NuPhy Field75 HE Review! Magnetic switch keyboard for use outside of the gaming scene

In recent years, keyboards with “magnetic keyswitches” have become fashionable, especially in the gaming scene.

However, It is difficult to find an article that reviews these keyboards from a “non-gaming use” perspective.

In this article, I would like to review the magnetic keyboard not only in the gaming scene, but also from the perspective of whether it can be used in normal business situations.

We hope this will be helpful to those who are considering whether a gaming keyboard can be used “outside of the gaming scene”.

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This product was provided by NuPhy Japan for promotional purposes.

What is a magnetic keyboard?

Unlike mechanical keyboards that use conventional physical contacts, magnetic keyboards use magnetic sensors (Hall sensors) to detect keystrokes.

On a normal mechanical keyboard, the contact point is mechanically turned “on” or “off,” but on a mechanical keyboard, a magnet attached to the bottom of the keys moves, and the Hall sensor detects changes in the magnetic field generated by the magnet to input data, allowing “sensitivity” to be controlled on the software side The “sensitivity” can be controlled on the software side.

This ability to control sensitivity allows for more fine-tuning than is possible with ordinary mechanical key switches.

Magnetic Keyboard Characteristics and Applications

After all, The application is assumed to be the “gaming scene” where response speed is important. that places importance on response speed.

中でも注目されているのが、アクチュエーションポイントの調整可能性です。

Key sensitivity and response speed can be customized by the user, and even very fine movements (e.g., 0.1 mm sink) can be detected, allowing users to adjust typing speed and accuracy to their liking.

In addition, because there is no physical contact, they are generally said to be “quieter,” but in terms of keystroke sound, they have not yet aged well and have a “light” impression when compared to regular mechanical key switches.

Consider how magnetic keyboards can be used in a business setting.

I suggest that the best use of the NuPhy FIELD75HE’s advantages in “business” is in “typing”.

By combining the two unique features of magnetic keyboards, “low input latency” and ” individually configurable actuation points “high speed input” may be possible.

Faster typing may result in increased work efficiency.

Small input latency

Keyboards and mice are “human interface devices (HID)” that allow the PC to reflect human intentions.

Naturally, there is a “delay from input to reflection” because signals input by humans are transmitted electrically to the computer.

This is called “latency (response time).

This It is easy to imagine that the smaller the latency, the closer it is to the feeling that the text appears “at the moment” it is pressed. The smaller the latency, the closer to the feeling that the letters appear “at the moment” when you press the button.

For a typical Bluetooth keyboard, latency is said to be 125 Hz (8 ms).

一方、FIELD75HEのレイテンシーは8000Hz（0.125ms）です。

The difference is a whopping 64 times…!

This “little difference” leads to the feeling that “when you hit it, it goes right out.

It is said that the latency that humans can perceive starts at around 6ms. Therefore, please understand that although the number is “64 times faster”, there are individual differences in how “fast” it feels to the human body.

Individual setting of actuation points

The actuation point is when the key is pressed.

In other words, if the actuation point is set shallow, it will be entered with a slight push, and if it is set deep, it will be entered only when pushed deep enough to bottom out.

In FIELD75HE, each of these actuation points can be set individually with each key.

私の個人的な感覚としては、フラットな面に指を置いた際には、人差し指から小指にかけて押す力が弱くなると考えています。

In keeping with this idea, The actuation point was set to become shallower over the little finger in each range of touch typing.

In this way, the characteristics of the fingers can be used to type with minimal pressing force.

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NuPhy FIELD75HE keystroke sound

The author was photographed typing.

NuPhy FIELD75HE in photos

Let’s take a look at the photos of the actual FIELD75HE.

About the main unit

It comes in a simple exterior box with illustrations.

Opening the shrink reveals the main unit, which is surrounded by thick cushioning material inside.

In addition to the main unit, the package includes a replacement keycap (with Mac engraving), keycap right key switch puller, USB Type-A to Type-C cable, and user’s manual.

The keycaps are double-shot PBT and the profile is general Cherry-like.

There are no print scuffs, etc., indicating the high quality of the product.

The layout is a general ANSI-75% layout, but the arrow keys and special keys are independent, giving the impression that there will be fewer typing errors on the right end.

Characteristic features include a total of eight macro keys on the left side and front side of the main unit, a vertical rotary encoder, a 3-way switch, and a rotary switch.

