Writing sensation
Apart from the for me still insurmountable hurdle “US layout” (the keyboard will of course also be available in DE layout), the typing feel is definitely an interesting experience. The Sonic Blue tactile clicky switch has a relatively low key resistance of only 45 grams, which is not exactly common for a tactile clicky switch. This is not necessarily a negative thing, because the fingers do not tire as quickly when typing due to the low effort. But what gets really weird is the short key drop of only 1.4mm. Coming from a keyboard with Cherry MX Blue, you naturally knock the Sonic Blue switches through to the bottom plate with every stroke. It definitely takes some getting used to, but the combination of low effort and short stroke certainly allows skilled typists to achieve tremendous typing speed. After I got used to the feel, I got along relatively well with it, although the short travel, as with Cherry’s MX Speed Switches, always leads to false triggers when you accidentally touch a wrong key. The stabilizers of the big keys are usable, but not outstanding, like those of the Mountain Everest 60, for example.
Because of the low release force of 45 grams, I first had to think of the white BOX switches from Kailh, which have the same key resistance, but then seem a bit stiffer due to the minimally larger stroke of 1.8 instead of 1.4mm and the felt slightly larger contact resistance (tactile bump) and also more stable due to the wide punch. For the direct comparison, I equipped my Sharkoon SGK50 S4 with white BOX switches and provided them with a few PBT keycaps from Corsair.
The combination of white BOX switches and PBT keycaps is already fine, in my opinion the GK71 can’t quite keep up. However, the comparison between a standard and a custom keyboard is also a bit unfair. Especially since the BOX switches also have a completely different stability.
Overall, I found the typing feel of the GK71 very refreshing and I’m sure the Sonic Blue Switch will find its friends as well. Smooth-running switches have been quite popular recently. The switches are definitely smoother than Cherry MX and aren’t as choppy either. Personally, I prefer a stronger contact resistance and a slightly longer distance to the stop for tactile clicky switches.
Soundcheck
Because the sound of a keyboard is now a decisive criterion for many buyers, I naturally also made a few recordings of the GK71. The Elgato Wave DX microphone and the Elgato Wave XLR interface were used again for this.
Normal writing:
5 x spacebar, 5 x backspace and 5 x enter
Operation of the volume control and multimedia buttons
Pressing the ESC key rapidly
Overall, the keyboard sounds a bit hollow, which is probably also due to the relatively low weight and the presumably rather rudimentary damping of the case. The switches themselves emit a clearly perceptible and sharp-sounding “click” when triggered and a somewhat hollow and quite loud sound when the stroke is reached. A slight “spring noise” is also perceptible, but it is only clearly noticeable on the large keys, such as the space bar or backspace.
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