I have been testing a slew of PC peripherals lately– from headsets to mice, to keyboards– and I enjoy seeing the creativity and design features companies have to offer. I’ve officially converted to mechanical/gaming keyboards and would encourage you to do the same if you haven’t already. Some of my own family members have even switched to mechanical for work after my endless ravings. Why? They feel and perform better regardless of whether you game or not. With so many options available, what should you purchase? Roccat makes a great case for your money with the Vulcan 121 Aimo gaming keyboard.
Design
I haven’t seen another keyboard like it. Roccat wins the most beautiful keyboard contest with its gorgeous design. This beauty features an RGB style that you have to see to believe.
The first thing I notice when I turn on my computer is how bright the RGB lighting is. Roccat accomplishes its unique style and brilliant RGB lighting by thinning the black keycaps and placing them on transparent switches. This allows the LED lighting to shine brighter due to less shading from the keycaps themselves. If you are into gaming with style, which I have personally found to be fun, you will not find a prettier piece for your rig (or a better gift for PC enthusiasts).
The keyboard is the perfect size for my space (18.2 x 9.3 x 1.3 inches). I have ditched two other ergonomic keyboards for taking up too much real-estate on my desk. The additional row of macro keys is not featured here allowing for the optimal size (I don’t use them so no bother there). The upper right corner features an oft used volume knob and RGB “FX” button that allows for on-the-fly aesthetic adjustments. Additionally, the keyboard comes with a low-profile plastic wrist-rest which is surprisingly helpful for comfort.
Performance
I tested the keyboard with a variety of game genres from FPS (Apex, COD, Battlefront II), to nostalgic adventuring (Space Quest, Grim Fandango, Day of the Tentacle) to turn-based dungeon crawlers (Baldur’s Gate, Divinity 2) with no performance issues.
Roccat’s Titan Linear switches make controls precise and responsive while offering a satisfying “clickiness” that isn’t too loud. The switches have a 1.4mm actuation point (the distance the key has to travel down to register your keystroke to your PC). This means your keys could respond that much faster than your competition using different or higher actuation point switches. This can come down to your personal gaming preference, but overall I found the responsiveness and actuation to fit my style nicely. I still wish I could get the same performance wire-free. Perhaps someday.
The Swarm software is optional and while a bit clunky allows for key reassignment and beautiful RGB lighting effects. I can also set up different keyboard profiles for individual games. The effects are only enhanced with additional AIMO enabled Roccat devices.
Summary
I raved about the features, customization, and feel of the GMMK keyboard. The Vulcan’s aesthetics blow that keyboard out of the water. With PC gaming becoming increasingly popular and the demand for comfort and speed accelerating, a great keyboard is a must-have for performance. I’ve enjoyed a few different gaming keyboards, but none are as visually stunning as the Roccat Vulcan 121.
The keyboard is literally hard to look away from – like a beautifully lit Christmas tree, it draws and holds the eye, and makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Just don’t look at it for too long or you may find yourself reloading a game you just lost. It may just be worth it though. Happy gaming!