The fastest gaming keyboard just got better | Wooting 80HE
Introduction
The Wooting 80 HE is the latest in Wooting’s lineup of high-performance gaming keyboards, and it’s raised over $7 million in just 30 days, solidifying its place in the mechanical keyboard world. This success comes on the heels of the Wooting 60 HE, which introduced the company’s signature Rapid Trigger feature. Rapid Trigger resets a key press whenever an upstroke is detected, allowing for more precise movement mechanics, especially in games that rely on fast and accurate inputs.
Performance
When comparing the Wooting 80 HE with the Wooting 60 HE, performance-wise, the two are remarkably similar. The Wooting 80 HE offers an 8K Hz polling rate, which provides a slight latency advantage, but this difference is imperceptible to the human eye. While the Wooting 80 HE performs well in gaming scenarios, the differences in performance between the two models are minimal, especially for normal use or gaming. However, the Wooting 80 HE does provide a more refined experience in other areas.
Build Quality and Design
The Wooting 80 HE shines in its attention to detail and high-quality materials. When you unbox the keyboard, you’re greeted with cute hearts on the pull tabs and individually wrapped accessories, such as a neutral-colored stock cable, adjustable hot-swap feet for changing the typing angle, and extra screws in case you lose any. The build experience is straightforward, and the assembly took me less than 15 minutes, with the keycap installation being the most time-consuming part.
Switch Options
Wooting has stepped up its switch game with the introduction of the Leer V2 switches. I opted for the 45g version, but Wooting also offers 60g variants. The switches feel great to type on, and the lighter springs offer a comfortable experience. With the addition of lubrication to the Talons and switches, the overall sound and feel have improved significantly compared to the Wooting 60 HE. Although they still sound a bit clacky, the experience has become much more consistent.
Gasket Mount and Typing Feel
The Wooting 80 HE also features a gasket mount, though the board is relatively stiff with minimal play. This provides a slightly softer bottom-out feel compared to the 60 HE, which makes for a more satisfying typing experience overall. While there’s not much flex, the slight give adds to the comfort and overall sound profile of the keyboard.
Software and Customization
The Wooting 80 HE runs on the newly revamped Utility V5 software. This new version has a cleaner layout and a more intuitive interface, making it easier for users to customize their keyboard settings. On the front page, you can quickly access normal features, while the left-hand side offers more advanced configurations for users who want to fine-tune their experience. Even my girlfriend, who isn’t very familiar with keyboard software, found it easier to navigate than the previous version.
Features and Light Bar
The light bar on the Wooting 80 HE is a standout feature. Currently, it functions as a profile and Caps Lock indicator, but future updates will allow for additional features such as RAM usage and volume level displays. While it’s not fully fleshed out yet, it adds an extra layer of functionality and customization to the keyboard, making it feel even more personalized.
Conclusion
The Wooting 80 HE is a fantastic keyboard that builds upon the strengths of the Wooting 60 HE. While there isn’t a huge performance leap between the two, the 80 HE offers a better typing experience, improved switches, and the latest software improvements. If you’re coming from the 60 HE, there’s no significant performance advantage to upgrading, but the added features and refined experience may justify the cost for some users. The Wooting 80 HE is well worth the wait and is an excellent choice for gamers and enthusiasts looking for a high-performance, customizable keyboard.
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