Image: Friedrich Stiemer
At a glance
Expert’s Rating
Pros
Hall-effect switches offer a long service lifeAdjustable trigger pointHigh-quality Gateron KS-37B switches with dual-rail structureRobust aluminum housingDoubleshot PBT keycaps
Cons
Higher price due to advanced techniques and materialsFamiliarization time required for setting the trigger point
Our Verdict
The Endgame Gear KB65HE is an outstanding gaming keyboard characterized by precision, customizability, and exceptional durability. It’s aimed primarily at gamers who place the highest demands on their equipment, but also at professional users who value a minimalist design and first-class workmanship.
Price When Reviewed
$139.99
Best Prices Today: Endgame Gear KB65HE
RetailerPriceEngame$139.99View Deal
$149.99View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket
With the Endgame Gear KB65HE, the manufacturer ventures into the gaming keyboard arena for the first time and hits a bull’s eye, especially for fans of FPS games. The combination of innovative Hall-effect switches, a sturdy aluminum construction, and user-friendly software is impressive. But can the KB65HE really score points in all areas? We have subjected it to a detailed evaluation to find out.
Further reading: Best gaming keyboards
Friedrich Stiemer
Friedrich Stiemer
Friedrich Stiemer
Design and workmanship: Sturdy and simple
At first glance, the Endgame Gear KB65HE may appear somewhat inconspicuous with its simple, all-black aluminum housing. However, it is precisely this restraint that conceals its exceptional stability and feel. The CNC-milled aluminum housing is not only a visual highlight, but also ensures remarkable robustness without any flexing.
With a weight of 2.03 pounds (1.05 kilograms), the keyboard sits securely on the desk. There are no fold-out feet to adjust the angle of inclination. However, there is a second pair of rubber feet, which are slightly higher so that the gaming keyboard can be positioned at an angle. You will also search in vain for a wrist rest. However, there is a detachable, fabric-covered USB-C connection cable.
Friedrich Stiemer
Friedrich Stiemer
Friedrich Stiemer
The 65% layout of the Endgame Gear KB65HE combines compactness with functionality by removing the numeric keypad but retaining essential arrow and special keys. This is ideal for gamers and frequent typists who want to save space but do not want to do without important keys. The keyboard uses high-quality PBT keycaps, produced in collaboration with Ducky, which are durable and abrasion-resistant thanks to the Doubleshot process, ensuring a consistently precise and comfortable typing experience.
Friedrich Stiemer
Friedrich Stiemer
Friedrich Stiemer
Innovative: Hall-effect switches
However, the real stars of the Endgame Gear KB65HE are the Gateron KS-37B linear key switches. These switches utilize the Hall effect, in which a magnetic field is generated by a magnet integrated into the key to detect keystrokes without physical contact.
This contactless detection results in a virtually unlimited switch life, with a durability that far exceeds traditional mechanical switches. This also enables an individually adjustable trigger point precision of up to 0.1 millimetres, which can be individually adjusted for each switch.
The lightweight 30-gram trigger force combined with 50-gram bottom-out and factory lubrication make every input a breeze and provide an unrivalled smooth typing experience.
Friedrich Stiemer
Friedrich Stiemer
Friedrich Stiemer
Another special feature of the gateron switches is the dual-rail structure on the outside of the plungers, which above all ensures above-average stability. In contrast to single-rail switches, which can wobble or react inconsistently under intensive use, the KS-37B offers constant and precise actuation.
In addition, the Endgame Gear KB65HE has hot-swap sockets, but only for Hall-effect switches. This means that the switches can be easily swapped for other variants without having to wield a soldering iron. This is also ideal in the rare event that a single switch is defective.
The lightweight 30-gram trigger force combined with 50-gram bottom-out and factory lubrication make every input a breeze and provide an unrivalled smooth typing experience.
Friedrich Stiemer
Friedrich Stiemer
Friedrich Stiemer
Software and customization
One of the highlights of the Endgame Gear KB65HE is the ability to customize the trigger points of the buttons. This is done using the powerful Endgame Gear software, which is only available for Windows. The software not only allows you to customize the RGB lighting and program macros, but also to fine-tune the Hall effect switches for the so-called Rapid Trigger feature.
This option enables extremely fast key reactions — ideal for gamers looking for an advantage in fast-paced games. Although the software is intuitive and user-friendly, it offers a depth of personalization that is lacking in many competing products.
Friedrich Stiemer
Friedrich Stiemer
Friedrich Stiemer
One disadvantage, however, is the lack of onboard memory. This means that individual settings and customizations cannot be saved directly on the keyboard. For gamers who want to use their keyboard on different devices, this could mean that they have to set their configurations again via the software, which limits the portability of personalized settings. Some core functions of the Endgame Gear KB65HE can also be executed directly on the keyboard itself via key combinations without the software.
Friedrich Stiemer
Friedrich Stiemer
Friedrich Stiemer
Gaming experience
In practical use, especially in fast-paced FPS games such as Counter Strike 2, the advantage of the fast switches is immediately noticeable. The ability to set the trigger points for a rapid trigger response gives you a noticeable advantage in the game. The stable construction and precise switches help to ensure that even hectic gaming moments can be mastered with reliable input accuracy.
Friedrich Stiemer
Friedrich Stiemer
Friedrich Stiemer
This review was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.
Best Prices Today: Endgame Gear KB65HE
RetailerPriceEngame$139.99View Deal$149.99View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket
Author: Friedrich Stiemer
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