Roccat Vulcan TKL Professional RGB Gaming Keyboard Overview

Our Verdict

View on Amazon

From the Reviewer

The Roccat Vulcan TKL Professional is a well-constructed, visually gorgeous keyboard that may complement virtually any PC gaming setup. Their extremely responsive Titan Optical Switches are wonderful to make use of and carry out nice in all genres of video video games functions. Our solely gripe is that it isn’t a wi-fi keyboard. We felt for the cash it will have been a pleasant addition, however, if you would like the very best response charges for gaming, then, this could be a greatest gaming keyboard to purchase.

Execs

• Appears to be like Lovely
• Area Saving TKL Format
• Blazing Quick Response
• Excessive-end Development

When you have not heard of Roccat earlier than, they’re a german-based laptop {hardware} producer that has been round since 2007 making high-end peripherals reminiscent of keyboards, mice, headsets, mice pads and even microphones and have since grown to a worldwide model sponsoring eSports groups and producing merchandise of unparalleled high quality. At this time, I’m going to be reviewing the Roccat Vulcan TKL Professional Keyboard which comes with purple, linear optical switches.

Optical switches I hear you say; That’s proper; this keyboard doesn’t use commonplace electrical mechanical switches – no, no, no. These switches use optics (mild) as an alternative which have been paired with a 32-bit ARM Cortex-MO CPU for blazing-fast real-world efficiency.

So with out additional ado, let’s check out what’s on supply from Roccat’s Vulcan TKL professional optical swap gaming keyboard and see if it might dwell as much as the hype and my expectations.

I wish to thank Roccat for making this gaming keyboard evaluation occur. After we observed plenty of eSports professional’s utilizing this keyboard, we reached out to their PR staff to see if they might present a pattern for us to have a look at. This doesn’t and won’t have an effect on how I conduct my evaluation and I’ll proceed to be unbiased whatever the welcomed assist by Roccat.

Specs

On paper (and aesthetically), The Vulcan TKL Professional compact keyboard seems spectacular. Aesthetically, it stands out with its low-profile physique, compact design, RGB lighting and top-hat model keycaps. On paper, it sports activities Roccat Titan Optical Switches, a brushed steel high plate and a 1.4mm actuation price.

I’ve not heard a lot earlier than about Titan Optical Switches, so, I spent slightly little bit of time performing some analysis on what they’re. It appears Roccat was the primary firm to develop optical-based switches that also has that signature mechanical really feel and sound that we’ve all come to like (and our bosses too).

Roccat claims to “harness the pace of sunshine” for lightspeed actuation that’s responsive and correct in gaming and different and functions.

Outdoors of the advertising jargon, Titan optical switches are available two variations. Crimson Linear switches which have an actuation of 1.4mm and the Tactile Brown switches have an actuation of 1.6mm with each being rated for 100 million clicks. It’s sensible to notice although that the Vulcan TKL Professional is barely out there with purple linear switches, so, you may wish to discover one other keyboard such because the Roccat Vulcan Pro which lets you configure the swap you get.

Unboxing

Having a look on the entrance of the field, we’ve clear Roccat Vulcan TKL Professional branding with the keyboard because the centrepiece.

The rear of the field reveals varied key options of the keyboard with the keyboard and its Titan Optical Switches taking over essentially the most actual property.

On the rear, to the left, I see Roccat capitalising on suggestions from MrSavage, Dreamhack Fortnite champion which states; “The Titan Optical swap is far more responsive than a mechanical. It feels simply the identical besides that it reacts a lot quicker”.

Opening the field, you might be immediately greeted by the keyboard wrapped in plastic packaging to maintain it free from mud.

Additional wanting within the field is a small leaflet in addition to a USB-C to USB-A adapter. In the event you didn’t know already – this keyboard isn’t wi-fi regardless of the removable cable however extra on that later.

Aesthetics

Visually, the Roccat Vulcan TKL Professional type of jogs my memory of Logitech’s G913 TKL with an identical low-profile design and steel physique nonetheless, this explicit keyboard is extra compact, however, lacks the shortcut keys that the Logitech does have throughout its high bevel however undoubtedly makes up for this of their software program with sturdy keybinding configuration choices.

To the highest proper nook, we’ve a easy quantity management that has constructive suggestions for every step when turned.

Roccat’s Vulcan TKL Professional keyboard makes use of custom-made Titan Optical Switches which are able to displaying as much as 16.8 million colors and do an excellent job of protecting all the spectrum – even the smallest adjustment in color represents a change. These switches are arguably among the most saturated I’ve seen but.

Construct High quality

Wanting nearer on the Vulcan TKL Professional keyboard, the highest is created from a darkish brushed impact steel high which feels high-end, premium to the contact and well-constructed. Whereas not a heavy keyboard, Roccat has accomplished an excellent job to get the load excellent in order that it doesn’t really feel like an affordable piece of plastic.

