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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Icehawk - Wednesday, August 3, 2016 - link
Ditto, I have a Corsair and I just don't get along with its key spacing - this looks a lot better and doesn't come with any of the extraneous frills like lighting that I don't need. Price is pretty good too, most of the kbs I was looking at were at least $75+ and most seem to be much closer, or more, than $100.bigboxes - Thursday, August 4, 2016 - link
They sell the plain ones. The plethora of LED and extra features have exploded because that's what consumers want to justify the $$ for a mechanical switch keyboard. Us professionals have been using them for years. I'm not sure you're having trouble finding them or that they are just buried in a sea of the fancy ones.ComInliner - Wednesday, August 3, 2016 - link
Well someone took photography lessons. If only now you can teach him to respond to product review requests.pseudonymmster - Wednesday, August 3, 2016 - link
Two small issues:- Label of third dropdown is "Per-Key Quality Testing, and Final Words & Conclusion", but that page doesn't contain Final Words & Conclusion.
- Second paragraph, first sentence "The Nixeus Moda Pro is a standard 104-key keyboard but that adheres to the ANSI layout." Not sure if that "but" makes sense.
Mr Perfect - Thursday, August 4, 2016 - link
That second one gave me pause too. I think it's supposed to say "The Nixeus Moda Pro is a standard 104-key keyboard but does not adhere to the ANSI layout."Nixeus replaced the left Windwos key with a Fn key, so it's not really ANSI. It's actually my main gripe with the board. That left Windows key is something I use all the time, but I couldn't care less about media keys the Fn key enables.
DanNeely - Thursday, August 4, 2016 - link
The gallery (keyboard itself and the box) here shows the right windows key being replaced with the Fn key not the left one.Do you use both windows keys? If not, can you remap the layout and swap the keycaps?
Mr Perfect - Friday, August 5, 2016 - link
Derp... Yes, I meant to say the right Windows key. I use both Win keys, depending on the key combo. Win+L is always the right key, since that's a one handed move that way.I'd be content if the Fn key can be turned back into a Win key somehow (I think DIP switches are "in" right now for keyboard configuration).
Mikuni - Thursday, August 4, 2016 - link
Probably $100 in Europe.CaptainNed - Thursday, August 4, 2016 - link
Meh, it's not a Model M.FunBunny2 - Saturday, August 6, 2016 - link
damn. someone as old as me.