Review: Tt esports Challenger Pro
Scarecrow, 22-Jul-10 »
The gaming keyboard has always been characterised by special features, be it macro keys, LCD displays or a backlight for late night gaming. The Challenger series matches the 'norm' but takes it to a slightly different level. Thermaltake eSports has added a hand-cooling fan to the list of features to improve your game.
Besides the fan the other features are mostly standard in gaming keyboards: 10 macro keys, red backlight, basic multimedia keys and onboard memory to store the macros. Other features to make life easier include: red replacement keys for the WASD and arrow keys, windows key blocker, switches to change backlight and profile, and 2 USB ports.
The 10 macro keys are in groups of 5 on each side of the keyboard, this allows for some sort of symmetry of the keyboard, although this means that only 5 of the keys are easily accessible to the WASD gamer. The layout of the rest of the keyboard is standard, except all the function keys, Print Screen, Screen Lock and Pause key have been compacted together to allow the multimedia, backlight and profile switch keys to fit in the same line.
For those that may desire it, the main gaming locations on the keyboard can be exchanged with red keys. The keys are changed using the supplied tool. For the tool to work it needs to get on either side of the key, unfortunately there isn’t enough space for the tool to be used with the up arrow key. This caused me to crack the up arrow key (quickly fixed with glue). A more successful method i found for that key was to use the tool to lever the bottom edge up as in the photo (watch for the key flying away), alternatively, you can use a butter knife for the same effect.
The fan can either be located either above the WASD keys or above the number pad when in use. When not in use it tucks into the back the keyboard. The fan definitely does work. It’s only a slight cooling, meaning that it won't blow your hands off the keyboard and annoy you with a torrent of wind, but it should be enough to help sweaty gamers. Unfortunately its winter at the moment, so cooling is the last thing that is needed.
For any consumers, looks are always important in the decisions, and the red back backlight on black keys makes the keyboard look very slick. The backlight shines through the characters of the keys so even when its dark the keys can be easily identified. There are always times when the backlight is not needed or wanted, and for these the backlight can be varied from full brightness to off with a single button on the keyboard. The Tt logo on the keyboard can also be turned off; unfortunately this can only be done through the supplied drivers.
The Challenger Pro also comes with 2 USB ports on the back of the keyboard for easy access. The problem I had with them is they didn’t supply enough power. Each port is meant to be able to supply up to 100mA, and evidently this is too little for many USB drives. For those without easy access to USB ports on their box, this could be a major problem. These same problems have been reported from users of keyboards such as the G15 and other Razor products also. This problem could possibly be fixed by a second USB cable form the keyboard to the computer, or an external power pack (as Logitech's G19 contains).
One thing that some gamers want which this keyboard is missing is anti ghosting. Depending on which keys are used you can press between 3-6 keys simultaneously. The cluster of keys around the WASD area seems to allow the most button presses, but other than that it’s fairly random. For FPS gaming this could be plenty, but its something to consider if ghosting is a problem for you.
The supplied drivers are very easy to use. Once installed even the novice user will be able to change the function of all 10 macro keys, for 4 different profiles. The 4 profiles can be switched on the fly using a button on the keyboard. These 4 profiles can be uploaded to the keyboard so the macro key setup follows the keyboard, not just the computer. There are many options that each button can be set for other then macro’s including basic formatting like copy/paste and launching specific programs to name a few. Creating a macro is a quick and simple activity. Macro’s can be recorded easily by selecting a T key and pressing record. After this simply enter the sequence desired. Timings for each button press can be fine-tuned to produce the best response. One complaint is once you’ve finished with a macro, there doesn’t seem to be a way to add extra button presses, only move or delete the ones already there. This means a long sequence of button presses will have to be repeated if editing is needed, including redoing any timing modifications. The drivers also allow the Tt logo to be turned on and off; unfortunately both the backlight intensity and the Tt logo light cannot be changed between the profiles.
Pros
• Fan cools hand
• Variable backlight
• Easy to use drivers
• Store profile settings on keyboard for transportation
Cons
• USB’s not powerful enough to run an external HD, or some USB drives.
• Tt logo can only be disabled in the drivers
• Removing keys not always easy
• No anti-Ghosting
Final Thoughts
The Challenger Pro is a good keyboard. Lack of ant-ghosting has never been a problem for me, but while I don't need to use the USB ports, the lack of power would be an issue for some. Overall the keyboard does everything the majority of gamers will need. If you are looking for a new keyboard this is definitely worth a look, but the fan and other features aren't an upgrade over other gaming keyboards.
http://www.ttesports.com/products/product.aspx?g=feature&s=3
The challenger Pro is currently only available for pre order in Australia
The gaming keyboard has always been characterised by special features, be it macro keys, LCD displays or a backlight for late night gaming. The Challenger series matches the 'norm' but takes it to a slightly different level. Thermaltake eSports has added a hand-cooling fan to the list of features to improve your game.
