MelGeek VIVA63 HE evaluate: Who wants a boring keyboard anyway?

Fast Overview

The MelGeek VIVA63 HE is a premium 63-key Corridor Impact gaming keyboard that will get the aggressive fundamentals proper whereas throwing in a couple of options that make it genuinely enjoyable to make use of. Its TTC Professional KOM HE Magneto switches, adjustable actuation, Fast Set off, and eight,000Hz polling charge make it a superb companion for aggressive FPS video games.

But it surely’s the responsive OLED touchscreen, distinctive clear design, and surprisingly gratifying typing expertise that give it persona. The compact format, wired-only connectivity, and lack of adjustable toes are disappointing at this value, although. It’s not for everybody, however avid gamers in search of one thing a little bit completely different have lots to love right here.

MelGeek VIVA63 HE specs

Specification	Particulars
Format	63-key compact format
Switches	TTC Professional KOM HE Magneto
Change expertise	Corridor Impact magnetic
Actuation	Adjustable 0.1-3.4mm
Fast Set off	Adjustable 0.01-2.5mm
Polling charge	8,000Hz
Scan charge	16,000Hz
Marketed latency	0.125ms
Show	1.58-inch OLED touchscreen
Keycaps	MCR double-shot PBT
Mount	Gasket mount, FR4 plate
Lighting	Per-key RGB, 270-degree lightbox
Software program	MelGeek Hive Net
Connectivity	Wired USB-C
Weight	Roughly 890g
Dimensions	330 x 115 x 43mm

Design and construct high quality: Batman would approve

The VIVA63 HE makes a slightly good first impression. From the second I pulled it out of the field, the keyboard felt correctly premium. Its clear design, substantial development, and illuminated OLED display give it a slightly distinctive look.

However my favourite element needs to be the black keycaps with yellow Escape and Enter keys. They provide the keyboard a traditional Batman vibe, and I’m completely right here for it. The rotary quantity knob deserves a point out too. It seems to be much less like a keyboard management and extra like one thing borrowed from a flowery desktop DAC.

The development makes use of a mixture of ABS, PC, and steel, with a gasket-mounted construction and a number of layers of inside sound dampening. There’s no noticeable flex, creaking, rattling, or poor ending on my evaluate unit. At roughly 890g, it additionally stays comfortably planted on the desk.

We’ve beforehand reviewed the MelGeek MADE68 Extremely V2, which takes a extra industrial method with its CNC aluminum chassis and elaborate RGB lighting. The VIVA63 HE goes in a special course, swapping that industrial aesthetic for a clear design and an OLED-equipped management part.

The 63-key format takes some adjustment, although. For starters, coming from a 75% keyboard, I initially struggled with the smaller proper Shift key. Whereas the remainder of the association grew to become snug inside a day or two, lacking devoted productiveness keys is one thing to think about. I wouldn’t maintain that in opposition to this keyboard, although. It’s, in any case, a gaming-first keyboard, and it definitely behaves like one.

The OLED display and RGB lighting are showstoppers

The 1.58-inch OLED touchscreen is arguably the VIVA63 HE’s largest differentiator. MelGeek’s LumiDeck system combines the show with an infinite rotary knob and a devoted profile-switching key.

The touchscreen is responsive, and I notably loved utilizing customized GIFs, switching profiles, and accessing secondary keyboard capabilities comparable to Delete, Web page Up, and Web page Down. The knob handles quantity and media controls, making it extra helpful than an ornamental piece of {hardware}.

I did discover myself leaving the display on its default show very often, although. So it’s protected to say that its usefulness in the end is dependent upon how a lot time somebody spends customising it. Nonetheless, having these controls available is a pleasant contact.

The RGB lighting is equally spectacular. Per-key illumination seems to be beautiful by the clear design, whereas the 270-degree lightbox provides glow across the keyboard. The lighting on the appropriate aspect seems notably brilliant, and it seems to be implausible when gaming in a dimly lit room.

