CM Storm Trigger: The gamer's trigger. CM Storm Quick Fire Rapid-i gaming keyboard review How to turn on the cm storm keyboard backlight
The input devices of CM Storm - the “e-sports” division of Cooler Master - have been known to us for a long time. Let's say that we met the Quick Fire TK keyboard (quite close to the Quick Fire Rapid-i model being considered today) a couple of years ago, and recently passed through our hands pair of gaming mice this manufacturer.The Devastator Combo set of keyboard and mouse has a relatively affordable price tag: on average, it can be purchased in Moscow retail for about 2,500 rubles. The Quick Fire Rapid-I keyboard belongs to a much higher price class: despite its compactness, it is rather difficult to find this model for less than 8,000 rubles.
How good are these models? Let's try to figure it out.
CM Storm Devastator Combo
This kit consists of the MB24 Devastator keyboard (it is available for sale and separately at a price of 1500-1700 rubles) and the MS2K mouse (supplied only in the Devastator Combo kit). The set, as you would expect from the gaming division of Cooler Master, is aimed primarily at gamers.The kit comes in a fairly large, but thin, box, decorated in black and gray.
On the front there are images of the mouse and keyboard inside the box.
On the back of the box there is only short description set in 12 languages, including Russian.
The considerable length of the box is due to the arrangement of the keyboard in a plastic bag and the mouse in a row, which is protected during transportation not only by the bag, but also by the foam rubber “seat”.
In addition to the mouse and keyboard, there are "clamshell" instructions and a separate sheet explaining that the keyboard backlight is turned on and off by pressing the Scroll Lock key.
The keyboard has a somewhat unusual angular shape, and the usual layout is complemented by six multimedia keys at the top.
Immediately it can be noted that when the backlight is off, the characters on the keys are almost unreadable. Although the marking of the keys was created by laser engraving, the background of the keys affects the poor readability of the designations: not the usual black, but dark gray, on which the gray characters almost do not stand out.
However, every cloud has a silver lining: the matte dark gray cover of the keys is very pleasant to the touch, reminiscent of soft-touch plastic in terms of tactile sensations.
However, when the backlight is on, there are no complaints about the readability of characters on the keys, and the keyboard becomes much more elegant due to the fact that the gaps between the keys are also highlighted.
The backlight is not dimmable, it can only be turned on or off using the Scroll Lock key.
You can also note the presence of easily soiled glossy areas on top panel keyboards that are quite successful at picking up both dust and fingerprints.
The bottom of the keyboard has four rubber supports of a fairly solid area, quite confidently holding it on the table surface. There is also a place for a fifth rubber “blotch”, on the side facing the user, but the manufacturer saved on its installation.
Folding legs, allowing to increase the angle of inclination of the keyboard, are made of simple plastic, without anti-slip pads, and when supported on them, the keyboard does not hold on to the work surface so firmly.
The keyboard is based on traditional inexpensive membrane keys, rather tight and with a good (by the standards of this type of keys) felt actuation moment. The operation of the keyboard could be called quite quiet, if it were not for the desperately rumbling space bar with each press - a fairly common drawback among keyboards.
The included MS2K mouse is medium in size and symmetrical in shape. However, the symmetry is not absolute: it is violated by the shape of the decorative pattern on the back and the manufacturer's name on the left key.
In addition, there are a couple of additional buttons on the left sidewall that perform forward / backward commands in browsers or Explorer. Accordingly, despite the symmetry, the mouse is “sharpened” for right-handed users: it will be problematic for left-handers to use additional buttons.
There are no additional buttons on the right sidewall, but, like on the left, there are rubberized inserts for a more secure hold of the mouse when lifting above the work surface.
On the side of the "belly" of the mouse, one can note the presence of four sliding "legs" - supports at the corners, a cutout for an optical sensor and a plate with the model name, serial number and certificates of conformity.
In working condition, the mouse pleases the eye with a red three-zone backlight. The pattern on the back of the mouse, the scroll wheel and curly decorative cutouts on the sides of the cable outlet are highlighted.
In addition, the button for cycling the sensor sensitivity is equipped with a backlight. At the minimum resolution (1200 dpi), the indicator is off, in the middle position (1600 dpi), the backlight turns on at normal brightness, and at the maximum sensitivity (2000 dpi), the indicator brightness increases.
This set of sensitivity settings should be fine for most gamers (at least when playing at the still most popular Full HD resolution).
I would also like to note the behavior of the scroll wheel. When it is rotated, the effort is small, and individual “clicks” are felt rather weakly, which seems to us not entirely appropriate for the game application model: it is convenient to scroll through long texts with such a wheel, but, say, in shooters it is quite possible to accidentally miss a position with the desired type of weapon. It cannot be said that this feature is critical, but still worth mentioning.
In general, the mouse looks quite good outwardly and is quite convenient to use (personally, I would like a higher “back” in the back, but in the form implemented in practice, the work does not cause discomfort).
