Logitech G515 Speedy TKL overview: combines my two gaming keyboard must-haves

Introduction

Logitech wasn’t precisely fast to leap on the analogue keyboard bandwagon, however is making up for that right here. The G515 Speedy TKL is without doubt one of the first boards to offer magnetic switches the low-profile remedy, whereas avoiding the bloated function checklist that’d normally ship costs skyward.

It’s primarily based closely on the comparatively cheap G515 Lightspeed TKL, however swaps mechanical switches for Corridor Impact ones, and trades wi-fi connectivity for a USB cable. Costs for the 2 are similar within the UK, however US avid gamers must pay a small premium to go analogue.

Nevertheless, when an enormous a part of the enchantment of magnetic switches is their near-infinite adjustability, do they really make sense in a low-profile kind issue?

Design & construct: slimmer of the yr

Visually, there’s little to separate the G515 Speedy TKL from its Lightspeed stablemate. They’ve the identical tenkeyless structure and use full-size keys, which continues to be uncommon as many low-profile boards favour 65% or smaller. Every may be had in black or white colors, with the WASD keys being a barely totally different hue.

Each have a brilliant skinny 22mm profile, however this one is a lighter at 800g – I chalk that as much as it not needing a battery. The all-plastic chassis additionally helps right here, whereas a metallic core retains every part inflexible whilst you hammer away on the keys.

Devoted media controls and a quantity rocker are nonetheless absent, so that you’re reliant on the operate row FN shortcuts. This may be simpler if the icons for every shortcut had been illuminated, however the RGB LEDs solely shine by way of the principle character on every key. The chunky plastic strip above the operate keys solely holds the Sport mode button and Caps Lock indicator, which feels as wasted a possibility because it was on the G515 Lightspeed.

The underside is usually minimal, with just a few rubber strips serving to hold the board locked in place on my desk. Flip-out toes give two ranges of top adjustment. It sits so low to my desk that I wasn’t nervous about not getting a wrist relaxation included within the field.

Doubleshot PBT key caps are actually the norm for Logitech, following points with put on on its older ABS keyboards. The G515 Speedy TKL’s keys have a well-recognized textured end that gives simply sufficient grip, with subsequent to no wobble whereas typing. After a month of use they’ve not proven any signal of fade. The cross-style switches beneath are an ordinary form, do you have to wish to swap the caps out for third-party alternate options.

Options & software program: wired marvel

The G515 Speedy TKL’s cheap asking worth is basically all the way down to the very fact it’s a wired keyboard. Rivals which have wi-fi connectivity and analogue switches sometimes price twice as a lot, if no more. Magnetic inputs draw extra energy than common mechanical ones, so the built-in batteries should be beefier to compensate.

Logitech has sidestepped all that by sticking a 1.8m USB Kind-C to Kind-A cable within the field. It’s not a elaborate braided one, both, however does embody a velco cable tidy to at the least offer you a combating likelihood of retaining desk litter to a minimal.

In any other case options are principally on par with the G515 Lightspeed TKL, together with per-key RGB backlighting that also hasn’t discovered a chic option to illuminate the Euro image. A number of the bigger legends, just like the enter arrow and ALT GR textual content aren’t fairly as absolutely lit as the remainder of the board, however I’m splitting hairs at this level. It’s all absolutely customisable by way of Logitech’s G Hub software program, when you’re not a fan of the lengthy checklist of presets. Group-made downloads are a handy option to combine issues up, too.

Efficiency: change it on

Even earlier than you begin adjusting actuation distances, the G515 Speedy TKL’s shorter key journey will take some getting used to when you’re coming from a conventional keyboard. There’s a most 2.5mm right here, versus the 4mm seen on most high-profile ‘boards. The keys are extra tightly grouped, too.

That didn’t have an effect on my typing accuracy, as I’ve lengthy been a low-profile convert, although as a result of they want simply 35g of drive to activate, I had to make use of a lighter contact to keep away from bottoming out every key. I’m an enormous fan of how quiet this keyboard is, with presses sounding extra like “thunks” than “clicks” due to a number of layers of inside damping and the switches being pre-lubed from the manufacturing facility.

Gaming is of course the place this keyboard performs greatest. The magnetic switches assist Simultaneous reverse cardinal route (SOCD) inputs, letting you peek shortly out and in of canopy in shooters with out absolutely taking your fingers off the A and D keys (in video games that received’t ban you for utilizing the tech, anyway).

Actuation may be adjusted from the complete 2.5mm to a minuscule 0.1mm, making inputs really feel nearly instantaneous. You can even set particular person keys to tug off totally different actions relying on how far down you press them – say strolling for a light-weight press on the W key, or operating with a full press – however the low profile nature means there’s much less room to set these up. You want a lighter contact than with a high-profile ‘board, and I’d not often have such finesse throughout hectic multiplayer matches.

It’s additionally price retaining in thoughts that low-profile switches put velocity forward of tactile really feel, so when you’ve lowered the actuation level typing can turn out to be a little bit of a chore. I discovered it greatest to have totally different profiles for work and gaming, with the keyboard defaulting to the utmost actuation distance throughout my workplace hours.

Logitech G515 Speedy TKL verdict

Whereas I largely clicked with the G515 Speedy TKL, the wired connection is a private dealbreaker. I don’t thoughts having to cost my Steelseries Apex Professional Gen 3 each few days when it leaves my desk clutter-free the remainder of the time, even when I needed to pay further for the privilege.

Nevertheless, when you fall within the centre of the Venn diagram of low-profile lovers and analogue change insisters, you’ll really feel proper at residence with one in every of these in your desk. It’s speedy, effortlessly customisable, and doesn’t price foolish cash both.

Logitech G515 Speedy TKL technical specs