Cm quickfire rapid-I

[mystogan59]

Hi guys, I've come across the CM rapid-I, which in my country has pretty nice price and I was wondering, if this keyboard is any better/different than the normal rapid except the backlighting. I wasnt able to find much reviews on this keyboard so im not sure if I should buy it or not... I dont like buying things without reading tons of good reviews about it

 I know I've said in my last topic that I will get the K70 RGB, but some stuffs happened so I cant really afford  the corsair K70 RGB at the moment. Thanks for any help ^^

[Crazyhendrix]

I don't see anything different from the normal rapid other than the fancy backlighting. I'd go for the normal rapid/stealth, but that's just me, since I don't need backlighting---even though some of the lighting effects seem cool.

[mystogan59]

I don't see anything different from the normal rapid other than the fancy backlighting. I'd go for the normal rapid/stealth, but that's just me, since I don't need backlighting---even though some of the lighting effects seem cool.

The thing is that they dont sell normal rapid here

[madik]

I have this keyboard and as far as the functionality and build quality goes is its awesome keyboard. The per-key backlighting is good ever for user that dont need backlighting since you can just light up WASD or other keys for specific tasks.

However I wont recommend it. Keyboard has tons of issues. Well not tons but a huge one and thats something with the firmware. Here is the description of the issue http://community.coolermaster.com/index.php/topic/11379-cm-storm-rapid-i-doesnt-start-sometimes/ . I havent contacted CM support about it yet since i doubt that they will help and most likely they know about it so I just waiting for better firmware.

[Oobly]

I have this keyboard and as far as the functionality and build quality goes is its awesome keyboard. The per-key backlighting is good ever for user that dont need backlighting since you can just light up WASD or other keys for specific tasks.

However I wont recommend it. Keyboard has tons of issues. Well not tons but a huge one and thats something with the firmware. Here is the description of the issue http://community.coolermaster.com/index.php/topic/11379-cm-storm-rapid-i-doesnt-start-sometimes/ . I havent contacted CM support about it yet since i doubt that they will help and most likely they know about it so I just waiting for better firmware.

2 users with an intermittent fault (which could well be nothing to do with the board itself, but rather the motherboard or other component) does not add up to faulty design and certainly doesn't qualify as "tons of issues". Personally, I think it's a very good board.

None of the reviews here mention the problem: http://www.amazon.com/QuickFire-Mechanical-Keyboard-ActivLite-Technology/dp/B00JM61264/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

The fact that is uses Micro USB instead of MiniUSB is a big plus, IMHO. Micro is rated for many more insertions / removals than Mini and it's a tougher socket. Also, you're likely to already have at least one compatible cable around in case you misplace the original.

[madik]

Iam pretty sure its on all boards but it only causing issues on some configurations.

Anyway to add one more problem to the keyboard: If the LEDs are dimmed (not fully brightened) and some of the M9 to M12 backlight profiles is used, then only the keys in the profile are dimmed but the Profile key is fully brightened. Hope this will also sorted out with the firmware.

[mystogan59]

Did the problem occured immediately or after some time? Thats surely quite bothersome :/

[madik]

Did the problem occured immediately or after some time? Thats surely quite bothersome :/

It was out-of-box issue. Also one more GH member (if i understood his respond correctly) have this issue: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=60411.msg1415362#msg1415362

[mystogan59]

Why didnt you return it if it was out of the box issue? Well if it doesnt happen over time but out of the box thats ok i guess, since i would just return it. Damn... too bad that i cant find K70 brown anywhere in my country :/

[madik]

Why didnt you return it if it was out of the box issue? Well if it doesnt happen over time but out of the box thats ok i guess, since i would just return it. Damn... too bad that i cant find K70 brown anywhere in my country :/

I would have retured it probably but then i spotted some mechanical damage of the keyboard which i dont remember how i did it lol
Maybe some of my family dropped a bomb on it. dunno

[mystogan59]

Poor you :/ Maybe it came like this and you just didnt notice? Btw i'd like to know about the keycaps quality... do they have nice feel? Or they feel cheap and such? Maybe if you had some other mechanical kb like tesoro's or corsair's ones then some comparison would be nice ^^

[Hucifer]

I encountered my first Rapid-i in the wild the other day.

