TECWARE Phantom 87 Key Mechanical Keyboard, RGB led, Outemu RED Switch
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | TECWARE |
Compatible Devices | Gaming Console |
Connectivity Technology | USB-A |
Keyboard Description | Gaming |
Recommended Uses For Product | Gaming |
Special Feature | backlit, customizable display keys |
Color | Outemu Red |
Number of Keys | 87 |
Keyboard backlighting color support | RGB |
Style | Modern |
About this item
- RGB BACKLIGHTING - Enhance your gaming experience with 18 pre-set configurations on the mechanical keyboard, or create a unique one to match your setup.
- OUTEMU SWITCHES - The gaming mechanical keyboard comes with Outemu mechanical switches for precise gaming and comfortable typing. Spare switches + keycap & switch remover tools are provided for easy replacement
- FIBERGLASS PCB - Built with SMD LEDs and FR-4 fiberglass printed circuit board, this Tecware mechanical keyboard is able to withstand extended periods of intensive and hardcore gaming sessions
- DOUBLE-SHOT KEYCAPS – Featuring an all-new font, the keycaps on this mechanical keyboard are double-shot ABS (dual-injection molding process) which guarantee high resistance against surface wear; markings that cannot be worn off as they are physically part of the keycaps
- SPEED ADVANTAGE - With full N-key rollover and 1000Hz pooling rate, Tecware keyboards allow faster and smoother gaming experience. The depression of each key is detected individually, meaning all key presses will be registered, no matter how many keys you press down simultaneously
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This Item TECWARE Phantom 87 Key Mechanical Keyboard, RGB led, Outemu RED Switch | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | -22% $35.98$35.98 List: $45.99 | -52% $31.99$31.99 List: $65.99 | -33% $59.99$59.99 List: $89.99 | $36.99$36.99 | $102.80$102.80 | $19.99$19.99 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
For gaming | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.6 |
Quality of material | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.0 | — |
Brightness | 4.4 | — | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.3 |
Value for money | — | 4.6 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.6 |
Sold By | TECWARE | TECWARE | AceGadget | Keychron Basic | FANTECH US | TECWARE |
connectivity tech | USB-A | USB-C | wireless, wired | USB-C | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C | Mechanical |
number of keys | 87 | 104 | 84 | 87 | 67 | 104 |
hardware interface | usb | — | bluetooth, usb3.0, radio frequency | — | bluetooth | — |
compatible devices | Gaming Console | PC | Gaming Console | — | PC, Mac | Keyboard |
keyboard description | Gaming | Mechanical | Flexible | for Mac/Windows/Linux | Mechanical | Gaming |
operating system | Windows | — | Windows | Windows, Mac OS | — | Windows |
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 14.21 x 5.24 x 1.61 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 2.65 pounds |
Manufacturer | TECWARE |
ASIN | B079HQM71L |
Country of Origin | China |
Item model number | TWKB-P87ZORD |
Customer Reviews |
4.6 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #224 in Computer Keyboards |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | January 31, 2018 |
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What's in the box
Product Description
From the brand
About Us
At Tecware, we create high-quality, minimalist designed products equipped with essential functions.
Gear up with Tecware
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Now at $15.99
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PSU Extension Cable Set
1 x 24pin cable
1 x 4+4pin cables
2 x 6+2pin cables
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Now at $25.99
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In 2012, TECWARE was founded in the Philippines, introducing unique PC cases to the D.I.Y PC builder market locally. In 2016, Global Headquarters was set up in Singapore. Since then, TECWARE has expanded its reach to new markets and evolved its range of products to meet the growing needs of PC builders & gamers today.
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the lighting and value of the keyboard. For example, they mention it's vibrant, and not as disturbing as they thought it would be. That said, they're happy with appearance, and comfort. That being said, opinions are mixed on quality, performance, switches, and sound quality.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers appreciate the value of the keyboard. They say it's the best budget keyboard around, with a nice mechanical design. The software is easy to use and the keyboard is well worth consideration.
