Tecware Phantom RGB Review

[djdestiny]

I begin the post by explaining this is not a "sponsored" review in the traditional sense.
This keyboard is provided as a sample but it is not sponsored as such (provide funds for, just check the dictionary) or paid.
Well actually it will be more artistic than "professional review" because I want to do reviews differently.

That out of the way, back in what I think is 2014? We started seeing cheaper RGB keyboards by means of traditional through hole LEDs on the switches.
So this isn't new in any way shape or form, it's just a hell of a lot cheaper but is it good?

Well, TL;DR it's good. But why I do say so? Read on.

This is a full sized keyboard. Full sized keyboards still remain more popular than TKL keyboards for reasons being : Often they are either cheaper or the same price as a TKL keyboard and you can at least map the number pad buttons to do another purpose or macro
That cannot be a bad thing right? I have two TKL keyboards and I still go back to full sized 104 keyboards despite the extra width considering I switched to a 40+cm mousepad but I have a mouse bungee now so that isn't an issue even though I have bookshelf speakers on my desk.

Amazingly, there is no mention of tecware anywhere on the metal plate unlike the Tecware phantom 84 I reviewed (mind you i bought that!) previously. I could only find a phantom written on the front side of the keyboard plastic case which is very neat indeed.

What's one big plus point? It's 79$ and you aren't necessarily giving up any features that you might find in a much much pricier keyboard.

This is a very conservative and common design with no extra frills, just the way I like keyboards with an metal plate extending to the edges.
Love it.

As I said the only mention of Phantom where you can see it is literally on the side! Nice.

Oh and of course, this is an RGB keyboard so you can change colors and it is also a spectrum keyboard so you can change every key to your liking or use the effects built in of which there are... A LOT.

This being me, I already swapped out the keycaps for some special keycaps I installed on my TKL as I'm going to use the keyboard for my gaming rig anyway. (I do everything on the same rig!)

The switches here are the same Outemu switches but available in red this time. Awesome. I went for reds and while they are softer than cherry reds I always preferred if cherry reds were smoother and softer. Cherry reds are too crisp for their purpose.
But, I also bought a phantom RGB in blue switches. Happy to report it is still very crisp like the TKL. It's punchy, it's crisp, I simply LOVE it!

This is the static spectrum mode. Normally I change all the colors to fit my setup. Yes, I have RGB lights behind my monitor because I like that.

 

[djdestiny]

In diagonal wave mode.

Like the Phantom 87 it also has a keycap remover that stows away into the keyboard. I cannot praise that feature alone enough, it is a simply great feature to solve my issues of being unable to find my keycap removers!

When the the first wave of cheap RGB spectrum keyboards first came out, I didn't like them and I still don't like them now even though their pricing was good.
No matter which switch you chose, the feeling was naff. Very naff. Not because it's cheap but kalih ordinary switches are simply naff.

I have been gaming on it with the reds and blues and it has been an love affair in a sense because it is just simply excellent and I'm in love with it.

Also like the Tecware Phantom 84 and unlike rather lot of keyboards the switches have a SMD RGB LED below them so they last longer (The through hole LED plastic casings are prone to deterioration by UV from white LEDs and RGB LEDs can also suffer from it however one of my keyboards looked yellow because the keycap developed a yellow tint not the LED.

 

[djdestiny]

Do you know what seals the deal for me? At 79$ you wouldn't possibly expect software integration but they have done it!
Also you can swap out the switches and they have included 4 more switches in the box if the switches die so you can do your own replacements.

It isn't as awesome as CM Storm's software which can detect games and load game profiles (you can also download more profiles!) but it sure is capable in it's own right and sufficient as it allows per profile settings for different per key configuration

From Tecware's page it supports :
• Macro recording
• Macro assignment
• 3 User Profiles
• Custom per-key lighting per profile

I'll be honest. I'm not complaining and I don't need more. It is amazing and the software hasn't bugged out since I've used it so there.

Pros :
• Great feeling keyboard
• INSANELY LOW PRICE
• Software support which is pretty much impossible at this price point wherever you look
• Did I mention build quality? This thing is SOLID.
• Replaceable switches.

Cons :
• It is not as prominent as other RGB keyboards in that it's a tad dim.
• Sure you can replace the switches but don't expect to fit kalih speeds or gaterons in it. Outemus have a different pin pitch to them and the pins are skinnier.
Which means I have no use for the Kalih Speeds I bought... I wanted to replace my WASD sector for the lolz but that ain't happening. Bummer.
I suppose for most people it won't really matter at all.
These outemus are still great switches nevertheless.

All in all this is a fantastic keyboard. At this price range, it deserves a 10/10.