In general, the kit looks quite decent as an entry-level gaming solution, but we cannot but note that approximately similar in functionality (keyboard backlight, sensitivity change and additional mouse keys) kits manufactured by Genius or A4Tech are quite noticeably more affordable.
CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i
Similar mechanical keyboard CM Storm we already tested in 2013, but the model we are considering today has a number of rather noticeable differences.So, although both of these models belong to the “compact mechanical keyboards” family, they have a different layout: if in the CM Storm Quick Fire TK model already familiar to us, the middle block of keys fell victim to compactness, then Quick Fire Rapid-i lost its digital keypad for the sake of its small size. block.
The keyboard comes in a small cardboard box, decorated mainly in black.
On the back of the box there is a large photograph of the keyboard with a description in large print on English language key features of the keyboard. Below is a similar description in nine more languages (including Russian) and information about the manufacturer.
The main distinguishing features of the keyboard manufacturer include backlit Cherry MX mechanical switches, 5 backlight modes with 5 brightness levels, the ability to save specific backlight settings (up to 4 presets), customizable key response speed, support for multimedia control, a detachable cable that makes it easy to carry and a pleasantly soft to the touch coating with a minimalist appearance.
The delivery set, in addition to the keyboard itself, includes a removable Micro-USB cable in a fabric sheath 1.8 m long, a key removal ring, an English-language instruction and a Russified sheet describing the backlight control.
It is worth noting that the Micro-USB connector is made L-shaped and when connected to the keyboard, the wire is directed to the left side (that is, when the system unit is located to the right of the keyboard, a completely unnecessary and unnecessary bend of the cable is made). The direct Micro-USB connector on the Quick Fire TK keyboard we reviewed earlier seems more convenient to us, but if you wish, you can use any cable with USB and Micro-USB connectors instead of the standard cable (which we tested with a "lace" from the nearest mobile phone).
The keyboard, due to the absence of a numeric keypad and small indentations of the body around the key block, has very compact dimensions, but at the same time it has a quite solid weight: 932 grams.
The compact layout with a long LShift key and a low Enter has 88 keys. With the backlight turned off, the characters are distinguishable much better than the Devastator keyboard discussed above.
The top and side faces of the body are made of plastic with a pleasant to the touch "rubberized" soft-touch coating.
On the back of the keyboard there is a Micro-USB connector for connecting a cable, and the CM Storm logo is applied on the far end of the back wall from the connector.
The bottom of the keyboard has four rectangular rubber feet at the corners, a pair of folding feet and a sticker with the model name, serial number and certificates of conformity.
The fold-out feet are equipped with rubber feet, so their use does not adversely affect the stability of the keyboard.
The keyboard uses Cherry MX Blue switches, considered a great choice for typing due to relatively light actuation pressure and a distinct click with a tactile feel when actuated, but not the best option for gaming applications due to the significant distance between the actuation and release points of the button, which reduces its "rate of fire".
Variants of this keyboard are also available using Cherry MX Red and Cherry MX Brown keys (the former are considered the most “gaming”, the latter are a good compromise solution, well suited for both gaming and typing).
The story about the keyboard would not be complete without a description of the backlight options and other additional features of the device.
As we already mentioned, five backlight modes are available (enabled for all buttons, "breathing" mode, backlight of currently pressed keys, backlight of recently pressed keys, backlight of WASD and arrow block), for which five levels of brightness are available. At minimum brightness, the backlight is barely visible even in the dark, at maximum it is clearly visible even on a sunny day, and five brightness levels allow you to choose the best option for any ambient lighting conditions.
The location of the LED in the Cherry MX keys leads to the fact that the brightness of the English and Russian characters on the keys is different: the former are much brighter than the latter. Many people consider this a disadvantage, but, on the other hand, it allows you not to confuse the characters of the Russian and English alphabets that are similar in style.
Elegance, when the backlight is on, is added by the inter-key space glowing with the light reflected from the keys.
You probably noticed the absence of LED indicators: their role is played by the illumination of the corresponding buttons. So, when Caps Lock is on, this button will glow even when the keyboard backlight is off, and if Caps Lock is inactive, then even when the backlight is on, this key will be dark. The same applies to the Scroll Lock function. The Num Lock key, for obvious reasons (lack of a digital block), is not represented.
By pressing the Fn + Print Screen keys, you can disable the Windows keys (when the Win keys are disabled, the Print Screen key is highlighted).
Also, using the Fn button, you can control multimedia functions (keys Ins, Home, Page Up, Del, End, Page Down), backlight settings (keys F1-F4), key repeat speed (F5-F8) and custom backlight modes (F9 -F12).
If everything is clear with multimedia control and standard backlight settings, then the last two points should be described in more detail.
