Gamdias Hermes RGB Mechanical Keyboard Review

By Meng Vang

Manufacturer: GAMDIAS Technology, Inc.
Product Name: Hermes RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Model Number: GKB1050BL
UPC: 848475001104
Price As Tested: $99.99 (Newegg | Amazon)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Gamdias.

Founded in 2012, Gamdias, the God of gaming, is a gaming brand based on Greek mythology. The company focuses on PC gaming peripherals, such as gaming mice, keyboards, headsets, and other accessories while aiming for quality and design.

They are taking their focus one step forward with their Hermes RGB mechanical gaming keyboard, which features n-key rollover support, RGB lighting effects, and Kailh Blue mechanical switches for great tactile feedback. It also maintains a simple body shape similar to the Hermes Lite mechanical keyboard. Benchmark Reviews will be taking a look at the Hermes RGB mechanical gaming keyboard. Let’s go over the features, specifications, and a quick overview to see what Gamdias has in store for us.

• RGB 16.8 million color illumination
• Storage up to 6 profiles on the keyboard
• Integral wrist rest for gaming comfort
• Highly reflective metallic plate for optimized backlighting
• Windows Key lock on/off indicator
• Allow you to exchange the FN and Windows keycap (Required HERA and key puller)
• 4 hotkeys for instantly switch on/off the lighting effect
• Up to 13 sets of lighting effects and 5 custom backlit pattern
• WASD – Arrow Key Exchange Mode
• Portable profiles and macros allow users to backup and sharing their personal experience
• Support online firmware update (Required HERA)

The Gamdias Hermes RGB mechanical keyboard does well when it comes to performance. The Kailh Blue mechanical switches require more force to actuate when compared to red and brown mechanical switches. This may prevent accidental mistypes for some people. There was a minor flaw with the ripple effect when pressing two or more keys at once. Once the ripples made contact, one of them cancels out as the other ripple continues going. I am hoping to see a firmware update that can possible fix this small glitch.

The keyboard looks great with its simple body design along with an integrated wrist rest. The LED’s are able to produce a pure white color without any noticeable purple or green tint. Surprisingly, they are brighter and more vivid when compared side-by-side with my Strafe RGB. This may be because the Hermes RGB uses a more traditional design method by exposing the LED’s above each key switch, rather than having them under a protective cover like on the Strafe RGB. The LED indicator lights for the num, caps, and gaming mode are a static red color. If the color has to be static, I would personally prefer white over anything else.

Although made of mainly plastic, the body construction of the Hermes RGB is durable enough to handle a few knocks. The blue mechanical switches are rated at 50 million keystrokes, making this keyboard long obsolete by the time the switches fail.

When it comes to functionality, I really like the fact there are six different profiles to choose from. The option to lock the entire keyboard is also useful in situations where you cannot have anyone touching the computer. One issue I found with the lock function was the ability to play back my saved macro when the keyboard was locked. I was unable to switch profiles or do anything else, but I was able to play back my macro. Consecutive mode is beneficial to many gamers, but enabling it applies it to every key on the keyboard. I would like to see an option that lets us choose specific keys to have consecutive mode.

As of May 2016, the Gamdias Hermes RGB mechanical gaming keyboard sells for $99.99 (Newegg | Amazon). This is a great price for an RGB gaming keyboard for anyone who is coming from a standard membrane keyboard or anyone who is looking for an affordable RGB mechanical keyboard. The Hera software is easy to use and does not take a lot of time to customize the keyboard layout. Enthusiasts may find the features and software of this keyboard to be lacking, but for the price you cannot really complain.
+ Six separate profiles
+ Record macros on-the-fly
+ Great RGB color accuracy
+ Simple yet elegant design
+ Hera software allows for easy customization
+ Macro and lighting effects are stored on the keyboard
– A few lighting effects can be improved
– Consecutive mode applies to every key
– Software can limit customization to some users
– Macros can still be played back even when keyboard is locked

• Performance: 8.75
• Appearance: 9.25
• Construction: 9.25
• Functionality: 7.25
• Value: 9.00

Recommended: Benchmark Reviews Seal of Approval.