The Nixeus Moda Pro Review: A Professional Mechanical Keyboard for $55
by E. Fylladitakis on August 3, 2016 9:15 AM EST- Posted in
- Mechanical Keyboards
- Keyboard
- Nixeus
- macOS
- Kailh
Per Key Quality Testing
In order to test the quality and consistency of a keyboard, we are using a texture analyser that is programmed to measure and display the actuation force of the standard keyboard keys. By measuring the actuation force of every key, the quality and consistency of the keyboard can be quantified. It can also reveal design issues, such as the larger keys being far softer to press than the main keys of the keyboard. The actuation force is measured in Centinewton (cN). Some companies use another figure, gram-force (gf). The conversion formula is 1 cN = 1.02 gf (i.e. they are about the same). A high quality keyboard should be as consistent as possible, with an average actuation force as near to the manufacturer's specs as possible and a disparity of less than ±10%. Greater differences are likely to be perceptible by users. It is worth noting that there is typically variance among keyboards, although most keyboard companies will try and maintain consistency - as with other reviews, we're testing our sample only.
The machine we use for our testing is accurate enough to provide readings with a resolution of 0.1 cN. For wider keys (e.g. Enter, Space Bar, etc.), the measurement is taking place at the center of the key, right above the switch. Note that large keys generally have a lower actuation force even if the actuation point is at the dead center of the key. This is natural, as the size and weight of the keycap reduces the required actuation force. For this reason, we do display the force required to actuate every key but we only use the results of the typical sized keys for our consistency calculations. Still, very low figures on medium sized keys, such as the Shift and Enter keys reveal design issues and can easily be perceptible by the user.
The readings of our equipment were a little on the high side for Brown switches, with an average actuation force of 45.8 cN across the main keys of the keyboard. There is also a significant difference between similarly sized keys, such as the Shift and Enter keys. The disparity is relatively high, at ±9.33% across the main keys of the keyboard. It can be noticed that readings are more frequently high rather than low, indicating that the keys are a little stiffer than they were supposed to be. Nevertheless, these figures are not dramatic and it would take careful examination by a professional to reveal them without the use of specialized equipment.
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DEADLIFT - Thursday, August 4, 2016 - link
Why in the world are you asking this dude if a specific seller accepts Canadian addresses or currency? Go ask the people you want to buy it from.TaquitoTaco - Wednesday, August 3, 2016 - link
Where can this keyboard be found for $55? I checked right after the article was posted and the cheapest I could find it was $69.99.DanNeely - Wednesday, August 3, 2016 - link
Amazon if you don't look at the image to verify the correct model? Search for "Nixeus Moda Pro" on it, and you'll get a $55 pricepoint; but it's for the 10keyless model.DanNeely - Wednesday, August 3, 2016 - link
Or the price went up between the check done while writing the article and publication. It wouldn't be the first time it happened.TaquitoTaco - Wednesday, August 3, 2016 - link
Yeah, but they reviewed the full sized model and stated it to be $55. The price must have changed since publication.Ryan Smith - Wednesday, August 3, 2016 - link
That seems to be the case. When this article was submitted for publication it was indeed $55.DanNeely - Thursday, August 4, 2016 - link
I understand not wanting to chase price changes indefinitely after an article is published; but when it changes right before or right after publication I think you should update it. When they're out of sync at release it always end up filling the comments with lots of clutter from confused/annoyed people. eg a third of the comments here are about not being able to find it for the price in the headline.Zim - Thursday, August 4, 2016 - link
I have to agree. Once you hit $70 you are in gaming keyboard territory and then the conversation changes. I'd rather have my $80 Corsair with Cherry keys than this for $70. At $55 I might consider getting one for work but at $70 it isn't worthy of its own review.rabidpeach - Wednesday, August 17, 2016 - link
Alright Ryan Smith! Anandtech, sellin' some boards-yo... makin price go up with the article! Hope they cut you some of that fine cheddar for uppin' interest in their product!Mr Perfect - Wednesday, August 3, 2016 - link
I wouldn't say minimalist designs are only appealing to entry level buyers. A couple years ago it was easy to find high-end mechanical keyboards that where minimalist, standard 104 key ANSI layouts. Now that boards have started coming with compulsory LEDs, highly subjective styling and dozens of extra keys, I have a significantly harder time finding something that's both high-end and not covered in extra bling. If Nixeus wants to step this up and make a higher quality $100ish board with the same minimalist ANSI layout, there would certainty be room in the market for it.