CM Storm QuickFire TK Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review

1. Introduction2. Packaging & Bundle3. The CM Storm QuickFire TK4. Performance5. Closing Thoughts6. View All Pages

CM Storm's QuickFire range of mechanical keyboards has gained much attention and praise from enthusiasts and gamers alike. For those who desire a small-form-factor mechanical keyboard, CM Storm has released the gaming-orientated QuickFire TK.

Allowing gamers to choose between their preference of Cherry MX Red, Blue or Brown switches, the CM Storm QuickFire TK aims to acquire the success of the QuickFire Rapid and build upon it. Our sample features Cherry MX Red switches, as shown by the QuickFire TK's red backlight system.

With N-key rollover in USB mode, a 1000 Hz polling rate, a full set of media keys and a dual-purpose number pad, can the QuickFire TK win over gamers just as its predecessor did?

Specifications:

• Key Switch: Cherry MX Blue/ Brown/ Red
• Keycaps: ABS, grip coated, removable
• Backlight: All keys backlit, 5 Levels, 3 Modes(Breathing, WASD or full backlight)
• Key Rollover: NKRO (Windows only)
• Interface: USB 2.0
• Dimensions: 377.5(L)*138(W)*33(H)mm
• Weight: 544g

Our sample was shipped in a plain white box but CM Storm provided us with images of the retail packaging.

The front side will consist of an image of the CM Storm QuickFire TK.

Specifications and key features will be outlined on the packaging's rear side.

Our early review sample consists of a somewhat meagre USB cable and key remover bundle. Expect at least a user guide to accompany this pair with retail versions.

At just 377.5mm in width and 138mm deep, the CM Storm QuickFire TK's compact dimensions make it a good choice for users with small or crowded desks.

An almost border-less design helps the QuickFire TK maintain its concise form factor. The all-black appearance and unique key font helps to enhance the ‘gamer-feel' created by CM Storm.

Coated with an ABS, grip-enhancing coating, each key has a premium-feel that has been achieved without sacrificing the stability of gamers' fingers.

The main input section of CM Storm's QuickFire TK is a standard QWERTY set of keys with some additional lettering enhancements intended for European and non-English speaking users. It's always pleasing to see a keyboard utilise a full-size space bar and dual Windows keys.

Toggled via a locking or unlocking key, each of the 12 function buttons doubles-up as a configuration input. Keys F1 to F4 control the LED backlight system's brightness levels and mode. Media inputs are a task for keys F5 to F11. The F12 key has the ability to lock the input function of each Windows key, helping to avoid unintentional disruptions during gaming.

The dual-purpose number pad is used to control page-selection and on-screen functions such as movement arrows, page down, home and delete. Pressing the NUMLK key allows users to switch between number and general usage inputs, as indicated by the accompanying LED positioned above.

A 33mm-tall rear edge is used by CM Storm to give the input keys a user-facing gradient that helps to enhance typing efficiency and general comfort. If the default gradient isn't sufficient, a pair of rubber-tipped feet can raise the QuickFire TK by an extra 13mm.

CM Storm equips the QuickFire TK with a mini-USB connector which is converted to standard USB 2.0 port via a removable, 1.8m cable. This method allows users to quickly reposition or clean the keyboard without having to scramble through a plethora of wires to unplug the QuickFire TK from their system's rear inputs.

A trio of channels provides access for the braided USB wire to depart the keyboard's underside from the most convenient location, hence reducing desk-based cable clutter.

Thanks to the QuickFire TK's negative, user-facing gradient, a comfortable typing experience is very easy to achieve. The front edges are low enough to allow users' wrists to rest on their desk, allowing the fingers to conduct the key-locating movements. While this method is perfectly adequate for general typing, the F1 to F12 function keys require an entire hand movement due to their positioning and increased height.

Rubber grips located on the keyboard's underside and feet tips prevent any unintentional movement that could mean the difference between winning and losing.

Utilising Cherry MX Red key switches, the QuickFire TK is able to offer an enjoyable and productive general usage experience. Typing extended pieces of writing was made more pleasant by the keys' low actuation force and instantaneous feedback. Due to their lightweight design, the Cherry MX Red switches are a good choice for users that spend many hours per day typing words into their keyboard.

Using the supplied removal tool, CM Storm makes it easy for users to remove their keys so that they can access the Cherry MX Red switches and backlight LEDs for general cleaning or maintenance.

One thing to note is the noise output created by rapid pressing of the Cherry MX Red-based keys. While it isn't irritating for the specific user as they are probably occupied by a game or general task, other people located in the same room will soon make you aware of their complaints.