The 3-way switch is a physical switch, which is an excellent way to instantly switch “settings stored in each” by switching between the three channels.

The dial switch above it switches the lighting each time it is turned.

The vertical rotary encoder has a click interval between each turn.

It looks like metal, but is probably made of resin. It does not weigh much.

This part of the keymap cannot be changed and functions only as a volume controller.

The typing angle defaults to 4 degrees and slopes up to 9 degrees when the tilt leg is out.

Personally, 4 degrees was just right.

The rubber feet are also firm for when the temperature is set to 9 degrees.

The connection terminal is Type-C and is located on the left side of the back of the unit.

There are no switches of any kind on the sides.

In addition, the connection method is quite discrete, being wired only.

The bottom has five rubber feet and is very grippy.

I don’t have a particular use for carrying it, but the decorative handle does a nice job of creating a very mechanical feel.

The same mirror and logo NuPhy house artistry as the Air series shines through. Cool.

There are two keyswitches to choose from.

Magnetic White and Jade, both with linear switches.

The pressing pressure is very light, in the low 30 gf range, and the difference between the two is in three areas: maximum pressing distance, durability, and stem shape.

The dual rails make the White superior in terms of less axis shake, but the Jade has a shorter stroke and a so-called “speed axis” feel to it.

I chose Jade.

The stem has the same cross shape as that of Cherry MX.

Unlike mechanical key switches, there is no hole for the terminal.

It is striking that there is no thick central leg, only two thin axial legs that go into the PCB.

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About “NuPhy.io” Keymap and Other Editing and Setting Software

The FIELD75HE uses the web application “NuPhy.io” to configure keymap and magnetic keyswitch settings.

NuPhy.io

The three modes are selected by the setting of the key switch on the upper left of the main unit.

Here, “M1” is selected.

There are four items that can be set: key map, magnetic switch trigger setting, backlight effect setting, and mode setting.

You can switch languages using the icon in the upper right corner, but unfortunately Japanese is not supported.

(English setting is recommended as translation will cause display problems.)

In the keymap setting, simply drag and drop from the keyboard below to the key you want to change in real time.

There is no saving or other operations.

Press right-click on each key to set the trigger and Mod Tap settings for each key.

As described below, the “Move Layer” setting is not available in Mod Tap.

Next is the trigger setting screen.

Thus, individual triggers can be set for all keys.

When you actually press the target key, you can visually see the switch on and off.

This is fun…!

Rapid trigger on/off settings can also be performed with visual confirmation.

Lightning settings can also be selected from 20 different effect patterns, and colors can be specified for each key in surprisingly fine detail.

The mode setting screen allows for detailed settings, but basically no additional settings will be necessary.

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Disadvantages of NuPhy FIELD75HE

After all, it is extremely important to understand the disadvantages when considering the purchase of an attractive product.

The disadvantages of the FIELD75HE as I perceive them are as follows

Less flexibility in keymap changes compared to QMK-based keyboards

FIELD75HE uses NuPhy.io, which runs on the web, and has the great advantage of allowing keymap changes regardless of the OS.

It is possible to adjust every single actuation point, MOD TAP, rapid trigger and dynamic keystroke settings specific to magnetic keyswitches, lighting, and other very fine points.

However, on the other hand, Compared to software such as “VIA” and “VIAL,” which are GUI keymap modification software employing the QMK mechanism, we were concerned about the aspect of the “typing itself” part that cannot be set.

After all, one of the inconveniences for people using QMK-based keyboards is that only some functions of “Modifier Keys” are available.

The “MOD-TAP” function is available in NuPhy.io without any problems.

For example, it is possible to set up operations such as TAP (short press) for “V” and HOLD (long press) for “⌘”.

However, settings such as V for TAP and HOLD for moving layers are not available.

In addition, the “Quantum Key” function, which is useful for registering frequently used shortcut keys such as “Ctrl + C”, is not available, so users who mainly use this function may have a hard time.

Also, the “Combo” function, which allows the “P” and “O” to function as “Backspace” when pressed simultaneously, is not available.

These features are primarily patronized by small keyboard users below 40%, so small keyboard users may find them somewhat difficult to use.

However, those who normally use a normal layout of 60% or more will have no problem at all.

Keystroke sound is satisfactory, but there is room for improvement

This is not only true of the FIELD75HE, all keyboards using magnetic keyswitches, but the keyswitches are immature and the keystroke sound is not that good.

