Mechanical Cherry Keys

 
All keys are mechanical, in our case making use of Cherry MX (RED) switches. The idea behind mechanical switches is that they give a key press a more perceptible feel than the standard rubber membrane used in cheaper keyboards. These keyboards are built for durability and gaming experience and include gaming orientated features. you may adjust per-key lighting, macro setup, timer settings.
  

RIPJAWS KM570 MX is a more value and back to normal concept in mechanical keyboards with a simplistic design meant for enduring functionality, all while packed with major key gaming and media entertainment features, and storing the settings for a complete profile onto the onboard storage. On the top row you can see several function hotkeys as well as the LED animation options. You can toggle NKRO as well, N-key rollover is a function that allows multiple keys to be pressed and registered simultaneously. Typically, USB keyboards support 6-key rollover by default, so when a 7th key is pressed, it would not be registered. In some legacy software environment or BIOS environment, only the default 6-key rollover is supported, so n-key rollover function would need to be disabled. On the KM570, n-key rollover is enabled by default. To toggle between NKRO and 6-key rollover, press “Fn + F6”.

Macro recording is actuallo also an option. It is performed by a sequence of key combinations that can be set to activate with a single key press. The KM570 allows on-the-fly macro recording to any key (except the “MR” and “Fn” key) without additional software. Macros are typically used to repeat a complex action that uses two or more keys, which may be useful in games and document processing. To record macro on-the-fly: 1. Press the “MR” key. 2. Select and press a key to program. (e.g. “F1” key) 3. Press the key combination you wish to program as macro to the key. (e.g. “Ctrl+C”) 4. Press the “MR” key to end macro recording. (Now pressing “F1” will function as “Ctrl+C”) Note: To clear the macro from a key, press “MR”, then press the key, and press “MR” again to reset the key to its default function. To stop a macro while it is running, press the “MR” key once to interrupt and end the macro sequence. Macro Record (MR) function key is locked by default. To unlock, press “Fn” + “MR”.

The RGB Cherry MX switches can withstand over 50 million key presses. Each key switch is mounted directly onto a top metal (aluminum) plate that ensures structural rigidity, topped with a translucent ABS laser-etched keycap to enable back-lighting. Back-lighting on a Cherry MX switch is much sharper than that of a membrane keyboard because each key is lit by an individual LED and not in an array. This means that if the user removes the keycap, he or she should see an LED directly under it that maximizes the lighting effect. Due to the design of the Cherry MX switch, there is only room for a single 3mm LED that could mount directly onto the key switch (side view above). Since the minimum size for a RGB LED requires 5mm, this meant that all manufacturers who incorporated LED back-lighting onto a Cherry MX Switch would be limited to a single color without any type of adjustments. Even if a user wants to customize the type of LED used in the switch, it would be extremely difficult because of the way in which the key switch is mounted to the PCB.

Our keyboard houses Red Cherry MX switches as you can see in the photo. You however get to choose from the Blue and Red model as well. There are actually four types in general with the following specifications:

• Cherry MX Black - Linear switch with Actuation Force: 60g (40g-80g overall)
• Cherry MX Brown Switches - Tactile Switch with Actuation Force: 45g (55g Peak Force)
• Cherry MX Blue Switches - Tactile & Clicky with Actuation Force: 50g (60g Peak Force)
• Cherry MX Red Switches  - Linear Switch with Actuation Force: 45g

New is also per-key adjustable lighting, using RED LEDs, so that you can customize which keys are lit, according to the game you’re playing versus a color or animation and even versus macro or recorded action. 

The Cherry MX mechanical switches are intended for for fast, efficient gaming action with 45g actuation force.  The keys are curved a little and are fairly slippery which gives them a unique feel. But since we see them activated here, let's talk about the LED back-lighting a little, shall we?