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Gamakay TK75 V2: one-minute review
The Gamakay TK75 V2 is a wireless mechanical keyboard that’s designed to match the performance of more expensive rivals while being more affordable.
It adopts a retro-modern aesthetic, with a thick, squared-off chassis harking back to more traditional mechanical keyboard designs. However, its pristine white base, combined with some choice colors for certain keys, helps to make the TK75 V2 more appealing, and the RGB lighting adds vibrancy, too.
The TK75 V2 is well built, with every panel of the unit feeling solid to the touch. The PBT keycaps are especially premium, sporting a super-smooth texture, rivaling those adorning the best keyboards.
Many keyboards of this depth usually include a wrist-rest; unfortunately, this isn’t the case with the TK75 V2. However, I found it perfectly comfortable to use without one (and I nearly always use one). This is largely thanks to the two-stage feet and the forward tilt of the keys themselves.
The layout is fairly compact, yet the keys are still easy to hit accurately, and Gamakay has managed to squeeze in a volume wheel and a small TFT screen.
This can display information such as battery life and CPU temperatures, and there’s a section for adjusting the RGB lighting. There’s a timer, too, which shows how long you’ve been using the TK75 V2 for, which is useful for those who like to keep track of such stats. Note that the screen is quite small and the resolution isn’t the sharpest; but many others don’t fare much better.
Gamakay also provides software to customize the TK75 V2. This offers a pleasing number of rebinding options, with multiple layers that can be switched between using Fn shortcuts. Speaking of which, the stock Fn shortcuts on the TK75 V2 are surprisingly numerous, making it a versatile keyboard.
The software isn’t perfect, though, and it can suffer from slow loading times (unusual for peripheral software) and it did crash once during my time with it. It also lacks some of the more advanced features and functions that gamers would welcome, such as Easy-Shift.
The most positive aspect about the TK75 V2 is the typing performance. The ultra-damped tactile switches in my unit were an absolute joy to use, being super satisfying yet extremely quiet – perhaps the quietest I’ve ever used. For gaming it was similarly adroit, and the switches proved responsive enough for fast inputs.
The connectivity options of the TK75 V2 are impressive as well, with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz options available. With the former, you can hot-switch between three devices using Fn shortcuts. There’s also a wired connection, although the USB port doesn’t appear to offer the most robust physical connection; even so, I didn’t experience any dropouts with it.
The battery life of the TK75 V2 seems reasonable, since it dipped only one bar out of five following a full day of varied use and connectivity modes. However, charging it seemed unduly slow, as it failed to reach full capacity after more than five hours; it’s possible this is something that can be fixed in a firmware update, however.
The TK75 V2 offers a lot for the money: mechanical switches, good build quality, customization software, and multiple wireless connectivity options. Best of all, performance is great.
However, there are even cheaper alternatives available that offer great performance. For instance, the Roccat Magma is great for gaming, and the Keychron C3 Pro offers mechanical switches at a seriously low price. All things considered, though, the TK75 V2 does enough to earn its place alongside the big names in the space.
Gamakay TK75 V2 review: price and availability
- $89.99 / £75 / $AU148
- Available now with two switch types
- Great value for the spec
The Gamakay TK75 V2 costs $89.99 / £75 / $AU148 and is available now, configurable with either Pegasus (tactile) or Phoenix (linear) switches as stock (although this isn’t permanent, as the board is hot-swappable). It comes with a braided USB-C cable, keycap puller, and spare case screws.
For a wireless mechanical keyboard with numerous wireless connectivity options, the TK75 V2 represents good value. However, if you want an even cheaper mechanical keyboard, the Keychron C3 Pro is one of the best. We found this board’s switches tactile yet relatively quiet, and you can customize it via QMK or VIA; however, this doesn’t offer the level of tweakability that gamers hanker for.
If you want the best gaming keyboard while keeping cost down, then the Roccat Magma is a great alternative. It doesn’t have mechanical switches; but despite this, we still found it delivered a good feel, and offered useful customization options, too.
Value: 4.5 / 5
Gamakay TK75 V2 review: specs
|
Layout: |
75% |
|
Switch: |
Mechanical |
|
Programmable keys: |
Yes |
|
Dimensions: |
12.8 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches / 325 x 136 x 28mm |
|
RGB or backlighting: |
Yes (customizable) |
Gamakay TK75 V2 review: design and features
- Retro yet modern looks
- Decent build quality
- Useful software
The TK75 V2 has a retro-inspired design, with its thick and square body. However, the bright white shade helps to modernize its look, as do the various keycap colors, which all complement each other well. Combined with the vivid RGB lighting, this is a vibrant-looking board.
Despite appearances, the TK75 V2 isn’t weighty, especially at this price point. The same is true of the PBT keycaps, which feel silky smooth.
The compact layout helps to keep its overall size to a minimum, yet Gamakay has still managed to include a volume wheel and even a small TFT screen. The former operates smoothly, with light notching to provide some useful feedback.
The two-stage feet are also well made, with the mechanisms feeling solid and stable. However, I did find them a little too easy to knock down when moving the TK75 V2 around, but this is a small gripe. A bonus feature is the slot under the left foot to store the included 2.4GHz dongle, which is handy.
The included cable is long, and is unexpectedly shiny, adding some flair to an otherwise drab accessory. It’s much better than the cable included with the TK101, although the physical connection didn’t seem the most secure, as it had a small amount of wobble to it. Thankfully, though, I didn’t experience any dropouts.
The TK75 V2 also includes a TFT screen, which displays various aspects, such as battery life (represented with five bars, not a percentage) and CPU temperature. There’s also a run timer, which is handy for those who like to track their usage. The menu is controlled via the volume wheel, and there’s also a section to adjust the RGB lighting.