"...Its a super easy mod for cheap and works excellent on these Outemu Brown Switches...." Read more
"...It's free, super easy to use (easier than the Corsair software IMO) and now my keyboard looks awesome..." Read more
"First of all, this hot swappable keyboard is great for its price. It sounds good and solid, it’s aesthetic, and the RGB lighting is vibrant...." Read more
"...Sure it's not top of the line, but its quite good for the price. The unit I use came with tactile browns...." Read more
Customers like the comfort of the keyboard. They say it's really nice to use, and the ABS keycaps feel good. Customers also say the keyboard has an incredible feel and sound, and is much better when playing fps games. They mention that the switches feel as expected, and are well-made. Overall, customers are satisfied with the comfort and functionality of the product.
"...top plate, Zero flex heavy ABS plastic shell and the Outemu Brown switches feel FANTASTIC! No gaudy graphics not even a Tecware logo...." Read more
"...not be an advanced ergonomic keyboard but as keyboard standards it feels great and from standard keyboards its what I'm used to and I love the way..." Read more
"...Last thoughts: The keyboard just feels better to type on than most. The keycaps are higher quality and the profile is similar to a Logitech...." Read more
"...Comes with extra switches. Feels great, looks great and highly recommend." Read more
Customers like the lighting of the keyboard. For example, they say it sometimes gets really cool colors, the RGB lighting is vibrant, and the backlighting is uniform. Some say the lighting options are great, and that the lights are not as disturbing as they thought they would be. Overall, most are satisfied with the lighting.
"...-Individual per-key REAL full RGB lighting-Vibrant and accurate RGB lighting that can be turned off..." Read more
"...Brightness: The keyboard is plenty bright without being overbearing and the RGB functions are very easy to customize with plenty of options...." Read more
"...It sounds good and solid, it’s aesthetic, and the RGB lighting is vibrant...." Read more
"...The meh:1. The LEDs aren't quite as bright as the HyperX or NZXT but on par with the Steelseries Apex and brighter than the RK84...." Read more
Customers like the appearance of the keyboard. They say it looks great, has an impressive RGB customization, and is well-designed. Some customers also enjoy the pretty lights and the vibrant colors. Overall, most are satisfied with the appearance and functionality of the product.
"...Very professional presentation. Some people look past these things but you can tell that Tecware put extra thought into first impressions...." Read more
"...I still use it up to 30+ hours a week and it still functions and looks brand new...." Read more
"...Aesthetics: aside from the pretty lights, many people enjoy the floating key design. I find it easier to keep clean and looking nice..." Read more
"...It sounds good and solid, it’s aesthetic, and the RGB lighting is vibrant...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the keyboard. Some mention that the quality is insane, the keycaps are higher quality, and the build quality is sturdy. However, others say that the heavy base and software sucks, the different options the keystrokes have, and that not all Akko switches fit. Some also mention that some of the key caps edges could have been smoother.
"...This keyboard is an absolute pleasure to type on both stock and now with the O-Ring Dampeners I added yesterday...." Read more
"...All in all it is a perfect starter keyboard, its nothing fancy but for someone who plays often I love my keyboard. Would be again if I had a 3rd PC." Read more
"...Build quality: Sturdy, no flex, replaceable switchesCable routing: there are three different channels to route the cable through..." Read more
"...The keycaps are higher quality and the profile is similar to a Logitech. I find this slightly more comfortable than the HyperX (my other favorite)...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the keyboard. Some mention that it works flawlessly, is fully functional out of the box, and does all the necessary duties of a typing keyboard properly. However, others say that it has a defective led bulb, struggles to display any hue, and the keys will double-type or straight up not function at all. Some say that the space bar didn't work out of box and that the keyboard experiences crashes.