For some reason the build quality felt a little bit better than the normal Rapid. I can't be sure but it felt a little heftier. I'd be interested to see a teardown and comparison of the two because I was under the impression that the internals were more or less the same.  I didn't much care for the fugly stock keycaps or the smooth plastic finish on the case, though.

I'd say it's a decent board if you intend to replace the keycaps with something better.

[Puddsy]

I encountered my first Rapid-i in the wild the other day.

For some reason the build quality felt a little bit better than the normal Rapid. I can't be sure but it felt a little heftier. I'd be interested to see a teardown and comparison of the two because I was under the impression that the internals were more or less the same.  I didn't much care for the fugly stock keycaps or the smooth plastic finish on the case, though.

I'd say it's a decent board if you intend to replace the keycaps with something better.

the extra electronics involved in the LEDs might have had something to do with the heaviness

[mystogan59]

I encountered my first Rapid-i in the wild the other day.

For some reason the build quality felt a little bit better than the normal Rapid. I can't be sure but it felt a little heftier. I'd be interested to see a teardown and comparison of the two because I was under the impression that the internals were more or less the same.  I didn't much care for the fugly stock keycaps or the smooth plastic finish on the case, though.

I'd say it's a decent board if you intend to replace the keycaps with something better.

I most definitelly wont replace the keycaps... Spending 50$ + 30$shipping for keycaps... thats just insane imho. Im coming from some 5$ rubber dome so  I believe even those stock on rapid-I will be much better than what i have now lol

[dorkvader]

I encountered my first Rapid-i in the wild the other day.

For some reason the build quality felt a little bit better than the normal Rapid. I can't be sure but it felt a little heftier. I'd be interested to see a teardown and comparison of the two because I was under the impression that the internals were more or less the same.  I didn't much care for the fugly stock keycaps or the smooth plastic finish on the case, though.

I'd say it's a decent board if you intend to replace the keycaps with something better.

the extra electronics involved in the LEDs might have had something to do with the heaviness

Probably not: It's only a couple grams. I bet it has a dual-layer PCB to get the routing for all the LEDs working and that's part of why it feels different.

[madik]

Rapid-I have some ARM 32bit cpu or whatever so I guess the internals are different for sure. At least the chip in there.

I think that these keycaps are typical (****ty) for backlighted keyboards. Some white/transparent plastic with black paint on top and on the sides of the keycaps. The legends are engraved with laser (paint is removed). Surface is very smooth without any texture on it. I have no idea what the paint will do in couple of years of usage.

I am planning to replace the keycaps with probably Granity set. Only things that holds me back is the backlighting which wont work anymore. Actually at least the white plate will be still shinning!

[Hucifer]

Probably not: It's only a couple grams. I bet it has a dual-layer PCB to get the routing for all the LEDs working and that's part of why it feels different.

This was my guess. I can't seem to find any reports online of a new PCB, though.

[dorkvader]

One reason I would very much like to see the internals.

[mystogan59]

I found something here: http://www.modders-inc.com/cm-storm-quickfire-rapid-keyboard-review/3/

[dorkvader]

I found something here: http://www.modders-inc.com/cm-storm-quickfire-rapid-keyboard-review/3/

Thanks!



Yep: 2 layer PCB for sure (and check out those banks of transistors powering the LED matrix! I think I see ~28; so many options.) not sure about the soldering quality, but it looks like it's decent enough that it wont randomly fail on you.

Also a big fan of the USB connector.

[Hucifer]

Thanks!

