ROCCAT Ryos MK Glow Keyboard Review

The Ryos MK Glow is a ROCCAT Talk compatible device.  This means it shares functionality with compatible ROCCAT mice like the popular Kone series.  I mentioned before that I immediately download the latest drivers via the web every time I install new hardware.  A habit I am sure most of us share.  Oddly the TALK driver is not include in the individual drivers and requires a separate download.  I appreciate the fact that not all ROCCAT owners will have two Talk enabled devices but it would be easy to miss this extra step during setup as it is somewhat hidden in the text at the top of the support page.  

Install was simple and opened up the functions in each driver.  Once Talk is installed, both of the individual driver icons are removed in favor of a single control icon that includes both drivers in the menu.

Selecting the devices from this menu gives you the option to open configuration or to exit the driver.

These screen shots show some of the added functionality provided by the Talk driver interface.  On the Ryos you can access the Easy-Shift[+] for both devices or for the Kone mice directly.  It also offers the ability to change the DPI from the keyboard complete with sound feedback.

From the Kone mouse drivers you can trigger the Easy-Shift[+] for the Ryos or for both devices.  In both locations you can also lock Easy-Shift[+] on.  This could be handy for the more tactical parts of games or when stationary and macroing for games like WoW.

I have long been a fan of the ROCCAT Kone mice and paring one with the Ryos MK Glow just feels like a natural extension.  The Ryos looks fantastic and the Black CherryMX switches won me over pretty quickly.  I have been a CherryMX red fan for a long time but the noise level and the feedback are a bit hard to get used to from a membrane setup like my normal ROCCAT Isku.  The Black switches are noticeably quieter and the responsiveness is fantastic.

The customization of the Ryos line is frankly a bit overwhelming.  It’s hard to come up with just how to use all that power but trust me; all those little “I wish my keyboard could do that” thoughts are no longer wishes.  Yes the Ryos can do that and it’s pretty easy too.  Now to convince ROCCAT to give me the same 4 LED spectrum on the Kone and we would have perfection. 

Incredibly customizable.
Industry leading LED lighting effect.
Cherry MX Black switches.
Intuitive software.

Only one switch type in this style.
Just one color choice too.
Cable isn’t detachable or sleeved.