By Meng Vang
Manufacturer: GAMDIAS Technology, Inc.
Product Name: Hermes E1 Combo (US/Blue)
Model Number: GD-HERMES E1
UPC: 848475001920
Price As Tested: $66.95 (Amazon | Newegg)Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Gamdias.
Last year, we reviewed the Gamdias Hermes Lite mechanical gaming combo, an excellent mouse and keyboard combo for the cheap. This year, we got our hands on the Hermes E1 mechanical gaming combo, which comes with the Hermes E1 mechanical keyboard, the Demeter E2 optical mouse, and a free NYX E1 mouse pad. The Hermes E1 features Gamdias certified blue mechanical switches, red illumination, and 21-key rollover. The Demeter E2 has an adjustable 3200 DPI optical sensor with lighting effects, and the cloth textured NYX E1 lets you game right out of the box. Benchmark Reviews will be reviewing the Hermes E1 combo, so let’s go through a quick overview of this product.
- Unique lighting effects for responsive lighting upon key presses
- Storage up to six profiles on the keyboard
- Integral wrist rest for gaming comfort
- Windows Key lock on/off
- Exchange the FN and Windows key cap (Required Hera and key puller)
- WASD-Arrow Keys Exchange Mode
- Portable profiles and macros allow users to backup and share their personal experience
- Online firmware update support (Required Hera)
- Key Switch: GAMDIAS Certified Mechanical Switches (Gamdias LOGO)
- Key Switch Type: Blue
- GAMDIAS Element: No
- Dimension(LxWxH): 448 x 202.4 x 36.9 mm (w/ wrist rest)
- Dimension(LxWxH): 448 x 156.6 x 36.9 mm (w/o wrist rest)
- Weight: 1.56 kg (w/ wrist rest), 1.30 kg (w/o wrist rest)
- Built-in Memory: 256K
- Polling Rate: 1000 Hz
- Additional Macro Keys: NA
- Programmable keys: 2
- Multimedia Keys: 6
- Switch Lifecycle: 50 Million
- Backlit: Red color
- N-Key Rollover: 21-Key rollover
- OTF Macro Record: Yes
- Windows Key Disable: Yes
- All-Keys Lock: Yes
- Onboard Audio Jacks: NA
- Onboard USB Port: NA
- Cable Length: 1.8m
- Graphical UI: Yes(GAMDIAS HERA)
- Interface: USB
- Number of Profile: 6
- WASD & Arrow keys Change: Yes
- Consecutive Attack Mode: Yes
- Customizable Lighting Effects: NA
- Tracking Method: Advanced Gaming Optical Sensor
- Dimension(LxWxH): 120 x 75 x 40 mm
- Weight: 105g
- Resolution: 1200/1600/2400/3200 DPI (Default 1200)
- Polling Rate: 125Hz
- Built-in Memory: NA
- Weight System: No
- Switch Lifecycle: 1 Million
- USB Cable Length: 1.5m
- Graphical UI: NA
- Mouse Feet: TPE
- Dimension(LxWxH): 240 x 180 x 3 mm
The Gamdias Hermes E1 gaming combo currently sells online for $66.95 (Amazon | Newegg). It comes in a larger sized box with an illustration of the products. Product features and specifications are listed around the box as well.
Inside the box, we are greeted with the quick installation guide along with the mouse nicely packaged towards the side. The keyboard is packaged in a foam protective bag with extra foam at the sides.
There are a lot of accessories inside the box. We have the multilingual quick installation guide, a key cap puller, a wrist rest, the Hermes E1 mechanical keyboard, the Demeter E2 optical mouse, and the NYX E1 mouse pad.
The layout of the Hermes E1 looks similar to the Hermes P1 we reviewed late last year. This keyboard maintains a simple and standard layout with no dedicated macro or media control keys. There are dedicated LED lights for the num and caps lock keys, but the third LED is the Windows key lock indicator. The mechanical switches rests on top of the durable aluminum frame. This allows the light to spread on top of the keyboard surface.
