TECWARE Phantom+ Elite 87 Key RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, LED Backlit, Universal Hot-Swap, Wired and Wireless, 3 Mode Connectivity, Thocky Sounding, Black Elite Wraith Brown

I recently purchased the Tecware Phantom RGB TKL keyboard and downloaded the accompanying software. I am thoroughly impressed with the quality, attention to detail, design features, and user experience.TL;DR: If you can afford it, buy it. well-designed, well-made, user-friendly, great hardware/software features, outstanding valueThe keyboard's quality and features are phenomenal, not to mention the great price. It's the perfect complement to my recent gaming PC build. The keyboard is well-manufactured and has many 'little' features that really polish the whole experience (the keycap puller clicks into a cutout underneath, the braided USB cable has a cover for the connector on a rubber leash, 4 extra switches and a switch puller are included). The switches feel as expected, and the keycaps are well-made. It's a sturdy board, and has a very clean look. As advertised, it's plug-and-play, though the software (available at Tecware.co) allows for more customization. The TKL size is great for freeing up desk space.The software is user-friendly and allows for complete key reassignment, including Fn functions and macros. The RGB is uniform and high-quality. It comes pre-programmed with 18 different modes, as well as complete color options in the software with the ability to create and save profiles with customized key settings and RGB effects/layouts. There's Fn functions on the keyboard to quickly change RGB features (change static color, select one of the 18 preset modes, set to the default moving rainbow, change direction of movement, increase/decrease speed of effect, increase/decrease brightness). There's indicator lights that blink when you've reached a maximum or minimum speed/brightness.Only a few minor gripes: Though there are 3 channels to route the cable out of the rear (left, middle, right), the braided cable is too thick to fully settle into the cutouts (however, it's really only a narrow part of the molded plastic on the keyboard that prevents this, a little filing of the plastic would easily solve the issue). Also, there's a slight 'tinny' sound after hitting some of the larger keys (space bar, backspace, enter, etc.), but it doesn't occur with the standard 1x1 size keys (might be fixed with o-ring dampeners on those larger keys). Some users may find it more ergonomic to use with a wristpad, but that's somewhat of a personal preference, as a built-in wristpad would take up more deskspace.Note: the backlit keycaps are manufactured much better than my camera makes them look.

This is my second time buying this keyboard. Not a replacement just one for my girlfriend as well. Mine is going on two years and still works like its brand new.Ergonomic: It may not be an advanced ergonomic keyboard but as keyboard standards it feels great and from standard keyboards its what I'm used to and I love the way it feels.Gaming: I do play more casual games so for responsiveness I can't speak on how it does but for games like Baldur's Gate/Ark/Phasmaphobia it works perfectly fine.Brightness: The keyboard is plenty bright without being overbearing and the RGB functions are very easy to customize with plenty of options.Durability: This keyboard is two years old on my desk with now sign of degradation or functionality issues at all. As a gamer with a full time job and not playing any fast paced games I still use it up to 30+ hours a week and it still functions and looks brand new. The HDMI cord is also in perfect shape and its a stress resistant fiber that also shows no degradation.Keys: I purchased the blue switches and they sound wonderful and clicky. The keyboard comes with an extra keycap puller underneath it and is easily customizable. You can take your basic keyboard and make it fancy with new switches and keycaps in a breezeAll in all it is a perfect starter keyboard, its nothing fancy but for someone who plays often I love my keyboard. Would be again if I had a 3rd PC.

Tecware has made vast improvements from when these older posts were created. I ordered the phantom plus elite and love it. I'm not an extreme keeb enthusiast, like building it from scratch, but this definitely feels like a keyboard 4 or 5 times the price to me. I love the thock sound of the keys, I got the wraith orange. It is tri-connection (FYI, because this freaked me out until I understood, the "4" will pulse when you first get it because it's looking for the 2.4 g connection. 1,2, and 3 are for BT. You use Fn + the number to BT pair the keeb. If you switch devices the current connection key number will pulse until it connects to the device or you switch the connection). The elite version comes with the magnetic shealth. You can decide if you want it on or not. The keeb is universally hotswappable, though I read kailth switches are a little too big. That is a small percentage of total types of switches though. This does come with north facing rgb lights. You can use south facing switches but they not an issue unless you want to swap keycaps. These are pbt double shots, so to quality as with most of the parts of the keeb. The sound absorption is too of the line to me.Don't let the fact that youtube is not pushing techware deter you from trying tecware. After 100s hours of research it seems that the youtubers are getting paid very well or just copying each other. Tecware is not a well known company outside the enthusiast community, though they are seen as entry level for the hobby. Tecware is a company in the Philippines, so i have to give them love since they aren't a big three electronics country.My only negative, really the only thing this keeb didn't have yet (but seriously not an issue for me), it's not isn't gasket mounted. It is under $100 and even my "heavy hands" are confortable so mention it to temper expectations.