We paired the Vengeance K95 with the Gold Award winning Corsair M65, reviewed way back in March. In spite of the lack of explicit synergy between the two, either in software or Corsair-specific hardware features, we felt that the pairing would solidify our understanding in how such a keyboard could compensate for a mouse not necessarily tailored to every game type.
Once again the choice of Cherry MX Red mechanical switches provided an extremely consistent response across the whole keyboard. Even larger keys - types which manufacturers often find difficult to garner a response which is close to that of the rest of the keyset - felt satisfying and in keeping with the rest of the keyboard. The choice of Cherry MX Red will polarise consumers who have a great attachment to a particular Cherry MX switch type, but until further types are included Red's are a good mainstream choice.
The keycaps typeface is clear with and without LED illumination, and illumination levels are suitable for any conceivable environment. The finish on the keycaps is a black paint which is relatively grippy, but not unpleasant to the touch. The G-key keycaps are slightly shorter, and so actuate a little differently to the main keyset. Both engage at 50% down the stroke, but whilst the main keys hit the backplate with a audible tap the G-keys are more muted. It's by no means problematic, but could be slightly disconcerting to those expecting exactly the same response.
We mentioned the slight unevenness when laid flat earlier, so we don't quite have initial glowing reports across the board. In all likelihood this is purely a batch or single sample issue, and is easily solved, but it's disappointing for such a premium product. Even so, using the K95 with feet extended is our preferred position, and there were no issues in our extending testing in this arrangement. If you have a super-slick desk the plastic finish on the feet may cause some instability, but in general the K95 should be fine for most users in this regard.
Moving on to the specific keyboard functionality, the macro system and M-states are superb additions over the Vengeance K70. This isn't the first 'Live' macro record function we have seen on a keyboard, but it is equal to the best of them for simplicity. The way it interacts with M1-M3 states is logical, and once you get the hang of it there is nothing to stop you from creating macros as and when you need them - in game or otherwise. You can even take advantage of the lighting to log where you have created each macro, and of course they're reflected in the configuration utility UI.
Anti-Ghosting/NKRO
The Vengeance K95 claims up to 20-key roll over across the whole keyset, which is quite an impressive claim for a USB keyboard (although thankfully increasingly common). We continue to use Aqua's Keytest as a quick-test for NKRO, focussing on the core gaming section around the WASD keys. The main aim is to ensure that as many relevant keys as possible can be pressed simultaneously such that every input in a fast-paced gaming session is recorded accurately.
Here the Vengeance K95 performed exceptionally, with no issues reported around the crucial WASD keys and NKRO extending further into the centre of the keyboard too. Some testing with the G-Keys also indicated that they too were unaffected by ghosting or interfering with the registering of other keys. By some margin therefore the K95 has the best NKRO characteristics of all the keyboards we have tested.
--
In a more general sense, the K95's macro functionality and G-keys really open up the possibilities for the gaming and work-based productivity. We couldn't count the number of times where we set up add-hoc macros between in-game MMO encounters, and with particular reference to MMOs we found the M1-M3 states provided logical partitions between class specs in World of Warcraft, Rift and other hotkey-based titles. In theory 18 is perhaps a little too many, but the grid array means that you're not limited to a particular layout. There's just enough difference in height between the G-Keys and main keyset to easily differentiate between without making them a stretch. Plus, they're mechanical; it's difficult to see a downside.
RTS and non-MMO RPGs will also benefit from the M-states and macro keys. Asymmetric RTS titles such as Starcraft can configure one M-State per race for example, whereas RPG titles can of course set them to classes. Most significant for very high level gamers however is the firm linear response, allowing quick taps and the same speed across the bank of G-Keys as the main keyboard set.
Key-by-key illumination again proved to be an interesting feature, especially when using macro keys for the first time. Being able to only light up active macro keys made learning and adapting to new keybinds more streamlined, and the aesthetic benefits are also quite interesting. We're sure that some LAN gamers will be looking at the latest K-series keyboard with a keen interest.
For many gamers the macro keys will be an unnecessary addition to their keyboard, in which case the K70 would be ideal at a similar budget. However those with broader interests which encompasses a wide range of gaming genres and work practices should put the K95 right at the top of contention in any keyboard short-list if they can stretch to the asking price.
--
There is one final point to be made. Cleaning the K95 should be easy thanks to keycaps which wipe clean relatively easily, but you will need to source a keycap to really get into the nooks and crannies. Aluminium being aluminium, you'll want to avoid fingerprints on the metal surfaces, but the finish is robust enough to wipe them away so long as they don't linger and etch in.