Show Image

Yep: 2 layer PCB for sure (and check out those banks of transistors powering the LED matrix! I think I see ~28; so many options.) not sure about the soldering quality, but it looks like it's decent enough that it wont randomly fail on you.

Also a big fan of the USB connector.

Ah good - I'm glad I wan't just imagining it :)

[mystogan59]

I found something here: http://www.modders-inc.com/cm-storm-quickfire-rapid-keyboard-review/3/

Thanks!

Show Image

Yep: 2 layer PCB for sure (and check out those banks of transistors powering the LED matrix! I think I see ~28; so many options.) not sure about the soldering quality, but it looks like it's decent enough that it wont randomly fail on you.

Also a big fan of the USB connector.

I have no idea what you mean by "(and check out those banks of transistors powering the LED matrix! I think I see ~28; so many options.)"
Could you explain that to me? :D

Should i maybe consider TK version or is this better built? I could live without the numpad if the quality is better on rapid-i :)

[dorkvader]

Oh, they just power the LEDs and allow them to turn on/off. They need so many because they need to be able to address each LED individually for the cool lighting effects they do.

As far as "better" or worse than the TK: hmm it varies. I'm really not a fan of the soldering in that picture, but the rest of the build quality is nice (good PCB, great USB jack, I wouldn't expect it to break). They are both good options. As with many mechanical keyboards, there is no clear winner, just tradeoffs.

If you need a numpad, the obvious choice is to get a lightsaver

[mystogan59]

Oh, they just power the LEDs and allow them to turn on/off. They need so many because they need to be able to address each LED individually for the cool lighting effects they do.

As far as "better" or worse than the TK: hmm it varies. I'm really not a fan of the soldering in that picture, but the rest of the build quality is nice (good PCB, great USB jack, I wouldn't expect it to break). They are both good options. As with many mechanical keyboards, there is no clear winner, just tradeoffs.

If you need a numpad, the obvious choice is to get a lightsaver

What is wrong about the soldering? :/ I wouldnt want few switches to stop working after few months or stuff :/

[jordansimone18]

I have the keyboard and I love it. The only thing is that eventually one of the LED's went out but that is common in backlit keyboards so no biggie. New one is coming in the mail.

[wes1099]

I have this keyboard and as far as the functionality and build quality goes is its awesome keyboard. The per-key backlighting is good ever for user that dont need backlighting since you can just light up WASD or other keys for specific tasks.

However I wont recommend it. Keyboard has tons of issues. Well not tons but a huge one and thats something with the firmware. Here is the description of the issue http://community.coolermaster.com/index.php/topic/11379-cm-storm-rapid-i-doesnt-start-sometimes/ . I havent contacted CM support about it yet since i doubt that they will help and most likely they know about it so I just waiting for better firmware.

You just saved my from a potential disaster. I have been looking into that board for a while and almost bought one.

[Hucifer]

You just saved my from a potential disaster. I have been looking into that board for a while and almost bought one.

This is a common flaw with all backlit keyboards. If you're not happy RMA'ing the board or soldering in a new LED then I'd recommend forgoing on backlighting altogether.

[mystogan59]

Well so lets sum it up... is this keyboard worth 115$?

[Hucifer]

Well so lets sum it up... is this keyboard worth 115$?

Well "worth" is always different from one person to another but in the greater scheme of things I'd say yes, $115 is a reasonable price for it if you're looking for a backlit keyboard.

[dorkvader]

What is wrong about the soldering? :/ I wouldnt want few switches to stop working after few months or stuff :/

There isn't enough solder on some of the switches leaving a hole. It doesn't look like it'll fail, but I still don't like it. if this were my KB, I'd open it up and reflow all the joints.

It's about the level of soldering quality I would expect from a board with this many features and such a low pricepoint.

[mystogan59]

Ok guys, thanks for all your replies, really appreciate it Guess i will just go and buy one for myself (Unless i change my mind, which hopefully, wont happen )