For those who want to balance gaming and work
The Redragon Ucal Pro is a wireless 75 per cent gasket mechanical keyboard with 81 keys and we have spent a few months with it.
Those who enjoy mechanical keyboards but appreciate quieter keystrokes are usually the ones who opt for gasket-mounted mechanical units. On that front, the Redragon Ucal Pro excels because it offers the right balance of noise and tactile feedback. The sound levels make gaming engaging while also being quiet enough to support long stints of typing without sounding like an old typewriter. During my time with this keyboard, I used it with an Apple MacBook Air and the Ucal Pro’s larger keys and specious layout made it immediately more functional than the laptop’s in-built keyboard.
Each keystroke feels precise and purposeful with no room whatsoever for sticky keys or unregistered inputs. That makes all the difference in the demanding final levels of a game or when typing out that incredibly urgent e-mail. However, that is barely scratching the surface of what this keyboard is capable of. With multiple colours to choose from for static or dynamic backlighting, the Ucal Pro’s style complements its capability and it could easily become the perfect accessory for a decked-out gaming PC. Changing colours, lighting sequences or even switching off the lights is extremely easy but should one want more control, a dedicated program is available that offers endless customisation. It allows one control over small details including key mapping which may benefit the hardcore gamers.
The Ucal Pro’s supreme usability is a product of Redragon’s attention to detail. In addition to extra keys and tools, they also provide a USB-C cable with an adapter that allows one to connect the keyboard to a USB-A or USB-C port for maximum response. During my usage, lag was never an issue when connected wirelessly and since the Ucal Pro offers both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.0 connections, it is easy to use with almost any device. Personally, I appreciated the ability to seamlessly switch between up to three Bluetooth devices which adds positively to the workflow when one prefers using multiple devices simultaneously.
At Rs 6,000, the Redragon Ucal Pro is equally easy to recommend to the avid gamer and the average computer user because it is incredible value. The keyboard feels premium and robust. Furthermore, with a lot of room to customise and personalise, it is easy to make this one your own. If I was asked what my absolute favourite feature of the Ucal Pro is, without skipping a beat, I would say the multi-purpose volume knob. The ability to control the computer’s volume level by turning a knob feels intuitive, old school and certainly very cool. What could be improved? A lighter construction could make it easier to carry around.
Rating: 4.5/5