QPAD Flux 65 Keyboard & Obsidian Glass Mousepad Review

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The QPAD Flux 65 Model 5 (referred to as the Flux 65 in the rest of the review) is a newer offering from the team at QPAD. Offering a 65% form factor, RGB colouring and 8K polling rate it seems like it could be a good addition to any gaming setup. The Flux 65 also boasts per-key actuation and rapid trigger technology. Fancy, but does it work well?

Mighty Mouse(pad)

The Obsidian Glass Mousepad was created with gamers in mind and claims to offer almost frictionless gliding when gaming. Boasting a good size and quality materials it certainly looks and feels the part. The Mousepad has 4mm thick glass and is 420 x 420 mm in size so certainly could benefit the gamers with a need for space when aiming or pointing. Promising, but is it still a little shallow?

Clickety Lack

The Flux 65 is immediately significantly smaller than my usual Corsair K55 so I did assume some adjustment time would be needed. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to maintain any sort of extended use due to hand cramps and having to hold my wrist at a strange angle. Whilst the compact form of the Flux 65 is great for saving space it isn’t so good at saving your arms. Ergonomics were not a consideration, it seems.

Speaking on ergonomics, having a key other than “backspace” as the top right key is at best infuriating especially during typing. That coupled with the tight layout makes typing a bother in communication/chat heavy games. The Flux 65, for example, is a bit of a pain when playing MMOs. At least the keys sound nice though…

First In Glass

Obsidian Glass Mousepad – the name itself sounds serious. Weighing at 1500g you immediately feel like you’re holding a nice piece of kit. A little dramatic for a mousepad but then this doesn’t feel like an ordinary mousepad. Obsidian glass, of course, isn’t used in the construction due it’s tendency for sharp edges but the tempered glass more than does the job!

QPAD have opted for a black & white topography design on the Obsidian as they have with their other new mousepads/mats. There is a slight blurriness to it owing to the tempered glass but that doesn’t detract too much from the looks. Frankly, it’s rather pretty. The size doesn’t detract from the design either and naturally ups the usability especially in FPS games where large movements are sometimes a necessity.

Function Over Form?

The Flux 65 actually does perform incredibly well. As it promises, the response time with your key presses are very quick and the “Quick Tap” function works really well. Adjusting the actuation of the keys isn’t too difficult either which is great if you do need that sort of customisation in your gaming keyboard. The Flux 65 is, functionally at least, very capable and the technology involved certainly enhances gameplay.

Ironic Iconography

Moving on to the Obsidian Glass Mousepad, the topographical look mentioned earlier is in complete contrast to how it works. Your mouse glides smoothly over the surface and even works well with the Nintendo Switch 2 Joycons’ mouse mode as well as the Lenovo Legion GO’s mouse. The Obsidian having a glass surface makes it a lot easier to keep clean too so no nasty little bumps whilst playing. Similarly, small delicate movements are also tracked really well for any fine-aiming you may have to do.

O-key

The Flux 65 is a perfectly usable keyboard but only in either short bursts or if you’re hand size is somewhat smaller than an adult. The build itself and the functionality are brilliant however the 65% form factor severely hampers it in terms of long-term use. As such, I struggle to give it a rating above the size.

3 out of 5

3

Mice and Easy

As Mousepads go, the Obsidian Glass Mousepad is brilliant. Smooth, strong and doesn’t move once its on your desk it really does do exactly what QPAD says it does. If I can find any fault in the Obsidian at all it would be in the price point. Up at £59.99 it is probably out of most casual gamer’s budgets. The Obsidian certainly could benefit a professional or hardcore gamer if they want to really up their game. It’s for this reason and this reason alone it has just missed out on a perfect score.

Rapid Reviews Rating

4.5 out of 5

4.5

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Further information on the products feature in the review can be found at the following links:

QPAD Flux 65 Model 5

QPAD Obsidian Glass Mousepad