Each game keyboard Manufacturers seem to be jumping on the Hall effect trend, why not? Keyboard technology has been proven in esports arenas and home office settings around the world, and has numerous advantages over standard mechanical keyboards without real performance compromises.
With countless other technologies entering the keyboard space, Hall effect keyboards have also arrived: from gasket mounting to touchpads, now in mainstream keyboards. It also means I see new products, mechanical and Hall effects regularly and have features that I have never considered. For example, Asus Rog Falchion Ace HFX is a small keyboard with a big name and many unusual features.
This $200 wired-only keyboard features Hall effect switches, 8,000 Hz turnout, multiple review connections with two USB-C ports, and a programmable touchpad at the rear edge. Not to mention the myriad keyboard controls and flip-flopable levers to enable or disable the quick triggering feature on most Hall effect keyboards. While it does have some weird design decisions, it also has a lot of very clever decisions.
The only switch
Photo: Henri Robbins
Photo: Henri Robbins
Photo: Henri Robbins
Compared to other lobby effect keyboards, Falchion has one of the deepest typing sounds. This is probably a combination of the keyboard’s unique HFX magnetic switches, a few I’ve tested that weren’t made by Gateron and the sound inside was suppressed. It consists of multi-layer foam, porn and silicone resin, and a small rubber dome.
Even with a slow press, the switch feels very smooth and has a consistent feel throughout the keyboard. They use polycarbonate top shell, POM stem and POM bottom shell to help with deeper typing sounds and ensure smoothness throughout the keystrokes. Unlike most hall effect switches, there is no hole in the center of the HFX, which moves the magnet to the front, and the metal contact blades will usually be on the mechanical switch. This makes the Falchion incompatible with standard hall effect switches, but may also improve the sound profile: open switches tend to have a more hollow typing sound that can be heard on competitors.
Weight the spring to 55g total force, 5g lighter than the Gateron Nebula dual-track switch used by keychron and 10g lighter than the standard Cherry MX red. There are no other switches on the keyboard, but since the Hall effect switch is contactless, existing switches can be removed without any disassembly or a lot of disassembly.
I found myself not wanting to change the switches, though – their poppy and deep sounds are incredible and will feel sensitive and smooth, especially with fast triggers enabled. The biggest problem with the typing experience is the keychain. They have a rough texture that, while creepy, feels noticeably rough and unpleasant when typing. It boils down to preference, but I find them less pleasant than keychains with smooth or light texture.