Modes 1x, 2x, 4x and 8x (buttons Fn + F5-F8) are responsible for the speed of repeated operation of the keys. In 1x mode, we have, so to speak, a “normal keyboard” with a typical time for repeating actions while holding down a key. Switching to other modes speeds up the repetition of the selected actions, and in the fastest 8x mode, typing on the keyboard is simply impossible (each keystroke produces a whole bunch of corresponding characters), and in 4x mode it is very difficult (it is worth holding your finger on the key a little, as the repetition goes on characters). However, in games that require frequent repeated keystrokes, this functionality, which compensates for the gaming shortcomings of the Cherry MX Blue keys, can be very useful.
Finally, you can customize four of your own backlight profiles by choosing which keys to glow. To do this, first press Fn + Pause / Rec, then a key from among F9-F12 to select a profile in which the settings will be saved, press those keys that require backlighting and press the button of the selected profile again to complete the operation.
In general, the keyboard left a very pleasant impression: if you need a compact mechanical keyboard that is comfortable for typing and does not fold during gaming use, it's hard to even imagine a better choice. The assets of CM Storm Rapid-i are high-quality and pleasant to the touch materials, impeccable build quality, reasonably sufficient functionality and strict design.
The only downside is the price. Significantly cheaper than the CM Storm Quick Fire Rapid-i, there are many full-size mechanical keyboards (including those made by CM Storm). But if it is a compact mechanical keyboard that is required, then we find it difficult to name the best alternative in terms of a set of characteristics.
Specifications
Number of buttons: 109 pcs. * Button resource: up to 50 million clicks* Materials: plastic * Color: GREY-black * Dimensions: 16.2x47.5x2.5 cm * Price for August 2012: 6300 rubles
Mechanical keyboards are back in fashion. If three years ago the creators of “clicking” input devices were known without a doubt, today every self-respecting manufacturer starts “mechanics” in its assortment. That's cooler master did not fall behind and released its representatives, replenishing the game line C.M. Storm three models: Quick Fire Pro, Quick Fire Rapid and trigger. We decided to start our acquaintance with the latter, because its developers call it the “uncompromising weapon of the players”.
Case, buttons and millions of clicks
The keyboard is delivered in a powerful cardboard box with high-quality printing. Inside - instructions, a disk with drivers and the device itself. It looks impressive: sharp bevels, depressions and depressed ribs. At the same time, the case itself is small: quite standard 47.5 cm long and 16.2 cm wide, but the weight is healthy - 1.2 kg. Given five rubber pads and a pair of retractable legs made of the same material, it is almost impossible to inadvertently move such a mass off the table. We did not understand why the Trigger came out as heavy as a brick: the entire surface is covered with a soft touch that is pleasant to the touch, and God knows what is hidden under it.
Of course, the buttons with the Cherry MX Black mechanism played their role. They are distinguished from the usual soft "toptalok" by the presence of actively resisting hard springs. The advantage of the method is a smooth, tight move, the highest sensitivity and a long time between failures. Unlike membranes used in the vast majority of competitors, Trigger elastic elements almost do not lose their properties and can withstand up to 50 million clicks, which in human terms means 300 clicks per second for 115 days.
Ergonomics and ease of use
One of the main advantages of the Trigger is good ergonomics. Cooler Master did not get smart with the buttons and arranged them in a standard order, removed only the inconvenient in games "Win", replacing it with its own "Storm", through which many functions are called, such as controlling the sound or the player. The size of the buttons themselves is 1 cm, the distance between them is 0.5 cm. A red LED with three degrees of brightness was placed under each key. For those who do not like to crawl their wrists on the table, there is a wide removable stand made of rubberized material. In general, everything possible was done for the convenience of the players. The only thing is that at first it is difficult to adjust to the tight spring mechanism, especially for those who are used to typing a lot.
Programming for beginners
The gaming essence of the novelty lies in the ability to use macros. Programmable as an additional five keys on the left side, and the main layout (including "Storm", which can return the functionality of "Win"). For this, a special program is included.
The process looks like this. Select the desired key and hang a combination on it. The recording window resembles a musical score: rulers laid out along the time axis. At the same time, up to ten clicks are activated, and the sequence itself stretches for half a minute. You can think of anything: from auto-buying weapons in Counter-Strike to applying all the buffs required for a raid with a single button. However, when the macro is run, the keys on the keyboard are disabled. Cranking out a tricky thing like “turned on the attacking rotation and run around the enemy” will not work.
It is not necessary to use software to record, macros can be written directly in the game, just hold down Storm + Alt for a couple of seconds. Without software, you can switch between profiles so that, for example, you don’t suffer when chatting.
Eventually
CM Storm Trigger is a great addition game line coolermaster. And although the keyboard has offensive restrictions on the use of macros, Trigger is almost ideal as a purely gaming assistant: tight buttons will not let you miss the right key and help you avoid repeated pressing, the backlight will allow you to work in the dark, and macro support will be a good help in any game. Only now such assistance will cost as much as 6300 rubles.
