I researched magnetic keyboards so you don’t have to… just to discover DrunkDeer G75 as a real gem.
In the ever-evolving landscape of high-performance keyboards, the DrunkDeer G75 emerges as a compelling underdog. While industry giants like Razer and Wooting vie for attention with increasingly absurd names for their software macros and features, DrunkDeer quietly delivers a solid and innovative product. The G75, with its magnetic keyboard design, stands out not just for its uniqueness but also for its reliability and user-focused functionality. In this review, we’ll explore how DrunkDeer’s dedication to quality and performance positions the G75 as a formidable contender in the recent keyboard wars.
Note: my copy was a review unit that was sent out to me for testing and reviewing purposes, so your experience may vary but these are my own words and opinions, not influenced by DrunkDeer.
Kind reminder: before we dive into Drunkdeer G75, here is my review of my previous DrunkDeer boards, make sure to read it first as I will cover mostly the differences and innovations of G75 here.
Specs, Layout and Features
Height: 42 mm
Width: 323 mm
Depth: 135 mm
Weight: 846g
Wired detachable USB-C cable
Cable Length: 1.5m
1k Hz Polling Rate
Hall scanning rate — 8k Hz
RT-Plus ( RDT \ LW )
Ultra Response Speed
Adjustable Actuation Distance
Shock-Absorbing Tilt Legs
Rapid Trigger
Layout: 84 keys. Navigation keys, function keys are there, however packed pretty close to the numerical keys. You need to get used to it because it’s fine.
Keycaps
They’re said to be cherry profile keycaps but they are lower compared to previous keyboards, offering a bit different gaming/typing experience. The typing feels more cushioned and also more silent than before. They are made from PBT material and develop a certain shine after some heavy use. They feel somehow nicer than the previous ones used in all DD keyboards. They are not shine-through though.
Silent Sakura Switches
While G75 still sports the regular Raesha Magnetics, you now have a great alternative if you game in a noise-sensitive environment!
These switches strike an excellent balance between quietness and typing feel. Unlike most silent switches, they aren’t overly mushy, and the bottom-out is very comfortable. Actually they may be among the quietest switches ot there and they are definitely among the best for typing.
- Type: Linear
- Operation Force：30gf-60gf ±10gf
- Total travel: 3.85±0.2mm
- Action travel: Freely setting
- Switch Spring: 12.5mm
- Silent Switch Spring: 13.5mm
- LED Support: NMD
- Pre-lubed: Yes
- Lifetime: 100 million
A sound comparison for you:
Lower Latency
The DrunkDeer G75 has seen a remarkable improvement in latency, thanks to the advanced MCU borrowed from the G60 model. This enhancement places the G75 on par with the renowned Wooting 60HE, delivering impressively low latency that gamers will appreciate. Although it trails slightly behind the Wooting 80HE, the performance is still outstanding. The G75 features an 8k polling rate for individual keys (measured 0.7 ms for a single press) and a 1k polling rate for the entire board (1.1 ms for multi-key press), ensuring a highly responsive and smooth gaming experience. These upgrades make the DrunkDeer G75 a strong contender in the realm of high-performance keyboards.
Last Win and Rapid Dual Trigger
This is where the fun begins…
Wooting’s Rappy Snappy development marked a significant milestone in the evolution of gaming keyboards. By pioneering an innovative approach to key actuation, Wooting set a new standard for responsiveness and precision that quickly caught the attention of the gaming hardware industry. This breakthrough led to the development of features like Last Win/Rapid Dual Trigger from DrunkDeer and Razer’s Snap Tap, each building on the foundation laid by Wooting to offer gamers even more control and speed.
These advancements did not go unnoticed. Soon, every reputable magnetic keyboard manufacturer began to adopt similar technologies, recognizing the competitive edge they provided. Even smaller companies joined the race, striving to keep up with the rapid pace of innovation. The result has been a wave of high-performance keyboards designed to meet the ever-increasing demands of serious gamers.
So, where does this leave the gaming community? In my opinion, there’s no turning back now. You cannot simply ban the hardware that offers such clear advantages — progress is inevitable. Gamers will always seek out faster screens, better mice, and lower latency keyboards. These enhancements are not just about gaining an edge but also about improving the overall gaming experience.
For now, my advice is to stay in the race. Keep informed about the latest advancements in gaming technology. Embrace these innovations, as they are shaping the future of gaming. By staying updated and investing in the best equipment, gamers can ensure they remain competitive in an ever-evolving landscape.
