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Gamdias HERMES RGB Keyboard Review

09/10/2016 By Zach Can

Gamdias Hermes RGB Keyboard Review

Gamdias, what’s that? My friends, Gamdias is a relatively new company into the gaming hardware and peripherals market. It’s only been four years since they arrived on the scene. On the Gamdias homepage, they showcase their lineup of gaming keyboards, mice, headphones, mouse pads and other accessories. How do we know if their gear is worth your hard-earned money? Well, that’s why you’re, here isn’t? Below, we answer these questions. So without any further delay. Welcome to our Gamdias HERMES RGB Keyboard review.

Review: Gamdias Hermes RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Gamdias Hermes RGB Keyboard Review

Read:   Gaming: Gamdias HERMES 7 Color Keyboard Review

Design Features

The HERMES RGB is mechanical gaming keyboard with a 50 million push button life cycle. It comes with 16.8 million colors and 13 different lighting effects to choose from. Of these 13, two in particular: “Wave” and “Rainbow Drops,” are very cool. You can change the brightness (4 levels) and speed of the effects to your liking. The brains of the keyboard lie in the ARM® Cortex®-M3 32-bit microprocessor. Unlike its sister keyboard, the HERMES 7 Color, this keyboard has a small, non-removable “wrist plate.” Again, in contrast to the HERMES 7 Color, this keyboard is more compact. Its exact dimensions are 17.3 x 6.7 x 1.46 inches. Personally speaking, while I don’t find the size of the keyboard uncomfortable, I think it would fare better with a slightly bigger “wrist plate.”

Flipping the keyboard over, you’ll notice three channels to direct the braided cable. While this is good design, the keyboard legs are not. Trying to raise the keyboard legs is not so easy as there’s hardly any space to insert a finger or thumb. The HERMES 7 Color is better in this regards. And unlike say the Logitech G710 series keyboard; the HERMES RGB has only one USB connector to plug into your desktop.

Gamdias Hermes RGB Keyboard Review

Read:   Gaming: Gamdias HERMES E1 Keyboard Combo Review

The HERMES RGB keyboard comes with your standard Num-Lock, Caps-Lock, and Scroll-Lock, but it has another lock which is appropriately titled “Gaming.” Enabling “Gaming” disables the Windows key preventing any accidental press of the Windows key fatal. One thing that’s a bit odd is in the top right corner where it shows locks are enabled, it only has three: Num-Lock, Caps-Lock, and Gaming. Scroll Lock isn’t shown at all. The key is there and still toggles, but you have to remember if you left it on or off because it isn’t displayed. Fortunately, I don’t know a single person that uses it.

Wondering about N-key rollover? There’s no need to. Here are the 21 keys: Q, W, E, R, U, I, O, P, \, 7, 8, 9, +, Enter, Backspace, F9, F10, F11, F12, Scroll, and Pause. (Yes, this took a bit of research.)

Gamdias Hermes RGB Keyboard Review

You can also completely lock the keyboard out, for when you want to vacuum it or pull a key out. A key puller is supplied as part of the package contents. It has the now standard media player controls such as “Previous”, “Next”, “Pause/Play”, “Mute”, “Audio Down”, and “Audio Up”. You can switch “WASD” to the arrow keys and vice versa. Another strange quirk is on the lower left of the keyboard where the Windows Button would be. It’s missing. There’s no actual Windows key, having been replaced with the Fn key. Now, it turns out there is a Windows key, but it’s shared with a “Game” key with the Windows logo beneath it.

On the HERMES 7-Color keyboard, the Fn key and the Windows key are still there. I don’t know about you, but I’m used to the left Windows key. On the right of the keyboard is the only remaining Windows key next to a “right-click” button. It performs the action of right-clicking on the mouse. The icon is a little strange looking, kind of like a pair of headphones eating a string. Seriously.

Read:   Gaming: Gamdias HEBE M1 RGB Headset Review

Performance

I had hoped to get through this Gamdias HERMES RGB keyboard review without mentioning anything bad, as the keyboard is quite good.

Speaking of that good, the keys press smoothly and evenly. And the sound they make when pressed it just right. They’re not loud, soft, or annoying. This keyboard utilizes ABS plastic key covers and Kailh blue switches. These switches require 45cN of pressure to actuate. These key covers are made of one plastic, while the lettering of another. You’re going to have to work very hard to get the lettering to come off.

[envira-gallery id="5871"]

Sadly, and this is my personal take, HERA is a bit of a pain.  This software has to be installed if you want to use all the keyboard features. These features include the following: macros, re-assigning keys, customizing the keyboard lights, setting up sounds and timer, editing the alarm sound for the timer, and setting macro timers. It’s a slow software, with some glitches. The problems with it are a bit larger than I would have liked.

