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Category: Test

  • Test & Review Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

    samsung s22 ultra

    Galaxy S22 Ultra In the test and review : lots of power, great camera, mediocre battery

    Samsung’s S series is the spearhead of the Korean smartphone portfolio, and the Galaxy S22 Ultra also combines the Note series. Can this go well?

    Samsung is the only major manufacturer to stick with its stylus, which was originally the trademark of the Galaxy Note series. The South Korean manufacturer did not continue this last year, instead it is now part of the S series. This only affects the top model, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.

    Impression Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

    Because while the S22 and S22+ rely on a rounder design, Samsung gives the Ultra model a different design that, with hard edges at the top and bottom and curved display edges, is not entirely reminiscent of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (test report) . The new model not only adopts the design, but also the complete pen functionality.

    Of course, this is also reflected in the price: the top smartphone costs 1249 euros in the smallest memory configuration. Only 1649 euros is the end of the top configuration. That’s a lot of money. In the test, we checked whether the S22 Ultra is worth its money.

    Design Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

    It has already been indicated: The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is not only clearly different from the S22 and S22+ in terms of technology, but also in terms of design. Because while these two models are based on the design of the previous generation with rounded corners and their special camera design. Samsung turns back time with the S22 Ultra and relies on the Note look from 2020.

    We don’t think that’s a bad thing, on the contrary. With the flat front and bottom, the manufacturer cleverly picks up on the Note design again, we really like that.

    The sides are so flat that the smartphone can even stand on a smooth, straight surface, at least on the front. On the foot side, the minimally protruding stylus prevents this kind of display. But it will be a balancing act anyway.

    Comfort Design Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

    Nevertheless, the model lies well in the hand – at least much better than one would expect from the angular design and dimensions. Two things support hand comfort: On the one hand, the long side edges are curved in a tight radius, which affects both the back and the display in front. On the other hand, the S22 Ultra is very well balanced, the center of gravity is pretty much in the middle.

    Since the processing quality is also perfect and the transitions from the glass front and back to the shiny metal frame are almost seamless and flowing, the S22 Ultra is almost flattering to the touch, despite all the adversities.

    If you are worried about unwanted reflections on the rounded sides of the display, you can rest easy: the curvature is so strong that there is hardly any room for reflections.

    On The Back Design Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

    The design on the back, on the other hand, may not appeal to everyone. Instead of integrating the individual lenses into a protruding camera unit, as with the S21 generation and the other two S22 models.

    Samsung uses lenses that stand out individually from the housing in the Ultra model. In addition to a smorgasbord of sensors, five “eyes” are looking at the user – it is not entirely unreasonable that some people are reminded of an insect.

    IP68 Ready On This Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

    But we don’t find it that optically unattractive, what bothers us is the fact that dust and fluff quickly accumulate between the lenses in the trouser pocket . And depending on the shape of the trousers and body size, the Ultra fits in there without any problems.

    Only cleaning or washing up will help, thanks to IP68 the smartphone is again protected against dust and water. Incidentally, the holder for the stylus is again at the bottom left of the smartphone; it protrudes a few millimeters when you press it lightly and can then be pulled out completely. The only way to put it back the wrong way is by force.

    Test Screen Samsung S22 Ultra

    The screen of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, which is protected by the latest Gorilla Glass Victus Plus. Should be up to 1750 cd/m² bright – that would be a new record. For the first time, there is now an extra button in the display settings called “Additional brightness”. Which actually increases the luminosity visibly again.

    Nevertheless, we could “only” measure 700 candela in manual mode, only in automatic mode and in bright sunlight does the measured value increase to over 1350 cd/m². That’s great and makes the high manufacturer’s specification for certain HDR content credible. Of course, the high brightness comes at a cost to battery life – we’ll discuss that later in the “Battery” section.

    Resolution Samsung S22 Ultra

    Not only in terms of brightness, but also in terms of the rest of the display equipment, Samsung is big. Up to 3088 x 1440 pixels are spread over a huge 6.8 inches, and Samsung continues to use AMOLED technology.

    “Up to”, because the S22 Ultra also supports extended HD and Full HD resolution. With Full HD in particular, the panel no longer achieves a grandiose 500 pixels per inch (ppi). But it forms a good compromise between image sharpness and battery life.

    However, you don’t have to make such a compromise with the refresh rate. Samsung offers adaptive control in its top model. Which theoretically varies between 10 and 120 frames per second – depending on the content. This is intended to ensure a smooth display of moving content and less power consumption for static content.

    State of the art Screen

    In general, the display of the S22 Ultra screen is excellent. Depending on the setting, colors are displayed intensely or naturally. The RGB color space is exceeded by 40 percent, and DCI-P3 is almost completely covered. Contrasts are terrific, the black value enormous – that’s how an OLED screen should be.

    Thanks to the great viewing angle stability and the exorbitant brightness, readability in direct sunlight is not an issue . If you don’t see anything here, you should visit an optician. The display of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is state of the art, but that was also the case for the screen of the predecessor.

  • iPhone 13 test: Still efficient and much more enduring

    .iphone 13 test performance

    The Apple iPhone 12 was in 2020 an excellent smartphone, however suffering from a somewhat light autonomy compared to its competitors. The iPhone 13 which succeeds it makes up for this weakness and has real advantages: a very well calibrated Oled screen, convincing photo performance, power and a perfectly mastered design.

    The fact remains that it still ignores 120 Hz, still sports a large notch and imposes a somewhat long charging tim. In short, the iPhone 13 is all in all very little innovative compared to its elder. Very good smartphone in itself, it will therefore be much more interesting for users of iPhones. Of generation 11 or earlier who wish to taste a smartphone cut for iOS 15 than for holders of an iPhone 12.

    Presentation

    Each new school year has its new batch of iPhones. The thirteenth generation is now available. The iPhone 13 is the central proposition of the fruity brand, offering the same format as the iPhone 13 Pro, but with a simpler photo block, like the iPhone 13 Mini. We can thus split the Apple 2021 range into two: on the one hand the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max ; on the other, the 13 Mini and 13. It is this last model that we subjected to all of our laboratory tests.

    The iPhone 13 is billed from €909 in its 128 GB version, and up to €1,259 in 512 GB. of the one that interests us here is identical to that of the iPhone 12 when it was released… for doubled storage.

    IPHONE 13IPHONE 13 PRO
    Weight174g204g
    Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm
    FrameAluminumStainless steel
    RAM4GB6 GB
    ROMs128, 256 and 512 GB128, 256, 512 GB and 1 TB
    Telephoto moduleNoYes
    LiDAR sensorNoYes
    Starting price909 €1159 €

    Ergonomics and design Iphone 13

    We made it clear in our iPhone 13 Pro Max review that it’s hard to tell the difference between generations 12 and 13 of Apple’s smartphones. The iPhone 13 therefore looks almost exactly like the iPhone 12, but like the Max model, it is a little heavier. Its additional 10 g bring it to 174 g for dimensions of 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm.

    The device is very slightly thicker too bad if you plan to use an iPhone 12 shell to protect the new comer.  Which is probably explained by the accumulator with which it is equipped. In hand, however, it is not particularly embarrassing.

    In the radius of the common points, we find the aluminum frame of the iPhone 12, available in new colors (including blue and pink) when the iPhone 13 Pro are designed in stainless steel.

    Button for Iphone 13

    The buttons remain placed on the right for the ignition key, on the left for the volume and silent mode settings. On the back, Apple keeps a glass that is always shiny and catches fingerprints. On the lower edge is the Lightning charging port that the European Commission wants to see replaced by a USB-C.

