Introduction


While having customizable RGB backlighting, media controls, and various other features is significant, the most critical factor in evaluating a keyboard is the feel of its keys. The Patriot Viper V765 stands out as one of the initial keyboards to employ Kailh Box White switches, delivering an exceptional clicky typing and gaming experience that surpasses the Cherry MX Blue switches used in many competing keyboards. Add to that the vibrant RGB keys and a futuristic aluminum body, and you've got not only an excellent keyboard but also an outstanding value at just $89.


Patriot Memory Viper V765 Keyboard Review:



Specifications 


1. Keyboard Type

   - Mechanical Gaming Keyboard


2. Switch Type:

   - Mechanical switches for enhanced durability and tactile feedback. (Specify the switch type if applicable, e.g., Cherry MX, Razer Green, etc.)

3. Key Rollover:

   - N-key rollover to ensure simultaneous key presses are registered accurately

4. Backlighting:

   - RGB backlighting with customizable lighting effects and per-key RGB customization.

5. Keycaps:

   - Double-shot keycaps for enhanced durability and long-lasting legends.

6. Anti-Ghosting:

   - Advanced anti-ghosting technology to prevent false keypresses during intense gaming sessions.

7. Media Controls:

   - Dedicated media control buttons for easy adjustment of volume, playback, and mute functions.

8. Additional Controls:

   - Programmable macro keys for in-game shortcuts and complex commands.

9. Connectivity:

   - Wired USB 2.0 connectivity for a reliable and low-latency connection.

10. Cable Length:

    - A durable, braided cable with an appropriate length for easy setup.

11. Compatibility:

    - Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.

12. Software:

    - Configuration software for advanced customization of RGB lighting, macros, and key assignments.

13. Build Quality:

    - Robust and durable construction with a metal top plate for increased stability and longevity.

14. Wrist Rest:

    - Detachable wrist rest for ergonomic support during long gaming sessions.

15. Dimensions:

    - Provide the dimensions of the keyboard (length x width x height) for reference.

16. Weight:

    - Specify the weight of the keyboard for portability considerations.

17. Warranty:

    - Include details of the manufacturer's warranty, such as duration and coverage.

18. Packaging Contents:

    - List the items included in the box, such as the keyboard, wrist rest, user manual, and any additional accessories.

19. Price and Availability:

    79$

20. Additional Features:

    - Any unique or standout features that make this keyboard special, such as customizable RGB profiles, dedicated gaming mode, or additional USB pass-through ports.

21. Certifications:

    - If applicable, include certifications such as FCC, CE, or RoHS compliance.

Pros And Cons


Advantages

  • Exceptional, tactile typing sensation
  • Appealing RGB side illumination
  • Budget-friendly cost
  • Incorporated media controls

Disadvantages

  • Limited foot length
  • Subpar customization software
  • Slim wrist support

Design


The Viper V765 has a sleek gunmetal gray aluminum surface, sharp angled corners, and illuminated RGB panels on both sides. It resembles a stylish spaceship, but the dark gray color doesn't stand out much unless it's in a well-lit environment.

Measuring at 1.1 x 18.4 x 6.4 inches (4 x 46.6 x 20.3 cm), the Viper V765 is surprisingly compact for a full-sized keyboard. It still manages to include a top row with media control buttons and a volume dial. It easily fits in my relatively small backpack and weighs just 2.5 pounds (1,134 grams), so it doesn't add much weight.

One of the keyboard's design drawbacks is its short retractable feet. When extended, they only raise the keyboard by 0.5 inches (1.3 cm), providing a slope that might not be steep enough for some users. My larger classic-style Unicomp keyboard (1.75 x 19.25 x 8.25 inches, 4.4 x 48.9 x 21 cm) has feet that give a more comfortable 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) of elevation. It's worth noting that the Tesoro Gram XS we tested a few months ago didn't have any feet at all.

The keyboard connects to your PC via a 5.9-foot (1.8 meter) braided USB cable, which includes an attached cable tie for better organization. It would have been convenient if the Viper's cable was detachable for improved portability, but most full-sized keyboards also use integrated cables to prevent accidental disconnection.

Additionally, the V765 includes a small wrist rest measuring 1.75 inches deep and 0.5 inches (4.5 x 1.3 cm) high, which attaches magnetically. While the wrist rest has a comfortable, soft-touch surface, I found it too shallow and low to provide the support I needed. My hands hung off the edge, so I quickly switched back to my usual 2.75-inch deep (7 cm) and 0.75-inch (1.9 cm) high gel rest.

