Apex PRO are top keyboards for players in the SteelSeries offer. The third generation of this product debuted at the end of last year, and a few weeks ago new variants came to the market. It was therefore a great opportunity for me to find out for myself, for which they are so praised.
Last fall, Apex Pro Gen 3 was reviewed in Antyweb Tomek. The manufacturer has just expanded his portfolio with a slightly modified version of this model – in the TKL and white variant. Is it equally good? Or maybe better?
Construction and execution
In the set we get only a 2-meter USB-A-USB-C cable and a wrist stand. The latter is interesting because it has magnets that allow you to keep it in a stable position, adjacent to the keyboard all the time.
I have to admit that the design of Apex Pro Gen 3 has surprised me slightly. At first glance, the keyboard does not seem to the top -shelf product. On the contrary – it does not actually stand out from market standards, being surprisingly compatible.
The bottom is made of plastic. On it, an aluminum plate is placed, from which switches come out – of course we have snow -white keycaps. They were made in PBT technology, so they are resistant to abrasion (and this characteristic gloss appearing for long -used keyboards with Keycaps from ABS). Injection molding technology was used to prepare the prints, which is to be done practically not important (what we have to believe in the word).
It is a “Floating Key” housing, so the switch attachments remain exposed, which can be seen on the side shots. It may be liked or not, but it certainly makes the whole thing much more slender and compact, covering less space on the desk.
The key layout is quite standard for the size of TKL. Some will probably be disappointed by the presence of the “little” Enter. Others will pay attention to the characteristic, additional key with the SteelSeries logo, which allows you to quickly configure the profiles and switch the settings.
A tiny black and white OLED display in the upper right corner, which is well known from the previous generations of this model, is also noticeable. Together with the knob and a dedicated button, this significantly expands the capabilities of the keyboard itself, and also allows you to quickly configure the backlight, switch profiles or adjust sensitivity.
The bottom is rather without surprises. Here we have two gray, rubber feet, as well as two tilted legs in two sizes differing in the level of the keyboard deviation. If we can call something a surprise, it’s a large, rubber end cap on the front, under which hidden pliers to download keycaps.
The USB-C port is located on the upper edge-on the left. Unfortunately, we do not have any channels on the bottom that allows you to move the cable from a different side of the keyboard – it remains to get used to it.
In total, for a fairly solid construction, which makes a good impression. If I were to stick to something, a large crap between the plastic bottom and the metal plate on which the keys were placed. This creates an ideal space to accumulate all kinds of crumbs, ferns and other dust. I would not despise additional USB ports on the housing, which are always welcome with wired accessories of this type.
Possibilities and ergonomics
The most important element of the new Apex Pro Gen 3 are OMNiPoint 3.0 optical switches with a declared service life of 100 million clicks. They use the Hall effect, offering a sensational 0.1 mm adjustment range – 4.0 mm. The response time of 0.54 ms is also very impressive. Unfortunately, these are not a hot-crap switches, so forget about any modifications and their replacement. The keyboard communicates on a computer with a pollination frequency of 1000 Hz and it is a value that does not subject to any modifications.
It is worth emphasizing that not all switches used in this model are Omnipoint 3.0. The block on the right (arrows and six keys above them) and the F1-F12 government are based on ordinary, mechanical switches. While I can understand the latter, the lack of new technology under the arrows is already a bit disappointing.
How is it played on this? The switches operate in a very linear and liquid way. The manufacturer mentions factory lubrication and this is clearly felt, because the experience is smooth like the proverbial “butter”. If I were to compare them with something, it would be popular red cheers MX. It is partly the aftermath of magnetic technology used here and the possibilities of adjusting the activation point – the keys must therefore move in a linear way to offer similar experience regardless of the user settings.
The keyboard’s bottom is also done. Writing on Apex Pro Gen 3 is surprisingly quiet, for this type of keyboard with a relatively high key stroke. Feel that the manufacturer has put on this issue. There is no swinging, clattering or the sound of springs (also in the case of large keys, such as a space – which is due to solid stabilizers and additional foam soundproofing). The sound of the new Apex is almost perfect.
From the player’s point of view, it is crucial here to use the recently popular Rapid Tap function, which allows you to prioritize the last pressed key. For some time this function was treated with a distance as a kind of dishonest facilitation during a multi -person game, but I have the impression that everyone is slowly going to the agenda with him. In combination with Rapid Trigger, so immediate activation and rapid reset of each key, however, this gives a certain advantage during competition with others and it is difficult to argue with it.
To set all this, we will of course need SteelSeries GG software, which allows us to customize the activation point for each key with a person. Here, too, we will configure the backlight by choosing one of several effects (and millions of colors). The software also gives us access to various extensions integrating the keyboard with popular games. Thanks to this, we can display, for example, the currently used weapon or health points on a small OLED screen. On the one hand, we don’t often look at the keys during the game, but on the other, this is some convenience – if we get used to looking at the screen.
Is it worth the money?
SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 TKL is a keyboard with excellent quality, great switches and great personalization possibilities, which will work both in games and during everyday writing.
For about PLN 900 we get a device well suppressed and refined in many fields. The more disappointed the manufacturer’s saving, which part of the keys deprived the Omnipoint 3.0 switches. I am also a bit disturbed by a large slit between the metal plate and the plastic bottom. I would not despise additional USB ports on the housing.
On the other hand, magnetic switches supported Rapid Tap and Rapid Trigger work great in games, and with the right setting they are also sensational when writing. The liquid, linear operation of the keys gives great experience, and thanks to very extensive software we can personalize them strongly.
The use of the OLED screen leaves some unsatisfied. I would like to see here a little more integration and additional functions. I have the impression that after the first admiration it will simply be such a gadget supplement used from holidays – which is a pity, because there is a lot of potential here.
If you are looking for a top keyboard, this is definitely a model worth considering. There are not many disadvantages, and the ones I mentioned are quite easy to turn a blind eye. The price, of course, knocks down, but we have probably already got used to Steelseries (and the gaming accessories market).