To the rear, centred in the midst of the keyboard is the removable USB-C connector. You’d assume from this characteristic that the keyboard would characteristic wi-fi assist, however, sadly solely helps connection by way of cable.

General, the keyboard feels sturdy and well-built and is aesthetically pleasing to have a look at.

When in comparison with the Coolermaster CK352 and SteelSeries APEX TKL Professional that we’ve already reviewed, we’d say that is essentially the most premium feeling of all of them up to now.

Software program

CD-Roms and DVDs are a relic of the outdated instances. Not often do you get bundled drivers with {hardware} anymore, so, I headed over to Roccat download page and grabbed a replica of the Roccat Swarm software program. I used to be in a position to get this by configuring the dropdowns appropriately. Regardless of having downloaded the software program immediately from their web site, upon opening Swarm, there was a brand new model replace discover so I went forward and did that first.

The primary impression of the software program when in comparison with different producers is that it’s fairly easy in look. An odd characteristic, out there within the basic tab is sounds upon key press. Now don’t get me unsuitable, for the primary 30 seconds it was a pleasant ‘quirk’ however general I simply discovered it impractical and distracting so I simply turned it off. There are 5 keypress presets; Off, Click on, Typewriter, Beam and Sci-fi.

Roccat supplies 10 illumination presets together with AIMO clever lighting. AIMO RGB lighting claims to liven up RGB lighting stating on their web site: RGB lighting typically suffers from restricted performance or predictable, boring results. ROCCAT® AIMO delivers extra. It’s a related, natural lighting expertise.

There’s a key project tab too which lets you program an enormous quantity of various shortcuts and macros from shutting down your PC, opening a brand new browser tab, opening packages, executing scripts and extra. That is arguably one of the highly effective options of Roccat’s Swarm software program permitting you to customize the keyboard to your personal preferences.

Actual-world Utilization

So what’s the Vulcan TKL professional gaming keyboard with optical switches like to make use of? Do the keys really really feel like actual mechanical switches? Are the keys noticeably faster than regular mechanical switches? What’s the audible expertise like when typing on the Vulcan TKL Professional? Let’s speak slightly concerning the expertise when utilizing this keyboard and discover out.

Gaming

The most important promoting level for this keyboard is their in-house Titan Optical Switches which they declare enhance responsiveness when utilizing them. On the field, we’ve MrSavage himself backing up this declare too, however, the query is, are you able to discover it within the real-world?

Properly, the brief reply to that query is, sure. You possibly can undoubtedly really feel that the keyboard is very responsive, however, is that due to the comparatively low actuation price of 1.4mm or is that due to their optical swap know-how? I’m not solely certain, however, I can say that that is the right gaming keyboard for all genres of video games as a result of extremely responsive nature of the keys and the way they reply to your enter.

Writing Expertise

For essentially the most half, I discovered the typing on the Vulcan TKL Professional keyboard a pleasing expertise with good spacing between keys and an inexpensive sound. Having used a SteelSeries APEX TKL Pro for the previous two years as a every day, it took zero adjustment time to make use of this keyboard.

99.8% of the keys have a stunning ‘thwack’ sound to them however there’s a small gripe with the house bar. It sounds significantly completely different to the remainder of the keys and in addition has a slight little bit of echo to it. It’s not the worst however it does have me pondering to myself about the way it might be dulled out a bit. Possibly switching out the keycaps can be a great begin however I’m in love with their ‘top-hat’ model keycaps.

I feel it will be sensible to say at this level that this keyboard is aimed in direction of the gaming market and is marketed to PC players. With this in thoughts, remembering that it was not solely designed to be typed on, it isn’t the worst keyboard I’ve used, however, Roccat’s Vulcan TKL Professional is certainly not on the extent of a Keychron K8 Pro with regards to typing expertise and the sound produced when utilizing it.

Last Ideas

I’ll be sincere with you, I had a Roccat keyboard some years in the past once they first began releasing {hardware} and it didn’t impress me in any respect. The keys caught, my wrists damage from lengthy durations of typing or gaming and the led lighting wasn’t the perfect, so you possibly can think about I didn’t have the very best hopes for this keyboard however I’ll eat my phrases and say this is among the greatest gaming keyboards I’ve ever used. Okay, so it has a few pitfalls reminiscent of an echoey house bar and the shortage of wi-fi connectivity, however, the construct high quality and general expertise when utilizing this keyboard completely blew me away.

So who would I like to recommend this keyboard for? Definitely, this is among the greatest gaming keyboards out there available on the market at the moment. The general aesthetic, lighting and options of the Vulcan TKL Professional keyboard screams PC gamer. Performance-wise, I feel it an impressive gaming keyboard that’s good for any gaming setup however, in case your major utilization can be large quantities of typing reminiscent of writing or programming then I might seemingly suggest a unique keyboard reminiscent of a Keychron.