CORSAIR VANGUARD 96 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Assessment – A full measurement gaming keyboard in TKL type

The CORSAIR VANGUARD 96 mechanical gaming keyboard represents an formidable try to pack full-sized keyboard performance right into a compact type issue with out sacrificing efficiency. Coming from the CORSAIR K70 PRO TKL, I used to be curious how this 96% structure would deal with the transition from a minimalist TKL to one thing that guarantees “full keyboard with TKL measurement”. After a few weeks of intensive gaming and each day use, I can say CORSAIR has delivered one thing spectacular, although not and not using a few compromises.

Retailing at A$269, the VANGUARD 96 positions itself as a premium gaming keyboard that goals to be versatile sufficient for each aggressive gaming and productiveness work. It’s an fascinating candy spot out there, particularly for individuals who want a numpad however don’t need a huge full-sized keyboard dominating their desk area.

CORSAIR VANGUARD 96 Assessment – Unboxing and Packaging Contents

CORSAIR VANGUARD 96 Assessment – Design and Options

The VANGUARD 96 incorporates a glossy, sculpted aluminium body that instantly feels premium once you first deal with it. The construct high quality is strong, with no flex or creaking when typing aggressively. It’s fairly spectacular how CORSAIR managed to suit every little thing into this compact footprint – a full numpad, arrow keys, six programmable G-Keys, a rotary dial, and a 1.9-inch LCD display, all in a keyboard roughly the scale of a TKL.

Once I first learn that advertising and marketing declare about “full-sized keyboard with TKL measurement”, I used to be sceptical. It gave the impression of they’d both make the switches uncomfortably small or create an ungainly structure that may take months to regulate to. I used to be flawed. The keys really feel pure and keep correct spacing the place it issues most. Nevertheless, CORSAIR did trim down some key sizes to realize this compact design – the “Numpad 0/Ins” secret’s narrower, as is the “Backslash or ” key. Some spacing between keys has been eliminated as effectively.

Are there compromises? Completely. I discovered myself lacking the “Numpad 0/Ins” key often when punching numbers rapidly on a spreadsheet. It took a number of days to regulate my muscle reminiscence, however as soon as I did, typing felt pure once more. The necessary factor is that CORSAIR hasn’t sacrificed ergonomics for the sake of compactness. I like this 96% structure as a result of it offers me the numpad I depend on for updating our household finances spreadsheets whereas looking for video games, with out the large footprint of a standard full-sized keyboard.

The low-profile G-Keys on the left aspect are positioned completely – straightforward to search out once you want them, however tough to unintentionally press throughout intense gaming classes.

The LCD Display screen and Rotary Dial

The built-in 1.9-inch IPS color LCD display (320 x 170 decision) is eye-catching. It shows helpful info and positively makes the keyboard look premium sitting in your desk. Whereas the display comprises helpful info, I barely work together with it. After the preliminary novelty wore off, I discovered myself questioning whether or not we actually want it in any respect. It’s not a dealbreaker by any means, and it does improve the general premium really feel of the keyboard, but it surely feels extra like a nice-to-have than an important function.

The rotary dial, however, is one thing I’ve at all times liked on gaming keyboards, and this implementation isn’t any completely different. With the ability to rapidly regulate quantity (I do that fairly typically) with a easy twist feels intuitive and handy. The dial’s integration with the LCD display works effectively once you need visible suggestions in your changes.

CORSAIR MLX Pulse Switches and Acoustics

The VANGUARD 96 comes geared up with CORSAIR’s MLX Pulse switches – linear switches with a 45g actuation drive, 2.0mm actuation level, 3.6mm whole journey, and a formidable 80 million keystroke lifespan. These switches function pre-lubricated stems and Fresnel lensing for enhanced RGB lighting.

