[section_title title=Closer Look]
Closer Look
The keyboard has a consistent black and white colour scheme – with a black, rubberised coating on the casing, with a white plate where the switches are mounted. This particular keyboard is TKL, meaning it does not feature the numpad. Again this keyboard uses the BankGothic font, which may not be to some users’ likes.
Interestingly, CM Storm have used a micro USB port for this keyboard – no doubt to keep it’s profile slim – although it could be more fragile, especially if you are on the move a lot (although it does also mean I can charge my phone from it!).
The only CM Storm branding you will find on the keyboard is at the front left edge, where you find the CM Storm typeface. I actually prefer this as the original QuickFire was full of CM Storm branding and didn’t do any favours for the appearance of the keyboard.
The base of the keyboard is relatively plain, just like the rest of it. It has the usual logos and product details on a sticker in the centre, followed by four rubber feet and two retractable feet to adjust the height.
The adjustable feet also have a rubber foot to keep traction on your desk.
Unlike many keyboards, the QFRi has opted to put the media keys in the page nav keys, meaning you only have to use one hand to change track etc. The top right key, the Pause/Break now have the joint functionality of the LED profile recording button.
The function keys have been coupled with the lighting controls, repeat rate (useful for some games) and LED profiles.
This particular model has Cherry MX brown switches, which are reversed so the white LEDs illuminate the legends on the top of key caps. The plate is also white, which gives a nice glow when each key is illuminated.
CM Storm have opted for a removable cable again, making it easier to transport around. It has a 1.8m long cable with high quality braid combined with gold plated connectors at each end.
The QFRi has numerous lighting options, so lets take a look at them.