I want to enforce the hardware is great, but the software is not up to par. The software saves every change into 1 of 6 profiles which are stored into the keyboard itself. The HERMES RGB keyboard comes with only two macro keys “G1” and “G2,” not as many as say the Logitech G710. You can trick the HERMES RGB keyboard and assign two macros into each of the six profiles for a total of 12 macros. You can assign the sounds to different keys to give yourself a makeshift soundboard. I found the timer function unnecessary for my needs.

Read:   Gamdias ZEUS eSport Laser Gaming Mouse Review

Conclusion

The good thing is you don’t have to use the HERA software to enjoy the Gamdias HERMES RGB keyboard. You can still change the lighting effects using the shortcuts Gamdias placed on the keyboard. But, like I said earlier, you wouldn’t be able to customize them.

My biggest complaint on the HERMES RGB keyboard is the missing left Windows key; it bugs me. And hopefully, you can overlook the delays and bugs in the HERA software. The keyboard itself is beautiful and sturdy. The LED lights are bright and vibrant.

The list price of the HERMES RGB Keyboard is $129.99. Fortunately, you can get it for $85-90 on any given day at Amazon (see link at the bottom of this post.) 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.

If you’re looking for a mid-priced mechanical gaming keyboard, we can definitively say the HERMES RGB is a good one. We recommend you check out this product before making your next purchase.[soliloquy id=”5868″]

What do you think of this Gamdias Hermes 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.

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

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC and Gamdias © 2016.

Read:   Silicon Valley Season 3 Release Date Announced for Digital HD

Filed Under: Gaming Hardware, Hardware Tagged With: Gamdias, Gaming, Hermes, Keyboard 08/24/2017

Review: Tt esports Commander Gaming Gear Combo

03/10/2016 By Hakan Can

Tt eSports Commander Gaming Gear Combo review

There’s one thing all PC Gamers can agree on, and that’s PC Gaming is not cheap! It’s especially true if you want a decent system. For the millions of you who indulge in this hobby, activity, or career, you already know this. For those of you who aren’t gamers, allow me to indulge you. Let’s begin building a gaming PC.  If I summed up the cost of a Nvidia GTX970 (or greater) graphics card, an Intel Core I7 CPU, a 480GB SSD, and 32GB of DDR4 RAM, you’re looking at a starting price close to $1K. And as you know, there’s more to a system that this. It won’t be long before you appreciate what Tt esports has to offer. Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this (Red Light) Tt esports Commander Gaming Gear Combo review.

Tt eSports Commander Gaming Gear Combo

Image Credit: Thermaltake Technology Co.

Tt esports Commander Gaming Gear Combo Review

It’s no surprise so many gamers stick with a gaming console like Microsoft’s Xbox One S or Sony’s PlayStation 4. They’re a fraction of the price, at least, 2-3x less expensive when compared to a PC system.

If you’re anything like me, the components we choose last are the following: keyboard, mouse, and headphones.

This is mainly because we think about the internal hardware first, external hardware second. Plus, there’s the issue of going over budget after purchasing the aforementioned internal hardware.

Purchasing an amazing keyboard and mouse can collectively set a gamer back close to $200. Toss in an amazing headset and you’re now looking at $300 or more. Sometimes, we get lucky and catch a sale. We can thank the retailers, like Best Buy and others, for Black Friday (and real holiday) sales to lessen the blow to our wallets.

Fortunately, when it comes to the Tt esports Commander Gaming Gear Combo, we don’t have to wait for a great price on a keyboard and mouse. It lists for $30 all year long. Now, don’t go reaching for Q-tips to unblock those ears. You heard me correctly the first time, it lists for $30, sometimes selling for less on the above-mentioned holidays.

[envira-gallery id="4194"]

Design, Features, and Layout of the Commander Keyboard

The Tt esports Commander Gaming Gear Combo (Red Light) keyboard itself is beautiful, with a unique aesthetic that I haven’t seen before. The keys themselves have a rubber coating which gives the keyboard a finished feel. There’s a nice contrast going on here with the polished keys versus the matte finish of the keyboard chassis. Did I forget to mention the chassis metal-like edges?

The keys when pressed give an audible click, which to me is quite satisfying. The Tt Type II plunger switches provide a mechanical tactile feel. These plunger switches provide the benefits many (mechanical) gaming keyboards have these days. Keystroke lifecycle is 15 Million. Caps are replaceable.

