Bloody B740A Light Strike Keyboard Review
By Joe Gulczinski
Manufacturer: A4TECH
Product Name: B740A Light Strike Mechanical Keyboard
UPC: 4711421919784
Price as Tested: $129.99 (Amazon | Newegg)Full Disclosure: The product sample used was provided by A4TECH.
Since the advent of the mechanical keyboards, it was only a matter of time before the market became saturated with a plethora of very similar products and options. A4TECH’s very own “bloody” division has brought forth the next evolution in mechanical keyboards, boldly daring to replace the actual switch with Light Strike technology: silent switches that operate by breaking a beam of infrared light. This not only provides the fastest possible response speed, but also adds several inherited benefits from the technology. The B740A is only one of the 15 models using the Light Strike technology at Bloody.
Features
- Fastest possible key response with Light Strike technology (0.2ms).
- Dust resistant and water proof.
- Suspended keycaps for easy maintenance.
- Eight silicon keycaps and extended palm rest for longer comfort usage.
Specifications
| Key style | Infrared switch |
| Backlit | Neon Glare with adjustable brightness |
| Hotkey | Multimedia / Key Dominator Software |
| Anti-ghosting | 100% Anti-ghosting keys |
| Cable length | 1.8 m |
| Size | 795 x 210 x 42 mm |
| Weight | 1410 g |
| System Requirements | All Windows operating systems |
B740A Light Strike Keyboard: A Closer Look
The box is very simple with a no frills approach: an ominous bloody hand on the front accompanied with some of the key features on the back. Saving money on a flashy presentation and letting the product speak for itself is a higher investment value then fancy packaging for a first impression.
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Below are two over the top shots in different light exposures: a fully lit bright room versus a low level light picture. This is to show off the contrast between the lit rows of different colors. At first there was a general worry that all the colors would become a distraction, but as it turned out, it actually aided in keeping the hands near the home row.
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The main gaming keys are covered in silicon caps that have a slight raised circular-dot texture. The entire purpose of these keys are to extend the comfort time during heavy gaming and to help with any perspiration on the fingertips. A lot of gaming mice out there use a similar technique to wick sweat away from the hand. The right hand profile of the keyboard shows off the colored rows and status indicators. The “G” indicator stands for gaming mode, where the windows key is disabled and full ant-ghosting mode is available for the entire keyboard.
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The back reveals the rather wide and sturdy height boost mounts, as well four very large square rubber pads. Being an all plastic affair, the BL740A is built like an efficient assault weapon for it’s given task. Just check out how many screw holes that are retaining the face plate and reinforcements. It certainly is designed to withstand a pounding.
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The face plate is a highly polished silver color with black accents as seen in the bloody hand logo picture (which pulsates and glows slowly). An extremely glossy and slippery finish lends an excellent touch to the appearance two-fold in the fact that it does not attract fingerprints (amazingly enough) nor does dirt or dust get trapped. A simple shake or puff of canned air and it all the particles slide off for easy maintenance.
Bloody B740A Light Strike Keyboard Details
The Light Strike keyboards can run without drivers natively; however, it is recommended to load the drivers the first time before saving the settings to the permanent 160K memory bank. This gives the keyboard the option and flexibility of being portable (with keeping main preferences intact).
The “Button” tab on the driver page is the main go-to for assigning hotkeys for Office, multimedia functions, or any combination of macros. The small red arrow at the bottom of the panel swaps the main keys with the number pad keys on the right side of the board. When “Manage Profile” button is selected this submenu pops up below.
This submenu is where you may activated up to three main profiles settings in memory; one set for standard usage and desktop applications, and two additional profiles for gaming. In this review only the main standard profile was used due to granting the easiest flexibility in function (anti-ghosting always on). Options for lights on the independent profiles consist of: off, constant on, and what bloody calls “Neon Glare System” (which cycles animations on the keys).
