The i-Rocks Pilot K70E Capacitive Gaming Keyboard Review: Our First Capacitive Keyboard
by E. Fylladitakis on September 21, 2018 8:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Peripherals
- Keyboard
- capacitive
- i-Rocks
We have reviewed many keyboards here in AnandTech, both electronic (membrane) and mechanical. In today's market, most cost-effective keyboards are based on membrane designs, while more advanced keyboards are using mechanical switches that are either made by Cherry or, usually, are a "cloned" version of their products. Recently however we had something relatively rare shipped for testing in our labs - the i-Rocks Pilot K70E, a keyboard with unique capacitive switches.
Capacitive switches are not something unique to this keyboard. As a matter of fact, the current top-of-the-line capacitive keyboard switches were introduced by Topre several years ago. The problem with Topre-based products is that their prices are excessive, placing them well outside what the mainstream market can afford.
The i-Rocks Pilot K70E keyboard that we are reviewing today has non-contact capacitive switches developed in-house by i-Rocks itself. The Taiwanese company's capacitive switches are available in two variants, 45g and 60g, with slightly different force-to-travel charts. The retail price of the Pilot K70E is rather steep, with the keyboard retailing at $150 at the time of this review, and yet that price is significantly lower than that of any keyboard using Topre's capacitive switches.
Packaging and bundle
The packaging of the i-Rocks Pilot K70E is very basic, with the keyboard supplied in an all-black cardboard box. Only a very basic schematic of the capacitive switch is printed on the front side of the box. There is very little information about the keyboard or the switches, just a few colored sketches at the rear hinting that it features RGB lighting. Inside the box, we found the keyboard adequately supported by cardboard pieces and wrapped inside a soft foam bag. There is nothing bundled along with the keyboard - no keycap pullers, no accessories, not even a small manual.
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ipkh - Friday, September 21, 2018 - link
Why oh why can't we get a RGB keyboard that only illuminates the key caps. I don't need a nightlight, only key cap lights.SSTANIC - Friday, September 21, 2018 - link
exactly.Jaxad0127 - Friday, September 21, 2018 - link
Logitech's G line (gamer stuff) has them. https://www.logitechg.com/en-us/products/gaming-ke...DanNeely - Friday, September 21, 2018 - link
You can frag harder with a nightlight though. :eyeroll:Diji1 - Friday, September 21, 2018 - link
Anything using Logitech's Romer-G keys does this.I thought I would like the effect but in the end I prefer backlight bleed on floating switches. Unfortunately Logitech didn't make the letters on the keys very large so a lot of light is lost making it slightly harder to see.
Also I didn't like the feel of Romer-G "red" clones.
Diji1 - Friday, September 21, 2018 - link
*I've owned a G Pro and another cheaper Logi keyboard with Romer-G keys.twtech - Thursday, September 27, 2018 - link
Even keycap lights can be distracting. When I turn them on for my keyboard, I have them at the lowest setting so I don't see the light unless I look at them. The lighting in the picture looks like it would be an eye-irritant.Findecanor - Thursday, October 11, 2018 - link
Keyboards with Flaretech switches have only little light-bleed. Wooting One and Two, Aorus K9nathanddrews - Friday, September 21, 2018 - link
"That was a double-edged knife, as I ended up actuating keys unintentionally, by simply resting my finger on the keypad."As someone that has been resting my fingers on keys for 30 years, this would be my undoing! Not sure that I could change now. Impressive review though, I bet version 2.0 will be even better!
WorldWithoutMadness - Saturday, September 22, 2018 - link
Or it's best way to retrain yourself. Type more efficiently with less force. Relax harder!