This is the first time that a brand has given me the chance to test a keyboard, and what's more, a keyboard designed for gamers: the RUSH Pro Keyboard equipped with Cherry MX Red Switches. Fnatic is in fact a brand founded in 2004 organized around esports. Its stated vocation is to promote the e-sport both through its teams of professional players, its commitments and its brand of equipment specially dedicated to players of all kinds.
Unpacking
In terms of unpacking, there is not much to say. The keyboard is well protected in its box and will absorb all the shocks of transport without any worries.
As for the contents of the box, no frills or accessories that risk lying around ad vitam on your desk, you will find the keyboard, the wrist rest, two small plastic pieces to fix the wrist rest and a getting started guide.
Mounting the wrist rest on the keyboard is very simple to do, you just need to first clip the 2 fasteners to the keyboard and then attach the wrist rest.
quality
As for quality, this keyboard exudes solidity and well-made finish.
The keyboard and wrist rest are covered in a matte black material which, in addition to being soft and very pleasant to the touch, gives a very successful appearance.
As is often the case, 2 small feet can be raised to raise your keyboard, which will allow you to choose between 2 inclinations. However, we regret that the brand did not offer several adjustable heights... but that's really nitpicking.
Now let's come to the keyboard keys! What makes this keyboard so charming is that it is a mechanical keyboard!
Most keyboards have a silicone membrane that separates the keys from the electrical circuit. Each key therefore has only two positions: pressed or released.
On a mechanical keyboard, there is no membrane. Instead, each key is controlled by a mechanical switch that slides up and down. Each key is thus its own autonomous system with a metal actuator and a spring that contracts when pressed and returns the key to its initial state when released. The keyboard registers a press when the key is halfway down, not when it is at the end of its travel as on a membrane keyboard.
The advantage of this type of keyboard, beyond a longer lifespan, lies in the typing speed greatly increased, because there is no need to press the keys all the way down!
The RUSH Pro is equipped with Cherry MX Red switches, the benchmark in the field of mechanical keyboards. The color (here red) corresponds to the type of switch. The red ones are linear switches with very little resistance (for comparison, the blue ones are tactile and offer a slight resistance before being able to press). Linear switches are particularly suitable for gaming, but can more easily cause typos if you have office use.
In short, in terms of keys, we really have the best of the best for gamers. Be careful though, this type of key is by definition relatively noisy and requires a readaptation of your way of typing on the keyboard so as not to press all the way down to limit the noise.
As for the cable connecting the keyboard to the computer, Fnatic has once again focused on quality and strength with a nylon-sheathed cable that is really sturdy! And that is very appreciable.
Finally, the keys of this keyboard are backlit in red which gives them a very designer look. The lighting intensity is adjustable according to 4 levels and is accompanied by a mode that gradually changes from off to on.
Big downside, the 5/( key on the keyboard does not work on the model that Fnatic lent me... too bad, but we can imagine that if I had purchased this keyboard, customer service would have made a replacement.
Features
With its "Fnatic" mode, this keyboard will allow you to deactivate the Windows key (to avoid unwanted start menu openings) and above all to activate macros that you will be able to personalize!
Regarding macros, you will first need to download Fnatic's dedicated software. Once installed, you will be able to configure 10 macros on 5 profiles (i.e. 50 macros in total). Creating macros and assigning them to keys is very simple using a macro recorder.
The keyboard is equipped from NKRO mode allowing you to press an unlimited number of keys at the same time… which can be useful for some players and some games.
At the level of the F1 to F6 keys, there are 6 media control buttons: mute, volume +/-, Play/Pause, fast forward/rewind.
Characteristics
- Dimensions: 448mm x 148mm x 33mm
- Weight: 1 grams
- Cable length: 1,80 / 2 m
- LED backlight
- 2 USB ports
- Detachable wrist rest
Conclusion
With a very reasonable price of €79.99, Fnatic has managed to release a very good product with this RUSH Pro mechanical keyboard. Heavy gamers should really appreciate its feel and its Cherry MX Red switches are a good introduction for mechanical keyboard novices. Its 5-profile macro recorder, red LED lighting and decidedly “gamer” look should convince all gamers!
https://www.howtogeek.com/310370/all-those-confusing-mechanical-keyboard-terms-explained/
Article updated on January 5, 2025 by Byothe