Typing expertise: Surprisingly good exterior gaming

The VIVA63 HE makes use of TTC Professional KOM HE Magneto magnetic switches, which really feel gentle, clean, and constant throughout the board. Extra importantly, they’re extremely customisable, permitting customers to fine-tune actuation relying on their preferences.

The MCR double-shot PBT keycaps additionally really feel premium, with a well-recognized OEM-like profile. They’re snug for prolonged typing, though their opaque legends imply the RGB doesn’t shine by the letters.

Acoustically, the keyboard leans in direction of a muted character in its inventory configuration. After experimenting with the settings, I discovered it doable to attain a extra creamy-sounding profile. It isn’t notably thocky, however the total typing expertise is satisfying.

My largest grievance, nonetheless, is the dearth of adjustable toes. MelGeek supplies a hard and fast typing angle of roughly seven levels, however I’d have appreciated the pliability to raise the keyboard additional relying on my typing place. After all, your mileage could differ, relying closely in your setup, regular typing place, and magnificence of typing.

Gaming efficiency: Fast Set off is the actual MVP

That is the place the VIVA63 HE actually earns its gaming credentials. I used it for 3 to 4 aggressive Valorant matches virtually every day for near a month, alongside periods of Apex Legends, CS2, Management Resonant, and Cyberpunk 2077.

The distinction was instantly noticeable in aggressive shooters. In contrast with my regular 8BitDo Retro Xbox keyboard and EvoFox Ronin X75, the VIVA63 HE felt significantly extra responsive and fluid. Each motion enter felt crisp, notably when altering instructions throughout intense firefights.

A lot of that comes right down to its Corridor Impact switches and Fast Set off implementation. Not like typical mechanical switches that depend on fastened actuation and reset factors, magnetic switches detect key motion utilizing magnetic sensors. The VIVA63 HE lets customers regulate actuation between 0.1mm and three.4mm, with 0.01mm adjustment increments. Fast Set off will also be configured between 0.01mm and a couple of.5mm.

In easier phrases, Fast Set off permits a key to reset as quickly because it strikes upwards by the configured distance, slightly than ready for it to cross a standard reset level. This makes repeated inputs and fast directional adjustments really feel extra responsive.

Add to that, the assist for per-key customisation additionally implies that motion keys can have completely different sensitivity settings from these used for normal typing. That stated, simply don’t blindly set every thing to the bottom doable actuation. Extraordinarily delicate settings can register unintended inputs when fingers are resting on keys.

The keyboard additionally helps Dynamic Keystrokes and Snap Faucet, though I made a decision to maintain my palms off the latter. Aggressive video games are getting more and more critical about SOCD-assisted motion, and I wasn’t notably fascinated with turning my keyboard evaluate right into a Valorant ban enchantment.

Fast Set off was already doing loads of heavy lifting, anyway.

My recommendation? Verify your most well-liked sport’s guidelines earlier than getting adventurous with Snap Faucet or comparable options. What’s a flowery keyboard value if it will get your account despatched to the shadow realm, proper?

As for the marketed 8,000Hz polling charge and 0.125ms latency, these numbers definitely look spicy on paper. That stated, I haven’t independently measured them, so I’ll go away the benchmark bragging to MelGeek. What I can say is that the VIVA63 HE delivered a fully wonderful gaming expertise all through my testing.

Hive software program and connectivity

Not like different keyboards that require a third-party app, the VIVA63 makes use of MelGeek’s Hive Net App for actuation settings, Fast Set off, key remapping, profiles, RGB lighting, and OLED customisation. My expertise with it on Home windows 11 was totally clean, with no crashes or configuration complications. The keyboard additionally helps Home windows, macOS, and Linux, though my testing was restricted to Home windows 11

So far as connectivity goes, that’s the place issues get barely much less thrilling. The VIVA63 HE is wired-only, utilizing USB-C, with no Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wi-fi choice. However is {that a} massive deal-breaker? Not likely, no less than in my view.

