Iqunix EZ63 HE keyboard inches towards Wooting competition with latest firmware update
We recently reviewed the Iqunix EZ63 Hall-effect gaming keyboard, and, while we found that its hardware and build quality could easily make it the best Hall-effect gaming keyboard around, it was somewhat lacking on the software and firmware fronts. Now, a new beta firmware update for the Iqunix EZ63 and EZ60 fixes a common complaint about the Hall-effect keyboard family, fixes a handful of issues, and adds some additional functionality to the Rapid Trigger feature. This firmware introduces some of the features Iqunix promised would arrive by the end of Q2, and all that remains now is to deliver macro functionality. Users already on a prior version of the beta firmware will be prompted to update to the latest version when they access beta.iqunix.com, and the update will reset the keyboard map and other custom settings.
Iqunix EZ63/EZ60 profiles
As of February 27, the Iqunix Hall-effect keyboards on the beta firmware update have access to three keyboard profiles — Custom, Office, and Esports — each with its own Rapid Trigger and actuation force modes.
When we reviewed the EZ63, we noted that there was no way to switch profiles, meaning you were stuck with whatever settings you had dialled in for your gaming sessions. This effectively made the EZ63 a gaming-specific keyboard if you had customised things like actuation point and Rapid Trigger for certain games. It also made it difficult to optimise the keyboard for general gaming. The addition of profiles partially solves this issue, although it seems like a bit of a half measure, and it would be better to have a handful of fully customisable profiles.
| Profile | Actuation distance (mm) | Rapid Trigger | Keyboard shortcut to switch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office | 1.5 | Disabled | Fn+O |
| Esports | 0.5 | Enabled on WASD (0.05 mm sensitivity) | Fn+P |
| Custom | Custom | Custom | Fn+I |
EZ63 and EZ60 owners on the new beta firmware also have access to a new hot-key to enable and disable SOCD without having to open the browser-based software, which is helpful for those games that have banned the controversial feature. Enabling SOCD with the Fn+Q shortcut will now turn the WASD key RGB colours green for a few seconds, while disabling it will turn the keys red momentarily.
Iqunix EZ63 Berserk Mode
Another update that landed in the latest beta firmware is Berserk Mode, which enables a Rapid Trigger sensitivity of 0.005 mm after the actuation point. This feature is still in testing, apparently, but Iqunix says it will be polished in time. This setting is also only an option with the Gateron Magnetic Jade Pro switches (curr. $57.99 on Amazon), which happens to be the most expensive switch option for the EZ60 and EZ63. It's currently unclear whether the Star Trail or other Gateron switch options will also receive support for Berserk Mode.
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