Wooting 80HE review: The perfect keyboard for Counter-Strike

Price When Reviewed

$199.99

Best Prices Today: Wooting 80HE

When a keyboard is hailed because the holy grail of aggressive gaming, it deserves a better look. The Wooting 80HE’s fame precedes it. More than simply an enter gadget, its state-of-the-art expertise provides you an actual benefit in shooters like Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant.

We put the extremely coveted 80 % gaming keyboard by its paces. Along the way in which, we study whether or not its modern analogue expertise justifies the steep price ticket of round $199.99, and if its recycled plastic housing lives as much as the requirements of a premium product.

Wooting 80HE: Design and development

Even unpacking the Wooting 80HE is basically completely different from coping with typical producers. The firm constantly focuses on modularity and sustainability, which suggests that you may construct it your self.

The keyboard base and keycaps are provided individually in some circumstances, so that you first have to suit the high-quality PBT keycaps to the switches your self. Although this takes a couple of minutes, it instantly provides you a deep understanding of the gadget and emphasizes the “DIY charm” of the model.

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Our check mannequin is available in a black casing product of PCR plastic. PCR stands for “Post-Consumer Recycled,” which means the chassis is basically product of recycled plastic. This is sweet for the setting, nevertheless it does have some disadvantages when it comes to really feel.

The Wooting 80HE seems sturdy at first look, however the plastic housing does present a certain quantity of give underneath heavy stress, particularly above the area bar. The materials may be noticeably pressed in and sometimes responds with a quiet creaking noise.

Anyone anticipating absolutely the rigidity of an aluminum block will both have to regulate their expectations or dig deep into their pockets and buy the non-compulsory steel casing.

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The producer additionally goes its personal approach with regards to ergonomics. Instead of counting on basic folding toes for top adjustment, the keyboard comes with numerous silicone pads.

These pads are hooked up to the underside with out instruments to regulate the angle of inclination to 2.8, 6, or 10 levels. Although this resolution ensures a non-slip stand, it’s impractical in on a regular basis use. The rubber toes entice mud virtually magically and might come free when you continuously transfer the keyboard round in your desk.

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Wooting 80HE: Technology and options

The actual spotlight of the Wooting 80HE lies hidden underneath the keycaps. No basic mechanical contacts are used right here, which solely have an “on” or “off” operate. Instead, Wooting makes use of Lekker V2 magnetic Hall-effect switches. This permits the keyboard to measure precisely how deep a secret is pressed, which is anyplace from 0.1 to 4.0 millimeters.

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This analogue recording allows features that make typical gaming keyboards really feel outdated. The most essential characteristic for avid gamers is undoubtedly “Rapid Trigger.” Unlike regular switches, which first must cross a set level earlier than resetting, the Wooting 80HE’s reset level adapts dynamically.

As quickly as you raise your finger, the sign is interrupted. If you press it down once more, it’s instantly triggered once more. The result’s an especially quick response time, which might provide a noticeable benefit when it comes to precision, particularly throughout quick sideways actions in shooters (often called strafing).

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In addition to top-tier efficiency, the analogue expertise additionally permits controller-like management. In racing video games, for instance, you’ll be able to fine-tune the throttle and steering relying on how deeply you press the buttons. This expertise is supported by an especially excessive polling price of 8,000 Hz.

This implies that the Wooting 80HE reviews its standing again to the PC 8,000 occasions per second. Even if this distinction to standard 1,000 Hz keyboards is barely perceptible to the typical gamer, it provides professionals the reassuring feeling that the {hardware} isn’t a technical bottleneck.

Keep in thoughts, nonetheless, {that a} cable connection is completely essential for this pace. You’ll must do with out wi-fi options similar to Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz radio.

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Wooting 80HE: Software

Wooting’s “Wootility” software program manages all these advanced options in an exemplary method. A giant benefit right here is that you simply don’t must obtain an set up file when you don’t wish to. The instrument runs completely as an online app immediately within the browser and is obtainable for Windows, Mac, and Linux throughout platforms.

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You can configure the set off level for every particular person button on the Wooting 80HE by its clearly organized interface. Whether you need the WASD keys to react the moment you contact them or the area bar to set off solely when totally pressed, the selection is completely yours.

RGB lighting and key assignments are additionally managed right here, saved immediately in one of many keyboard’s 4 inner reminiscence profiles. Although Wooting affords superior scripting features for good “counter-punishing” (often called “Snappy Tappy” or SOCD), it’s best to train warning right here.

Game builders similar to Valve have begun to dam such automated enter aids in titles like Counter-Strike 2. However, the core features like fast set off and analogue triggering stay unaffected and proceed to be authorized aggressive benefits.

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Wooting 80HE: Typing really feel and gaming efficiency

In on a regular basis use, the Wooting 80HE exhibits two faces. When merely typing, it surprises with a really nice really feel. The Lekker switches are properly lubricated, gliding easily with out scratchy suggestions.

Thanks to a number of layers of insulation within the casing, the acoustics are wealthy and relatively quiet, which makes it completely appropriate for workplace use. However, there’s one acoustic outlier: the area bar.

Compared to the opposite keys, it sounds a lot hole, loud, and might rattle. Given the value, that is annoying, though skilled customers can enhance this themselves with a bit of grease on the stabilizers.

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When you turn from a phrase processing program to a sport, the keyboard actually comes into its personal. In our gaming check, controlling the sport character felt extremely direct and instantaneous. Stopping and taking pictures occurs on the actual second the thought reaches your finger.

It’s troublesome to explain, however anybody who has skilled Rapid Trigger on the Wooting 80HE typically finds typical mechanical keyboards sluggish compared. The keyboard virtually provides the sensation of artificially shortening your personal response time. For aggressive gamers who wish to get essentially the most out of their gaming, this suggestions is price its weight in gold.

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