    As usual since the iPhone 7, no jack: at least we can take comfort in the fact that the legislation requires Apple to accompany its smartphones with EarPods headphones. On the other hand, it will be necessary to reuse an old charging block or acquire a new one, the Cupertino company no longer providing this accessory. We also note that the iPhone 13, like its predecessor, is IP68 certified, that is to say that it is waterproof.

    See From Front Iphone 13

    From the front, the iPhone 13 still gains a 20% narrower notch compared to that of the iPhone 12 . It is a little thicker and still accommodates the camera for selfies and the Face ID sensor dedicated to securing the terminal.

    At a time when its competitors have widely adopted discreet punches and are trying their hand at cameras under the screen. The maintenance of this notch is disappointing. The fact remains that almost 88% of its facade (excluding the notch) is occupied by a 6 OLED screen, 1 inch, which is very correct.

    Quality Audio of Iphone 13

    In the absence of a jack, as mentioned above, you have to go through wired EarPods, Bluetooth headphones or the speakers of the iPhone 13 which also deliver good listening quality.

    Spesification Screen Of Iphone 13

    The iPhone 12 already benefited from a beautiful screen, except that it was started by a large notch. O rage, it remains indeed present despite the efforts of Apple, which has reduced the width by 20%. At a time of widespread punches on mid-range and entry-level Android smartphones, it is undoubtedly a source of frustration, especially since the black borders that surround the screen of the iPhone 13 are not a absolute example of thinness.

    These considerations aside, the latest addition to the apple offers an Oled panel provided by LG Display, like that of the iPhone 12 by the way. It is progressing compared to its predecessor, thanks in particular to its luminosity. We measured it at its maximum at 864 cd / m² by opting for the adaptive display. In more energy-efficient standard conditions, this panel goes up to 532 cd / m², which represents a good score in absolute terms.

    Screen Iphone 13 for play Gaming

    In the comparison game, the iPhone 12 did less well, peaking at 635 cd / m² at best when the 800 cd / m² were only exceeded by the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020. What to compensate for the iPhone 13 a reflectance of 45.1% – in the average of smartphones. Of course – and ensure very good readability in direct sunlight. Oled requires, the contrast is almost infinite, which obviously contributes to the readability of this panel. We also note that Apple manages to limit the brightness of its iPhone 13 to 0.1 cd / m². Which your eyes should appreciate in the dark.

    Last quality noted, and not least: a simply excellent calibration, which translates into a delta E of 1, which indicates good respect for colors. We can obviously blame the smartphone for a very slightly perfectible color temperature at 6810 K, but it would be for the pleasure of quibbling. On the other hand, it’s hard not to regret that its refresh rate is set at 60 Hz. For 120 Hz, you have to switch to the iPhone 13 Pro or the 13 Pro Max model.

    Testing Performance Iphone 13

    Each new generation of iPhone includes a new chip. It is very logical that the A15 Bionic succeeds the A14 Bionic of 2020, while still promising more power. This chipset is based on the CPU side on six cores, including two Avalanche for the most demanding tasks, and four Blizzard cores. The 5 nm engraving inaugurated on the A14 Bionic is back, which undoubtedly contributes to the autonomy of the device.

    Remember here that it is impossible for us to subject the iPhone to our usual battery of tests. The A15 nevertheless easily ranks up to the tenors of the Android universe, whether it’s the Snapdragon 888+, the Exynos 2100 or the Kirin 9000.

    The Cupertino chip, benefiting from an optimization software cut for his beautiful eyes, works wonders within the iPhone 13 which proves capable of running all types of apps without flinching – with very contained heating. However, it is difficult to perceive the difference with the A14 of the iPhone 12, which is already extremely efficient. If you acquire an iPhone 13 to replace an even older model, the performance gain will be felt more.

    Result Test Camera Iphone 13

    The iPhone 13 sports a different rear photo block from the iPhone 12 since its two modules are aligned diagonally, and not vertically, but does not gain an additional sensor. For more than a wide-angle module and another ultra-wide-angle, with 12 megapixel sensors each, we must therefore turn to the Pro range provided for its share of telephoto lenses.

    In general, the iPhone 13 seems to retain the equipment of the iPhone 12, but the devil is in the details: its main sensor is larger. Its 1.7 µm pixels (1.4 µm for the iPhone 12) are reminiscent of those… of the iPhone 12 Pro Max , from which it therefore seems to have inherited the sensor.

    Compare Camera Iphone 13 with Iphone 12

    Does the wide-angle of the iPhone 13 deliver better shots than the iPhone 12 and does it live up to the iPhone 12 Pro Max?. We did the test (to be found here ) and the result is clear: the iPhone 13 offers a higher level of detail with much better homogeneity. Avoiding blurring of the periphery visible on iPhone shots 12. It comes up to par with the 12 Pro Max, at least when it comes to its core module.

    The gain is visible if we compare the smartphone to its elders. But the competition is fierce and it is important to situate this iPhone 13 against rival products, such as the Galaxy S21 from Samsung , but also the Galaxy S21+ with the identical photo island.

    Module

    Wide angle module: 12 Mpx, f/1.6, eq. 26mm
    At wide-angle precisely, the slightly cold hue spotted during our comparison. Is all the more visible as the exposure offered by the Galaxy S21 is a little better and the rendering a bit more saturated.

    The level of detail is high on both shots, but there is a slightly more marked accentuation on that of the iPhone 13.

    Night Mode

    The night mode, preferring a longer exposure (1/8 s), compensates for the defects previously noted. The exposure is much better and the details are more readable.

    We appreciate the quality of the processing carried out by Apple. Which avoids a smoothing very often present on the photos of competing models.

    Exposure

    The exposure, which is a little better controlled on the Galaxy S21 at wide-angle, is also controlled at ultra-wide-angle. By day, it allows above all to maintain a more vivid colorimetry, even if it means losing a tad natural.

    A marked accentuation also makes it possible to find details less well restored by the iPhone 13. Such as the characters on the edge of the book or the eyes of the dancers located on the left of the shot.

    If there is one exercise that few smartphones manage to emerge victorious from, it is that of ultra-wide-angle night capture. The iPhone 13 suffers from classic flaws: dark shots with digital noise and detail smoothing.

    That said, despite a lower level of detail than the Galaxy S21. The iPhone 13 has the merit of not recreating erroneous information. In short, the pictures are difficult to use, but a little more faithful.

    The long exposure activated automatically by the iPhone makes it possible, at the cost of pronounced digital noise. To find a much fairer exposure and a more satisfactory level of detail. Nothing to get excited about, but at least the elements of the shot are usable.

    Autonomy

    iPhones are gaining in endurance year after year and the 13 is no exception to this trend with a 3240 mAh battery instead of the 2815 mAh of the iPhone 12.

    It managed during our Netflix endurance test to hold 10:25 p.m. before extinction. Where the iPhone 12 had given up after 1:15 p.m. Enough to last a day in intensive use, and much more for the most economical.

    Time To Charghing Iphone 13

    At a time when fast charging is coming to almost all competing premium smartphones, Apple is resisting. It does not provide a charger with its devices, but at best it supports 20 W blocks. With a suitable charger, we measured just 1 hour 30 minutes. The smartphone is compatible with 15 W wireless charging (MagSafe) and standard 7.5 W Qi charging.

