At first, we would like to thank AQIRYS for offering us a sample of their ALUDRA Gaming Keyboard for testing and reviewing.

 

 

 

About AQIRYS:

 

“AQIRYS is about IT products and hardware dedicated to gaming.

Our solutions are developed and perfected by a passionate team with over 15 years of expertise in the IT & gaming industry, heavily focused on variety, quality, and affordability.

We all are avid gamers, some of us even reaching pro levels. Top that with the excitement for PC modding and overclocking that was well established through our parent company about 13 years ago (the first company in our country to receive the NVIDIA SLI certification).

The whole experience we amassed from gaming and crafting super high-end PC’s is now put to work in developing the AQIRYS products.

Our final goal is to deliver these products in a cool, dynamic way to people who are keen or enthusiastic about PC gaming and modding, making them feel more satisfied than before.

Welcome to AQIRYS! The galaxy of gaming tools that will lead you to victory!

Fun fact

Our logo resembles the image of a galaxy, the AQIRYS galaxy, which revolves in the universe of gaming and technology. That is why most of our products will borrow their names from actual stars, planets or other celestial bodies. We invite you to check out the fun facts on each product page and discover some cool stuff about the actual Universe!”

 

Product Features:

 

#SOLID PRECISION

You will find precision delivered at your fingertips in the unmistakable silky smooth typing feeling of the Gateron mechanical switches engineered for gaming and office. The G PRO 2.0 Red version carried by ALUDRA comes factory pre-lubed and has been upgraded to reduce wobbliness, increase durability and enhance backlight transmission. It sports a stable linear behavior and a quiet sound level, having an actuation point of 2 mm and 45 gF actuation force.

#SMOOTH EXPERIENCE

Besides factory pre-lubed switches, ALUDRA is also rigged with pre-lubed plate-mounted stabilizers to smooth out the typing experience by effectively reducing noise, spring pings, and evening out large-key pressing (like the spacebar). Additionally, a PCB silencer & anti-vibration silicone pad, and a foam layer on the bottom were added to further reduce noise and vibrations.

Ultra-robust elements like the premium ABS frame and 80M keystrokes-rated Gateron mechanical switches for long-lasting performance are pointers that this keyboard is built and ready to withstand a lifetime of use and abuse.

Inside Bonus – ALUDRA also comes with a multi-tool kit to easily remove keycaps, swap switches, and take care of it with all the thoroughness it deserves!

#FAST ERGONOMICS

A three-stage height adjustment system puts the wrists at your optimum tilt angle for fast typing (flat, half, and full extension). Plus, our AQIRYS-designed spacebar is guaranteed to be a thumb-pleaser every time you press it – in fact, we’re ready to bet that you’ll love it so much that you’ll push it faster and more often than any other spacebar before!

A detachable USB-C cable makes it easier to take the keyboard to gaming tournaments, and 3-way cable management with under-keyboard built-in channels lets you position and exit the cord at the desired location on the desk.

#ELEMENTAL CUSTOMIZATION

Make it yours! – future switch replacement and customization with exotic models is possible due to the hot-swap keyboard design (universal compatibility with 3 and 5-pin switches). To get a taste of it, you will find inside the package 20 complimentary pre-lubed customized HaiMu Ocean Blue Tactile switches to use on any set of keys you wish.

We’ve also included an additional slim-profile spacebar for those who prefer a different style.

And since we don’t fancy bland stuff much, ALUDRA is showing off our exclusive and unique layout design so you can have fun using a high-performance gaming keyboard that stands out from the pack.

Lastly, a full-RGB dynamic illumination system fires up ALUDRA’s looks, both upfront and on the edges, while the intuitive AQIRYS software gives access to further customization.

