The Corsair Strafe RGB Mechanical Keyboard Review with MX Silent (Red) Switches
by E. Fylladitakis on March 15, 2016 10:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Keyboard
- Corsair
- Cherry MX
- Mechanical Keyboards
Conclusion
I always try to use every keyboard that we review as my personal keyboard for at least a week. My typical weekly usage includes a lot of typing (about 100-150 pages), a few hours of gaming and some casual usage, such as internet browsing and messaging. The new Cherry MX Silent switches were excellent for that, as they felt very smooth and were very comfortable after long typing sessions. The fact that they were less noisy actually increased my level of comfort, especially when I was working late at night or when I wanted to concentrate. The inclusion of the wrist rest, that is missing in the vanilla version of the Strafe, helps significantly during long typing sessions.
For gaming, the Strafe RGB with the MX Silent switches is excellent, especially to those that need a muffled version of the MX Red switch. It may not be entirely silent, but it will definitely be far more comfortable to the user and everyone around them. The Strafe RGB is also fully programmable and I personally find the CUE software simple and easily adaptable to my gaming needs. Because my gaming style frequently relies on macros, the Strafe RGB was nearly perfect for my gaming sessions. Nevertheless, I still do not consider it to be perfect, since I had to program a few macros using third-party software, because I required them to include absolute on-screen mouse coordinates, yet it was a simple matter to compile those to .EXE files and use keyboard keys to launch them. Hopefully Corsair will improve the CUE software to such a level that no user will have to purchase third party software for any given reason.
Physically, the Strafe RGB is a well-made keyboard, with a modern design. The plastic body is very strong and the metal plate ensures the mechanical cohesion of the keyboard. Little can be said about the quality of Cherry's mechanical switches and the extra two keys feel and work great. The company kept the design simple but sharp that, combined with the programmable lighting, can be a good match into a classic, working or futuristic environment. However, the plastic body does not have the elegance or style of metal and, considering the $170 price tag of the keyboard, it can disappoint those who do care about the appearance of their desktops.
Corsair is rather proud of their Corsair Utility Engine (CUE) software, advertising it as one of the best features of their advanced keyboards. The company clearly considers it as one of their more significant advantages, as there have been several updates during the past year, introducing small new features and resolving bugs and issues. For the number of options and the adaptability it offers, the CUE software is fairly easy to use, but there may be a few instances that the user will have to consult the manual first. Although we do not find it to be perfect, it undoubtedly is the most advanced that we have seen to this date.
We suspect we will see the MX Silent switches move to upgraded versions of Corsair's keyboard line or perhaps new models over the course of the year due to the exclusivity. As you may imagine, Corsair is interested in which of their current mechanical keyboards would users be interested in upgrading to a silent key version. Corsair decided to start using the new Cherry MX Silent switches on their middle-range keyboard, the Strafe, and only (for the time being) on the RGB version. The company most likely decided that because the new switches are more expensive and increase the retail price of the keyboard by about $20, therefore they might have assumed that the K70/K95 RGB keyboards would become too expensive.
Still, if someone is willing to pay $150 or more for a high quality keyboard, they might not mind an extra $20 for a quiet version if necessary. On the other hand, the Strafe RGB with the MX Silent switches has an MSRP of $170, which is the street price of the superior K70 RGB and nearly twice the price of the vanilla version of the Strafe that now retails for less than $100. This makes pricing a little bit of an issue, and it can be said that the use of these switches should be promoted via the K70/K95 RGB keyboards instead which are targeted to users that would find it more acceptable to pay a premium price for the best possible performance.
But for those that need a programmable mechanical keyboard that is using Cherry's new MX Red Silent switches, the Strafe RGB currently is the only available choice. Users who find the features of the Strafe RGB exciting will definitely not be disappointed by the quality or performance using the new MX Red Silent switches. We hope that as time moves on, Corsair also adds the switches to the more premium models with wheel volume adjustments and metallic bodies in a quest to expand the high-end series with the latest hardware.
Also available from Corsair direct, $160 as of 3/8.
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skace - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
Have to disagree. My original experience with mechanical keyboards was when my dad brought home IBM Type-M keyboards from his work. They were not flashy but I greatly enjoyed the feedback of typing on the keyboard and my desire to become a touch typist quickly escalated from the use of that style keyboard. The weight was also an enjoyable aspect of keeping the keyboard in place. And the keyboard did not hold any value to me as I paid nothing for it. So if it didn't perform better, there was really no reason for me to continue using it.Most of my money put into keyboards is simply to reproduce that experience. And my own job perpetually forces me to use OEM brand keyboards that are easily worse at typing. It is very common to see myself typo words at work simply because the keyboard cannot keep up with me.
