Hands-on review: Corsair K70 Lux RGB mechanical keyboard - a gamer's dream
Corsair's K70 Lux RGB mechanical keyboards is beefy, clacky and beautiful. Unlike its K65 sibling, this keyboard has the all-important numpad which will be important for certain games and for people who like the extra buttons for customisation.
The K70 has profile switches, a BIOS switch, and a USB passthrough port. It also has added media playback buttons and a volume scroll wheel above the numpad. I loved this scroll wheel function - it might not offer the most exact volume precision but it is a feature that I've not seen in many other keyboards.
German-made Cherry MX switches are apparently the leading industry standard for keys, built for 50 million operations. While time constraints meant that I couldn't put that claim to its full test, the 1.2mm 'ultrafast' switch actuation and light 45G switches definitely do provide fast responses to keystrokes.
Backed with a brushed aluminium underside, the keyboard feels sturdy - even though the base is plastic. The keys are detachable - which is why Corsair has included extras, just in case you lose some.
As a result, this keyboard performed well in-game. It's all about getting used to the location and feel of the keys. Once you do, you're on your way. It gives great feedback in conjunction with lighting patterns so you know exactly where your crucial keys are. The spacebar is textured for grip, so if you use it a lot you're in luck. It's the only textured key on the entire keyboard, so you might find you'll use it as a basis for your hand positioning for a little while.
As ever, the Corsair Utility Engine (CUE) software is essential for customising these keyboards - macros, lighting, keystrokes, timers, DPI and media control. You can download it from Corsair's website, and it offers an intuitive, easy to use platform to set up your specs for each game. Unfortunately there seem to be no pre-programmed macros, but who needs them. It's your game, and you want to play on your terms!
The K70 is a great option for those who need a numpad for their gaming, but if you don't use it all that often, the K65 might be a better fit that will give you more room for your peripherals. You can have loads of fun programming the keyboard to make the best use of your gaming experience through macros and lighting, possibly making it one of the best rigs in the neighbourhood.
