The first thing I noticed this keyboard is extremely light. It's so light I worry when I open the window, the wind will blow it off the desk. This is an extremely cheaply built keyboard. Everything about this keyboard is cheap, except for two things: It has mechanical switches and NKRO. The construction is light and cheap. The key caps are laser printed, and you can actually feel the lettering on the key caps, which is annoying, and the print won't last long I think. Some keys have misaligned print, like the two Windows keys in the photo above, they are different. Fixed cable, no usb ports, all very basic. For this price, I expect some special features. I don't mind a "boring" keyboard though, and the lines of the iconic Cherry case I find quite pleasing, although it's not as iconic as the Model M. At least they managed to not fuck that up with wild additions or colors. Except they cheapened it to feather weight, and to a snap-together design - the screw holes are not used. FYI, the F and J keys are cupped.
So it looks like a cheap $20 keyboard you buy if you don't want to spend more on a Logitech with all the extra button crap. The only reason for its very high price is not the NKRO, but the rare (at this point in time) red switches. Other than that, at this price point the keyboard is no value for money. Maybe the price point will be better in the future.
About the red switches, I won't rate them because some will like them, some will hate them. For me, I found them interesting and they have some appeal, but they are a bit too light. Although they are rated like Cherry browns in terms of required force to activate the switch, the lack of tactile bumb make them feel even lighter to me, and it almost feels like I am typing directly on the plastic plate. Now, while there will be fans of this switch, I also feel that it has been given a status and demand it does not deserve, and it only got that because of its lack of availability, combined with the bright red color. It's just another Cherry switch which performs if you like your switches very light and linear. But it is not special.
If you like the Cherry red switches (which you probably don't know before you buy this board) and the basic design and full board, then this board will perform if you are willing to pay the inflated price and don't mind the cheap construction. Other than that, your best bet is to save your money if you see one at this price range, because it isn't value for money and the reds are not the holy grail.
Pros:
Cherry MX Red mechanical switches
NKRO
Cons:
Cheap construction
Cheap keycaps with cheap legends
No detachable cable, usb ports or anything that justifies the price point other than the red Cherries & NKRO.
Bad value for money
Overall:
5 / 10
Only interesting for collectors or people who really need a red Cherry board. Even if the price would not have been inflated by these switches, Cherry needs to do better than these dirt cheap boards.
