Corsair K70 RGB Rapidfire keyboard

[Eric-976]

So, i've had the original K70 Cherry MX RGB keyboard for a few years now and i freaking love this thing. I've been thinking of upgrading to the Rapidfire version. Is it worth it, or are they baisically the same?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Only difference between the two would be RGB color options vs one LED choice.
Not really worth it no.

[Revelene]

The difference is that the RAPIDFIRE model uses Cherry MX Speed switches. Corsair worked with Cherry to develop them and they are only available on select Corsair keyboards.

Is it worth it? Depends on you. Are these speed switches something that interests you?

[DefinitelyNotMonk]

As I understand it, the speed switches are basically short stroke cherry MX reds. Not sure how much of a difference it would actually be after using Mx reds myself the stroke is pretty short already.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Originally posted by Revelene:

The difference is that the RAPIDFIRE model uses Cherry MX Speed switches. Corsair worked with Cherry to develop them and they are only available on select Corsair keyboards.

Is it worth it? Depends on you. Are these speed switches something that interests you?

No, it still varies per model. There are many to choose from now.
There is CherryMX (plus switch color type)
Then there is CherrySpeed and CherrySilent

[Revelene]

Originally posted by Bad_Motha:

Originally posted by Revelene:

The difference is that the RAPIDFIRE model uses Cherry MX Speed switches. Corsair worked with Cherry to develop them and they are only available on select Corsair keyboards.

Is it worth it? Depends on you. Are these speed switches something that interests you?

No, it still varies per model. There are many to choose from now.
There is CherryMX (plus switch color type)
Then there is CherrySpeed and CherrySilent

The specific model RAPIDFIRE is the one with Cherry MX Speed switches. This can be confirmed by Corsair's lineup on their own website.

The RAPIDFIRE branding is specifically for the speed switches.

[Arya]

Forgive my bluntness, but K70 Misfire seems a more fitting name.

Rapidfire sacrifices tactile feel and typing comfort for the sake of being more responsive and quicker to activate. And in that sense Corsair have been extremely successful - MX Speed is incredibly responsive. Unfortunately that is almost no practical benefit whatsoever, in any gaming or work scenario. And it comes at the cost of things that are much more important, like tactile feel and basic comfort.

MX Speed has a bad tendency to misfire. Even the slightest brush with a fingertip is enough to activate a switch - the activation distance is less than a millimetre and the switch springs have virtually no resistance. Even my shirtsleeve was enough to cause misfires.

It also lacks basic tactile feel, and almost feels like a membrane keyboard. There's no sensation whatsoever to tell you that the switch has activated it, besides bottoming it out completely. And with no resistance at all, bottoming the switches quickly becomes uncomfortable. This is made even worse by the K70's frame design, which vibrates and resonates when typing quickly. Again causing discomfort.

I bought my K70 Rapidfire in August last year and only used it for a couple of months before replacing it. Like OP I'd had a K60 long-term and loved it, and the K70 seemed like a direct upgrade. Unfortunately it was quite the opposite - not only were the switches problematic, but the board itself was of a much lower quality than the K50. It felt more crudely built, and had a persistance electrical fault straight out of the box.

As a writer I'm very picky when it comes to keyboards, and the K70 didn't impress me at all. It was uncomfortable to type with due to the vibration, but too numb and imprecise to trust as a gaming board. Ultimately I replaced it with a DAS Keyboard Pro-4.

[DaHotFuzz]

Been using the Rapidfire for over a year now. It is in fact an amazing keyboard, however, the speed switches are VERY sensitive and take awhile to get used to even if you're coming from switches that require barely any actuation force like blues, greens or reds. If you type more than you game then I'd happily recommend it. Depends on the games you play too. If you're an RTS guy, the speed switches will feel great.

If you already have a K70 then I don't really know how much you're going to get out of this board, that is, if you're wanting something new and unique for your next board. Aside from the switches themselves, you're getting a pretty much identical keyboard, and keep in mind you're paying a premium for the rapidfire boards.

Personally, I wouldn't recomment it if you are coming from another Corsair keyboard.