The keyboard stands on five rubber coated feet to ensure a firm grip on a smooth surface. There is also a storage slot for the key cap puller. This can prevent the possibility of misplacing the puller and allows easy access to it when needed.
Let’s take a look at the Demeter E2 optical gaming mouse. It has an ambidextrous body design along with two side buttons. Above the scroll wheel, there is a DPI cycle button for changing DPI sensitivity. The mouse also has a braided cable, which is a plus especially for an entry level product.
Gamdias also threw in a free NYX E1 mouse pad in this gaming combo. It is a cloth pad with a rubberized base. The NYX E1 may not be the largest mouse pad only at 240(l) x 180(w), but for a person who is new to PC gaming, this is an excellent bonus. With this mouse pad, it really completes the combo as many mouse and keyboard combos from other manufacturers do not come with a mouse pad.
Both the Hermes E1 and Demeter E2 have a standard USB 2.0 connector. The connectors do have some curvature on the rubber part in order to make it easier to remove from a USB port.
In the next section, we will take a closer look at the Hermes E1 keyboard.
The Hermes E1 has very similar controls to the Hermes Lite gaming keyboard I reviewed a year ago. It has the ability to switch between six different profiles via the 1-6 keys. These profiles can store different lighting effects and macro functions. Keys F2 and F3 are media control keys, while F4 lets the user swap the WASD keys for the arrow keys. The secondary functions have a white coating and will not illuminate with the primary function.
Here we have some media control keys. F5 is the play/pause button, while F6-F8 are the volume control buttons.
Recording macros on-the-fly can be done by pressing the Fn key with the F9 button. The Hera software needs to be running in order for it to record. F11 lets the user lock the entire keyboard to prevent any keys from registering. This is a useful feature to have for video and photo editing.
No dedicated macro keys are present on the Hermes E1. Instead, it uses the B (G2) and space bar (G1) as macro keys.
Removing the key caps reveals the switches in a clear switch housing. A clear switch housing allows light to spread more evenly across the surface. These switches are branded with the Gamdias logo and are rated at 50 million clicks. For most computer users, these switches should feel about the same as any mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX Blue switches.
There is a firm grip to the surface thanks to the five rubberized grips on the bottom of the keyboard.
Flipping out the feet does give some extra height to the keyboard and the rubberized pads on the two feet allows for a better overall grip.
In the next section, let’s take a look at the Demeter E2 gaming mouse.
Taking a look at the top of the mouse, it has an ambidextrous body design built for both left and right-handed players. We can see the standard left and right buttons along with a rubberized scroll wheel. There is a large button at the top for DPI toggling and the switches have a 1 million click life cycle. Towards the rear is the Gamdias logo with some light strips on the palm area.
At the bottom of the Demeter E2, there are four glide pads for smooth tracking. We can see the 3200 DPI optical sensor located in towards the center of the mouse.
The left side of the Demeter E2 includes two side buttons for forward and backward controls. There are two light strips that go from the front to the rear of the mouse.
The other side of the mouse is identical to the left side except for the missing buttons.
At the front of the Demeter E2, the braided USB cable attaches to the center of the mouse. The rubberized scroll wheel does illuminate when there is power to the mouse.
The rear has a glossy surface with the Gamdias branding logo. Here we can see the thumb and little finger rest area on both sides of the mouse.
Let’s take a look at the Hera software in the next section.
Taking a look at the Hera software, we can see it has a nice graphical user interface with plenty of options to go through. Like the Corsair Utility Engine and the Razer Synapse software, Hera can manage multiple gaming peripherals simultaneously. In the Key Assignment tab, we can assign different keyboard functions to any key. Six separate profiles allow us to store multiple key assignments and lighting effects within the keyboard. Unfortunately, the Hera software does not support the Demeter E2 mouse.
In the Macro Management tab, we can create, record, and delete macros if we want. The Hera software does allow importing and duplicating macro settings for your convenience. When recording macros on-the-fly using Fn with the F9 key, the LED’s on the keyboard will blink simultaneously to indicate it is in recording mode. Once you are finished recording, simply press Fn with F9 to stop recording and bind the recording to either the G1 or G2 (B or space bar) key.