 

Product Specifications:

 

Keyboard type: Mechanical

Keyboard size: Full Size

Switch type: Gateron G Pro 2.0 Red (Hot-Swappable)

Switch rating: 80 million clicks

Switch feedback: Linear

Switch travel: 2mm

Switch force: 45 gF

Anti-Ghosting: 100% (N-Key rollover)

Number of keys: 104

Keycap: OEM profile, Backlit, ABS Painting & Laser-engraved

Multimedia functions: Yes

On-board memory: Yes

Polling Rate: 1000 Hz

Layout: US

Illumination: Dynamic Per-Key RGB

Connectivity: Wired

Cable type: Detachable USB Type-C, braided

Cable Length: 1.8 m

Software: Yes (Windows 7 and up)

Platform: PC/Mac & Consoles

Size: 451 x 141 x 40 mm

Weight: 1311 g

Color: White

 

It is time to revisit the ALUDRA keyboard from AQIRYS, but now in it’s full-sized format! It includes the same goodies as on the smaller version, but now the numeric pad is included, for people which use such keys, making it an ideal partner for office work (finance in particular) as well!

The ALUDRA keyboard was named after a blue supergiant located in the constellation Canis Major.

 

The product is shipped inside a medium-sized box, showing a photo of the keyboard in operation, but also small icons with the main product highlights and compatible platforms:

 

 

 

On the side of the box, we will note some QR codes, but also the product serial number along with the internal code name:

 

 

 

The features are shown on the opposite side as well, in multiple languages:

 

 

 

More detailed on the ALUDRA is to be found on the bottom area, along with an exploded view of the keyboard:

 

 

 

After removing the top packaging layer, we will end up with another box, sporting the “Built to withstand, Ready to vanquish!” saying:

 

 

 

By lifting the top cover, we will reveal some documentation as well; the keyboard is surrounded by thick foam material, so it won’t be scratched/damaged during transit:

 

 

 

We can note a leaflet, the Quick Start Guide but also a sticker set:

 

 

 

The leaflet shows how to perform the initial installation procedure, but also from where to download the device drivers:

 

 

 

Inside the guide, we will be able to take a look at the main keyboard components, the included bundle, how to perform cable management, how to access the different keyboard shortcuts, how to remove the keycaps and switches and more!

 

 

 

The set of stickers is nice, with different models in order to adapt to your current setup:

 

 

 

As usual, AQIRYS is offering quite a bit of hardware bundle:

 

 

 

 

First, we will note a combo tool, the keycap and switch puller:

 

 

 

The USB cable is USB-A on the computer/console side and USB-C on the keyboard side; the braiding does offer extra durability:

 

 

 

We can use the cleaning brush for easily removing dust and other debris from between the keycaps:

 

 

 

 

A secondary key puller, now made from plastic is attached to the brush:

 

 

 

 

The brush handle can be opened, in order to reveal a secondary cleaning tool!

 

 

 

 

ALUDRA is also offered with a standard-sized Spacebar key:

 

 

 

 

AQIRYS is bundling 20 extra switches, the HaiMu Ocean Blue which are pre-lubed for reduced noise and spring pings and feature a tactile feedback:

 

 

 

 

The ALUDRA is more heavy and larger than its TKL version, so we are talking about 1311g and dimensions of 451 x 141 x 44 mm. The same color scheme is preserved, while the top row having the #allaboutgaming note. The plastic white casing is made from ABS and is of good quality, featuring rounded corners:

 

 

 

The Escape key does pack the AQIRYS logo:

 

 

 

The F1 key can open the default media player, with F2 we can access Volume -, with F3 we have Volume +, while the F4 key takes care of the Mute function:

 

 

 

F5 does also have the mapping to move to previous track, F6 will go to next track, with F7 we have Play/Pause while the F8 enables Stop multimedia functionality:

 

 

 

By using the F9, we can open the default Email client, with F10 we will access the Homepage, with F11 we can lock the keys completely and with F12 we will be able to open the Calculator application:

 

 

 

The Print Screen key will open up the RGB customization mode, with Scroll Lock we can cycle between the illumination effects, while with Pause we can choose a specific color:

 

 

 

The side keycaps do feature a black color, which look interesting near the rest of the white ones; it is also worth mentioning here that Fn + Windows Key will access the Windows Key Lock feature:

 

 

 

The stock Spacebar key does have a larger width, more comfortable to actuate;

 

 

 

Most of the usual keys do have custom lettering:

 

 

 

The Spaceship-like Backspace key, when paired with Fn will allow changing the colors for the AQIRYS logo:

 

 

 

With Fn + Insert we can change the illumination effects, with Delete we will change to single color mode, the Home key will increase the illumination speed of the current effect, the End key will decrease it, Page Up will increase the illumination brightness, while Page Down will decrease it:

 

 

 

Custom legends are available for the numeric pad as well!

