The real problem with the “membranical” switch lies deeper, in a more granular discussion about how mechanical switches should feel. Sure, it’s missing the Cherry … On the tabs added when the Horde AIMO is connected to the PC, you can set a multitude of options, from key repeat rate when you hold one down, to adding a keystroke sound into Windows if you want to annoy your flatmates. The wheel functions can also be customized through Roccat’s Swarm software, which provides control of all of their peripherals. Copyright © 2020 IDG Communications, Inc. Roccat has a very particular aesthetic, a bit busy-looking for my tastes, but it’s inoffensive. The ‘membranical’ keys have a stem that moves up and down just like mechanical key-switches, but instead of triggering a metal switch, they trigger a membrane connection. Games Reporter, Sure the key next to it works well, but it’s slightly cumbersome. Tactile, like Cherry MX Blues, are similar, but with the addition of a stiff bump in the middle where the key actuates. ROCCAT's Horde AIMO keyboard introduces a real horde of features, which fits the name. The opposite of a mechanical, essentially. Here are the best games to look out for in December 2020. Our Verdict. Did you know that you could steal a Tesla Model X via Bluetooth? Black, with some superfluous edges and a somewhat oversized footprint. My main frustration with left-hand macro keys is that I always find myself hitting them accidentally when I meant to hit Control or Shift or Escape. For one, Roccat’s made the odd choice to mimic the look of a membrane keyboard, as evidenced by the half-sized, recessed keys. That might be attractive to some, certainly, I liked it but when the RGB is hard to see in a lit room it loses its utility. It’s a shame, because the Horde Aimo boasts a no-setup lighting function that, as Roccat puts it, “reacts intuitively and organically to your computing behavior.” In non-marketing speak, the keyboard changes lighting configurations periodically, highlighting specific keys and such depending on the program that’s open. 11 dedicated media keys. The Cougar Attack X3, which has both RGB lighting and true Cherry MX keys, is just slightly more at $100. Yes, it’s a membrane keyboard as opposed to a mechanical one. 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The Roccat Horde Aimo, as a gaming keyboard, has to be a bit more, and it fails to shine. Roccat says that the midway travel actuation point provides the ‘most precise and responsive keystroke ever.’ While that’s a bit of hyperbole, the switches do feel nice to type on, are fairly silent and have a decent amount of feedback to your fingers. That’s just scratching the surface though. The lighting effects and colors were good, with one proviso – they’re not very bright. I’ll admit, the Tuning Wheel was the main reason I wanted to take a look at the Horde Aimo. Today, we are going to have a look at a new type of keyboard from the company, the Horde AIMO. And as if that weren’t enough to unpack, the Horde Aimo is also one of the first keyboards to mimic Microsoft’s Surface Dial tech. Reduced ghosting. Roccat Horde AIMO Gaming Keyboard Review. Hayden writes about games for PCWorld and doubles as the resident Zork enthusiast. And the Horde Aimo tries a lot of new things—membranical keys, Tuning Wheel, Aimo lighting. You guessed it, a membrane/mechanical hybrid switch that Roccat calls “membranical.” I can’t make this stuff up. Roccat has a very particular aesthetic, a bit busy-looking for my tastes, but it’s inoffensive. And Roccat made one very smart decision: There’s a column of five macro keys down the left side, and they’re recessed to the point of looking like Chiclet-style laptop keys. (Shoot, our favorite budget mechanical keyboard, Razer’s Blackwidow X Tournament Edition, is just $70.). Nevertheless it’s a fascinating input device, and I hope the Horde Aimo is just the first of many to support Surface Dial behavior on more traditional peripherals. It’s a nice membrane keyboard. It seems—and I’m no hardware designer, so take this as the backseat commentary it is—like the Tuning Wheel would be much better placed in the top left corner, where the Dial-like functionality could be accessed in the proper manner by the majority of people. Usually I’d spend a lot of effort up front dissecting a keyboard’s design, but the Roccat Horde Aimo has a ton going on and I don’t want to keep you here all day. Point being: The Horde Aimo isn’t necessarily a keyboard I’d recommend, but I think Roccat’s exploring some interesting ideas for whatever comes next. Suffice it to say, it’s fine. Your imagination really is the limit as to the complicated combinations you can add, and will further enhance the Tuning Wheel if you’re using creative tools, or simplifying actions in your favorite games. 8.8. Following on from our review on the Kone AIMO, today, we take a look at the Horde AIMO.ROCCAT’s AIMO technology allows users to easily link their peripherals together to further customize them and get the most out of them. They’re also not tiring for long gaming sessions, so it’s a win-win, right? Not anymore. The rest of the buttons next to it can control multimedia, illumination, and brightness, and has a tactile feedback when turned (20 steps makes the full 360°). I found it especially useful in Photoshop and Premiere—always nice to have more shortcut options in programs that complicated. But what is that piece of plastic supposed to accomplish? It also has a multi-purpose wheel, which I found most handy. There’s a stiff resistance as you begin to press the key, and then this resistance collapses. December is another weird month due to Cyberpunk 2077. Go there for details about competing products and how we tested them. With the low brightness and the island-layout, there really isn’t much of a glow going on. I don’t like them. OK, maybe not cataclysmic… By Alex Cox 09 July 2018. Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. ROCCAT Horde AIMO review: performance and features. Cool idea—but the lighting itself needs to be worlds brighter and better before I recommend a keyboard for a secondary feature like this. For more gaming news and reviews, check out: It will still be a struggle to get one, however. All that said, there is a difference in quality between cheap pack-in membrane keyboards—you know, the ones you see in offices and such that cost $20 and include a mouse—versus higher-end membrane keyboards. The hybrid keys are a pleasure to type on, and they held up well under extended sessions of Destiny 2. The eye-catching f… Other than the lower MSRP ($89.99) in comparison to other Roccat keyboards, this new keyboard has a new type of key that Roccat calls ‘membranical,’ which blends the characteristics of mechanical key-switches and membrane ones. Look at Microsoft’s Surface Dial demos and you’ll see a pretty consistent trend. For instance, switching between virtual desktops, or changing your brush size in Photoshop, or scrolling through video footage in Premiere. I have no idea. Ever since I saw Microsoft’s Surface Dial demo I’ve been intrigued by it as a sort-of mouse replacement, a way to shortcut some of the tedium of various user interfaces. If you look at force curves for most popular mechanical switches, you can sort them into two categories: Linear and Tactile. So why buy one? Read our, Learn more about PCWorld's Digital Editions. All things considered, the Roccat Horde AIMO is a stylish, well-designed keyboard that won’t break the bank at $89.99. Like the aforementioned Logitech G213, the Horde Aimo is a fine membrane keyboard, but it’s a bad mechanical replacement. It kept my wrists at a nice angle for the gentle slope of the keys. If you needed an example of a “gaming keyboard,” the Horde Aimo is it.