Tag: Iqunix

  • Iqunix EZ80: A New Hall-Effect Competitor to Wooting 80HE

    Iqunix EZ80: A New Hall-Effect Competitor to Wooting 80HE

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Iqunix EZ80 is an upgraded TKL version of the EZ63, featuring a 16,000 Hz scan rate and a “single-sided rail-to-rail” Hall-effect sensor for improved accuracy.
    2. It retains the dual-rail gasket mount design and aluminum plate for stability, aiming to eliminate common issues like rattling and harsh bottom-out sounds.
    3. The EZ80 has a more pronounced gaming aesthetic with transparent side-printed keycaps, while keeping key design elements from the EZ63.
    4. It adopts a classic TKL layout, making it user-friendly compared to the Wooting 80HE, and is expected to be wired-only with a USB Type-C connection.
    5. The EZ80 features new box stem switches called X Switch, designed to reduce stem wobble and have specific force and travel characteristics similar to Gateron Magnetic Jade switches.


    When we took a look at the Iqunix EZ63 gaming keyboard recently, we found it to be a serious rival to the Wooting 80HE, even with its smaller size. The EZ63 boasts great build quality, top-notch Gateron Jade Pro switches, and a sleek design. Now, Iqunix has revealed plans to release the EZ80, which seems to be an upgraded TKL version of the EZ63 (currently $179.99 on Amazon).

    Similar Design with Improvements

    From what we’ve seen in the Discord teaser, the Iqunix EZ80 closely resembles the EZ63, sharing the same gasket mount structure and easy disassembly. However, there are modifications inside that Iqunix says will set the EZ80 apart from the EZ63. For instance, the EZ80 comes with a 16,000 Hz scan rate and a novel “single-sided rail-to-rail” Hall-effect sensor, which Iqunix asserts will provide a more stable and accurate switch position reading, albeit with a higher voltage requirement.

    Performance and Build

    The EZ80 includes the same dual-rail gasket mount design as well as an aluminum plate material. This combination aims to offer a stable base and accurate gaming experience just like the EZ63, all while avoiding the harsh bottom-out and rattling sound problems that come with typical tray-mounted gaming keyboards.

    In terms of appearance, the EZ80 seems to embrace the gaming aesthetic more, featuring transparent side-printed keycaps instead of the double-shot PBT keycaps found on the EZ63, which had a more minimalistic design. The aluminum case retains many design elements from the EZ63, including the same CNC cuts in the side rails, but this time, there’s a distinct top cover for the function row.

    User-Friendly Layout

    Unlike the Wooting 80HE, the EZ80 adopts a classic TKL layout, which should be simpler to adapt to than the unique design of the Wooting keyboard that fits somewhere between 75% and TKL. Like the 80HE, however, the EZ80 is expected to be a wired-only keyboard, likely utilizing a USB Type-C port for connection. The switches seem to have been changed as well, with the EZ80 preview showing a box stem that Iqunix dubs the X Switch. In contrast to the Star Trail or Gateron Magnetic Jade Pro switches (currently $57.99 for 70 pcs on Amazon) of the EZ63, the EZ80’s switches utilize a box stem, which should help in minimizing stem wobble. The new switches are designed with an initial force of 36 gf, a bottom-out force of 48 gf, and a total travel distance of 3.5 mm, suggesting that they will be quite similar to the Gateron Magnetic Jade Gaming switches (currently $57.99 for 70 pcs on Amazon).

    Iqunix has not yet shared an official price, availability date, or pre-order information, but the actual launch is scheduled for May 13. We will keep this article updated as more details are released.

    Source:
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  • Iqunix EZ63 and EZ60 Keyboards Update: On-Board Profiles Added

    Iqunix EZ63 and EZ60 Keyboards Update: On-Board Profiles Added

    Key Takeaways

    1. A new beta firmware update for the Iqunix EZ63 and EZ60 improves software issues, resolves bugs, and enhances the Rapid Trigger feature.
    2. Users can now access three distinct keyboard profiles (Custom, Office, and Esports) with individual Rapid Trigger and actuation force settings.
    3. The update introduces a hot-key (Fn+Q) to toggle SOCD on and off, with a visual indication via RGB lights.
    4. Berserk Mode is a new feature allowing a Rapid Trigger sensitivity of 0.005 mm, currently only available with Gateron Magnetic Jade Pro switches.
    5. Iqunix is actively seeking community feedback on Discord regarding updates and features.


    We recently took a look at the Iqunix EZ63 Hall-effect gaming keyboard. While its hardware and build quality make it a strong contender for the top Hall-effect gaming keyboard, we found that the software and firmware left something to be desired. Now, a new beta firmware update for both the Iqunix EZ63 and EZ60 addresses a common issue noted among the Hall-effect keyboard series, resolves several bugs, and enhances the Rapid Trigger feature. This update brings some of the promised features from Iqunix that were expected by the end of Q2, with just the macro functionality pending. Users who are already on a previous beta firmware version will receive a prompt to update when they visit beta.iqunix.com. It’s important to note that this update will reset the keyboard mapping and other personalized settings.

    New Profiles Available

    As of February 27, users with the beta firmware on their Iqunix Hall-effect keyboards can now access three distinct keyboard profiles: Custom, Office, and Esports. Each profile comes with its own Rapid Trigger and actuation force settings.

    In our review of the EZ63, we pointed out the absence of a profile-switching feature. This limitation meant users were locked into the settings they configured for specific gaming sessions. Consequently, it turned the EZ63 into a gaming-only keyboard if you tailored things like actuation points and Rapid Trigger for different games. This made it challenging to fine-tune the keyboard for general gaming use. The introduction of profiles does help alleviate this problem, but it still feels like a temporary fix; having several fully customizable profiles would be a better solution.

    New Features and Updates

    With the new beta firmware, EZ63 and EZ60 users can also use a new hot-key to toggle SOCD on and off without needing to access the browser-based software. This is especially useful for gamers playing titles that have banned this contested feature. Activating SOCD with the Fn+Q shortcut will cause the WASD keys’ RGB lights to glow green for a short time, while turning it off will make them temporarily red.

    Another interesting feature introduced in the latest beta firmware is Berserk Mode, which allows for a Rapid Trigger sensitivity of 0.005 mm after the actuation point. Iqunix has mentioned that this feature is still being tested, but they aim to refine it in the future. Currently, this setting is only available with the Gateron Magnetic Jade Pro switches (currently priced at $57.99 on Amazon), which are the priciest switch option for the EZ60 and EZ63. There’s still no word on whether the Star Trail or other Gateron switch types will also support the Berserk Mode feature.

    Community Feedback on Discord

    Iqunix has been actively engaging with users on Discord about these updates and features.

    Source:
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