HK GAMING GK61 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - 61 Keys Multi Color RGB Illuminated LED Backlit Wired Programmable for PC/Mac Gamer Tactile (Gateron Optical Brown)

Update 3/7/2020 This keyboard is just too damn loud. I tried multiple different switches, I tried O-rings, but the steel plate in it sounds almost hollow on every keypress, which leads to a pinging sound, especially in the middle of the board. For a budget keyboard, this is still a fine machine. It has hot swappable switches, so you can figure out what you like typing on most before moving onto something bigger and better. For a daily driver keyboard, Im going to have to change my review and say that this isnt a good idea. The volume alone will leave anyone else in the room with you kinda wanting to cut off your fingers so you cant type anymore. I ended up returning this board and went with the Anne Pro 2. The switches I got were still clicky and not terribly quiet at all, but compared to this board its dead silent. Original review below: ----------- I had been looking for a 60% keyboard for a while, but didnt want to spend $100+ on one without knowing in the long run if Id like it or not. Im a programmer, and am used to full boards, but since I do less programming at home and more gaming, I wanted a board that would give me back some desk space so my mouse could travel farther without having to pick it up/worry about the edge of my desk. This keyboard definitely meets that need, while being aesthetically stylish and feeling very responsive. The board its self is a nice 61-key compact keyboard. This means no F1-F12 keys, no arrow keys, no Home/Insert/Delete/Print Screen keys, and no ten key. The footprint it leaves on your desk is as small as it possibly can be without sacrificing basic needs in a keyboard and its very pleasing because of it. Im no longer hitting the edge of my keyboard with my mouse while playing games, wishing that certain parts of it werent there because it was just in the way. Build-wise the board is mostly plastic with a steel panel inside to keep things in-line. I bought the version with black switches as I had never used them before and wanted something different. They function similar to reds, with a bit more of a satisfying feel to them. I find typing on them to be quick and accurate, unless I fat finger a key. But thats on me. The switches are also hot swappable, and the keyboard comes with a metal switch removal key, so anything you need to remove the switches is available to you on purchase. You just need different switches to replace yours with. The RGB in this board is acceptable. When the stock keys are on it, you dont notice any issues and everything looks great. If you change the keycaps to something white, youll notice some color bleed if you have the wrong color set. When I changed my keycaps I had the backlight set to white so as to not really overpower the new caps, but the white light had some red shining through, and it was very noticeable. Changing this to a light blue fixed the issue as the red LED was no longer being used, but just know that when switching keycaps it might be in your best interest to turn backlighting off altogether. YMMV from keeping the lights turned on. The software to control the lighting, functions, and macros is awful. Its counter-intuitive and doesnt exactly have a user guide to go along with it. The download page is entirely in Chinese except for the version number, and while the software its self runs in English, it might as well not because youll have no clue what half of it is talking about. A 3 minute YouTube video made by someone not affiliated with the company helped me a little, then the rest was figured out with about an hour of tinkering. Once I had it set the way I wanted for the function keys and backlighting, I uninstalled the software. Not because I didnt trust it, but because I doubt Ill ever use it again unless I absolutely have to. Its easy enough to find as it seems as though quite a few people have bought this board recently, so the link is out there. Keycaps are easy enough to change on this keyboard. It uses Gateron optical switches so any standard cap that works with a Cherry switch should work. Overall, aside from the software and the RGB, Id say this is a great keyboard and would recommend it. Turning the lighting off is easy enough, and then you wont even have to install the software at all, so it becomes quite painless. At least for the moment its replaced my Logitech G810 as my daily driver, and I can see it being in this spot for quite a while.

I bought the Gateron Optical Red keyboard with a black frame for the outside. The keyboard I got is good for gaming but its pretty loud at night when playing your games. It has a good variety of the colors and modes. It also has a good reaction time. I would reamend this keyboard.

This is my first keyboard to FULLY mod and I have to say.. Im quite impressed with the switches but the stabs are atrocious... So I had to order some extra but thats what I was going to do anyway ... Over all solid 8 out of 10

Id say, for 65 dollars, this is the best keyboard out there. Its a mechanical keyboard and has pretty clicky keys. I think the only downside to the keyboard is that the spacebar is a little bit wobbly when pressed down, but thats not too much of a concern. The white color is very nice and the RGB isnt too intrusive. I also should mention that this is my first mechanical keyboard, so I didnt know what to expect, but dang was I impressed. If your looking for a keyboard that is relatively cheap and good for gaming, go for this kb. I also have to mention that I didnt download the software, because the configuration on the keyboard itself was enough for me.

Keyboard is by itself is perfect, but the software used to update it is awful. I have no issues with keyboard itself, mines came in perfectly intact with every button working and clicking very nicely from the red gateron switches. The color profiles had plenty of options and I settled for pink lighting to accompany the pink theme my keyboard had. Then it came to updating the software... my keyboard shut off and became unresponsive with every attempt I tried. So in turn i stopped using it. I used the latest the version from their U.S website, to note. Every other experience with this keyboard has been great however, and while I wish I could get more use out of its software, the end result is still the same. Very good keyboard for its price, just skip the software entirely in my opinion.

Been using it for a month now, no issues at all. Great for gaming and typing up essays if you’re in school like me.

This keyboard is alright, I guess a semi alternative version of the huntsman mini if you want something close to being as responsive as it, it didn’t live up to the standards I got put in my head after hearing reviews on responsiveness. Also, The Cheap keycaps hitting the plastic board is flat out annoying, but eh it is what it is and just like with all keyboards you can lube the switches and sound dampen it for better sound after all of that it is so bad after all. I just wouldn’t recommend maining this keyboard when there’s way for potential out there

I love this keyboard no problems at all , inexpensive overall great product!

It is well unexpectedly small, which I will chalk up to my fault I didnt pay enough attention to the diagram. But to say it is for gaming I would disagree with, if your anything like me, it is WAY to small to be useful for gaming. My first thought when I opened the packaging was Did I order a kid keyboard? I mean looking back at the measurements it is less than the length of a ruler. I also paid alot of attention to the diagram provided about the keys and wether they made an audio click or not and purchased accordingy. I got the Optical Red which say that it has NO AUDIBLE CLICK. The first message I get from my fiance all day was Ewww I HATE that! The keyboard clicks! Which was very annoying because I thought I looked up all the terminology and lingo for keyboard so I could get one that satisfies all of our requirements for a keyboard. I ended up getting a full size keyboard with probably just as much color customization along with a magnetic wrist rest for $10 less. The Steel Series Apex 3 with Whisper Quiet Gaming Switch keys. They are genuinely quiet. More on that in the review for that keyboard. For the few minutes I did use it, it was definitely not what I was looking for. Although I hope this review helps someone that is looking for a keyboard just like this! Everybody has their kimd of keyboard. Unfortunately I cant provide a picture because Im already in the process of returning it. Be sure that you read the measurements before buying this.

This keyboard has made me want to EXCLUSIVELY use Gateron Silent Brown switches. Its astonishing how quiet they are and still feel so tactile. The keyboard was just quiet enough out the box to bring to the office. Its a joy to type on and fully utilize my desk space with the 60% layout. All I need to do now to make it just 10% better is lube and band-aid mod. Spacebar sounds a little too loud in comparison to everything else and it would feel more consistent if this was done out the box. Still, doesnt take away from how good this keyboard is.