While function of the volume control keys is easily comprehensible from its symbol, the mode key activates rapid character input for gaming purpose.
Mode behaves differently under P/S2 connector and USB connector. There’s a total of 3 level for the turbo mode; level 1 supports up to 13 character input per second, level 2 supports up to 50 character input per second and level 3 supports up to 120 character input per second. As USB has become the mainstream connector for most input devices, the level 3 turbo mode is pretty much less accessible for most users. While under USB connection, you’re limited to only the 1st level of turbo mode, which supports up to 13 character input per second.
Here’s how the K50E looks like in the dark. Hot stuff we’d say!
You’ll find plenty of holes at the bottom of the keyboard, which helps to let liquid to flow out from the keyboard to prevent any further damage in case of any accidental spillage.
Large keyboard feet is used to keep the keyboard in place to reduce the chance of mistakes during intense gaming session, especially when the keyboard decided to troll you by sliding across the table.
There’s cable routing path as well to make way for the setup on your desk.
The actuation force required to register each key feels really close to Cherry MX Clear except for the fact that you will still need to bottom the key to make it register. Bottoming the key gives a solid but comfortable landing from the rubber dome which makes it really comfortable for different occasion, be it rapid taps or to type on.
Gaming wise, the K50E response very well to our rage press on FPS games like Battlefiled 4, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and rhythm games like O2Jam, DJMax Trilogy with ease. Each key pressed response almost immediately. As for its key rollover capability, we’ve done some test on the key configuration for the games tested and the result is as below:
As for rhythm games like o2jam, DJMax, etc, if you’re not into the non-mainstream key configuration, the commonly used key configuration will work just well.
There is however, a small finding that we’ve noticed while testing out all the possible key press that will trigger a ghosting effect. While pressing the key ‘A’,’W’,’D’, ‘Space’, ‘J’ and ‘L’ altogether, tapping the ‘I’ key will trigger a ghost signal where the ‘PrintScreen’ key is registered. There’s no major issue with our games tested so far, but some might find it annoying because holding down this key combination will trigger the backlit On / Off.
While its pretty kickass in terms of aesthetics, the i-Rocks K50E however, isn’t going to be the alternative for customizable keycaps like both the i-Rocks K10 and IK6 – but that won’t be an issue if you’re planning to customize its keycaps with any fancy 3rd party keycaps.
Usability wise, it works great as both office and entertainment use. Typing experience is excellent and we have no issue nor complaint on that. While i-Rocks promised a total of 24 key rollover in the common gaming used key area, it will only work that way if you’re connecting it to your system via the P/S2 connector, else it’ll be limited to only 13 key rollover in the common gaming used key area. Still, the 13 key rollover is more than enough for some of the most commonly played games genre (FPS, RTS, Rhythm games).
Price wise, RM 229.00 is a pretty steep price compared to both K10 and IK6 that offers freedom of customization for keycaps, and not to mention that there are mechanical keyboard with a very close price point to it but without the fancy backlit feature. We’re not really over the moon with it but if the price point can be lowered, the i-Rocks K50E is still a gaming keyboard that is worthy to be considered by taking account of the overall features offered.
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Scissors structure keeps the keycaps stable and wobble less compared to normal membrane keyboard and even mechanical switches
- Gaming optimized key matrix
- Very responsive
- Windows key lock function to prevent unintentional actuation during gaming session
Cons
- A little costly
- Odd choice of legends / font
- Gaming optimized key matrix is limited to 13 key when under USB connection
- Minor ghosting effect that triggers the ‘PrintScreen’ key