The “Oscar Macro” tab is a very detailed macro bank for specific games or windows applications. One can even adjust the input delays or repeats in milliseconds and accepts Boolean Logic expression for even more intricate commands. Import and Export functions are available in addition to saving to the keyboards memory.
The “Super Combo” tab takes the Oscar Macro’s and extends the functionality even farther by giving them the ability to cycle or link macros together. A very clever solution for making short work of an otherwise time consuming process. Super Combos can be applied to any desktop application or game and saved into memory also.
Bloody B740A Keyboard Testing and Results
Testing Methodology
The bloody B740A was tested over a period of 210+ hours in a variety of applications: about 30% in games and 70% in typical typing applications. To verify the anti-ghosting capabilities, the software Aqua S Key Test was implemented. Since Light Strike keyboard technology is a completely new type of infrared micro switch, the only way to truly test a keyboard of this nature is to simply use it. A subjective breakdown impression will follow in the Final Thoughts section.
Test System
- Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K
- Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UDH5
- System Memory: CORSAIR 16GB 1866Mhz
- Video: Gigabyte GTX 970 G1
- Audio: HT | Omega Claro Plus+
- Monitor: LG 27″ IPS 2560×1440
- Power Supply: Cooler Master Silent Pro M700
Results
The B740A passed Aqua S Key Test with zero issues (the keyboard’s anti-ghosting feature was enabled during the test). Even though the test is very straightforward, it is one of the easiest methods to trouble-shoot a keyboard that is suspected of being finicky, having jammed keys, or diagnosing keys that develop double-stick contact.
Light Strike Keyboard Final Thoughts
Over all the B740A was seriously so responsive it might as well have been instantaneous or telepathic typing. As far as no-frills and using the pure hardware, simply put, this is one well thought out and streamlined product. The macro flexibility is just icing on the cake. One thing to note is that the actual key size feels slightly larger, even though it is within specs. This tends to spread the fingers out slightly more on the home row then other keyboards, but does not affect accuracy or speed of typing. Those with larger hands will not even notice the impact and would probably welcome the slight if barely imperceptible difference.
Bloody B740A Conclusion
Performance wise there is really nothing that can touch the new Light Strike technology. Who would not want a switch that is made splash proof and dust proof meeting the maximum speed barrier of light itself? The keys are very quiet compared to the noise other mechanical keyboards make, with no clicking. If one types lightly and does not bottom out the keys, it is one of the most silent keyboards ever not heard.
The esthetics of the frame is very smooth and pleasing to the eye, with the ominous glowing bloody hand taking center stage. With the backlighting maxed all of the keys are extremely crisp over the five colors. The integrated wrist rest not only sports good looks, but is adjusted at a well thought out ergonomic angle (that does not pick up fingerprints).
Construction wise assembly was perfected in such a way that there is zero flex across the entire keyboard and in fact feels as if there was metal plating on the top (which is a very good illusion by the glossy paint job). All of the keys feel evenly balanced due to the choice in quality springs; even the space bar possesses dual spring action compared to the standard one spring in other keyboards.
Considering the functionality aspect, the onboard 160K memory gets an approving nod for effectively granting the keyboard portability after saving your profiles. Hot keys that are natively available without drivers include multimedia, lighting parameters, windows lock key, and the anti-ghosting key mode (across entire keyboard).
The bloody B740A Light Strike keyboard is now available online for $129.99 (Amazon | Newegg). This comparably priced with mid to high ranged quality mechanical keyboards using cherry MX switches. The B740A is highly recommended to those looking for another mechanical keyboard, but would like something quieter that takes less maintenance without sacrificing quality.
Pro’s
+ Light Strike switches have more benefits then Cherry MX switches.
+ Dustproof and waterproof design.
+ Incredibly quiet compared to all other mechanical keyboards.
+ Neon-Glare lighting system is perfect for low light typing.
Con’s
– None.
Ratings
- Performance: 9.50
- Appearance: 8.75
- Construction: 9.00
- Functionality: 8.75
- Value: 9.50
