Usage & Final Thoughts
I’ve been using the Polar 65 for the past couple of weeks and I’ve really been enjoying it. As I said in the beginning of this review this is the first magnetic keyboard that I’ve had the chance to test and it has been fun learning how this keyboard is different than your normal mechanical keyboard and some of the unique features that the keyboard offers. The first of those is setting your own actuation point. Basically this means you can set how far the each key is pressed down before it is registered by your computer. The next thing is rapid trigger. With most keyboards and switch types your key won’t “reset” until it comes back up to its initial actuation point. Rapid trigger allows you to re-press the key on the way back up before the actual actuation point and your computer will still register it. Continuous rapid trigger allows the key to go back up above the actuation point and be pressed down again before it hits the actuation point and still be registered. Rapid trigger makes movement in fast-paced games seem more fluid than a typical mechanical keyboard. If you want to learn more about rapid trigger and continuous rapid trigger there is a great video that explains it here.
When it comes to comfort I was actually surprised at how good this keyboard felt. The PBT keycaps with Arbiter Studio’s Fuji Magnetic linear switches makes for a great typing experience. I was a bit worried initially that this keyboard was going to be too flat as there is no height adjustment, but that was not the case. For me this keyboard sits at the right angle. Not only does this keyboard feel good, but it also sounds quite good too. The extra layers of dampening silicon have a lot to do with that. Below is a sound test.
This is a gaming keyboard and with any gaming keyboard we like to see the ability to reprogram the keyboard. While Arbiter Studio may add this in the future via their web app, it is currently not available. So no remapping your keys or setting up macros. It is also unclear if Arbiter Studio will add Dynamic Keystroke (DKS) to the keyboard. This function is available on other magnetic keyboards.
The keyboard is incredibly well-made. You could tell as soon as you took it out of the box as it was quite heavy. The chassis is made of CNC aluminum and feels solid.
Arbiter Studio is currently offering this keyboard directly from them for $150. As a reminder there are 9 different colorways. They are also offering a barebones kit that comes with either the silver or black chassis and their Fuji Magnetic linear switches for $125. Overall ThinkComputers gives the Arbiter Studio Polar 65 Magnetic Gaming Keyboard a 9 out of 10 score.
Pros:
– Solid build quality
– Super comfortable
– Sounds great
– Ability to set the actuation point
– Rapid trigger
– Available in 9 different colorways
– Double-shot PBTY keycaps
Cons:
– Can’t reprogram the keyboard (currently)
– No macros (currently)
– No Dynamic Keystroke
