We did not receive our Hexgears board from Hexgears. We purchased it with our own funds. The device under review comes in two variations: a non-RGB version with Kailh Box White or Hako Clear switches, and an RGB variant with Pudding keycaps and Kailh Box Brown switches. The Impulse is a rather basic board, from unpacking to hooking it in. The layout is a very common 104 key, ANSI layout board, despite the design being rather straightforward and mercifully having a standard bottom row. The standard alphanumeric block, F keys, a navigation cluster, and a numpad are all present. Unfortunately, the long braided USB cable is not detachable, and there aren’t many options for cable routing.
Design
The Hex Gears Impulse is a budget-friendly keyboard that has a lot of style and stability. The outer shell is painted aluminum, and the bottom is black plastic. The inside has a rigid metal mounting plate, which provides the keyboard with plenty of stability. The top edge has a tapered shape, which falls like a waterfall, and the keyboard is IP56 water resistant.
The two different Impulse models have different backlights and keycaps. The $99 RGB model has a multicolored backlight and translucent sides, while the solid grey and white keys on the $89 model have white backlights. The switches on the Impulse can only be hot-swapped in the RGB model. ..
The Hexgears Impulse is a mechanical keyboard with Kailh Box Brown switches. It has a non-removable USB Type-A cable, braided cable, and RGB light ring. The switches are made of sturdy PBT plastic, and the top surface is completely surrounded by an RGB light ring.
The RGB model of the Patriot Viper V765, the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT, and the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro all look great, but the RGB model just doesn’t look that cool. The colors on the pudding keycaps are vibrant and clear, but the light shining through them makes them less so. We prefer the way the white and grey keys look, despite their lack of coloured lights behind them.
The Hexgears Impulse keyboard is a small 104-key keyboard with a full set of keys and numpad, measuring just 17.25 x 6 inches (43.8 x 15.2 cm). The Patriot Viper V765 (18.4 x 6.4 inches / 45.5 x 20.3 cm) is somewhat bigger in contrast, but it also has media controls, which the Impulse does not have. It is heavy enough to feel secure on your desk at 2 pounds (918 grammes) without being difficult to lift.
Hexgears Impulse review: Keys
The keyboard we tested has Box White switches. The distinctive “clicking” sound is produced by the Box White switches, which are rated for 80 million presses. ..
This is possible because Box switches have a protective box around the key stem. We only used a few light splashes of water to test the water resistance, and it was flawless. However, we are unsure of how well it would perform if it were entirely buried or covered in liquid. It appears that it should be fine with just about any liquid spilled onto it because the Hexgears website states that it can resist “powerful water jets.” The Impulse doesn’t need any software even though it has several switch and design options.
To use the LED lights, you’ll need to set up keyboard commands. For instance, holding down the FN key and the delete key will cycle between different preset light modes, while holding down the FN key and the page down key will change the lighting on the keyboard’s side LED panels. Although it’s not exactly a bad method, it is incredibly ineffective when you truly want to alter individual keys, including the keyboard’s macro keys. Even if it was a first-world issue, there were occasions when we wished we could utilize the most awkward software.
Hexgears Impulse review: RGB lighting
The RGB approach allows you to configure per-key illumination, however there are only nine colors available for each letter. Instead of the standard dull blue, would you prefer a royal blue? Change your keyboard. The Impulse offers a number of built-in lighting effects, including breathing and wave motions, as is typical on any RGB keyboard. The only real method to alter these is to speed up or slow them down and adjust the brightness level. And as we have mentioned, the lights’ color is uninteresting.
Performance
The Impulse USB support was successfully tested using Aqua’s test. Those who require it can switch between NKRO and 6KRO with Fn+. Using Switch Hitter, no key chatter was found on any of the keys. The right Windows key is no longer present on modern keyboards, as it has been replaced by an Fn key.
The keyboard’s side lighting has a white wave effect at first, but as the RGB LEDs get better at producing true white, the white becomes warmer and has a pinkish tint. This makes it easier for users to understand what the side lighting will look like in the future. ..
The side lighting and pudding keycaps work together to produce a stunning light display.
The Hexgear Impulse keyboard is functional and configurable without the need for software drivers, making it OS-independent. However, we would have preferred more granular control over the lighting options. ..
The onboard controls for functionality are limited, and more could be done to help explain what the keys do to the average user. The handbook is also basic in detailing what the keys do. ..
Hexgear offers helpful customer service to assist with this as needed, but the need to contact customer support in the first place shouldn’t exist. Hexgear’s impulse control and lock features enhance the overall user experience.
Hexgears Impulse review: Gaming Experience
The Hexgears Impulse keyboard is responsive and simple to use, whether we’re playing a straightforward sandbox game like Lego Worlds, a grand adventure like Rise of the Tomb Raider, or a first-person shooter like Call of Duty II: Black Ops. If pressing too many keys at once worries you, you can switch between the 6 key rollover and full key rollover modes on the keyboard by pressing Fn +. However, we never encountered a problem while playing games. ..
The Patriot Viper V765’s White-switched spacebar is faster to press when you need to jump quickly, making the Blue-switch spacebar in terms of gameplay a double-edged sword. Therefore, what works well for typing may not be as effective for fast-paced gaming. You are always welcome to place a different switch under the spacebar, provided you have one, though the keys are hot-swappable. ..
The Impulse’s major gaming drawback is its lack of robust macro and lighting options. To make up for this, using third-party software like Clavier+ or AutoIt will improve your macro experience.
Conclusion
We were impressed with Hexgears’ new low-profile X-1 keyboard from up-and-coming keyboard manufacturer Hexgears. The model features Kailh’s Box switches, making it one of the most advanced options on the market. Some of the more advanced functions of more expensive choices, such as programming capabilities, are absent from this design.
The Impulse mechanical keyboard is a great choice for anyone looking for a keyboard that has both practical features and excellent construction. even though it isn’t ideal, the Impulse has a light show that gamers should like and a variety of switches that will make your fingers dance. It’s simple to recommend this keyboard for both novices and experts because it costs less than $100.
