The Glorious PC Gaming Race GMMK-BRN Modular Mechanical Keyboard Review
by E. Fylladitakis on November 1, 2016 10:00 AM ESTQuality Testing
In order to test the quality and consistency of a keyboard, we are using a texture analyser that is programmed to measure and display the actuation force of the standard keyboard keys. By measuring the actuation force of every key, the quality and consistency of the keyboard can be quantified. It can also reveal design issues, such as the larger keys being far softer to press than the main keys of the keyboard. The actuation force is measured in Centinewton (cN). Some companies use another figure, gram-force (gf). The conversion formula is 1 cN = 1.02 gf (i.e. they are about the same). A high quality keyboard should be as consistent as possible, with an average actuation force as near to the manufacturer's specs as possible and a disparity of less than ±10%. Greater differences are likely to be perceptible by users. It is worth noting that there is typically variance among keyboards, although most keyboard companies will try and maintain consistency - as with other reviews, we're testing our sample only.
The machine we use for our testing is accurate enough to provide readings with a resolution of 0.1 cN. For wider keys (e.g. Enter, Space Bar, etc.), the measurement is taking place at the center of the key, right above the switch. Note that large keys generally have a lower actuation force even if the actuation point is at the dead center of the key. This is natural, as the size and weight of the keycap reduces the required actuation force. For this reason, we do display the force required to actuate every key but we only use the results of the typical sized keys for our consistency calculations. Still, very low figures on medium sized keys, such as the Shift and Enter keys reveal design issues and can easily be perceptible by the user.
This is the first time we've come across Gateron’s products, and a keyboard full of their Brown switches is an excellent specimen for determining and establishing a baseline of their quality. Overall, the quality of the Gateron switches is not bad at all. They are definitely less consistent than Cherry’s switches, with an actuation force disparity of ±6.24%, whereas Cherry-based keyboards tend to display a disparity under 4%. The average actuation force across the main keys is 43.3 cN, lower than the specified 45 cN, hinting that most of the keys actuate slightly before the 2 mm travel point, where the spring’s force is lower. These differences however are virtually imperceptible by touch. In summary, the Gateron Brown switches appear to be good quality products, with performance figures slightly better or comparable to their Kailh counterparts, yet undeniably worse than the original Cherry MX switches.
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kbhakta - Tuesday, November 1, 2016 - link
AnandTech you're go to source for mechanical keyboard reviews. Can't wait to tune in next week, for yet another mechanical keyboard review.dave_the_nerd - Tuesday, November 1, 2016 - link
Did a company really just name itself a sanitized version of r/pcmasterrace/ ?Death666Angel - Tuesday, November 1, 2016 - link
This was started by Yahtzee, not Reddit users.Lord of the Bored - Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - link
That can't be right. Reddit invents everything.dsumanik - Thursday, November 3, 2016 - link
Lol @ kbhaktaIKR ... mechanical keyboard reviews pumped out 3 times a week, but months for major industry wide announcements
On a side note the amount of food crumbs, pubes and pizza grease that will creep underneath this keyboard's keys is truly frightening!
BrokenCrayons - Tuesday, November 1, 2016 - link
It's pretty clever marketing actually. PC gamers are a very diverse group of people from all walks of life that don't always understand how commonplace their hobby really is these days. Some of them might feel lost or disassociated as a result. A company named this way might be an excellent way to give them a sense of uniqueness in much the same way outrageous fashion choices make someone feel special even though it often just moves them from one categorical classification to another in the minds of outside observers.Old_Fogie_Late_Bloomer - Tuesday, November 1, 2016 - link
I grabbed this keyboard on Massdrop with the thought of getting back into gaming. I was looking for something with Gateron reds, but reviews suggested that others in my position found the browns to be perfectly fine for gaming, which is an opinion I agree with 100%. The review states that the Gateron Browns are a direct clone of the MX ones, but I think the bump is much closer to the top of the key travel, and the "linearness" of the Gateron Browns is more than satisfactory for gaming.This keyboard "replaces" my Code Green, which is not great for gaming in my experience. I break the Code out when I have a lot of typing to do, but this keyboard is perfectly acceptable for day-to-day messaging and Facebooking and such. I didn't really realize how heavy Greens are until I started using Browns; I'm wondering if the Browns might actually be better for RSI. We'll see.
My one complaint is the way the Winlock switch works. The key is dark when the Windows key is active, and light when it's disabled, and I REALLY WISH it was the other way around. So far I have not found any combination of function keys that changes that behavior. There is a mode that lets you choose which keys are lit up (defaulting to WASD and the arrow keys) but it does not affect the behavior of the Windows key light.
That being said, every other keyboard I looked at does something similar (or is deficient in some other, worse way). The Code is the only mechanical keyboard that I know of whose layout and behavior are exactly as I want them, but they don't make one with Gateron Reds, so what can you do?
WorldWithoutMadness - Tuesday, November 1, 2016 - link
IMHO, best for RSI is lubed mx red or gateron red, it is lighter and less resistance (tactile).Also change into more ergo shape like mistel barocco or ergodox etc. These 60% ish shape are more suited for typing (not moving your hand to mouse) and full keyboard and mouse combo don't give you good typing posture/
Old_Fogie_Late_Bloomer - Friday, November 4, 2016 - link
I originally wanted Gateron reds, like I said, for gaming over everything else, but these Browns are perfectly fine. I don't even feel the bump unless I go slowly and deliberately feel for it. I got this figuring I could get some replacement switches if necessary, but I don't feel the needBrokenCrayons - Tuesday, November 1, 2016 - link
Bwa ha ha! It wouldn't be funny if it wasn't true.