Vissles V84: Key information
Price: $99 (Red, Brown, Blue), $109 (VS II)
Switches: Outemu Red (linear), Outemu Brown (Tactile), Outemu Blue (Clicky), VS II (linear)
Layout: 75%
Operating system: Mac, Windows, Linux
Backlighting: RGB
Paired gadgets max: 5
Battery: 3,750 mAh
Measurements: 12.4 x 5 x 1.5 inches (316mm × 126mm × 39mm)
Weight: 29 ounces (824g)
Mechanical keyboards have change into much less area of interest lately. With tons of choices for instances, PCBs, switches, and keycaps, the pastime is prospering. But I’ve gotten most excited concerning the rising record of entry-level choices. From the likes of Keychron to Glorious, there are many promising mechanical keyboards you should buy to get your ft moist.
One such keyboard is the Vissles V84 ($99 to begin), which might be my new favourite keyboard for my MacEbook Pro. With RGB lighting, a PBT (or Polybutylene Terephthalate) keycap possibility, and one of many higher linear switches I’ve tried not too long ago, the V84 needs to be on the high of your record when purchasing for a brand new pre-built keyboard. It’s simply top-of-the-line mechanical keyboards you should buy, particularly for somebody new to the pastime.
Read on for my full Vissles V84 evaluate to see why that is my new default suggestion to keeb newbies.
Vissles V84 evaluate: Price and availability
You should purchase the V84 instantly from Vissles in one in every of 4 flavors. If you need the PBT caps (and the very best change), you’ll must spring for the dearer V84 Pro mannequin with the Vissles VS II change. At time of writing, this keyboard is on sale for $109 with an everyday retail worth of $119.
If you need the cheaper model, you’ll get black ABS caps and your selection of crimson, brown, or blue switches pre-installed. As of scripting this evaluate, these three variants are on sale for $99 with an everyday worth of $119.
Vissles V84 evaluate: Design
There are cheaper entry-level mechanical keyboards on the market — such because the Keychron K2 — however the V84 stands out as one of many nicer ones. It’s nonetheless a plastic physique, however because of the massive 3,750 mAh battery, the board has a pleasant weight to it. Combined with the optionally available magnetic ft, this keyboard has not moved in any respect since I began utilizing it.
At 12.4 inches broad and 5 inches lengthy, the V84 doesn’t take up a lot area in any respect on my desk. This is a 75% structure, which implies you get the perform row, arrow keys, web page up/down, residence/finish, delete, pause, and print display. I’ve a tough time deciding whether or not I want 65% or 75% keyboards — the latter is nice for MacBooks for the reason that perform row works with the macOS media keys.
Vissles features a detachable magnetic bezel if you would like a thicker border round your keys, however I opted for the slimmer look. Otherwise, the keyboard could be very minimal from the surface, however energy it on and the RGB lighting provides a little bit of aptitude to it.
The V84 gained’t draw any eyes, however it undoubtedly will get the job achieved. I haven’t seen any creaking, flex, or pinging contained in the case. The stabilizers really feel fairly fundamental, however they sound respectable sufficient with no discernible rattle.
Vissles V84 evaluate: Switches and keycaps
The V84 is available in two flavors. The mannequin I’ve is technically the V84 Pro because it has the white PBT keycaps and the Vissles VS II linear change. The common V84 comes with black ABS caps and your selection of Oetmu Brown, Red, and Blue switches. These are options to the Cherry or Gateron switches you sometimes discover in different keyboards. I haven’t appreciated Oetmu switches previously, discovering them barely decrease in high quality when in comparison with Gaterons.
Getting PBT caps at this worth is a pleasant bonus, even when I discover them fairly plain. They aren’t shine by means of ones, so the backlight simply diffuses out round beneath the caps.
The legends, nonetheless, are crisp and clear and I like the marginally grippy texture on every of the caps. In my expertise, PBT caps have a tendency to face up higher to fingerprint oils over time than ABS, so I’m curious to see how the V84 holds up towards my 8-hour days of typing — if I don’t swap out the caps for one thing else, that’s.
Perhaps my favourite factor concerning the V84 is the VS II change. I are likely to want linear switches for gaming, since they backside out with none fuss, making for sooner responses in my video games. For typing, I strongly want tactile switches, just like the Holy Panda, Halo True, and TTC Bluish White. However, the VS II is the primary linear change that I really take pleasure in typing on.
With an actuation pressure of 52g and journey of 4mm, the VS II is true in my candy spot for a typing change. It’s gentle sufficient that I don’t really feel like I’m shifting my fingers by means of molasses (not like the Kailh Box Blacks I take advantage of on my gaming keyboard). However, this change can be heavy sufficient that I don’t by chance contact kind. It looks as if some switches actuate if you happen to take a look at them fallacious. The VS II is a superb change I believe, particularly at this worth.
Vissles V84 evaluate: Features
The V84 shouldn’t be billed as a gaming keyboard, nor does it use widespread firmware like QMK or VIA. Instead, you’re caught with Vissles’ proprietary software program. Unfortunately, it’s Windows solely proper now. I discover this extremely odd for the reason that V84 comes with a Mac structure out of the field. Since you’re locked out of the software program, you don’t have any management over the firmware if you happen to’re on macOS. I believe that is in poor style. However, you may management RGB lighting patterns and brightness through {hardware} controls.
This keyboard can be sizzling swappable, which means you need to use no matter switches you need. I selected to not modify our evaluate unit as I wished to guage the inventory configuration, however it’s good that you’ve the choice. The PCB additionally helps 5-pin switches, which means that you simply gained’t need to clip yours to make use of them with this keyboard.
The V84 is wi-fi with Bluetooth 5.1 help, however you too can use it wired through a USB-C cable. Battery life is kind of good, even proper out of the field on default settings. I’ve been utilizing the V84 for over per week full-time and it hasn’t died but.
When configured with the PBT caps and VS II change, the V84 has smooth and uninteresting sound to it. The thock is a bit on the extra muted facet of issues. The VS II is a really quiet change and is perhaps a great contender for a silent board with some change lubrication and o-ring dampeners (if you happen to like that spongy really feel once you kind). Vissles tells me that it’ll begin promoting the VS II quickly.
Vissles V84 evaluate: Verdict
All informed, the V84 is on the high of my suggestion record for an entry-level mechanical keyboard. There are undoubtedly cheaper choices, however the V84 stands out with stable building and nice battery life. I’m additionally happy to see PBT caps and a surprisingly good change at this worth level, and I’m all the time onboard with a wi-fi keeb that works with my MacEbook with none problem.
Hot swappable keyboards are slowly taking up, and I’m all for it. The function provides you the flexibleness to check out any change you would like on the V84. For the worth, this is a superb product and an awesome gateway drug into the world of mechanical keyboards. Since it’s Bluetooth, I’m undecided I might essentially suggest it for high-stakes aggressive gaming, however your mileage could differ — you may all the time use it in wired mode, too.
Vissles goes after the likes of Keychron and that’s very thrilling. Mechanical keyboards can get very costly, as anybody within the pastime can in all probability let you know, so it thrills me to see such a powerful entry-level possibility.
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