Performance

The SABER68 supports default six-key rollover USB, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys throughout testing.


The default layers are fairly well programmed out of the box, but the full programmability as covered on the previous page means you can change things to suit your preferences just as I did. The Fn controls are shown on the last image above (click on the thumbnails for a larger picture should you need to), although the exact functions for the second layer depend on the firmware file on the keyboard. This is also where you can access the keyboard's lighting options by using a combination of Fn + C/V/B (assuming you have not altered the layout of Layer 1).


Fn + V toggles the LEDs on or off, with Fn + C and Fn + B going through three steps of static lighting brightness and three steps of breathing-mode brightness (0/50/100% brightness). The SABER68 has white LEDs only, and as we saw before, the keycaps being opaque, these are more edge-lit than backlit. The four holes on the bottom also let some light through for a side/underflow effect.


Breathing mode is fairly consistent, but really feels like a tacked on checklist feature, nothing more. Static lighting does help in a dark environment, providing enough light to make out individual keys if you are not yet used to touch typing on this, whereas breathing mode is going to be something you'll show off to friends and co-workers a few times before never using it again.


On to the switches now. I briefly talked about the MOD switches on page three, and we have MOD-H tactile switches on this review unit. These are Originative's heaviest of the currently available switches, with a 62 g actuation force, strongly pronounced tactile bump, no clicky audible feedback, and over 80 g of bottoming-out force. Actuation measured in at ~1.92 mm on average (+/- 0.08 mm) with a total travel distance of ~4 mm. My analog tension gauge is not precise enough to where I can accurately distinguish anything past 60 g, and certainly not 62 g, but more often than not, the switches registered at where I would say 62 g lies on the scale. In practice, I absolutely adore these switches. I am a heavy typist I concede, with MX Clear switches having been my favorite until these. The pronounced bump and slightly stiffer travel meant I was able to actuate and not bottom out most of the time even during the first hour with the keyboard itself, and it only got better from there.

If you are unsure of which to go for, there is a sampler pack available. If you were planning to go with Gateron switches, there is really no reason to get this from Originative unless you are not willing to go through Aliexpress/Taobao with a shipping agent.


As always, the sound of a keyboard is based on more than just the switch type. So when comparing sound clips, consider the keyboard as a whole. In this case, I have provided above an example sound clip of me typing on the SABER68 sample at ~105 WPM. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with tactile switches. I did a mix of bottoming out and not here, as it is fairly easy to not do so with these particular switches.