![]() ![]() The use of a red backplate makes the shadows less obvious since, even where there are shadows due to switch housing, it’s still red by nature. This is improved in the newer RGB Cherry MX switches, but since the Corsair Strafe doesn’t use those, they’ve instead opted to diminish this effect through the use of a red-painted backplate. This leads to the front of the switches casting a shadow where the red LEDs don’t illuminate. The LEDs are placed at the back of the switches, meaning they can’t illuminate towards the user. This is a little limiting as slow ripples and gradients have fairly obvious stepping, but it still allows for enough versatility in effects. The LEDs themselves are reasonably bright and have four levels of brightness (including off). The lighting is controlled via the Corsair Utility Engine (CUE), which I cover below this section. One of the primary features of the Corsair Strafe is programmable LED lighting. While some users won’t mind this (since they don’t replace their keycaps with other sets), for those who want to swap keycaps, the non-standard bottom row will likely prove a nuisance. The non-standard bottom row means that it is much harder to find replacement keycaps for the Corsair Strafe. This allows for easily replacing keycaps with other sets. For mechanical keyboards there are generally accepted, standard key sizes. My only issue with the keycaps is the non-standard bottom row. These keycaps are basically just angled keycaps for the WASD and MOBA-used keys. The Corsair Strafe also comes with FPS/MOBA keycaps and a keypuller. The keycaps themselves are clear, so with the legend depicted via absence of paint, the red LEDs are able illuminate the legends well. Thin ABS painted keycaps are very common in keyboards. The Strafe’s keycaps are thin, (what seems to be) ABS plastic, painted keycaps. ![]() Yes, keycaps: Oftentimes a subject of little thought, but keycaps do matter - especially so on backlit keyboards that illuminate the legend. Pass-throughs with power demands require multiple USB connections-to-host, which can sometimes be more annoying than functional. It’s nothing revolutionary, but it is a convenient feature that is somehow absent on Corsair’s RGB keyboards – perhaps it will show up in later versions. Interestingly, Corsair has a USB pass-through on the Strafe. This is very common and was seen in our Tt eSports Poseidon review and, while dedicated media keys are better, Corsair likely excluded them due to the increased cost or size requirements. The media keys on the Corsair Strafe aren’t dedicated instead, they are function + F-row keys that have secondary media functions. My experience typing with the Corsair Strafe has thus far been satisfactory - even minor issues I’ve had with other keyboards aren’t present. The Cherry-style stabilizers for the larger keys are linear and don’t significantly affect the switch feeling, although they do legitimately stabilize the larger keys (space, shift). So far, I’ve had no issues with this in the Corsair Strafe, even when typing very hard and rapidly. Design plays a part in whether this is present in a keyboard. Some keyboards can exhibit what’s sometimes referred to as “key-chatter,” which describes a “ringing” in Cherry MX switch springs due to typing. The Cherry MX Red switches provide light, linear typing that is also decently quiet – assuming one doesn’t hammer the keys. Our Corsair Strafe uses Cherry MX Red switches. Typing Experience, Media Keys, and USB Passthrough ![]() FPS/MOBA textured key replacements (and key-puller). ![]()
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