Logitech G915 Lightspeed
Nothing like this has ever existed before! even mechanical, even low-profile, even wireless, full-size keyboard! In spite of RGB lights, yes. You seem to be limited in your ability to climb above this, let alone other manufacturers that continue to release essentially unchanged game mechanics year after year. In comparison to all other keyboards, the new Logitech appears utterly futuristic in this context.Nevertheless, as usual. This keyboard does have one very annoying aspect, though: like any creative product, it is incredibly expensive, but you get the best right away. And if that’s the case, I’ll personally interview her about every facet of her performance in the first category
Out of the box
The Logitech G915 comes with a radio connector, an adapter, a braided charging cable, a keyboard, and an extension cord in its delivery set. I’m glad there is a brand sticker on the envelope containing the papers, which come separately. However, nothing paranormal is related. Full-sized, low-profile Logitech G915 Lightspeed keyboard with 5 additional macro keys, numerous additional buttons for profile switching, brightness and wifi controls, media keys, and a volume wheel.We designed the low-profile GL Tactile switches that are used in the keyboard, and we will of course test them out. Additionally, the device has RGB backlighting, which is controlled by the Logitech G Hub.
Design
A good initial impression is created by the keyboard’s design, which is narrow and low like a knife blade. And it’s understandable given that the keyboard’s height is only 22 mm. In addition, the low profile gives the impression that it is more compact than traditional mechanics, but this is really a trick of the eye. And when the switches are placed directly on the base of the keyboard, this effect is accomplished by using a frameless enclosure. But a relatively light weight of 1 kg is no longer amusing!This indication is quite underwhelming for this gadget when you consider the whole body package, built-in battery, and mechanical stuffing. But the keyboard’s excellent processing is what gives it its excellent design. Its upper portion is made of anodized aluminum, and all of its side edges are neatly rounded. Despite all of its bells and whistles, the keyboard doesn’t appear bulky; rather, it is laconic and practical. It is true that the top and bottom borders of the keyboard are not processed, and you risk accidently scratching them.
All the other controls on the Logitech keyboard are located in different keys, in contrast to many other keyboards. The buttons for changing keyboard profiles, which allow you to score different features and backlighting, are located in the top left corner. Additional features include the ability to connect through radio or Bluetooth, a game mode, and the option to change the brightness of the backlight. There is no free space on the keyboard because there is a large analog volume wheel and a block of multimedia buttons on the right.The downside is that only these five G-keys will be fully programmable. There are five G-keys on the left side that can be used for any function. which will allow for the scoring of only 15 different values in the overall standings (3 profiles, 5 keys). This is yet another oversight, as most reputable manufacturers allow you to configure any keyboard key at your discretion through software. All standard keys are not adaptable to remapping.
The layout for Logitech’s keyboard was equally challenging, but if you’ve seen the company’s earlier models, you’ll be familiar with the crazy mash-up of ANSI and ISO layouts: it utilizes long shifts and a full-featured Backspace, but its Enter is double-decker and L-shaped. You have to get used to it; initially, I frequently smeared past it myself. It is strange to see such a connector in one of the most technologically advanced innovations in 2019, with the complete switchover to Type-C. I also want to criticize the rapidly deteriorating Micro-USB standard, which is used to connect and charge the keyboard.As usual, Logitech shows off stylish ergonomics from underneath. Six soft rubber pads are used to maintain stability on the table, and two-tier rubberized retractable legs are used to modify the keyboard’s angle so that you can elevate it by 4 or 8 degrees, respectively.
Keycaps
The Logitech G915 Lightspeed keyboard’s keycaps are made of plain painted translucent ABS plastic and have a low, non-sculpted profile (unlike OEM or Cherry profiles, all keys of all rows are made the same way, without additional tilt angles).Due to the usage of SMD LEDs soldered directly on the board, the keyboard’s illumination also proved to not be the brightest. Of course, they illuminate English characters and all other designations well, but even in the presence of a frameless case, you shouldn’t anticipate any airy or diffused backlighting surrounding the keyboard.
But the G915 absolutely astounds everyone when it comes to autonomy: when fully charged and with the backlight at its brightest, it can work for about 30 hours (and even longer, taking into account the reduction in brightness when idle), and – pay attention! – 1100 hours without any backlight. This is a fantastic number that competitors won’t match for at least the next 12 months. And it’s all possible because of Bluetooth low energy standards and the utilization of a radio channel.By the way, because most devices offer a Bluetooth connection, using the keyboard in such a dual wireless mode at home with a PC, a laptop, and even some other devices is possible. True, the keyboard will function instantly when linked through radio channel, and this is the only viable option for games, but when connected via Bluetooth, you won’t need to search for an additional USB port, and the battery consumption will be modest. You can safely sit with the keyboard on the couch without worrying about any wires because the reception signal at any connection at the keyboard is stable.
