Each type of keyboard switch comes with perks and downsides. People who are used to typing on mechanical switches might dislike how quiet and squishy analog switches are by comparison. Regardless of your thoughts there, analog switches stand out because there are so many ways that gamers can customize how quickly they register inputs. Logitech’s new wired G512 X model attempts to settle the debate by letting you mix-and-match them as you please. The company claims that 39 of this model’s switches are compatible with “almost all” popular analog and 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches.
The G512 X is launching in the compact 75- and bigger 98-key configurations in black (with purple accents) or white (with turquoise accents). All options will launch on May 2nd for $179.99 and $199.99, respectively, and they’re available for preorder now.
The marquee feature of its TMR sensors is that they enable up to two actuation points per key that trigger at various points during your key press. This depth in customization is useful in games where you need to be delicate and sometimes swift with your inputs. Logitech says its second actuation point provides a tactile response you can feel as you press.
These TMR switches also support rapid trigger, which quickly primes them for another input without needing the keys to fully spring back up (useful for spamming attacks or making small movements faster than your opponents). Those features go away when you swap analog switches to mechanical switches, but it’s nice to have the flexibility to go back if you want to.
The hybrid switch bed set the G512 X apart from the competition, and it has the potential to become a popular feature in gaming keyboards moving forward. And, it’s great that Logitech’s model offers the best of both worlds at a somewhat reasonable price point.