We wouldn't call this a negative point, but instead something to bear in mind if you are likely to be using the QuickFire TK in a room where disturbing other people could cause issues.

The red backlight system can be set to operate at 5 different intensity levels with 3 unique modes, dependent upon a user's individual preference. Full-lit, breathing and ‘gaming' modes can be selected, the latter of which activates the backlight LEDs in just the WASD keys, allowing them to be easily-identified when competing in a late-night gaming session.

When the main set of LEDs is switched off, a light indicates the current status of the dual-purpose-controlling FN lock, Windows lock and directional keys.

Gaming with the QuickFire TK was a thoroughly enjoyable experience that helped to improve the level of our performance. Well-thought-out key positioning and spacing allows gamers to hit a specific input with a reduced chance of pressing the wrong button.

The Windows lock key is an invaluable addition that prevents the start menu from loading unintentionally, hence eliminating the possibility of a user-inflicted inconvenience.

Operated by the dual-purpose ‘ESC' key, the NKRO function will please many RTS and MMO gamers that crave the option of being able to simultaneously press as many keys as their custom input requires. On the other hand, these users are likely to prefer macro keys, of which the QuickFire TK offers none.

The CM Storm QuickFire TK is an impressive product that manages to compress the desirable features and functionality of a mechanical keyboard into a desk-friendly, compact size.

CM Storm has done a good job at maintaining an appropriate level of comfort with the QuickFire TK's larger-than-usual thickness. A user's hands can rest on an area of desk near to the keyboard's bottom edge, before allowing the fingers and subtle wrist movements to operate the key-pressing duties.

Reaching the function keys is made trickier by their increased altitude and distance from the front edge, but raising one's hand from time to time shouldn't pose too many comfort issues for most users.

The attractive, gamer-orientated style of CM Storm's QuickFire TK makes it an eye-catching keyboard. Whether you opt for the breathing, full-lit or gaming LED modes, the QuickFire TK will look good on almost any desk with its compact dimensions and sleek design.

Assisted by a set of Cherry MX Red switches, the CM Storm QuickFire TK offers excellent performance and clear usability in general usage, typing and gaming situations. A low actuation force and almost instantaneous feedback makes writing long essays and articles a trouble-free task that doesn't tire one's limbs. In gaming scenarios, the low actuation force can help to decrease the time taken between choosing to select an input and the on-screen character and setting updating.

The set of media and dual-purpose function keys worked well as methods of quickly changing media and backlight settings. We were particularly fond of the Windows lock key and its ability to prevent those frustrating unintentional drop-outs during an important gaming session.

While the dual-purpose function keys worked well, the inventive number pad variant wasn't as successful. Adapting to a keyboard which features a number pad that doesn't necessarily input numbers was awkward. It took a good length of time and plenty of mistakes to adapt to the fact that an extra key press was required between operating the number pad and directional or page-control keys.

You'd be forgiven for thinking that this issue becomes non-existent when the initial adaptation problems are overcome. What happens when you launch your system and want to enter the BIOS? It isn't as easy as just pressing the delete button because that would input the number ‘4'. One method was to repeatedly and frantically press the ‘NUMLK' and ‘Del' keys hoping that we would register an activation successful enough to enter the BIOS. Many times, this activation slipped through our grasp and a system restart was required.

In reality, there is little that CM Storm can do to maintain the innovative, dual-purpose number pad and avoid the aforementioned issues. Perhaps a completely separate delete key would be a good idea, or programming the number pad's primary function to account for the POST-desirable delete, arrow and page-controlling keys is another option.

Available for £72.25 from Scan, the CM Storm QuickFire TK is competitively-priced for a gamer-orientated, mechanical keyboard. The compact design, sleek appearance and excellent performance offered by the Cherry MX Red switches make the CM Storm QuickFire TK a brilliant choice for gamers that crave a commendable gaming keyboard without the potentially-problematic, large dimensions. Just make sure that your usage scenarios and favourite games don't benefit from the use of macro keys.

Pros:

• Cherry MX Red switches offer excellent performance.
• Choice of Cherry MX switches is available.
• NKRO functionality.
• Lots of convenience buttons such as Windows lock and media keys.
• Good build quality.
• Compact design.
• Adjustable LED backlight system.

Cons:

• Dual-purpose number pad requires usage adaptations and can cause minor problems.
• No macro keys.

KitGuru says: A well-designed mechanical keyboard that tends to the needs of most gamers, especially those with space-constraints.

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