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Lemokey L5 HE 8K: Two-minute evaluation
The Lemokey L5 HE 8K is a gaming keyboard with Corridor impact analog switches and an 8K polling charge – two elements designed to whet the appetites of great gamers. The austere design isn’t complimented properly by the dated design of the translucent outer keys, coming throughout a tad determined in its try and attraction to video games.
With that monolithic look comes a significantly heavy chassis, due to the aluminum development. Some could favor the additional stability this heft supplies, however it’s definitely not as straightforward to maneuver round as a few of its rivals.
Maybe due to this weight, the L5 HE 8K has no fold-out toes. I believed this could trigger ergonomic points, however fortunately the physique isn’t too thick, and the keys are barely tilted ahead too, which makes typing and WASD positions extra comfy, even with out a wrist relaxation – which is simply as properly, because it doesn’t include one.
Somewhat than the standalone software program that lots of the best gaming keyboards include, Lemokey has an online app for customizing the L5 HE 8K. This runs properly for essentially the most half, though I did expertise a number of UI points, a few of which required a refresh. Some may not like the concept of getting to run a peripheral device in a browser, both.
As soon as it’s working, although, it supplies loads of tweaking choices, particularly for the analog performance, permitting you to make full use of these Corridor impact switches. Along with Fast Set off, single-key multi-input and snap motion options, there’s additionally controller emulation, permitting you to duplicate the analog habits of triggers and joysticks.
In apply, this works properly – to an extent: the precision supplied by the analog keys is not any match for that of an precise controller. The actions aren’t easy sufficient, and I discovered that presses didn’t supply sufficient resistance to supply enough management. That is true of analog efficiency extra usually, because the Corridor impact switches within the L5 HE 8K simply aren’t as easy or as exact as a number of the finest analog keyboards on the market.
In different performance-related areas, although, the L5 HE 8K does higher. The keys rebound shortly, permitting for speedy actions, and I discovered the concave nature of the important thing structure comfy – two facets that assist with each gaming and typing. I wasn’t keen on the back-tilt of the house bar, although, because it resulted in hits on its edge slightly than its high.
The L5 HE 8K is undeniably costly, eclipsing lots of its rivals. The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3, for example, is barely cheaper, and whereas it lacks fairly the identical variety of analog changes, it makes up for it with its superlative efficiency and construct high quality.
Lemokey L5 HE 8K evaluation: value and availability
- $220 (about £175 / AU$346)
- Out there now for backers
- Identical value as one of the best analog keyboards
The L5 HE 8K will value $220 (about £175 / AU$346) and is ready for normal launch a while between April and Might this yr. Nevertheless, it is available now for Kickstarter backers on the discounted value of $199. It comes with a braided USB-C-to-C cable (with a USB-A adapter included), a keycap puller, spare screws and rubber fixings, and screwdrivers.
This makes it about the identical value because the SteelSeries Apex Professional Gen 3, already a dear keyboard. Nevertheless, it’s about one of the best analog keyboard I’ve skilled with regards to efficiency. There’s additionally a wi-fi variant which is of course costlier, however the distinction isn’t large. It does miss out on a number of analog tweaks that the Apex Professional Gen 3 has, although, comparable to controller emulation, and lacks the identical 8K polling charge.
If you’d like a extra budget-friendly various within the analog sector, the Turtle Seaside Vulcan 2 TKL Professional isn’t a tempting proposition. Just like the L5 HE 8K, it too provides gamepad emulation, though this isn’t as refined as I might’ve appreciated; Lemokey’s implementation is barely higher.
Worth: 2.5 / 5
Lemokey L5 HE 8K evaluation: specs
|
Format |
75% |
|
Swap |
Analog (Corridor impact magnetic) |
|
Programmable keys |
Sure |
|
Dimensions |
13 x 5.9 inches / 329 x 150mm |
|
RGB or backlighting |
Sure (customizable) |
Lemokey L5 HE 8K evaluation: design and options
- Dated appears
- Very heavy
- Internet app for personalization
The L5 HE 8K is fairly understated, though a number of the outer keys undertake a translucent design with some form of tech-based sigil, which appears outdated and provides the sense that Lemokey is pandering to a gamer stereotype. Fortunately, this look is saved to a minimal.
The sharp angles of the physique add to its industrial aesthetic too. It’s additionally very heavy, due to the aluminium physique, which no less than makes it sturdy and really sturdy, though some will discover this degree of heft pointless.
It’s additionally moderately thick, however not as substantial as another gaming keyboards. It lacks toes and wrist assist, however due to the slight ahead tilt of the keys, I may nonetheless get a cushty hand place.
The included cable is braided, however doesn’t really feel notably premium, and it’s not so long as some others, which can be an issue for desktop customers relying on their setup. At the very least the USB-C port is angled upwards, which is a small however handy design characteristic, because it makes it straightforward to find and use.
The L5 HE 8K could be custom-made utilizing Lemokey’s net app, which opens in a browser. As you’d count on for a keyboard with Corridor impact switches, there are numerous changes for the analog performance. You possibly can set the actuation distance between 0.10mm and three.35mm, selectable through a slider providing increments of 1 hundredth of a millimeter.
It’s also possible to toggle Fast Set off mode, once more through a slider providing the identical increments, though the vary dynamically adjustments relying in your actuation distance settings. What’s extra, you may also break up the set off and reset distances, permitting you to regulate their sensitivity independently, which not each analog rival to the L5 HE 8K provides.
