Corsair announces new lineup including TKL

[KungFuPanda]

The K65 TKL looks pretty nice and they have blues on the K70 now.

Source: http://www.corsair.com/us/computex2013?utm_source=Corsair&utm_medium=Website&utm_content=Computex&utm_campaign=FrontPage

[badcop]

i kind of like it.   

[tp4tissue]

These boards are n00bs only

[badcop]

These boards are n00bs only

the last generation had a ton of issues but they maybe worked out by now.  Same-ish price point as the QFR.  its a shame it only comes with reds though.

[Lastpilot]

i kind of like it.   

I share this feel. That TKL...

Blue LEDs though? Poooo.

EDIT: Omg k70 with red LEDS? Yes. I might get this lol.

[dadgh]

I love the "no-body" look. I wish my keys were exposed like that.

[Lastpilot]

I love the "no-body" look. I wish my keys were exposed like that.

Yeah, it's been done by other manufacturers before but not with a full LED backlight. I might just have to jump on this.

I can't find the specific warranty information for these boards. Anyone want to help me out? This would be crucial, especially for full backlit boards. Keycap legends and LED defects are always a possibility.

DAT K70. Haters might hate, but I want this.

Edit: Darn it. I think I will just get a Ducky SII instead. After looking at multiple YouTube reviews, the LED light leaking from underneath the keys is just too obnoxious for me. Corsair is know for its no-nonsense business-like look, but this kind of exposed backlit switch does not fit that theme.

[KungFuPanda]

I love the "no-body" look. I wish my keys were exposed like that.

Yeah, it's been done by other manufacturers before but not with a full LED backlight. I might just have to jump on this.

I can't find the specific warranty information for these boards. Anyone want to help me out? This would be crucial, especially for full backlit boards. Keycap legends and LED defects are always a possibility.

DAT K70. Haters might hate, but I want this.

It's 2 years, which is pretty good considering a lot of other companies only offer 1 year.

[Yslen]

This is very close to being a board I'd buy, but I think some changes are required;

1. Ditch the media keys. They're not necessary, there are plenty of other ways to control your PC, like a $6 remote which has the advantages of working from across the room and being something you can hide in a drawer when you're not using. The keys add clutter to the design of this board, which otherwise would look great.

2. Remove the logo. If I buy an expensive keyboard I already know what brand it is, I don't need advertising on my devices, thanks. At the very least, move it to the top left corner, maybe shrink it a bit. With a brand like Filco the logo is attractive and the name is something you don't mind people seeing. Corsair has neither of these qualities, so get rid of it please.

3. The font isn't terrible, but from some of the product shots the legends are... what? Stickered on? I'm not exactly an expert on cheap lettering techniques, but it looks pretty bad to me. Can we get some decent quality for our money please, Corsair?

EDIT: Ah, I forgot it's backlit. Some way to make translucent letters without using DS keys, I guess. Looks like my old G15 did, aka kind of cheap and nasty.

4. I much preferred the brighter brushed aluminium of the original K60, rather than this "gun metal" version. Maybe offer all three (with the black as well) with differnt LED colours for each?

5. More switch types. I know reds are great for gaming, but offering two or three switch options will increase the popularity of this board quite a bit, I think.

Credit to Corsair for making a TKL version though, and for the brushed metal/raised key design in the first place. All they need to do is get their act together with the details, and I'm sold. Maybe the next version will be improved a bit further.

[badcop]

This is very close to being a board I'd buy, but I think some changes are required;

1. Ditch the media keys. They're not necessary, there are plenty of other ways to control your PC, like a $6 remote which has the advantages of working from across the room and being something you can hide in a drawer when you're not using. The keys add clutter to the design of this board, which otherwise would look great.

2. Remove the logo. If I buy an expensive keyboard I already know what brand it is, I don't need advertising on my devices, thanks. At the very least, move it to the top left corner, maybe shrink it a bit. With a brand like Filco the logo is attractive and the name is something you don't mind people seeing. Corsair has neither of these qualities, so get rid of it please.

3. The font isn't terrible, but from some of the product shots the legends are... what? Stickered on? I'm not exactly an expert on cheap lettering techniques, but it looks pretty bad to me. Can we get some decent quality for our money please, Corsair?

