We were telling you about this new Roccat reference, well here it is today in test. Indeed, this is the latest keyboard from the brand, the Vulcan II Mini. We are dealing here with a 65% keyboard, which is the equivalent of a 60% but with the directional keys in addition. In short, an ultra compact keyboard that you can find in both BLACK or WHITE.
So what is this Vulcan II Mini worth? Answer in our full test!
Technical specifications:
With this new keyboard signed Roccat, we are clearly dealing once again with a small gaming keyboard. Indeed, this Vulcan II Mini measures only 116 x 31 x 324 mm for a total weight of 542 g (with cable). As mentioned above, this reference is “mini” since it is a 65% keyboard. With this one, we have the right to a 1.8 m USB-C to USB-A removable braided cable. The brand offers home-made switches here, the Titan II red optical switches . These are smooth and linear switches. They can hold up to 100 million strokes.
This new Vulcan has a polling rate of 1 GHz and can take up to 4 MB of memory. You can save all your profiles (up to 5) on this keyboard. Of course, the Vulcan II Mini has RGB lighting per key with 16.8 million colors. Besides that, there is the classic N-Key Rollover and anti-ghosting.
As usual, this keyboard is compatible with the brand’s Roccat Swarm software.
Recommended System:
To be able to use the Vulcan II Mini, you will need to have at least a Windows 7 operating system. Also, to connect it, a USB 2.0 is necessary as well as an internet connection in order to download the keyboard management software.
[nextpage title=”Unpacking”]
Box:
It’s time to discover the box of this Vulcan II Mini. On the front, we find a representation of our keyboard of the day, illuminated with its RGB LEDs. On the box, we learn that this reference is in 65% and RGB format. In addition, the brand sells its dual LED switches. A world premiere visibly.
At the back, we find the classic technical characteristics of our keyboard that we mentioned on the previous page. We also learn that it is equipped with Titan II switches with optimized backlight.
Let’s open that box. The keyboard is packed in a plastic bag and wedged in cardboard reinforcements. There is also a foam sheet to protect the top of the keyboard. In short, it did its job as the Vulcan II Mini arrived whole.
Bundle:
Bundle unfortunately too classic. We will find a quick start guide and the braided USB cable. When will we see a small carrying case?
The Vulcan II Mini:
Let’s discover this Vulcan II Mini. It is really compact and has all the keys of a 60% plus the directional arrows. It is the same format as the Cooler Master CK721 keyboard. On this new Vulcan, we will find the classic numeric keys at the top which will also be used (with Fn+) for the F1, F2 and other keys. Here, what says small format, says absence of sound wheel for example. You will have to use a combination to increase or decrease the volume of the sound.
Unlike the K65 RGB Mini from Corsair, we do not have PBT keycaps. It’s a pity, especially for a bigger price. Nevertheless, on this type of keys, it is not very surprising.
How does it look from the back?
If we turn this Vulcan II Mini over, we will find the two elevating legs on two levels. Moreover, we have the right to two rubber bands for a better maintenance of the keyboard. Otherwise, the bottom has been worked by the brand, it is more and more common these days but it is always nice to see.
Finally, we will find the serial numbers of our Vulcan and all the recycling information.
[nextpage title=”Test”]
Now let’s test this Vulcan II Mini. We put it to the test in almost all scenarios: video games, office automation, etc…
The grip:
Over time, we got used to the 60% and 65% formats, so typing with this model doesn’t surprise us anymore. However, for those who discover this type of keyboard, it can be confusing… Especially when it comes to typing numbers. Indeed, it will not be necessary to go and look for them on the right, at the level of the numeric pad, but to make a combination Shift + special character. According to us, this is the main difference between a compact model and a more classic keyboard with 104 keys.
Nevertheless, in 65%, the keyboard retains some navigation keys and the arrow pad. In our opinion, if you do a lot of writing, these are very useful allies. The basic selections are then done more easily than on a 60% keyboard. Here, a simple Shift + arrow combo is enough to select text when you have to add a FN on a 60% keyboard.
In the end, you will have understood, what is very appreciable with this type of keyboard, is the gain of space on the desk. For comparison, this Vulkan II Mini is only 324 mm wide against 462 mm for the Vulcan and 360 mm for the TKL model. This space saving is felt especially at the level of the mouse, since we find more space to carry out our movements of mouse. Practical, especially if you play at low DPI.
On the other hand, the counterpart of having such a compact model is its weight, only 542g. On the desk, you can move it easily and the two rubber bands don’t make a big difference.
Who says mini format, also says doubled function, especially for everything related to the management of multimedia content. There, there is no surprise, it will have to go through a combo FN + dedicated key. The sound management is placed on the keys “,” , “;” and “:” while it will be necessary to press “w” , “x” and “c” for the management of tracks. Finally, the intensity of the lighting is done via the navigation keys on the right of the keyboard.
The design of the Vulcan II Mini
In terms of design, we find a pure Vulcan keyboard, but reduced in size. Thus, we find a look all in smoothness with a construction based on sandblasted and anodized aluminum. In short, it looks great.
Then, the other particularity of this series of keyboard is to have the switches directly assembled on the layer plate. This allows them to be well highlighted, especially the switch housing which is then very visible. In use, this allows the backlighting to be well highlighted, especially since we find low profile keycaps.
