The print screen key looks like it says “Patreon” and the arrow keys' labels are bloated by the keyboard’s RGB settings. And while they feel good enough to type on, the keycaps are using a font that is tough to read on certain keys. The top is ABS plastic and the bottom is some smokey plastic that doesn’t look good at all. The keycaps also aren’t the usual dye-sub, double-shot or something else that looks or feels premium. The wheel also jiggles a lot, making me think one day it might just fall apart. As I stated earlier, the media logo on the wheel doesn’t stay centered, so when you turn the knob, it looks ridiculous. The media cluster on the Vigor GK71 Sonic is overall pretty good the keys have a satisfying click, but the volume wheel has issues. I did a typing test in MonkeyType, and despite this board’s lighter spring weight, I wasn’t able to conjure up a faster score without making a lot of typing errors, thus leaving me with my usual 85 WPM. With that said, given everything else going on here, that doesn’t mean that this board was more enjoyable to type on than a pingy board with otherwise better parts and features.
Vigor review full#
With switches as light as these are, the lack of lubrication is only increasing friction, thus inhibiting the switch's full potential and making me question why MSI even bothered to go with bespoke switches for this board.įortunately, there wasn’t any pinging from the case or the switches, which is surprising given the case's aluminum top plate and the lack of lubrication on the switches. When you’re proposing something new, you want to try to show whatever it is in the best light possible. But MSI's switch seems like it's Kailh's 35g Red switch, but with a cross shape and a lighter spring. When I reviewed Asus' Falchion NX, there was a significant difference between the NX Blues and Cherry MX Blues in terms of smoothness and weight. The lack of smoothness disappoints me– especially because MSI tried to make a new switch. It got to the point where it felt like I was using a cheap no-name “gaming keyboard.”Īlso, these switches are not smooth, nor are they lubricated, and the lightness of the springs makes it more noticeable in a way. The biggest question here is “How does the lighter switch feel?” When it comes to standard use, the switches feel too light for my taste, less satisfying than even a 45g keystroke. Typing Experience on the MSI Vigor GK71 Sonic Review The aluminum plate and ABS plastic bottom is solid enough and looks like it can take a good amount of smashes from rage quits. But thanks to its rubber pads, it isn’t going anywhere you don't want it to on your desk.
The Vigor GK71 Sonic is not only light in the switch department – it's extremely light overall for a full-size keyboard, weighing just under two pounds. Underneath the board, we get the usual flip-up feet and X-shaped cable routing channels. The wrist rest really impressed me, because while I was expecting a slab of plastic with a thin layer of foam wrapped in faux leather, this is premium enough that I may even use it as my main wrist rest. It even has “MSI” printed on it along with the company’s logo. MSI’s wrist rest is composed of memory foam that reminds me of the vaunted HyperX wrist rest. But rather than feeling like an afterthought, this is definitely the best pack-in wrist rest I have reviewed so far. Like a lot of full-sized gaming keyboards that have been released recently, the GK71 comes with a wrist rest. The finish on the top plate looks stellar, especially with “MSI” printed in stylized text above the arrow key cluster. It's worth noting that this board is often reduced and is down to just over $41 on Amazon right now (opens in new tab), that’s a decent deal for a low-profile board.The switch plate MSI opted for here is composed of aircraft-grade aluminum, which surprisingly doesn’t provide any spring ping. The Kailh switches are lovely to type on, although gamers would probably benefit from something smoother.
I found the board to be stable on my desk so frantic gamers need not worry.Īll said and done, the $99 MSI Vigor GK50 is a decent low-profile mechanical keyboard that sticks to the basics and delivers a reasonable, if unexciting, overall package. The board also has some flip stands for greater slope if that’s your thing. The GK50 uses a single USB 2.0 cable that’s non-detachable which kinda sucks if you wanted to use a custom cable.
The top right of the board is a wasted opportunity of empty space that could’ve been used for a volume dial instead of just LED for caps and num lock. The GK50 is just a bit too dull, even with its octagonal keys and brushed metal deck. In terms of looks, the GK50 doesn’t impress too much, with its uninspired utilitarian aesthetic.
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