"...Its a super easy mod for cheap and works excellent on these Outemu Brown Switches...." Read more
"...typing or video games to be an expert of this but the activation point seems to be consistent...." Read more
"...of the keys (number 4 key) seems to have a defective led bulb as it is struggling and cannot display any hue of blue...." Read more
"...All in all, this is the best out of box experience and I hope it drives other manufacturers to consider their price points and value per dollar...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the switches. Some mention that they're replaceable and comes with 4 extra switches. They also say the keyboard feels crisp and has custom switches. However, others say that the switches are not the same from one to the next, are twangy, and have multiple issues with misfiring. Some customers also mention that the switch spots are hard to get a switch into.
"...The keyboard comes with an extra keycap puller underneath it and is easily customizable...." Read more
"...Build quality: Sturdy, no flex, replaceable switchesCable routing: there are three different channels to route the cable through..." Read more
"...using this keyboard to swap into other switches though, the default outemu switches suck, it’s squeaky and has a lot of spring ping, and they’re..." Read more
"...switches are hot-swappable, plate mounted, 3-pin, and even comes with a switch puller and 4 extra switches...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the sound quality of the keyboard. Some mention that the feel and sound of this thing is fantastic, with no sponginess or springy sounds. However, others say that there's a slight "tinny" sound after hitting some of the larger keys, and a bit of a pinging sound from the case when typing.
"...Yet still are super quiet and fluid otherwise. Absolutely the best MX knockoff switches out there IMO...." Read more
"...Keys: I purchased the blue switches and they sound wonderful and clicky...." Read more
"...swap into other switches though, the default outemu switches suck, it’s squeaky and has a lot of spring ping, and they’re also VERY HARD to pull out...." Read more
"...Between that and the lower and quieter sound, this one wins for me.There was a firmware update to apply when I first got this...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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I have owned several name brand mechanical gaming keyboards including Corsair, Kingston and Cooler Master over the years all of which have been good keyboards but quite expensive. I also own a cheap $40 E-Elements Z88 with knockoff Brown Switches. Not a bad little keyboard for the money but also not super impressed. My current daily driver is a Corsair K70 with Cherry MX Speed Switches (Linear Gray Switches). Its been my go to keyboard for about 2 years now. I wanted a more compact keyboard for my HOTAS setup to replace my Z88 and didn't want to drop a ton of money but after owning such high quality keyboards, my standards are pretty high. Did a fair bit of research and finally decide on the Tecware Phantom after reading overwhelmingly positive reviews. The hype train is usually never and good as the product so I set my expectations somewhere in the middle. Literally upon receiving the keyboard the packaging was surprisingly not just some plain cardboard box with the brand spray painted on it. It is very professional looking, glossy pics and descriptions etc. Very professional presentation. Some people look past these things but you can tell that Tecware put extra thought into first impressions. That usually says something about how proud they are of a product and I was not wrong about that here. This Keyboard is flat out impressive feeling and looking straight out of the box! Very simplistic and classy looking with a Steal top plate, Zero flex heavy ABS plastic shell and the Outemu Brown switches feel FANTASTIC! No gaudy graphics not even a Tecware logo. This thing just speaks for itself. I have a Cooler Master with Cherry MX Browns that I spent over $130 for. In comparison to be dead honest, this Techware Phantom looks more expensive. The mechanical difference being the Outema switches, have a very slightly more pronounced tactile bump. Yet still are super quiet and fluid otherwise. Absolutely the best MX knockoff switches out there IMO. This keyboard is an absolute pleasure to type on both stock and now with the O-Ring Dampeners I added yesterday. If you're not familiar, for less then $10 you can get a bag of mechanical keycap O-Ring Dampeners. They go on the underside of the key cap stem and essentially don't allow the keys to completely bottom out. Which gets rid of the extra click sound and quickens up the key travel. Its a super easy mod for cheap and works excellent on these Outemu Brown Switches. I have my Corsair K70 and my Cooler Master sitting off to the side as I write this review with the Phantom. Don't miss them at all.
