Verdict
While undeniably expensive , the capabilities of the heavily programmable , tiny and esthetically - pleasing Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air are apparent . It wo n’t be for everyone , but if vibrant lighting and lightning - fast responsiveness is what you ’re after , it ’s one to consider .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Against fierce competition in the growing 60 % keyboard space , the Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air , while a taste to say , has plenty to extend . Lightning - debauched optical switches may take the stage for those look for that competitive edge , but it ’s the clean design and rimy RGB efforts that are potential to catch the eyes of the average consumer .
At £ 170 , the Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air wo n’t be that attractive on an unassuming store ledge . The packet is tiny , the firing struggle to shine in print , and it can give off a toy - similar appearance at time . And although the gravid opening between keys can take some getting used to , the typing experience is good enough once you get up to upper .
The drawback are few , but that does n’t mean it ’s the perfect board . It ’s bind to settle into a recess . For the good person , it could be a neat discovery . For most , it is n’t concentrated to find something more desirable for a little less cash , or something much complete for a second more .
Design
Available in both black and white flavours , the Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air is a surprising sight in someone . Being a bantam 65 % keyboard , no two angle seem the same .
The top row feature an well-lighted logo on the centre of a rounded glossy plastic with an almost rubbery appearance . The flanks wear the anodised aluminium deck of cards plate as a metallic passementerie . The edging beneath the space bar cuts back in with a more matte - plastic look . It ’s undifferentiated , but only just . We ’ll call it “ insidious edge ” , and it grows on you .
The retail packaging struggle to convey just how bright and vibrant its RGB crusade glint out from every slant . Which is a shame . It ’s by far the best part of the whole experience . Using grim - visibility keys on anything but low - visibility root means the illumination is n’t confined to a subtle gleam recessed within the deck , and the fable see downright scrumptious even in average luminance .
On the back , you ’ll line up a slim dustup where a sunken USB - C port for wired use and charging sit alongside a curiously unlabeled two - direction on/off switch switch . Rather than a consecrate shift for wire , radiocommunication , or Bluetooth utilisation , it ’s a simple on / off affair that has the keyboard default to its last known wireless connexion mode if it is n’t hooked up via a conducting wire .
On the undersurface , you ’ll see generously wire rubber substructure for grip , two - tier angle adjustment legs on either side , and a surprisingly robust credit card back with some coolheaded emphasizing in a cushy gray colour . At least on our white model .
Most Key off from the nub row serve an alternating purpose via the FN key on the left side . It ’s how you geminate and toggle between three unlike Bluetooth equipment , deactivate the Windows key , Scomber japonicus with your music source , change firing profile , and even institute up the battery life of your other connecter peripheral .
Even with the alloy pack of cards collection plate that succeeds in keep flex to a lower limit , it ’s far from the heaviest keyboard out there at around 500 gigabyte without a cable television bond .
Paired with its sizing and twofold wireless capabilities , it establish a swell case for its portability – though there will always be concern about its depleted - visibility keycaps snagging in a bag and pop right off . you could lift it by a keycap without one coming promiscuous , trusted , but an included carry case or sleeve would have been a courteous touch . There ’s even a slot on the back of the board for trapping the included 2.4Ghz receiver . That ’s always good to see .
Speaking of the package , it ’s mostly recyclable . The cartonful is scarcely larger than the keyboard itself and can be toss away straight into your reusables bin . The keyboard itself come in a credit card sleeve , there ’s plastic skin wrapper on the front sharpness around the keys , and for no known rationality , even the educational activity manual of arms come in plastic wrap . It ’s a valiant effort , but Roccat can do better .
Performance
Titan II Linear electric switch are at the helm of the Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air . They actuate with a tiny 45 gm of imperativeness and only 1.4 millimetre of locomotion with the Linear Red option ( or 1.8 mm on the Brown version ) . It sounds great on paper , but it can be a little chip too sensitive for some .
It ’s fair to think they ’re double-dyed for gambling in the same way , it does depend on the person . If you ’re the case to pose with your finger prim up to trigger your ultimate attack in something like Overwatch or League of Legends , you’re able to find yourself accidentally force out it off at the incorrect moment . The lightning - fast optical nature of these key can be exactly what you intend you require – ready to interpret a twitch reflex into a consummate play – until it ends up recoil .
Now , that ’s no slight on the Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air . It ’s there to enable hyper - fast plays , and it ’s well - fit out to do so . If you jump the gun for hire , though , that ’s your fracture . Unless you ’re sure of your ability to rest on a key without giving it a little accidental wobble , there ’s grounds for business organisation .
his is a no - waver keyboard for the gamer who accept no chances . If you wish to rest on your switch , the mid - level gibbousness of the Titan II Optical Brown switches will be a better option .
Other keyboards , like the relatively sometime SteelSeries Apex Pro or Razer Huntsman V2 Analog , get around this concern with adjustable actuation . Through magnetized or analogue configurations , you’re able to really modify how far any given central needs to journey before it cross-file . It ’s a game - changer for per - game personalisation , but they come at a slight premium and seldom have cool - put one over spirit . If fast and precise optical switch are what you ’re after , you could get them here . Just know that there ’s a jeopardy broker to that level of reactivity .
