QPAD MK-85 Pro Gaming Keyboard Review

World renowned eSports and gaming gear company QPAD has made quite a name for themselves over the years, as provider of innovative top of the line gaming gear, targeted at pro gamers and demanding enthusiasts. With the release of the MK-50 and MK-85 Mechanical Gaming Keyboards, QPAD now offers both unique and affordable technology.

Those of you who know me well know that apart from the PS3 Xbox and Wii I am predominantly an avid PC FPS gamer, I have destroyed many a keyboard in my lifetime as a PC gamer, I have tried most major brands but with all of them so far I have I have found are that the keys don’t seem to react when you press W and D plus SPACE together to run strafe and jump. Or keys just simply stop working due to wear and tear. In this review I will be putting the QPAD MK-85 Pro Gaming Keyboard through its paces and seeing how it fairs to the other keyboards that have graced my harsh gaming fingertips.

QPAD MK-85 key Features:

• Key switch: Cherry MX mechanical switch technology
• N Key Roll over:Full N-Key roll over via USB
• Key strokes:50 Million
• Lighting: Individual LED backlight on every key for enhanced visuals
• Lighting features:Four levels of brigthness allow you to locate keys easily
• Connectors: Gold plated USB connectors for extremly low latency
• Media keys:Media keys for volume control, play, pause and skip tracks
• USB Hub: Two high speed USB 2.0 ports
• Audio ports:3.5mm headphone-out and microphone-in jacks
• Cable: 1.8 meter braided cable
• Extras: 4 extra orange key caps and key cap puller
• Dimensions:Keyboard: 44,8 x 14,9 x 3,5 cm (17,6 x 5,8 x 1,37 inch)
• Wrist pad: 44,8 x 6,6 x 1,7 cm (17,6 x 2,48 x 0,66 inch)
• Weight:1.27 Kg (2.8 LBS)
• Warranty: 2 year
• Software: Customizable profiles, programmable keys and macro recording

I will be testing the keyboard on the following rig:

Machine name: GAMINGPC
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
Motherboard: ASUS
BIOS Date: 11/22/10 21:59:47 Ver: 08.00.15
Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) II X6 1100T Processor (6 CPUs), ~3.3GHz
Memory: 8192MB Corsair XMS3 RAM
Graphics: ZOTAC Geforce GTX 560ti AMP!
DirectX Version: DirectX 11

Ok on with the un-boxing, first thing I notice is that its very well packed with quality cardboard packaging and quality foam inserts, within you have the keyboard itself plus hand rest and also some replacement “orange” keys with an key extractor tool. Within you have the QPAD MK-85 software CD which is complies with Windows XP / Vista and Windows 7 operating systems and as quick set-up guide.

The keyboard itself has a USB hub built in for USB 2.0 devices and also a headphone and microphone 5mm jack sockets which enable you to extend your microphone or headphones to save trailing cables around your feet. The connectors are all gold plated. The cable that comes out of the back of the keyboard is a well made braided cable that just oozes quality.

Along the top of the keyboard you will see the 5 programmable profile keys which can be switched by holding down the Fn or function key then pressing the required PF key. Rather than having dedicated macro keys the MK-85 can control all keys by software.

Within the software you are able to set-up different profiles for each one to run with different tasks, all you need to do is click the key you would like to change within the profile and then you can assign a use for the key such as record a macro, launch a program or simply disable it if you keep catching a certain key whilst gaming or carrying out a certain task.

Alongside the profile keys is a G/PC key which enables you to switch between Gaming and PC profiles, the far right LED marked G is lit when you are in gaming modes. Another nice to have feature of the keyboard is the media keys which are standard these days on most keyboards. The keys are available even during game by pressing the (Fn) key and whichever key you need for the task in hand.

The backlit function of the keyboard has 5 different settings and you can access them by just pressing the function key (Fn) and on the num pad either 8 or 2, you can set the keyboard to “pulsate” where the backlit keys will gradually get brighter then darken on a nice slow pulse or you can have it set to off or 4 other brightness settings to suit your way of computing. I personally have it set on medium brightness as I like to game within darkness so I only have the light from the monitor normally and backlit keys are a must to see what’s going on.

Ok moving on, after plugging in and setting up the software I set about first typing a few words, this took a little getting used to as you don’t have to press the keys all the way down for it to register, if your anything like me and a sloppy typist you tend to catch another key it will register. On the upside to this it does make you be more precise when you type.

Now down to the science of the keyboard itself and the reason why its such a great keyboard for any gamer who wants a keyboard that will last and also give them the edge whilst in a battle.