Pros- (There are a LOT of them)
-Quality Packaging
-Steal (not aluminum) top plate
-Thick ABS plastic shell (No flex)
-Medium/heavy overall, won't slide
-Floating key design for easy keyboard cleaning
-Double injected key caps
-Individual per-key REAL full RGB lighting
-Vibrant and accurate RGB lighting that can be turned off
-RGB and Macro programming software from Tecware's website (very few budget keyboards get software support)
-Hot Swap-able Outemu switches (Keyboard comes with 4 extras, key cap puller and switch puller
-Braided and gold plated USB Cable
- ITS ONLY $45 !!!!!!!!!!!!
Cons-
In fairness I will be nitpicking here..
-Font on stock keys is a little small for my taste. I have replaced a few of them with Corsair gaming keys which I like better.
-Non-detectable cable
-No wrist rest included
Conclusion:
The simple answer is OMG yes! BUY THIS KEYBOARD! Amazon is flooded with cheap Chinese mechanical keyboards. Some good, some not so good. This one is BY FAR top of the food chain in that category. Its less then 1/2 the cost of name brand keyboards with like features, some if which I own. The Phantom easily rivals them all in build quality and feel. Best bang for the buck purchase I've made in a long time.
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2019
I have owned several name brand mechanical gaming keyboards including Corsair, Kingston and Cooler Master over the years all of which have been good keyboards but quite expensive. I also own a cheap $40 E-Elements Z88 with knockoff Brown Switches. Not a bad little keyboard for the money but also not super impressed. My current daily driver is a Corsair K70 with Cherry MX Speed Switches (Linear Gray Switches). Its been my go to keyboard for about 2 years now. I wanted a more compact keyboard for my HOTAS setup to replace my Z88 and didn't want to drop a ton of money but after owning such high quality keyboards, my standards are pretty high. Did a fair bit of research and finally decide on the Tecware Phantom after reading overwhelmingly positive reviews. The hype train is usually never and good as the product so I set my expectations somewhere in the middle. Literally upon receiving the keyboard the packaging was surprisingly not just some plain cardboard box with the brand spray painted on it. It is very professional looking, glossy pics and descriptions etc. Very professional presentation. Some people look past these things but you can tell that Tecware put extra thought into first impressions. That usually says something about how proud they are of a product and I was not wrong about that here. This Keyboard is flat out impressive feeling and looking straight out of the box! Very simplistic and classy looking with a Steal top plate, Zero flex heavy ABS plastic shell and the Outemu Brown switches feel FANTASTIC! No gaudy graphics not even a Tecware logo. This thing just speaks for itself. I have a Cooler Master with Cherry MX Browns that I spent over $130 for. In comparison to be dead honest, this Techware Phantom looks more expensive. The mechanical difference being the Outema switches, have a very slightly more pronounced tactile bump. Yet still are super quiet and fluid otherwise. Absolutely the best MX knockoff switches out there IMO. This keyboard is an absolute pleasure to type on both stock and now with the O-Ring Dampeners I added yesterday. If you're not familiar, for less then $10 you can get a bag of mechanical keycap O-Ring Dampeners. They go on the underside of the key cap stem and essentially don't allow the keys to completely bottom out. Which gets rid of the extra click sound and quickens up the key travel. Its a super easy mod for cheap and works excellent on these Outemu Brown Switches. I have my Corsair K70 and my Cooler Master sitting off to the side as I write this review with the Phantom. Don't miss them at all.
Pros- (There are a LOT of them)
-Quality Packaging
-Steal (not aluminum) top plate
-Thick ABS plastic shell (No flex)
-Medium/heavy overall, won't slide
-Floating key design for easy keyboard cleaning
-Double injected key caps
-Individual per-key REAL full RGB lighting
-Vibrant and accurate RGB lighting that can be turned off
-RGB and Macro programming software from Tecware's website (very few budget keyboards get software support)
-Hot Swap-able Outemu switches (Keyboard comes with 4 extras, key cap puller and switch puller
-Braided and gold plated USB Cable
- ITS ONLY $45 !!!!!!!!!!!!
Cons-
In fairness I will be nitpicking here..
-Font on stock keys is a little small for my taste. I have replaced a few of them with Corsair gaming keys which I like better.
