The G810 Orion Spectrum Keyboard is Logitech’s latest bad boy in the world of mechanical keyboards. Mechanical keyboards create a symbiotic relationship between typing and fun, something which you can never have with a crappy plasticky rubber-dome one. As someone who loves to type and an owner of the legendary IBM Model M keyboard, I must say that I was pleasantly impressed by the G810 Orion Spectrum. After clacking away on the sleek, black keyboard for nearly a month, this keyboard is a beast.
Why is the G810 Orion Spectrum that awesome? For starters, it’s definitely because of Logitech’s proprietary Romer-G keys (we’ve talked about these kickass keys before). Although Logitech says that it’s specifically designed for gaming, it’s also perfect for online banter. Indeed, you can get the pure essence of typing with the Romer-G keys. Every keypress makes you feel ready to kick ass. The keys are similar to Cherry MX browns, except that it’s much more responsive and offers more tactile feedback than the overly-muted browns.
The keys seem to strike a perfect balance between the Cherry MX Blues and Browns – it gives solid tactile feedback yet while preserving the eargasmic sound of mechanical switches. The Romer-G switch feels very sturdy as well. It’s as if you could wage war on your next 10 paragraph-long essay with ease. The more you type, the more you won’t want to stop. It is that addictive. Essentially, if you’re a fan of the rarer Cherry MX Reds, you should feel at home with the Romer-G keys.
However, it’s not solely about the keyswitch though – the keyboard’s aesthetics is worth mentioning too. The keyboard sports an understated, simple design which makes looking at it pleasing to the eyes. Better still when the LED lights come to life though: it makes you feel empowered as you type away. Even the typeface of the keys are for serious business.
If you’re like me who’s finicky with the ergonomics of whatever I lay my hands on, you can rest easy with the G810 Orion Spectrum. The 2-tier height adjustments of the keyboard says everything. For me, propping up the keyboard by 8 degrees seals the deal. For many others though, 4 degrees is enough. But if you’re the type of purist who loves to see your keyboard lay flat on your gorgeous desk, then not propping it up feels just as nice.
If I were to look for 1 big downside of the G810 Orion Spectrum, it’ll be the price. At $259, this keyboard might be too demanding for the pockets of many. Razer’s well-built Blackwidow Ultimate Classic offers a competitive typing experience for nearly $100 less, and already has a huge cult following. Das Keyboard, which has a solid reputation for keyboards that last a lifetime, has its Das Keyboard 4 Professional for only $230. Talk about being in a tough decision.
But if you ask me, Logitech has the potential to have a cult following with the G810 Orion Spectrum – and I have become one of its fans. With a robust chassis which showed zero signs of wobbling even under intense typing on aggro mode, and keys which give a sensational typing experience every time, the G810 Orion Spectrum nails all the fundamental essentials of what a good mechanical keyboard should embody: comfort and functionality.
Although the G810 Orion Spectrum is slapped with the derogatory “Made in China” label at the back, I just refuse to believe it – it feels like it came out of the same assembly line as the legendary IBM Model M back in the States in 1984 (yes I do love the keyboard).
Photos courtesy of Bryan Chua