See, I perceive why some patrons may complain about this omission at roughly $199. Personally, although, I don’t discover it notably inconvenient. The keyboard weighs almost 900g, so it’s hardly one thing I’d usually carry round. I additionally preserve a charging cable on my desk for my wi-fi keyboards anyway. Until switching between a number of gadgets is vital, wired connectivity on a keyboard isn’t a deal-breaker for me.

Must you purchase?

The MelGeek VIVA63 HE will get a complete lot proper. Its Corridor Impact switches and Fast Set off make it a significantly succesful gaming keyboard, whereas the premium construct, beautiful RGB, OLED touchscreen, and surprisingly good typing expertise give it extra persona than your common esports peripheral. It’s quick, flashy, and clearly doesn’t imagine in mixing into the background.

After all, it isn’t with out a few compromises. The compact format takes some getting used to, the fastened typing angle may use adjustable toes, and wi-fi connectivity is lacking. What’s extra, at round $199, it additionally goes head-to-head with the Wooting 80HE+, which affords a extra sensible format and a extra established software program ecosystem. It’s protected to say that whereas Wooting may be the wise choose for aggressive purists, the MelGeek has significantly extra aptitude.

I’d suggest the VIVA63 HE to avid gamers who need critical Corridor Impact efficiency with out settling for one more boring black rectangle on their desk. It’s premium, responsive, ridiculously handsome, and full of persona.

Why not attempt?

Wooting 80HE+

At roughly $199.99, the Wooting 80HE+ is the extra typical competitive-gaming alternative. Its 80% format retains devoted operate and arrow keys, whereas Wootility affords intensive per-key actuation and Fast Set off customisation. It additionally helps True 8K polling. The VIVA63 HE counters with its OLED touchscreen, distinctive clear design, and extra elaborate lighting.

Keychron K2 HE Wi-fi

Need Corridor Impact gaming with out spending $200? The K2 HE is a compelling different at $129.99. It affords Gateron magnetic switches, Fast Set off, adjustable actuation, a 75% format, and tri-mode connectivity with Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and USB-C. It additionally has adjustable typing angles, making it a greater match for somebody juggling work and gaming. That stated, its 1,000Hz polling charge is decrease than MelGeek’s 8,000Hz, and it misses out on the OLED touchscreen and fancy lightbox.

MelGeek MADE68 Extremely V2

One other wonderful Corridor Impact choice from MelGeek, the MADE68 Extremely V2 affords a bigger 65% format, CNC aluminum development, and spectacular 360-degree RGB lighting. It shares the model’s gaming-first method however skips the VIVA63’s OLED touchscreen and rotary knob. It’s value contemplating if a extra substantial steel chassis and extra keys are priorities.

How I examined

I used the MelGeek VIVA63 HE as my main gaming keyboard for near a month, enjoying three to 4 aggressive Valorant matches virtually every day. I additionally examined it with Apex Legends, CS2, Management Resonant, and Cyberpunk 2077, paying specific consideration to motion responsiveness, Fast Set off, and total enter consistency.

Outdoors gaming, I used it for on a regular basis typing and writing, experimented with its actuation settings and sound profile, and explored the OLED touchscreen, customized GIFs, media controls, RGB lighting, and Hive net app. I additionally in contrast its on a regular basis usability with my regular 75% keyboard and different keyboards in my setup.

FAQs (Steadily Requested Questions)

Is the MelGeek VIVA63 HE a Corridor Impact keyboard?

Sure. It makes use of TTC Professional KOM HE Magneto magnetic switches with adjustable actuation and Fast Set off.

Does the MelGeek VIVA63 HE assist Fast Set off?

Sure. Fast Set off is adjustable between 0.01mm and a couple of.5mm, permitting keys to reset and register inputs with little or no motion.

Is the MelGeek VIVA63 HE wi-fi?

No. It’s a wired-only gaming keyboard that connects by USB-C.

Is the MelGeek VIVA63 HE good for Valorant?

Sure. Its Corridor Impact switches, adjustable actuation, and Fast Set off make it notably well-suited to aggressive FPS video games comparable to Valorant and CS2.