The bottom row of the keyboard has larger keys than the rest of the board. This is something you don’t see all that often and takes a little getting used to.

The 104-key full-size keyboard is fully backlit with a lush red color. It has 5 brightness levels: Off, ¼, ½, ¾, and fully lit. It also has 2 different light settings: a slow pulse mode and continuous light. If red is not your color of choice, there’s a (Blue Light) Tt esports Commander Gaming Gear Combo available. Neither the blue or red light Commander keyboard options change color. Don’t fret. There’s a blue-red-purple color changing option available. It’s the (Multi Light) Tt esports Commander Gaming Gear Combo and it lists for $35.

The Commander keyboard comes with a non-detachable 6 Foot (1.8 Meter) long cable which connects via a single USB port. The cable is of a braided design and quite sturdy.

Drain holes are included in the Commander keyboard to minimize damage from liquid spills getting inside the chassis. Nonetheless, I don’t recommend testing it.

Read:   Trident Introduces Two New Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Cases

Tt eSports Commander Gaming Gear Combo

Graphics Credit: Thermaltake Technology Co.

The keyboard comes with its own shortcuts via 16 special “Fn” buttons. These shortcuts are to the calculator, an internet browser, email, media player controls, and brightness. One of these 16 shortcuts is (Fn + W) that switches WASD to the arrow keys and vice versa. Another is (Fn + Q) which adjusts the repeat rate. There’s a 17th shortcut (Fn + Win) to lock out the entire keyboard from input in the event you want to clean and/or vacuum it.

Specifications of the Commander Keyboard

Tt eSports Commander Gaming Gear Combo

Graphics Credit: Thermaltake Technology Co.

The keyboard does not come with special software, so it is not programmable. There are no macro keys or game profiles. These two feature sets are available on many higher-end Tt eSports keyboards.

Read:   Trident Introduces New Samsung Galaxy S7 Cases

Design, Features, and Layout of the Commander Mouse

The Tt esports Commander Gaming Gear Combo mouse is equally as beautiful as its keyboard counterpart. Like the keyboard, the mouse lights up red. It has a cool design with a rubberized top and plastic sides. It comes with 4 customizable DPI (some say CPI) settings: 800, 1200, 1800 and 2400. The DPI button is located top and center on the mouse. In front of the DPI button is the tire-treaded scroll wheel.

Tt eSports Commander Gaming Gear Combo

Graphics Credit: Thermaltake Technology Co.

In addition to top left and right buttons, the mouse has two thumb buttons on its left side. While the mouse fits comfortably in my hand, it’s a little on the small side. The mouse is not a weight-in design. The mouse was tested on a laminated wood surface, and it operated as designed.

If red is not your color of choice, there’s the earlier mentioned (Blue Light) Tt esports Commander Gaming Gear Combo. Neither the blue nor the red light mouse change color. For the blue-red-purple color changing option, you’ll want the previously mentioned (Multi Light) Tt esports Commander Gaming Gear Combo.

Specifications of the Commander Mouse

Tt eSports Commander Gaming Gear Combo

Graphics Credit: Thermaltake Technology Co.

The mouse is not programmable. There are no macro keys or game profiles. These two feature sets are available on many higher-end Tt esports mice.

Read:   Patriot Viper 4 DDR4 Series RAM - 64GB & 128GB Kits

A Little Nitpicking

The keyboard works well in both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. However, the mouse doesn’t work in USB 3.0, which is a bit odd. Another issue is the mouse occasionally stops functioning for about 3 seconds, then fixes itself, leaving you stranded in a video game. While it doesn’t occur frequently, it definitely happens.

My main complaint is when the computer is turned off. The keyboard lights shut off, but the mouse lights do not. My computer is in my bedroom and I can’t sleep with any lights on. So I have to reach behind the computer and unplug the darn thing. Then, plug it back in every morning.

Final Thoughts on a Budget-Friendly Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combo

Whoever said a great keyboard and mouse combo had to cost $100 or more was definitely wrong here. Even with the minor issues mentioned above, we were and continue to be pleased with the (Red Light) Tt esports Commander Gaming Gear Combo. They’ve put together a great budget-minded keyboard and mouse combo full of mid-level features.

 

You can purchase the (Red Light) Tt esports Commander Gaming Gear Combo from a variety of sellers such as Amazon and Thermaltake’s own store. Amazon currently charges $30 for this combo. Tt esports offers a wide range of gaming keyboards, mice, and more for all types of users across multiple price points.