    Repairability Iphone 13

    Gadget iPhones are not among the smartphones with the best repairability indices. The iPhone 13, however, gains 0.1 points compared to the 12, because the dismantling of some of its components is a little easier than in 2020.

    For the rest, it loses points in that it requires the use of complex tools for its dismantling. Its spare parts are a bit expensive compared to the price of the new smartphone. But the iPhone 13 compensates with comprehensive software information and remote support.

    Durability Iphone 13

    Our sustainability score makes it possible to determine the sustainable aspect of the smartphone for both the consumer and the environment. It is based on the repairability index, durability criteria (protection index, standard connectors, warranty period and updates, etc.).

    And an assessment of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) policies.  You can find all the details of the analysis in our article presenting the sustainability score .

    Interface & OS Iphone 13

    The iPhone 13 comes with the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS 15.

    The novelty that made people talk about iOS 15 is unfortunately absent when it was launched.

    It is also possible to share your screen with said person. A feature that “brings closer” according to Apple and which should democratize remote watch parties .

    However, we will have to wait for a future update, Apple indicating that SharePlay should be available “later” . Still on FaceTime, we notice the appearance of portrait mode or even voice isolation when the user is in a noisy environment. At last,finally opens outside iOS devices since with a simple link, you can “facetimer” with an Android smartphone.

    Finally, gestures now work. You can switch pages or create a new one with a left or right swipe. A swipe up takes you back to all your tabs. Extensions are also making an appearance on Safari for iPhone. For the moment, they are only limited to ad blockers.

    Features IOS 15 on Iphone 13

    Many other new features are coming with iOS 15. Such as Live Text which detects the text present in your photos. Search for an address (when it is a business) or create a contact card if the text contains an email address, for example.

    In the case of a text in a foreign language. The translation can be done on the fly via the Photos app. Spotlight search is improving with more content, while privacy keeps your data even more protected, Photos also inaugurating Interactive Memories…

    You can find all these new features on the dedicated Apple website .

    Conclusion

    The iPhone 12 was an excellent smartphone in 2020, however suffering from a somewhat light autonomy compared to its competitors. The iPhone 13 which succeeds it makes up for this weakness and has real advantages: a very well calibrated Oled screen. Convincing photo performance, power and a perfectly mastered design.

    The fact remains that it still ignores 120 Hz, still sports a large notch and imposes a somewhat long charging time. In short, the iPhone 13 is all in all very little innovative compared to its elder. Very good smartphone in itself, it will therefore be much more interesting for users of iPhones.  Of generation 11 or earlier who wish to taste a smartphone cut for iOS 15 than for holders of an iPhone 12.

    • Iphone 13 was use OS 15
    • Features IOS 15 on Iphone 13
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    • Test battery iphone 13, how long to use ?
    • Test camera iphone 13
    • Best feature Iphone

  • Roccat Kone Pure Ultra Mouse Test – Software Update

    roccat kone pure image

    Roccat Kone Pure Ultra mouse test. Light, nice, but expensive

    Roccat Kone Pure Ultra is such an interesting mouse that you won’t even find it on the manufacturer’s website. It is not a very good proof of it due to the presence of this model on the market for several months.  But there, today we are not reviewing the company itself, and we are testing the Roccat Kone Pure Ultra mouse in the white version.

    Box and accessories included

    The box in which the Roccat Kone Pure Ultra comes to us presents what is most important, i.e. a render close to the actual size of the mouse on the front. A lot of information on the left side and what is most important in this model on the back. Inside, don’t count on impressive accessories, because the game, apart from the mouse itself in a plastic casing, includes only the user manual. However, I will save you reading – you connect the mouse to the computer via USB and voila, it works.

     

    See Also :  Razer Naga Trinity Review Software Driver and Manual Guide

     

    Design, materials and workmanship

    Tailored specifically for right-handed users. The Roccat Kone Pure Ultra is a model that boasts a low, about 66-gram weight without a cable. Which it obtained with a full, non-punched housing. This is one of the main advantages of this mouse, which combines directly with a matte finish with an admixture of rubber that is great to the touch.

    Its four-piece housing will appeal especially to those who like to feel the support of their hands on mice. Roccat achieved this with the Kone Pure Ultra with a deep groove for the thumb and a similarly designed right side panel for the little and ring finger.

    Design Roccat Kone Pure Ultra

    Instead of opting for a larger length or a higher ridge in the rear section.

    roccat kone pure image

    The Roccat in this model uses a fairly short casing with a very elliptical shape and many rounded edges. Although I do not like this type of approach personally. The adventure with Kone Pure Ultra finally came up positively, forcing me, as the owner of large hands. To use a palm-type grip in the 1 + 2 + 2 finger configuration. After a few hours of getting used to this rodent quickly. I liked it and I couldn’t really say a bad word about it in terms of its physicality.

    Good material

    Interestingly looking in the white version, the housing provides a solid grip, separated side buttons perfectly above the thumb. Easy access to the roller and, if necessary, two additional buttons above it, is something that should be appreciated. The case is similar at the bottom of the mouse, where a set of three sliders takes care of the smoothness of the glide. Two of them are huge and include a significant portion of the upper and lower base, and the third surrounds the sensor in the center. All of them have a smooth surface and rounded edges. Which, combined with their low weight, is perfect for dynamic movements.

     

    Related Post : MSI Clutch GM41 Mouse Gaming Review

     

    The whole thing is complemented by a thin USB cable in a rubber cover. Which can and is flexible, and in addition it easily fits into a mouse bungee or on the top itself. However, before it reaches these properties, you have to “work it out” a bit. So in other words, it suggests stretching and crumpling it right after unpacking.

    Button test

    Kone Pure Ultra offers as many as six buttons and a roller, which distinguishes itself from so many other models with this one button above the scroll. There is a pair specially dedicated to DPI changes, working without any revelation, but at least it does not jam. The situation is much better with those side buttons. Where high-end switches are evidently used, providing zero-one way of working with the loud, hard nature of the click.

    Some of this character can be found in the main buttons. But unfortunately Roccat has not revealed exactly what is under them. However, the switches there are said to withstand a lot, as much as 50 million activations. So it is not something from a low shelf, which I can definitely confirm after testing by combining high responsiveness. Well-balanced softness and hardness of the click and relatively low volume. If I gave them a rating, I would be between 7 and 7.5 to 10. I would also rate a fairly quiet roller with noticeable, characteristic shifts on the bearing, but a bit too frequent.

    Swarm software

    Next to them, we can adjust the mouse to assign proverbs from a whole bunch of options, choose the backlight effect and play with these more advanced settings. We are talking about the possibility of activating the zero debounce option. Adjusting the LOD parameter with calibration especially for our shim. Or checking in a simple test whether we have chosen a good level of sensitivity.

    Download for roccat software

    Kone Pure Ultra backlight

    If you want to illuminate the stand, you have nothing to look for here. Admittedly, the Kone Pure Ultra has a very bright RGB diode. But this one can only be found under the manufacturer’s logo on the spine. In addition to the options of the permanent mode, flickering, breathing, heartbeat and smooth transition, we also find the proprietary Roccat AIMO system, which allows you to connect the backlight of other products from this manufacturer. Depending on the choice, we can choose the theme, color and speed of the effect, but the choice of brightness is always an option.

