A Closer Look
The biggest thing when it comes to mechanical keyboard is the switches. For some this can be confusing and somewhat complicated because there are so many choices out there. This particular keyboard features the Light Strike LK Optical Mechanical Switches switches.
Light Strike “LK” Switches LK switches have a horizontal infrared light beam shooting across the inside of the switch shaft. The stem of the switch blocks the light beam, but when you press a key, you push down the stem, allowing the light to make a connection across the shaft and actuate the command.
“Regardless of make, the behavior of any switch can be divided into three categories:
- Linear. The keystroke is consistent and smooth.
- Tactile. A bump in the middle of travel, usually around the actuation point.
- Clicky. A bump in the middle of travel accompanied by a sharp “click” sound.
The Z20 keyboard is equipped with Light Strike LK Optical Mechanical switches with a low 1.5 mm travel to actuation, generating 25% faster response time compared to traditional mechanical switches. Featuring your choice of Linear or Clicky switches with N-key rollover to ensure that you get exactly the type of feedback and experience you want.
OPTICAL-MECH. LINEAR
- Switch Color : Dark Gray
- Switch Type : Linear and Silent
- Travel : 3.0 mm
- Actuation : 1.5 mm
- Actuation Force : 45 g
- Operating Life : 100M
- Key Debounce Time : < 0.5 ms
EVGA TIME-OF-FLIGHT SENSING SYSTEM
The Z20 keyboard features a ToF proximity sensor, this detects user movement to trigger the system awake or to send it to sleep.
4K Hz REPORT RATE
The Z20/Z15 Keyboard is powered by a 32-bit Arm Cortex-M33 core microprocessor to support a 4K Hz report rate. Offering the most advanced gaming keyboard experience, 4K Hz is 4x more responsive and inputs can be more precise.
VOLUME SCROLL WHEEL & MULTIMEDIA KEYS
Dedicated volume wheel and media keys give you full control at your fingertips.
Z20 DEDICATED MACRO KEYS
Five dedicated and programmable Macro E keys, customizable via the UNLEASH RGB software.
ILLUMINATE
The EVGA Z20 keyboard brilliantly outshines the competition with fully-customizable *Per-Key* RGB LEDs, with left & right edge RGB Light bar customization to fit any color scheme.
The Z Series LED backlighting can be configured via the EVGA UNLEASH RGB software, and multiple lighting effects can be instantly dimmed or brightened via the LED brightness function combination keys.
Software
The ToF Panel allows you to set up the ToF function and lighting effects when approaching or leaving the keyboard.
The General Function Setting Panel allows you to configure your default keys for Windows, Game Mode, and settings to use Character Repeat. If at any time you need to clear out your settings, simply click the Driver Reset button to return the Control Panel to its Default state.
The lighting Effect Panel allows you to control the Z20’s seven pre-set modes and customize six different Set Zone lighting profiles. Customize buttons to turn effects on and off, change the effects, or even preview the lighting before saving it. Custom lighting profiles can be set to suit personal taste with *per-key* customization.
The Key Assignment panel gives you the freedom to remap your keys with both a primary and secondary assignment using the FN key.
The Macro Editor panel gives you access to the Timer and Macro Manager, granting you extensive control to predict in-game cooldowns and complete complicated patterns.
There we have it! The Z20 RGB Optical Mechanical Gaming Keyboard brought to us by EVGA! Let us cover a few final thoughts in the conclusion of our review.