Tt esports has put together a great budget-minded keyboard and mouse combo full of mid-level features. Click To Tweet

What do you think of this (Red Light) Tt esports Commander Gaming Gear Combo 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.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Tt esports homepage to see their current line-up of products. The Tt esports Commander Gaming Gear Combo comes with a 2-Year Warranty. Should you need to reach Customer Support, click on this link. If you’re in need of accessories such as metal cap sets or backpacks, click on the link.

 

This review was co-written with my nephew Zachary who tested and later kept the keyboard and mouse combo.

FTC Disclosure: Thermaltake Technology Co. did not provide Beantown LLC with any product for review purposes. We purchased it ourselves. Our writers opinions are 100% their own.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Thermaltake Technology Co. and/or Beantown LLC.

Read:   Silicon Valley Season 2 Release Date Announced for Blu-ray/DVD

Filed Under: Gaming Hardware Tagged With: Gaming, gaming keyboard, gaming m, Thermaltake, tT eSports 08/20/2017

The New Patriot Viper Series of Gaming Hardware

06/01/2015 By Hakan Can

Patriot Viper Gaming

Patriot Arms Gamers with Viper Line of Gaming Accessories

We at Beantown never saw this coming, but boy are we excited about the Patriot Viper Gaming Series!

[envira-gallery id=”3038″]

Per Patriot’s Press Release:

Fremont, CA, USA – June 2, 2015 – Patriot, a leading manufacturer of mobile accessories, computer and USB memory, announces their Viper line of gaming accessories. Designed for the most fervent gamers, the Viper collection includes a mechanical keyboard, headset, and two mice to maximize gaming performance.

“Gamers already use Patriot’s Viper Memory for superior performance in gaming and we wanted to provide them with a full ecosystem of accessories that speak to their needs with exceptional tactical advantages and a true gaming experience,” says Saeed Arash Far, Global Director of Engineering at Patriot. “The Viper line of accessories blasts itself into the competition with four products that not only have key differentiators, but also provides a huge value proposition to all gamers.”

Total Customization – Viper V760 Keyboard

With anti-ghosting and full spectrum LED with a 16.8 million color rate, the V760 mechanical keyboard provides ultimate customization for each user. With countless hours of gaming, sometimes into the early hours of the morning, the removable magnetic palm rest is ergonomic for comfort and support. With twelve multi-media keys and 6 programmable macro keys, these can be customized to illuminate to fit your style whether RPG or FPS.

Precision and Performance – Viper V560 and V530 Mice

Both styles offer peak performance with slight variations for the gamer. The V560 launches itself to the higher-range with an extreme precision laser lens and up to 8200 DPI. A weighted mouse with ceramic foot pads ensures easy gliding on all surfaces and mouse pads also eliminating wear and tear that won’t affect gaming performance. The V560 is pictured on the right in the below image.  The V530 offers gamers a mid-range mouse without compromising on performance. With up to 5000 DPI and an optical lens, the V530 is an entry-level choice with advanced features for someone looking for a reliable back-up. The V530 is pictured on the left in the below image.

Hear in High Def – Viper V360  Headset

Hearing the creek of a door opening or a bullet shell hit the floor is what makes the gaming experience immersive. The V360 headset boasts a 7.1 virtual surround sound that transports gamers into the most lifelike scenarios. The ergonomic ear cup design provides comfort while the controls are placed on the ear cup and not on the cord, allowing for even weight distribution.

Patriot Memory’s Viper line-up of gaming accessories will be on display during Computex Taipei from June 2nd to June 6th. For more information, visit Patriot Memory.

Final Thoughts

What do you think of the Patriot’s Viper V530 and V560 mice, Viper V360 gaming headset, and Viper V760 keyboard?

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Filed Under: Gaming Hardware, Headphones Tagged With: Gaming, headphones, kepboard, mice, Patriot Memory, Viper 10/18/2017

Pre-PAX East 2015 Kickoff at Microsoft Store

03/02/2015 By Hakan Can

Larry Hyrb of Xbox One

Celebrate the kick-off of PAX East at the Microsoft Store in Boston

Per Larry Hyrb’s blog, Larry himself will be kicking off PAX East 2015 with a pre-party this Thursday from 7-9 PM showing off the new Xbox One titles Ori and the Blind Forest and Screamride.  There will be prizes along with the opportunity to play games and meet others in the Xbox One community.  Most importantly, you get you meet Larry.  How cool is this?  And I can say from first hand experience that he’s a great guy and easy to talk with.  You’ll enjoy meeting him.

