Lighting and Performance

The Ranked Nova n60 supports N-key rollover USB out of the box, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys either, and seen above are all the functions with dedicated keys on the base layer.


In addition to the base layer, as well as profiles and key mapping options provided by the software utility, Ranked also has two Fn layers aboard the keyboard as previously mentioned. These Fn1 and Fn2 layers are easily identified by the front-facing legends in blue and white colors, respectively. The images above show the pre-programmed functions tied with these layers which gives you back the missing functionality from a TKL keyboard placed more or less logically. The Magic Fn function also makes it so you don't have to press down Fn1 each time and is a toggle to turn on the Fn1 layer on/off. Then there's the Fn2 layer which provides additional functionality to give you volume and multimedia playback control in addition to helping with onboard control over the LEDs used for backlighting. There's also the highly interesting Tap layer, if you will, which reminds me of the Anne Pro 2 in that it's a similar result but achieved differently. There you had to hold the key down to get a different keystroke whereas here it's a bit more selective in that you need to be quick about pressing down the keys to get a different result. While I appreciate what Ranked is trying to do here to give you "dedicated" arrow keys on the Tap layer for the four keys on the bottom right corner (Fn1, Fn2, R.Shift, R.Ctrl) as well as allowing further tweaking via the software drivers, in practice it's easier said than done to get consistent results, and I was mostly frustrated with the mixed output to where I ended up turning off the tapping mode entirely. Perhaps Ranked could see about allowing the end user to change the tapping time but that's easier said than done on mechanical switches.

Regardless of whether the software drivers are installed or not, the Ranked Nova n60 lights up in the rainbow spiral effect seen above when first connected. This is a dynamic lighting effect that goes through the 16.8 M colors and confirms the keycaps are indeed backlit on the top but opaque on the front while also letting the user know that the keyboard is powered on and recognized by the PC.


Seen above are some of the other available lighting effects accessible via both onboard controls and software, with full 16.8 M RGB per-key lighting helping me test for light bleed. There is not much light bleed here owing to the thick case and non-floating keycaps here. I'd say this is still not a keyboard for those who want a strong light show, especially as alternative options these days come with clear keycaps or even a clear case for plenty of side and under lighting too. Ranked does offer Pudding keycaps if this is of interest to you. I then used the software drivers to set all LEDs to white, testing for color fidelity, since RGB LEDs can struggle to put out a true white and require calibration on the hardware and software fronts from keyboard makers. Ranked managed a white that has a light pink hue, making the color passable, but not class-leading by any means.


As for the actual typing experience, this review sample of the Nova n60 came with Gateron Red RGB switches, which we previously examined both inside and out. I have used the non-RGB and RGB versions of this switch numerous times in the past, as well as the higher-end Gateron Ink Red version separately covered before. This is a linear switch that aims to replicate the functionality of the Cherry MX Red. As such, actuation takes place at 2 mm travel and ~45 gf average force. Peak travel is 4 mm, so you will likely bottom out, since the spring doesn't fight back much after actuation. That having been said, the switch is plenty fine as a stock keyboard option. It is smooth enough for linear switches, though at this price point, it is competing against pre-lubed switches.


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 Ranked Nova n60 keyboard sample at ~85 WPM as it comes out of the box with the Gateron Red switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with linear switches. I did bottom out constantly, which isn't surprising for the reasons mentioned above. The presence of foam dampening both between the plate and PCB as well as underneath the PCB helps dampen the keystrokes to where it's not as high-pitched as would be without them. The thicker PBT keycaps also help, although you can still pick out the slight pings off the steel plate here. The pre-lubed stabilizers help more with typing feel than the sound itself and I'd say that the keyboard can do better with other switches, given Ranked has provided a solid base around them here.