Patriot Viper V760 Keyboard Review
Experience and Final Thoughts
For many years since it was made, a keyboard’s features did not change much because of how people saw it. It is considered essential but it was never really looked at as a luxury item until gaming keyboards came about. Sure there were features of convenience such as wireless connectivity and single-key shortcuts but gaming feature requirements are a lot more steeper than what a regular keyboard can provide which is why mechanical keyboards are the preferred choice for many who play with regularity.
The Kailh mechanical RGB switches offer a lower cost alternative to Cherry MX RGB switches which allows Patriot to offer the Viper V760 at a lower price, currently $99 on Amazon.com at the time of this review with a two-year warranty. Patriot offers it in Kailh brown version for tactile actuation without the louder clicking associated with the blue switch variant or the linearity of the red. It is the middle-ground for those who want competitive gameplay input as well as practical real-world touch typist feel. The magnetic full-coverage wrist-rest further adds convenience as well. The choice is limited to Kailh brown switch at the moment so those looking for a linear or more audibly tactile version are out of luck.
Design-wise, the aluminum cover is not only an attractive choice but serves to further emphasize the LED illumination as well as provide additional body protection. Patriot’s choice of upper-positioned key legend was smart as well, something many other backlit gaming keyboards overlook. The secondary functions are reasonably accessible via the Viper function key. As seen in previous mechanical keyboard reviews here at Modders Inc., this is the typical secondary function button placement for many. Essential to a gaming keyboard, NKRO and anti-ghosting functionality is present as well via USB, but Patriot includes USB pass-through for convenience peripheral attachment on the keyboard. This allows users to plug-in a thumb drive or peripheral without having to stand-up from their seat and since it is at the back of the keyboard and not the side, it does not hinder or encroach the mouse area.
Overall, a fairly decent debut from Patriot, offering a well-rounded keyboard with gamer aesthetics and gamer functionality to match. Thankfully, Patriot did not prioritize looks over features, focusing on experience with NKRO function, standard layout, magnetic wrist-rest, macro programmability and other gaming essentials on top of an attractive aluminum top cover and full RGB mechanical switches.
