Gaming keyboards have become popular over the past couple of years with multiple manufacturers working to outdo the other with their features and of course performance. The market has become big enough that we have even seen the return of the mechanical switch (something that many were glad to see go away). However, as with many high-end products the demand for these in the general market is not enough to overcome the higher prices. Manufacturers are looking to still offer compelling features and performance, but at a more reasonable price. One of the keyboards in this range is the Thermaltake Tt eSPORTS Challenger Pro Gaming Keyboard. It has many of the features that gamers are looking for (backlighting, multiple profiles, USB hub, replicable keys, etc.) without the high price. So let’s get this $66 gaming keyboard up on the bench and see how it performs.
Value -Value is another very subjective topic. What is expensive to some might be a deal to others. You can look at this topic in multiple ways. One is raw price and the other is what you get for the money. Each is accurate and both are correct ways to look at price/value. We tend to look at features, performance and real-property when we discuss value. However, we also take into account the raw cash cost of the item. As we mentioned the Tt eSPORTS Challenger Pro will cost you about $66 from Newegg. This is a pretty good price for a programmable keyboard and is much less expensive than most of your mid-range mechanical gaming keyboards. On the downside the Challenger Pro is does not perform as well as these for gaming. Still you do get some flashy features for not a whole lot of money; we just do not think that it will be worth it for many hard-core gamers out there.
Conclusion -We hate to say it, but we are actually a little disappointed in the Challenger Pro. Thermaltake is presenting it as a gamer’s keyboard and after using it for a number of hours in both gaming and everyday use we simply do not think it fits that bill. It seems more like a keyboard intended to give you all of the flash of a gamer’s keyboard without the performance or the cost that is usually required. The lack of mechanical switches will hurt the Challenger Pro as it vies for position in a market that typically has more disposable income than the general consumer market. We have feeling that the Challenger Pro will be left behind in favor of Thermaltake’s better equipped gaming products. The Challenger might find a home with someone that is looking for the flash or that does not like the feel of mechanical switches, but that market is probably pretty slim in the gaming world. If you are looking for flash with your gaming rig then you might like the Challenger Pro, if not Thermaltake has much better products to offer you.
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