Fun, easy-to-use mechanical keyboard with a soft touch.
Wireless keyboards are an essential tool that every workspace should have front and center. They should be compatible with your style of work or entertainment and comfortable for you to use. In a way, choosing a keyboard is a lot like finding the right pair of shoes. Each has its own specific utility purpose and comfort level for the user. You could spend loads of time searching for just the right pair of shoes — and the same can be said for keyboards.
This past weekend I started renovating my office space. One of the biggest tasks involved was cleaning out and organizing my closet. In that closet, I found 8 different styles of keyboards. I ended up keeping only three and one of those isn’t even operational. I kept it because it has sentimental value. My point is that while there are literally hundreds of different keyboards to choose from, there is only one right choice for you. This search is what led me to try out the Vissles V84 Wireless Keyboard.
DETAILS
The Vissles V84 Wireless Keyboard is a mechanical, hot-swappable keyboard. It can be ordered with one of four different types of switches – VS II, Red, Blue, or Brown switches. It is tenkeyless (TKL) and features a 75% layout. It’s compact and includes RGB backlighting. The keyboard is made with PBT and the switches are have a 60 million keystroke life span. The keyboard is designed to work with both Mac and Windows operating systems with macOS as the default layout.
The RGB lighting can be customized through Vissles software, but it is for Windows users only. The keyboard communicates wirelessly through Bluetooth 5.1 and allows for five different devices to be connected at any given time. There is a rechargeable 3750 mAh lithium battery built into the keyboard and provides up to 180 hours of runtime. The keycaps are easily removable using the included keycap puller and the footpads are also detachable.
The VSII switches were designed by Vissles to be functioning mechanical switches that are softer in feel than other styles of switches. The description from Vissles is included below.
VS Mechanical Switch: Accuracy At Fingertips
V84 keyboard incorporates self-developed linear switches, they deliver smooth and consistent actuation by having an actuation force of 52 ± 10gf and the pre-travel of 2mm ± 0.6mm, the fast and low resistance trigger is perfect for long hours of typing. Rather than having a noticeable clicking noise, V84 is quiet and perfect for soft typing in an office environment. VS mechanical switches are durable with excellent performance, users can rely on their impressive lifespan of 50 million keystrokes.
IN THE BOX
- V84 keyboard
- Wrist rest
- Keycap puller
- Switch puller
- User manual
- Quick start guide
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- Extra key caps
- Magnetic feet
- Non-slip mat for wrist rest
SPECS
- Brand: Vissles
- Model: V84
- Layout: 75% ANSI layout
- Number of Keys: 84 keys(one of the few mechanical keyboards featuring Mac layout media keys)
- Switches: Linear switches
- Switch Brand: VS-II Mechanical Switch
- Bounce Time: ≤5msec
- Operating Force: 56 ± 10gf
- Total Travel: 4mm
- Pre-Travel: 2mm ± 0.5mm
- Switch Lifespan: 60M
- Switch Compatibility: Hot-swap socket design, compatible with any MX-style switch (brands like Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, and Outemu)
- N-Key Rollover: NKRO on wired mode and 6KRO on wireless mode
- Keyboard Compatible System: Windows/Android/Mac/iOS
- Software Program Compatibility: Windows (users can still record Macros with Fn+ Z/X/C key to perform 3 sets of tasks without a software program)
- Connectivity: Pair up to 5 devices (simply tap Fn+Q/W/E/R/T to seamlessly switch between 5 devices)
- Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1
- Materials: PBT
- Dynamic Backlit Types: 19
- Monochrome Backlit Types: 9
- Color: White
- Inclined Angle: 6-degree angle stand
- Interface: Detachable USB-C Interface
- Battery: 3750mAh Lithium Battery–lasts up to 180 hours (backlight off)
- Weight: 864g (keyboard) + 8g (foot pad)
- Dimension: 316mm × 126mm × 39mm
- Input: 5V/1A
USER EXPERIENCE
The keyboard comes in a simple, clean box. The front of the package features a wireframe illustration of the keyboard. The name of the keyboard is called out on the front as well and some of the specs are printed on the back. When you open the box, you will find the keyboard, a wrist rest, a charging cable, a quick start guide, a user manual, a cleaning cloth, and some anti skid pads that you can attached via adhesive to the bottom of the keyboard. Personally, I thought the padded wrist rest was a great addition to the kit as I don’t see many keyboards packaged with them.
One of the things I noticed right away was that the keys were not mapped properly. My primary computer is a 2021 MacBook Air and I was excited that the V84 keyboard is set up to work with macOS computers. So, when I tried to use the keyboard naturally, I expected that the COMMAND key would work as it normally does on my laptop. Unfortunately, the COMMAND key on the v84 did nothing. Instead, the OPTION key was acting as the COMMAND key.
I did a lot of troubleshooting to try and figure out the issue on my own. When I couldn’t find the answer, I reached out to Vissles and got a very quick straightforward option to try. I was told to attempt pressing FN + COMMAND to see if the COMMAND key had been unlocked. I tried that option first. It didn’t change anything so I moved on to the next suggestion which was to press FN + S keys.
This was supposed to cause the keyboard to switch to a macOS system. Fortunately, that keystroke worked! Out of the box, the keyboard should be mapped for macOS computers, but if for some reason the COMMAND key isn’t working as it should, give these tips a try.
As for the rest of the keyboard’s function, I was very pleased with it. I love the feel of mechanical keys but don’t always like the noisy clicks from the switches. Some people love them, but I do prefer a softer feel to my keys. I like knowing that I’ve made a keystroke and you don’t always get that sensation with a membrane keyboard and that’s why I prefer mechanical ones.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from the VSII switches but thought they might be a good option for me since the description states they are quieter than other mechanical switches. The V84 is very comfortable to type on. The keys are spaced out well – even for a compact keyboard – and while the keys are taller than I’m used to with slim keyboards, I didn’t have any issues adapting or even enjoying typing on the keyboard.
I really love the simple functionality of it. There are some special key combinations you need to learn in order to get the full benefit of the keyboard, but it’s not overly complicated. One feature that I LOVED was the automatic connection to my computer. My work-from-home space utilized two different laptops – a 2020 16-inch MacBook Pro (for work) and a 2021 13-inch MacBook Air (for personal use). The MacBook Pro is typically used in closed clamshell mode. In the past, this has meant that any Bluetooth-connected peripherals had to ‘wake’ up the computer.
This usually took some complicated keystrokes or incessant tapping of the spacebar for several seconds to cause the computer to respond. I was shocked to find that I simply had to turn the V84 on (via the switch on the back) for the computer to recognize it. It turns out that the keyboard automatically connects to its last paired device. In my case, that was my MacBook Pro. It was the easiest wireless connection/wake-up function I’ve ever experienced.
I’m always slightly bummed that macOS computers don’t have customizable software for keyboards like the V84. I love RGB backlighting and would enjoy being able to create custom effects. Maybe it’s something that Vissles will attempt to add on later down the road since the default system for this keyboard is macOS.
CONCLUSION
The V84 Wireless Keyboard from Vissles is a great mechanical keyboard. It’s very well built and feels great to type on. It’s ideal for someone – like me – who wants to use a mechanical keyboard, but needs something just a little quieter than gaming keyboards typically provide.
For more information, visit vissles.com and Facebook.
Receive a $10 discount when you use the coupon code V84 at checkout. The coupon expires on March 31, 2022.
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