EpicGear Defiant MMS Mechanical Keyswitching Gaming Keyboard Review
The EpicGear Defiant MMS Mechanical Keyswitching Gaming Keyboard is a high-performance keyboard designed for gamers. This keyboard features a unique mechanical key-switching system that provides a fast and responsive typing experience. The keys are designed to withstand high usage, so users can game for hours without worrying about wear and tear.
Features and Specifications of the EpicGear Defiant MMS Mechanical
- Defiant
Let’s go through the features on the keyboard at this point since the specs seem to relate more to the actual switches. An important note I found in the manual is the rollover feature. N-Key is enabled when the PgUp button is lit up, while 6-Key is enabled by pressing FN + PgDn to light that up. While 6-Key is more than enough for the average gamer, I don’t know why you would have that option when you have N-Key. Still, Defiant is all about customization, and this isn’t going to hurt by any means.
- MMS Mechanical Switch
MMS stands for modular-matrix structure. It means you can swap the switches out. What’s interesting about these guys is how they all seem to have the same specs. The 50g actuation force is comparable to Cherry Blues, but it’s a tad more than the 45g force of Cherry Reds and Browns. What’s killing me about these switches is that they have a 1.5mm actuation point. Compared to almost every other switch, that’s pretty low! Only Cherry Silvers and Razer Yellows, which are pretty new, have less of an actuation point at 1.2mm. Keep this in mind because this is going to play a key point in the testing and conclusion.
Closer Look: Defiant Software
EG has a software suite, so you can customize the products. For Defiant, your home screen lets you do full key customization, set polling rates, and adjust LED AFK settings. I like the “turn off” setting since my AM3+ motherboards like to keep USB ports powered even when the computer is shut down.
The multimedia key has a drop-down menu that gives you quite a few options to program with. These options can be programmed to any key.
Going to the next tab lets, you customize macros. As most software suites go, you can save multiple profiles and use the record button to simply key in a new profile.
Finally, they have a support tab that lets you check for updates. It’s a bit manual in that you have to click the “Go to Link” button, but it’s a decent option for now. Hopefully, EG will upgrade it to allow for automatic online checks at some point.
Testing Impressions
Below is my video review of the Defiant and the modular switches. Watch the video for the complete overview and testing impressions, but I’ll highlight key points here. For starters, the modular switch design is pretty fantastic. Even though some of them can be difficult to remove, popping in a new switch was pretty easy all the time. It’s a unique feature that really helps set Defiant apart from many similar keyboards.
What surprised me was how great the switches felt. I didn’t pick up on it at the recording time, but it probably has everything to do with the shorter actuation point than typical Cherry’s. At 1.5mm, the keys felt great to the touch, and the switches still have a solid-quality feel. A clicky, tactile switch that can give a Cherry MX Red a run for its money is an impressive feat!
Conclusion
EpicGear gave me a board that feels better than Cherry MX Reds or Browns. I’m still not sure if I’m allowed to say it, but I can’t help but think the MMS key switches are something special here. The software isn’t the most polished, but it worked well. Honestly, the worst nitpick I could point out is the orange color on certain parts. That’s it!
Holy crap! I just found a Defiant with the orange switches for a meager $76 on Amazon with Prime shipping!!! Do I even need to say more!?! I suppose I’ll mention that it seems like the original MSRP is around $90, which is still a great price. This is a great keyboard; I don’t know why it’s so cheap. I’ve seen boards with Kailh switches go cheaper, but after having a Kailh board at work for a year or two, there’s no comparison to what EpicGear is offering here.
Also, a pack of 24 replacement switches will only cost you $15. Once again, I think that’s an excellent price. You saw it coming, so here it is; the EpicGear Defiant MMS Mechanical Keyswitches Gaming Keyboard gets an easy Pureoverclock Editor’s Choice Award. Great job EpicGear!
