MelGeek Centauri80 Hall Effect Gaming Keyboard Review: It’s (Inter)Stellar

After many years of working solely on consoles within the gaming trade, I nonetheless be taught new names within the PC {hardware} trade occasionally as I proceed my remaining full transition to being a PC gamer. China-based MelGeek wasn’t on my radar just a few weeks in the past, however after being approached to take a look at their flagship keyboard, the Centauri80, I can safely say they’ve undoubtedly caught my consideration now.

The Centauri80 is an attention grabbing board at first look. However after all, emphasizing fashion over substance solely will get you up to now on the planet of PC gaming, and for anybody severe about their craft, that is no secret.

So how does the MelGeek Centauri80, with its clear emphasis on premium worth and elegance, actually measure up when it comes to having an opportunity to change into your new endlessly keyboard?Spoiler alert, after just a few weeks of hands-on expertise with this board, I’ve already made the swap and dedicated to this unit, and up to now I could not be happier.

Nice out of the field, however may be tweaked to your liking

Once I acquired the MelGeek Centauri80, I used to be instantly impressed and drawn into the premium really feel of all the expertise. The field was fastidiously packed and there have been no points with transport. The keyboard field itself felt premium, fashionable, and really safe on the similar time.

The house/sci-fi branding on this board is apparent from the field, and once I opened the field I discovered it had some ‘further’ kind touches that made me understand it was a premium product. From there, a key puller, start-up handbook, some replaceable keys, a USB-C connection cable, some cute stickers, and just a little further of a microfiber bag/cowl in the event you needed it had been commonplace.

There are not any wi-fi/Bluetooth connectivity choices on the Centauri80, so USB-C is the one sensible choice. I am not into wi-fi keyboards in any respect, however if you’re, please watch out. From right here, it is so simple as plugging within the board, working straight away, and permitting you to totally customise and tinker with the settings.

Urgent the massive crimson button on Centauri80 will take you to the net web page model of MelGeek Hive. This app is used to fine-tune the board to your liking. You can too obtain the desktop model of the app right here. I downloaded this as a result of I need to have a shortcut on my house display. In comparison with different apps I’ve used, MelGeek Hive app is unbelievable It supplies all of the depth you want whereas being user-friendly from a UX/UI perspective. Severely, that is my favourite keyboard settings/customization app I’ve ever used.

For those who’ve used different gameboards with apps, like remapping keys and capabilities, tweaking actuation factors, adjusting colours and lighting results, and setting totally different profiles, there’s nothing a lot totally different than what you’ve got seen earlier than. Nonetheless, there are some good variations right here. If you need, you possibly can arrange your board similar to esports execs do, modify the management wheels and crimson buttons in your board, and even customise it as deeply as you modify how the app itself seems to be.

Right here you may as well modify the performance of your Centauri80’s touchscreen. It is a huge matter. I’ve one other board with a display, however it’s not touch-enabled. We really feel the touchscreen is definitely a pleasant addition right here. The touchscreen not solely enables you to tweak on-board settings on the fly, however it will also be configured to behave as 4 further buttons on the keyboard. That is extremely cool and simple to arrange.

The very last thing I need to spotlight on this part is that the app prompted me to obtain and set up a firmware replace. It was fully seamless, and I even acquired a pop-up that defined precisely what the replace was going to deal with, and it was defined in a language that mainly each PC person understands. Once more, it is these “further” particulars that go a good distance within the realm of premium keyboards.

Out-of-this-world kind issue

Earlier than we delve into the board’s nitty-gritty particulars and efficiency, let’s discuss its kind issue. The MelGeek Centauri80 is the good keyboard I’ve ever seen within the flesh. In fact, magnificence is subjective, however in the event you’re a sci-fi/house fanatic like me, you will adore the look of the Centauri80. It seems to be like one thing straight out of Star Trek, and there is even a “USS-Centauri” plate screwed into the again of the board. The right way to win over 101 years previous.

From the house grey design to the aluminum alloy case shell, toggle switches/buttons, and small messages on sure keys like “Enter House” and “Return to House,” MelGeek appears to know its audience right here. It is the identical sci-fi geeks who desire a succesful, premium keyboard so as to add to their setup that is within the laborious 10s on the coolness scale.

I can also’t say sufficient about how effectively made this board is. That is primarily because of the aforementioned aluminum case. I’ve a premium board from one other firm, and whereas it is nice in its personal proper, it immediately feels just a little low cost in comparison with the durability and weight (and reassurance in a great way) of the Centauri80.

The keys themselves are translucent, so the sunshine present that you could modify (and totally customise) on the board is spectacular. As you may anticipate, there are a selection of normal gentle patterns to select from, however in the event you mess around with the MelGeek Hive settings sufficient, you may as well sync the flashing colours to music, in-game motion, and extra. That is very good.

The touchscreen may be positioned with any picture of your selection, and there is additionally a light-weight bar that wraps across the sides and again of the board, and just like the keys, it is totally customizable with a wide range of colours and motion patterns.