 

 

 

 

In the top right corner, we will note a large AQIRYS logo, along with the usual status LEDs:

 

 

 

The ALUDRA is pre-fitted with Gateron G PRO 2.0 Red version switches, which are lubricated from the factory in order to increase durability on the long-run and reduce wobbliness. These hot-swappable switches are guaranteed for 80 million actuations:

 

 

 

The ALUDRA board supports 3 and 5-pin switches; the noise is removed by using a PCB silencer & anti-vibration silicone pad, while the bottom foam layer completes the solution:

 

 

 

By using the supplied tools, the switch replacement is a breeze!

 

 

 

In the frontal area of the Spacebar, we will see a small cut-out, which allows the RGB lighting on the frame to shine onto the surface we will use the keyboard on:

 

 

 

On the side of the ALUDRA, we will be able to take a closer look at the RGB middle frame:

 

 

 

The frontal area does reveal the cable management channels:

 

 

 

On the bottom area, we will note the plastic cover, along with the central sticker which holds the product serial number and power rating:

 

 

 

Besides the white rubber foot, we will see not one but two kickstands, allowing the keyboard to be used with two different inclinations:

 

 

 

 

 

The USB-C port is carefully secured in the middle area:

 

 

 

 

After connecting the keyboard to a spare port on our test computer, we noted the cool looking RGB lights!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The RGB lighting is flowing between the keys as well, for a continuous effect:

 

 

 

 

The dedicated software is different when compared to the one we’ve noted along with the TKL version. The GUI is much more polished, while containing lots of configuration options. As soon as we have connected the keyboard to our test computer, it has been detected by the app:

 

 

 

The area for key remapping does show all the possible solutions on the bottom area; we only have to select a key and choose a different function for it;

 

 

Macros can be defined as well, with custom delays:

 

 

We have quite a bit of presets to choose from, but also a Customize area; depending on the selected effect, we will have other configuration options to our disposal:

 

Neon_Stream

Ripples Shining

Rotating Windmill

 

Sine Wave

Rainbow Roulette

Stars Twinkle

Layer Upon Layer

Rich and Honored

Marquee Effect

Rotating Storm

Serpentine Horse Ride

 

Retro_Snake

Diagonal Transformation

Customize

Ambilight

Streamer

Steady

Breathing

Neon

Shadow_Dissapear

Flash Away

 

An EQ mode is also available, with different custom effects:

 

 

The following Custom Lights RGB menu comes with more effects, such as Static Constant, Starry Stars, Flying Snow, Dynamic Breathing, Colorful Springs, Colorful Aspect, Follow the Trend, Peak and Loop, but enough writing :). On the next page you’ll be able to see how these effects really look like!

 

The full-sized ALUDRA is using a more recent Gateron switch model when compared to the V1 TKL model, G Pro 2.0 Red with a more clear plastic housing in order for the LED light to shine through brighter, an operating force of about 45gf, a pre-travel of 2.0mm, a total travel of 4.0mm max, while the bottoming out will be done at about 50gf. These are very smooth and pleasant when typing in an office environment, while being ideal for gaming as well. We did test it in Diablo 3, the newer Diablo 4, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order but also The Crew Motorfest and the controls felt very responsive at all times.

 

For the ALUDRA, you will need a larger desk compared to other TKL or smaller factor variants and also to also enjoy the RGB frame which bleeds light on the desk surface. We can adjust the light effects independently from keystrokes for both AQIRYS logo and the light frame, while the individual key RGB setup can be configured via software as well. Speaking of the software GUI, it has been updated versus the first generation and remains really easy to use.

 

The hot-swapping technique really adds a lot of customization to the table; besides the multitude of switches we can use with it, we can also switch to the desired custom keycaps we desire, since the switches do sport a standard stem model.

 

The ALUDRA can be found online for about 125 Euros, which we do find to be a good price considering the modular board and the large bundle.

AQIRYS ALUDRA Gaming Keyboard is Recommended for:

 

 

We would like to thank again to AQIRYS for making this review possible!