    Owl-Eye sensor test

    In the Kone Pure Ultra mouse we find the original Roccat optical sensor in the form of Owl-Eye, the sensitivity of which can range from 50 to 16,000 DPI with increments of 50 units. After calibrating on a material pad (LOD was ~ 1.6 mm)

    Unfortunately, these results are not favorable for the model, and I have to add my three cents to them. Admitting that after switching to the Kone Pure Ultra from the mouse with the best PixArt sensor at the moment (PMW3389), the difference in precision was noticeable.

    No wonder, however, as the model does not maintain a constant 1000 Hz refresh rate (according to one program). Shows smoothing and gets lost a bit, as shown by the blue-red graph. Below you can see the effectiveness of Owl-Eye depending on the level of sensitivity in terms of high frequency interpolation and jittering. Both phenomena were already felt at the level of 3200 DPI. And the first signs of a decrease in sensitivity can be noted at the level of 1600 DPI.

    Roccat Kone Pure Ultra test – summary

    Currently, the Kone Pure Ultra costs PLN 289. I can definitely say that it is too much for a hundred money if you are looking for a mouse well balanced in terms of possibilities and about PLN 50 if you care about the appearance, an additional button and great workmanship. The biggest problem in this model is the precision itself, the low level of which surprised me at the start. As I did not notice such a big problem with other tests of the Owl-Eye models.

    Ultimately, the Kone Pure Ultra Roccata model is simply a nice-looking and well-made, pleasant mouse with slightly extended possibilities and low weight. It provides not only a high level of comfort, but also an ideal shape for grasping palm trees with large hands and claw with smaller ones. However, the thorn at its side is the sensor itself, similar to those in the PLN 100/150 segment.

    Kone Pure Ultra uses the traditional Roccat HUB, where we can find all the most important options and something extra. There are profiles to save in the mouse memory, a macro manager with extensive assignments depending on the games, five predefined DPI levels, roller speed, double-click speed and cursor in Windows, which, of course, corresponds to the system settings.

  • ELGATO Facecam Excellent alternative to Razer Kiyo Pro

    ELGATO Facecam Excellent alternative to Razer Kiyo Pro

    If Elgato has built a good reputation for itself thanks to its boxes and acquisition cards, the brand has grown significantly and now offers a full range of products dedicated to streaming.

    After the famous StreamDeck, its lighting systems or more recently its first Wave 1 and Wave 3 USB microphones, the brand finally presents its first webcam: the Elgato Facecam. A product that was surprisingly missing from the specialist’s catalog, now under Corsair’s supervision.

    Offered at € 199, the Elgato Facecam displays a high-end positioning and competes with models such as the recent Razer Kiyo Pro , the Logitech Brio or the AverMedia CAM513. It is capable of filming in 1080p60 and comes with software that allows you to adjust many of its settings.

    See Also : Razer Kiyo Pro High End Webcam

    Design and Ergonomics

    Before going a little more into the details of this Facecam, take a look at its design and general ergonomics.

    The webcam comes in a rectangular format and displays a rather minimalist design. All plastic, it is relatively discreet from an aesthetic point of view, but its dimensions are much larger than that of a small (and aging) Logitech C920 for example.

    At the front, the lens is protected by a cap which clips onto the Facecam. As with the Razer Kiyo Pro, we would have preferred a directly integrated system here. Note also the presence of a light indicator that can be activated when the webcam is in use.

    The upper front is badged with the Elgato logo and there are a few perforations on the back to limit heating during longer streaming sessions. It is also at the back that we find its USB-C port for power.

    Elgato Facecam review

    If Elgato has built a good reputation for itself thanks to its boxes and acquisition cards, the brand has grown significantly and now offers a full range of products dedicated to streaming.

    After the famous StreamDeck, its lighting systems or more recently its first Wave 1 and Wave 3 USB microphones, the brand finally presents its first webcam: the Elgato Facecam. A product that was surprisingly missing from the specialist’s catalog, now under Corsair’s supervision.

    Offered at € 199, the Elgato Facecam displays a high-end positioning and competes with models such as the recent Razer Kiyo Pro , the Logitech Brio or the AverMedia CAM513. It is capable of filming in 1080p60 and comes with software that allows you to adjust many of its settings.

    Design and Ergonomics

    Before going a little more into the details of this Facecam, take a look at its design and general ergonomics.

    The webcam comes in a rectangular format and displays a rather minimalist design. All plastic, it is relatively discreet from an aesthetic point of view, but its dimensions are much larger than that of a small (and aging) Logitech C920 for example.

    Protected Lens

    At the front, the lens is protected by a cap which clips onto the Facecam. As with the Razer Kiyo Pro, we would have preferred a directly integrated system here. Note also the presence of a light indicator that can be activated when the webcam is in use.

    The upper front is badged with the Elgato logo and there are a few perforations on the back to limit heating during longer streaming sessions. It is also at the back that we find its USB-C port for power.

    Support for easy put it

    Under the webcam, there is a support allowing you to put it directly on your desk or to easily install it behind your screen. The system itself is rather simple but works very well and areas of rubber grips to ensure good stability to the whole.

    The support also allows you to tilt the Facecam but also to rotate it in order to obtain the desired viewing angle.

    If you prefer to install the camera on another support, such as a microphone arm or an Elgato MultiMount for example, it is possible to remove its base and access a ¼ screw thread.

    Good Design

    Overall the design of this Elgato Facecam is rather successful, but we must admit that the Razer Kiyo Pro that we tested a few weeks ago displays a much more premium design with its all metal chassis.

    Its support is also more complete and offers adjustments a little more intuitive in our opinion.

    Elgato Camera Hub Software

    To accompany its first webcam, Elgato provides software called Camera Hub. Available free of charge from the manufacturer’s site, it allows you to adjust various parameters in order to personalize the rendering of the capture.

    The tool is rather easy to learn, with on the left the various parameters available and in the center a large preview window.

    It is possible to adjust the Facecam zoom, contrast ratio, saturation or sharpness. Below, a button allows you to choose to adjust the exposure of the image with the choice of an automatic mode or a manual mode.

    By opting for manual mode, we take control of the opening speed (Shutter Speed) as well as the ISO.

     

     

     

  • MSI Clutch GM41 Mouse Testing, Software Driver

    MSI Clutch GM41 Mouse Test

    If we rather know MSI for its excellent motherboards and graphics cards , the brand also offers a complete range of peripherals intended for gamers.

    Riding on the current trend of ultralight mice, MSI today unveils its Clutch GM41 displaying only 65 g on the scale. The idea is obviously to compete with certain references in the sector, such as the Glorious Model O , the Razer Viper or the most recent Mountain Makalu 67.

    See Also : Razer Orochi V2 Review, Software, and manual support

    Design & Ergonomics

    If MSI has often accustomed us to very “flashy” designs, the latest from the manufacturer displays a style a little more sober than usual.

    The mouse opts for a rather minimalist look, with a model that is on paper simple and effective. The field mouse is only offered in black and gray tones and comes with a small touch of RGB with the brand’s logo positioned on the side of the palm rest.

    A little more in detail, we first dwell on the dimensions of this MSI Clutch GM41. Here the manufacturer stands out a little from most of its competitors by presenting a mouse with a rather imposing size.

    Compact Dimension

    With dimensions of 130.1 x 67 x 38.3 mm, it moves away from the ultra-compact models that we had discovered in recent months, like the Cooler Master MM710 , the Xtrfy M42 or the Razer Viper Mini.

    Everything is weighed at about 65 g on the scale and for once it is a great feat on the part of MSI. Who manages here to reach this featherweight without the slightest perforation. For comparison, the Razer Viper weighs around 69g and has slightly more compact dimensions.

