A long time ago in a gaming universe far, far away a company introduced the DOME, a hybrid of the flat-panel membrane and mechanical switch keyboards. Now Azolt in 2016 brings us their Special Half-Mechanical Switchers for the latest incarnation of keyboards the gCrusader and gReformer.
I asked one quest, what the hell is a Half Mechanical, one solution was only certain parts of the keyboards where mechanical the rest were standard, then I found out this “You can think that it is a product between normal keyboard and true mechanical keyboard. It is giving the user a mechanical feeling and its reaction time better than a normal keyboard. Also, its price is middle of mechanical keyboard.”
This review is going to be about the gReformer you can read the review of the gCrusader here http://invisioncommunity.co.uk/2016/01/19/azolt-gcrusader-review/
First off the gReformer has to be the Basic version of the two new Half Mechanical keyboards, this means the price is cheaper at around $54.99
Being basic does not mean, its missing features, it does come with some, as with the gCrusader the F1 though to F8 are your multimedia keys, F9 opens the default mail client, f10 Open up your default browser, F11 locks and unlocks your keyboard and yet again F12 launches Calculator. As I said in the crusader review F12 could of been used to rotate though the colours, used to highlight the keys, Red, Purple and Blue of the keys.
Missing from this keyboard are the macro keys, arm rest and the volume rocker.
The gReformer differently feels lighter than the gCrusader and the quality has gone down as well. Gone is the full metal front, and in its place is a full plastic front and part metal and plastic Back. For the price of $54.99, the keyboard still has its charms, and does not feel cheap and nasty.
Underside of the keyboard features rubber feet, that helps, keep the keyboard in place, and keyboard legs that tilt.
This section is also in the gCrusader as I found and used the exactly the same and found the to be exactly the same
I have had many mechanical keyboards from Razer and Steelseries to name a few, and I simply cannot tell the difference with this half mechanical version, it feels mechanical, has the sound of a mechanical and works like a mechanical. When testing the keys for it’s time delay from key stroke to on screen display, again, it was fast, no delay from what I could see. Using the keys felt great, thanks to the keys being beveled and easy to roll across and find, much better than flat keys. The laser etched keys allow the light to shine through them perfectly, easy to see which key is which, yes, plain white etched keys do just as good, but having a colour behind them, allows the keys to last a lot longer, as you know etched white keys, slowly but surely lose their colour.
Playing games with this keyboard really impresses, I got this reaction from my partner first “ooo me likes” then I got “ This keyboard is 100% better, to feel, design and functionality, compared to my old keyboard. Playing games like Assassin’s Creed Syndicate to Skyrim, using the keyboard just felt right and we could say better.
So would you buy this keyboard, would you see it on the shelf? Would it be able to stand out for the rest? Have a look yourself, image below, I personally feel it looks rather eye catching, the back though, not so much, need a little work on the marketing side. Everything you need to know about the keyboard is marketed on the packaging, it’s just lack the final touch on the back.
After purchasing, you will find out that Azolt have really packages the keyboard really well, and I can not see it moving around at any time during transit or display
Final Opinion,
$54.99 Vs $70.00, for an extra $15.00 you are getting a much better keyboard for your hard earned money, which many more features that would help an avid gamer. If, if like many of us now, struggle to get the funds together and need a keyboard now, then this is perfectly ok, it does the job just as well and the gCrusader, minus the macro keys, volume rocker and palm rest.
Both keyboards have the same RGB lighting, the same bevelled and laser etched keys, it’s totally down to you which one you would go for, and what you really need a keyboard for. For me, the gCrusader is the better of the two and for that reason I am going to score this one 8/10.
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