PROS:
- great build
- mechanical keys
- long time between failures
- macro support
MINUSES:
- buttons are disabled when running a macro
- high price
It is extremely rare in this world to find a universal thing. Such an idea came to me after I glanced at a set of hand and power tools. In striving to combine several functions, you gain one, but you undoubtedly lose another. Even the "station wagon" car body turns out to be not so versatile in practice and has its drawbacks, which other types of bodies lack. And those, in turn, have other disadvantages. It would seem that there is no happiness in life, but it really is, because the whole point is in who is looking for something. Today we will test the Cooler Master CM Storm Suppressor gaming keyboard, the list of technical characteristics of which will make the heart of any gamer beat faster than usual. Let's see how uncompromising such a keyboard is on the table not only for a gamer, but also for an ordinary PC user.
Appearance CM Storm Suppressor
Uncompromising things - uncompromising design. Although, at first glance, the CM Storm Suppressor does not seem so outstanding in design.
You can find many competitors with a more catchy appearance. And here - the body consists entirely of matte smooth plastic, only on top there is a small glossy insert.
Monolithic black so that the soot next to it seems already white.
And the very first sensations, as I took out the keyboard and began to look at it, were not very joyful. The keyboard is full-sized, with a small number of additional keys: on the left there are five pieces for switching between profiles, on the top right there are three pieces for controlling the multimedia player. It would seem that everything is in its place, all the keys are of the usual size. But what confused me was that the symbols on the keys are practically invisible, since they are transparent.
From a certain angle, of course, you can see something, but it looks like a mockery of the eyes. But the situation changes dramatically, one has only to connect the keyboard to the computer.
Turns on the white backlight, which transforms appearance keyboards, and at the same time the backlight is comfortable for the eyes.
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The new top-of-the-line CM Storm keyboard for gamers has arrived in our test lab. It uses modern mechanical keys, but other equipment is also promising. You get adjustable keyboard backlighting, macro and media keys, 6-key Anti-Ghosting Rollover, built-in USB hub - CM Storm has everything your heart desires. Add to that an attractive price for a backlit mechanical keyboard. But how well will she perform in reality?
Mechanical keyboards have long been niche products, produced by a small number of companies and used by a few enthusiasts. But in recent months, more and more users are beginning to feel the benefits of this type of keyboard. The industry has reacted accordingly, and today mechanical keyboards are produced by major companies such as Corsair, Thermaltake or Razer.
The Cooler Master CM Storm brand, which is aimed at gamers, is also well known in the market. Not so long ago, the company introduced the "spartan" compact keyboard Quickfire Rapid, but Trigger is able to attract even more attention. It combines mechanical keys, an impressive feature set and an attractive price. This keyboard for gamers not only features MX Black mechanical keys, but also red backlighting, macro functions, 6-key Anti-Ghosting Rollover, multimedia keys and a USB hub. And all this wealth can be bought for 113 euros in Europe. In Russia, CM Storm Trigger has not yet appeared at the time of publication. For a keyboard, the price may seem high. But if you look at the prices of other backlit mechanical keyboards, the impression quickly changes. For example, Mionix Zibal or QPad MK-85 keyboards (test and review) will cost or
The popularization of mechanical keyboards and manipulators with increased sensitivity has radically changed the balance of power in the gaming peripherals market. But even despite this, devices from the budget segment are still in demand among a wide range of users, including novice gamers. In this regard, we decided to slightly diversify the series of reviews of gaming peripherals with an interesting Cooler Master Storm Devastator kit, which includes a membrane keyboard and controller. Before making a choice in favor of the Cooler Master Storm Devastator, we carefully analyze the range of such products from various brands. As it turned out, there are not so many worthy specimens. In most cases, the proposed kits are characterized by a significant imbalance in cost and functionality, and are not always able to provide the same high level facilities. For these and other reasons, the majority of users prefer to select peripherals separately.
The company positions the Devastator as a budget gaming kit and has given it a place of honor in the illustrious Storm line, which is characterized by its composition of exceptionally high-performance versions of peripherals. In previous reviews, we have already encountered two representatives of this game series. These are the CM Storm QuickFire Ultimate keyboard and the CM Storm Recon multifunctional controller.
The Storm Devastator MB24 keyboard is not equipped with mechanical switches, but it can easily please with a slim profile, moderately aggressive design, spectacular LED backlighting and multimedia player control keys.
In turn, the manipulator Storm Devastator MS2K was awarded an ergonomic body, six buttons and zonal illumination. The hardware base is based on a laser sensor, the sensitivity of which is adjustable in three levels.
Today's review is divided into two parts, as each Cooler Master Storm Devastator device deserves special attention.
