Wooting created the most effective gaming keyboard in the marketplace two years in the past with the 60HE. It popularized using Corridor impact switches and a Fast Set off system that hurries up how shortly you possibly can activate a key, making it superb for PC gaming. Now, Wooting has created the 80HE — an 80 p.c keyboard that makes the most effective gaming keyboard even higher.
Whereas I’m a fan of 60 p.c keyboards for gaming, I miss having a delete key, a print display button, and even devoted arrow keys and an F-row. The 80HE provides all of those keys inside a package deal that basically doesn’t really feel that a lot bigger than the 60HE. It’s primarily two keys wider and an F-row of keys taller. The additional keys definitely make it extra snug for normal typing and much more handy than having to mod keys or use operate key shortcuts.
Wooting has additionally switched up the housing for its 80HE, transferring to a gasket mount as a substitute of the tray mount on the 60HE. The silicone gasket mount holds collectively the board and the swap plate. It does a terrific job of lowering the noise, making the typing expertise slightly softer than on the 60HE. You too can modify the case angle to 2.8 levels, 7.5 levels, or 10 levels due to quite a lot of silicone toes included within the field.
I’ve been making an attempt out each the $109.99 zinc alloy case and the $34.99 PCR ABS plastic case for the 80HE over the previous week, and I personally desire the zinc materials. It’s the pricier possibility of the 2, however you get a hefty case that helps produce the sort of thock sound I take pleasure in on keyboards.
I discovered the plastic case slightly fiddly to open after I was constructing a bare-bones module model of the 80HE due to the clips holding it in place. The zinc possibility slid aside much more simply, although. You’ll must watch out should you do take the 80HE aside or construct one your self, as there’s a JST cable that must be disconnected whenever you take away the board from the case.
The sound on the 80HE can be improved over the 60HE due to up to date Corridor impact switches. Wooting’s Lekker V2 switches now wobble much less and sound higher than the unique V1 switches. The variations are refined, however I at all times disliked the important thing wobble on the 60HE default switches, so I’m comfortable to see that improved.
The Lekker switches are hot-swappable, so you possibly can swap them out in the event that they break or substitute them with any Corridor impact switches. Wooting permits you to choose between the Lekker L45 and L60, with each feeling like linear switches and the L60s having slightly extra key begin and finish power. Wooting additionally makes use of screw-in stabilizers to remove rattle on the 80HE, and these are additionally replaceable with most different third-party screw-in and clip-in stabilizers.
The true magic of Wooting’s keyboards is made potential by these Corridor impact switches, which use a magnet so the board can monitor how far a swap has been pressed. Most Cherry MX-style switches which can be generally used on mechanical keyboards use a copper mechanism to register a press with a board at a set actuation level of round 2mm. On the 80HE, you possibly can modify the actuation level on particular person keys all the way in which all the way down to 0.1mm.
The improved Wootility software program lets you allow adjustable actuation factors, Fast Set off, and extra superior key performance. Fast Set off modifications the actuation and reset level of keys on the fly in order that keys will activate the second you press down and deactivate immediately whenever you launch them. You may then repeat a key press in the midst of a movement, while not having to surpass the actuation level.
Fast Set off is good for PC gaming due to the quick deactivation that allows you to transfer round shortly and repeat key presses sooner. Keyboard producers like SteelSeries, Keychron, and others have copied the Fast Set off function after adopting Corridor impact switches, and it has turn out to be a well-liked function amongst Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, Overwatch 2, and Apex Legends gamers.
The opposite massive addition to the 80HE is a brand new LED bar that sits above the arrow keys. Wooting says it’s designed to speak with you and might let you know which profile you’ve gotten energetic on the board or how a lot RAM or CPU your system is utilizing. You too can simply use it for enjoyable RGB results to match your keys or the remainder of your setup. You may configure the LED bar in Wooting’s up to date Wootility software program.
One nice function of Wooting keyboards is that they retailer your profile on the board itself. You configure it within the Wootility internet app, and there’s no want to put in an app or have something working within the background in your PC. Wooting is breaking from that custom considerably with the 80HE, although.
In order for you RAM or CPU monitoring on the LED bar, you’ll want a brand new background app, which is coming quickly. I haven’t been capable of take a look at this but, however Wooting says it’ll solely be required for the extra superior LED bar performance. I’ve been utilizing the LED bar as a profile indicator, which is tremendous helpful for swapping between gaming and typing profiles.
When you replace the firmware on the 80HE, the LED bar fills as much as present the progress, a neat little contact that hints at what might be potential with this new addition. Proper now, you will get it to point the profile you’re utilizing, when keys are pressed, or to let when the CAPS lock secret is enabled. It is going to additionally be capable to present your system quantity as soon as the background service is obtainable.
The 80HE additionally helps as much as 8kHz USB polling, however no wi-fi connectivity. Whereas many keyboards promise 8kHz polling, the 80HE additionally scans each analog key place at that very same charge. This sooner polling charge additionally lowers the 80HE latency to simply 0.125ms.
Whereas I respect the enhancements on the 80HE, the structure means the one choices for instances proper now are from Wooting straight. I’d anticipate to see third-party choices over time, however till then, you’re caught with black, ghost, and frost choices for the plastic case or black, white, and uncooked choices for the zinc case.
The 80HE — as an entire keyboard with a plastic case, switches, and keycaps — begins at $199.99. When you improve to the zinc alloy case, costs begin at $289.99. You too can purchase the standalone 80HE module with out switches and keycaps for $154.99, however you’ll want a $34.99 plastic case or a $109.99 zinc alloy one.
Keychron, Corsair, SteelSeries, and plenty of others provide related boards with Corridor impact switches, however none fairly provide the mix of {hardware} and software program that Wooting delivers. When you’ve at all times been tempted by the 60HE however wished extra keys, the 80HE delivers that and far more.
