office, with a lot of word processing. The special keys I use for recurring orders.
From writing feel the Roccat Isku FX for me was a little more comfortable for writing. But unfortunately there were incompatibilities with my bios and I could order the computer does not start as a password entry in the BIOS has not been possible (SATA password).
All in all, I am extremely pleased with the keyboard and am of the opinion, if you get used to it, makes typing really fun. Both the volume and forth from the pressure point and stop depth. The overall package is coherent writing for me.
The multimedia keys are easy to operate and to me is nothing negative noticed. The volume wheel has no screening, but it's not too smooth (as in the G510 and G510s) and you'll quickly find the desired setting. The keys have a slightly shorter pressure point than the typewriter keys and so far everything is super. Come along well with it.
Above are another key for the profiles, disabling the Windows key while playing, illuminance and LEDs for Num Lock key, etc. Again, the pressure point is good and sitting at attention.
***** Lights and button names
The lighting is an issue, which "is not without" at keyboards. I barely have a tried, where there was no shortage here or there. From the lighting quality and lighting Conceptually, was the measure of all things for me the SteelSeries Apex.
Many keyboards have an irregularity in the illumination where you can "seek the keys in the truest sense of the word" must, if you look to the keyboard once. As characters, letters or digits are sometimes barely legible.
This keyboard has a good key illumination. I write aware of "good" and not "very good". Why?
In the row of numbers above, the special characters are still legible, but the lighting in one or the other special characters (not all) is choppy something.
The remaining keys it is also true, however, it falls a bit less.
What I mean by choppy? Everything is readable, but the sign lighting is not pretty "regular". Within the character part and bright part is darker, however minimal. Is basically a small flaw because it bothers me in everyday life in any way. I quickly find the desired key and does not have to "search".
For this I would like to mention the following: I have not folded on the keyboard behind the feet, but lying flat on the table with me. If the feet are placed (which is many do), this falls to less. Then, the button "something" regular lights. So this effect is slightly on the viewing angle.
The brightness of the entire keyboard can be adjusted in 3 levels of brightness, or completely off. The colors can be freely selected (RGB color space). Gadgets such as flashing lights and cycles can also be adjusted. It is also possible to select a different color for each stored profile (tested only in hardware mode).
The keys for the profile selection and Macro are illuminated. In the profile selection, however, only the key with the active profile. If I want to select a different profile in the dark, I have to grope me, because I can not see the keys. The same applies to the Windows lock button. It would have been great if that would be only slightly illuminated, or in the deactivated state only the outer ring would illuminate weak, then you could find the keys in the dark. However bothers me not too, after all, it is already whining at a high level. When I think about what kind of surprises I've experienced with the above keyboards that are here really little things.
The labeling can be kept in a sans serif font Arial-related. The buttons are user-friendly even on the fly very easily recognizable and generally. The size of the key label is very pleasant and easy to read. Not too small, not too big. Just great! Also special keys is easy to spot. What I miss here: The special keys are I order a block with a total of 18 keys. When I put my hand be on I have to look there to know where which button is almost every time.
Had the keys a small survey, as the F and the G-keys, for example, G5 and G14, would be a landmark what one might feel for his fingers and would not be forced every time to look at the keys.
***** DRIVER
The driver of this keyboard is not easy to set up and it took me several hours to figure it out, how everything is set.
What drivers in conjunction with adjustment concerns (not driver stability!) Is Logitech for me simply the best thing I had. So many user-friendly settings such as copying, pasting, volume, volume mute, open folders, run programs, arranging Minimize, Close, window left or right, and much more. It is no other manufacturer.
To make all the settings in the driver software of Corsair I think is very illogical and very user unfriendly.
Also to "at all" to use the macro functions, I have pondered long. The guys at Corsair would do well to consult times by a company when it comes to ease of use, understanding of functions on the part of customers, software logic, etc. Because certainly goes good stuff.