You can adjust the brightness and pulse frequency under the Keyboard Luminance tab. Like most gaming keyboards, there can be one lighting effect for each of the six profiles included. Responsive lighting is available when the keyboard LED’s are turned off and the check box next to “Responsive Lighting OFF” is not checked. Pressing any key will illuminate the keyboard. There are a few brightness levels, such as low, medium, high, and a pulsating effect. You can also adjust how fast or slow you want the pulsing frequency to be.
Sound and Timer allows you to assign a certain sound to a key. A few pre-recorded sound effects are available to choose from, but you may record or import your own sounds as well. The timer function can delay a sound to remind you to do something later. This feature can also be useful when changing profiles or recording macros.
You can also record your own sounds and save them to the software. The sounds will only work when the Hera software is running.
The Timer Setting tab allows you to create and modify reminders. You can create timers by dialing in the amount of days, hours, minutes, and seconds. Choose an alarm from a list of five presets, and type in something to remind you what alarm it is once it comes on. For example, you can type in “Remove pizza from oven” so you do not accidentally burn your lunch while gaming. You can also choose a font size and the position of the text on the screen.
In the next section, we will take a look at how the Hermes E1 combo performs.
Hermes E1 Keyboard
The Hermes E1 mechanical keyboard felt great to type on and the Gamdias Blue mechanical switches did not feel any different than Cherry MX blue switches. Its aluminum frame prevented the body of the keyboard from flexing, making it very durable. As expected, each key registered perfectly except for the secondary Windows key and the scroll lock LED. The scroll lock LED did not exist as it was replaced with the Game Mode LED. With the Windows key disabled, the Game Mode LED would come on.
As for gaming performance, this keyboard performed well thanks to the tactile feedback from the blue mechanical switches and the 1000 Hz polling rate. Although blue mechanical switches are not the best switches for gaming to some, I personally prefer them as they require a bit more force to actuate when compared to red switches.
Like the Gamdias Hermes Lite mechanical gaming combo from last year, I could not get more than 10 keys to register at the same time. The Hermes E1 was in 21-key rollover mode, but it still gave me problems in game. For example, the keyboard would not register the V key if S and D were being pressed. I had to quickly release one of those keys just to get V to register. This problem did not occur only to this combination of keys, but on others as well.
The LED’s were very bright causing the keys to illuminate nicely. There was a small opening in the clear switch housing to allow the light to flow directly upwards towards the key cap. Comparing the switch housing to the Hermes P1 RGB, the Hermes E1 had a foggier look to it. This allowed the light to spread more evenly around the switch.
Demeter E2 Mouse
The Demeter E2 performed fairly well due to its 3200 DPI optical sensor. It had a 125 Hz polling rate, but it did suffer from acceleration. I was unable to perform fast flicks without having the mouse spin out. I play competitively, so I noticed quite a difference between the Demeter E2 and my Zeus P1. The sensor performed very similarly to the one in the Zeus E1, but the Demeter E2 did not spin out as easily. This mouse performed best in simple games like League of Legends, Dota, and non-competitive FPS games. But as an entry level product for someone who is new to PC gaming, the Demeter E2 is a great product. Of course, you may always upgrade later.
Button Response and Placement
I liked the placement of the side buttons as they were easily accessible with my thumb. They responded well but felt very mushy. I noticed when holding down the left mouse button while pressing the backwards side button, the backwards side button does not register. It would only register when the left mouse button was released. I had no problems with any other button combination.
Lighting
Lighting effects are pretty basic with its pulsing effect. The Demeter E2 pulsed between red, blue, and violet colors. Mouse performance and lighting settings could not be adjusted since there was no software support.
