Every so often, you come across gaming peripherals that jam-pack features gamers weren't aware they needed. With the G910 Orion Spectrum ($179.99) gaming keyboard, Logitech exercises some restraint and offers up an updated, slightly scaled-back version of the G910 Orion Spark $139.99 at Amazon, which was unabashedly designed for hard-core gamers. With nine dedicated macro keys, proprietary switches, and customizable per-key RGB lighting, the Spectrum is an attractive and functional mechanical gaming keyboard. But while the Corsair K95 RGB £160.68 at Amazon lacks a smartphone dock, it does sport a superior aluminum build and twice as many macro keys for just $10 more—both reasons why it remains our Editors' Choice.
Design and Features
The Spectrum is nearly identical in appearance to the Orion Spark. It still features the same full-size keyboard layout, complete with a 10-key number pad, Arx smartphone dock, dedicated media controls, nine macro keys, and three swappable profile keys. It also keeps Logitech's proprietary Romer-G mechanical switches and 113-key rollover. At first glance, you might even wonder if there was a point in changing the name of the G910 from Spark to Spectrum.
The Spectrum is nearly identical in appearance to the Orion Spark. It still features the same full-size keyboard layout, complete with a 10-key number pad, Arx smartphone dock, dedicated media controls, nine macro keys, and three swappable profile keys. It also keeps Logitech's proprietary Romer-G mechanical switches and 113-key rollover. At first glance, you might even wonder if there was a point in changing the name of the G910 from Spark to Spectrum.
But there are two key differences. First, the Spectrum does away with the Spark's sculpted keycaps. The keys on the left half of the Spark feature a four-facet concave keycap, while the right half has a three-facet design. The Spectrum doesn't bother with this, and returns to your typical, slightly concave keycap design. Honestly, I didn't miss the sculpted keycaps and preferred the flatter versions—the sculpted keycaps add a unique tactile element to the Spark, but don't enhance the gaming or typing experience in a meaningful way.
The second change in design is the Spectrum's removable wrist rest. The Spark's asymmetrical, textured design is wider on the left and narrower on the right. The Spectrum doesn't bother with trying to be fancy. The wrist rest is straight, smooth and simple. As a result, the Spectrum measures 1.4 by 19.8 by 8.2 inches (HWD) and weighs 3.3 pounds, shallower and lighter than the Spark (1.4 by 19.8 by 9.5 inches; 4.5 pounds).
Both of these tweaks are definite improvements. But if this iteration of the G910 is about fine-tuning, then you have to wonder about keeping the Arx Dock. While it's handy to be able to use your smartphone as a second screen, the effort required is greater than the rewards reaped. To fully utilize it, you need to download the free Logitech Arx Control companion app, which works with iOS and Android phones and tablets (though the dock is really too small for tablet use). This, on top of managing lighting and recording macros in the Logitech Gaming Software, is another extra step before you can get to gaming. Syncing the two apps requires you to go to the Arx Control tab under Settings in the Logitech Gaming Software, enable the application, and if it doesn't automatically sync over your wireless connection—which it didn't for me—you might have to manually connect. This isn't hard, but it can be time consuming.
All that would be justifiable if the payout greatly improved the gaming experience. The idea is to use your smartphone as a second control screen for monitoring CPU performance and in-game statistics for certain titles, control media and Logitech G gaming mice, and get a quick refresher on your macro keys, so you can devote your monitor solely to gaming. Unfortunately, the app ends up being a case study for well-intentioned excess. The keyboard already has dedicated media controls, making at least one of the app's functions redundant, and the lack of built-in charging limits the usefulness of constantly running the app while gaming. Chances are, you also won't have the free hands to manage your mouse's dpi settings (if you even have a Logitech gaming mouse) or check what macro keys do what.
Where the Spectrum excels is in its lighting. Like its cousin, the G810 Orion Spectrum£124.75 at Amazon (which, in addition to sharing a name, is aimed at more casual gamers), and the Corsair K95, the Spectrum features 16.8 million customizable color options. Where it differs from the Corsair K95 is that there's no bleed between the keys, which results in cleaner, more focused illumination. The Logitech Gaming Software fully utilizes the Spectrum's per-key backlighting, allowing you to assign different colors to specific gaming zones, as well as choose from among 597 preloaded game-specific lighting profiles.
Performance
Logitech's Romer-G switches are tactile, responsive, and relatively quiet for mechanical switches. This translates to a smooth experience, and the myriad of lighting options makes the Spectrum perfect for catering to personal quirks and preferences. The macro keys are also placed in convenient locations, with one vertical row of five on the left side of the keyboard and another horizontal row of four just above the F1-F4 keys. Like the WASD keys, they are easily distinguished by the distinctive geometric key label design.
Logitech's Romer-G switches are tactile, responsive, and relatively quiet for mechanical switches. This translates to a smooth experience, and the myriad of lighting options makes the Spectrum perfect for catering to personal quirks and preferences. The macro keys are also placed in convenient locations, with one vertical row of five on the left side of the keyboard and another horizontal row of four just above the F1-F4 keys. Like the WASD keys, they are easily distinguished by the distinctive geometric key label design.
In terms of everyday typing, the Spectrum performs well, and many of the gaming-centric features could be repurposed for light productivity. For instance, you could easily create a keyboard profile to speed up mundane tasks like copying and pasting or launching frequently used programs. But generally speaking, the G910 is a keyboard is best suited for heavy gamers. Casual gamers would be better served by cheaper, more streamlined alternatives like the G810, the Corsair Strafe Mechanical Gaming Keyboard $100.00 at Amazon, or the SteelSeries Apex M500 $99.99 at Amazon.
Conclusion
The Logitech G910 Orion Spectrum makes a strong case for eliminating excess. The slimmer wrist rest and flatter keycaps are small, but meaningful changes that improve the overall typing/gaming experience and allow the Spectrum's excellent lighting to take center stage. The Corsair K95 RGB is still our Editors' Choice pick, however, as it has double the macro keys and a sturdier aluminum build for just a few more dollars. That being said, the Spectrum is also competitively priced among high-end mechanical gaming keyboards, making it a strong choice for any serious gamer.
The Logitech G910 Orion Spectrum makes a strong case for eliminating excess. The slimmer wrist rest and flatter keycaps are small, but meaningful changes that improve the overall typing/gaming experience and allow the Spectrum's excellent lighting to take center stage. The Corsair K95 RGB is still our Editors' Choice pick, however, as it has double the macro keys and a sturdier aluminum build for just a few more dollars. That being said, the Spectrum is also competitively priced among high-end mechanical gaming keyboards, making it a strong choice for any serious gamer.
0 comments:
Post a Comment