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While most keyboard reviews start with a look at the accompanying software suite, there is no included software with the XG1-R LED. However, that is not to say the XG1-R LED is lacking in functionality. Rather, it stores macro and lighting choices on the board's own internal memory – removing the need for any software.
So rather than assessing software, I will begin by assessing how these functions work when using the XG1-R LED.
For one, macros come offered in four modes: quick, loop, timing and auto. Quick macro mode repeats the user created macro as fast as is allowed by the keyboard and OS. Loop macro mode loops the command as long as you want. Timing macro mode remembers the timing between each key press as you record the macro – and then replicates it exactly. Auto macro mode works as if the specified keys are being continually held down.
Description aside, setting the macros is very easy and intuitive. Simply press Fn along with the desired macro key, input your command and press Fn to finish recording. Your macro will then be stored until you delete it.
Personally I think this is a very innovative and effective approach taken by Xtrfy. Removing software from the equation means you can take your keyboard anywhere and use it on anything, and all your macros are still just as you left them. A total of 8 dedicated macro keys should be plenty, too.
Lighting effects are also controlled directly from the board. While the backlight is white-only, there are a total of 7 lighting effects. For instance, you can set the light to ‘breathe', to light only as you type, or to illuminate only a user-defined number of keys.
What is even more impressive is the control you have over the brightness. By this I mean you can set the backlight brightness to one of 8 different levels, while retaining an independent brightness level for the backlight effects. For example, as I am typing this review my backlight level is fairly dim. However, my effects brightness level is high – and as I am using the effect where the keys light up as I type, my keys are lighting up brighter than the set backlight level.
Quite simply, Xtrfy have absolutely nailed the on-board macro and lighting controls. The level of user-control is fabulous and removing software from the equation will no-doubt appeal to eSports gamers and LAN party-goers.
So while the bulk of this review has been dedicated to the innovative macro and lighting controls, I must of course touch upon the physical typing experience of the XG1-R LED.
As the XG1-R LED uses Cherry Red switches, which I am sure many of our readers are familiar with, it almost goes without saying they offer a fast, linear action. Interestingly, my personal keyboard uses Kailh Reds and I noticed a definite increase in speed when typing with the Cherry Reds. The Cherry switch is also noticeably lighter, too.
It is this speed which makes the Cherry switches great for gaming, offering a high level of responsiveness – especially for FPS where ‘twitch' reactions are so vital. While I do prefer a tactile switch when typing documents, Cherry Reds are the ultimate gaming switches.
One other thing is worth mentioning. As the XG1-R LED adds an extra row of keys to the top of the keyboard for its macro buttons, the Fn key is in the top-left corner, above the Esc key. As I adjusted to using the XG1-R LED, I frequently hit the Fn key when I meant to hit Esc. However, this is not a problem as Xtrfy foresaw that this may occur and acted accordingly. So a single press of the Fn key functions as if you had hit Esc – meaning you won't be infuriated by frequently hitting the wrong key while adjusting to the different layout of the keyboard.