However, the display area is quite small, and the resolution isn’t that sharp – but these are charges you can level at many built-in screens. Where it does fall behind its rivals, though, is the lack of game-specific information, which boards such as the SteelSeries Apex Pro offer.
Despite the lack of dedicated shortcut keys, there are plenty of shortcuts available on the TK75 V2 via the Fn key. These include typical functions such as media playback controls, opening the calculator or file explorer, and switching between connected devices, to name just a few. Unfortunately, none of these is labelled on the keys concerned, so you’ll need the included manual to hand.
The shortcuts can be customized using the Gamakay software, along with individual key presses, which can be remapped to other characters, media controls, system shortcuts, mouse buttons and movements, and combinations with the modifier keys. Unfortunately, though, the volume wheel can’t be customized.
There are eight layers for remapping keys, although layers aren’t available for Fn shortcuts. Also, only three layers can be switched between using Fn and the Z, X, and C keys.
The software also features a macro recorder, as well as a section to customize the TRT screen, with options to draw your own pictures and animations, or upload them from your files.
All these customization options are welcome, but it’s a shame there aren’t more gaming-related tweaks, such as Easy-Shift functionality; and although you can adjust sensitivity of presses, I barely noticed a difference between low and high settings.
What’s more, the GUI isn’t the sharpest, plus you’ll encounter loading times as various settings changes take effect, which is unusual for peripheral software. I also experienced a crash on one occasion; but in the main, it ran well enough.
Design & features: 4 / 5
Gamakay TK75 V2 review: performance
- Fantastic dampening
- Comfortable angle
- Useful connectivity options
The TK75 V2 really comes into its own once you start typing. The tactile Pegasus switches in my unit were a delight to use, with an ultra-damped feel, yet still providing plenty of snap and feedback (and if you don’t like them, they’re hot-swappable).
The Cherry keycaps are also relatively thin compared to those on other mechanical keyboards, which I welcome as someone who prefers typing on laptop-style boards. The slight downward slant of the switches was also welcome in this regard. All of the above make the TK75 V2 one of the best mechanical keyboards for typing that I’ve ever used.
What’s more, it’s also one of the quietest keyboards I’ve used, in line with Gamakay’s claim. If you prefer your key presses with more click than thock, then the heavily damped switches of the TK75 V2 might not be for you. However, I wager most will welcome the combination of easy actuation and cushioned impacts.
When gaming, the TK75 V2 performs admirably. There’s enough snap to presses and response times are good enough for most gamers. However, the aforementioned lack of adjustments and customizations specifically for gaming is a shame.
Despite the aforementioned thickness of the body, I didn’t find it uncomfortable to use the TK75 V2 without a wrist-rest, which is fortunate since one isn’t included. The feet offer meaningful adjustments, too, which helps to get the right angle.
The various connectivity modes work well for the most part, and switching between them is quick and easy via the toggle switch. Switching between devices connected via Bluetooth using the Fn shortcuts was similarly hassle-free.
However, even though you’re supposed to be able to use these shortcuts to manually switch between Bluetooth, 2.4GHz and wired modes as well, this didn’t work for me – it was only the toggle switch that worked for me.
The battery life of the TK75 V2 seems good: since there’s no percentage provided via the software or the TFT screen, I was unable to gauge depletion precisely; but I can say that after a day’s worth of use – during which I typed and gamed, and switched regularly between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz modes – it only dropped a single bar.
Charging the TK75 V2 via a desktop PC proved disappointingly slow, however. Even after five and a half hours, the keyboard still wasn’t at full power, reaching only four bars out of five. It’s possible this might be a firmware issue, so there’s every chance an update will remedy this at some point.
Performance: 4.5 / 5
Should I buy the Gamakay TK75 V2?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Value |
The TK75 V2 has a tempting price, given it has multiple wireless connectivity modes, mechanical hot-swappable switches, and doesn’t skimp on performance. |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Design and features |
The TK75 V2 looks good and is built well, and the thick chassis is still comfortable without a wrist rest. The software has good customizations, too, but some gaming tweaks are missing. |
4 / 5 |
|
Performance |
The damped switches are great for typing and gaming, while being near silent. Connectivity is also good. |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Overall rating |
The TK75 V2 offers a lot in terms of performance and spec, yet keeps the price relatively low at the same time. Hardcore gamers might wish for a bit more focus in their area, but for everyone else, it’s unlikely to disappoint. |
4 / 5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Gamakay TK75 V2 review: also consider
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Gamakay TK75 V2 |
Keychron C3 Pro |
Roccat Magma |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Layout |
75% |
TKL |
Full size |
|
Switch |
Mechanical |
Mechanical |
Membrane |
|
Programmable keys |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Dimensions |
12.8 x 5.4 x 1.1in / 325 x 136 x 28mm |
14.4 x 5.4 x 1.2in / 365 x 138 x 30mm |
17.8 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches / 452 x 157 x 39mm |
|
RGB or backlighting |
Yes (customizable) |
No |
Yes (customizable) |
How I tested the Gamakay TK75 V2
- Tested for several days
- Used for gaming and working
- Plentiful keyboard experience
I tested the TK75 V2 for several days, during which time I used it for working, gaming, and general browsing. I tested it on two different Windows 10 PCs.
I spent a lot of time typing with TK75 V2 (including for this very review), and played S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, a first-person shooter requiring quick inputs and wider key use beyond those in the WASD position.
I have reviewed numerous keyboards in the past, covering models designed for gaming as well as for productivity. I’ve been PC gaming for more than a decade, and have owned many keyboards from different brands at different price points and with various switch types.
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lewis.maddison@futurenet.com (Lewis Maddison)
