Practical test
In the practical test, the Cykey had to undergo the usual procedure. In addition to the obligatory round of CS:GO, the complete review was written with the test model in question.
Productivity
Let’s start with the productivity test, because at this point I unfortunately have to express my displeasure once again. Even if I will never understand it, I am aware of the fact that compact form factors are extremely popular in the modding scene. For me, however, a keyboard is a work tool – I earn my living with it and in my day-to-day work I generally simply don’t have the time to look for symbols and keys that are not in the position that has been established for decades on the keyboard or that can only be inserted laboriously using some key combinations with the FN key. It’s not just the numeric keypad that I miss, even simple word processing becomes a cramp when essential keys such as Pos1/End, Del/Ins or Page Up/Page Down are all on the same key:
Of course, this is a personal preference and my working habits should ultimately have no influence on the evaluation of the keyboard, but in my opinion, something like this has to be mentioned in a test, because there are certainly other users besides me who use their keyboard for more than just gaming.
I liked the rotary knob, which can be set to four different positions and is used as standard to control the volume (and click to mute). Although it sometimes reacts a little sensitively to fast turning movements and doesn’t implement every click, this is not an isolated case and is just about bearable. I also find the option of the divisible space bar very interesting, although I can’t imagine a specific application for it.
Gaming
In this test, the keyboard was able to play to its strengths. The lubricated linear Gateron switches make peeking in competitive shooters a breeze and the slightly higher trigger resistance means that you don’t often accidentally trigger a key while your finger is resting on it. At this point, the omission of the numeric keypad is actually an advantage because, especially as a “low-senser”, you gratefully accept every extra millimeter of free mouse pad. This is where I see the Cykey’s area of application, even if it is not necessarily aimed explicitly at gamers with its reasonably “serious” retro look.
Power consumption
Of course, I also measured the power consumption again to make sure that the keyboard does not exceed the USB specifications in the worst-case scenario (white illumination with 100% brightness). Alongside the Sharkoon SGK50 S4, the Cykey is the most economical keyboard measured to date!
Sound check
Finally, the obligatory sound check:
Normal typing
5 x Space, 5 x Backspace, 5 x Enter
Turn and press the volume knob
Interim conclusion
Although the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow (50 gram release force, 3.9mm total travel) only differ marginally from the Cherry MX Red (45 gram release force, 4.0mm total travel) in terms of technical data, the Gateron Switch feels noticeably different in the Cykey. It offers noticeably more resistance and feels a bit more responsive than its Cherry counterpart. Because the typing feel seemed so familiar to me, I rummaged around on the shelf and fished out my GMMK2. That was it! The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow is eerily similar to the Glorious Fox Switches. The subtle difference: while the Glorious switches don’t feel like they hit the bottom of the housing when fully depressed, the Gaterons hit the bottom noticeably and are correspondingly louder. All in all, a well-designed and smooth switch that is ideal for gaming use. For me personally, the lubrication alone puts it ahead of the Cherry MX Red and the Kailh Red. However, due to the somewhat rough touch, it is just behind the Glorious Fox in my ranking of linear switches. I’ve already written everything about productive use above – for me, these small-format keyboards are simply a brake on work, especially when keys are also assigned twice and important functions can only be accessed by combining them with the FN key.
When it comes to sound, you can tell that the Cykey is not an uninsulated plastic bomber, but has some mass to it, which, in conjunction with the deeply recessed keys, swallows up a lot of unpleasant noises. I like this quite a lot, although PBT keycaps (and possibly silicone rings) would, in my opinion, bring about another big improvement.
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