What’s Rapid Dual Trigger?
The 2-in-1 Action Keys feature allows each key to perform two different actions based on whether it is pressed or released.
For instance, in “Apex Legends,” pressing a key can make your character jump, while releasing it makes them crouch. This setup enables you to create advanced combos for swift Super Glides, giving you a competitive edge. In CS2, you can assign both forward and backward movements to a single key, enabling precise quick stops by merely pressing and releasing the same key. That’s pretty overpowered and it’s already raising people’s eyebrows, so I’m very curious how far will that go.
What’s Last Win?
The keyboard gives precedence to your most recent input.
When you press opposite keys simultaneously, it enables you to switch directions immediately without pausing, which is particularly beneficial during intense gameplay. Almost each game has its own in-built delay by default, this features gives you raw input!
For instance, in games like Quake (cl_idrive 1) or Counter Strike, pressing “W” and “S” (or “A” and “D”) together will prioritize the last key you hit. This ensures your character keeps moving without halting in the heat of battle, allowing for instant directional changes without needing to release the initial key.
Here’s some illustration of what we’re talking about here:
Is it beneficial in games? ABSOLUTELY. Those who play FPS shooters or OSU already are using them without too much of spilling the beans, cause you don’t want others to have it too, don’t you?
Mind you, the DrunkDeer Antler firmware is still in beta, so it has some minor bugs:
- Last Win and RDT don’t work altogether
- they don’t work in the Turbo Mode
- RDT can cause double typing on the keys involved
- some minor graphical bugs in the software
Gaming
Gaming in FPS with the DrunkDeer G75 is an exceptional experience. This keyboard is incredibly snappy and responsive, boasting the lowest latency from DrunkDeer to date. The switches feel incredible, with the Silent Sakura switches offering a comfortable experience for those around you. The lowered profile of the keyboard and keycaps ensure that your hands remain fatigue-free even during long gaming sessions.
Despite its remarkable features, the DrunkDeer G75 remains a hidden gem in the gaming community. It hasn’t garnered the attention it deserves, primarily because brands like Wooting and Razer are stealing the spotlight with their flashy, over-the-top feature names. Meanwhile, the DrunkDeer development team stays true to their core principle: delivering the best price-to-value ratio in the gaming keyboard industry. For FPS enthusiasts looking for top-tier performance without breaking the bank, the DrunkDeer G75 is a must-have.
The Future
The gaming keyboard industry is rapidly evolving, presenting both opportunities and challenges for DrunkDeer as the keyboard wars rage on. As the company looks to the future, it is set to continue its trajectory of innovation and competitive pricing. Plans are underway to release a flagship product later in 2024, potentially a true TKL version, along with the development of analog input. We might also see advancements such as at least 2k Hz polling rate and faster MCUs and PCBs. With the intensifying competition in the market, DrunkDeer is poised to delve deeper into developing sophisticated software features that will shape the future of gaming while still maintaining their budget price — that’s what I’m sure of.
Bullet points
- improved latency compared to earlier DrunkDeer boards (faster MCU) that is practically on par with Wooting
- this is, hands down, the best DrunkDeer keyboard
- 8k polling rate for a single key, 1k polling for the mainboard
- two revolutionary software features that shatter the gaming world (Last Win and Dual Rapid Trigger)
- compact layout with 84 keys
- very comfortable to type on due to lowered height and lower profile keycaps (compared to the regular cherries)
- silent Sakura switches are REALLY silent, great for those who game in a noise-sensitive environment but they are sold separately
- Turbo mode still needs more work, same for the web-based software because Last Win and Rapid Dual Trigger are not active when the Turbo mode is on
- the best “price-to-value” ratio magnetic keyboard as of now
- incredible performance in games, almost like cheating with the latest software features
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Direct link to the DrunkDeer website is HERE.
If you don’t want to break the bank for excellence, the DrunkDeer will welcome you with open hands. Real testimonials of people who have tried it should be a good incentive.
Disclaimer: this review is not a paid endorsement. I want to ensure transparency and let you know that I am not receiving any compensation, monetary or otherwise, for evaluating or discussing this tech product.
The views and opinions expressed in this review are solely based on my experiences and observations with the product. While I strive to provide accurate and unbiased information, it’s essential to keep in mind that individual experiences may vary.
My goal is to offer you an honest and impartial assessment to assist you in making informed decisions about the product in question. If you have any concerns or questions about the review process, feel free to reach out for further clarification.