Although the structure should be very similar, magnetic keyswitches often have a “high-pitched, thin sound” for some reason.

The proposition of a keyboard with magnetic keyswitches, born as a gaming keyboard, is “how fast can I type?

For fast typing, it will be necessary to transmit the impact of a press as directly as possible to the keyswitch, which will inevitably take the form of fixing the keyswitch to a hard material.

In fact, it is my impression that most magnetic keyboards have an “aluminum plate” or “FR4” plate fixed directly to the keyboard case.

However, the FIELD75HE has been designed so as not to impair keystroke feel and sound.

The aluminum plate is top-mounted with a silicone cap to secure it, and a lot of sound-absorbing material has been incorporated to achieve a great keyboard feel, even among keyboards with magnetic keyswitches.

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Advantages of the NuPhy FIELD75HE

Now that you are convinced of the disadvantages, let’s look at the advantages of the FIELD75HE.

I consider the following four advantages of the FIELD75HE.

Anyway, it makes me feel like “the letters are coming out fast”.

As I said earlier, the proposition of the magnetic keyboard is “to make the speed from the moment you think you have typed a letter to the moment it is reflected as fast as possible.

In fighting games, it is said that the time lag between inputs is so severe that it is said to determine the winner.

So what good is that going to do in the real business world…? is the biggest question of all.

Yes, it is, This feeling of “typing it in and it comes right out” is more “comfortable” than you might think in the written word.

I believe that this is made possible by the unique features of magnetic switches.

In particular, I am sure that the polling rate of 8,000 Hz is something that must be touched to be appreciated.

If you compare the polling rate of a normal wired-connected keyboard is about 500 Hz (2 ms) and that of a Bluetooth-connected keyboard is 125 Hz (8 ms), can you get some idea of how fast it is?

Latency reference: SpringerLink

Very useful channel to save settings

The “physical selector,” located in the upper left corner of the keyboard, allows the user to switch between settings in the keyboard in an instant.

For basic applications, such as M1 (Mac)/M2 (Windows)/M3 (gaming applications), keymaps, actuation points, lapidary, dynamic keystrokes, and other settings can be switched with a single dial.

Depending on your way of thinking, you can also instantly switch between each of the detailed setting parameters for different games, making it the perfect product for those who want to focus on settings between different games.

Each mode can have up to three keymap layers.

Very quiet typing sound of the space bar

This is now a standard feature on NuPhy keyboards, but NuPhy’s spacebar has a silicone pad built into the spacebar itself and the keyboard side to absorb sound, so there is almost no hollow sound when the spacebar is hit. (It is called Ghostbar).

Compared to other 1u keyswitches, the space bar is more than six times as long, which inevitably results in a different keystroke sound compared to other keys.

With the FIELD75HE, there is almost no difference in the sound of the space bar and other keys being struck, which is a great advantage for typing at a comfortable rhythm.

Depending on how it is used, the switch button has unlimited possibilities.

The FIELD75HE has eight extra switches.

In fact, the role of this switch can be changed with keymap modification software.

As mentioned above, simultaneous key presses and other settings are not possible, but the keys can be set as macro keys for media control, mouse control, and predetermined operations, so they have unlimited uses depending on your ideas.

Summary｜Magnetic keyboards may be recommended even for those who do not play games.

The above review of the FIELD75HE has been done from a “business perspective”.

After all, in the mechanical keyboard area, the history of keyboards with magnetic keyswitches is still young, and for that reason, it is an area where progress is being made day by day.

Compared to when they first appeared around 2023, various manufacturers have released magnetic keyboards in just less than a year, and they will continue to develop further, especially in the gaming scene.

On the other hand, problems such as incompatible keyswitches (different standards, different magnetic poles, etc.) have emerged, and it remains to be seen which keyswitch manufacturer will dominate.

In this respect, it is safe to say that the FIELD75HE, which uses keyswitches made by Gateron, one of the well-known brands in the keyswitch brand, is a product that can be used with confidence in the future.

While many magnetic keyboards are unsatisfactory in terms of key feel, the FIELD75HE boasts a very good key feel.

It would be possible to switch from a keyboard with mechanical key switches without feeling uncomfortable.

The FIELD75HE can be recommended as a first magnetic keyboard.

We hope you will experience it too.

10 % off with coupon code “ryo10″ / ＼＼”.