PerformancePSU Verdict: 4.5/5
From the Reviewer
The Roccat Vulcan TKL Professional is a well-constructed keyboard that might complement virtually any PC gaming setup. Its extremely responsive Titan Optical Switches are wonderful to make use of and carry out nice in all genres of video video games. With that being mentioned, we did not really feel just like the typing expertise or construct high quality was good sufficient to warrant the value tag when coupled with the very fact it does not have wi-fi connectivity like different keyboards within the worth bracket nonetheless, this keyboard is aimed toward avid gamers and with that in thoughts is does gaming exceptionally effectively with blazing-fast response charges and exquisite gamer aesthetics.
Professionals
- Appears Stunning
- House Saving TKL Format
- Blazing Quick Response
- Excessive-end Building
In case you have not heard of Roccat earlier than, they’re a german-based computer {hardware} producer that has been round since 2007 making high-end peripherals equivalent to keyboards, mice, headsets, mice pads and even microphones and have since grown to a worldwide model sponsoring eSports groups and producing merchandise of unparalleled high quality. Right now, I’m going to be reviewing the Roccat Vulcan TKL Professional Keyboard which comes with purple, linear optical switches.
Optical switches I hear you say; That’s proper; this keyboard doesn’t use customary electrical mechanical switches – no, no, no. These switches use optics (gentle) as a substitute which have been paired with a 32-bit ARM Cortex-MO CPU for blazing-fast real-world efficiency.
So with out additional ado, let’s check out what’s on supply from Roccat’s Vulcan TKL professional optical swap gaming keyboard and see if it may stay as much as the hype and my expectations.
I wish to thank Roccat for making this gaming keyboard evaluation occur. After we observed a whole lot of eSports professional’s utilizing this keyboard, we reached out to their PR crew to see if they may present a pattern for us to have a look at. This doesn’t and won’t have an effect on how I conduct my evaluation and I’ll proceed to be unbiased whatever the welcomed help by Roccat.
Specs
On paper (and aesthetically), The Vulcan TKL Professional compact keyboard seems spectacular. Aesthetically, it stands out with its low-profile physique, compact design, RGB lighting and top-hat model keycaps. On paper, it sports activities Roccat Titan Optical Switches, a brushed metallic high plate and a 1.4mm actuation charge.
| Roccat Vulcan TKL Professional specs | ||||||||||
| CPU | 32-bit ARM Cortex-MO | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switches | Titan Optical Switches | |||||||||
| Swap Variants | Linear Solely | |||||||||
| Swap Actuation | 1.4mm actuation | |||||||||
| Polling Fee | 1000hz | |||||||||
| Type Issue | Ten Keyless (TKL) | |||||||||
| Lighting | AIMO Lighting | |||||||||
| Quantity Adjustment | Sure | |||||||||
| Low-Profile | Sure | |||||||||
| Connectivity | Wired (USB-C) | |||||||||
| Supplies | Steel High-plate, Plastic Physique | |||||||||
| Colors Obtainable | Black & White | |||||||||
| Weight | 660g | |||||||||
| Dimensions | 360mm x 133m x 34m | |||||||||
| Worth | $159.99 | |||||||||
I’ve not heard a lot earlier than about Titan Optical Switches, so, I spent a little bit little bit of time performing some analysis on what they’re. It appears Roccat was the primary firm to develop optical-based switches that also has that signature mechanical really feel and sound that we’ve all come to like (and our bosses too).
Roccat claims to “harness the velocity of sunshine” for lightspeed actuation that’s responsive and correct in gaming and different and functions.
Outdoors of the advertising jargon, Titan optical switches are available two variations. Pink Linear switches which have an actuation of 1.4mm and the Tactile Brown switches have an actuation of 1.6mm with each being rated for 100 million clicks. It’s smart to notice although that the Vulcan TKL Professional is simply accessible with purple linear switches, so, you would possibly wish to discover one other keyboard such because the Roccat Vulcan Pro which lets you configure the swap you get.
Unboxing
Having a look on the entrance of the field, we’ve clear Roccat Vulcan TKL Professional branding with the keyboard because the centrepiece.
The rear of the field exhibits numerous key options of the keyboard with the keyboard and its Titan Optical Switches taking over probably the most actual property.
On the rear, to the left, I see Roccat capitalising on suggestions from MrSavage, Dreamhack Fortnite champion which states; “The Titan Optical swap is far more responsive than a mechanical. It feels simply the identical besides that it reacts a lot quicker”.
Opening the field, you might be immediately greeted by the keyboard wrapped in plastic packaging to maintain it free from mud.
Additional wanting within the field is a small leaflet in addition to a USB-C to USB-A adapter. When you didn’t know already – this keyboard shouldn’t be wi-fi regardless of the removable cable however extra on that later.
Aesthetics
Visually, the Roccat Vulcan TKL Professional form of jogs my memory of Logitech’s G913 TKL with an analogous low-profile design and metallic physique nonetheless, this explicit keyboard is extra compact, however, lacks the shortcut keys that the Logitech does have throughout its high bevel however undoubtedly makes up for this of their software program with strong keybinding configuration choices.
To the highest proper nook, we’ve a easy quantity management that has constructive suggestions for every step when turned.
Roccat’s Vulcan TKL Professional keyboard makes use of custom-made Titan Optical Switches which are able to displaying as much as 16.8 million colors and do an amazing job of protecting your entire spectrum – even the smallest adjustment in color represents a change. These switches are arguably a number of the most saturated I’ve seen but.