EDIT: Ah, I forgot it's backlit. Some way to make translucent letters without using DS keys, I guess. Looks like my old G15 did, aka kind of cheap and nasty.

4. I much preferred the brighter brushed aluminium of the original K60, rather than this "gun metal" version. Maybe offer all three (with the black as well) with differnt LED colours for each?

5. More switch types. I know reds are great for gaming, but offering two or three switch options will increase the popularity of this board quite a bit, I think.

Credit to Corsair for making a TKL version though, and for the brushed metal/raised key design in the first place. All they need to do is get their act together with the details, and I'm sold. Maybe the next version will be improved a bit further.

1.  the volume keys are very handy and that was probably the best part of the K90.  Although they ditched the roller (which sucks) i can see myself using that quite often.  Media keys are embeded with a funciton layer and that can be solved by getting new key caps (which most people on this site do anyway) and just forgetting about them. 

2. I agree with you here.  The logo is pretty abrasive and CM took a lot of heat for it with the QFR.  a small logo on the back side (by the usb) or pick a corner.  it really distracts the eye when looking at it.

3. yeah they're backlit.  PITA and the keys are going to be kind poor quality.  like i said before most people swap keycaps to SP/gmk double shots or PBT etc...

4. it looks like they are heading in the right direction but they aren't quite there yet.  the K90 did have a great finish and it made it stand out from the rest of the "mainstream gaming company" keyboards.  it looks like they are offering at least browns and blues this time around and red and blue backlighting.  they will get there eventually providing they sell a decent amount to stay in the game.

5. see 4.

Heres a picture from corsairs site if people are too lazy to click the link.

[Yslen]

Quick'n'dirty shop just to show what I'm suggesting.

I honestly don't think keyboard media keys are important enough to justify cluttering the design in the way they usually do. Either make them a function key or do without. I have about 6 other ways to control music/video etc, none of which make my keyboard look ugly.

EDIT: Actually, just noticed they're literally just volume controls. I have one on my speakers, one on the remote for the speakers, one on the sound card, one on a mixing desk, one on the PC remote, one in the player and one in Windows. Seriously, get this #### off my keyboard right the #### now. /rant.

[missalaire]

More info:

http://techreport.com/news/24900/corsair-adds-tactile-switches-tenkeyless-footprint-to-vengeance-mechanical-keyboards

[badcop]

More info:

http://techreport.com/news/24900/corsair-adds-tactile-switches-tenkeyless-footprint-to-vengeance-mechanical-keyboards

OH so the k65 doesnt have backlighting...interesting.  caps are probably just thin pad printed abs then.

FIXED.

[KungFuPanda]

More info:

http://techreport.com/news/24900/corsair-adds-tactile-switches-tenkeyless-footprint-to-vengeance-mechanical-keyboards

OH so the k70 doesnt have backlighting...interesting.  caps are probably just thin pad printed abs then.

Except...it does...

[Grim Fandango]

Most interesting are that the two mice use an Avago 3090 optical sensor. Maybe that M30 will turn out to not be crap. It is really butt ugly though.

[badcop]

More info:

http://techreport.com/news/24900/corsair-adds-tactile-switches-tenkeyless-footprint-to-vengeance-mechanical-keyboards

OH so the k70 doesnt have backlighting...interesting.  caps are probably just thin pad printed abs then.

Except...it does...

my mistake.

K70 (tenkey) does not the K65 (TKL).  got them mixed up.

[Turbo Slaab]

Quick'n'dirty shop just to show what I'm suggesting.

I honestly don't think keyboard media keys are important enough to justify cluttering the design in the way they usually do. Either make them a function key or do without. I have about 6 other ways to control music/video etc, none of which make my keyboard look ugly.

EDIT: Actually, just noticed they're literally just volume controls. I have one on my speakers, one on the remote for the speakers, one on the sound card, one on a mixing desk, one on the PC remote, one in the player and one in Windows. Seriously, get this #### off my keyboard right the #### now. /rant.

Show Image

Could you PS some black engraved pbt caps on that? It might look pretty decent!

