At first I would like to thank CaseKing.de and Thermaltake for offering me a sample of their TTeSports Challenger Pro Gaming Keyboard.

 

About Thermaltake:

"Thermaltake is a well known brand for gaming & DIY in Case, Cooler, and PSU for years. Due to the constant requests for keyboards and mice from gamers and end users, Thermaltake decided to create a series of gaming keyboards, mice, and headsets with the Tt eSPORTS brand. By using Tt eSPORTS, we want to extend our product lines into the gaming industry, and provide more “personalized gaming” gears to gamers and enthusiasts worldwide. With years of experience in gaming industry, Tt eSPORTS is committed to bring the most personalized and the highest quality weapons for the most competitive cyber battles. Designed by gamers for gamers.

Computer gaming over the past decade has grown to a global movement and evolved into a competitive sport. eSports is ncreasingly recognized as an official sport. The eSports environment is more organized and professionalized, people around the world are taking eSports competition more seriously. Tt eSPORTS is uniting gamers from all over the world in a unique eSports culture, in an effort to achieve recognition of this global movement as a true sports discipline with engagingly competitive tournaments, just like in the real world. Tt eSPORTS represents an integrated eSports environment for pro-gamers, semi-pros, entire gaming teams as well as the occasional leisure gamers who enjoy mastering the challenge among a common fellowship.

Tt eSports is the gaming brand of choice for the energetic and powerful Challenger, boldly and intelligently facing the extreme competition.

 

So what does Tt eSPORTS mean for you?

 

Your personalized gaming experience.

Stay competitive and find your own challenge.

Get in the game, be part of the team, stay engaged."

 

Features:

 

 

Specifications:

The Challenger Pro keyboard is shipped inside a large-sized cardboard box, that has a graphical texture which wants to imitate a steel enclosure; on the front we can see a photo of the product in action, the Tt eSports logo, the name of the product and some of the main features represented by large icons:

 

 

 

On the bottom of the box, we can find out even more information about the product, written in multiple languages:

 

 

 

Without unsealing the box, the top can be further opened and we can find more information about the software GUI:

 

 

 

Also here we can find detailed information about the product features:

 

 

 

After opening the box for the first time, we can find the keyboard sitting on the top layer, located inside a felt case which aids transportation to LAN parties or other locations, but also keeps the dust away during this time:

 

 

 

The rest of the bundle can be found in two little pouches, along with an envelope with the documentation:

 

 

 

In the larger pouch, we can find the installable little fan, along with the USB cable:

 

 

 

Here are closer shots of the included fan; on its back, we can also find its rating: DC 5V, 0.12A, and model number FD053010ML-N:

 

 

 

 

The USB connectors are gold-plated:

 

 

The USB cable is braided, for better durability:

 

 

In the smaller pouch, we can find some red key replacements, two blank keys which we can install in any location (it is preferred to use this feature during LAN parties, so we won't press some keys and get out of the game by mistake), last but not least we also find a key remover:

 

 

In the envelope with the Tt eSports logo on top we can find a warranty card, the CD with drivers and the multi-language manual:

 

 

In the little manual, we can find instructions on how to install the software drivers, but also how to operate the software GUI:

 

 

In addition to the felt case, the keyboard is further protected inside a transparent plastic bag:

 

 

The case has an overall “sportive” look, with the status LEDs located in the top center and the wrist rest integrated in the rest of the keyboards' body. The “Tt” logo is located in the center of the wrist rest and is also lighted when the system is on:

 

 

On the keyboard laterals, we can find the 10 extra keys, to which we can assign different functions from the software interface:

 

 

On the left and right top sides, we can find places where we can plug-in the included fan; to avoid dust accumulation on the electrical contacts, the holes are covered with rubber caps:

 

 

On top of the numeric pad, we can find besides the multimedia keys, a key which allows us to set different intensities of the keyboard backlight (3 steps), but also a key to switch between the uploaded profiles:

 

 

Here is a closer look on the top status LEDs; near each icon on the left, a red LED will appear to signal the activation of the Num Lock, Caps Lock or Scroll Lock; to the right, we can see the LED which will light up in 4 different colors, depending on which profile is activated:

 

At the back of the keyboard, we can see a sticker that warns us the devices that need over 100mA power and are plugged into the spare ports of the keyboard, may not run:

 

 

 

The keyboard does feature 2 USB ports, very handy when we want to connect USB flash drives or other accessories:

 

 

 

Near the ports we can see port where the mini-USB keyboard connector will go, but also a dedicated space where through which we can route the cable:

 

 

 

Further to the right, we can see the place where we can insert the fan assembly, when it is not used:

 

 

 

 

 

The bottom of the keyboard is also made from plastic and we can find a sticker in center with the name of the product, the certifications and the serial number:

 

 

 

The cable routing space continues under the keyboard:

 

 

 

In each corner of the keyboard we can find rubber feet, but also two plastic feet in the upper part, in case we want to raise the keyboard a bit at an angle:

 

 

 

 

Here is how the keyboard looks when it is operating; the key backlight is not distracting at all, and it looks even better during the night:

 

 

 

 

 

The “Tt” logo is brighter than the rest of the keyboard lights; fortunately, for people that find this distracting, the software interface permits us to switch it off completely:

 

 

 

When installed, the fan makes only a small buzz and brings a small cold wind breeze over our fingers, really handy in an intensive Counterstrike matche:

 

 

After plugging in the keyboard into the computer, I went and downloaded the latest driver and software version for the product:

 

 

 

After the installation is complete, the software may require a system restart; after it is loaded, the “Tt” logo will appear in the system tray. The GUI is not complicated and features options to control the LEDs or to assign functions to the programmable buttons. We can upload 4 profiles at once into the keyboard (through which we can navigate with the designated profile switcher key), or we can save specific profiles on our HDD for a later use:

 

 

 

For each programmable key, we can set a specific command like “cut”, “copy” or “paste”, but also macros:

 

 

 

When we hover the mouse pointer over programmable key, it will be highlighted on the keyboard schematic too:

 

 

 

With the Macro Key Set Up function, we can define macros of our own, with or without timers:

 

 

 

The keyboard feels comfortable when typing and the keys barely make any noise compared to mechanical ones, considering that it features rubber domes instead of switches. Also, the light effects are good for people that are used to type while looking at the keys. I was at first distracted by the bright “Tt” logo, but, fortunately, it can be easily disabled via the software interface.

The placement of the programmable keys reminds me a bit of the Razer Tarantula, which is a very solid and high quality gaming keyboard. The multimedia keys are placed a little odd on this keyboard (in the top right corner), but I guess there isn't anything that a professional gamer won't get used to.

The added fan is a unique feature and helps bringing a gentle cool breeze over your fingers; this can add to the comfort of professional gamers that are playing for hours. This keyboard comes with a very easy to use software interface, but I can say that I have seen better implementations and nicer looking GUIs at some of the previously reviewed products.

 

The TTeSports Challenger Pro keyboard can be found at CaseKing.de for about 59,90 EUR.

 

 

I would like to thank again to CaseKing.de and Thermaltake for making this review possible!