Delivery and equipment
Considering that the kit consists of two devices, one should expect at least non-standard packaging. Despite this, the Cooler Master Storm Devastator box turned out to be quite compact and did not exceed the standard dimensions. Looking at it from all sides, the strict external design, which is absolutely not typical for the Storm gaming series, immediately catches your eye. Large graphic images of the manipulator and keyboard adorn the front side. Stylized inscriptions of the company name, model name and layout type are also placed here.
FROM reverse side a brief description of the product in several languages and technical specifications are indicated.
Inside the box, the devices are closely adjacent to each other, which, in principle, explains its modest size. The controller is tightly fixed in the form of a damper seal, protecting it from damage during transportation. As such, there is no scope of supply. Alas, in addition to a booklet with a detailed user manual, I was not lucky enough to find additional accessories.
Keyboard specifications Storm Devastator MB24
| Manufacturer | cooler master |
| Products webpage | cmstorm.com |
| Device type/model | Storm Devastator MB24 |
| Connection | Wired |
| Interface | USB 2.0 |
| Polling frequency, Hz | n/a |
| Type of | gaming |
| Number of keys | 110 |
| Additional buttons | + (multimedia) |
| Keystroke resource, mln. | n/a |
| Key type | Membrane |
| Changing the angle of the body | + |
| Built-in memory, KB | n/a |
| Ability to record macros | + |
| Backlight | + (blue) |
| USB cable length, m | 1,8 |
| Braid material | Rubberized |
| Built-in display | - |
| Material | Plastic |
| Color | The black |
| Software | - |
| Palm rest | - |
| External interfaces | - |
| Dimensions, cm | 44.9 x 14.8 x 3.5 |
| Weight, g | 898 |
| OS Compatibility | Windows 8/7/Vista/XP |
| Peculiarities | Slim and ergonomic body, laser engraved symbols on the keys to prevent quick erasure, additional media control buttons |
The appearance and design of the Storm Devastator MB24 keyboard
Looking at devices from all sides, it's hard not to notice that their external outlines successfully combine sophisticated style and a share of aggression inherent, as a rule, in gaming products. The game orientation of the kit is also reflected in its name. Devastator is translated as - "devastator" or "destroyer".
Storm Devastator MB24 has nothing in common with mechanical keyboards of this brand in its appearance. The company's engineers tried, as they say, to "start from scratch" and created a budget model with their own style.
In the design of the top panel, futuristic touches are noticeable, expressed in the beveled edges of the case and figured inserts. The bottom panel is decorated with geometric lines visually similar to panel joints. spaceship. It is curious that a similar ornament was used in decorating the palm area of the Razer keyboard. Star Wars: The Old Republic Gaming Keyboard.
The CM Storm branding is printed in the area of the indicators for enabling Num Lock, Caps Lock and Scroll Lock modes. The quality of its application is not the best and it will probably lose its original appearance over time. It's hard to say how fast this can happen. Unlike other models of the CM Storm gaming series, the Devastator's LED indicators are made in the most conventional style.
Decorative design elements also include curly inserts surrounding the power cable retainer.
Storm Devastator MB24 is one of the few low profile gaming keyboards. The use of a sophisticated form factor is made possible by membrane keys, the design of which does not take up much space inside the frame. The height of the case at the top is 3.5 cm.
A barely noticeable elevation on the front end places the device on the table at a slight slope, convenient for typing. Optionally, the angle of inclination is regulated by folding legs on the bottom. With their help, the height will increase from 3.5 to 4.7 cm.
There are no rubberized pads on the soles of the legs, and therefore, in the open state, the case has little mobility on smooth surfaces.
Due to the wide bottom panel and enlarged top, the physical dimensions of the Storm Devastator MB24 exceed the standard dimensions. However, it is hardly worth worrying about the availability of free space on the table. The device is 44.9 cm long and 11.8 cm wide.
The total weight is 898 g, which is by and large the average for membrane keyboards. With all this, a small mass is not able to provide an optimal level of adhesion to the working surface.
The cost reduction directly affected the quality of materials. The body is entirely made of plastic. In appearance and tactile sensations, the material immediately gives out the budget class of the periphery. The decoration of the top panel is made by combining glossy and matte inserts.
As noted earlier, the matte surface covers a large area. Rough texture resists fingerprints and scuff marks. Divorces from sweaty palms also remain invisible, which cannot be said about scratches.
A more beautiful, but less wear-resistant gloss occupies the upper and lower areas. The dispersion of shiny inserts is not chosen in the best way. Most of the prints accumulate on the bottom panel, since it is this area that is subject to the greatest contact with the palms. The same applies to tactile sensations. With prolonged use, the hands begin to stick to the glossy inserts, which subsequently results in slight discomfort.
Landing buttons unusually high. It is obvious that in this way the manufacturer tried to imitate the keys in mechanical devices. The dimensions of the working surface are 12x14 mm. The buttons are made of soft plastic.
