Redragon have very kindly sent me of their Devarajas K556 SE keyboards to try out.
The Devarajas K556 SE is a 104 key / 100 % keyboard. It has an ANSI layout, is compatible with Windows only. It connects wired via USB-C. So, in many ways, we’re back to basics here: no fancy mode switching, hidden wireless dongles, Bluetooth keyboard shortcuts, or onboard batteries. This is a keyboard which you simply plug into your Windows laptop or PC and use, and that’s no bad thing.
There are, however, several different versions of the Devarajas K556, some of which do have Wireless and Bluetooth connectivity so if that’s a deal breaker for you, you could always opt for one of the other models. The (wired-only) Devarajas K556 SE comes in two different colourways: Sakura Pink and Gradient Blue. I got the Sakura Pink, because I always opt for the pink option if there is one (because why not?).
Keycaps are Laser Engraved PBT with a retro, rounded SA type profile. All characters are light pink on the grey keys, and dark grey on the pink keys (Esc / Backspace / Enter the arrow keys and Spacebar). There are no alts on the keys, so you need to memorise your media key shortcuts (Fn + F3 / F4 for Vol + and -, etc), but that’s what happens when we all get too used to the now ubiquitous vol knobs.
The Devarajas K556 SE comes loaded with Linear Dragon Chant Switches, which sound and feel great. The switches are hot-swappble, of course. The switches are not recessed into the board incidentally, giving the keyboard a cool “floating” key, almost typewriter-like, look.
The board’s body is made of black brushed anodized aluminium and the Devarajas K556 SE weighs just over 1 kg, so it is a sturdy unit. Single-position flip-down feet allow for a bit of typing angle adjustment, and the board feels perfect for my own needs with them deployed.
The Devarajas K556 SE has RGB backlights, with 20 preset patterns and onboard colour, speed, and pattern adjustment. Further customisation is available via Redragon’s free-to-use software, including Macros and shortcuts.
Because it is wired, pretty heavy, and pretty large (17.1 x 4.9 x 1.6 inches) the Devarajas K556 SE probably isn’t going to be a keyboard that many people will want to be taking around to do work in libraries or coffee shops or similar. That said, it’s nowhere near so large as the utterly fantastic, yet impractical Tex Shinobi, and never let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do with your mobile writing set-up.
The Devarajas K556 SE does everything it’s supposed to do, and it looks, feels, and sounds great while it’s doing it all. What more could anyone ask for?
The Devarajas K566 SE is available to order direct from Redragon for £53.00 GBP / $64.99 USD