Corsair K65 Plus Wireless RGB Mechanical keyboard
Feature
Styling and comfort
For gaming, I don't mind a TKL (tenkeyless) keyboard as it takes up less space on my desk. The Corsair K65 Plus is one such device, but also has the added feature that there are no wires required either. This lack of wires frees up space on the desk, or indeed allows gamers to sit back and game from the comfort of the couch either via PC or Playstation or Xbox console.
The ESC key on the K65 Plus features a metallic Corsair Logo, giving the keyboard a unique look, whilst the opposite top corner features a sturdy looking multi-function dial. By default, this controls the volume, but can be used for other aspects (more on this later). In between, the K65 is somewhat narrower than other TKL keyboards I have reviewed, but is also slightly deeper than the standard TKL. The narrow nature of the keyboard comes about by the reduction in the number of navigation keys, with the K65 only having Home, PgUp and PgDn. There is also the usual delete button, but it has been moved to the top row with the function keys. I actually found that I preferred this placement, as it was near the Backspace button and I generally use these in a complementary manner.
Although I do enjoy a mechanical keyboard with the noticeable clicking when I press a button, The K65 Plus feels amazing to type with. Although the button presses don’t provide the same tactile feedback as a traditional mechanical keyboard, the Corsair MLX switches are probably the smoothest I have ever used. The integrated dampeners do an amazing job of reducing the noise and in a house that often has children that are trying to sleep during my gaming and review writing time, this is an enormous advantage.
However, typing in the dark can be an issue with the K65 Plus due to the fact that the keycaps have printed characters rather than transparent character keycaps. So although the keyboard is full RGB, the lighting does not appear through the keys. When gaming, this is not as much of an issue, as the WASD (and other often used keys) can be separated with different colours to the rest of the keyboard, but if you’re trying to work away in the evening with the lights down so that others can sleep, the inability to see what keys you’re pressing could be an issue. However, there is a caveat to this. The keyboard does ship with a keycap puller, so it is relatively easy to switch out to keycaps that do provide character transparency.
Features and software
The K65 has several connection options, ensuring that gamers will have an option that suits them. Firstly, the keyboard can be connected via a USB 2.4GHz dongle. Of course, this still requires the use of a USB port on your PC. If players have limited USB slots available, the Bluetooth connection may be more advantageous. Of course, there may be times when gamers may need to use the wired option, even if it is to simply charge the device. When not using the USB dongle, gamers can simply slot it into a small compartment at the rear of the device. This ensures that it doesn’t get lost when not in use. The battery life for the K65 Plus is superb. When fully charged and with the RGB turned off, gamers will get a couple of weeks of daily gaming before they’ll need to plug it in again. An indicator light positioned next to the ESC key will allow gamers to see the current battery status whenever they turn on the device.
The K65 Plus uses the Corsair iCue software for RGB customisation, for Macro creation and for assigning tasks for the Multifunction dial. As mentioned previously, the multifunction dial controls the volume, but gamers can also use it to control brightness, or to control zoom levels, or scrolling all via the iCue software. The software is intuitive and makes completing such changes a simple experience.
The customisation of the RGB is also a simple process within the iCue software. The software has a large selection of inbuilt lighting effects to choose from, but these can all be tailored to suit each individual on a per key basis. And if you have other Corsair devices, they can all be linked to create your own custom designs.
Macros are also easy to create within the software, with a range of standard macros types and key bindings available to choose from. Of course, any macro can be designed to suit. As well as the macro recording within the iCue software, on-the-fly macro recording is also available with the touch of just a few buttons.
Verdict
The Corsair K65 Plus Wireless RGB Mechanical keyboard looks great, feels great and features a host of options that enable gamers to perform at their best. The MLX switches and the dampeners provide a quieter experience than most other mechanical keyboards, and although the tactile experience is diminished somewhat, it provides for a smoother performance. The iCue software enables gamers to configure the keyboard to their design with the RGB lighting and the macro recording being simple to customise. In addition to PC, the wireless nature also means that the keyboard can be used with several devices, including consoles and even mobile devices with the Bluetooth connection. The only issue (apart from it not being a full-sized keyboard - I use a numpad in my daily life) is the non-transparent nature of the keycaps preventing gameplay in the dark.
In the Box:
Corsair K65 Plus keyboard
USB Dongle
Charging cable
Corsair keycap puller
Guide
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