    Speaking of Razer Viper, it’s hard not to find some inspiration in it when you focus on the ergonomics of this GM41. By comparing the two models, we quickly see some similarities in terms of their format and their lines.

    This is particularly the case on the upper part of the mouse, which takes a format quite close to that of the Viper but in dimensions revised upwards. We also remain in both cases on a symmetrical format, even if the curvatures of the facades of the GM41 are in our opinion a little less subtle.

    Comfortables Mouse

    This slightly more marked choice does not bring any real advantage in terms of handling and may even bring some discomfort depending on the way you hold your mouse. If we enjoy correct comfort in Palm Grip , it is a little more complicated on our side when we opt for Claw Grip.

    It is difficult to secure the mouse really well and the ring finger is struggling to find its place. The Viper seems to us clearly better thought out, or at least adapts much more easily to our hand.

    Buttons for MSI Clutch GM41

    On the button side, we first find the two main clicks, here equipped with Omron switches with 60 million activations. Nothing to say about that, with very reactive activations, without pre or post-travel . It responds well and no play is to report on the side of the pallets.

    Between the two, there is a wheel well inserted in the mouse and easy to access. It is covered with a textured rubber coating and has well-marked notches. On our copy, however, they lack homogeneity and some notches are more marked and more audible than others.

    Two buttons are positioned on the left front of the mouse. Long and thin, they are easy to access and again offer perfectly adequate responsiveness and a good return to activation.

    Note also the presence of rubber grips on each of the fronts of the mouse. Rather pleasant, they bring a little more to the level of support.

    Connection MSI Gm41

    In terms of connectivity, the mouse comes with a 2m cable called MSI FrixionFree and designed to reduce friction on its mat. In use, it is above all one of the worst cables we have had the opportunity to test in recent years.

    While we expect to find a perfectly flexible and light cable like on most recent ultralight mice, MSI’s cable is incredibly stiff. Associated with the featherweight of the mouse, it is quite simply an aberration and it is clearly difficult to understand this choice.

    Depending on its position in your setup, it can quite simply render this Clutch GM41 unusable. The use of a bungee seems mandatory to us.

    Pads for mouse MSI GM41

    At the back of the mouse, there are 2 PTFE pads on the front and a circular one on the back. Leaving aside the cable, they provide excellent mouse glide. Too bad a spare set is not provided in the box in order to replace them after a few months of use.

    In the center, we find the sensor of the Clutch GM41 and to its right a last button allowing to switch between the different levels of DPI.

    MSI Dragon Center software

    To accompany its mouse, the brand proposes to install its in-house software MSI Dragon Center. Like a Corsair iCUE, the tool acts as a real hub and makes it possible to manage both the manufacturer’s components and peripherals.

    Overall, the application is not necessarily very intuitive and seems mainly composed of different “packages” depending on the products installed. In our case, we thus find a part “Mystic Light” and another “Gaming Gear”.

    Download software MSI

    Control  with application

    From “Mystic Light”, we will be able to manage the single RGB lighting of the mouse, with the brand’s logo positioned at the palm rest. We find classic effects with classic, breathable or rainbow lighting.

    If you have other MSI products, we imagine that it is also from this “Mystic Light” tab that we can synchronize the different lights.

    By going to the “Gaming Gear” tab, you can select the MSI Clutch GM41 and access its options. The tool allows you to create up to 3 configuration profiles but it does not seem possible to load them automatically depending on its games or applications.

    Performance

    The MSI Clutch GM41 is equipped with a PixArt PMW3389 optical sensor. If this is not the latest generation of the manufacturer.

    The model is able to climb up to 16,000 DPI, withstand speeds of 400 IPS and accelerations of 50 G. In use, nothing to complain about in terms of tracking the mouse works perfectly and never picks up during the gaming .

    Conclusion

    If the MSI Clutch GM41 could have been interesting thanks to its light weight, its affordable price. Its responsive buttons or even its excellent sensor, it is difficult to really recommend it against the current competition.

    Between its too rigid cable, its ergonomics not necessarily the most comfortable or its software dating from another era.

  • Razer Kishi Controller and Xbox game

    razer khisi Xbox game

    The “Project xCloud”: the Nintendo Switch Microsoft version

    The “Project xCloud” was in test since April 28, 2020 in France. Officially released, but still in development on September 15, 2020. The xCloud is compatible with most Android phones, although we are still awaiting an agreement between Microsoft and Apple to see it land on iPhone.

    The xCloud allows you to install an “Xbox Game Pass” application on your phone and tablet so you can play your games wherever you go, depending on your internet connection. You can therefore continue the game you started earlier, from your console or PC via your Android device.

     

    See Also : Test Xbox series X : Comfort and power to spare

     

    For my part, I was able to continue my backup of Grounded on my Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus during my break (when I could still work #NonEssential).

    On the other hand, not all Game Pass games are compatible via xCloud (given that it is still in development), so be sure to check the list of games before taking the plunge ! Finally, I would say that the xCloud accompanied by an Xbox controller or the Razer Kishi is a good alternative for players who do not want to buy yet another console, but still want to enjoy Microsoft games on the go.

    The Razer Kishi controller, between ergonomics and practicality

    Lightweight and comfortable, the Razer Kishi controller tends to remind us of Nintendo’s Joy-Con design, but with a more “grown-up” feel.

    Its compact but expandable size adapts to the dimensions of the phone; on the other hand, forget the Rhinoshield type phone cases, because too thick Tested, and disapproved.

    Design Razer Kishi

    Designed with Microsoft, the Razer Kishi sports the colors and layout of the elements of Xbox. The “Home” button and the offset joysticks will obviously remind you of the exceptional quality of handling Xbox controllers.

    The ducts on the front of the controller provide correct sound without suffocation. However, the use of the excellent Game Pass tends to knock out the smartphone’s battery.

    Which allows you to charge your smartphone while playing. Should you still have a USB-C socket on your smartphone to use the Razer Kishi controller on Android

    Is paying for Razer a guarantee of quality?

    Personally, I particularly like Razer. I already own two Kraken Pro V2 headsets, an anodized aluminum mouse pad and a few mice from my early days in gaming.

    However, I admit that once I got the controller in hand. I still found it odd that the Razer Kishi controller was made of lightweight plastic.

    After some research, I learned that the controller is manufactured by high-tech brand Gamevice and therefore does not come out of Razer’s factories.

    Build Quality

    The plastic seems less robust to me than what the brand had accustomed me to. I was even afraid of “weakening” the lever by opening and closing the attachment device, even if it is only a helping hand.

    Beware, that doesn’t mean the Razer Kishi is worthy of an entry level accessory, just that, in my opinion, it doesn’t live up to Razer’s craftsmanship either.

    Software Support for Razer Khisi Xbox

    Software & Manual > Download Update

  • Logitech K400 Plus Test : a wireless multimedia keyboard

    logitech k400 image

    Logitech K400 Plus Test : a wireless multimedia keyboard

    Logitech has just updated its multimedia wireless keyboard K400 and today offers an improved version, the K400 Plus. What are the evolutions of this keyboard, and do they make it better? Answer right away.

    Like its predecessor, the K400 Plus features a compact and convenient design that is easy to use with one or two hands. We can indeed find a button used to trigger the left click of the mouse at the top left of the keyboard.

    Dimension Logitech K400

    Its dimensions are 35.4 cm wide, 14 cm long and 2.3 cm thick.