Typing Experience


If you want a quiet keyboard or one that feels flat and smooth, this isn't the one for you. The Kailh Box White switches are quite noisy but in a satisfying way. They produce a sharp and pleasant clicking sound every time you press a key. As someone who loves clicky keyboards, I was impressed by these switches. They allowed me to type rapidly and comfortably, even more so than on my other favorite keyboards: a Razer Black Widow with green switches and my Unicomp Model M, which uses the old IBM Buckling Spring technology.

Kailh introduced its Box line of mechanical switches in 2017, named after their plastic casing, which shields the mechanical components from liquids and dust. As a result, keyboards equipped with these switches, such as the Viper V765, are rated as IP56 water-resistant.

Compared to Cherry MX Blue and Razer Green clicky switches, the white switches on the Viper V765 have slightly less key travel. While the former two have 4mm of travel and actuate (register your keypress) at 2mm, the Kailh White Boxes actuate at 1.8mm and have a total travel distance of 3.6mm. The shorter keypress distance allowed me to type quickly while still having enough room to press the keys without bottoming out (hitting the base with maximum force).

I can't say for certain that I typed faster - I maintained my usual 95 to 100 words per minute on 10fastfingers.com - but my fingers felt less fatigued afterward. The only drawback to the typing experience is that raising the feet on the bottom of the Viper V765 doesn't provide much elevation to the rear of the keyboard. I would have preferred taller feet that gave the keyboard more of an incline.

The shorter keypress also benefits rapid key presses during gaming. When I played Dig Dug, I could pump up the bad guys faster than on my regular keyboard because I could hit the spacebar more rapidly. My colleague, Andrew Freedman, used the Patriot V765 to play Battlefield V and mentioned that he could move around and engage in the game with ease.

RGB Lighting


Like many of its rivals, the Patriot Viper V765 keyboard supports 16.8 million different colors for its keys, and you can customize each one. What sets it apart from most other RGB keyboards is the attractive light strips on both sides of the keyboard. When you first use it, these strips are set to plain white, and there's no clear guidance on how to change their settings in either the Viper application or the keyboard's manual. After contacting Patriot, I learned that you can switch the strips from white to off or a rainbow animation by pressing the Fn and right CTRL keys together.

The keyboard includes 10 pre-installed RGB animations, such as Radar (colors changing in a circular pattern), Raindrops (colors filling in one key at a time), and my personal favorite, Wave (colors sweeping across the keyboard). You can activate these modes by pressing the Fn key along with one of the function keys. Additionally, you can adjust the animation's speed, brightness, and direction using specific keyboard shortcuts.

Furthermore, you have the option to create up to five custom profiles where you can select individual keys to illuminate in your preferred colors. For example, if you want to customize the colors of the WASD keys along with I, O, and P, this is where you can make those adjustments.

Viper Program


The Patriot Viper software isn't particularly impressive. You can utilize the application to configure the same lighting effects and custom profiles as those accessible through keyboard shortcuts. It allows for precise control over the RGB values for each custom key.

Within the application, you can generate keyboard macros, but there are many third-party macro applications for Windows that provide more extensive features. You can also adjust the response time and report rate to potentially reduce lag, although we didn't observe any lag issues, even with the default settings.

If you own other RGB peripherals, please note that the Viper V765 doesn't support their software. So, if you have Razer Chroma, Corsair iCue, Asus Aura Sync, or similar software, it won't manage the Viper. Unlike these superior RGB applications, the Viper app lacks the ability to sync your settings to the cloud. You can use an import/export function to save your settings to a file, but you'll need to handle the copying manually.

On a positive note, you don't have to keep the Viper software running in the background, so it won't consume memory unless you actively use it. In fact, you may not really need it, even for creating profiles. Furthermore, since all the customized RGB profiles are stored in the keyboard's memory, you likely won't have to export a profile to retain your settings if you switch to another computer.

The Bottom Line


Although it isn't a flawless keyboard, the Patriot Viper V765 provides an almost flawless typing experience, all thanks to its outstanding Kailh Box White switches. I do wish the extendable legs were slightly taller to enhance typing comfort. Additionally, individuals who use other RGB accessories might desire more advanced software or at the very least, compatibility with software from different companies.

If you're not a fan of noisy keys, this keyboard is clearly not suitable for you. Nevertheless, given its price, impressive features, and exceptional key tactile feedback, the Viper V765 is an excellent option for both gamers and people who type frequently.