Gaming: Gamdias HERMES P1 RGB Keyboard Review

It seems like a month doesn’t pass without the folks at Gamdias introducing something fresh to the PC Gaming market. Back in July, they’ve expanded their line by one with the introduction of a new mechanical gaming keyboard with Kailh blue switches. This new board–the HERMES P1 RGB yields 16.8 million colors, four game modes, and a dozen lighting patterns. There have been some design changes since the previous HERMES RGB keyboard such as an all aluminum front plate. How does this keyboard stack up with Gamdias’ others keyboards? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Gamdias HERMES P1 RGB keyboard review.

Key Features of the HERMES P1 RGB Keyboard

• 16.8M color illuminated backlighting
• Four pre-configured lighting zones
• Twelve lighting effects
• Kailh Blue mechanical switches
• On-the-fly record macro key settings
• Six key / N-Key rollover
• 100% anti-ghosting support
• Aircraft-grade aluminum front plate

Gamdias HERMES P1 RGB Keyboard Review

Hermes P1 RGB Design and Features

Like its predecessor, the HERMES P1 RGB is mechanical gaming keyboard with a 50 million push button life cycle. It comes with 16.8 million colors, a dozen different lighting effects to choose from, and four preset gaming modes: League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Dota 2, and World of Tanks. You can change the brightness (4 levels) and speed of the effects to your liking. The brains of the keyboard are in the ARM® Cortex®-M3 32-bit microprocessor.

The keys have a new font design that is refreshing and still easy to read. The aircraft-grade brushed aluminum front plate is a nice touch which doesn’t smudge easily. Metal plate stabilizers return from the HERMES 7 Color keyboard adding more flair. (The metal front plate have become quite popular in 2017.)

Consecutive attack mode also makes a return. The keyboard comes with its own key puller. It has all those standard Gamdias’ features like the multimedia keys, two macro buttons, and the key locker if you wanted to vacuum your keyboard real quick.

The HERMES P1 RGB can be used with or without the HERA software. One option which pleased me is the ability to switch out the Windows Key with the Fn button. I was like, “Oh yeah. That’s a nice touch.”

Flipping the keyboard over, you’ll notice three channels to direct the 1.8 Meter braided cable. The keyboard legs have improved over its predecessor and are now much wider. (We hope it was our suggestion that led to the upgrade.) The key puller is now attached to the underside.

To be completely honest not too much has changed from the HERMES RGB to the HERMES P1 RGB. It’s more of a hybrid combination of its former self and the HERMES 7 Color keyboard bringing their greatest features into one keyboard.

Sadly, there are two disappointments to report, first being the removable wrist rest. In our tests, it came off too easily. We wish it fit more securely because as soon as you even move the keyboard, it pops right off. Finally, most of the lighting effects are one color only. On the 7 Color board, the lighting effects played across all colors. The HERMES P1 RGB would have been near perfect if it were not for these two small issues. The keyboard handles and performs very similarly to the HERMES RGB.

Specifications

Final Thoughts

If you were having trouble deciding on whether to purchase the Hermes RGB or 7 Color keyboard, then you need to look towards this newer one. It’s got everything they do and a little more. I’m pleased with this Hermes P1 RGB keyboard. Still, I’m kind of sad about the lighting effects being mostly one color though. I unquestionably recommend this board. It’s already become my new main gaming keyboard.

The Gamdias Hermes P1 RGB mechanical keyboard has a list price of just under $120 and is available for purchase at Amazon and the Gamdias website.

What do you think of this Gamdias Hermes P1 RGB keyboard review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Don’t hesitate to head over to the Gamdias homepage to see their current line-up of products. The Hermes P1 RGB Mechanical keyboard comes with a 1-year + 2-months warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Gamdias provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Hermes P1 RGB keyboard sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Gamdias or Beantown LLC © 2017.