MelGeek Centauri80 Corridor Impact Gaming Keyboard Evaluate: It is (Inter)Stellar

As somebody who admittedly was console-only within the gaming house for many years, I am nonetheless often studying some new names within the PC {hardware} house as I proceed to make my last, full transition right into a PC gamer. China-based MelGeek wasn’t on my radar just a few weeks in the past, however after getting approached to take a look at their flagship keyboard, the Centauri80, you might be certain they’ve now gotten my consideration.

Even at a look, the Centauri80 is a board that’s going to catch your eye. However in fact, fashion over substance can solely get you to date within the PC gaming house, and for these critical about their craft, that is no secret.

So, with a premium value level and such a transparent emphasis on fashion, how does the MelGeek Centauri80 really stack up by way of having a shot at changing into your new ceaselessly keyboard? Effectively, spoiler alert, however after spending a few weeks hands-on with this board, I’ve already made the change and dedicated to this unit, and I could not be happier to date.

Out of the Field Nice, However Tremendous-Tuned to Your Liking

Upon receiving the MelGeek Centauri80, I used to be instantly impressed and drawn in by the premium feeling of the complete expertise. The field was expertly packed, I had no points with delivery by any means, and the keyboard field itself felt premium, trendy, and extremely safe all on the identical time.

The outer house/sci-fi branding of the board is clear even from the field, and I discovered it had that “additional mile” sort of contact to essentially drive dwelling that you simply’re unboxing a premium product. From there, it was your customary fare: a key puller, a startup handbook, some swappable keys, your USB-C connection cable, some cute stickers, and a pleasant little bonus of a microfiber bag/cowl should you want it.

The Centauri80 would not have wi-fi/Bluetooth connection choices, so USB-C is your solely sensible choice. I do not care in any respect about wi-fi keyboards, however simply bear in mind should you do. From right here, it was so simple as plugging the board in, having it instantly operate, and being on my technique to whole customization/tinkering with settings.

Urgent the large pink button on the Centauri80 takes you to the webpage model of MelGeek Hive, the app used for tweaking your board simply the way you prefer it. Right here, you may as well obtain the desktop model of the app, which I did since I desire having the shortcut on my dwelling display. In comparison with others I’ve used, the MelGeek Hive app is extremely user-friendly from a UX/UI perspective, whereas additionally giving all of the depth you require. Actually, that is my favourite keyboard setup/customization app I’ve ever used.

Nothing right here is loopy completely different from what you have seen earlier than should you’ve had different gaming boards with apps as such: remapping keys and features, tweaking actuation factors, adjusting colours and lighting results, organising completely different profiles, and so forth. There are a pair cool variations on show right here, although. You’ll be able to arrange your board similar to some eSports execs should you please, tweak the management wheel and pink button on the board, even customise as granularly as adjusting how the app itself presents itself.

It is right here the place you may as well modify the options of the Centauri80’s touchscreen, which is an enormous speaking level. I’ve one other board with a display, but it surely’s not touch-enabled. Right here, I really discover the touchscreen a beautiful addition, as not solely can you utilize it to tweak settings in your board on the fly, but it surely may also be set as much as function 4 extra buttons on the keyboard. That is extremely cool, and a breeze to configure.

One final shout-out on this part is that I used to be prompted within the app that I had a firmware replace to obtain and set up. This was completely seamless, and likewise gave me a pop-up explaining precisely what the replace was going to handle, and in language that primarily any PC consumer would have the ability to perceive. Once more, it is these “additional mile” particulars that basically go a good distance within the premium keyboard house.

Out of This World Kind Issue

Earlier than we dive extra into the nitty, gritty particulars and efficiency of the board, let’s discuss its type issue. The MelGeek Centauri80 is the best keyboard I’ve ever seen in actual life. After all, aesthetics are subjective, however should you’re a fellow sci-fi/outer house lover like me, you are going to adore how the Centauri80 seems. It feels straight out of Star Trek, going as far as to actually have a “USS-Centauri” plaque screwed into the again of the board. Methods to Win Me Over 101.

From the house grey design to the aluminum alloy case shell, in addition to the toggle switches/buttons and little messages on sure keys like “ENTER to the universe,” and “Again to the SPACE,” MelGeek appears to know the target market right here, and it is fellow sci-fi nerds that desire a extremely useful, premium keyboard so as to add to their setups that can be a tough 10 on the coolness scale.

I can also’t actually discuss sufficient about how well-constructed this board feels, and that is largely due to the beforehand talked about aluminum case. I’ve different premium boards from different firms which are nice in their very own proper, however now abruptly really feel only a bit cheaper compared to how rock-solid and hefty (in an excellent, reassuring means) the Centauri80 presents itself.

For the reason that keys themselves are semi-transparent, the sunshine present you possibly can orchestrate (and utterly customise) on the board is a spectacle. There are, as you’d anticipate, a excessive variety of customary gentle patterns to pick out from, however you possibly can even synch colour flashing to issues like music or in-game motion with sufficient tinkering within the MelGeek Hive settings, which is fairly insane.

The touchscreen can have the picture of your selection positioned on it, and there may be additionally a lightbar that wraps round each side and the again of the board, which, just like the keys, is absolutely customizable with completely different colours and motion patterns.

My backlight setting of selection is just referred to as “Random,” which does what it seems like. As a substitute of a set sample or chosen colours all the time displayed, my keys simply flash and rotate between a rainbow of colours independently, and it’s completely rad.