And now purely informative yet when it comes to installation of firmware and drivers:
It is in the package at no CD and you have to go to the home page of Corsair and download the installation package. There are two files to install. Once an application in Windows must be installed to update the firmware on the keyboard itself (unless, of course, the firmware is already up to date). Probably you have the next time you update the firmware, again install a new application, which in turn brings the next update files with itself. Not an elegant solution ...
I know it so that is something easily done only on an .exe file, which also does not have to be installed. Then delete .exe file and firmware is on it. But I do not feel necessarily disturbing.
Then is a second installation file attached, the actual software for the operating system where you done with the keyboard all the settings. This is virtually the user software.
This mouse has a software and a hardware mode. Both variants have advantages and disadvantages. When loading the driver file from the manufacturer website, is in the zip file in a manual, where that is stated. I'm going to perform not anything else to it is beyond the scope.
I use the hardware mode, as in the software mode, certain key combinations are not recognized when playing. In hardware mode, everything works just fine. Another advantage of hardware-mode: When the K50 is set once, the driver can be completely switched off and the profiles can be accessed in the keyboard with button clicks (the top of the keyboard 3 profiles can be accessed via buttons on the software mode can more profiles can be set).
Another advantage is that it does not run in the background drivers (for Win relief while minimizing compatibility issues). If I need the driver, I call this using a batch file created by me, I make the necessary adjustments, these decide to broadcast on the keyboard and then every Corsair applications again closed (input mask and driver) and K50 are running properly.
If anyone is interested in using the batch file, just a brief comment on this review ;-)
That I can use the keyboard without a driver, I feel as a benefit, albeit with a low weighting. Less driving, less conflict options.
What has struck me in the driver settings:
- Close command is directly integrated in the driver and can be selected.
- Minimize command must be programmed on macro shot. Nothing is pre-programmed. An untrained user needs this first shortcut bring in experience (there are two, one is not worth much because it is not properly implemented by many programs, this is ALT + Spacebar + N). The shortcut Win + down arrow key works flawlessly with all windows. This can be taken as a macro.
- Start programs (in my case, e-mail) is possible and has also functioning normally, but inexplicably only in software mode. Since I use the hardware mode, it goes with me not (Problem Corsair is known).
- Open folder I can not adjust. In my opinion this is not possible, or at least I have the option not found.
- Arrange window left or right goes beyond macro shot (Win key + arrow left or right). Works flawlessly.
- Forward and back and properly. If the driver already included and can be easily selected.
- Insert passwords with KeePass is no problem. That's what I put on the wheel button. Just set it on macro shot.
Here all the basic commands that are already integrated in the driver: Copy, Paste, Cut, highlight everything, looking, new, printing, saving, keystroke (only individual keys), close windows, lock PC, open Explorer, Run, Show Desktop, Application Start (software only mode).
Almost everything else can be absorbed through the macro function "".
What I did not, however, managed to (is a bug in the driver), and that could be important for some: On the keyboard macro record button no keys can be programmed. You have to go inside in the driver and click there with your mouse on the MR key, then click the button to be programmed and then tapping the appropriate command. Finally, again click the MR-button and finish the thing.
ONLY, as I said, that is not directly from the keyboard (ie z. B. the middle of a game, so-called. "On the fly"). Perhaps the problem is now solved ... If it's important, best ask in advance at Corsair.
***** CONCLUSION
I am extremely pleased with the keyboard, and after I have tried many, happy, but to have found one that completely satisfies my needs. Were no reviews in this regard at Amazon, but I was curious. One can already be described as a "desperate act." And I was not disappointed! After that the mouse had bought M95 immediately (also from Corsair), and so I am very satisfied. I brought Corsair earlier with RAM and hard drives connected and what is not clear to me that the produce at such a high level of quality even keyboards and mice. I have tried to "my way" many PC mice and keyboards, but play very few manufacturers in this quality level with.
Because of the minimal short geratenen palm rest (for my needs) and the partially holey software I prefer from 1 star. For the rest, there are 4 "golden" star :-)
Update 19:09:14
Am still very satisfied. On the quality nothing to fault and work as the first day.
Macros in everyday life very useful.
