This time a bit less known player in the gaming tech world – ROCCAT. Coming straight from Germany, the quality won’t disappoint you with this one.
Is the ROCCAT Vulcan 121 AIMO Keyboard Worth It?
- think keycaps
- bright RGB
- subpar palm rest
The Vulcan 121 is arguably the best ROCCAT keyboard that they’ve ever come out with, but how does it compare against features we know and love in other brands of keyboards?
You can compare bits and bobs from different keyboards at the end of the day, which is what a lot of people do, but here I’m simply going to go over each individual detail of the Vulcan 121 and break them down objectively without holding them to the standards of another brand or keyboard. I think that’s the fairest way to go about it.
Without further ado, let’s see why the Vulcan 121 has become one of the best-selling gaming keyboards available.
Mechanical Titan Switches
Switches matter. For actuation, for anti-ghosting, and everything in between. ROCCAT has its own Mechanical Titan switches that allow for quick actuation (the force required to enact the switch by pressing the key), as well as a way to easily switch out your keys. They don’t offer colored WASD or arrow keys, but if you’re into customizing your keyboard, you could grab some metal ones or colored ones and remove the old keys with ease. These switches have your standard plus sign key hold, so cleaning and switching them out is simple.
Longevity
These are simply built to last. ROCCAT didn’t climb to the top because they’re fragile. From their switches to the frame, everything is set to last for ages. The only thing I’m a little worried about since I’m an FPS gamer is that the keys are ultra-thin. It can be a bonus, but they do feel a bit fragile under your fingers. That being said, I haven’t broken any thus far, so I could be proven wrong here.
Multiple Light Functions
Everyone wants that dream streamer setup with the flashing lights, right? Well, ROCCAT makes this mode super easy to configure, with millions of light combination options at your fingertips. This works well and gives a nice aesthetic to the entire setup. It would be nice if there was a way to dim the lights so they weren’t quite so bright, but it’s better than an unlit keyboard.
Palm Rest Bar
There are plenty of palm rest bars on gaming keyboards nowadays, but I’m actually going to put my foot down here and say that ROCCAT’s palm rest is subpar. It’s a very tough ABS plastic that, while it has a smooth layer on top, 15+ hours of use will wear it down, making it this glossy, worn-down piece of plastic. I removed mine and opted for a larger mouse pad that the keyboard can sit on top of (an XXL SteelSeries mouse pad, to be specific). It works much better for wrist placement.
Compatibility
The ROCCAT Vulcan 121 is compatible with Windows devices only, so Apple users will not be able to get the benefits that we’ve just gone over. That being said, it’s compatible with Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. Because support for Windows 7 was terminated in January of 2020, it’s good to know that the Vulcan 121 is already predisposed to work with the last version of that operating system.
It’s plug-and-play with built-in drivers. That means you can basically pull this out of the box, plug it in, and everything will self-install in a matter of ten to thirty seconds.
Does it Fit Your Needs?
It’s a beast of a keyboard, but it’s worth every penny especially when you consider how long this is going to last you. The question is this: are you enough of a gamer to get the most use out of it? Whether you’re streaming, playing on the competitive scene, or you just spend more than 10+ hours a month on your Steam account, you’re going to get the most out of ROCCAT.
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