Geared for Avid gamers, However Nonetheless Unimaginable for On a regular basis Use Too

Which brings us to efficiency, of which, as soon as once more, I’ve minimal gripes to say. When testing it with a wide range of mouse and keyboard titles, I discovered the Centauri80 a pleasure to play with. I will be sincere, I’m not knowledgeable eSports PC gamer, so I will not attempt to provide the really feel of the keystrokes all the way down to the nanometer. However I can let you know that in comparison with something I’ve ever used earlier than, the Centauri80 is correct up there with the most effective keyboards in the marketplace.

The caveats it’s essential to know are twofold, for my part. The keys themselves, with their clear, onerous plastic design, are a bit bit extra “slippery” in comparison with different boards I’ve mained, which could go for a little bit of texture on high of the keys so as to add in grip and finger placement safety. The opposite factor is vital dimension, because the Centauri80’s keys really feel extra full-sized like an everyday keyboard, versus some barely scaled-down key sizes I’ve used on different gaming keyboards.

Each of those can very nicely simply come all the way down to desire. I like the texture of the keys myself, and I am additionally somebody that enjoys barely bigger/extra customary feeling key sizes. It was an adjustment quickly transferring from my earlier keyboard to the Centauri80, however I used to be again in my bag shortly. The keys listed here are as responsive as my different premium boards, and naturally, you possibly can modify every one individually within the MelGeek Hive app that we talked about earlier than.

On all fronts, so long as you are okay with the scale and structure on a private desire degree, the Centauri80 merely feels acquainted, but thrilling and responsive. It is made me look extra ahead to my gaming periods, as a result of I actually do take pleasure in utilizing it that a lot. It is a magnetic, Corridor Impact board, however in a bizarre means, it seems like a fusion of my basic keyboard rising up, and one thing rather more premium, exact, {and professional}. I actually, actually take pleasure in that vibe.

This would possibly not be related to each potential purchaser on the market, however one in all my private favourite issues about this board is that it additionally features extremely nicely as an “day-after-day keyboard” along with an unimaginable gaming board. What I imply by that is, should you’re somebody who additionally makes use of your PC for issues like sending emails, writing, and so on., you would possibly know by now that plenty of different gaming keyboards really feel sort of… unhealthy in these use instances. The important thing sizes are bizarre to sort on, they really feel unsuitable when typing as a substitute of gaming, and so on.

The MelGeek Centauri80 doesn’t have that drawback, and as knowledgeable author and editor on high of hardcore gamer, this fusion of “insanely cool and exact gaming keyboard” mixed with “keyboard I really take pleasure in utilizing for every thing else” feels each irregular and particular on the identical time. I’ve loved my time with my outdated keyboard, however the MelGeek Centauri80 is what I am rolling with transferring ahead.

Within the sound division, it isn’t fairly as “clickety-clackety” as different boards, however the sound continues to be very crisp, satisfying, and feels good with every keystroke.

The Specs

For these which are studying this evaluate and are merely begging for some extra technical info at this level as a substitute of my private “vibes” and impressions, let’s get into it:

OLED Touchscreen

Magnetic Keys

Multi-MCU Distributed Structure

Aluminum Alloy Case

Actuation Drive:35±10gf

Complete Actuation Journey: 0.1mm–3.4mm

Change Life: 100 Million Clicks

USB Polling Charge: 8000Hz

Scanning Charge: 8000Hz

Latency: 0.125ms

Adjustable Precision: 0.01 mm

RT (Speedy Set off) Adjustment Vary: 0.01–2.5mm

N-Key Rollover (NKRO): Sure

Snap Faucet Perform: Sure (for quick stopping)

Adjustable Lifeless Zone: Sure (0 lifeless zone supported)

Tremendous Key: Sure

Adaptive Corridor Correction Algorithm: Sure (for consistency and stability)

Hotswap Sockets: Sure

Weight: 1840g

And at last, the value:

To make certain, this can be a premium value level, however as you possibly can hopefully inform by now, I believe the MelGeek Centauri80 is actually a premium keyboard, and I’m having fun with it in all regards immensely.

There’s additionally the MelGeek Centauri60 to think about for these wanting to avoid wasting cash, but it surely additionally removes the OLED touchscreen and shrinks the shape issue down a bit additional. This one retails for $299 USD. Personally, I believe the additional cash is well worth the touchscreen for all of its performance, however that selection is as much as you.

If you would like to take a look at the MelGeek Centauri80 for your self, you should definitely use this hyperlink beneath, which is able to take you on to the keyboard’s touchdown web page:

MelGeek Centauri80 Product Web page

For these trying to find a premium, amazing-looking keyboard, the MelGeek Centauri80 is totally value consideration. Its modern sci-fi-inspired design and aluminum development are top-tier, the MelGeek Hive app is a breeze to make use of for full customization, the OLED touchscreen is surprisingly useful, and the board itself performs mightily by way of each hardcore gaming periods and on a regular basis use. In some methods, it would really feel like an adjustment at first in comparison with different boards, and the value level for entry is actually not low cost. However after spending a few weeks hands-on with it and acclimating to it, it is my private favourite gaming keyboard I’ve ever had, and I am really excited to maintain utilizing it.

Rating: 9.5/10

Product supplied by MelGeek for evaluate.