GAMDIAS Technology is a young new eSports company that focuses on PC gaming peripherals, from gaming mice to keyboards and headsets. Established in 2012, their name is an amalgam of GAM (Gaming Art in Motion) and DIAS, the Latin word for god. In short, GAMDIAS means “god of gaming“!
Despite the Latin origin of its name, GAMDIAS adopts an ancient Greek mythology theme for its products, naming them after Greek gods and goddesses. Today, we are going to take a look at the GAMDIAS Hermes RGB mechanical gaming keyboard.
Don’t forget to join the GAMDIAS Hermes E1 Combo Giveaway Contest!
The GAMDIAS Hermes RGB Keyboard Specifications
For those who don’t know their Greek mythology, Hermes is the Greek god of transitions and boundaries, and a son of Zeus. GAMDIAS currently offers seven different Hermes models :
- GAMDIAS Hermes RGB (RRP : US$ 129.99)
- GAMDIAS Hermes P1 RGB (RRP : US$ 119.99)
- GAMDIAS Hermes Ultimate (RRP : US$ 109.99)
- GAMDIAS Hermes 7Color (RRP : US$ 99.99)
- GAMDIAS Hermes Essential (RRP : US$ 99.99)
- GAMDIAS Hermes M1 7Color (RRP : US$ 89.99)
- GAMDIAS Hermes Lite (RRP : US$ 79.99)
The GAMDIAS Hermes RGB is their top-of-the-line model, with the following specifications :
| Specifications | GAMDIAS Hermes RGB |
|---|---|
| Model | GKB1050 |
| OS Compatibility | Microsoft Windows 10 / 8 / 7 / XP |
| Processor | 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 |
| Key Switch Type | Kailh Blue |
| Switch Rated Lifespan | 50 million keystrokes |
| Key Backlight Capability | 16.8 million colours, 4 brightness levels |
| Customisable Light Effects | Yes |
| N-Key Rollover | Yes, 6KRO (as tested) |
| Built-in Memory | 72 KB |
| Programmable Keys | 2 |
| Multimedia Control Keys | 6 |
| Profile Keys | 6 |
| Additional Macro Keys | No |
| Other Capabilities | Disable Windows Key Lock All Keys Switch WASD & Arrow Keys Consecutive Attack Mode |
| Graphical User Interface | Yes, via the GAMDIAS HERA software |
| Interface | USB |
| Polling Rate | 1000 Hz |
| Cable Length | 1.8 m braided cable with gold-plated USB connector |
| Onboard USB ports | No |
| Onboard audio ports | No |
| Dimensions | 440 mm wide x 170 mm deep x 37 mm thick |
| Weight | 1.16 kg |
Let’s check it out!
[adrotate banner=”5″]
Unboxing The GAMDIAS Hermes RGB Keyboard
The GAMDIAS Hermes RGB mechanical gaming keyboard comes in a large black and white cardboard box. Let’s take a look inside!
Inside the GAMDIAS Hermes RGB box, you should find the following items :
- One GAMDIAS Hermes RGB mechanical gaming keyboard, with 1.8 m cable and gold-plated USB connector
- One GAMDIAS Hermes RGB quick installation guide
- One key cap extractor tool
- Two GAMDIAS case stickers (one black, one white)
Next Page > Key Features, Keys & Switches, RGB Backlight, Other Features
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support out work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
Key Features Of The GAMDIAS Hermes RGB
Here is a quick video tour that showcases the key features of the GAMDIAS Hermes RGB mechanical gaming keyboard.
The Keys & Switches
This is a mechanical keyboard targeted at gamers, so the keys and switches are, arguably, the most important components.
The GAMDIAS Hermes RGB keyboard uses the Kailh Blue switches – the clicky type. This gives you great tactile feedback, but if there are people around you, they’ll not enjoy the experience quite as much. 😀
Here are the Kailh Blue switch’s key specifications :
- Behaviour : Clicky
- Feel : Heavy
- Actuation Force : 60 g
- Actuation Distance : 2 mm
- Total Travel Distance : 4 mm
- Sound Level : Loud
- Rated Lifespan : 50 million keystrokes
The key caps have a more pronounced cylindrical key face, which makes it easier to touch type. This makes the Hermes RGB a really great keyboard for touch typing. But again, the audible clicks may put off people around you.
