Hey guys I’m back! Now with CMStorm’s newest keyboard Rapid SI.
Just as you can see from its name, Rapid SI is an alternative version of Rapid S, which has been a very hot topic in the market. The difference between Rapid S and Rapid SI is simple: This new Rapid SI is the stealth illuminate version, which is very hard to find (I’ve failed to find a retail keyboard with down side leds on every key). CMStorm also brings black and white keysets of side printed transparent characters.
Although the keyboard seems to be very familiar with Rapid S, its PCB is very different. I’m told that it’s near one year since the first examples of this keyboard (and keysets) went out.
More
Rapid SI uses the same case as Rapid S. I always feel extremely satisfied when touching the surface of Rapid SI (and my Novatouch, they have the same feeling). CMStorm has improved the material of the surface it will have less fingerprints, compared to the old Quickfire Rapid, Quickfre Rapid XT etc.
I think the case will still get some fingerprints on it after several months’ usage though. I personally prefer the Cherry keyboards’ case.
The design of the case is great. With the narrow frames and curve lines on the back and side part of it, the keyboard feels clean and elegant. It uses micro-usb connection wire, which is not very common in keyboard market but still not hard to get.
More
This is the back of the keyboard, which has a lot of rubber feet to prevent the keyboard from sliding and a plastic label.
More
Yeah the keyboard is made in China, the same factory as Rapid S. I assume we can expect the same build quality from these two factories.
The keyboard uses cherry stabilizer. The cherry stabilizers CMStorm use has always been very different from ducky and cherry ones. They are a bit louder but very clean and clear, more like common costar stabilizers. The typing feeling of Rapid SI is good imo.
More
Without the keycaps we can see the white plate of the keyboard that makes the backlit effect really really cool. I think the plate is just painted white, not anodized or some fashion things lol.
And the downside leds.
More
These are Rapid SI with original keyset. Thanks to the white plate, the intensity of the white light is great and well-distributed. The white color is very pure too, better than the white light mixed by RGB leds.
CMStorm also gave me a white keyset with side printed stealth characters. Unlike the original black keycaps which you can always see the characters, the white keycaps’ characters are hidden until you illuminate them. The two keysets are both ABS but the black one feels more smooth.
More
From these pictures we can see the white keycaps have very good illuminate effect too. The white light reflected by white keycaps adds some special feeling to it.
Conclusion:
+Nice type feeling, the stabilizer feels very good too
+Side printed illuminate keycaps, which is never seen before
+Great illuminate effect thanks to the white plate
+Build quality is decent, just as Rapid S
-Lack of Backlit modes. Rapid SI only have breath backlit as special mode.
-ABS backlit keycaps get shine after some months’ usage