-Non-detectable cable
-No wrist rest included
Conclusion:
The simple answer is OMG yes! BUY THIS KEYBOARD! Amazon is flooded with cheap Chinese mechanical keyboards. Some good, some not so good. This one is BY FAR top of the food chain in that category. Its less then 1/2 the cost of name brand keyboards with like features, some if which I own. The Phantom easily rivals them all in build quality and feel. Best bang for the buck purchase I've made in a long time.
Ergonomic: It may not be an advanced ergonomic keyboard but as keyboard standards it feels great and from standard keyboards its what I'm used to and I love the way it feels.
Gaming: I do play more casual games so for responsiveness I can't speak on how it does but for games like Baldur's Gate/Ark/Phasmaphobia it works perfectly fine.
Brightness: The keyboard is plenty bright without being overbearing and the RGB functions are very easy to customize with plenty of options.
Durability: This keyboard is two years old on my desk with now sign of degradation or functionality issues at all. As a gamer with a full time job and not playing any fast paced games I still use it up to 30+ hours a week and it still functions and looks brand new. The HDMI cord is also in perfect shape and its a stress resistant fiber that also shows no degradation.
Keys: I purchased the blue switches and they sound wonderful and clicky. The keyboard comes with an extra keycap puller underneath it and is easily customizable. You can take your basic keyboard and make it fancy with new switches and keycaps in a breeze
All in all it is a perfect starter keyboard, its nothing fancy but for someone who plays often I love my keyboard. Would be again if I had a 3rd PC.
"W" switch died after 2 1/2 years, I suspect "Q, E, R, A, S, D, F" are soon to follow based on the majority of my gaming. This is what I would call normal wear, no complaints here. "W" was the switch with the most strokes on it. Replacing the key was super easy, and they give you extra switched when you purchase the keyboard. Awesome! Total down time < 5 min.
Still very satisfied after 2 & 1/2 years. Felt good enough about this keyboard to grab some new key caps & this thing really pops now. Matches my Glorious Model D 😍
Original Review:
TL;DR: Buy this keyboard. If you are coming from another low/mid-end mechanical you will be very happy. If you are coming from membrane you will be ecstatic. If you are coming from a higher-end keyboard & don't pro-game this will fit the mold just find, you & your wallet will be happy.
Initially I was hesitant to purchase this product with it's lack of reviews, but consider this is a relatively new product (introduced to amazon on Jan 2018) I looked to their other keyboard reviews and was pleasantly satisfied. That being said, if you are uncomfortable with the lack of review I suggest looking at the other products they make and then come back to read the (currently) 3 positive reviews on this keyboard. My review will be two parts, first the product as a stand alone item and second this product against similar items I own.
Part 1
Pros:
Price: only $40 keyboard I can find with red switches
87 key design: personal preference, but I like a full 16.5” of mouse space to play fps's
Lights: it's real pretty, there are 18 different pre-set LED modes with 9 different LED color options.
Software: If you want more lighting options download the free software. It's free, super easy to use (easier than the Corsair software IMO) and now my keyboard looks awesome
The switches: only red's I can find at this price range. I am not good enough at typing or video games to be an expert of this but the activation point seems to be consistent. They all seem to activate at around 40% of the entire stroke.
Peripherals: comes with extra switches, two key pullers, and an easy to follow quick start guide (explains the lighting modes)
Build quality: Sturdy, no flex, replaceable switches
Cable routing: there are three different channels to route the cable through
Aesthetics: aside from the pretty lights, many people enjoy the floating key design. I find it easier to keep clean and looking nice
Neutral:
The switches (yes, again): While these are nice for $40, if you are coming from Cherry MX or the like you will notice a different. They are not as “snappy” for lack of a better work, but still leaps and bounds over membrane, obviously.
Cons:
Guided keys: the space bar & shift keys are both on the mushy side. Not a deal breaker, but def noticeable when compared to the other keys that operate with no little metal guide bar.