However, do not expect a particular care at this level since the keys are simply in ABS with a laser engraving for the lettering. Moreover, the brand announces that it will be possible to easily change the keyset since there is a standard cross key support. Nevertheless, in ISO version, it looks quite complicated since there are very few sets on the market.
On the other hand, changing the cable is quite possible… Provided you have a thin sleeve. For example, the yellow cable of our NZXT Function BLD keyboard doesn’t fit in the USB port of this Vulcan II Mini… So customizable, but not that much.
The switches :
The choice of switches is made on Roccat’s own switches , the Titan II Optical. For the moment, only one type of feel is proposed with a linear stroke. The rest of the technical specifications mention an activation force of 45 g and an accent point located at 1.4 mm. In fact, this switch is slightly more sensitive than a MX Red from Cherry and its accent point located at 2 mm.
Clearly, coming from the NZXT Function MiniTKL BLD and its Gateron Ink Black switches, the typing is clearly softer and lighter. You need to exert less force to activate the key… Also, with black switches , the force needed is 60g, quite a difference.
Moreover, despite the fact that they are optical switches, we feel a slight friction when descending. In terms of roughness, we would say that it is at the level of a Gateron Ink Black. We are therefore more fluid than a MX Red that we will call classic, but rougher than an OmniPoint from SteelSeries which is exemplary on this aspect!
Moreover, the switches seem to be well built since when we hit them, we have very little, if any, of the metallic resonance characteristic of the springs, but we’ll pay more attention to that when we make the noise.
Of course, having sensitive switches is interesting for playing, however, in writing, things get complicated. As soon as you slip on another key, you make a mistake. All this also requires a little time to adapt, which happens very quickly. It took me a few hours to get used to this model after having abandoned my NZXT keyboard and its Gateron Ink Black.
The noise :
Here, clearly, we are not dealing with so-called “silent” switches offering damping at the end of the stroke. Obviously, as soon as you reach the end, it makes an audible “tac”. On the other hand, we really appreciate the absence of spring noise at each pressure, that’s very appreciable. According to us, there is nothing more unpleasant than to hear a metallic resonance at each pressure. On this Vulcan II Mini, of course, the most audible key will be the space bar. Nevertheless, we expected worse from the enter key or the backspace.
The RGB:
Of course, with such a key/switch configuration, the RGB lighting is clearly emphasized by this model… As on the other keyboards of the series of course! Here, as soon as you plug in the Vulcan II Mini, you get a lot of light, clearly it’s nice. We are far from the lighting proposed by the Function MiniTKL BLD from NZXT . The same is true for the K70 Pro Mini Wireless from Corsair which offers keycaps in PBT double injection unlike the custom model from NZXT.
[nextpage title=”Conclusion”]
It’s high time to come to our conclusion about the Vulcan II Mini. So, what did we think of it?
A Vulcan design !
If like us, you like the design of this keyboard series, this 65% model should not disappoint you. Indeed, we find what makes the personality of this series between the low profile keys or the switches mounted on the layer plate. This layout also contributes to offer a quality backlighting with visible colors!
Switches pleasant to use!
Moreover, the switches are one of the main strong points of this keyboard since it is equipped with in-house optical models. The typing is pleasant and above all, the noise of springs is very little present, even absent. However, do not expect a silent model, it is not the case. Nevertheless, we regret that the keyboard is rather light since it weighs just over half a kilogram. However, this featherweight does not allow it to hang particularly well on a desk or mouse pad… Even less with the raised legs.
Customization not as obvious as advertised!
Finally, don’t be fooled if you want to customize your keyboard, especially to the ISO standard. Of course, the key supports of the switches are standard, but finding French PBT keysets is very complicated… Especially since the right shift is shortened to facilitate the integration of directional arrows. Same thing for the USB cable which is detachable. If you want to choose a cable in reel, be careful with the connector sleeve, it should not be too thick, at the risk of not entering the keyboard.
How much does the Vulcan II Mini cost?
For the price, you should know that Roccat announced its keyboard at a price of $129.99 and you can have it in either Black or White. A pricing that seems to us somewhat delicate. The compretition for this model is serious, including NZXT which offers an excellent Function MiniTKL for $89.99. The same goes for Corsair with the K65 RGB Mini displayed $90.99. Here, this Roccat model is distinguished by its optical switches and its successful design.
Roccat Vulcan II Mini
We liked:
- The design typical of the Vulcan keyboard series
- The 65% format which keeps some navigation keys and the arrow pad
- The detachable USB connectivity
- The switches are pleasant to use
- The backlighting is particularly visible!
- No spring noise when typing
We liked less:
- The keyboard is a bit light, which impacts its holding on the desk
- The customization is not as obvious as the Roccat communication indicates
- Keyboard quite noisy despite everything
- The price is quite high for the size
Finally, the result is rather mixed concerning this Vulcan II Mini keyboard from Roccat. Of course, the design is still convincing and the switches are very pleasant to use. On the other hand, one should not lose sight of the overall high price of this model and its light weight. Also, it is not particularly quiet and customization is not as obvious as advertised by Roccat. On the other hand, once turned on, the lighting is good!
Thanks to Roccat !