The switches are exceptionally responsive and really feel considerably hole once you press them, providing easy, wonderful tactile suggestions. The typing expertise is clean and constant throughout all the keyboard. Because of CORSAIR’s quad-layer sound dampening, the noise is sort of subdued, and my spouse, who sleeps behind my gaming chair throughout late-night gaming classes, by no means complained as soon as in regards to the typing noise. That’s a big achievement for a mechanical keyboard.

The marketed “thocky” sound profile is current however refined. It’s not the loud, resonant thock you’d get from some fanatic keyboards, however somewhat a pleasing, muted thock that gained’t disturb others round you.

Gaming Efficiency

I examined the VANGUARD 96 largely with Borderlands 4 and Overwatch 2, and the efficiency has been superior. I at all times set the polling charge to its most 8,000Hz for the ultra-responsive enter. There’s nearly no enter lag (that is wired, thoughts you), and each keypress registers instantaneously.

My take a look at system consists of an Intel i7-14700K, 32GB overclocked DDR5 RAM operating at 7200MT/s from Kingston, and an NVIDIA RTX 3080 graphics card. The keyboard dealt with every little thing I threw at it with out lacking a beat.

The FlashTap SOCD (Simultaneous Reverse Cardinal Path) dealing with know-how is nice for aggressive play. In Overwatch 2, the place strafing and fast directional adjustments are essential, FlashTap improves your motion precision. The keyboard intelligently handles unintentional opposing inputs, letting you execute difficult motion methods extra constantly.

Nevertheless, I do miss one function from my earlier K70 PRO TKL: per-key actuation level customisation. The fastened 2.0mm actuation level is quick and responsive, however the skill to fine-tune particular person keys was one thing I’d grown accustomed to. That stated, except you’re gaming at an expert esports stage, the two.0mm actuation level is greater than quick sufficient for every type of video games, together with fast-paced aggressive titles like Overwatch 2. It’s also possible to go for the VANGUARD PRO 96 if you actually need it.

Software program and Customisation

CORSAIR has launched the Net Hub because the configuration instrument for the VANGUARD 96, and it appears like a brief resolution. The net-based interface works positive for primary customisation – programming macros, mapping buttons, personalising lighting, and adjusting settings. All the pieces you want is there, and the 8MB of onboard reminiscence means your settings journey with the keyboard.

Nevertheless, the Gaming Mode toggle on the keyboard feels unpolished. Every time I swap between gaming and non-gaming mode, I hear the USB reconnect sound, which breaks immersion and feels clunky. I additionally couldn’t discover an auto-detection function to mechanically swap to gaming mode when launching video games. This looks as if an oversight that must be addressable by software program updates.

One hopes CORSAIR will ultimately combine the VANGUARD 96 into their established iCUE ecosystem, which would supply extra sturdy customisation choices and higher integration with different CORSAIR peripherals. Let’s hope issues enhance on that entrance.

Extra Options

The RGB lighting deserves a point out – it’s vibrant, shiny, and the Fresnel lensing within the MLX switches creates stunning, even illumination. No complaints right here in anyway.

The keyboard helps hot-swapping appropriate 3-pin and 5-pin switches, although I didn’t take a look at this performance throughout my evaluate interval. For lovers who wish to experiment with completely different swap varieties, this flexibility is efficacious.

CORSAIR VANGUARD 96 Assessment Conclusion

The CORSAIR VANGUARD 96 succeeds in its formidable purpose of delivering full-sized performance in a compact, TKL-sized footprint. The 96% structure works brilliantly, sustaining pure typing ergonomics whereas providing you with the numpad and arrow keys that TKL keyboards sacrifice. The MLX Pulse switches supply responsive, clean efficiency with spectacular sound dampening, and the 8,000Hz polling charge delivers professional-grade responsiveness.

The software program expertise wants refinement, although, as a result of the CORSAIR Net Hub appears like a stopgap resolution in the intervening time.

At A$269, the VANGUARD 96 represents strong worth for players who want a compact keyboard with out sacrificing the numpad or superior options.

Disclosure: CORSAIR VANGUARD 96 evaluate pattern was equipped for reviewing