The QPAD MK-85 is the world’s first mechanical keyboard offering full N-key roll over via USB. Since the PS/2 connector is being phased out and several manufacturers of computers and motherboards do not offer this option, many gamers are left with no way of utilizing the benefit of the full roll over feature, because their gaming rig does not support that type of connection. With the MK-85, this will not be a problem. No more need for dual cables or a PS/2 to USB adapter. The ground breaking technology of the MK-85 allows all the functionality of the board, such as USB hub, the red back light and the full N-key roll over, through the use of just one single USB cable.

Cherry MX Red mechanical switches

QPAD has decided to use the Cherry MX Red switches for both the MK-85 and the MK-50. The Cherry MX Red switch is basically a lighter version of the MX Black switch. It operates with an actuation point of 2mm and requires a pressure of 45g for the key to register a stroke. Furthermore, the actuation point and release point of the switch are identical, which will facilitate precision and control in games that require multi tapping.

Unlike the Cherry MX Blue switches of the MK-80, the Cherry MX Red switches are not tactile and do not offer any audible feedback. Some gamers prefer audible and tactile feedback, and some prefer none. The important thing here is that QPAD now offers a keyboard for both groups. The red back light of the MK-85 is produced through individual LED:s for every key. 

The average keyboard operates with rubber domes under the keys. It’s a cheap but not very precise, comfortable nor durable solution. It forces you to press each key all the way down in order for the circuit in the keyboard to close, and the stroke register. These boards normally have a short life span and wear out quickly, resulting in unresponsiveness, delays and a dull, clunky feel to the keys. Typically, for gamers, the WASD – block and space-bar will wear out long before the expected life span of a keyboard has ended. For most gamers, as well as professional typists, it’s all about the feel, and that is where the QPAD MK- series with mechanical switches truly shine!

Cherry MX – switches: Red, Blue, Brown & Black

The QPAD MK- series mechanical keyboards offer a selection of true mechanical switches with unmatched accuracy and feel. No more pressing cheap plastic bits with full-force in order to activate the keys. The QPAD keyboards will respond to your every move in an instant. Each key is built to last 50 million strokes, and the Cherry MX-switches of the QPAD MK-series offer a variety of features, from the distinct tactile and audible feedback of the Cherry MX Blue switch of the MK-80, to the silky smooth, linear functionality of the Cherry MX Red offered in the two new boards, the MK-50 and the MK-85.

QPAD has decided to use the Cherry MX Red switches for both the MK-85 and the MK-50. The Cherry MX Red switch is basically a lighter version of the MX Black. It operates with an actuation point of 2mm and requires a pressure of 45g for the key to register a stroke. Furthermore, the actuation point and release point of the switch are identical, which might facilitate precision and control in games that require multi tapping. Unlike the Cherry MX Blue switches of the MK-80, the Cherry MX Red switches are not tactile and do not offer any audible feedback. Some gamers prefer audible and tactile feedback, and some don’t. QPAD now offers a keyboard for all groups and tastes.

The QPAD MK-85 also boasts full N-Key rollover with anti ghosting technology which I will explain below and how its helped me improve my FPS gaming capabilities.

What is Anti-Ghosting? I hear you say well imagine you’re playing an FPS, dashing forward, strafing, dodging bullets. You spot the enemy, but he’s so close you decide to use a melee attack. As you press down the key, you smile, because you know you’re gonna own him. And nothing happens, no knife, no dog-tag, nothing. The enemy quickly turns on you, finishing you of with a quick burst. Ownage for sure, but not the way planned. In this scenario, you might not be the victim of a better player, but a victim of ghosting!

Ghosting is when your computer fails to correctly register strokes on the keyboard when certain combinations of keys are pressed simultaneously. A gamer may experience this as keys registering extremely slow, or failing completely, or even, one key being registered as a completely different one! To understand the problem of ghosting, one needs to know a little about how most keyboards are designed, since ghosting is purely a logical problem in the line/column matrix switching system used by most keyboard manufacturers.

The solution: Full n-key rollover (NKRO)

Full n-key rollover, or NKRO, means that every key on the board is scanned completely independently, and that the keyboard is capable of communicating all of the keys simultaneously to the computer. This is the only way of truly eliminating ghosting, loss of input, or erroneous input from your keyboard. It ensures that each key press is correctly detected regardless of how many other keys are being pressed at the same time. The QPAD MK-50, MK-80 and the MK-85 all support full n-key rollover.

Beware of fakes: Multi key rollover and Anti Ghosting.

Quite a few manufacturers that want to reduce cost and complexity of their boards, but still brag about anti ghosting features, do not implement true anti ghosting, but a fake, or limited version of it. This is done simply by calculating the most common combinations of simultaneous key presses (usually the WASD-block) and apply individual scanning on these keys only. Naturally, the WASD-keys will indeed support anti ghosting, but whenever other keys are involved, ghosting may very well appear. Many gamers prefer using the ESDF-block instead of WASD, and in such a case, a keyboard that boasts “Anti Ghosting” or “Multi Key Rollover” may still prove worthless in regards of the anti ghosting feature.

