Gamdias Hermes RGB Mechanical Keyboard Review

Written by Chad

December 18, 2016

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Can Gamdias provide one of the best mechanical keyboards for gamers?

Gamers and PC enthusiasts are always after the mechanical keyboards, and who could not resist having to get their own mechanical keyboards. The tactile clicks give that sense of satisfaction to users that ensures that all of their inputs are definitely registered, and newer and more expensive mechanical keyboards offer lighting effect gimmicks that lets you customize it with different set of colors.

Gamdias finally introduces their line of gaming peripherals in the country to provide gamers new options in getting some of the best keyboards and mice. With one of their latest mechanical keyboards; the Hermes RGB. Will the Hermes RGB can be a must haves for any hardcore gamers?

Before we begin, here are the specifications of the Gamdias Hermes RGB

  • Key Switch: Kailh
  • Key Switch Type: Blue
  • Dimensions: 440 x 170 x 37 mm
  • Weight: 1.16KG
  • Built-in Memory: 72KB
  • Polling Rate: 1000Hz
  • Programmable keys: 2
  • Multimedia Keys: 6
  • Switch Lifecycle: 50 Million
  • Backlit: 16.8 million colors and 4 levels brightness
  • N-Key Rollover: N-Key rollover
  • Cable Length: 8m (Braided Cable with Gold-plated USB Connector)
  • Interface: USB

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At the first glance at the Hermes RGB keyboard is that it has a plastic body, as compared to some of the more expensive keyboards with an aluminum body. Though this is not much of an issue however the plastic build feels rather cheap which can be an issue in terms of durability. The overall design is very simple; no fancy designs on the body or any other gimmicks not including its RGB lighting function.

It also has the standard stand that can be pulled out from the back of the keyboard, but the plastic is stiff that it may take some force to pull it out. Six rubber feet can also be found on the back portion, ensuring a slip-free experience in any surface. Good thing the cable is braided for that added protected from scratches and there is an adjustable channel at the back where you can let your cable to be placed on the left or right portion, not much of an essential but helpful for some users with a PC placed on their left side.

Weighing at 1.16 KG, the keyboard is a bit heavy but not much of a concern as this is the average weight for most mechanical keyboards. It features a full 110-key setup, it has the alternate media keys located on the upper portion which can be used when holding down the Fn key. Despite promoting that the Hermes also feature macro function, it only has two keys available for macro commands (located at the B and spacebar keys), fewer than from some of the known gaming keyboards available.

The Hermes RGB uses a Kailh switch, an almost identical to the popular Cherry MX switches. It only features the blue switch variant; one of the noisier variants for the Cherry switches. Comparing with the Kailh switch, the input registration is almost identical to the Cherry, but a bit quieter. The keycaps are just like your usual keycaps using the standard plastics used by most keyboards, it is also compatible to any Cherry switch keyboards, meaning you can swap the existing the keycaps with other Cherry switch keycaps. Replacing the keycaps will require the use of a keycap puller which is available in the package, though you may need to exert some more force in pulling out the caps.

ghosting-test

As for ghosting issues, we tested the keyboard with a software to test out how many keys it can handle. Thanks to its N-key Rollover feature, it enables the Hermes to handle more inputs simultaneously as shown on the image below.

The main highlight for the Hermes mechanical keyboard is its RGB lighting effects. The entire keys have illuminating effects that are also fully customizable. There are several lighting gimmicks that you can use with the help of a special app for Gamdias peripherals called Hera, using the app is not a requirement to run the keyboard unlike some popular brands, but it lets you do other functions to optimize the keyboard.

hera-app

The Hera app allows you to use the macro keys and edit it to your liking, and not to mention you can swap the windows and Fn keys (the Fn key is originally mapped at the left side) and even putting the WASD keys at the directional keys on the right portion. The luminance option allows you to set up different kinds of lighting gimmicks aside from choosing from millions of different colors for your backlight, we tried customizing the lights where it illuminates certain keys that are being used for commands in certain games and sorted them with different colors according to their type of functions. And the best part with the Herma app is that it has a user-friendly interface and can recognize any plugged Gamdias device when launched.

Overall the Gamdias Hermes RGB mechanical keyboard may not have the most stylish designed keyboard, it still a great keyboard for those who may want to have a mechanical keyboard with RGB lighting. The Kailh switches are comfortable and almost identical with the Cherry switches, but a bit lighter when pressed which can be recommended for first time mechanical keyboard users. Though the quality of the plastic may feel cheap for some users, but at its current price range of around PhP 5,500, you are getting a solid gaming keyboard with RGB lighting that you may only see in more expensive keyboards.

 

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