    We note that the keyboard is very thin and does not have pads to raise it and adjust its inclination, which seems logical for mobile use. With its weight of 390 g, batteries included, the K400 Plus is very light, to the point that it is forgotten when placed on the knees.

    See Also : Corsair K95 RGB Platinum Review

    We notice the use of a thick and granular plastic which thus prevents the keyboard from slipping out of the hands and becoming too dirty, but is unflattering and recalls the material used on certain devices intended for children.

    Touchpad K400

    Nevertheless, it gives a certain solidity to the whole and, given the nomadic character of the K400 Plus and its use by the whole family, proves rather judicious once the first impression has passed. The finishes are also impeccable; no assembly defect is noted.

    As on the K400, the touchpad – which has swallowed up the numeric keypad – is also well thought out and practical. It can be configured through the software and assigned various functions.

    The default setting allows you to adjust the direction of scrolling, to enable or disable horizontal and vertical scrolling, to manage the speed of the pointer or to manage certain functions such as “tap to click” or the zoom by spreading or pinching with two fingers.

    Note that the volume control keys have migrated from the upper left corner to above the touchpad, making them more accessible when using the one-handed keyboard.

    USB Port Plug n Play

    Using the K400 Plus is as easy as its design. All you have to do is plug in the “Unifying” USB receiver – which is also used to control all Logitech mice -, turn on the keyboard and synchronization is done by itself. The keypad is ready to use and works at a distance of 10 meters from the base.

    This single receiver that allows you to pair several Logitech devices is very useful to avoid cluttering the PC or TV with various dongles. Unlike its predecessor, the K400 Plus runs on two AA batteries and promises a lifespan of 18 months.

    You can turn off the keyboard when it is not in use to save the batteries and store the dongle in the cover of the

    Impresion Use Logitech K400

    Finally, we note the presence of four small rubber pads, relatively ineffective and which do not prevent much the keyboard from sliding on a desk. Note alNo change on the side of the keyboard keys compared to the K400.

    Here we find membrane switches, flat, relatively wide and comfortable but hard to activate.

    Feedback is also very low, making typing laborious over long sessions and increasing the chance of typos. We regret that the “Enter” key is so small, which is a shame for such a used button.

    HIT for Logitech K400

    No change on the side of the keyboard keys compared to the K400. Here we find membrane switches , flat, relatively wide and comfortable but hard to activate. Feedback is also very low, making typing laborious over long sessions and increasing the chance of typos. We regret that the “Enter” key is so small, which is a shame for such a used button.

    The K400 Plus is relatively quiet, especially when you are used to mechanical keyboards. Typing producing a muffled and muffled noise on the letters. A little more clear and sonorous on the “Enter”, “Shift” keys and on the bar space.

    Conclusion

    Simple and efficient, the K400 Plus fulfills its role of nomadic keyboard and back-up very well. This is a very good mid-range multimedia keyboard, positioning itself between the first K400 of the name and the K800.

    However, the latter will be preferred for the backlighting, which is unfortunately still absent from the K400 series. But with its affordable price and versatility, the K400 Plus is satisfying.

    Logitech G Hub

    G Hub For Logitech

     

  • Logitech G613 Keyboard Review, Software and Manual

    Logitech G613

    Logitech G613 review

    When you taste the joys of wireless, it’s hard to go back to traditional peripherals. After gaming mice and headsets, it seems it’s the turn of mechanical keyboards to finally cut the cord.

    Recently unveiled at the PAX West conference, the Logitech G613 is indeed positioned as the very first wireless model truly adapted to gaming. What sound a small revolution in the sector?

    Advertised as just as powerful as its wired counterparts. Logitech’s new mechanical keyboard works without any cables and promises 18 months of battery life. Enough to enjoy excellent freedom of movement. Especially when paired with one of the wireless gaming mice presented in our selection .

    Design And Ergonomics

    Question look, the Logitech G613 is sober. The set is made of plastic, in black and gray tones. Allowing it to be discreetly integrated into a gaming or office oriented setup.

    Logitech G613

    At first glance, besides its few additional keys, nothing really suggests that it is actually a keyboard especially designed for gamers.

    Construction Logitech G613

    The construction is similar to what we had discovered on the Logitech G213 , and this wireless model also takes the broad outline. The set is therefore rather imposing, with approximately 48 cm in length and 21.5 cm in width.

    A template that will not necessarily be to everyone’s taste, and that we owe to the presence of a wrist rest directly integrated into its frame.

    If in practice it will provide additional comfort during use, we regret that it is still not possible to remove it.

    Others Logitech Keyboard:

    Ergonomics

    The few criticisms that we may have made concerning the construction of the G213 also remain present, with a structure that may be a little too flexible for our taste, especially on its upper part.

    The set has beautiful finishes, but obviously does not appear as robust as a SteelSeries Apex M750 or a HyperX Alloy Elite FPS.

    Additional Keys Logitech G613

    On the left of the keyboard, the G613 includes 6 additional keys named G1 to G6. You can come and assign the actions of your choice (or macros) via the Logitech software that we present to you a little below.

    A real bonus for office automation and certain games, such as MOBAs or MMOs. Where you can take advantage of additional shortcuts to facilitate access to your various skills.

    Obviously, these additional keys will not be to everyone’s liking there again. And fans of keyboards simplified to the maximum will have to be content with them, or wait while waiting for the announcement of other wireless mechanical keyboards.

    A versatile wireless connection

    The wireless connection of the G613 is made in a few seconds, and you can choose between LightSpeed connectivity (via the USB dongle) and a more traditional Bluetooth connection.

    It is even possible to combine the two and switch between them at any time via the dedicated keys on the keyboard.

    In practice, we will obviously opt for the LightSpeed connection when the keyboard is used for gaming. since this technology will allow a response rate of 1 ms. Enough to enjoy your games without the slightest latency.

    Bluetooth Connection

    The Bluetooth connection can in turn be used to connect the keyboard to a laptop, tablet or even a smartphone. We then better understand the presence of a dock allowing you to drop off your mobile phone. Since it will become possible to answer your SMS or write an e-mail on your smartphone from the Logitech G613.

    Support Software / Driver Logitech

    The G613 is compatible with the software included with most Logitech gaming peripherals. If you already have it, you just need to update it for the brand’s new wireless keyboard to be automatically detected.

    From the tool, it will be possible to create different profiles according to its games and applications. For each profile, we can then assign specific commands to keys G1 to G6.

    Note that unlike some competitors, it is not possible here to modify the mapping of the other keys of the G613.

    Driver Software and manual guide

    Software For Windows OS : LG Hub Installer

    Software For Mac OS : LG Hub Installer

    Manual Guide : Manual Guide

    Performance Logitech G613

    The G613 incorporates the Romer-G mechanical switches, already present on many models in the range. These are tactile switches approaching the experience offered by Cherry MX Brown. They have the following characteristics:

    • Activation force at 45 cN
    • Activation point at 1.5 mm
    • Durability 70 million keystrokes

    In use, the performance is as convincing as on the brand’s previous keyboards, with a typing that is both fast and responsive. Nothing to say, the Romer-G switches fulfill their role perfectly. And the choice will obviously have to be made according to your preferences.

    Some gamers will favor linear switches, such as the Cherry MX RED from the SteelSeries Apex M500 , others the Razer Yellow silent switches discovered on the BlackWidow Chroma V2 .

