Logitech Announces G610 Orion Brown And G610 Orion Red Mechanical Keyboards
by Brett Howse on March 17, 2016 3:01 AM EST
Today Logitech unveiled two new mechanical keyboards under their G branding, with the G610 Orion Brown and G610 Orion Red. As I’m sure many of you have already guessed, the different naming doesn’t refer to the color of the keyboards, but the Cherry MX switches inside. Logitech, being one of the world’s largest maker of computer peripherals, already makes mechanical keyboards with their own Romer G switches, as Ian saw at his Logitech Tech Day in Switzerland, but it must be hard to compete against the weight of the Cherry MX name, so the G610 Orion features either Red or Brown versions of the Cherry MX lineup.
Logitech calls the Cherry MX the “industry standard in mechanical switches” and that would be hard to argue at this point. The switches are rated for over 50 million keystrokes, and the wide array of switch models make them a favorite of a large range of people. Logitech has chosen the Brown, which have “a tactile bump for feedback” as well as the Red, which have “a linear keypress” and since everyone seems to have their own preference when it comes to the Cherry MX switches, it’s nice to see them offering two options. Key travel is 4 mm and actuation is 2 mm, and the switches are rated for a 45 gram actuation force.
The keyboards also feature customizable backlighting, and while the light is a monochrome white, brightness levels can be adjusted on a per-key basis. The key lighting is controlled by the Logitech Gaming Software, and allows synchronization of the lighting with other Logitech G products.
Other features of the keyboards are a fingerprint-masking matte texture, which is something I’d love to see on more laptops, and Logitech has gone with a 6-foot braided USB cable which not only looks better than plastic, they generally are a bit easier to work with as well.
The keyboard features dedicated media keys, as well as full customization of the keyboard using the Logitech Gaming Software, including macro support for the F1-F12 keys. This and lighting can be controlled when you enable Game Mode. The keyboard itself is 153 mm x 443.5 mm x 34.3 mm and weighs 1.2 Kg.
The Logitech G Orion Brown and Red keyboards will be available this month in the US and Europe, with a MSRP of $119 or €139, which is a bit less than the Logitech G910 Orion Spark.
Source: Logitech
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bug77 - Friday, March 18, 2016 - link
I'm looking at the official page (and linked reviews) and it doesn't seem like they have either. Maybe you were thinking of a different model?Sttm - Thursday, March 17, 2016 - link
What you talking about like half the gamer keyboards have a usb port. Like my G710+ does.As for the headphone jack, we live in an age of usb headsets and quality headphone amps on soundcards and motherboards, the low end headphone keyboard port is simply obsolete.
Chaser - Friday, March 18, 2016 - link
My $100+ KB has both and more.alexvoda - Thursday, March 17, 2016 - link
When I read the title I was expecting a new variant of the Romer-G switch.The existing Romer-G is light and tactile, therefore similar to the Cherry MX Brown.
I was hoping this meant a linear version of the Romer-G would also be produced.
Kinda disappointed now. I hope they will eventually release linear (Red) and clicky (Blue) versions.
guidryp - Thursday, March 17, 2016 - link
"it must be hard to compete against the weight of the Cherry MX name"I would say it is a lot harder to compete against the volume pricing of the Cherry switches. IIRC, these are significantly less expensive than similar keyboards using in house Romer keyswitches.
Sttm - Thursday, March 17, 2016 - link
OMG finally a mechanical keyboard with dedicated media keys and no bulls%$t. Clean and functional. Though a little pricey.HomeworldFound - Thursday, March 17, 2016 - link
I liked my Logitech mechanical keyboard but I like to keep it clean. Some keys just broke under normal usage situations. The plastic mounting under the keys can be fairly brittle and will break off. Logitech refuses to stock or issue replacement keys for mechanical keyboards. Thankfully Amazon took mine back after a year of usage where Logitech decided not to help.WatcherCK - Thursday, March 17, 2016 - link
Something I look for in a keyboard (after seeing the last image in the article) are super solid forward feet or even a base that runs along the front underneath of the keyboard, the number of keyboards I have rage slammed (im trying to learn patience with video games sir honestly) a keyboard and watched those little plastic feet go flying off in different directions...My wrists love a good comfortable rest too Logitech :)
Yea, love my model M it was built on planet krypton and is indestructible, in use however it scares cats and small children and miserably fails the wife acceptance test :/
Moirraine - Friday, March 18, 2016 - link
Keyboards are made improperly.The number pad should be (for ALL) on the LEFT side.
The keys should be farther apart than most of these keyboard realize.
Keys should not be the same size for every single person - some with bigger hands will need keys set apart and larger. Many with tiny hands need keys farther apart and SMALLER.
As far as Logitech - they are the most RICIDULOUSLY bad mechanciale keyboard producer ever.
My 710+ lasted a whole four months before the keys (over two DOZEN of them) broke underneath form REALLY BAD PLASTIC CAPS.
Keyboards are essential until we have complete voice control, which seems we were lied about about four times now.
My $19 keyboard at least is WASHABLE and the keys aren't breaking.
Logitech can't even match THOSE specs.
dananski - Friday, March 18, 2016 - link
Glancing through my AT RSS feed, "brown onion, red onion... wait what?"Looks promising. Cherry MX browns are my preference and I like fairly spartan (but complete) key layouts like this. Already got my qpads though.