[Lastpilot]

It's also worth noting that they just announced Blue and Brown switches for the K70, so they may expand switch options for other boards as well.

[Lycoth]

I agree, it looks awesome aside from the logo. I don't actually mind the media keys too much, though I think it would be better used with a function key.

Definitely a keyboard I could look at as I'm after a backlit.

[AKIMbO]

Wonder what the bottom row spacing is on the k65.  Looks almost like 1.5x1x1.25 space 1.25x1x1x1.5....but it could be the photo playing tricks on my mind.

[badcop]

Wonder what the bottom row spacing is on the k65.  Looks almost like 1.5x1x1.25 space 1.25x1x1x1.5....but it could be the photo playing tricks on my mind.

thats what it looks like to me.  alt is just slightly smaller than cntrl

[Grimey]

Actually enjoy the brushed aluminum case look, probably more surface area than it needs but still looks at least less 1337 Gamer

[Lastpilot]

@KungFuPanda: Thanks for finding that. A 2-year manufacturer warranty does sound nice.

I know that Corsair is advertising this lineup to be 100% mechanical switches, but I am guessing this does not apply to the media keys? Anybody have anything that confirms or denies this?

EDIT: This reactive typing mode looks really cool! Finally, one that stays on for a a short amount after you press a key.

[Yslen]

Would be interesting with white caps, as here.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=ttkWoZvPOcM&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DttkWoZvPOcM%26feature%3Dyoutu.be

[Photoelectric]

I like the brushed metal case, and how the keys sit on top of it, but I still hate the extended bezel at the front and the back.  Just seems extra for this design.

[tp4tissue]

is that bar 6x or something crzy

[FoxWolf1]

So it's a "gaming keyboard" with the volume/media keys carefully placed so as to make it impossible to use them while gaming? Great.

And of course, as with the overwhelming majority of mechanical keyboards these days, no real, functionality-oriented innovation.

[calavera]

Not bad.

[lowkey]

This is very close to being a board I'd buy, but I think some changes are required;

1. Ditch the media keys. They're not necessary, there are plenty of other ways to control your PC, like a $6 remote which has the advantages of working from across the room and being something you can hide in a drawer when you're not using. The keys add clutter to the design of this board, which otherwise would look great.

2. Remove the logo. If I buy an expensive keyboard I already know what brand it is, I don't need advertising on my devices, thanks. At the very least, move it to the top left corner, maybe shrink it a bit. With a brand like Filco the logo is attractive and the name is something you don't mind people seeing. Corsair has neither of these qualities, so get rid of it please.

3. The font isn't terrible, but from some of the product shots the legends are... what? Stickered on? I'm not exactly an expert on cheap lettering techniques, but it looks pretty bad to me. Can we get some decent quality for our money please, Corsair?

EDIT: Ah, I forgot it's backlit. Some way to make translucent letters without using DS keys, I guess. Looks like my old G15 did, aka kind of cheap and nasty.

4. I much preferred the brighter brushed aluminium of the original K60, rather than this "gun metal" version. Maybe offer all three (with the black as well) with differnt LED colours for each?

5. More switch types. I know reds are great for gaming, but offering two or three switch options will increase the popularity of this board quite a bit, I think.

Credit to Corsair for making a TKL version though, and for the brushed metal/raised key design in the first place. All they need to do is get their act together with the details, and I'm sold. Maybe the next version will be improved a bit further.

I disagree about the media keys, volume and mute keys are the ones I'll actually use.  In your quest for ultra minimalism, you're trying to get rid of things that are actually useful to pretty much everyone.

Pressing a button on my keyboard is a lot easier than clicking on the volume button in my task bar, but more than that, with media keys I can lower and raise the volume in windows while inside of a game if I need to without tabbing out, which to me is the most important part of having media keys.

The K65 layout looks standard to me, so all keycaps should fit, but aside from that I like the proximity of the function keys to the top row, they seem closer than on my quickfire, which is definitely a plus as I won't have to reach as far to hit them.

edit; I guess the bottom row isn't standard, woops.  Kinda makes me unsure about the board now.