Among the best facets of those changes – and one few analog keyboard software program supply – is the visible indicator, which helps you to see precisely the place within the swap the actuation level you set is. It additionally reveals the gap of your presses in actual time, once more to at least one hundredth of a millimeter, which could be very helpful for dialling in your most well-liked settings.
There’s additionally a bar that strikes in tandem together with your presses, and adjustments colour to point when the important thing reaches the actuation level. This additionally means that you can see how your Fast Set off settings play out too, though sadly there’s no real-time millimeter readout for this.
Different analog changes embody configuring as much as 4 inputs for a single key, triggered relying on how far you press, and setting the Snap Motion, with two choices to select from: Snap Click on and Final Key Precedence. These, together with controller emulation, quantity to a lot of tweaks – greater than many different analog keyboards supply.
The online app additionally provides widespread customization choices too, comparable to key remapping (with loads of system shortcuts accessible), macro creation, three profile slots and RGB lighting tweaks.
The online app isn’t with out its points, although. Little question there’ll be some avid gamers who’d favor a standalone app slightly than having to open a browser tab. Additionally, there have been events the place sure settings did not work as meant, with minor freezes and lock-ups, and sure textual content and UI parts did not render correctly. Fortunately, many of those had been straightforward to treatment, and for essentially the most half the online app runs properly sufficient with out inflicting an excessive amount of frustration or main points.
Design & options: 3 / 5
Lemokey L5 HE 8K evaluation: efficiency
- Clicky and responsive switches
- So many analog changes
- Not the smoothest motion
When gaming, the L5 HE 8K performs moderately properly. The 8K polling charge is bound to peak severe avid gamers’ pursuits, because it claims to supply subsequent to no latency, and is a standard spec discovered on the best gaming mouse contenders.
Nevertheless, I struggled to note a lot of an enchancment over different gaming keyboards with decrease polling charges, however hardcore avid gamers could properly do. However until you’re on the esport circuit, you’ll seemingly not require this polling charge enhance in a keyboard.
The Corridor impact switches are clicky with minimal dampening, which can deter sure avid gamers and please others. Whereas I usually favor a extra cushioned press, I discovered them satisfying to make use of for essentially the most half, if not as easy as different magnetic switches I’ve skilled. There’s a small quantity of resistance to presses – simply sufficient to make hitting predefined actuation factors comparatively straightforward – however they rebound in a short time, which was one thing I appreciated because it allowed for sooner faucets.
The gamepad emulation works moderately properly, though the analog gradation isn’t as exact because the best PC controllers; it may be somewhat jerky at occasions, regardless of the way you alter the curve profile. Additionally, the switches may do with extra resistance to supply higher suggestions and in flip make it simpler to manage in-game actions, particularly these of automobiles.
Typing with the L5 HE 8K is nice sufficient, and it performs higher on this entrance than another gaming keyboards I’ve used. The concave nature of the important thing structure is extra amenable to typing than I anticipated, even with out wrist assist, and that springy rebound helps with pace. It isn’t the quietest round, although, with the house bar being particularly noisy.
Talking of the house bar, its elevated seating and backwards tilt (together with all backside row keys) meant I recurrently hit its edge with my thumb slightly than the highest, which is much less satisfying and extra awkward. Some could favor this positioning, however others will fall into the identical camp as me.
Efficiency: 3.5 / 5
Ought to I purchase the Lemokey L5 HE 8K?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Worth |
The L5 HE 8K competes with the largest names round at this value, and whereas it provides extra customization choices and an 8K polling charge, it doesn’t essentially supply higher efficiency. |
2.5 / 5 |
|
Design and options |
It’s very heavy and the gamer-style markings on some keys aren’t notably tasteful. The online app provides loads of analog tweaks, however it solely runs in browsers. |
3 / 5 |
|
Efficiency |
The clicky switches may not go well with everybody, however they carry out properly, and the analog performance is sweet, if not the smoothest round. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Total |
The L5 HE 8K units out to supply premium gaming efficiency, due to its 8K polling charge and Corridor impact switches. Whereas there’s loads of analog performance, it isn’t the smoothest in motion, and at this value, there are higher performers. |
3 / 5 |
Purchase it if…
Don’t purchase it if…
Lemokey L5 HE 8K: Additionally contemplate
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Lemokey L5 HE 8K |
SteelSeries Apex Professional TKL Wi-fi Gen 3 |
Turtle Seaside Vulcan 2 TKL Professional |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Format |
75% |
TKL |
TKL |
|
Swap |
Analog (Corridor impact magnetic) |
Analog (Corridor-effect magnetic) |
Analog (Corridor-effect magnetic) |
|
Programmable keys |
Sure |
Sure |
Sure |
|
Dimensions |
13 x 5.9 inches / 329 x 150mm |
14 x 5 x 1.7 inches / 355 x 129 x 42mm |
14.5 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches (approx.) / 368.3 x 139.7 x 38.1mm |
|
RGB or backlighting |
Sure (customizable) |
Sure (customizable) |
Sure (customizable) |
How I examined the Lemokey L5 HE 8K
- Examined for a number of days
- Used for gaming and productiveness
- Plentiful keyboard reviewing expertise
I examined the Lemokey L5 HE 8K for a number of days, throughout which era I used it for gaming, working, and normal shopping.
I used it to play Counter-Strike 2, a terrific check for peripherals because it calls for fast and exact actions, and helps to show any points with lag that they might undergo from.
I’ve reviewed many keyboards earlier than, and have been PC gaming for over a decade. I’ve owned and used a substantial amount of keyboards in that point, spanning varied manufacturers, swap varieties, and value factors.