Part 2
Tecware Phantom vs:
-Red Dragon 87 key w/blue switches
At roughly the same price (Tecware is $3 cheaper) I would recommend the Tecware simply due to the fact you can get it with red switches which I prefer. If you were comparing blues vs blues, it's a toss up that boils down to personal preference. The red dragon has a lot more reviews, but the initial quality of this Tecware product is very impressive. Buy whichever one you think looks cooler. UNLESS, you don't care about RGB. In that case get the Red Dragon because it cheaper without RGB.
-Corsaire Strafe
Keep in mind this is a $110 product to a $40 one... The Cherry MX switches in the corsaire are nice. If I didn't have the two side by side or had never touched Cherry MX I would have zero complaints about these OUTEM switches. The Corsaire has a few other features I won't really dive into it's not hard to compare specs. The biggest difference I notice is a more consistent key stroke on the Corsaire notable in the guided keys (space & shift). This can make a difference in gaming, but at the level I play it is not worth an extra $70. Bottom line I do not think my Strafe is $70 better than this Phantom. It is without a doubt nicer.
-Drevo Gramr
I love the size of this little keyboard, but the switches/keys were bad. Noticeably worse than this Phantom. It was about 1.5-2” shorter on the width which is nice, but I have a huge mouse pad and would rather have nicer switches than that extra space. If desk space is at a premium and an extra 1.5-2” is going to make a difference (insert phallic joke here) then go for the tiny Gramr. Otherwise this Phantom is better in every way for a few bucks less.
If your wondering why I own(d) all these keyboard...
Quick background, my first mechanical keyboard was the Red Dragon 87 key. I loved it, but the blue switches were annoying my wife. Also I felt a linear switch would be a (slight) advantage in fps's. In practice I'm not getting any high K/D with red switches and am no better a CSGO player, which is disappointing. But you can learn from my mistake, nice hardware won't make you suck less. Second keyboard is a friends used Corsair Strife, and I instantly fell in love with the red switches. After hitting my thumb on the 10-key pad a few hundred times I decided to go back to 87-key, but cannot justify spending over $50 on a keyboard when my highest rank is Gold in Overwatch. I tried the Drevo Gramr mostly for work where desk space is at a premium and the minimalist design seemed practical, but couldn't get over the switch quality and the lighting scheme which never worked for me. Now I have this Phantom & love it.
"W" switch died after 2 1/2 years, I suspect "Q, E, R, A, S, D, F" are soon to follow based on the majority of my gaming. This is what I would call normal wear, no complaints here. "W" was the switch with the most strokes on it. Replacing the key was super easy, and they give you extra switched when you purchase the keyboard. Awesome! Total down time < 5 min.
Still very satisfied after 2 & 1/2 years. Felt good enough about this keyboard to grab some new key caps & this thing really pops now. Matches my Glorious Model D 😍
Original Review:
TL;DR: Buy this keyboard. If you are coming from another low/mid-end mechanical you will be very happy. If you are coming from membrane you will be ecstatic. If you are coming from a higher-end keyboard & don't pro-game this will fit the mold just find, you & your wallet will be happy.
Initially I was hesitant to purchase this product with it's lack of reviews, but consider this is a relatively new product (introduced to amazon on Jan 2018) I looked to their other keyboard reviews and was pleasantly satisfied. That being said, if you are uncomfortable with the lack of review I suggest looking at the other products they make and then come back to read the (currently) 3 positive reviews on this keyboard. My review will be two parts, first the product as a stand alone item and second this product against similar items I own.
Part 1
Pros:
Price: only $40 keyboard I can find with red switches
87 key design: personal preference, but I like a full 16.5” of mouse space to play fps's
Lights: it's real pretty, there are 18 different pre-set LED modes with 9 different LED color options.
Software: If you want more lighting options download the free software. It's free, super easy to use (easier than the Corsair software IMO) and now my keyboard looks awesome
The switches: only red's I can find at this price range. I am not good enough at typing or video games to be an expert of this but the activation point seems to be consistent. They all seem to activate at around 40% of the entire stroke.
