Roccat Vulkan 121 AIMO is the new mechanical keyboard presented by Roccat for uncompromising Gaming lovers. The packaging with which the keyboard is sold is essential but at the same time well done. Well finished box contains the keyboard, magnetic wrist rest, a Roccat stickers set and instruction manual. Let's immediately say that there is no layout in Spanish, the sample arrived in the editorial office has the USA layout (ANSI / US) and, the only alternative is the German layout (ISO / DE). This element will already turn up their noses to a large slice of users who now prefer to have the keyboard in Spanish to use it also in the writing phase and not only at the gaming level, the writer also deals with programming and, the possibility of having brackets clips at a click has always been one of the requirements for choosing this type of peripheral.
The attention to detail that Roccat has reserved for its product is really high, just think that the integrated processor is a 0-bit ARM Cortex-M32 that allows the keyboard to reach a polling rate of 1000 Hz.
Appearance
Roccat Vulkan 121 AIMO immediately appears very elegant and sober but, at the same time, robust. The dimensions are 462 x 235 x 32 mm. The keyboard chassis is made of plastic, with a metal plate directly at the base of the raised keys, a feature that undoubtedly increases its value, not giving it the typical plasticky air that remains in other products in the segment. The cable is USB covered in braid, with a length of 1,8 m, suitable for all configurations. When you place it on your desk, i rubber feet ensure excellent stability and there is no risk that it slips even in the most hectic use sessions.
This is not a small keyboard, i.e. without the numeric keypad. The multimedia compartment of the keyboard includes the audio trimmer to manage the volume and pressing the key FN you access the second function of the keys ranging from F1 a F12. If you are a gamer who loves macros, Roccat makes available to you well six keys you can program and the key Gaming Mode. The keyboard obviously has an RGB backlight with a particular solution for allocating the raised keys with keys Roccat Titan Switch Red.
Experience of use
Using Roccat Vulkan 121 AIMO may seem inconvenient due to the particular configuration of the keys, however after a global shake-down of a few hours, you can have the same typing speed as any other keyboard, minimizing typing errors. The implementation of the switches is 1,4 mm, if you are used to brown switches and not red switches, we advise you to take the version that equips the Roccat Titan Switch Brown to further reduce adaptation times.
Keep in mind that they are very sensitive keys and definitely thinner than the standard keys you are used to, so if for the first moments of use you find yourself making typing errors and having to pay more attention than necessary, know that it will be completely normal . The technical peculiarity of the Titan switches is to have an implementation speed of 30% faster compared to other switches, a fundamental aspect for gaming, a little less in terms of writing: if you are fond of pressing down the keys and red switches, you will have to adapt quickly because the response speed of this keyboard is really high .
La backlight RGB is definitely splendida but slightly invasive, the keys are seen very clearly and, at maximum brightness during night use, with the desk completely in the dark, it could be slightly annoying. In game the keyboard behaves very well and, in general, the arrangement of the multimedia keys and the ability to always have the system volume under control are absolutely winning features.
The keyboard was tested with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) and, in combination with the mouse Roccat Kain 120 AIMO, the gaming experience was very satisfying, also and above all thanks to the gel wrist rest, very comfortable and essential with the raised keys.
Software
Roccat Vulkan 121 AIMO is managed by the now known Roccat Swarm, a software that we recommend you download from the manufacturer's website in order to act on many keyboard parameters, such as lighting effects, the key assignment, the various profiles, the macros and so on. The software expresses its full potential when it can handle several Roccat peripherals at the same time, such as for example mouse and keyboard.
During testing and hours of use it did not however never showed uncertainties, the keyboard never loses the saved configuration and everything is always adjustable "on the fly" without any unexpected events. The software interface echoes the Roccat color pattern, in black and blue, resulting too elegant and well implemented.
The Roccat Vulkan 121 AIMO keyboard is an absolutely valid product, not cheap (the price is around 160 euros) which is placed in a medium-high range of the sector. The initial adaptation, due to the particular arrangement of the keys, can be slightly problematic, but after a few hours you will undoubtedly be able to acquire the necessary feeling to make it perform at its best. The software is intuitive, well managed and does not burden the computer resources significantly, resulting very responsive and fast in making changes to the keyboard settings. The only note that could be particularly painful for someone is the lack of layout, a feature that Roccat should now take into consideration, especially on products in this price range. The reduced profile of the keys allows a truly optimal cleaning, the aluminum plate and the raised keys in fact, allow you to remove any impurities with a quick pass of compressed air, without disassembling anything. If you are a gaming purist and are not interested in a keyboard that allows you to do word processing, buy it without thinking twice.