    Experience after use Logitech G613

    On our side, and after ten days of using the Logitech G613 for both office and gaming, the results are positive. The keyboard offers a pleasant typing, and it is impossible for the naked eye to tell the difference between this wireless model and a corded model.

    The responsiveness is exemplary, and no latency or signal loss was noticed during our tests.

    The keyboard is perfectly at ease on a desk, but can also be used to enjoy your games from your stay. In this configuration, we would nevertheless recommend using the extension offered by Logitech in order to best position the USB dongle acting as a wireless receiver.

    And if you see some latency appearing, chances are it is coming from your TV rather than the Logitech G613.

    Conclusion

    For a first in the world of wireless mechanical keyboards, the Logitech G613 is doing it with honors. Versatile and easy to use, it allows you to enjoy your games without the slightest cable. And we must admit that we have been waiting for this for a long time!

    While some players may regret a somewhat basic construction compared to the best gaming keyboards on the market. The G613 is nonetheless efficient and effective in all situations.

    The keyboard does exactly what is expected of it, and portends great things in the months to come. While waiting for the response from the competition, we can only recommend it! As a reminder

  • ROCCAT ELO 7.1 AIR Headset Testing, Software Support

    ROCCAT ELO 7.1 AIR

    The Roccat Elo 7.1 Air is the brand’s first wireless gaming headset. Offered under the 100 € bar, it allows you to enjoy the comfort of wireless without breaking the bank and has a rather neat design for its price.

    The sound performance is decent, as is the battery life exceeding 20 hours. Too bad the Swarm software still lags behind the competition.

    ROCCAT ELO 7.1 AIR Review

    Roccat unveils its new range of gaming headsets with the Elo models. On the program, three models meeting the needs and budgets of most players:

    • Roccat Elo x Stereo : The most affordable, with a price of 49.99 € and a 3.5 mm connection allowing it to work with all current platforms.
    • Roccat Elo 7.1 USB : A little more expensive with a price of 69.99 € , it connects via USB and benefits from virtual 7.1 compatibility and RGB lighting thanks to the Roccat Swarm software.
    • Roccat Elo 7.1 Air : The Air version takes over the functionality of the USB models but goes wireless with a 2.4 Ghz connection. Count 99.99 €.

    It is this wireless version that we present to you today. This is Roccat’s first foray into the wireless world and the headset will compete with the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 , the Corsair HS70 Wireless Pro or even the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless .

    See Also : Cyber Acoustics Stereo PC Headset Perfect Choice for VOIP

    Design & Ergonomics

    The design of this new Elo range has been completely revised compared to the brand’s previous helmets. The manufacturer opts here for a system with a suspended arch, like what we had already discovered on the SteelSeries models or more recently on the Logitech G733 Lightspeed .

    The three models have a fairly similar design, with the only difference being the absence of RGB lighting on the Elo X Stereo model, the most affordable in the range. For the rest, the whole is strictly identical, with a rather imposing look and dark tones.

    Helmet Design Detail

    In the details, we first focus on the new headband of these Elo helmets. Two metal bands come here to support the structure of the helmet and give it a certain strength.

    Lower down, a padded headband adjusts to the shape of your head. The upper part is badged with the brand logo while the section in contact with the skull is equipped with a breathable fabric to limit perspiration.

    Design Ear Cup Free for Degree

    The ear cups can be rotated 90 °, so as to adapt more easily to the morphology of each player but also to facilitate the wearing around the neck or the transport of the helmet. They are then mounted on hinges again offering a few degrees of freedom so as to fit perfectly against the ears.

    The outer shell is accompanied by Roccat AIMO compatible RGB lighting. They can be configured from the Roccat Swarm software, which is discussed a little below.

    The inner part of the ear cups has removable pads with memory foam. They come with an imitation leather covering and benefit from ProSpec s technology . The latter facilitates the wearing of glasses by limiting the density of foams at the level of the passage of the branches. A little extra that we already found on Turtle Beach helmets , now Roccat’s parent company.

    Comfortable Roccat Elo 7.1 Air

    Once on the head, the Roccat Elo 7.1 Air is comfortable, especially at the level of the hoop. The weight of the helmet is well distributed over the head and you quickly forget its almost 350 g on the scale. As for the atria, it’s a little worse and the foams would have deserved a little more generous and soft padding in our opinion.

    Place the controls of the headset and here everything happens on the rear edge of the left atrium. There is a first wheel to manage the sound volume (synchronized with Windows) then a second to adjust the monitoring level, to more or less hear your own voice when using the microphone.

    Below, a first button allows you to mute or activate the microphone capture and a second to turn the headset on or off. A dedicated USB-C connector for charging completes this highly charged headset.

    Button Position for Roccat Elo 7.1 Air

    In use, these different commands are not necessarily very intuitive to learn. This is particularly the case with the volume wheel, which is poorly positioned and difficult to reach on the first try.

    Also, rather than an adjustment of the monitoring, we would have liked to be able to manage the mix between the sound of the game and that of the voice chat, as is often the case on Turtle Beach headsets.

    At the front of the headset, there is finally a last connector for the removable microphone of the Roccat Elo 7.1 Air. No windshield protects the capsule and we will come back to the end of the article on the capture performance.

    Connectivity

    The Elo 7.1 Air works wirelessly, via a 2.4 Ghz connection. This is the one and only method of connecting the headset and it is not possible to use it in Bluetooth, or even in wired.

    To connect the headset wirelessly, you will need to connect the USB dongle to your PC and then hold the Power button on the headset for 2 seconds.

    In use, no negative point to underline concerning the 2.4 Ghz connection (or Stellar Wireless to use the terms of the brand). The range is quite good, with about fifteen meters before suffering the slightest cut.

    As for autonomy, Roccat announces up to 24 hours wirelessly. This seems to correspond to our results. Even if we can obviously have some differences depending on the intensity of the lighting and the listening volume.

    Roccat Swarm software

    The helmet is compatible with the brand’s in-house software, Roccat Swarm. It is available for free from the manufacturer’s website and we obviously recommend that you install it if you want to take advantage of all the options of the Roccat Elo 7.1 Air.

    From Swarm, you can create up to 5 configuration profiles and load them automatically according to your games or applications.

    Roccat Software Support

    Parameter setting

    From the “Parameters” tab, there are various inserts allowing you to adjust the sound options of the headphones.

    It is possible to manually adjust the equalizer of the headphones, or to select one of the presets already offered by Roccat. There are also some additional options with the settings “Clarity of voices”, “Clarity of sounds” or “Bass equalizer”.

    Also from this same window, you can also adjust the volume of the headphones and the monitoring level, activate or deactivate the virtual 7.1 surround mode or even opt for the Superhuman Hearing mode.

    Microphone option

    There are also some options for the microphone, with the ability to select the sampling rate. Activate noise cancellation or adjust the sensitivity of the capture. Finally, a “Magic voice” option allows you to modify the rendering of your voice. It’s a bit difficult to understand what these options do to be honest.

    A final section allows you to view the remaining battery life of the headset. It is also possible to display an indicator directly in its icon bar. However, there is no option to modify the headset’s automatic standby time.

    Lighting Effect

    The second “Lighting” tab takes care of the adjustments of the RGB effects. We can opt between static, breathable or flashing lighting or opt for the AIMO effect and synchronize all this with the brand’s other peripherals.

    Note in passing that the software does not allow you to directly deactivate the RGB lighting. It will be necessary to select a lighting then to select an “empty” block in the choice of the color. When you know how RGB effects can tend to reduce battery life, that’s a shame.