The new Logitech G Hub software appears to be attractive, useful, and usually convenient, however many users continue to experience a number of minor glitches, including non-saving settings and other issues. However, everything in the new program is done in a way that is as functional as feasible. The keyboard memory may hold up to three profiles, each of which can be assigned five G-keys for recording macros and other functions, along with a distinctive illumination effect. The G-Shift function also allows all of these keys to switch to a different layout that can be given, bringing the total number of possibilities—three profiles included—to a sufficient amount for everyone.The keyboard also has a sophisticated backlight editor where you can make your own custom effects in addition to having fun with the pre-installed ones. Think of it as a more streamlined version of Razer Chroma. Finally, you will need to manually activate this mode in the settings in order to go to the built-in memory and make everything operate offline.
Switches
However, they were sly with Logitech switches, of course. Their lauded GL switches, which they occasionally tout, are actually just standard Kailh Low Profile (Choc Switches) that have been available for a very long time—the only exception being that serial keyboards rarely use them. Given that the specifications of Kailh LP Brown and Kailh GL Tactile, the switches used by Logitech, differ slightly, it is possible that Kailh produces switches specifically for Logitech in the case of the G915 Lightspeed keyboard. However, the switches are identical in terms of their layout and features, therefore it is clear that the G915 switches have seen very little changes.The Kailh GL Tactile switches have a 1.5mm actuation travel and a 2.7mm overall travel. The actuation force is 50 grams, and the total number of presses before failure is 70 million. The keyboard also has stabilizers that resemble Cherry ones, however they have a tiny bounce and clang when hit.
An intriguing fact: low-profile Kailh switches have their own connector for attaching keycaps, making it exceedingly difficult to acquire a replacement if something were to happen to them, though considerably simpler than with the extremely rare Romer-G mount. In general, Logitech releases keyboards with switches that aren’t industry standard, making it difficult to perform basic tasks like replacing keycaps.The new switches also produced a wide range of sensations. On the one hand, a short travel and a soft but noticeable tactile response only facilitate high-speed dialing, but on the other, it is very challenging to get used to such a short travel after dialing using conventional mechanics. Somewhere you press it without meaning to, somewhere the key slightly sticks because you unconsciously believe you pressed it, and somewhere you simply miss-click because you accidently hit the next key.The only thing I can add is that, because the Logitech G915 Lightspeed is a laptop keyboard at its fastest, such mechanics will gratify all aficionados of laptop keyboards. However, if you’ve spent a lot of time getting comfortable with traditional mechanics, the change from lengthy switches to short switches can feel quite foreign. However, there are a lot of advantages to using these switches.
For instance, they press quite precisely and smoothly, and they certainly don’t resemble a standard membrane – it’s all the same mechanics, in all their glory, which, in terms of pressing clarity, seems far more substantial than membrane keys or Romer-G switches. Second, the keyboard was unexpectedly quiet, which is a problem with all Logitech keyboards. Romer-G switches are just slightly noisier than other keyboards, but all other keyboards are substantially quieter (except maybe Cherry MX Silent Red).This is partially due to the advantages of the new switches, and partially due to a short stroke, which prevents the key from accelerating after pressing and results in a dull, gentle click as it strikes the substrate. By the way, stabilizers operate twice as quietly, if not three times as quietly, as any traditional mechanics do. But getting acclimated to this will undoubtedly take some time. In the beginning, I came to the conclusion that using such switches to play games was much more convenient than typing, but this is just a question of habit.Although the wireless mode was actually extremely effective, it did not offer me a sense of freedom because I hardly ever moved the keyboard from its position on the table, thus the lack of a cord had no impact on my day-to-day activities. The lack of a wire is an obvious buzz when it comes to a mouse, but it’s just a great plus when it comes to keyboards.
Briefly put
The new Logitech G915 Lightspeed keyboard is the most technologically sophisticated this year, and all of its chips are implemented with maximum user-friendliness, making it a fully functional, useable product rather than simply another concept with intriguing ideas. She also offers several beneficial traits that have been expertly blended into one product, like her relatively low weight, incredibly appealing low-profile frameless design, the inclusion of new switches, and RGB backlighting. The capacity to operate in any wireless mode, complemented by exceptional autonomy, is also crucial.
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