Although the KiiBOOM Cybrix29 is a stripped-down keyboard, it offers a wide range of features, including magnetic switches with adjustable actuation depth, an 8K polling rate, three programmable rollers, and much more. We’ll cover this new product in more detail in our review.
Technical specifications
- Form factor: 29%
- Structure: classical
- Switches: KiiBOOM Duskrise Switch magnetic
- Number of keys: 29 + 3 rollers
- Layout: ANSI, en
- Hot swappable switches: yes
- Keycaps: PBT, Cherry profile
- NKRO: yes
- Backlight: RGB (customizable)
- Multimedia: Fn+keys
- Connection: USB-C
- Polling rate: up to 8000 Hz
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS
- Body material: aluminum / acrylic
- Wrist rest: no
- Dimensions: 150 x 134 x 30 mm
- Weight: 0.42 kg
- PO: yes
- Features: magnetic switches, compact housing
Equipment and design
The KiiBOOM Cybrix29 was packaged in a thick cardboard box with a schematic diagram of the keyboard and manufacturer information.
Inside, the model is placed in a foam mold and individually packaged. The package includes a cleaning cloth, a user manual, a nylon-braided USB-A to USB-C cable, a keycap and switch puller, and a pair of replacement keycaps with a Mac layout.
The keyboard features a truncated design, containing the left half of a standard 60% keyboard: there’s no row of F-keys, and the right side ends at the number 6, T, G, B, and part of the Spacebar. The Win key has been replaced by the Fn key, and three rotary knobs are located on the top right. By default, the first one scrolls, mimicking mouse scrolling, the second one switches tracks, and the third one increases and decreases the volume.
To the right of the rotary knobs is an LED strip. The lower half of the case, made of translucent acrylic, is also backlit . The upper half is made of aluminum, which feels pleasantly cool in the hand. And don’t forget about the key backlighting : thanks to the south-facing LEDs, it’s clearly visible, even though the characters on the keys aren’t translucent.
The back of the keyboard houses a USB-C port for connection. The base rests on silicone feet , but the height is not adjustable.
Compact and lightweight, the KiiBOOM Cybrix29 won’t take up much desk space. Available in three colors: silver, black, and pink, you can choose the one that best complements your setup .
Connection and setup
This magnetic keyboard requires a wired connection, but it offers a high 8000Hz polling rate. This means your keystrokes will respond instantly, without any delays or lag.
To configure the device, you need to download the proprietary driver. The app has several tabs. The main one is “Keyboard Settings,” where you can set commands for the keys and rollers, as well as configure the magnetic switch functions: select the actuation depth (from 0.10 to 3.00 mm, in 0.01 mm increments), set advanced options such as DKS, MT, TGL, Snap Key, and adjust the polling rate.
In the “Fn Layer Settings” tab, you can create multiple Fn layers and define a unique layout for each, including macros and keyboard shortcuts. The “Macro Editing” tab is used for managing macros.
The “Light Settings” tab, as expected, is dedicated to backlighting settings. You can select separate modes for the key illumination, base, and LED strip on the case. You can also create your own backlighting presets here.
The other tabs are less important: here you can save settings profiles, share presets with the community, and check for keyboard firmware updates.
If you’re considering the KiiBOOM Cybrix29 as a gaming keyboard, the app is a must-have. Without it, you won’t be able to fully utilize the device’s potential, particularly the magnetic keys and their advantages—for example, the ability to assign up to four actions to pressing and releasing a key, or different commands for pressing and holding a key.
Impressions of use
The model uses KiiBOOM Duskrise Switch magnetic switches with an actuation depth of 0.1 to 3.0 mm, a minimum force of 30 g, and a maximum force of 55 g. Hot-swapping of switches with compatible magnetic switches is supported; mechanical switches cannot be installed here.
We’ve written extensively about the advantages of magnetic keyboards. These include adjustable actuation depth and a number of special features that are often banned in online tournaments due to their near-cheat properties. For example, Snap Key (SOCD) allows for faster strafe than on standard mechanical keyboards, which can help effectively evade enemy attacks. And with DKS, you can perform complex maneuvers, like crouching jumps, with the press of a single key.
The top-mounted chassis structure creates a monolithic structure, preventing the circuit board from flexing under pressure. A layer of foam eliminates unwanted noise, but the keyboard is far from silent.
The KiiBOOM Cybrix29 excels in gaming, but it’s also up to par for work. The knobs can be customized for a variety of tasks, from scrolling to zooming. Keys can be assigned various functions, including shortcuts—for example, you can turn the keyboard into an auxiliary tool, performing formatting commands (copy/paste, italics, bold, and underline) with a single keystroke.
Conclusion
The key advantage of the KiiBOOM Cybrix29 is its compact size. This “half-size” keyboard fits easily on a desktop, making it a convenient addition to a main keyboard, or even a gaming controller for those who prefer a low-profile or membrane keyboard for everyday use but need a powerful option for gaming.
The model has virtually no drawbacks, but the price is a bit steep. Whether a “half” keyboard is worth the price of a full-size device is up to you to decide.
- Compact body
- High-quality assembly
- Magnetic switches
- Extensive customization options
- The price is a bit high