[DaveyG]

Thing that sticks out a mile to me is that exposed screwhead by the Esc key. It would drive me nuts 

[Bratman]

Ewww looks like gash! Who uses digital volume controls anyways, it's best to have volume 100% and use the volume pot on the amp.
Their mice looks like gash too, same crap every year slightly different design, they try to make them look "cool" and they end up looking cheap and nasty. A Filco TKL with a Razer Deathadder any day.

[bazemk1979]

so I see it uses x1, x 1.25 and x1.50 modifiers? and what sort of space bar is that then?

[wetto]

Guess it's supposed to compete against the CM Quick Fire Rapid and CM Quick Fire Stealth? Well, I don't see much of a competition here... 

Besides, if they really wanted to compete against them, start by making its modifiers standard sized!

[The_Beast]

Looks nice, but I'm guessing by the funny mods that the quality isn't going to be 100%


Also, did they get rid of the stupid rubber dome F row found in the first of the K series?

[tooki]

Who uses digital volume controls anyways, it's best to have volume 100% and use the volume pot on the amp.

If you're talking about controlling volume purely in software (e.g. the volume control in your media player application), you're correct, because that reduces resolution.

But when you control system volume, as volume keys normally do, you're controlling the gain of the amplifier in the sound card, which does not reduce resolution. Granted, in longer cable runs, it's advantageous to keep the line level as high as possible, but in ordinary use it's irrelevant.

Besides, my speakers are so loud that if I keep the computer at 100% volume, I can only use the bottom 1/4 of the speakers' volume control before my ears hurt and the neighbors start to complain. In combination, I have a workable balance of volume range via keyboard.

[take]

if you're gonna buy corsair, do it via newegg/ncix/amazon. never directly.

their customer service sucks, and i'd honestly beware buying corsair keyboards/mice at all. i recently got a k95 from them and the aluminum frame was warped as hell, raised up on the bottom left side and would not sit flat on my desk. apparently this is a widespread issue, but getting them to RMA the thing has been like pulling teeth. never again.

[samwisekoi]

I get 6.50 for the space bar.  Find that elsewhere!

 - Ron I samwisekoi

[G.C.W.]

So has anyone gotten his hands on the K65 yet?

[idontevenusername]

I should have my k65 tomorrow. There's literally nothing out there to say how it is so I decided to be the guinea pig. NCIX has a satisfaction guarantee if it's crap anyways and if that's the case then I'll get a second QFR and deal with the horrible font.

[idontevenusername]

So I've got my k65, and I've typed up a comparison between it and my QFR with blues (switching back and forth to type). Without bringing reliability into it this(only time will tell with this) is what I came up with.

The QFR is a great board, it has a ton more options and costs as much to slightly less than the k65 depending on various deals, shipping, where you buy it, etc. For a first time board I wouldn't recommend reds so the QFR would be the choice.

If you want reds though the k65 is nearly as good as the QFR in all respects. The key caps on both are pad-printed but thankfully Corsair didn't use a horrible font like CM did. If I had to use a stock board with reds I'd take the k65 over the QFR any day of the week.

Here's my whole typing process in some libreoffice docs, if you want to see my how I came to this.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B69LfJUgvE2kZFhYLVRhQmFrc2s/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B69LfJUgvE2kbnJMUjl5bG1JV3c/edit?usp=sharing

[Niomosy]

so I see it uses x1, x 1.25 and x1.50 modifiers? and what sort of space bar is that then?

Simple.  When doing just about anything on the computer, I would generally rather move my hand a bit to knock the volume down than to switch out of the app I'm using and select the volume mixer to turn the volume down.  Amp?

Ewww looks like gash! Who uses digital volume controls anyways, it's best to have volume 100% and use the volume pot on the amp.
Their mice looks like gash too, same crap every year slightly different design, they try to make them look "cool" and they end up looking cheap and nasty. A Filco TKL with a Razer Deathadder any day.

I use digital volume controls pretty much every day.  There's no point in taking my hand off the keyboard just to adjust volume.  Amp?  I'm on headphones directly into the computer.  I'd have to use the mixer to turn the volume down and why would I do that when my keyboard can do it?