Well the Strafe is lovely. Feels fantastic, nice and heavy (surprisingly so!)
The MX Silent keys are literally perfect... The modified reds feel fantastic and the sound they produce is almost wooden. Not a 'clack clack clack' sound of the blues for instance. More of a dull sound. Very solid.
The light show is very impressive, infinitely customisable and the fact that the brightness can be turned down makes everything better, I was almost concerned that late night gaming sessions were going to have me dazzled by the keys and have to turn off the backlighting...
Downsides...
A couple of the keys are printed upside down-in my opinion anyway
The :; key and the @' keys work as you'd expect but they're upside down...
Shift : is at the bottom of the key and ; is at the top...
Shift @ is at the bottom of the key and ' is at the top...
I don't like that, minor I know but I don't think it's right... Greybeard, do Corsair do this on all of their keyboards? Is it just different to me or is it actually wrong?
On startup the keys are all red... I'd like to pick a default colour that the keys start off as as opposed to waiting for the software to load on startup... Perhaps this can be done, I'll have to have a play with the software.
The Software... Probably not an actual downside, just I've only had a quick play and the software is definitly beyond me... I'll be checking Youtube vids out later I think. I did download a light pattern which went smoothly. Looked pretty too
Overall, I'm glad I went with the Strafe. I didn't think I needed a keypad but it has already become apparent that I do... I wouldn't fancy typing a bank card number in without one!
I'm sure there are equally good boards out there for much less £ but as is always the same with Corsair, the whole thing exudes quality. Oh and the textured and slightly canted WASD keys are a joy
My mouse' light show cannot keep up with the keyboard now thoiugh... I need a Corsair mouse!!!
