Conclusions



QuickFire Pro Conclusion

After reading this review, some may be convinced that Cooler Master’s QuickFire Pro is a poor choice for gamers but that is only partially true. The Pro comes in many different versions from a gamer-grade version with Cherry Red switches to the one we reviewed today with more pedestrian Brown switches. Unfortunately, there is very little to no visual differentiation between the models. This will not only cause a fair amount of confusion (pay special attention to the product number before buying!) but there are QuickFire Pro models that just aren’t geared towards gaming. Hence our somewhat lackluster experience with the Cherry Brown-equipped unit we received.



Don’t make the mistake of thinking the QuickFire Pro is a cut down and more frugally priced version of the Storm Trigger. Both products may share the same Cherry MX Brown switches, use a very similar overall design and exhibit the same keycap quirks but the QuickFire Pro provides an almost entirely different experience. To be perfectly candid, the Storm Trigger is first and foremost a gaming keyboard whereas the Pro feels more like a general purpose unit that can also satisfy light gaming requirements.



Essentially, Cooler Master’s new keyboard line focuses upon a pure, unhindered input experience without the frills (or price) normally associated with expensive gaming devices. But the fact still remains that major cuts had to be made in order for it to meet a lower price point. There are no macros, no built in software, no wrist rest, no extra USB ports and a lack of general illumination options. The end result is a straightforward creation that can be considered a very decent general purpose keyboard, but one that shouldn’t necessarily be marketed as a gaming device. For gaming purists, Cooler Master has the QuickFire Pro Red to pick up from where the Brown leaves off. And there is a very large gap indeed since the choice of Brown switches and an oddball keycap design makes for a keyboard which can’t be considered a great choice for typists either.



This situation does leave potential consumers in a rather large quandary. One hand we have a keyboard which is missing many of the features gaming devices are normally associated with. However, there is a large market for straight up gaming devices without the unnecessary frills which many gaming purists tend to detest. The only issues with this particular version of the QuickFire Pro is its lack of they very items which typically make a mechanical keyboard great for typing on. The saving grace is its portability, durability, a sensible layout of backlighting options and a very reasonable price. What we have here is a keyboard series that is tailor made for anyone who “knows their switches” and has a particular set of unique needs rather than a one size fits all gaming solution.





QuickFire Rapid Conclusion

When compared against the QuickFire Pro and Trigger models, the QuickFire Rapid doesn’t exactly shine in all scenarios. It is another narrowly targeted keyboard that will surely appeal a niche market yet be derided by anyone who wants a feature rich peripheral. Unlike the other models, it seems like the QuickFire Rapid wasn’t designed with any hard goals in mind besides being the smallest mechanical keyboard around. If this was Cooler Master’s only achievable benchmark, then they succeeded admirably well.



Unfortunately, while the Rapid is small and very compact, the switch type and overall weight of this design will annoy even gamers who are primarily concerned with ease of transport. Conversely, while the Cherry Blues give it great potential for typing, the small footprint necessitated the trimming of critical features necessary for day to day use. This design by committee mishmash results in a keyboard which tries to be all things to all consumers and fails miserably at almost everything. Once again we recommend serious gamers or anyone that wants quick response feedback in a compact form look towards the Cherry Red-equipped Rapid which goes for $10 more.



If by some strange turn of events you need an ultra small keyboard for a lot of typing and don’t mind a reduced feature set, then this QuickFirewill be tailor made for your needs. For everyone else, the quirks of this keyboard will make it a sub-par choice and the additional twenty dollars spent on the QuickFire Pro or another manufacture’s keyboard will be money well spent.