For two weeks I am now the owner of a Roccat Ryo MK Pro in the variant with brown Cherry switches. As a little note in front is permitted that this is my first mechanical keyboard. So I had previously no experience, and have left me in the choice of switch type fully on common recommendations in the various forums.
First, some words about the appearance of the keyboard. With Ryo has been a decent board standing on his desk, which has decent size and with nearly 2 kilos is not exactly easy. The design is not really more basic but still quite cautious and not as rugged as you might know the specific of other gaming keyboards. The large palm rest adapts an excellently. That they not be removed, I think no criticism; on the one hand I am personally anyway a friend of such restrictions, on the other hand, the bottom row is to overcome already 3.8 millimeters high, this height without rest, I imagine in the long ago abundant uncomfortable.
At the bottom of some generous rubber mats provide non-slip grip, so you have already properly apply pressure to move the Ryo.
Now for the most important criterion probably any keyboard: the keystroke. I do not regret the decision to switch brown in any way. Whether my previous ignorance I can not judge whether another option would not perhaps have been even better, but these copies already set the bar very high indeed. The keystroke is very pleasant; even if it is. for a newcomer like me is strange that there is a pressure point and then goes on If one has but to be accordingly adjusted only once, which is not too high pressure in connection ensures the increased underlying trigger for the fingers fly almost over the keys.
Of course, Ryo is a gaming keyboard, and so it needs to write to you not only pleasant but also can play. Here I have also nothing to complain about: I could send my character in first- and third-person games easily through the world. Moreover, the keyboard disappears under my fingers, and in a positive way. I am determined to pay close attention, if anything feels uncomfortable or notice in some other way. But at the end of each round match to me is nothing negative remembered most the three thumb buttons could tolerate a weaker resistance, but this is still in the frame.
A small interim conclusion: When it comes to feel and behave are the tip Ryo MK Pro no nakedness. Up to this point, you can recommend them without reservation.
But a key board 170 expensive one buys, after all, not only because you just can play with it. Instead, here are the additional features that make the difference.
Once would have the additional peripheral connectors. Two USB 2.0 ports, two jacks for microphone and headphones. Out there, and they work as expected.
The much greater difference of Ryo MK Pro to the next smaller model MK Glow and also to the competition lies in the single-key lighting. This can be configured via the downloaded from the site Roccat driver software. Here you can in five different profiles, the lighting for each button on or off individually, and this also bind Ctrl, Shift, Windows and more shift keys. This means that a pressure on Ctrl illuminated only the keys in connection with a function Ctrl own (about Ctrl + C for copy). Also a kind of keyboard protector is possible that unravels certain light effects after prolonged inactivity.
However, what stands out is the uneven illumination. Are the letters and numbers as the main occupation highly luminous, the secondary functions of the buttons are poorly lit. Apparently, the LED sits among the letters / numbers and can radiate downwards not equally strong from.
In addition, each button can be in the driver virtually assign a second function, the (default Capslock) is on the Easy-Shift key accessible. This may just be another sign, or a default or own macro. The preset macros but are limited to a standard feature of many games, such as reloading or changing weapons, there are also some handy macros, about answer in Skype or mute in TeamSpeak.
With custom macros you defines certain key sequences, which are then executed. Which unfortunately is not possible is the use of specific text blocks, as it were, for example, interesting for letters or software development to recurring elements not having to type it each time. For this, you are still dependent on third-party software.
What also can not implement the driver is the ability to bind game data as the health bar or the magazine level to the lighting. This function can be realized through the Roccat Talk FX SDK, but must be programmed. Here are ignorant as I have to wait for comprehensive (Copy & Paste-) tutorials or downloadable finished scripts.
In overall conclusion remains a keyboard that copes with its main purpose with flying colors. Whether I want to write a lot or play a lot, with Ryo both are possible at very high levels. The four ports, macro functions and single-key lighting make the icing. And even though the latter may not be implemented perfectly, it still enough problems for a successful keyboard that has four stars deserves.
