Despite the clear advantages of mechanical keyboards (fast and precise response to pressing, long lifespan, and good functionality), it is difficult to convince an average user to purchase peripherals for "a hundred bucks" when there is a similar and cheaper alternative in the form of rubber-dome or membrane keyboards. Fortunately, the expansion of the "mechanical" range has allowed prices to drop and improved attractiveness in the eyes of consumers. However, savings usually lead to compromises in quality or features.

Let's try to figure this out using the Vinga KBGM160 as an example. It costs only $37 (999 UAH), is equipped with Outemu switches, has RGB backlighting, and a decent set of features.

Specification

Model

Vinga KBGM160

Connection

Wired (USB)

Number of keys

104

Switch type

Mechanical (Outemu Blue)

Lifespan, million presses

50

Built-in memory

Yes

Macro recording capability

No

Cable length, m

1.8

Additional features

Customizable LED RGB backlighting of buttons; quick access to controls via [Fn] key; gaming mode with [Windows] key lock function

Color

Black

Dimensions, mm

456.8 x 135.8 x 29.5

Weight, g

1280

Software

None

Supported OS

Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 10

Mac OS X

Official warranty, months

12

Manufacturer's website

Vinga

Manufacturer's website 

Product page
 

 

Packaging and delivery set

Vinga KBGM160 comes in a medium-sized cardboard box with quality printing and sufficient informational content. The packaging features an image of the accessory and a short list of its advantages. The package includes only documentation.

Appearance, element placement, and impressions from work

Vinga KBGM160 is a full-size keyboard with a Skeleton design and a numeric block on the right side. It has a restrained appearance: a black body with no design excesses. The only standout features are the "ears" with a shiny chamfer on the sides at the back, and the RGB backlighting is intended to create a rainbow mood. It's important to note the small dimensions for a mechanical device. The body slightly tapers at the edges, adding visual elegance.

Despite the affordable price, the top panel is made of aluminum. It is quite thick and provides excellent rigidity to the structure, although it is slightly prone to smudges. The keyboard base is made of good-quality plastic. In terms of build quality and fit of parts, everything is in order - no complaints.

The keyboard can be easily picked up when rearranging thanks to the narrowing shape of the sides. There are foldable legs with rubber pads on the bottom. It stands quite confidently on the table, partly due to its weight of over 1 kg.

We should also note a pair of holes in the front part of the base. It can be assumed that they are intended for draining accidentally spilled liquid, but we found no confirmation of this.

The keyboard connects to the PC via a 1.8 m USB cable. It lacks a nylon braid, is slightly thicker than usual, and has a ferrite filter at the end. 

Vinga KBGM160 contains a standard set of full-size keys with trapezoidal-shaped caps. There is no ultraviolet coating.

The layout is presented in the classic American variant (US ANSI), which eliminates the need for adaptation and allows for immediate effective interaction with the device both in gaming and text typing.

The symbols are not applied in the most successful way: Latin characters are laser-etched, while Cyrillic uses a printed method. In the first case, there is backlighting, while in the second, there is none.

Among the additional keys, there is only the [Fn] button in place of [Right Windows], which controls a number of additional functions, including multimedia:

The official website does not mention support for 100% Anti-Ghosting and Full N-Key Rollover technologies, but during testing, we did not encounter any problems.

 

The Vinga KBGM160 is based on Outemu Blue mechanical switches, which are a Chinese clone of the popular Cherry MX Blue. They feel very similar: the tactile feedback is approximately in the middle of the stroke. After passing it, a rather loud click is produced, reminiscent of a typewriter. The actuation force is about 50 g, making them an ideal option for typing large texts. They are also quite suitable for gaming, but since the actuation point is lower than the release point, it will be difficult to shoot quickly. The declared lifespan for these switches is 50 million presses.

The keyboard is equipped with RGB backlighting, which can be configured without additional software. You have access to eight modes and five brightness levels and settings. You might also like the ability to highlight keys that are directly used in the game or when typing ([Fn] + [1/2/3]). All of this can be independently reconfigured and saved in the device's memory.

Speaking of the backlighting as a whole, it is bright and very colorful.

Conclusions

Vinga KBGM160 is an excellent option for an affordable mechanical keyboard. It features a pleasant design, solid construction, high build quality, and a decent set of functional capabilities. The highlight of the novelty is the bright and colorful RGB backlighting. The keyboard was made affordable thanks to the use of Chinese Outemu Blue switches. Despite all the skeptical expectations, they performed quite well. However, not everyone will like the sound characteristics of the mechanics, which should be considered when purchasing. Here we also highlight the absence of Cyrillic symbol backlighting.

Considering the price, the Vinga KBGM160 is free from critical drawbacks and can be confidently recommended to users who primarily work but occasionally don't mind playing.

Advantages:

Features:

 

Author: Victor Yefimenko 
Translation: Liliya Masyuk