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.