The backlight setting I selected is just referred to as “Random,” and it is precisely what it feels like. Slightly than consistently displaying a set sample or chosen coloration, the keys simply flash individually and rotate between the colours of the rainbow, which is completely superior.

Geared toward avid gamers, but additionally nice for on a regular basis use

Shifting on to efficiency, there are minimal complaints to say. After testing it with a wide range of mouse and keyboard titles, we discovered the Centauri80 to be enjoyable to play. To be trustworthy, I am not an expert eSports PC gamer, so I am not going to inform you how the keystrokes really feel all the way down to the nanometer degree. However what I can say is that in comparison with something The Centauri80 has the very best keyboard available on the market that I’ve ever used.

For my part, there are two caveats you ought to be conscious of. The keys themselves are a transparent laborious plastic design and are a bit “slippery” in comparison with different boards I’ve made as mains, so I would select so as to add a little bit of texture to the highest of the keys to extend the safety of grip and finger placement. The opposite is vital measurement. The Centauri80’s keys really feel full-sized, like an everyday keyboard, versus the marginally diminished key sizes I’ve used on different gaming keyboards.

Each are prone to come all the way down to a matter of desire. I personally like the texture of the keys and am somebody who prefers a barely bigger/commonplace key measurement. I quickly moved it from my earlier keyboard to the Centauri80, however it rapidly went again to my bag. The keys listed below are simply as responsive as every other premium board, and naturally you possibly can modify every one individually with the MelGeek Hive app we talked about earlier.

On all fronts, the Centauri80 feels acquainted, but thrilling and responsive, until you are okay with the dimensions and structure on a private desire degree. It is actually enjoyable to make use of and has made my gaming periods extra gratifying. It is a magnetic Corridor impact board, however oddly sufficient it appears like one thing amalgamated with the traditional keyboards I’ve had since I used to be little. many Extra premium, correct {and professional}. I actually benefit from the environment.

This will not be related to all potential consumers, however one in every of my private favourite issues about this board is that along with being a terrific gaming board, it additionally works extremely effectively as an “on a regular basis keyboard.” What I imply by that is that in the event you’re somebody who makes use of a PC for issues like sending emails and writing, the texture of many different gaming keyboards is just a little… unhealthy In these use instances. The scale of the keys makes it tough to kind, and it feels unusual when typing as an alternative of enjoying video games.

MelGeek Centauri80 would not have that downside. As an expert author and editor, in addition to a hardcore gamer, this marriage of an insanely cool and correct gaming keyboard with a keyboard that I truly get pleasure from utilizing for different functions feels each uncommon and particular. I’ve had a good time with my previous keyboard, however I plan on utilizing the MelGeek Centauri80 any longer.

Not so within the sound division very Though there’s some “clunking” noise like different boards, the sound remains to be very crisp and satisfying, making each keystroke really feel good.

specification

Whereas studying this assessment, I merely begging For extra technical data in the meanwhile, moderately than my private “really feel” or impressions, let’s minimize to the chase.

• OLED contact display

• magnetic key

• Multi-MCU distributed structure

• aluminum alloy case

• Working power: 35±10gf

• Whole working journey: 0.1mm to three.4mm

• Swap life: 100 million clicks

• USB polling fee: 8000Hz

• Scan velocity: 8000Hz

• Latency: 0.125ms

• Adjustable precision: 0.01mm

• RT (Fast Set off) adjustment vary: 0.01~2.5mm

• N-key rollover (NKRO): Sure

• Snap faucet operate: Sure (for high-speed stopping)

• Adjustable deadzone: Sure (helps 0 deadzone)

• Tremendous key: sure

• Adaptive Corridor correction algorithm: Sure (for consistency and stability)

• Scorching swap socket: sure

• Weight: 1840g

And at last, the worth:

Sure, this can be a premium worth, however as you possibly can in all probability inform by now, the MelGeek Centauri80 certainly It is a premium keyboard and I get pleasure from it immensely in each means.

For these trying to save cash, there’s additionally the MelGeek Centauri60 to think about, which additionally removes the OLED touchscreen and shrinks the shape issue even additional. This retails for $299 USD. Personally, I feel it is price spending the additional cash to purchase a touchscreen with all of the bells and whistles, however the selection is yours.

If you wish to take a look at MelGeek Centauri80 for your self, make sure you use the hyperlink beneath. You may straight entry the keyboard touchdown web page.

MelGeek Centauri80 product web page

For these searching for a premium, great-looking keyboard, the MelGeek Centauri80 is unquestionably price contemplating. The modern, sci-fi impressed design and aluminum building are top-notch, the MelGeek Hive app is straightforward to make use of for full customization, the OLED touchscreen is extremely handy, and the board itself presents sturdy efficiency for each hardcore gaming periods and on a regular basis use. In some methods, it might really feel like an adjustment at first in comparison with different boards, and the entry worth is not low cost. However after just a few weeks of hands-on expertise, it is my private favourite gaming keyboard I’ve ever owned, and I am actually excited to maintain utilizing it.

Rating: 9.5/10

Product offered by MelGeek for assessment.