Another matter to note is how spaced apart the keys are on the Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air . Likely an effort to keep accidental key stroke to a minimum , it was one of my major gripes when switching from the typewriting - focused Keychron Q1 Max . There ’s slight chance of sliding between key as you type with this one . If you ’re take care to go fast , you have to make a conscious endeavour to lift your fingers a little more than you might otherwise be used to .
Each headstone is slenderly indent to cradle your fingertips , too . It ’s tranquil and comfortable , sure , but it ’s a typing experience that can take some adjustment . With two layers of hotkeys programmable from the include software system , making ponderous exercise of them will take some practice as you glide from one side of the plug-in to the other .
There ’s a little hearable wobble with each key fruit , but while they can get a little on the clacky side when typing at speed , it ’s easy to keep noise to a minimum if you take your metre . Whether wire or handled over 2.4Ghz , the optical switches couple with the nonpayment 1000Hz polling charge per unit had my CVA appearing onscreen immediately . There ’s no concern of meantime or hitch whatsoever here .
Via Bluetooth , the departure was inconceivable to me . Those more well - versed in vellication - establish tactical shooters may notice the divergence here , but you ’re also unlikely to be gaming over Bluetooth anyway .
It ’s worth mention that you could effortlessly swop the tricky keycaps out with any cross - shaped alternatives . A good case would be changing out the core gaming cluster to attain a good grip . You ca n’t change the switching you settle on at the level of purchase , but the ripe caps can make just as much of a difference to your biz .
Software and lighting
insure and tailor-make the Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air is done through the Roccat Swarm computer software hub . It ’s plug n ’ play if you care the nonremittal stylings , but a lot of the price of this keyboard is probable down to the sweeping pinch you may toggle to make it your own .
Most of my time spend with the Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air was without the software install . Once I did install it , job quickly uprise . A firmware update failed and could n’t be restarted . The keyboard still functioned just fine – though I did have to re - activate the RGB that was initially on by default option – but it did stand for the computer software retinue was mostly inaccessible as a resolution .
The fix was relatively elementary in the last , but finding it was n’t easy . The computer software design itself is littered and unintuitive by today ’s standard . Once I ’d gotten back in , the same see pattern made change anything a little ho-hum . Bright fonts , a positively retro clicking intelligent feedback feature that simply ca n’t keep up , and plenty of dials , luger , and button that face like they have n’t seen a figure qualifying in a decade or two sour the experience .
Beyond all that , though , there ’s most of what you ’d ask ; delay recompense , battery - saving elbow grease , sensitivity luger , and the all - important power to map stratum of macros and hotkeys if you ’re prominent into that . It ’s one of the major merchandising point Roccat plugs for this finicky line of boards , and it ’s probably a great boon for productiveness originator and operate - in gamers .
Where I think this keyboard shines , however , is with the gorgeous RGB possibilities open up by the display panel ’s similarly clear design . If a rippling kaleidoscope effect is n’t for you , per - key lighting is available as well . For things like game - reactive lighting , that ’s all down to the Roccat AIMO system and how well that ’s supported in your favourite titles and home lighting setups .
It ’s not going to touch the extensive efforts of Razer with its Chroma scheme or Corsair ’s iCUE solution , which is a shame , but there ’s enough here for the patient psyche to mess around with . The wintry White this board is capable of have me recall it ’ll be arrant for those progressively democratic pastel setups being paraded around societal medium .
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Should you buy it?
With an unobstructed approaching to RGB , the Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air can reckon gorgeous in the correct setup . Light - coloured peripheral equipment from reputable mark are still a rarity , take a shit this one a good considerateness in the more premium price bracket .
Though its switches are design to vie , the option to choose tunable performance over flashy looks at a exchangeable price point should n’t be disregard .
Final Thoughts
The Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air is a great little package . Is it worth the asking price ? It ’s a tough sell . The frosty good spirit are hard to take your eyes off . But the unconventional route it fill to taming its RGB flash imply it get down to look a small bland and toy - like if you do n’t take the time to tailor it to your setup or need to sour it off only . That makes it light into quite the niche bracket .
On a similar note , the hyper - responsive optical switches are not for everyone . More hesitant instrumentalist could happen the stop number prejudicious in certain situations . With theSteelSeries Apex Pro Miniable to remediate the issue for not a whole draw more money – or theRazer Huntsman Mini Analogif price is of no fear – you ’re leave with a slim windowpane in which the Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air really fall .
If what your gaming setup is missing is a sodding whitened keyboard that focuses on estimable looks and corking key , the Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air could very well be deserving the high asking price . It ’s for sure a simple solution to the problem of less - than - stellar generic brands on Amazon preying on the pastel vogue . If radio receiver is a necessity , chink out our list of thebest wireless keyboards . If not , ourbest gaming keyboardlist can point you in the correct direction .
Trusted Score
How we test
We employ every keyboard we screen for at least a hebdomad . During that clip , we ’ll delay it for simpleness of use and put it through its pace across secret plan and distinctive PC use .
We also check each keyboard ’s software to see how easy it is to customise and set up .
FAQs
Via Bluetooth , you’re able to link up up to three difference devices and throw between them with a flying cardinal combination .
By using the Roccat Swarm software program you may set two layers of limited key combinations for macros and hotkeys . Five on - instrument panel profiles can unlock more if need .
No , only the keycaps can be swapped out . The switches can not be remove .
