A few months ago we started a story about a new brand in the market of gaming peripherals – Cougar. Since the manufacturer managed to expand the range of from two to five devices (not including mats). This review focuses on the flagship companion mouse Cougar 700M – keyboard Cougar 700K.
Specifications:
- Type: Manual
- Switches: Cherry MX Red / Black / Blue / Brown (on testing was a pattern with Cherry MX Red)
- Processor: ARM Cortex-M0, 32-bit
- Built-in memory: 512 KB
- Polling Rate: 1000 Hz
- Material: aluminum, plastic
- 6 additional programmable keys
- Connectors for headphones and microphone, USB-port
- Interface: USB
- Cable length: 1.8 m
- Dimensions: 230 x 487 x 40 mm
- Weight: 1.2 kg
Options
In the box with the keyboard Cougar we also found the palm rest to the user manual and a few stickers.To stand with magnets attached more textured surface, allowing a few millimeters to lift his left wrist.
DesignCougar 700K attracts the attention of a respectable number of additional controls, distributed in small groups on different sides. The main material of the body is black plastic, the contrast creates a silver aluminum plate.The keyboard is available in four variations, different mechanical switches. We tested was a copy with Cherry MX Red. Together with soft-touch coating it would be a serious obstacle to the use of the keyboard for printing, but the situation is somewhat correct caps with dimples. For such scenarios are better suited Cherry MX Blue, although their use will have to put up with a loud click.The key travel is quite large, and by placing on a flat plate, they look even higher. Such a decision we have already seen in the keyboards Corsair Vengeance . The advantage here is that remove debris keyboard simpler than in the case where the keys are recessed. Without exception, all the keyboard keys are equipped with bright orange light.Keyboard layout, in general, the standard – storey Enter, long press Shift, and Fn keys instead of one of Win. Five silver macro keys are arranged in a column on the left, and the sixth … sixth encroach on the sacred and pried myself exactly half the spaceAs a result of such a course space is available only for the left hand. But in principle, nothing prevents its duplicate button G6.
DesignCougar 700K attracts the attention of a respectable number of additional controls, distributed in small groups on different sides. The main material of the body is black plastic, the contrast creates a silver aluminum plate.The keyboard is available in four variations, different mechanical switches. We tested was a copy with Cherry MX Red. Together with soft-touch coating it would be a serious obstacle to the use of the keyboard for printing, but the situation is somewhat correct caps with dimples. For such scenarios are better suited Cherry MX Blue, although their use will have to put up with a loud click.The key travel is quite large, and by placing on a flat plate, they look even higher. Such a decision we have already seen in the keyboards Corsair Vengeance . The advantage here is that remove debris keyboard simpler than in the case where the keys are recessed. Without exception, all the keyboard keys are equipped with bright orange light.Keyboard layout, in general, the standard – storey Enter, long press Shift, and Fn keys instead of one of Win. Five silver macro keys are arranged in a column on the left, and the sixth … sixth encroach on the sacred and pried myself exactly half the spaceAs a result of such a course space is available only for the left hand. But in principle, nothing prevents its duplicate button G6.
Software
From the manufacturer’s website, you can download two programs – Cougar UIX System for setting keyboard with a PC and the utility for updating the firmware. Trying to take advantage of the latest over the fact that the keyboard is no longer determined by the computer; system does not see the connected device. A month later, another manufacturer sent us a second sample, and with it we have to experiment did not – in the case of failure, review Cougar 700K had to be postponed indefinitely.Proprietary interface offers extensive customization options. Here (or combinations with the Fn), you can adjust the frequency of the survey, as well as the repetition rate is stuck at command. Also there are many presets illumination: in addition to the classic options with varying intensity and fading away for standby mode you can set presets such as “EQ”, “horizontal wave”, “vertical wave.” The second tab allows you to assign macros to all the buttons on the keypad except for the top office. And with the third tab you can turn off the backlight in any of the keys.In each of the three macro mode, you can create individual profiles, which will be executed with the specified applications. In addition, with the help of M-keys to switch modes at the same time on the keyboard and mouse Cougar.
Using
With a move keys and mechanical switches Cougar 700K is well suited for aggressive gamers, mercilessly beating the buttons. But fast printing with the manipulator, as we have said, it’s difficult – do better in the game voice communication with partners.A number of macro keys on the left side may initially disorienting, but it will annoy less than separated by a space. In the second half, by the way, you can assign any closer to the normal jump command – for example, to record a macro for jet jump Soldier in Team Fortress 2.The keyboard supports two modes of processing simultaneous keystrokes that are switched through a combination Fn + Scroll Lock / Pause Break. In a first mode of simultaneously processed to six taps, and the second number is not limited. Microsoft Keyboard Ghosting Demonstration confirmed that everything works as expected.
Implementation of macro keys in a separate row – the solution is much more convenient than through the combination with Fn. Besides, this keyboard G-buttons are only six, so that the entangled difficult.Through the Fn realized only support options that are operable rare.All keyboard settings are stored in its own memory. The backlight has a large stock of brightness, which should be good in all conditions. Often it will have even reduced to avoid reflections in the glossy displays.
Diagnosis
Lovers of mechanical keyboards with large stroke should look at the Cougar 700K. In that case, of course, if you do not confuse the typical drawbacks of this type of manipulators, we have repeatedly described in the reviews of other mechanical counterparts. In general, the flagship keyboard Cougar 700K is consistent with the level set flagship mouse Cougar 700M .Pro:
- Successful placement of additional controls
- The presence of a 3.5mm connector and USB-ports
- Bright lights
- Wrist rest included
- The presence of internal memory
- Implementation as separate Macro buttons
Contra:
- The combination of Cherry MX Red keys and a large stroke is difficult for frequent printing
- A very controversial decision to split the gap
- Problems with iOS keyboard
Tags: Cougar 700KGamingkeyboardReview
