Overall and Final Verdict

So the DeFiant Keyboard Set is an interesting one. Normally I’m only taking a look at just a keyboard but with this one, the keyboard is really only part of the picture. You get the DeFiant keyboard, a carrying case, a container of light bars, the adjustable legs, the magnetic wrist rest, and the multi-function rear bumper. Starting with the keyboard itself, this is a big improvement over the Dezimator X that I took a look at. They cleaned up the design into a much simpler design and moved all of the extras to the accessories. While RGB is all the rage right now, I do dig the white backlighting. The standard key layout is also huge, this leaves open the option to swap out the keycaps later.

The DeFiant does have a few downsides, though. The thin aluminum top plate design combined with the plastic casing ends up being a little flexible and not as solid feeling as a steel backplate or the aluminum keyboards that use aluminum top and bottom. I also wasn’t a big fan of the font used on the legends as well, but again the standard key layout means that can be fixed later.

The idea of the customization with the accessories that are included in the kit and others is really intriguing. In use though I really only used the attachable wrist rest. The light bars are really cool but are a lot of work with only a few color options when compared to RGB keyboards. The back bumper with a USB plug on it was cool but really just ends up being a fancy USB extension cord when they only have one USB plug on it. The removable keyswitches has potential and you can pick up more switches at a decent price on amazon from EpicGear. The big problem though was stuff like the back bumper and the adjustable height attachments make the DeFiant larger than I would want it to be. Plus it takes away from the simple look of the board as well.

Now the carrying case that it all goes it, on the other hand, is most likely the best thing about the entire kit. I might even consider using the case with a TKL to pack my LAN cords, keyboard, mouse, and headset all in one carrying case. Then again EpicGear also has a larger case that does exactly that but with a full-size keyboard.

All in all, I think the kit ends up running up the cost a little too much. The DeFiant itself is selling for about $75 and at that price, it isn’t too bad of a buy but adding everything together in the kit for put the keyboards price up into a range of competition that has stuff like RGB lighting and a more solid construction. Of course, if you plan on getting a DeFiant and also planned on picking up even one or two of the accessories this does end up being a good value. Especially considering only a few of the accessories are available to pick up currently, so if you want the rear bumper or the light bars the kit is the only option. So I am giving a recommended badge, but only for the keyboard itself. 

fv5recommended

Live Pricing: HERE

Author Bio
garfi3ld
Author: garfi3ldWebsite: http://lanoc.org
Editor-in-chief
You might call him obsessed or just a hardcore geek. Wes's obsession with gaming hardware and gadgets isn't anything new, he could be found taking things apart even as a child. When not poking around in PC's he can be found playing League of Legends, Awesomenauts, or Civilization 5 or watching a wide variety of TV shows and Movies. A car guy at heart, the same things that draw him into tweaking cars apply when building good looking fast computers. If you are interested in writing for Wes here at LanOC you can reach out to him directly using our contact form.

Log in to comment

We have 2001 guests and no members online

supportus