CM Storm Trigger-Z Review
Category : Keyboards
Published by Francesco Daghini on 19.03.14
Trigger-Z is the new gaming mechanical keyboard from CM Storm. The device has a big palm rest, few macro buttons, white backlight and much more. Our model uses CherryMX Brown but on the market there are several versions with different switches and backlights. Let's find out in this new review!
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Today we are presenting you the Trigger Z keyboard, from CM Storm, the gaming brand of Cooler Master. Our sample is equipped with Cherry MX Brown switches, has a really neat design, and its look is really pleasant, thanks to the white backlit. There are two more models, with different switches and backlit color: Cherry MX Blue with blue backlit, and Cherry MX Red with red backlit.
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |
Photo Gallery
Delivery
On the exterior we see the Trigger Z name printed with a pretty aggressive font, a fading picture of the keyboard itself, and a few general informations about the keyboard, while on the back we find some informations about the specs of this keyboard. Inside the box we find the keyboard itself, a detachable USB cable, a wrist rest, a useful tool to remove keys, and a couple of flyers with informations about installation and warranty. If you want to set Macros you must download the free software from CM Storm official website, which is around 28 MB. This bundle is pretty basic, but it features the most important things you might need.| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |
Features
| Model number | Trigger Z |
| Keys | Cherry MX Brown |
| Keycaps | ABS |
| Materials | ABS |
| Backlight | White |
| Profiles | 5 |
| Macros | 15 |
| Interface | USB |
| Cable | 150 cm |
| Dimensions | 47.6(L) x 25.3(W) x 3.8(H) cm |
| Weight | 1516 g |
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |
Closer Look
As soon as you lift the Trigger Z, you realize how sturdy and solid it is: CM Storm created a keyboard that is giving a sense of maximum quality to the user at any time, and it did a pretty good job. The whole keyboard has a soft touch finish, including the wrist rest. The Trigger Z is big enough to have all the keys you might need, without taking too much space on your table and without having keys too close to each other. If you don't like to use the wrist rest, you might find the keyboard to be a bit "high", since the profile is thicker than 2 cm. There is no USB Hub or Audio jacks, the only interface you will find on the Trigger Z is the USB you need to connect it to the PC.
On the left side of the keyboard you find five programmable keys, which can be set up using the free software published on CM Storm official website. On the top side we find the F-keys: with F1 through F4 we can adjust the backlit and turn it On and Off, while from F5 to F12 we have the usual multimedia keys to regulate volume, pause and play videos and music, and so on. The Cherry MX Brown switches are the best compromise between gaming performance and typing comfort, even though they can be a bit too noisy: you might upset somebody if you use this during the night inside a little apartament. The white backlit, which has 4 different brightness level, is really good and makes the keyboard very easy to use in the dark. The only downside we could find is about the LEDs on the right top corner: while you are typing in a normal position is pretty hard to see if the LED is on or off, because the LEDs are covered by the high profile of the last row of the numpad.
Back
On the back side of the keyboard we find a big "CM Storm" polished carving and 6 rubber pads to ensure that the Trigger Z won't move from where you place it: there are 8 additional rubber pads on the wrist rest, so it's basically impossible to move the Trigger Z from your table if you don't lift it. There are two little feet, with rubber finish, to adjust the angle of the keyboard.
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |
Software
The Trigger Z software is essential and able to supply all the important functions you need on a gaming keyboard: the first tab shows you the keyboard, and let you set particular functions on each key, letting you use 5 different profiles. The second tab lets you change profiles and save them into the keyboard itself, which is 128KB. The third and last tab is the Macro Studio, to set up all the macro you might need for every game you play. The software is designed to look like the keyboard, it's clean but aggressive.
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |
Conclusion
| General | + | - | |
| Our global verdict about this keyboard is more than positive; CM Storm managed to create a solid and high-quality product, with only little flaws that can be addressed easily. We like the fact that this keyboard is very heavy and apart from that it's sturdy and almost indestructible. Furthermore the design is neat and aggressive, typical for gaming periphrals. The only flaw we found is about the LEDs, which are not too bright and the effect is only very well visible in a dark room. |
- Weight
- Design |
- LEDs could be brighter | |
| Manufacturing quality / Ergonomics | + | - | |
| This keyboard is really comfortable to use, all the keys are well placed and easy to reach, you won't find yourself pressing a wrong key by accident. The programmable keys are really useful and easy to find too, and the F keys, which have a double function, make accessing additional feaures easy. |
- Build quality
- Comfort |
||
| Software | + | - | |
| The software is essential but has everything you need, it's free and fast to get, since it's 28 MB. You couldn't ask for anything better. | - Easy to use | ||
| Recommendation / Price | + | - | |
| The CM Storm Trigger Z is available with prices starting at 110€ according to Geizhals. Although the price is rather steep it can be justified buy the quality of this product. This keyboard is not only suitable for gaming but also for very frequent typing. |
- Gaming - Office |
- Price | |
| Rating | |||
| We gave the Trigger Z from CM Storm 4.5 out of 5 stars. | |||
| Page 1 - Introduction |
| Page 2 - Photo Gallery / Delivery |
| Page 3 - Features |
| Page 4 - Closer Look |
| Page 5 - Software |
| Page 6 - Conclusion |