Screamride for Xbox One

Screamride for Xbox One

“In anticipation of one of the biggest gaming events of the year, I will be at Microsoft at The Shops at Prudential Center on Thursday March 5 from 7-9 p.m. The Microsoft store and I will be hosting this free event with in-store gameplay and a sneak peek at games like Ori and the Blind Forest and ScreamRide along with the chance to win some great prizes. No PAX admission is necessary – this event is free and open to the public. In addition to hands-on game play, we’ll have some food and of course prizes including a pair of tickets to attend the sold out PAX East show.

Ori and the Blind Forest for Xbox One

Ori and the Blind Forest for Xbox One

The Facebook event page has complete details about the event as well.  As a bonus for those of you who get there early (by 6 p.m.) The first 50 people in line at 6 PM will win a free digital copy of ScreamRide for Xbox One. Open only to event attendees who are legal residents of the 50 U.S. or D.C. and 13+ years of age. Winners must be present to win. Game ends 03/05/15. For Official Rules, see a sales associate.”  Full Terms and Conditions are here.

All images are the courtesy and property of Microsoft Studios.  Watch the trailers for both games here:

Ori and the Blind Forest is developed by Moon Studios and published by Microsoft Studios.

Screamride is  developed by Frontier Development Ltd and published by Microsoft Studios.

Filed Under: Beantown Gaming Tagged With: Gaming, Larry Hyrb, Microsoft, Ori, PAX East, Screamride 04/12/2017

Morningstar: Descent to Deadrock Game Review

02/17/2015 By Hakan Can

Morningstar: Descent to Deadrock

Available today, February 17th from Phoenix Online Publishing and Red Herring Labs comes Morningstar: Descent to Deadrock.

Morningstar: Descent to Deadrock is a single player graphical adventure game similar to Myst, released back in 1993.  Nowadays, there aren’t too many games released in this genre. In Morningstar: Descent to Deadrock, there’s no animation to speak of, just static graphics that change when you manipulate or use objects from your inventory.  All the screens are static, meaning there’s no 3D engine at work, and no character to move around your screen, such as the age-old Kings Quest series released back in 1984-1998.  But it shares similar qualities of manipulating objects you find to achieve your goals thus moving further in the game.

Morningstar: Descent to Deadrock is a fairly straightforward adventure and puzzle solving game where you find, join, and use objects to repair your crashed spaceship. Some puzzles are straight forward while a couple others had me perplexed for a while. The game does have a built-in hint system for when you get stuck.

This games user interface (UI) gives you visual indicators on which objects you can click on or interact with once you move the cursor over them.  This way you’re not constantly searching around for these objects, as in other games. The inventory UI works well and it’s fairly straight-forward on how to combine items you find, as you can’t succeed without doing this.

Morningstar: Descent to Deadrock is a short game, which you can complete in several hours, depending if you get stuck or not. The games sound effects are nice and atmospheric, but the voice-acting is stale and robotic. The price point of this game makes sense for the length of time you’ll spend playing it. I found the graphics to be average. I’ve seen better and I’ve seen worse, but since they are pre-rendered, they definitely could have used more detail and polish.

Morningstar: Descent to Deadrock is decent enough for those who like the genre and enjoy similar games, but may not appeal to today’s gamers looking for fast 1st person action, or fully animated 3D environments.

[soliloquy id=”2416″]

All photos are the courtesy and property of POStudios.

Watch the trailer here: http://youtu.be/Hm9NPnkKClo

Per the Phoenix Online Publishing press release: “Crash-landed on a desolate, alien planet, what should have been a routine work-for-hire job for Powell has become a deadly mission to save the merchant vessel Morningstar and her crew. With one man dead and the captain gravely injured, Powell is on his own to repair the ship and find a way to escape the strange gravity well of the empty planet they’ve landed on. If the situation weren’t dire enough, the only signs of life on the planet are the remains of a much larger and better equipped ship and her crew, all dead, and not by natural means. What—or who—brought down these ships and is killing their crews? Why? And can Powell find a way off-planet before he shares the same fate?”

Key Features Include the following:

  • Experience an immersive sci-fi adventure, packed with gorgeous HD graphics, brand-new puzzles and scenes, and an all-new, streamlined interface.
  • Newly re-mastered cinematics display the haunting landscapes in beautiful high definition.
  • Uncover the mystery of Deadrock through new and optimized puzzles and an extended storyline.
  • The alien planet of Deadrock comes alive with full voice acting and engrossing sound effects.
  • Includes an atmospheric remastered soundtrack with over 30 minutes of original music.

“Morningstar: Descent to Deadrock will be available for PC and Mac for $9.99 via Steam, the Humble Store, the Phoenix Online Store and other major online retailers.”

Filed Under: Game Reviews Tagged With: Gaming, Morningstar, Phoenix Online 02/25/2015

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