Minimalism might seem like a forgotten concept when it comes to the loud clacks of mechanical keyboards. While they’re great for performance, your coworkers might not love the sound of your Cherry MX Blue switches echoing through the office.
Enter the Vissles LP85, an opto-mechanical keyboard designed for both home and office use. It promises a satisfying typing experience without the noise that typically accompanies mechanical keyboards. With solid connectivity options and a design inspired by the Apple Magic Keyboard, is it a worthy addition to your desk? Let’s explore.
Design
The LP85 is a super-thin, stylish 75% optical-mechanical keyboard crafted from aluminum. You might wonder, what’s an optical-mechanical keyboard? Instead of traditional spring-based switches, an opto-mechanical switch uses infrared light to detect key presses. This results in faster response times and lower actuation force, perfect for a low-profile keyboard like the LP85. Just how thin is it? At a mere 12mm high, it’s one of the slimmest keyboards available. Weighing about 547 grams and available in black and white, it’s both sturdy and visually appealing, especially with its RGB lighting.
What’s in the Box?
The Vissles LP85 package includes:
– Vissles LP85 75% Optical Mechanical Keyboard
– USB Type-C Cable
– User Manual
– Stickers
Connectivity
Similar to the Vissles V84, the LP85 lets you switch easily between Mac and Windows with a simple key combination: Fn + A for Windows, and Fn + S for macOS. Plus, it features a switch for toggling between Bluetooth and wired modes. Unlike the Magic Keyboard, the LP85 supports USB Type-C and Bluetooth 5.0, allowing you to connect it to your laptop, tablet, or desktop and switch between platforms seamlessly.
Battery
The addition of RGB lighting impacts the battery life of the Vissles LP85. With a 2,000 mAh battery, you’ll get only a few days of use if the lights are on continuously. However, you can charge and use it simultaneously via USB-C. To save battery, the keyboard goes into sleep mode (turning off the lights) after 5 minutes and hibernates (disconnects) after 30 minutes. Press any key, and it springs back to life instantly.
Lighting
The LP85 boasts RGB backlighting that looks fantastic. Its low-profile keycaps and fingerprint-resistant coating keep it looking fresh. Here’s how you can control the lighting:
– FN + DEL: Switch between 19 different RGB backlight effects/modes
– FN + →: Switch between 7 backlight colors
– FN + ←: Change the backlight direction
– FN + ↑ / ↓: Adjust brightness
– FN + Plus / Minus: Change the lighting speed
All lighting controls are built into the keyboard, so there’s no need for extra software. You can also refer to the User Manual for more details on the RGB settings.
Typing Experience
Switching from a traditional mechanical keyboard to an optical-mechanical one like the LP85 might take some adjustment. If you’re used to the resistance of mechanical switches, the smoother feel of optical switches might feel different at first.