The unfortunately named Thermaltake Knucker Plunger Keyboard gets its name from the Plunger switches that were used for the keys on this board. They are not quite mechanical switches but do offer more feedback, both tactile and audible, when a key is depressed so that you get a feel similar to a mechanical switch but without the accompanying price tag. With LED backlighting and easily removable keys it does offer the same benefits as high end gaming keyboards but at $40 it will not cost you as much as other models. Benchmark Reviews tried out the newest member of the Tt eSPORTS lineup finding it more than acceptable for the price point.
"In today's throw away culture it seems that nothing is sacred anymore, spending ~$100 on a keyboard seems like nothing to some folks with seamlessly disposable income, but not all of us have that luxury. To this end Thermaltake's Tt eSPORTS division have created the Knucker Plunger Gaming Keyboard (model: KB-KNK008). The Knucker Gaming Keyboard was designed and priced to sit part way between a regular rubber dome keyboard and a mechanical switch keyboard. The end result is what Thermaltake call 'Plunger switch technology', a semi-mechanical rubber dome setup that gives tactile feel of mechanical switches at a much lower cost. Here at Benchmark Reviews we aim to give you the information you want without all the hype, so you can make an educated decision for yourself. Read on to find out if the Knucker Keyboard is all that it promises to be."
Here is some more Tech News from around the web:
- Logitech G19s Gaming Keyboard @ Tweaktown
- Xebec Tech Easy Eye Large Letter Keyboard @ eTeknix
- TteSports Saphira Gaming Mouse @ eTiknix
- Mionix Ensis 320 Luna Mousepad @ Rbmods
- Neo Reflection Wireless 3D Finger Mouse @ Hardware.info
- Func MS-3 Gaming Mouse and Surface 1030 XL Review @ Madshrimps
- Shogun Bros Ballista MK1 8200dpi Pro Gaming mouse @ Kitguru
- SteelSeries Call of Duty Black Ops II Mouse Review @ Hardware Secrets
- Tesoro GUNGNIR H5 Optical Gaming Mouse Review @ NikKTech
- Logitech G500s @ LanOC Reviews
- Func MS-3 Gaming Mouse and Surface 1030 XL Mouse mat @ Metku.net
- Logitech G500s Laser Gaming Mouse Review @ Techgage
- Corsair M95 MMO Gaming Mouse @ eTekix
- ROCCAT Roundup: Mice, Mousepad, and Bungee @ OCC
- TteSports Black Element Combat White MMO Gaming Mouse @ eTeknix
- Tt eSPORTS THERON Battle Ready Gaming Mouse @ NikKTech
- ROCCAT Hiro Gaming Mouse Pad Review @ Neoseeker
With LED backlighting
It
It doesn’t have any backlighting according to TT’s spec page.
Replacing the left-side
Replacing the left-side “Windows” key means lots of users will not have the same manuever to use the Winkey combos (e.g., Win+E = Windows Explorer, Win+L = lock Windows). Tt replaced the left Winkey with an Fn key needed for using the S1-S4 repeat rate keys (only used in PS/2 mode) and with F12 to turn off a lighted fluff logo on a NON-removable wrist rest (too narrow for adults, okay for kids). Users will have to reprogram their fingers to find the Winkey on the right-side of the lower row of the keyboard (so they’ll be hunt-peck typing their old trusty Winkey combos).
Because they moved the Winkey to the right side of the lower row of keys, the right-Shift key got shortened. This makes that key MUCH HARDER to reach. You WILL end up having to move your right hand from the home position for it to reach the short right-Shift key (unless you are a mutant with an abnormally formed right hand where the pinkie can flex outward at a large angle).
Negatives
Positives
Point 1: NKRO is actually the
Point 1: NKRO is actually the sum of two problems — the bus, and the key matrix. USB is not too bad… especially now that we get USB controllers which can register as multiple keyboards. An NKRO key matrix on standard USB can reliably detect any 6 keypresses… multi-keyboard usb hacks can register almost twice as many keys as you have fingers.
Point 2: Very-much disagree with the USB vs PS/2 accuracy/precision statement. In my testing USB is just as precise as its PS/2 counterpart. In fact, the Rosewill RK-9000 (the original, rebranded Filco Majestouch, model; not their refresh) was the only board to receive a perfect score and did so in USB mode.
https://pcper.com/reviews/General-Tech/Rosewill-Second-Generation-Mechanical-Keyboard-Review-RK-9000-RK-9000BR-RK-90-4
Note that my test simulates around 200-600 words per minute (5 keys pressed in as low as a tenth of a second via a straight-edge).
It was not the USB or PS/2 connection that messed you up… it was just a crappy keyboard.
Actually, that is true in both points.