Besides the fan the other features are mostly standard in gaming keyboards: 10 macro keys, red backlight, basic multimedia keys and onboard memory to store the macros. Other features to make life easier include: red replacement keys for the WASD and arrow keys, windows key blocker, switches to change backlight and profile, and 2 USB ports.
The 10 macro keys are in groups of 5 on each side of the keyboard, this allows for some sort of symmetry of the keyboard, although this means that only 5 of the keys are easily accessible to the WASD gamer. The layout of the rest of the keyboard is standard, except all the function keys, Print Screen, Screen Lock and Pause key have been compacted together to allow the multimedia, backlight and profile switch keys to fit in the same line.
For those that may desire it, the main gaming locations on the keyboard can be exchanged with red keys. The keys are changed using the supplied tool. For the tool to work it needs to get on either side of the key, unfortunately there isn’t enough space for the tool to be used with the up arrow key. This caused me to crack the up arrow key (quickly fixed with glue). A more successful method i found for that key was to use the tool to lever the bottom edge up as in the photo (watch for the key flying away), alternatively, you can use a butter knife for the same effect.
The fan can either be located either above the WASD keys or above the number pad when in use. When not in use it tucks into the back the keyboard. The fan definitely does work. It’s only a slight cooling, meaning that it won't blow your hands off the keyboard and annoy you with a torrent of wind, but it should be enough to help sweaty gamers. Unfortunately its winter at the moment, so cooling is the last thing that is needed.
For any consumers, looks are always important in the decisions, and the red back backlight on black keys makes the keyboard look very slick. The backlight shines through the characters of the keys so even when its dark the keys can be easily identified. There are always times when the backlight is not needed or wanted, and for these the backlight can be varied from full brightness to off with a single button on the keyboard. The Tt logo on the keyboard can also be turned off; unfortunately this can only be done through the supplied drivers.
The Challenger Pro also comes with 2 USB ports on the back of the keyboard for easy access. The problem I had with them is they didn’t supply enough power. Each port is meant to be able to supply up to 100mA, and evidently this is too little for many USB drives. For those without easy access to USB ports on their box, this could be a major problem. These same problems have been reported from users of keyboards such as the G15 and other Razor products also. This problem could possibly be fixed by a second USB cable form the keyboard to the computer, or an external power pack (as Logitech's G19 contains).
One thing that some gamers want which this keyboard is missing is anti ghosting. Depending on which keys are used you can press between 3-6 keys simultaneously. The cluster of keys around the WASD area seems to allow the most button presses, but other than that it’s fairly random. For FPS gaming this could be plenty, but its something to consider if ghosting is a problem for you.
The supplied drivers are very easy to use. Once installed even the novice user will be able to change the function of all 10 macro keys, for 4 different profiles. The 4 profiles can be switched on the fly using a button on the keyboard. These 4 profiles can be uploaded to the keyboard so the macro key setup follows the keyboard, not just the computer. There are many options that each button can be set for other then macro’s including basic formatting like copy/paste and launching specific programs to name a few. Creating a macro is a quick and simple activity. Macro’s can be recorded easily by selecting a T key and pressing record. After this simply enter the sequence desired. Timings for each button press can be fine-tuned to produce the best response. One complaint is once you’ve finished with a macro, there doesn’t seem to be a way to add extra button presses, only move or delete the ones already there. This means a long sequence of button presses will have to be repeated if editing is needed, including redoing any timing modifications. The drivers also allow the Tt logo to be turned on and off; unfortunately both the backlight intensity and the Tt logo light cannot be changed between the profiles.
Pros
• Fan cools hand
• Variable backlight
• Easy to use drivers
• Store profile settings on keyboard for transportation
Cons
• USB’s not powerful enough to run an external HD, or some USB drives.
• Tt logo can only be disabled in the drivers
• Removing keys not always easy
• No anti-Ghosting
Final Thoughts
The Challenger Pro is a good keyboard. Lack of ant-ghosting has never been a problem for me, but while I don't need to use the USB ports, the lack of power would be an issue for some. Overall the keyboard does everything the majority of gamers will need. If you are looking for a new keyboard this is definitely worth a look, but the fan and other features aren't an upgrade over other gaming keyboards.
http://www.ttesports.com/products/product.aspx?g=feature&s=3
The challenger Pro is currently only available for pre order in Australia
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| Category: | Hardware Reviews |
| Posted: | 22-Jul-10 11:43:14 pm |
| Author: | Scarecrow |