With its thin frame, the Vulcan 122 Aimo can lay nearly flat against the desk, but it also has flip-out feet. While faster, these switches can often provide less feedback to the user, losing that renowned mechanical click. Almost no companies are doing that, and it's a shame. However, different apps, software updates, or hardware issues might stop your backlit keyboard from working. Bottom line: This is one premium-looking mechanical keyboard. These are also provided with rubber soles. One for work and one for home. We havent said hello to a ROCCAT product for a while, which is a shame. The process is straightforward and works almost like a charm, but there are a small number of issues. You will see three available modes: Animation, Static, and Off. To compare, a regular Cherry MX switch is usually activated at 1.5mm, and their MX Speed switches only need 1.2mm. No more boring rainbows. And that, right there, I think, summarizes my thoughts on the ROCCAT Vulcan II Max. This is on par with my typical 108 wpm speed, but more erroneous than my usual 98% accuracy, which I blame on the distance between the keys. Subscribe to get an everyday digest of the latest technology news in your inbox. The only thing I don't like about it is the custom lighting options and UI for custom effects. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Homes similar to 8936 E Fairway Blvd are listed between $50K to $349K at an average of $130 per square foot. This full-sized keyboard has a high-end look thatll steal the show -- even when the RGBs are off. I dont know if its my imagination and enthusiasm getting the better of me, but after a couple of days use I had significantly increased my speed. The dished keycaps were comfortable during long sessions, but they sometimes felt thin and like they werent providing enough stability, especially with longer keys, like the numpads plus sign. If you want to feel tactile feedback from your keypresses, you can select the brown variant of the TITAN II switches, which exist for this. The vendors switches, meanwhile, are purportedly dust-resistant, but with all the exposed space between the keys, it wasn't surprising to see dust accumulate after a couple weeks of use. Lets remount those keys and turn the board around. The ROCCAT Magma Membrane RGB Gaming Keyboard is ideal for RGBA enthusiasts seeking a competitive gaming keyboard. This makes it a superb choice as an entry level keyboard, especially if youre choosing peripherals for your first gaming PC build, for example. I was able to keep comfortable for hours. ROCCAT Vulcan 120 AIMO is a sublime product all the way through. No problem, Great backlit effects too! I even bought one for my wife. Leave the keyboard connected to the PC, even if you can't use it now. With an actuation point of only 1.8mm and a total switch travel distance of 3.6mm, nothing seems out of the ordinary, besides the slimness. However, the switches are not as tall as the standard, and the same goes for the buttons that sit on top. Whether youre a fan of RGB or not, the lighting on Vulcan is dazzling. The ubiquitous update delays us a few minutes, but that makes time for a coffee. Keystrokes are also silent for undisturbed gaming. Not sure how someone drops well over $100 for loud plastic boards - this one has a metal inlay, which makes for easy cleaning and makes it feel robust - Magnetic hand rest remained connected well enough when I was picking keyboard up to position it The (likely) smoothness would still be a big improvement compared to other "mechanical" designs though. A Media, Writing and Production graduate, Rhys has prior experience creating written content for app developers, IT firms, toy sellers and the main TechRadar site. You want a mechanical keyboard Unlike more specialized gaming keyboards like the Corsair K70 TKL, the Magmas WASD keys arent raised or textured, a physical feature that often helps with competitive shooters like Valorant or Overwatch. Naturally, mounting it to the keyboard was the first thing I did. First off, the keyboard is pretty durable. You like your RGB a bit more subtle The best keyboard to date. Pi2 They easily deserve the space. But ROCCAT have decided to stir things up with their Vulcan series, and they have now given us the first low-profile mechanical keyboard. Dished keycaps on the Vulcan 122 Aimo were particularly cozy when I had to press and hold the same button for a long time, such as when trudging through the mud for a series of stealthy assassinations. I love this keyboard. I've seen best buys with 2 razer displays - move that stuff over because Roccat is dominating again. Cleaning the keyboard is easy, keys can be removed easy as well. Close-up shots of the Magma keycaps landing on the illuminated Membrane Keys. Look for the key with the backlight icon and press it two or three times in a row. Thank you for signing up to Windows Central. By Rich Edmonds. The Aimo setting also had each key change color when I pressed it, but I often wished it would react a little quicker, as my finger would usually be off the key already by the time the color switched. Notice the svelteness and grace of the keyboard, even with its feed down. I've been using the keyboard for the past three weeks and it's been a blast. But its the other way around. Even though this is a microscopic criticism, my fingers would've appreciated some rounder edges. When Rhys isn't on the clock, you'll usually find him logged into Final Fantasy 14, Halo Infinite or Sea of Thieves. $348,953. But many of its bells and whistles exist for the sake of the premium feeling rather than anything practical. This is a small detail, but worth a mention. This is definitely a great keyboard. Its a great keyboard, amazing even. Most mechanical keyboards today are pretty good. I cannot say whos the culprit, the software or my PC. If a white and silver keyboard isnt stylish enough for you, Roccat ups the ante with a floating keycap design that makes its transparent RGB switches scream for attention. Step 4: Now Keyboard backlit window will be visible. We cannot wait to test it out. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. All in all, the new Vulcan keyboard from ROCCAT is a delight, and in many ways truly unique compared to other mechanical keyboards. So, lets dive into the Vulcan II Max and see what it offers! From here, it is evident that this model is slimmer than anything. Spill during intense gaming? They have produced several accessories that have proven to remain consistent with their quality and functionality in relation to the price. The volume and media controls could have had better placement. The installation went without a single issue, minus I had to restart after the ROCCAT Swarm Application recognized and installed the drivers and update. This keyboard definitely stood out to me compared to all those other boring, similar looking, RGB keyboards and it does not disappoint. ROCCAT are back with a brand new concept: A low-profile mechanical keyboard. Plus, new members receive10% OFFtheir first order on ROCCAT! Find out more about how we test. This defies logic, as the specifications imply that it should be slower than my normal SoundBlasterX Vanguard K08. Additionally, the keyboard is customizable as its compatible with most third-party cross-mounted keycaps. Backlit keyboards don't just look cool, but they make using your computer in low-light environments easier. The Vulcan 122 Aimo packs a 32-bit Arm Cortex-M0-based processor and 512KB of memory that lets you store up to four profiles. You also get six macro keys, which can come in handy for programming commonly used moves and have pre-set configurations for over 30 different popular PC games. With Vulcan 120 AIMO you get a unique, ultra-thin design that is one-of-a-kind on the market. Then we explore the different uses. So, you pretty much will always have access to some sort of utility with this keyboard thanks to the Easy-Shift + function. The lighting system comprises of 5 zones and is as vivid as it is immersive, getting you into your game like never before. This allows you to have programmable functions for other keys when pressed. Lets get right to the unpacking. Looks like MX-style mounts so that shouldn't be an issue. Besides being skinnier than a 90s supermodel, Vulcan is the first series to introduce the new ROCCAT Titan switches. (Image credit: Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central). In the upper right corner, above the numpad, we find some interesting features. With the Vulcan 122 Aimo, Roccat looked to forge a reliable gaming partner by using homegrown switches with shorter travel than traditional Cherry MX ones. With that out of the way, lets pound away and test the damn thing! Why you can trust TechRadar As always, we examine certain aspects. Click CONTINUE to add this item to your cart and remove all other items currently in your cart, or CANCEL to keep your current cart. - The white buttons in the top right corner don't match the rest of the keyboard design but are not terrible The ROCCAT Vulcan II Max is a fantastic keyboard that allows for an incredible symphony of functions that are combined with a stylistic visual design that will floor anyone that sees it. Also featuring silent membrane keys, Roccat Easy-Shift[+] technology, and a . When activating these, the lights underneath each key turns white, so you don't . Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Everyone who has seen me use this keyboard always gasped in awe at the pretty colors and the extremely slick functionality. In my estimation, the noise level is also about the same. If your laptop has a built-in backlit keyboard, check its app. Both the actuation point and the switch travel distance are higher on Vulcan, so I suspect that the slimness of the buttons plays a part in this. It is also the world premiere for ROCCAT's own Titan switches. I prefer using tactile switches for typing, and the Vulcan 122 Aimos tactile switches were no different. This is because each of the keys has a different function. Its great for when you want wrist support while typing but prefer the direct feel of gaming without and vice versa. have proven to remain consistent with their quality and functionality, Roccat ELO 7.1 Air & X Stereo Headset Review Turtle Beach Audio, Roccat Design Aesthetics, Roccat Announces Kone Pure Owl-Eye and Khan AIMO in White, ROCCAT announces New In-ear Headset Priced at $69.99, ROCCAT Shows Off New Vulcan Mechanical Keyboard, Uses Titan Switch and AIMO lighting, Support for several macros and useful functions, such as an always-on health indicator for CPU/GPU/RAM, n-key rollover and excellent anti-ghosting, Multimedia controls and a volume slider that feels comfortable to use, Spacious keys that give you much less room for error and can accommodate big hands without issue, The keyboard is big and can be cumbersome to set up. Heres how it works. Thanks for subscribing! Scharon Harding has a special affinity for gaming peripherals (especially monitors), laptops and virtual reality. Very tactile but not extremely loud clicks very responsive and worth every dollar. I was a little worried about the key caps reading that they have peeled off for some other people but Ive had this for nearly over a month and they still look new. Roccat placed bumps on the F and J keys for home base, as well as the W key for gaming. The ROCCAT Vulcan II Max is a keyboard that has 24 multi-function smart keys that have Dual LEDs attached to them. One thing I like is the ability to easily clean between the keys, cleaning is super easy because of the design. Down here, we also find the profile manager that opens in a new window. However, its still a good bit of software for beginners to have a play around with, and the ability to change default keybinds is certainly a very welcome accessibility option. But after about 2 weeks of use, my keyboard had only reached 35% of its Aimo potential. I have some wrist problems so with this being lower than my last, it's a lot easier on the wrists and much smoother to type on. All rights reserved. The lighting system comprises of 5 zones and is as vivid as it is immersive, getting you into your game like never before. However, the keys are spaced further apart than Im used to, which called for a longer adjustment period. ROCCAT Titan Switches - Choose from Tactile or Linear mechanical switches AIMO illumination - RGB backlighting and LED lighting effects Durable design - robust materials and switches that resist dust build-up VIEW PRODUCT Sense AIMO $44.99 $59.99 Vivid AIMO illumination 2 individually controlled RGB zones Detachable braided cable VIEW PRODUCT Featuring silent membrane keys, ROCCAT Easy-Shift [+] technology, a detachable palm rest and . The Vulcan II Max uses 18.23 x 6.0625 inches (463 x 154mm) of space in total. 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