Multi key rollover, often abbreviated 3KRO or 6KRO, is a devalued version of the full feature. As the abbreviations imply, 3KRO allows 3 simultaneous key strokes, and accordingly, 6KRO supports 6 strokes. In the past, only boards communicating through the PS/2 port were able to sport full n-key rollover, and the boards connected via USB only, supported 3KRO or 6KRO. This changed with the release of the QPAD MK-85, being the world’s first mechanical keyboard offering full n-key rollover with the use of a USB-connector only!

Microsoft offers an online application where users can test the anti ghosting capabilities of their keyboards. Check out your keyboard on http://www.microsoft.com/appliedsciences/content/projects/KeyboardGhostingDemo.aspx

Using the above web based keyboard ghosting demo I found the MK-85 to register every single and multiple key press combination that I threw at it further impressing me with its abilities.

Full n-key roll-over through USB!

The QPAD MK-85 is the world’s first mechanical keyboard offering full n-key roll-over via USB. Since the PS/2 connector is being phased out and several manufacturers of computers and motherboards do not offer this option, many gamers are left with no way of utilizing the benefit of the full n-key roll-over feature, because their gaming rig does not support that type of connection. With the MK-85, this will not be a problem. No more need for dual cables or a PS/2 to usb adapter. The ground breaking technology of the MK-85 allows all the functionality of the board, such as USB hub, the red back light and the full n-key roll over, through the use of just one single USB cable.

Below you find a selection of online articles offering more information on Anti Ghosting and full n-key roll-over

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mechanical-switch-keyboard,2955-6.html
http://www.microsoft.com/appliedsciences/content/projects/AntiGhostingExplained.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollover_(key)

My main game of the moment is EA’s Monster game Battlefield 3, up to this point I have been doing OK, so I thought would see how it fairs against my Microsoft Sidewinder X6 which I normally use. As soon as I headed into the game and hit my first battle the differences were obvious, I instantly noticed the differences when coming face to face with one of my gaming buddies who has a better rig than me and normally owns me.

I found when in close combat the keystrokes were much more responsive and found myself actually starting to run rings round him, could my previous games of being owned just be down to the keyboard? I carried on playing and for the past 2 full weeks of playing can confirm that the difference is down to the keyboard and quality of key-presses.

Ok further into the game, lets look at flying; I am the first to admit I am not a flyer I suck big time as tend to crash more than fly, firstly I tried jets normally I will take off and fly around for a short time and not have much control on where I go and am always owned in the air by some other gamer within the server, I got the bird in the air using the normal thrust and boost keystrokes normally used.

Getting into the air seemed as normal but the big difference seemed to be when I pulled back on the mouse plus accelerated and strafed on the keyboard, normally when I did this using my other keyboards I ended up sluggishly turning or end up facing upwards within the cockpit staring at sky but this was different It was more responsive and my ability to manoeuvre was so much better than before I can hold my own in jets now although I have still not managed to win a dog fight with one yet.

Ok next on the agenda is copters, first test used the MI-28 HAVOC I like this attack copter as it is quite difficult to handle and you need to be responsive when you are flying around in an all out air battle on Battlefield 3′s Caspian Border map, just getting into the manoeuvrability of the HAVOC made a huge difference with the keyboard, I feel more confident within the game to try that extra tight turn or to get through the trees as I know the vehicle will respond to what I want it to do with this keyboard attached to my fingers, I have had quite a few dog fights now with the helis within the game and I can say my win loss ratio is way above what it used to be, I actually enjoy flying now but predominantly I prefer to be infantry.

My game has picked up so much in the past couple of weeks with the QPAD MK-85 that I often get accused of hacking as when your in that last split second where someone is shooting you at close range and you turn and “STAB” they are down, it takes milliseconds to make a huge difference to any gamers advantage during battle and now the QPAD MK-85 has proven to me its a world class keyboard in giving me that advantage. You certainly get the responsive key presses you need when in the battlefield. The only downside to the keyboard is the £150 price tag but if you think that the keyboard will last you 10 times longer than any other keyboard then its well worth the extra few quid not only to give you the edge within gaming but to give you the longevity and quality you need as a demanding gamer.

I have in the past used several well known well reputed manufacturers sub £150 gaming keyboards and all of them have not lived up to the gaming experience I have found with the QPAD MK-85, I am now a convert and will be using the MK-85 for all my gaming / office needs its simply a stunning keyboard and is one of the best keyboards ever made and thus after my testing it gets the Manicgamer.net GOLD award for PC Hardware.