The keys can be removed for cleaning and replacement. GAMDIAS includes a bright orange key cap removal tool for that very purpose. Just push it in until it locks into the key and then pull to remove the key.
The GAMDIAS Hermes RGB keyboard has a few 6 gaming profile keys, 6 multimedia control keys, as well as special function keys :
- Lock Keyboard – to disable all keyboard keys until they are unlocked
- Game Mode – to lock the Windows key so there is no response when it is pressed
- Swap WASD And Arrow Key Modes – switches the WASD keys to the arrow mode, and back again
- On-The-Fly (OTF) Macro Recording – enables on-the-fly macro recording
RGB Backlight
This is the GAMDIAS Hermes RGB keyboard’s headline feature. As its name suggests, it has full RGB backlighting for its keys. Every single key is not just individually backlit, you can choose the backlight colour out of a wide spectrum of 16.8 million colours, with 4 brightness levels.
The Hermes RGB keyboard also comes with four lighting effects built-in. Using shortcut keys, you can instantly switch between those lighting effects – Wave, Rotation, Slide In, Static… and even turn off the lights completely. You can also adjust the speed and brightness levels of the backlight.
Other Features
The GAMDIAS Hermes RGB mechanical gaming keyboard has 1.8 meter long USB cable with a gold-plated USB connector. The keyboard has three channels, while the USB cable has two straps, for cable management.
The back of the Hermes RGB keyboard can be raised about 2 cm using the flip-stands. To prevent inadvertent movement, the flip stands have a rubber coating. There are also four rubber pads in the front of the keyboard.
Next Page > N-Key Rollover, User Experience & Verdict, Giveaway Contest
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support out work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
N-Key Rollover
GAMDIAS rates the GAMDIAS Hermes RGB mechanical gaming keyboard as being capable of n-key rollover (NKRO). This means it can correctly register multiple keys simultaneously. This is not only important in competitive gaming where keys are rapidly being pressed, but also musical composition where multiple keys may be pressed simultaneously.
Our tests showed that the GAMDIAS Hermes RGB keyboard is capable of registering up to 6 simultaneous keys. That makes it a 6KRO keyboard. This is enough for most competitive gamers and quick typists. And like all modern mechanical keyboards, it has anti-ghosting built-in, so it won’t register false key presses.
User Experience & Verdict
The GAMDIAS Hermes RGB mechanical gaming keyboard has great tactile feedback, thanks to the Kailh Blue switches. The curvier key caps also allow for easier touch typing. Even though it’s not a true NKRO keyboard, it is more than fast enough for most competitive gamers and touch typist.
The Kailh Blue switches can be rather distracting though, especially if you are playing for fun or with other people nearby. The clicks may offer audio feedback for typing, but it takes away your suspension of disbelief while gaming. You can “fix” the former by using headphones, but there’s nothing you can do about the latter.
The RGB backlighting is great for those who want to play in the dark, or colour-coordinate it with the LED lighting in their gaming rig. The Hermes RGB offers full control of the lighting. But if you are not into RGB lighting, then the extensive lighting options it offers will seem like overkill.
Because it’s targeted at gamers, the Hermes RGB keyboard swapped the Menu key on the right with the Windows key. Where you usually have the Windows key on the left (between the Ctrl and Alt keys) is the Function key. This allows for faster, single-handed access to the built-in function keys. The downside – the Windows shortcut keys may now require two hands (e.g. Windows + E to open Windows Explorer ).
We would recommend the GAMDIAS Hermes RGB mechanical gaming keyboard to gamers who generally play alone, particularly if they prefer to use headphones over speakers. It is also a great keyboard for those who intend to do a lot of typing – the tactile feedback is similar to that of a typewriter. This is actually a great option for those who work and play on the same computer.
Giveaway Contest
In conjunction with the GAMDIAS Hermes RGB mechanical gaming keyboard review, GAMDIAS is sponsoring a giveaway of their Hermes E1 Combo worth US$ 79.99! Will YOU be the lucky owner of the GAMDIAS Hermes E1 Combo?
Click here for the contest details!
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support out work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!