Adjustable mechanical switches are an easy method to change the feel of various keys on a keyboard. These switches allow you to customise their actuation point or how far you press the key before recording an input. They provide varying sensitivity depending on the key or the application you’re using.
SteelSeries unveiled new wireless and wired mechanical keyboards featuring mechanical switches that allow you to modify the actuation point of each key. You may also set the keys on the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless and Apex Pro Mini to register two inputs if you push the key down far enough.
SteelSeries’ Most Recent Mechanical Keyboard
In 2019, SteelSeries began offering its adjustable OmniPoint mechanical switches in its SteelSeries Apex Pro keyboard. The OmniPoint 2.0 switches debuted today in the Apex Pro Mini Wireless and Apex Pro Mini 60 percent keyboards are even more adaptable.
The new switches are linear, with a total travel of 3.8 mm. Meanwhile, the activation point is entirely up to you. You may adjust it in 0.1 mm increments from 0.2 to 3.8 mm.
That’s a considerably more extensive range than the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog (1.5–3.6 mm) but far shorter than the Gateron X Lekker switches used in Wooting’s newest keyboards (0.1–4.0 mm). In the tiny number of PC games that allow it, the switches in the Razer and Wooting keyboards also offer analogue, or joystick-like, input.
SteelSeries, a PC gaming-focused manufacturer, advised utilising the functionality to personalise your gaming experience or phone transfers, such as choosing a higher actuation point for “deep throws” and a lower one for “featherlight touches.”
SteelSeries adopts a feature featured in competitors’ adjustable-switch keyboards, such as Razer and Wooting: mechanical switches that can enter two inputs with a single keypress. The firm release mentioned possible applications such as walking and running or drawing out a bomb and hurling it. In addition, advanced users might utilise the functionality to hack some quick input outside of the battlefield.
Unfortunately, SteelSeries is presently confining its so-called Dual Action function to these new keyboards, and the clackers aren’t a good match for many users owing to their absence of a Numpad.
Price
The Apex Pro Mini Wireless has an MSRP of $240. In addition, the Apex Pro Mini costs $180, which is somewhat less than the Apex Pro’s full-size counterpart’s $200 MSRP.
The keyboards compete directly with the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog, which costs $150, and the forthcoming Wooting 60HE, which costs $175. Also worth mentioning for those who prefer a Numpad are the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog $250 and Wooting Two HE, $195, both of which feature dual-step actuation.