In a world the place gaming keyboards are incessantly providing oodles of flashy lights, analogue switches, per-key actuation, optical switches, and the like, utilizing the Roccat Pyro for just a few weeks feels such as you’ve been introduced again right down to Earth for a second. It’s a way more rugged and simplistic mechanical board that doesn’t want any theatrics or particular options to get by, particularly for its extra wallet-friendly worth level of $130 (£90) or so.
Roccat Pyro specs
Change: TTC Pink
Keycaps: ABS, laser-etched
Lighting: Per-key RGB
Onboard Storage: As much as 3 profiles
Further Ports: None
Connection Sort: USB Sort-A
Cable: 1.8m non-braided cable
Weight: 2.4 lbs
Value: $130 / £90
Its building is a pleasant mix of hard-wearing plastics alongside a metallic prime plate that’s each easy and provides some welcome structural rigidity to the Pyro. There’s a pleasant weightiness to the board with some good construct high quality which implies the Pyro ought to be capable of face up to lengthy typing classes with ease, alongside a few desk smashes if you happen to do occur to lose some rounds of CS:GO (simply play with bots, makes life simpler).
You may argue its smaller chassis and general design results in the Pyro being condemned for being a bit of nondescript in comparison with the competitors, however I’d argue the opposite means. Its extra minimalistic method is a welcome change to the feature-packed mad lads from Asus, Razer and others that occupy the top-rankings on finest gaming keyboard lists like ours for example.
There’s a good little wrist relaxation current that clips into place with relative ease, and at this worth, is a welcome addition to the Pyro’s characteristic set. It’s comprised of some grooved plastics, the identical because the keyboard’s personal encompass and is snug in brief bursts, however if you happen to use it for too lengthy, may find yourself leaving a pair marks in your wrists, so just do watch out.
The Pyro’s actual celebration piece although comes within the type of its luxurious RGB lighting.
You do get some helpful media controls within the Pyro’s prime proper with a properly twiddly quantity knob being the standout characteristic alongside another dinkier keys for precise media playback. All of the buttons really feel fairly tactile to the contact, and never like urgent down on a moist sponge, which makes a welcome change to numerous the opposite, costlier ‘boards on the market.
Nevertheless, the Pyro does must run out of expertise sooner or later. There aren’t any extra macro keys, neither is there a USB 2.0 passthrough, which, while not anticipated for the cash, might have been a pleasant addition.
The switches right here aren’t full-fat Cherry MXs sadly, and as a substitute come within the type of some Pink clones courtesy of TTC. As clones go, they really feel fairly good finger with a constant mild drive that makes them splendid and fairly snappy for FPS gaming.
I’ve at all times been extra of a tactile change fan, as is clear within the Unicomp Mannequin M overview I wrote just a few months again, and subsequently one thing with a bit of extra suggestions would have been preferable with the Pyro, however for the overall gaming crowd who simply need a mild keypress, you’ll all be in luck right here, and be pwning noobs as you go very quickly in any respect.
Full N-Key Rollover and anti-ghosting are current with the Pyro which does give its gaming chops extra pedigree and simply helps to verify no dodgy inputs are recorded so you may give attention to slapping up the competitors versus worrying about whether or not you pressed the mistaken key.
The Pyro’s actual celebration piece although comes within the type of its luxurious RGB lighting. While I’ve by no means actually been the largest fan of RGB full cease, the Pyro’s is definitely easy to take a look at, and is distinctly sharp and vibrant in distinction to different keyboards at this worth. This goes hand in hand with the decently made keycaps that, with their two-shot moulding, does enable the RGB lighting to be proven off clearly.
Need to fiddle with the consequences? Properly, Roccat’s bundled Swarm software program could have you lined on not solely this entrance, but additionally the straightforward level that you just’ll be capable of remap capabilities and program macros in an intuitive method. It’s all wrapped up in fairly a pointy interface too, which ties into Roccat’s personal branding quite effectively, and makes it really feel such as you’re getting the entire expertise.
It doesn’t take the type of some ineffective bloatware that different peripheral producers select to bundle with their merchandise, or take an age to put in, so you may handily
All in all, the Roccat Pyro is a unbelievable all-round gaming keyboard that not solely ticks the best bins, but additionally does it at a worth level that most individuals will be capable of afford. When you’re in search of a down-to-earth keyboard that’s well-built with snappy switches and lovely RGB, then that is the one to go for, simply so long as you don’t thoughts not having huge assertion options.