Construct High quality
Trying nearer on the Vulcan TKL Professional keyboard, the highest is produced from a darkish brushed impact metallic high which feels high-end, premium to the contact and well-constructed. Whereas not a heavy keyboard, Roccat has achieved an amazing job to get the burden excellent in order that it doesn’t really feel like an inexpensive piece of plastic.
To the rear, centred in the course of the keyboard is the removable USB-C connector. You’d assume from this characteristic that the keyboard would characteristic wi-fi help, however, sadly solely helps connection by way of cable.
Total, the keyboard feels sturdy and well-built and is aesthetically pleasing to have a look at.
When in comparison with the Coolermaster CK352 and SteelSeries APEX TKL Professional that we’ve already reviewed, we might say that is probably the most premium feeling of all of them up to now.
Software program
CD-Roms and DVDs are a relic of the outdated occasions. Not often do you get bundled drivers with {hardware} anymore, so, I headed over to Roccat download page and grabbed a duplicate of the Roccat Swarm software program. I used to be in a position to get this by configuring the dropdowns appropriately. Regardless of having downloaded the software program straight from their web site, upon opening Swarm, there was a brand new model replace discover so I went forward and did that first.
The primary impression of the software program when in comparison with different producers is that it’s fairly easy in look. An odd characteristic, accessible within the normal tab is sounds upon key press. Now don’t get me fallacious, for the primary 30 seconds it was a pleasant ‘quirk’ however total I simply discovered it impractical and distracting so I simply turned it off. There are 5 keypress presets; Off, Click on, Typewriter, Beam and Sci-fi.
Roccat gives 10 illumination presets together with AIMO clever lighting. AIMO RGB lighting claims to liven up RGB lighting stating on their web site: RGB lighting usually suffers from restricted performance or predictable, boring results. ROCCAT® AIMO delivers extra. It’s a linked, natural lighting expertise.
There’s a key task tab too which lets you program an enormous quantity of various shortcuts and macros from shutting down your PC, opening a brand new browser tab, opening applications, executing scripts and extra. That is arguably probably the most highly effective options of Roccat’s Swarm software program permitting you to customize the keyboard to your individual preferences.
Actual-world Utilization
So what’s the Vulcan TKL professional gaming keyboard with optical switches like to make use of? Do the keys really really feel like actual mechanical switches? Are the keys noticeably faster than regular mechanical switches? What’s the audible expertise like when typing on the Vulcan TKL Professional? Let’s speak a little bit concerning the expertise when utilizing this keyboard and discover out.
Gaming
The most important promoting level for this keyboard is their in-house Titan Optical Switches which they declare enhance responsiveness when utilizing them. On the field, we’ve MrSavage himself backing up this declare too, however, the query is, are you able to discover it within the real-world?
Properly, the brief reply to that query is, sure. You may undoubtedly really feel that the keyboard is extremely responsive, however, is that due to the comparatively low actuation charge of 1.4mm or is that due to their optical swap expertise? I’m not solely positive, however, I can say that that is the right gaming keyboard for all genres of video games because of the extremely responsive nature of the keys and the way they reply to your enter.
Writing Expertise
For probably the most half, I discovered the typing on the Vulcan TKL Professional keyboard a nice expertise with excellent spacing between keys and an inexpensive sound. Having used a SteelSeries APEX TKL Pro for the previous two years as a every day, it took zero adjustment time to make use of this keyboard.
99.8% of the keys have a beautiful ‘thwack’ sound to them however there’s a small gripe with the house bar. It sounds significantly totally different to the remainder of the keys and in addition has a slight little bit of echo to it. It’s not the worst but it surely does have me pondering to myself about the way it could possibly be dulled out a bit. Possibly switching out the keycaps could be a very good begin however I’m in love with their ‘top-hat’ model keycaps.
I believe it could be smart to say at this level that this keyboard is aimed in the direction of the gaming market and is marketed to PC avid gamers. With this in thoughts, remembering that it was not solely designed to be typed on, it isn’t the worst keyboard I’ve used, however, Roccat’s Vulcan TKL Professional is unquestionably not on the extent of a Keychron K8 Pro with regards to typing expertise and the sound produced when utilizing it.
Remaining Ideas
I’ll be sincere with you, I had a Roccat keyboard some years in the past once they first began releasing {hardware} and it didn’t impress me in any respect. The keys caught, my wrists harm from lengthy durations of typing or gaming and the led lighting wasn’t one of the best, so you possibly can think about I didn’t have the best hopes for this keyboard however I’ll eat my phrases and say this is without doubt one of the greatest gaming keyboards I’ve ever used. Okay, so it has a few pitfalls equivalent to an echoey house bar and the dearth of wi-fi connectivity, however, the construct high quality and total expertise when utilizing this keyboard completely blew me away.
So who would I like to recommend this keyboard for? Indisputably, this is without doubt one of the greatest gaming keyboards accessible in the marketplace immediately. The general aesthetic, lighting and options of the Vulcan TKL Professional keyboard screams PC gamer. Performance-wise, I believe it an excellent gaming keyboard that’s excellent for any gaming setup however, in case your main utilization can be enormous quantities of typing equivalent to writing or programming then I might possible advocate a special keyboard equivalent to a Keychron.
