Posted Wed Mar 4, 2015 at 10:27 AM PST by Brian Hoss
This is a full-court press.
Turtle Beach has been teasing the full release of their line of gaming keyboards and mice ever since last year's Gamecom, and finally it seems that the US and UK release is not far off. Obviously, the IMPACT keyboards and GRIP mice are packed with features specifically geared towards gamers, but it's important to understand that Turtle Beach's entry into the PC mice and keyboard market is not really a first generation product. In order to ensure that these premium gaming peripherals meet hardcore gaming standards, Turtle Beach has partnered with Nordic Gaming Supply to produce and distribute the whole line.
And what a line. The immediate the highlight has to be the top of the line IMPACT 700. Turtle Beach had both the IMPACT and GRIP line on display at CES 2015, and I was able to spend some time with the IMPACT 700. I certainly came away impressed as the full breadth of the keyboard is right about the exact characteristics that gamers (and programmers) flock to. While it's an obvious possibility for those now getting serious with their PC peripherals, the question becomes how many high-end keyboards users will be willing to set their current loves aside.
The full size backlit mechanical IMPACT 700 keyboard features Cherry MX Brown key switches set in a steel-reinforced chassis. That combination represents the philosophy of durability and stability, but there are several other details which feature in the IMPACT 700. The keycaps have been designed to never fade, and the anti-ghosting keyboard is set at a six-key rollover spec. The IMPACT 700 includes additonal keycaps for user customization as well as on-board 3.5mm audio jacks and twin USB with audio pass through. The IMPACT 700 is priced at $199.99.
Next up is the IMPACT 500, which features Cherry MX blue switches in a ten keyless design. At $129.95, the IMPACT 500 is an anti-ghosting keyboard with a six key rollover spec.
The IMPACT 100 in not a mechanical keyboard. At $59.95, the IMPACT 100 is promised as a better than membrane anti-ghosting design with 30 key rollover set in a steel reinforced base with anti fade keycaps.
On the GRIP mouse side of things, Turtle Beach will offer two designs, the GRIP 500 laser gaming mouse and the GRIP 300 optical gaming mouse. Turtle Beach will also offer two kinds of mousepad, DRIFT and TRACTION.
The GRIP 500 is an illuminated 7-button programmable ergonomic mouse with Avago 9800 laser sensors, Omron switches, and non-slip, soft-touch coating. At $69.95, the GRIP 500 is fully programmable for all seven buttons, macros (up to 50), and even the wheel, and the DPI can be adjusted (through X and Y) all the way up to 8200.
The GRIP 300 is a 5 button design set around a Avago 3050 optical sensor and Omron switches. At $39.95, the GRIP 300 is a non-slip mouse with adjustable DPI that can set on the mouse between 500 and 1750.
All of these IMPACT and GRIP products are now up on Turtle Beach's US site, and pre-orders should be opening up very soon.
Source: Turtle Beach
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