The fingers make excellent contact with the keys, rarely slipping onto the neighboring ones. Elements of the main block are removed from each other at a minimum distance. However, over time, dust collects between them, clearly visible against a black background. With the non-removable keycaps, the only cleaning option is blowing out with a can of compressed air.
Laser engraving of characters is made using Ultra Durable technology, due to which the marking is not subject to rapid erasure. At the same time, this technology entailed certain difficulties. The fact is that without the backlight turned on, transparent characters merge with the black color of the keys and, of course, remain absolutely unreadable.
Latin letters are engraved exactly in the center of the keys. In size, they are much larger than the Cyrillic alphabet, located in lower case. The font style has been changed, as is the case with the Storm QuickFire Ultimate model.
In the layout, in fact, there are no significant retransformations. Long left Shift and single-level Enter remained in their usual places. The Win button has received the OC Windows 8 logo.
The standard configuration is diluted with six multimedia buttons located above the functional block. They allow you to increase / decrease the volume level, switch audio tracks forward / backward, turn on and pause playback.
Multimedia buttons have an elongated shape and are marked with special markings. Pressing is easy. At the time of activation, distinct clicks are not heard, which complicates the efficiency of working with these elements. There are no additional macro buttons and backlight mode switches, there are no profile changes.
The digital block remained in its original place.
The backlight covers all keys without exception. Built-in LEDs display only blue color.
The options for customizing the backlight system are very limited and come down to complete deactivation, performed by pressing Scroll Lock. Illumination quality is not the best, and this is obvious when you first turn it on. For comfortable work in low light conditions, there is not enough brightness and contrast. The readability of Latin and Cyrillic letters drops even more in daylight.
The cost reduction resulted in the refusal to use the built-in USB hub and external audio ports. A lot of screw holes are visible on the flat bottom.
Long rubberized pads are attached along the edges, fixing the case in a given position.
Storm Devastator MB24 has a wired interface. The connection to the PC is made using a USB cable. Its total length is 1.8 m. The fixation point is in the middle of the front end. The cable is thin and not endowed with a protective fabric braid. To supply power to the keyboard and backlight, you need one free USB port on the motherboard. Now let's move on to the mouse. First, let's look at its characteristics.
Storm Devastator MS2K Specifications
| Manufacturer | cooler master |
| Products webpage | cmstorm.com |
| Model | Storm Devastator MS2K |
| Connection | Wired |
| Interface | USB 2.0 |
| Polling frequency, Hz | n/a |
| Type of | gaming |
| Number of buttons | 6 |
| Scroll | 1 |
| Scroll vertical/horizontal | +/- |
| Keystroke resource, mln. | n/a |
| Sensor | laser |
| Sensor model | n/a |
| Resolution, dpi | 800/1600/2000 (3 levels) |
| Maximum speed, m/s | n/a |
| Minimum response time, ms | n/a |
| Built-in memory, KB | - |
| Ability to record macros | - |
| Backlight | + (blue, 4 zones) |
| Leg material | Teflon |
| USB cable length, m | 1,8 |
| Braid material | Rubberized |
| Built-in display | - |
| Ability to change weight | - |
| Possibility to adjust the body shape | - |
| Material | Plastic |
| Color | The black |
| Software | - |
| External interfaces | - |
| Dimensions, cm | 11.9 x 6.4 x 3.6 |
| Weight, g | 128 |
| OS Compatibility | Windows 8/7/Vista/XP |
| Peculiarities | The ability to change the resolution of the sensor on the fly, rubberized pads on the sides, two additional buttons |
The appearance and design of the Storm Devastator MS2K mouse
Quite expectedly, the manipulator received an external design similar to the Storm Devastator MS2K keyboard, in which rectilinear contours also prevail. The device looks really entertaining and somewhat unusual. Comparing the hero of our today's review with the rest of the mice in the Cooler Master Storm gaming series. An analogy in form and distribution of controls can be drawn with CM Storm Recon.
At different viewing angles, it seems that the design consists of three parts. A similar visual effect is caused by the top panel, covering the base of the structure frame by a few millimeters.
One of the main design elements can be called a longitudinal insert, extending from the center of the back to the rear end. Visually, it divides the device into two equal parts. The insert surface is designed in the form of geometric lines, realized in exact accordance with the finish of the palm rest of the Storm Devastator MS2K keyboard. The pattern, applied by laser engraving, transmits contrasting illumination. Along the edge of the left key is branded inscription CM Storm.
Two decorative air intakes are mounted in the front end, separated from each other by a cable retainer outlet.
The bright illumination that makes its way through these slots looks spectacular in the dark and is somewhat reminiscent of the headlights of a sports car.
The back is bevelled at a slight angle. There is plastic at the back end, the surface of which is littered with pinholes similar to the perforated grille in the Razer Taipan and Krait 2013.
The symmetrical shape is suitable for both right and left hand control. On both sides there are small recesses designed to wrap around the body on both sides.
