I am back with another WIZMAX review and this time for the WIZMAX ZK2 Professional Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard.
WIZMAX is a gaming company under Hanmi Micronics Global (an electronics company that has been around since 2005) and is based in South Korea (a country known for its entertainment and culinary side, but also known for their hardcore gamers and its competitive e-sports academies) and also location in the Philippines, and the gaming company was established back in 2005.
While many may not be familiar with WIZMAX, including myself, considering I review a lot of gaming hardware from all over the world, aside from K-Pop, Korean food/restaurants and Korean culture events, I have not really reviewed any gaming hardware from companies based in South Korea. So, I’m looking forward to reviewing this company’s products.
The WIZMAX ZK2 Professional Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is the company’s most advanced mechanical gaming keyboard with a 2nd Gen MANIC Switch, double paint coating, streamlined RGB, dynamic design, MECHA Font Design and State Indicator. And features a metal casing that utilizes 3mm layers of sound absorbing material.
So, let’s delve into these things that the ZK2 is known for.
What is a MANIC Switch? Well, many gaming keyboards have their own system of switches. For WIZMAX, they use Micronics MANIC SWITCH which is 1ms speed and allows up to 60 million clicks. The gaming switches follow other gaming keyboards in offering Blue/Red/Brown switches.
Blue is standard for clicky, red is known for being quiet and brown is the inbetween of both, not so loud and not so clicky (best of both worlds). For the ZK2, I am reviewing the red switch version.
WIZMax comes with a switch puller that is hot swappable and three extra red switches. But let’s say there are certain keys that you want to change out, the ZK2 supports Kailh, Gateron and Oetemu switches.
You get 14 different RGB effects, but go online to the main website for Micronics Global and you can download the Micronics software to choose from various effects. It’s important to note that on top of those RGB effects, you can choose stand alone colors as well. And if you download the software, you also have a macro editor which is a plus.
But let’s say you are using this at the office and IT won’t allow you to install the Micronics software. No problem! You can use the function key plus various other keys to change the LED effects (the image on how to change the colors via pressing certain keys is also featured on this product’s page on Amazon)..
There is also anti-ghosting technology of a polling rate of 1000Hz. So, no random keys pressed due to ghosting.
And yes, for those who depend on knowing if the numlock keys or the caps lock keys are on, this keyboard does offer it.
For office workers, the additional use of double paint coating is a plus, because one such problem with other keyboards (especially for those who eat and type) is the letters disappearing. With the double coating, this help protect the keys from warping and losing letters. I don’t eat greasy things and type with greasy fingers, so I can’t comment how effective the double coating will be overtime.
And the keys use Micronics own typography, which thankfully is easier to read (some companies tend to be creative to the point that it’s hard to read).
You get a fabric-based cable and gold plated USB.
Now the company is competing with other brands that sell their keyboards for close to a $100, the ZK2 goes for $95.
I have reviewed many gaming keyboards at this pricepoint and I know part of the expense is paying for the brand name. For the most part, you are getting a solid keyboard and you are not paying the extra $50-$100 on a brand name.
It’s easy to type, and while it’s linear, I feel that so far it has provided me with a smooth and consistent keystrokes. I was able to use this for gaming and for work. In fact, I’m using it while I’m typing this review and I do like the overall feel.
And while I have not reviewed their WK2, pictures alone, I like how the ZK2 has the keys closer to the edge and not so much extra space on all sides.
With that being said, the WIZMAX MK1 keyboard is still their high end and more expensive keyboard but is moreso for its RGB LED and if you prefer to have more lights and a Viki type switches.
But overall, this is a solid gaming keyboard, especially those who want to use it as a hybrid for gaming/work.
It’s all subjective on whether your prefer linear or tactile but I can tell you in terms of sounds and how smoothly things are when hitting the keys, the WIZMAX ZK2 Professional Wired Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with red switches is highly recommended!
