Closer Examination

As we saw before, the Durgod x HK Venus keyboard comes in a thin foam wrap for protection during transit, but there is also a molded plastic clamshell cover. Removing it, we get our first good look at the keyboard, which is on the smaller side of average given the 60% form factor. There are thus far fewer discrete keys at 61 in total here compared to the typical 104 keys for a full-size US ANSI equivalent. Given the lack of a real standard when it comes to such form factors, Durgod has their own take on which keys are essential and how to access onboard layers, which is also why this is a modified ANSI layout. Despite the smaller footprint, the Venus weighs nearly a kilogram because of its chunky aluminium case.

Bezels are small here, with the top having a slightly more pronounced bezel compared to the other sides for the indicator LEDs in the top-right corner. There is no logo or other branding to be seen on the keyboard when in use, which makes for a very clean-looking keyboard in conjunction with the monochromatic color scheme (primary black and white options are available) and the typeface used for the legends. Speaking of which, the typically expected secondary legends are found alongside the primary ones at the top, and then we have more keyboard-specific legends on the front of the keycaps, which is not unheard of for smaller form factor keyboards. Single legend placement is in the top-center, and all this is indicative of where the backlighting will be more uniform as well.


Flipping the keyboard around, we see the usual certification information in the middle, albeit as a metal badge instead of a sticker. There are four long rubber pads on the corners to keep the keyboard from sliding around on the desk, and the case is built to incorporate elevation automatically to where there are no feet on the keyboard and what you see is what you get. There is also a QC pass sticker on the back, which is nice as a placebo at the very least.


The keyboard indeed has a USB Type-C port, and it is on the left side of the keyboard facing away from the user and the mouse for right-handed users. Depending on the device you use this with, you would either use the Type-C to Type-C cable or the Type-C to Type-A cable, and USB 2.0 suffices for both power and data alike. The shorter cables are in line with the portability aspect of the keyboard, and are black to match the rest of the keyboard.


The Durgod x HK Venus uses the rarely seen Cherry profile with the keycaps, which is rare outside of Cherry-branded keyboards. These are lower in profile relative to the OEM profile and are still slanted rows and concave surfaces on top. However, the 60% form factor means there are only five rows instead of the typical six. The included keycap puller also works fine, especially since the keycaps employ a floating keycap design, but I will mention that the wires were looser than I would have liked and jut out to where I had to press inward to get some of the keycaps off. The stock keycaps are really well built, employing thick PBT plastic (average wall thickness 1.41 mm) with doubleshot injected legends on top for the primary and secondary legends. The front-printed legends are not backlighting compatible and appear to be pad printed, which makes them more susceptible to wear and tear.


Several different switch options are available here, including Cherry MX, Kailh BOX, and Gaterons. This is a big selling feature for the keyboard as it has users get a fully assembled retail keyboard with rarely seen switches. My sample came with the Gateron Brown RGB switches, which are based on the Cherry MX Brown RGB switch in design. The larger keycaps use Cherry-style stabilizers, which helps with their removal in conjunction with the floating keycap design, and the thick PBT keycaps mitigate that typical mushy feeling associated with these stabilizers.