Peripherals: comes with extra switches, two key pullers, and an easy to follow quick start guide (explains the lighting modes)
Build quality: Sturdy, no flex, replaceable switches
Cable routing: there are three different channels to route the cable through
Aesthetics: aside from the pretty lights, many people enjoy the floating key design. I find it easier to keep clean and looking nice
Neutral:
The switches (yes, again): While these are nice for $40, if you are coming from Cherry MX or the like you will notice a different. They are not as “snappy” for lack of a better work, but still leaps and bounds over membrane, obviously.
Cons:
Guided keys: the space bar & shift keys are both on the mushy side. Not a deal breaker, but def noticeable when compared to the other keys that operate with no little metal guide bar.
Part 2
Tecware Phantom vs:
-Red Dragon 87 key w/blue switches
At roughly the same price (Tecware is $3 cheaper) I would recommend the Tecware simply due to the fact you can get it with red switches which I prefer. If you were comparing blues vs blues, it's a toss up that boils down to personal preference. The red dragon has a lot more reviews, but the initial quality of this Tecware product is very impressive. Buy whichever one you think looks cooler. UNLESS, you don't care about RGB. In that case get the Red Dragon because it cheaper without RGB.
-Corsaire Strafe
Keep in mind this is a $110 product to a $40 one... The Cherry MX switches in the corsaire are nice. If I didn't have the two side by side or had never touched Cherry MX I would have zero complaints about these OUTEM switches. The Corsaire has a few other features I won't really dive into it's not hard to compare specs. The biggest difference I notice is a more consistent key stroke on the Corsaire notable in the guided keys (space & shift). This can make a difference in gaming, but at the level I play it is not worth an extra $70. Bottom line I do not think my Strafe is $70 better than this Phantom. It is without a doubt nicer.
-Drevo Gramr
I love the size of this little keyboard, but the switches/keys were bad. Noticeably worse than this Phantom. It was about 1.5-2” shorter on the width which is nice, but I have a huge mouse pad and would rather have nicer switches than that extra space. If desk space is at a premium and an extra 1.5-2” is going to make a difference (insert phallic joke here) then go for the tiny Gramr. Otherwise this Phantom is better in every way for a few bucks less.
If your wondering why I own(d) all these keyboard...
Quick background, my first mechanical keyboard was the Red Dragon 87 key. I loved it, but the blue switches were annoying my wife. Also I felt a linear switch would be a (slight) advantage in fps's. In practice I'm not getting any high K/D with red switches and am no better a CSGO player, which is disappointing. But you can learn from my mistake, nice hardware won't make you suck less. Second keyboard is a friends used Corsair Strife, and I instantly fell in love with the red switches. After hitting my thumb on the 10-key pad a few hundred times I decided to go back to 87-key, but cannot justify spending over $50 on a keyboard when my highest rank is Gold in Overwatch. I tried the Drevo Gramr mostly for work where desk space is at a premium and the minimalist design seemed practical, but couldn't get over the switch quality and the lighting scheme which never worked for me. Now I have this Phantom & love it.
Top reviews from other countries
Although this keyboard is awesome, and I highly recommend it. There are some drawbacks that you should be aware of. Firstly, the hotswap PCB of the keyboard is only 3 pin. Meaning if you buy different switches to put in this keyboard your going to have to trim them to make it fit. The RGB lighting is also something to note. Since the keyboard is hotswap, the RGB wont be as bright as a lot of gaming keyboards. And the software for the keyboard is isn't as expansive as other brands, but is does other macro recording, profiles, per-key LED customization, and adjustable response rate.
Overall this keyboard is amazing for the money you pay for it, and I highly recommend it for first time enthusiasts. The physical experience after using this keyboard is incredible, and you will probably not be able to comfortably go back to non-lubed keyboard after using this one
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 18, 2024
Ich musste sie leider zurückschicken da ich mit dem us layout nicht klar komme, schade dass es kein DE Layout gibt