Due to the fact that Storm Devastator MS2K has a relatively small size, the case fits perfectly in a medium-sized hand. The arm is 11.9 cm long and 6.4 cm wide.
The low profile has a direct impact on the ability to use certain types of grip, but this in no way worsened the ergonomic component. The highest point on the back is 3.6 cm from the work surface.
Basically, the case is made of plastic and only in some places there are small rubberized inserts. The velvet black hue goes well with the "neon" lighting. The top panel has a matte finish, on which, with rare exceptions, you can see fingerprints and scuffs. The stains from sweaty palms are more noticeable due to the fact that the plastic surface does not repel moisture well. For the gaming audience, this is a serious drawback, since a fierce battle with the enemy can last several hours, during which you need to focus only on the game episode and maintain control in management. It is likely that this feature will have an even greater impact on usability in the summer. The material Storm Devastator MS2K has nothing in common with the usual soft-touch. The surface texture feels nice, but not as soft.
Figured inserts on both sidewalls were equipped with rubberized material. This solution allows you to confidently fix the case in your hand. Its negative properties are not very pleasant tactile sensations and the tendency to collect dust with fine pile from a fabric rug.
In the rooted main set of three controls, there was a place for two more additional buttons and a sensitivity level switch. The layout is universal and equally well suited for games of various genres.
The main keys are large and presented as integral components of a monolithic top panel. The borders are separated by a longitudinal slot in the center, which includes a scroll wheel and a dpi switch.
A scroll wheel is mounted between the left and right keys. Its width is 0.8 mm. The base is made of transparent plastic, through which the bright light of the diodes located in the depth of the case breaks through. Most of the scroll is covered with a thin layer of rubberized winding. Longitudinal lines on the bypass do not provide proper control of the speed of revolutions, but in the process they have a pleasant tactile effect.
The landing of the wheel relative to the surface of the body is average. With a fairly tight fixation, scrolling is not as smooth as we would like. This also affected the sensitivity, which seemed slightly overestimated. Transitions between positions are well felt at fast speeds. The last identified drawback can be considered a dull crack when scrolling forward / backward. Side pressing is not provided.
Next to the scroll wheel is the DPI switch in the form of a miniature square button. This element provides for changing the sensitivity of the laser sensor in three levels.
Activation occurs by sequentially moving the lever in the direction away from you and towards you. When dpi is selected, the symbol in the form of a cursor is highlighted on the button. The switch travel is very tight, which virtually eliminates accidental pressing during operation.
Now let's turn our attention to a couple of additional buttons located on the left sidewall. At factory settings, they standardly perform browser-based forward / backward switching functions.
Both elements have an absolutely identical elongated shape and narrow contours. Significant differences are felt in the hardness of pressing and the volume of clicks. Thus, the key located closer to the palm has a “deaf” click and is pressed easily, while the front button needs to be pressed more firmly and emits a ringing click. The location is chosen very well, for which there are a number of explanations:
- First, by moving the buttons to the top, there is enough free space for the thumb anchor points in the central zone of the left sidewall.
- Secondly, the side buttons extend beyond the boundaries of the left key and thus help the fingers to easily find them by touch in the midst of the game.
Diodes are highlighted in bright blue. It is not possible to choose any other color. The same applies to operating modes with full shutdown. Bright illumination remains visible in daylight and in complete darkness. At the same time, the light of the “headlights” located in front breaks through a short distance and practically does not scatter around.
By turning the manipulator upside down, you can see what is hidden in its lower part.
Four small Teflon legs were distributed along the edges of the bottom.
A large laser sensor window is placed exactly in the center. Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not report most of the technical characteristics of the sensor used. It is precisely known that its resolution is adjustable in the range of 800/1600/2000 units.
Storm Devastator MS2K is connected to a PC via a USB cable with a total length of 1.8 m. Due to its budget class, the wire did not receive a protective fabric braid and, accordingly, it is subject to mechanical damage.
Ergonomics and testing
Practical testing of the manipulator and keyboard CM Storm Devastator clearly demonstrated their strengths and weaknesses. With the low cost of the kit, it is difficult to make any claims to the identified shortcomings. Moreover, both devices do not claim to be professional gaming peripherals, but rather are the initial option for conquering high gaming heights and improving your own skills. First, let's talk about the impressions when working with the Storm Devastator MS2K controller.
The adaptation period was quick and absolutely painless. The shape of the mouse is anatomically comfortable and has never caused unnecessary discomfort. The relatively small case fits perfectly in the middle hand and, apparently, will also take root well in large hands. Owners of small hands will not be able to easily cope with the movement of the controller on the work surface and adhere to a precisely verified trajectory of movement. As such, the symmetrical shape is suitable for left and right handed operation. Do not forget that left-handers will not be able to fully work with the buttons on the left sidewall.
