| Corsair Vengeance K90 Mechanical Keyboard |  |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Input Devices | |||||||
| Written by Austin Downing | |||||||
| Monday, 16 April 2012 | |||||||
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Testing & ResultsTesting MethodologyTesting peripherals like the Corsair Venegeance K90 are quite simply a matter of using them in the real world for an extended amount of time. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the product they are no standardized test that can be done but rather it is a matter of personal opinion from the time spent using the product. In order to analyze the qualities of the K90 I focused on looking at the many different realms of work and play that the K90 is expected to be subjected to. This means looking at both its qualities as a gaming keyboard, but more importantly its qualities as a method of input for work and school related projects. Test System
Software Tested
ResultsUsing the Corsair Vengeance K90 for gaming proved to be quite wonderful. When it comes to typing the Cherry MX Blue switches are simply one of the best key types available but due to their non-linear force profile and some find them unsuitable for gaming. On the other hand, I found this is not true of the Cherry MX Red switches used on the K90. Due to the linear force profile and the lower actuation force needed the Cherry MX Reds are ideal for gaming. In Battlefield 3, I spend a particularly large amount of time flying where quick decisions and fast reactions are the difference between winning or losing a dogfight and between pulling off the perfect aerial maneuver or crashing. The K90 performed amazingly, making even the most complex of maneuvers seemingly easy to pull off. On the ground, I found that the low force needed and smooth actions allowed me to quickly bob between obstacles while effectively staying in cover as much as possible. During my Mass Effect 3 sessions (No spoilers I promise), I found that the smooth movements allowed me to easily move between cover while fighting my way forward while fighting the Geth. My biggest test is always typing, if a keyboard is the best I have ever used for gaming but I cannot type on it properly then it is useless. Thankfully although the lower actuation force of the K90 took some getting used to I found that after a couple of days my typing speed was back up to where it is on my Cherry MX Blue keyboards. Because they lack the auditory and haptic feedback of their Blue brethren have as you type it is near silent as long as you do not bottom out the keys repeatedly.
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Comments
Virtually no keyboard manufacturer in existence realizes that FPS/RPG gaming needs more than just a bunch of extra keys slapped to the left or top.
To me that is quite mysterious as FPS/RPG gaming is the major part of PC gaming.
If corsair could offer me such a device I would be prepared to dish out a lot of money, I don't even care whether the board is mechanical or not.
As it is now I still use my old Ideazon Fang, but I fear one of these days this superb device will break down after many years of service. I am in for a nice modernized back-lit replacement and I am prepared to pay for it.
I can not image those keyboard producing companies really overlooking this. There must be no market for improvement or something.
To me the Ideazon Fang is a miracle device. It is such an gigantic step forward in comfortable ergonomic FPS gaming that I expected every keyboard manufacturer to jump on board and produce something competitive. There is still some room for improvement and modernization.
If I had known that Steelseries would stop production after the take-over I would have bought several Fangs for backup. I dread the day it will die on me.
#overclock.net/t/1210473/another-corsair-k90-keyboard-review
@Andreas: I've heard about the Fang but never had the chance to play with it. IIRC, there was some incompatibility issues with newer games, with WOW mostly. Also the software was not the best in class. However, we shouldn't forget this is a Keyboard review, I mean a detachable gamepad might be a nice idea but if the main keyboard is junk it is not going to do much good.
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I assure you the Fang has no problems supporting WOW at all. Even without drivers it acts like a mini gaming keyboard with most used keys neatly and ergonomically grouped around the WASD keys.
The Fang, without drivers, is able to support any game that runs on windows until hell freezes over. The only prerequisite is that windows keeps detecting the Fang as a basic keyboard.
In general though the support for the Fang (and Merc Stealth) software has deteriorated since Steelseries took over Ideazon.
It is not a huge problem, because the Fang still can function without special drivers and software. But you do lose some of the cool remapping functions the Fang in principle is capable of. The software is actually quite good, but the lack of updates is causing the problems now.
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"However, we shouldn't forget this is a Keyboard review, I mean a detachable gamepad might be a nice idea but if the main keyboard is junk it is not going to do much good."
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But I agree wholeheartedly. That is why it would be great if a good keyboard manufacturer would create a modernized/upgraded high quality Fang-like device that could be attached to a high quality keyboard.
For example the Sidewinder X6 (I know it is not a mechanical keyboard, but it is still excellent quality) has a modular design.
You can detach the numpad and click it onto the keyboard left or right, or leave it off, whatever you prefer.
It is a unique concept that is great for what I have in mind, but apparently Microsoft does not realize the potential of their concept at all.
If Microsoft would also build a Fang-like module that I could click onto the left or right side of the Sidewinder X6 I would be a very happy gamer indeed. For me that would be the ultimate FPS/RPG keyboard design. For the Fang module only I would be prepared to pay a 100 bucks without hesitation.
I would pay $200 for a Merc Stealth that used mechanical key closures on ALL the keys, and a little more robust keycap material.
I have the Ideazon Merc Stealth as well. It is build like a brick, but I mean that in the best sense possible: It is an incredibly solid keyboard.
The reason I stopped using it and started using the Ideazon Fang instead, is because of the fact that I think the merging of the cursor keys and keypad keys on the right hand side is a huge mistake. For me it was fine when I was gaming, but when I was typing I got irritated by having to constantly use that damned switch key.
The Merc Stealth would have been perfect if it was constructed like any regular full keyboard on the right hand side with a full/normal cursor/keypad part.
I even preferred the way the 'space/jump' and 'P1' buttons of the FPS pad were done on the Merc Stealth.
SO if they would build a Merc Stealth II with a normal cursor/keypad and mechanical keys I would buy it immediately. No.... I would buy TWO!
We FPS gamers are in dire need of a true perfect FPS keyboard. At the moment nobody is making one.
Ideazon had it almost right with the Merc Stealth and the Fang and Steelseries should pick up on that, because they have a perfect product within reach.
Were it says '@iFlame' it should be 'Andreas'.
:)
"I suppose it wouldn't be for average users"
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I think that might surprise you. Perhaps not for those who exclusively use a keyboard for typing. Perhaps that is the average user? But there are so many FPS gamers out there, who already are dishing out huge amounts of money for fancy gaming keyboards, which in general and in fact have actually very little to offer to a FPS gamer. Most of these boards offer little more than backlighting, some extra keys and a fancy design.
I strongly believe that a board like we have been discussing here, is what these FPS gamers would really want if they had the choice, because:
.this system would give them a full high quality keyboard for typing,
.would offer them a perfect module for true FPS/RPG gaming,
.would give them a choice of interesting and useful other modules
.and because you can plug in the modules any which way you want, it would cater to right and left handed people equally.
The board should have backlighting, useful media keys, be programmable, and have 1 or 2 usb ports.
These properties are most important on the keys that are used in gaming, and that includes the function and macro keys which are only using rubber cups on this keyboard.
The fact is that there are plenty of other examples of similar keyboards using all mechanical keys, and at the same prices you see the K90 being sold for. So, IF they did this to save some money, that's inexcusable when I can purchase another keyboard with all mechanical keys for the same or lower price (which I and many others have done).
That, combined with the rubber keycaps on function, macro and media keys, makes me agree that Corsair still has some work to do.
I do love the aluminum chassis though, but personally I prefer Cherry Blue keys.