Capsule Review: Corsair's Vengeance K60 and K90 Keyboards
by Dustin Sklavos on February 18, 2012 9:22 PM EST- Posted in
- Keyboard
- Peripherals
- Corsair
- Cherry MX
- Input Devices
Conclusion: Strong Out of the Gate
I'll come right out and say that I've been looking for a new keyboard to replace my aging and decrepit Microsoft Reclusa for a long time, and for me, the Corsair Vengeance K90 is it. The backlighting, the wrist rest, the mechanical switches, the recessed configurable keys, the USB 2.0 port built into the top using a passthrough...the K90 is definitely an excellent piece of kit, and it feels like it was designed by people who used other gaming keyboards and felt like those products just weren't cutting the mustard. With all that in mind, I think there are still some reservations.
I have concerns about the paint and treatment used for the keycaps on the K90 being able to hold up over time, and I feel like the software definitely does need a little bit more work and fine tuning. The USB passthrough is appreciated, but with a dedicated connection wouldn't it have been just as easy to offer more than one USB port on the keyboard itself? Right now I'm using the single port for the Vengeance mice I'm testing, but it would be nice to have a second port: one for the mouse, and one for flash drive and other USB peripherals.
The price difference between the K90 and K60 is also a little too small; in my opinion the K90 is just more preferable to the K60 and absolutely worth the extra $20 for the substantially improved functionality, comfort, and aesthetics. If anything the K60 just seems to exist to make the K90 look like a better deal, which is impressive when you're talking about keyboards that cost north of $100.
With all that in mind, it's pretty clear that despite these nitpicks Corsair has once again entered a brand new market with some very strong products. For first attempts, the Vengeance K60 and K90 both get an awful lot right, and the typing and user experiences on both of these keyboards are definitely a step above what you'll get from a garden variety membrane keyboard.
It's up to you to decide if they're worth the investment; I think the $109 and $129 price tags are both a little too steep and the keyboards would both be more compelling at $89 and $119 respectively, if not $79 and $109. If you're willing to shell out for one, the K90 is pretty much directly superior to its less expensive sibling and worth the extra $20. But really, I wouldn't fault anyone for buying either one despite the prices: these are excellent keyboards and, in my opinion, a cut above any gaming keyboards anyone else is producing.
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rajaf - Sunday, February 19, 2012 - link
I have a cherry black keyboard (the ThermalTake Meka) and I play Starcraft 2 on the aspiring semi-pro (:p) level. I can say that there is a world of difference coming from your regular rubber domed keyboard.However I had to try out a couple of others before this one. Llucky me I work in a computer hardware shop so I tried a K90, a Razer BlackWidow and a SteelSeries 6Gv2 before settling on the Meka. I think that you have to do the same to find out which one you are most comfortable with. It's a really subjective thing, so it's hard to give any advice.
All I can tell you is that when I was doing research on the switches, it is usually agreed that the blacks are the best for any sort of gaming and the reds are best for typing. And the browns are a good middle ground. I find that I dislike the reds and I do not care for the browns feedback either. The blacks just feel solid to me, and really really responsive. I am certain that my average APM has gone up since using this thing :D
DanNeely - Sunday, February 19, 2012 - link
The lack of any try before buy options probably is holding back any growth options. I've never seen one available in retail; and $100ish is too much to pay sight unseen.Sabresiberian - Monday, February 20, 2012 - link
Yah the modern method of buying hardware does have its drawbacks. I've had this thought myself.;)
Dribble - Monday, February 20, 2012 - link
You're getting mixed up. The Blue's are best for typing. The red's are identical to blacks only with a lower actuation force (i.e. need less pressure to type with them).(typed on a K60)
mbraun - Sunday, February 19, 2012 - link
I'd recommend Cherry MX brown switches for RTS games like Starcraft, check out the Filco Majestouch 2 tenkeyless. FPS players may favor the Cherry MX red ones. Buying two high-end keyboards for two types of games seems rather extreme. In the end it's up to your personal preferences - any mechanical is better than a rubberdome keyboard. Just try out different keyboards and make your own choice, you're the only one who can decide if a certain kind of key feedback is right for you.hechacker1 - Sunday, February 19, 2012 - link
After doing some research, I'm looking at Cherry MX red options. Unfortunately, it seems there are few choices.I'm mainly concerned with FPS performance, since I play RTS less often (though lately I have been playing more SC2 trying to ladder).
This reviewed keyboard is an option, but I do wish there were more tenkeyless options. I almost never use the tenkey, and it mostly just gets in my way of how I want to naturally position my mouse and keyboard.
But either way it's not a big deal. I guess I should try to find them in stores available for display, but I can't think of any stores that cater to "gaming" or professional keyboards. Mostly they just have cheapo keyboards, and logitiech membrane stuff.
Omega215D - Sunday, February 19, 2012 - link
Most stores will carry the Razer Blackwidow which uses mx blues. Best Buy definitely has them. I have yet to see any retailer carry the Stealth edition with the Browns.If you live near a Fry's or Microcenter then most likely they'll carry different types of mechanical keyboards. Newegg is a great option for lower prices but you're gonna have to know what you want unless you don't mind returning items to an online retailer should it not suit you.
This is all assuming you are in the US.
Anyway, the Blues I find to be floaty as they travel some distance before actuating. The browns I feel are a nice all-round option. I had the blacks and they were nice for gaming but typing was a bit weird, especially since it's stiffer and lacks a click.
hechacker1 - Monday, February 20, 2012 - link
Yeah I live about 40 miles from a Fry's. I wonder how's there in store selection. I guess it's worth a trip to find out.DanNeely - Monday, February 20, 2012 - link
I guess I'll have to visit the local BB. I never thought to look there; assuming their selection would be as worthless as Staples is and CircuitCity's was before it went bust.I'm ~5 hours from a Microcenter and 8 from a Fry's (other way around??); so scoping them out isn't really an option. Would be cheaper to just order 4 different models, RMA 3 and eat the shipping/restocking fees.
Omega215D - Tuesday, February 21, 2012 - link
Newegg doesn't always charge restocking fees if you give a pretty valid reason for RMA.Best Buy only carries the Razer Blackwidow keyboards that are MX-Blue and nothing else mechanical from Razer or others. At least the regular Blackwidow is priced reasonably and sometimes it goes on sale. Even without the sale it's cheaper than Microcenter ($79 vs MC's $89) though MC has more of a selection.