GLORIOUS GMMK 2 Compact Review – Good modular 65% keyboard with interesting FOX switches

1 - Einführung und Unboxing 2 - Technische Daten und Features 3 - Praxistest und Soundcheck 4 - Individualisierung und Software 5 - Galerie und Fazit

Field test

During the practical test, I always go back to the same course. Besides the classic typing of texts (like this review), playing fast-paced shooters always gives a good indication of a keyboard’s properties. The Glorious FOX Switch is already very similar to the recently tested yellow Everest Switch in terms of properties, but is even a touch smoother.

Gaming

For the gaming test, I could practically take over the text of the last test 1:1. In principle, the FOX Switch behaves very similarly to the Cherry MX-Red (and thus also the linear yellow Mountain Switch) – actuation force, advance and total travel are practically identical. However, the Glorious FOX seems to be much better lubricated, because it feels even smoother than the Everest Switch. In CS:GO, the keyboard could convince all along the line. Short peeks are easy to handle, but a palm rest would significantly improve the ergonomics here as well.

Office/Productivity

When typing, you can expect exactly what you would expect from a keyboard with linear switches. The keyboard does its job without any problems and thanks to the DE-ISO layout, typing normal texts is as easy as usual. Due to the fact that the layout has been adapted to the small form factor, the “middle block” (arrow keys and the keys above them) is naturally arranged somewhat differently on the GMMK 2. The fact that the POS1/Home key can only be reached via a combination with the FN key is a bit awkward when correcting texts, but otherwise you get used to the position of the keys relatively quickly. In my opinion, only a serious full-size keyboard with a standard layout is suitable for productive use in a professional environment. Therefore, typing with this gaming keyboard is already okay. The typing feel is appealing, and the key stroke is precise. The FOX switches offer minimally more resistance than the red Cherries, which is why you don’t often accidentally trigger a lightly-pressed key. As in the gaming test, I personally missed the palm rest here as well.

Soundcheck

Of course, the obligatory sound check must not be missing and for this review even a low-noise microphone is used. As always, three scenarios were tested:

Normal typing:

5 x Space, 5 x Backspace, 5 x Enter

Pressing the ESC key several times

I did not notice any unpleasant background noise with the Glorious keyboard. There is no spring noise and the large keys are neither rattly nor significantly louder than the small keys. However, the keyboard with its exposed FOX switches, the somewhat thinner ABS keycaps and the less insulated case compared to the Everest 60 is relatively loud when typing hard (hitting the switches all the way). For normal typing, I would still classify the switches below the Cherry MX Red switches in terms of volume.

Current measurement

When measuring the current, it turned out that the not so overly bright illumination of the GMMK2 also results in a quite low power consumption.

The keyboard is rated at 350mA, which it never reaches at any time according to my meter. Even in the worst case, i.e. white illumination with maximum brightness, the keyboard is satisfied with about 230mA.