2 weeks Ago By Mark Sparrow, Senior Contributor
The new GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro CyberPunck edition looks so unusual and there's an optional ...
More matching mouse for those who want to complete the look. The GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro Special Edition Cyberpunk is a premium 75% mechanical keyboard with 79 keys and a customizable control knob which is a volume and mute control by default. The whole keyboard is constructed from a lightweight aluminum alloy providing a balance between durability and portability.
Supported by a striking skeletal, tree-like frame, the keyboard has a definite symmetry and a styling that’s unique including perimeter lighting. The metal frame of the keyboard flows up and around the keys, surrounding them with quicksilver branches. There are two claw-like and adjustable stabilizers at the top left and right corners of the keyboard which anchor the K1 Pro to the desk surface.
The construction of the keyboard with its outrigger stabilizers create a stable platform while also providing an adjustable height and rake to the keys. The claw-like outrigger stabilizers on the keyboard aim to provide a more solid typing experience. GravaStar has used Kailh Linear Mint switches which are hot-swappable and can be replaced with MX switches with three- or five-pins.
The switches have a quick rebound for rapid input. POK stems to create a clear and crisp sound while the keys deliver a smooth feel that GravaStar claims gets even smoother over time without the need for additional lubing. The Kailh switches are rated at 70,000,000 keystrokes which means they should endure many years of heavy use.
The K1 Pro is constructed from five layers which are sandwiched between the aluminum top frame and bottom plate. Inside there are layers of silicone foam, PORON button foam, a printed circuit board, IPXE foam layer, PORON sandwich foam, FR4 plate and then the switches on top. The result is a relatively solid feed and sound thanks to the layers of insulation.
As you might expect with a keyboard aimed at gamers, the GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro has extensive RGB lighting with a choice of 16.8 million colors. The south-facing keys have backlights that provide 13 different lighting modes, with custom options for setting the lighting speed, brightness and color changes.
The keys and the skirting of the Mercury K1 Pro CyberPunck provide a customisable RGB light show. Backlights on mechanical keyboards are notorious energy hogs and so to reduce the time between charging, GravaStar has fitted the Mercury K1 Pro with a large 8000mAh rechargeable battery which is between two and four times larger than the batteries in most mechanical keyboards on the market. The keycaps supplied with the Mercury K1 Pro are pudding-style PBT construction with dye-sublimation printed art.
The look of the keycaps is certainly cyberpunk and unusual. To connect the Mercury K1 Pro to its host devices there is a choice between trusty USB-C as well as Bluetooth wireless with three pairings at once and a 2.4GHz wireless dongle.
Both the wired and 2.4GHz connections offer low latency performance and will be preferred by gamers who need top responsiveness and performance. As with most mechanical keyboards on sale these days, the GravaStar Mercury K1 Pro has the switchable option of a Windows and macOS layout so there is no need to remap the keys.
However, for those who do want to customize the layout of the keyboard, there is downloadable Windows software for that purpose as well as for updating the keyboard’s firmware as and when GravaStar issues any new versions. The GravaStart Mercury K1 Pro CyberPunk is available now from GravaStar and is priced at $179.95 / £141.
06 / €168,75. Layout: 75% layout with 79 keys plus control knob. Programmable control knob for enhanced functionality Keycaps: Pudding PBT Keycaps with dye-sublimation artwork.
Switches: Custom GravaStar x Kailh Speedy Mint linear key switches. Actuation force: 45gf Pre-travel distance: 1.2mm.
Total travel distance: 3.5mm. Design: Gasket-mounted.
Layers: 5. Lighting: Dual independent RGB backlighting systems. Battery: 8.
000mAh rechargeable. Connectivity: USB-C wired, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless.
Dimensions: 415 x 178.6 x 57.6mm.
Weight: 1.18kg..
