CM Storm Devastator Bundle Review

[JohnManuel]

Hello everyone!

Here’s my quick review of the CM Storm Devastator.

The bundle is comparatively cheap at around 30-40 dollars. I picked mine up at NCIX for $35.99 before tax. Before I start, here’s where I’m coming from;

 

·         I have only every used a OEM mouse (Lenovo to be precise)

·         My previous keyboard was a Gigabyte K8100

·         I’m a casual gamer (couple of hours a week, run of the mill stuff; GTA V, Shadow of Mordor etc.)

·         I have used mechanical keyboards in the past

Pros:

1.       Backlighting on the Keyboard.

The backlight on the keyboard is awesome (I got the red version), it seems to light up the entire membrane, making the keys clearly visible. It reminds me of the Razer Blackwidow Chrome that my roommate had. It is way better than the pathetic light, struggling to illuminate half a key, on my old K8100.

 

2.       Raised keys.

The keys are well raised off the keyboard face. It looks almost as if there are mechanical switches underneath. This makes typing easier, at least for me, as you can clearly feel when one key ends.

 

3.       Typing feels nicer than a normal membrane.

I don’t know if I’m a placebo case (I did read the “custom membrane design” advertising on the CM site before buying) but the keys do have a *slight* tactile feel to them, though I do sometimes think that the extra height may have something to do with it.

 

4.       Keys and mouse have a nice matte coating.

 

5.       Mouse has weight (or mass rather).

My biggest fear when buying this combo was that the mouse would be a lightweight piece of junk that I would have to throw out. Surprisingly, it’s not. It has weight for sure, and feels and glides very nicely. It’s not as comfortable when compared to something like the M45, which I held in store and felt my hand mold around, but it gets the job done.

 

6.       Quality.

Both the keyboard and the mouse have a quality feel that I was, frankly, surprised to find at this price point.  

 

Cons:

1.       The cord from the keyboard and mouse looks (and feels) flimsy.

 

2.       The keyboard backlight is tied to the Scroll Function

Not the key. The function. This means that I can open the On-Screen keyboard and play with my backlight, I can’t have Scroll Lock on and the backlight off. I wish they had put a separate switch. Don’t bother trying to switch the mouse backlight off because you can’t.

 

3.       The multimedia keys feel flimsy.

The keys are located on the top edge, so they are 1/3rds off the keyboard. They feel like they might rub off.

 

4.       The keys are very hard to see without the backlight on.

I guess this makes sense since the mouse backlight never switches off, so it would look odd to have a brightly lit mouse and a dark keyboard, but then why would you tie up the Scroll Lock function?

 

5.       The DPI button.

I am grateful the mouse has a DPI button but I wish they hadn’t put it directly under the scroll wheel.

 

In conclusion, this bundle is well worth your money. It’s not professional grade by any stretch of the imagination but it’s well built, practical, pretty well thought out and looks awesome. 

[Aytex]

tldr. should people buy the keyboard alone. cus i like my deathadder chroma but i have a shitty dell keyboard

[JohnManuel]

tldr. should people buy the keyboard alone. cus i like my deathadder chroma but i have a shitty dell keyboard

Well...yes, the keyboard is very good for the price. Though, I feel you should save and get a mechanical keyboard if you're a serious gamer.

[79wjd]

Well...yes, the keyboard is very good for the price. Though, I feel you should save and get a mechanical keyboard if you're a serious gamer.

Unfortunately there are a lot of people who can't afford to spend much more than $30 on a keyboard. 

 

Also, mechanical keyboards aren't just for gaming....anyone who types a decent amount should get a mechanical keyboard -- hell, I've thought about brining my Ducky with me to class. 

[woll3]

5.       Mouse has weight (or mass rather).

My biggest fear when buying this combo was that the mouse would be a lightweight piece of junk that I would have to throw out. Surprisingly, it’s not. It has weight for sure, and feels and glides very nicely. It’s not as comfortable when compared to something like the M45, which I held in store and felt my hand mold around, but it gets the job done.

 

 

Weight ≠ Quality, especially in the lower Budget Area weights are screwed inside to give the feel of quality even tough the two arent related.

 

[Mew]

You can get the OEM version of this on Newegg every now and then for $18 after mail in rebate. The OEM version is basically the same as the retail version without the box art (just a plain brown box) for a much lower price. Definitely a unbeatable keyboard, let alone combo for less than $20.