    Overall of Setting

    Overall, Roccat’s software deserves a facelift. The multiplication of options available is more likely to lose the user than anything else. Hundreds lack an explanation as to their real usefulness, while others just have no place here. Also, it is necessary to wait a second or two to apply each change and this quickly discourages us from setting up the headset in great detail.

    Sound performance

    The Roccat Elo 7.1 Air has 50mm neodymium transducers. As explained a little above, the sound reproduction can be adjusted according to your preferences via the Roccat Swarm software. And you will have the choice between a stereo or virtual 7.1 mode.

    To get a better idea of ​​the sound performance of the headset. It has been tested with the default settings on several games such as The Witcher 3, Call of Duty Warzone, Battlefield V or even Hades.

    Quality for price?

    Overall and for its price, the headset does a decent job. We enjoy a relatively well balanced sound and the various details stand out. On The Witcher 3, the soundtrack and the sound effects stand out as well as the numerous dialogues and the excellent VO dubbing of the game.

    We obviously remain a good notch below the big names in the sector. like the Astro A50 Gen 4, but the Roccat model is also 3 times cheaper.

    Sound Rendering

    Same fight on the different FPS, where the Elo 7.1 Air allows you to enjoy a convincing rendering in terms of shots or explosions. Without covering the small details allowing you to spot your opponents.

    The Superhuman Hearing option can tend to distort the sound rendering. But by emphasizing certain specific sounds, we can hear much better the noise of an opponent hidden in the next room for example.

    To see if you are ready to ignore the immersion and the sound quality to possibly better distinguish your enemies.

    Microphone quality

    We end with a point concerning the microphone of the Elo 7.1 Air. If you are used to online gaming, this is obviously an important point when choosing a gaming headset.

    Here, Roccat’s helmet is once again doing a decent job. The capture is convincing, with a voice that is natural enough and powerful enough to be heard without raising the tone.

    We obviously remain below a real USB microphone like the Blue Yeti X , but for the price it’s all good.

    Conclusion

    With a manufacturer price of € 99.99 , the Roccat Elo 7.1 Air has one of the best value for money. In the sector if you want to equip yourself with a wireless gaming headset without breaking the bank.

    With a solid design, decent sound performance and plenty of features via the Swarm software. Roccat offers here a complete and affordable gaming headset.

    However, all is not perfect and despite this aggressive price, some reservations emerge after ten days of use. We may in particular regret the somewhat thin padding of the pads. Not very intuitive controls or even Roccat Swarm software which would benefit from being simplified.

     

  • Razer Kiyo Pro High End Webcame Review


    The Best Webcam of 2021?

    The Razer Kiyo Pro is a high-end webcam offered at around 200 €. It mainly targets players who are fans of streaming or professionals wishing to equip themselves with an efficient and easy-to-use solution for their video conferencing.

    It stands out with its HDR option allowing it to offer very good image quality. With or without additional lighting. It is capable of filming at 1080p60 in classic mode and 1080p30 with HDR mode enabled.

    Peformance Razer Kiyo Pro Webcame

    Three years after its Kiyo , Razer is upgrading its webcam by unveiling a new Kiyo Pro version . For this second generation, the manufacturer is abandoning integrated lighting and relying on a much more efficient sensor to appeal to streamers and professionals who multiply videoconferences.

    The manufacturer announces that it has developed a sensor capable of adapting to different lighting situations, and in particular with low light. A point that should be of particular interest to players who are used to playing in dark rooms.

    For the rest, the Kiyo Pro offers 1080p 60 or 1080p 30 capture when you activate its HDR functionality and it is possible to opt for a more or less wide viewing angle.

    Positioned at the top of the range with a price of around € 200 , it competes with models such as the Logitech StreamCam or the AverMedia PW513.

    Design & Ergonomics

    The webcam takes a circular look quite close to that of the first Kiyo. Its size is however a little more imposing, with a slightly deeper body and a completely revised adjustment system.

    The webcam chassis is crafted from a rather confident black plastic, with a ring on the front reminiscent of the one found on camera lenses.

    The latter is however more aesthetic than anything else, since it cannot be rotated and therefore does not allow to mechanically adjust the zoom or the focus of its lens.

    Webcam USB-C Connector

    At the back, there are various perforations to limit heating as well as a USB-C connector. The Kiyo Pro now benefits from a removable cable, and if the 1.5m length offered by the default cable is not enough for you, we can easily opt for another slightly longer cord.

    As for the adjustments, the camera is fixed on a first plate allowing it to rotate 360 ​​° as well as from bottom to top.

    It can be dislodged from this fixing to come and place it directly on another support or a tripod thanks to its integrated screw thread.

     

    See Also : Logitech C922 Pro Webcam Review and Test

     

    The webcam can be mounted on a tripod

    The support is then made up of two plates with soft-touch coating making it easy to hang the Kiyo Pro behind a screen or, on the contrary, to place it directly on your desk. It all works pretty well and the webcam should be able to adapt to just about any situation without too much problem.

    Under the support, there is also a second screw thread allowing the assembly to be fixed once again on a tripod, a telescopic arm such as the Elgato Multi-Mount or on a ring-light for example.

    Finally, when not in use, it is possible to place a cap in front of the lens so as to hide it. We would have preferred here a system directly integrated into the camera in order to avoid losing it.

    Image quality

    Now that we have looked at the owner and the options offered by this Razer Kiyo Pro, let’s move on to image quality.

    As explained a little earlier, the webcam offers two types of capture with a classic mode in 1080p at 60 FPS and an HDR mode still in 1080p but this time limited to 30 FPS.

    For once, it’s a bit of a shame that we are limited in terms of framerate in this second mode, because we will see that the latter brings a real plus in terms of image quality.

    4k Recording not Support

    Despite its price of 200 €, also note that the Kiyo Pro does not offer 4K recording. If this may seem strange for some users, we find on our side that the Full HD resolution remains largely sufficient for a webcam.

    In addition to these two recording modes, it is also possible to opt for a more or less wide viewing angle at 80 °, 90 ° and 103 °. In practice, however, we will see a little below that the differences between these three modes are not really huge.

    Rather than a long paving stone, we suggest you discover below some examples of capture in different situations. Obviously, to better appreciate the image quality. We especially recommend that you take a look at our presentation video available at the top of this article or directly on our YouTube page.

    Better than Logitech C920?

    Also, in order to obtain a point of comparison, the Razer Kiyo Pro will also be compared to the aging but still very popular Logitech C920. available for its part under the bar of 100 € as well as a Samsung Galaxy S10E smartphone via the Iruin Webcam application.

    We will try to add you eventually a comparison against the Logitech Brio 4K, the high-end model of the brand.

    See Also : Logitech HD Pro C920 Webcam Review

    Conclusion

    With its Razer Kiyo Pro, the manufacturer offers a convincing high-end webcam. Thanks to the HDR mode, the image quality is there. And whether or not you have specific lighting to illuminate your room.

    We appreciate its well thought out ergonomics, allowing it to adapt to most situations and screens, but also to the vast majority of media. The finishes are also of good quality, but we may regret a (removable) cable that is a little too short.

    The question of price obviously remains, because at nearly € 200 this Razer Kiyo Pro is clearly not cheap. For a similar budget, today we can equip ourselves with an Elgato CamLink style capture card. And associate it with a used GoPro for example.

    The image quality will probably be better, even if we lose the “ Plug-and-Play” side of a traditional webcam. To see according to your preference