I have absolutely 0 desire for something that glows or has a ridiculous look, shape or added functionality. But I will support any keyboard manufacturer that sees value in making a well functioning keyboard. I buy dasKeyboard, even though the price often feels overpriced, I love having access to a simplistic mechanical keyboard.
People like me, who have enjoyed mechanical keyboards for many years but now have families who hate the sound of their keyboard are left in a bit of a bind. However, it creates the demand side of the scenario that silent switches are now creating the supply for. This is just a natural move forward from brown switches.
Teknobug - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
I bought some o-rings and they make my mechanical keyboard significantly quieter.kaesden - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
yes, people do like these keyboards quite a lot actually. they actually speed up typing quite signifigantly if you know how to type properly. those basic rubber dome keyboards slow you down because you have to bottom out every key in order to get it to activate. Plus the mechanical keys just move much smoother. If you don't like them thats perfectly fine, no one is forcing you to use them and there's no shortage of cheap rubber dome keyboards for those who prefer that tech.Panther6834 - Wednesday, March 16, 2016 - link
As some one who has owned a few different mechanical keyboards over the years (most recently a Razer BlackWidow...although, once I finish typing this, I'll be heading to Best Buy to pick up the Corsair Strafe RGB MX Silent I ordered a few days ago, if that tells you anything), I can tell you that, depending on the keyswitch type, mechanical keyboards not only can, they WILL improve your gaming and/or typing. While some hold the belief that MX Reds are best for gaming, and MX Blues are best for typing, such is not always the case.There was a columnist who, about a year ago, tested keyboards with Red, Blue, & Brown Cherry MX switches. He typed over long periods of time, typing the exact same information, & he discovered that he obtained the fastest typing speeds using the keyboard with the MX Red switches. While gamers tend, for the most part, to prefer sound level & lighter actuation pressure over actuation sound, typists tend to care mostly about actuation pressure & sound. Additionally, typists tend to listen for the "click" sound as an indicator of when to release. If you're typing minimal amounts of things, then, by all means, go with an MX Blue or MX Brown keyboard, as your fingers won't incur any discomfort due to the amount of typing being done. However, if you have to type for extensive periods of time, a "Blue" user might find a "Brown" to be a better choice, while a "brown" user might find a "Red" to be a better choice. Personally, having tested Blue, Brown, Red, & Black-switch keyboards, I've found the MX Red switches to be the best...for gaming, as well as for everyday typing. As for a comparison of the original Red vs the new Silent (Red), that I hope to determine before the end of the day.
cobacel - Friday, March 18, 2016 - link
@TEAMSWITCHERtry 60% keyboards or 75% ones. They are smaller and more practical than these huge over expensive so called "gaming" gear toys with Christmas lights.
psiclonehi - Tuesday, April 25, 2017 - link
Key travel was an issue for me and was the main reason I returned this junk. Yet, the reason isn't what you think. The travel distance was very short, and so much so that I kept mistyping things.willis936 - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
This model is my first mechanical keyboard and I've been using it daily since I got it. I swapped out all but the first row with PBT doubleshot keycaps. I quite like the keyboard but the non standard first row is a pain in the ass. Also you mentioned the sound is comparable to a membrane keyboard and I'd be quick to disagree. I could never hear a membrane keyboard over VoIP unless the keyboard was getting slammed but I can hear light to moderate typing with this keyboard. Push to talk is very necessary.PPalmgren - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
How does the noise level compare to, say, MX Brown with dampers installed (for example, the Logitech G710+? I know its based on the user, but a standardized comparison point in your testing like the db reduction you mentioned to the K70 at least provides something to work off of when trying to make a purchase decision.One of the problems with purchasing a mechanical keyboard is the severe lack of retail presence. You can't go to a store to test out what feels and sounds nice for you. I like the mechanical responsiveness but hate the noise and struggle with typos due to deeper key depth. Best of both worlds for me would be a mechanical with a key depth similar to a membrane keyboard that's silent - I'd pay $200+ if someone could pull it off.
casteve - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
Best Buy (US) carries this keyboard. Whether or not they display it is tbd. I'm going to wander over there and see.Teknobug - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - link
It'll be a bit noiser, also if there's an NCIX near you they often have them out on display.