We really weren’t sure what to expect from the Hermes, GAMDIAS being a new company to us and all. Within a short period of time we were reassured by the competent component choices and headline feature set, and settled into using a keyboard which was in its own way quite unique for a factory-spec mechanical unit. Unsurprisingly there was a lot to like in the Hermes, but then we would hope that this would be true of any keyboard being sold above the £100 mark. Most importantly it is solid and has a lingering air of durability despite the rather inexpensive ABS plastic used in its frame.

The key differentiating factor for the Hermes is the GAMDIAS Element switch dampening technique. We’ve mentioned in previous reviews that normally loud mechanical switches can be made more quiet with the use of o-rings, and GAMDIAS has implemented something similar with the Hermes, only with a much higher level of quality control and uniformity. As effective as it is in its stated role, Element is very much a love it or hate it proposition - it certainly deadens the noise generated by typing, but the feel of the keys changes dramatically.

In most other respects we were quite impressed with the Hermes. N-Key rollover performance was extremely good, and we were very pleased to note that this extended to the G-keys in a manner which is much more comprehensive than most other keyboards at the same price point. The MI-MVI keys by contrast seemed to be more of an extravagance and unnecessary except in very niche circumstances; your own milage may vary on this score however. If nothing else they do make excellent secondary media keys if you find that a dedicated set is important.

There were still one or two niggles such as the introduction of electrical noise to passthrough audio and the slightly uneven base causing the keyboard to slide about when the feet are not extended. That said, other keyboards with a far more illustrious pedigree have fallen foul of similar quality oversights.



Of course it’s in gaming, especially LAN gaming where access to your own software isn’t guaranteed, that the Hermes will shine. The copious amounts of on-board memory and excellent ARM Cortex processor keep response times down to effectively lag-free levels and sidestep that potentially problematic software layer. At a time when so many companies are eschewing these onboard features in favour of ever more elaborate configuration utilities and software parsing, it’s nice to see that GAMDIAS are keeping it simple.

But not too simple. Ten profiles is, after all, perhaps a little extravagant.

The Hermes is our brush with the GAMDIAS peripheral range and it’s an extremely creditable device. Featuring Cherry MX Blue switches with a patented Element dampening system, it feels drastically different from a typical mechanical keyboard whilst retaining the uniform keystroke dynamic. Also including all mod cons such as thirteen dedicated macro keys, excellent N-key rollover and an on-board macro engine, the Hermes is sure to satisfy many a hardcore gamer. Despite a couple of oversights it gets our Silver Award and a well deserved Creative Award.