Logitech G915 X Lightspeed review

Logitech has put out most of the finest gaming mice immediately, however because it continues to develop its accent line, its competitors has solely gotten higher to catch up. Logitech does not really feel fairly as dominant because it as soon as was available in the market. The G915 X Lightspeed is each a defiance of that, studying from Amazon opinions with this newest keyboard, and in addition seemingly an admittance of it. 

A brand new and improved model of the G915 keyboard that launched again in 2019, my particular review mannequin is full-sized, and comes with clicky switches. This low-profile keyboard is accessible in a TKL mannequin, preserving a lot of the identical design language however eradicating the aforementioned ten keycaps, in addition to the Logitech G-keys. 

Should you’re aware of the earlier G915, this keyboard will really feel very related. They each have an aluminium body and pretty understated black keys. With a flick of a change on the prime, every cap erupts in RGB and appears surprisingly modern and fairly within the low-light setting of a gaming area. Sadly, this RGB can include its personal minor hiccup. If you wish to flip off the lights, it turns into practically inconceivable to learn these keycaps.

Should you’re a snug contact typer, or prefer to blast your lights while you recreation, this may not have an effect on you—however if you wish to shut down these RGB lights at midnight, you are out of luck. Although not an enormous downside, battery figures are given primarily based on how a lot RGB is getting used, which suggests you’ll nearly by no means get the 800 hours of battery life Logitech says this board may give you. 

G915 X Lightspeed specs

(Picture credit score: Future)

Measurement: 100%
Connectivity: 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, USB Kind-C
Keycaps: Double-shot PBT
Switches: GL mechanical switches
Scorching-swappable: no
Media controls: Sure
Lighting: Full RGB
Software program: Logitech G Hub
Value: $230 / £220 

Your battery life expectations must be set someplace between the 100 hours you get out of fifty% brightness and 42 hours out of 100% brightness. These figures are genuinely strong, although a lot lower than the 800-hour determine. The keyboard additionally routinely turns off RGB whereas staying on after a interval of inactivity, which is a great means of extending that determine, even when it means hitting a random key to gentle up that RGB once more. 

When plugged in with the included USB dongle, this keyboard is tremendous responsive and snappy. It feels greater than able to powering via a Black Ops 6 zombie session and its new omni-movement system, which has been one of many major testing factors for the G915 X. The second you unplug the USB for charging, it routinely connects to that receiver, which feels quick and environment friendly. 

The actuation distance, which is to say the space you need to press a key down earlier than registering a success, has been shortened by .2 mm within the G915 to 1.3 mm right here, which is ideal for its low-profile design. The actuation pressure in my clicky keys is simply 48 g, which suggests you may relaxation your fingertips with out by chance clicking but it surely does not want a lot pressure to push down. 

(Picture credit score: Future)

If you’re a fast typer, this helps make hitting each key just a bit faster. Clicking has the very best required actuation pressure, with tactile coming in second and linear coming final. This is smart, given their respective use instances. For an concept of how Logitech GL switches sound, it has put out a handy site comparing all three, although they seem like barely older, primarily based on the actuation pressure and distance on the web page. Its GL switches are tremendous ergonomic and complement how environment friendly and vertically compact low-profile keyboards are. 

So far as the typing expertise is worried, this factor feels nice underneath the fingertips with simply sufficient resistance to keep away from misclicks. The G-keys on the left-hand facet do make discovering the CTRL and shift keys a little bit bit inconsistent when panicked or writing shortly however I acquired used to it pretty shortly.

It is fairly a clicky board, particularly with the switches on mine, which is fairly good in a low-profile construct. They clack very deliberately, to a level that I discovered myself hitting them extra deliberately to get that slight ping. I might see this annoying some (or maybe folks in the identical workplace as me) however I discovered it satisfying, and extra importantly, pretty pure.

Regardless of which fashion of change you employ, you may be hammering at them atop the aluminium board, which has been strengthened to keep away from a rattle or wiggle as you progress it. Admittedly, keys rattling is not a problem I usually have with my keyboards, given they have an inclination to sit down in a single spot, however this reinforcement makes the G915 X Lightspeed really feel fairly sturdy. The total key structure is a bit too huge to comfortably slot in my backpack but it surely’s actually sturdy sufficient to convey with you on the transfer. I have never personally tried the TKL model however, if it is as robust and durable, it might make for a great journey keyboard. 

(Picture credit score: Future)

In return for 20 further {dollars} and an even bigger body, the full-size G915 X keyboard has 9 Logitech G-keys, which may be reprogrammed to do customized issues within the Logitech G Hub. This concept is good (when you get used to the additional area on the left-hand facet of the WASD keys), however counting on the Logitech G Hub is probably the worst a part of utilizing Logitech gear proper now.

A irritating little bit of software program that acquired caught in boots loops persistently and three separate rigs, the one means I found out methods to get the Logitech G Hub working is by frequently reinstalling it. 

Purchase if…

You need a low-profile keyboard: With a low required actuation pressure, actuation distance, and keyboard dimension, it is a tremendous slimline construct. 

You need tons of customized keys : With 9 distinctive Logitech keys and a complete host of media controls, it is a tremendous clicky board with customisation choices in the event you’ve acquired the time to arrange these shortcuts.
 

You just like the G915: The G915 is nice however that is higher in each means that issues, from battery life, to really feel, to construct high quality. 

Do not buy if…

You do not wish to obtain further software program: The Logitech G Hub is a essential obtain if you wish to really use these fancy Logitech G-keys. 

You are on a finances: It is a nice keyboard that feels a bit on the expensive finish when lots of our favourites are available in at a less expensive worth. 

You intend on turning off that RGB: The keycaps are fairly onerous to make out in low gentle environments, when RGB is off, which is a disgrace because the battery life is phenomenal with out RGB. 

It is a main draw back that deterred me from experimenting with my G-keys. On the plus facet, the media keys, with a scroll to vary quantity, and buttons to mute and management media, work nice and really feel like an nearly essential a part of my setup now. Simply to the appropriate of the highest set of G-keys is the lighting and connectivity controls, and so they work practically seamlessly.

Although I am unable to converse to the long-term sturdiness of the double-shot PBT keycaps, I can say they really feel easy and are robust sufficient to resist me prying them off to look beneath, with no blemishes. Sadly, as is the case with many low-profile keyboards, these switches aren’t hot-swappable however the caps themselves come off simply—free so that you can customise. The G915 appeared to have an issue of keycaps sporting or getting greasy over time and it is a great way of stopping that from occurring.

The G915 X Lightspeed is a fairly and really sturdy keyboard with good switches and nice battery life. It has loads of components I like an terrible lot however you may get most of the finest gaming keyboards proper now for cheaper, and with out Logitech’s terrible software program. Once I have a look at it like that—although I like Logi’s providing, I do not assume I might absolutely justify selecting this over cheaper, arguably superior decisions, with out a very particular want for a Logitech low-profile keyboard.