In choosing the type of grip used, the mouse is unpretentious. Going through all sorts of options, I was guided by two main indicators, namely, hand fatigue and the level of control in management. After a day of active use, it became clear that the claw grip is the best option. Using it, one feels control and free access to all buttons. The case itself never intended to slip out of the hands, which is the merit of shallow recesses and rubberized inserts.
The palm grip is a viable alternative. It will become more acceptable for users with long fingers, since with a low landing, reaching all the controls is not as easy as it might seem at first glance.
Naturally, the mouse is not suitable for everyone due to various anatomical features that directly affect the usability of a particular type of grip. Therefore, before buying, it will not be superfluous to try on the device under your own palm and conduct at least a five-minute test drive.
There is no weight adjustment system in the Storm Devastator MS2K. The manipulator is light, weighs only 128 g. Whether it is a lot or a little, everyone can determine for himself. For some genres of games and office programs, this may be enough, but for me, as a lover of shooters, such a mass seemed insufficient for accurate aiming. The body would not hurt to make it 10-20 g heavier. However, the physical dimensions and weight of the structure are balanced. The center of gravity is not placed in a separate zone, but on the contrary is evenly distributed around the perimeter.
The main keys are pressed moderately easily and have an informative response. The sensitivity is chosen so that there are no false positives at the most inopportune moment. Depth is average. The operation of the mechanism is accompanied by ringing clicks that do not irritate the ear.
Additional buttons were used in games and everyday work. Given the non-programmable features and lack of macro recording capabilities, gamers are left with limited options for how to use them effectively. For example, in the shooters Call of Duty: Ghosts, Battlefield 4, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat and Metro last light side buttons switched grenade types, and in MMO games they were assigned special skills of the game character.
The extreme rigidity of pressing the DPI switch at times caused difficulties, although in general its presence should be attributed to undeniable advantages. At a lower resolution (800 dpi), shooting accuracy in games is significantly increased, and detailed image processing can be carried out in graphic editors.
As you know, the heart and driving force of any game controller is the sensor. It's hard to admit, but in the case of the Storm Devastator MS2K, it was this component that caused the bulk of the criticism. Against the backdrop of poor performance, there were intermittent glitches in the work, expressed in slowing down the cursor and frequent falling into blind spots.
The smoothness of cursor movement was directly dependent on the type of surface. The mouse was tested alternately on different surfaces. They are the Razer Goliathus Alpha Control Fragged Edition hard cloth mat, a smooth silicone surface and a wooden tabletop. The best results were obtained on the last two.
The program for diagnosing manipulators Enotus Mouse Test (version 0.1.4) recorded the following sensor operation values.
Getting used to the Storm Devastator MB24 keyboard went as quickly as in the case of the controller. This was facilitated by the standard layout and outstanding form factor. As always, we were pleased with the multimedia keys. They worked seamlessly in conjunction with all the proposed players and the game interface. The only flaw concerns the overly light pressing and uninformative response.
Of course, in terms of the nature and dynamics of operation, the Storm Devastator MB24 membrane keys are much inferior to mechanical switches, but they show acceptable results in their class. To some extent, I was upset by soft pressing, which does not always convey the exact moment of operation. Sometimes it was necessary to make additional efforts for full activation. Slightly viscous key travel has negative consequences in dynamic gaming episodes, where you need to perform combinations in strict adherence to sequence.
The ergonomics of the device did not suffer even without a removable palm rest. Most of its function was taken over by a wide bottom panel. From the borders of the bottom row of keys of the main unit, its width is 5.5 cm, which is very significant. When typing for a long time, the hands get tired no more than usual.
The functional set will not be able to please with a wide variety. The developers did not provide the mouse and keyboard with seemingly basic gaming features, such as programmable buttons and application software. Unfortunately, users will have to put up with it.
Results
The CM Storm Devastator kit should first of all be considered as one of the best options for peripherals for beginner gamers. To become a tool for a more demanding gaming audience, the monitored devices are hindered by their modest functionality and components used by today's standards.
The manipulator and the keyboard have positive and negative qualities that equally compensate each other. In addition to the impressive design, the Storm Devastator MS2K controller will offer users level-by-level adjustment of sensor sensitivity, an ergonomic body, a couple of additional keys and bright backlighting in three separate zones. The greatest concern here is the mediocre performance of the laser sensor on different types of surfaces.
The Storm Devastator MB24 keyboard is great for typing and everyday work. Its distinguishing features include media player controls, tall keys and a slim form factor. The standard layout accelerated the adjustment period and made it easier to work with the device. There are many vulnerabilities in the model. Among them special attention deserves dim character illumination, glossy inserts on the bottom of the front panel that attract dirt and fingerprints, as well as the lack of support for the recognition of an unlimited number of simultaneous clicks (NKRO).
An additional incentive to purchase the Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator kit will also be excellent value for money. At the time of writing, its average cost was $55.