Size Comparison with Other Mice
The Demeter E2 was slightly larger than the Ventus R gaming mouse, but smaller than the Zeus E1. It also had a more aggressive body design compared to the other two entry level gaming mice. It felt somewhat similar to the Ventus R, but the surface had a lot of angles making it less comfortable. The Ventus R was also noticeably lighter. The Demeter E2 was much heavier in the rear than it was in the front. This could cause some grip issues when lifting up the mouse. The Zeus E1 was just a few grams heavier, and its body design was smoother and more suitable for medium to larger hands. With the smaller body shape on the Demeter E2, I was able to play fairly well since I had medium-sized hands.
NYX E1 Mouse Pad
The NXY E1 was a great compliment to this gaming combo. It was about the same size to a generic mouse pad you would normally find at your local retail store. The cloth surface felt nice and allowed great tracking performance even with an enthusiast grade product. It may not be the largest mouse pad, but some people would be very thankful to have it. As a free product, especially if you are new to PC gaming, you cannot go wrong with the NYX E1. At least you can start gaming while your friend is out shopping for a mouse pad because their combo did not come with one.
Let’s go into my final thoughts and end this review with my conclusion in the next section.
Aside from the buggy 21-key rollover, I am happy with the Hermes E1 combo. The keyboard and mouse performs well enough to meet the standards of a new PC gamer. With the addition of the keyboard wrist rest, key cap puller, and the free NYX E1 mouse pad, this is a solid value for the money. A gamer can start using this product especially since it comes with a mouse pad. Most keyboard and mouse combos do not come with a mouse pad, so players have to provide themselves with one. If you do not mind the buggy 21-key rollover, the Hermes E1 combo makes a great entry level gaming combo for the money.
Overall, the keyboard and mouse performs well enough to satisfy a new PC gamer, but there is an issue with its 21-key rollover. With some key combinations, I was unable to get three keys to register at the same time. This was rather disappointing especially for productivity purposes. The Demeter E2 has a decent body design, but it feels much heavier at the rear compared to the front. For simple games, the Hermes E1 Combo does perfectly fine and should serve a casual PC gamer well. It also makes a great mouse and keyboard for a secondary computer.
This mechanical gaming combo looks great with its simple design. The Hermes E1 looks nice with its silver aluminum frame and the Demeter E2 looks good with its pulsating lighting effect. There are not a lot of bells and whistles on this gaming combo, but the simple design makes a good complement to most desktop setups.
The Hermes E1 feels very durable with its aluminum frame and durable ABS construction, and the Demeter E2 feels solid with its thick plastic body. The Gamdias Blue mechanical switches on the Hermes E1 are rated for 50 million clicks, while the buttons on the Demeter E2 are rated for 1 million clicks. Comparing the Demeter E2 to the Erebos Lite in the Hermes Lite gaming combo from last year, the Erebos Lite has a significantly greater lifespan of 10 million clicks. I do not keep track of my mouse clicks as many people do not either, but I do own a few older mice that are still working even after 15 years.
When it comes to functionality, the combo serves its purpose well. The Hera software allows for customizability on the Hermes E1, but not with the Demeter E2. 21-key rollover is still buggy as certain three key combinations do not work. Not only does this affect gaming, but it does affect productivity where keyboard shortcuts are essential.
As of February 2017, the Gamdias Hermes E1 Combo sells online for $66.95 (Amazon | Newegg). Considering this combo comes with a full mechanical keyboard, key cap puller, and a free high quality mouse pad, it really is something to think about if you plan on purchasing a keyboard and mouse gaming combo. Cooler Master and Thermaltake do offer cheaper alternatives, but the Hermes E1 Combo offers more features and better build quality for a little bit more. Someone who is new to PC gaming or just wants a keyboard and mouse for a secondary gaming PC should really consider this gaming combo.
+ Great for a beginner
+ Simple yet elegant design
+ Affordable mechanical gaming combo
+ Free NYX E1 Mouse Pad and other accessories
– 21-key rollover can be improved
– No software support for Demeter E2
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Performance: 9.00
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Appearance: 9.00
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Construction: 9.25
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Functionality: 7.75
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Value: 9.00
