Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Logitech has slipped in the preceding few year with its gambling keyboard . There ’s always been stiff contest , but keyboards like theAsus ROG Strix Scope IIcombined with fancier - grade options at affordable prices like theMelatrix BOOG75have challenged Logitech ’s offer , especially deliberate their premium price item . Logitech ’s new G515 Lightspeed TKL is a reappearance to form .
decimal point - for - point in time , the G515 call the issues Logitech has run up against over the past couple of year . It ’s much cheaper than what we typically see from the company , it ’s packed with features , and it comes with the impossibly thin build that made theexpensive G915stand out so much a few eld back .
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Cheaper, but better
It ’s dear to think of the G515 as a cheaper G915 . It ’s still a low - profile keyboard , coming in at just 22 millimeter thick , and it uses Logitech ’s low - visibility switches . You have the choice between a elongate and tactile switch . I used the tactile model , which is great for typewriting , though I much favor the linear replacement for long gaming academic session .
Despite being $ 90 cheaper than the G915 — the G515 comes in at $ 140 — there are some areas where the new mannikin is good . The switch fare lubricate from the factory , for example , and Logitech included a layer of sound soften within the keyboard . This does n’t feel like an partizan - grade keyboard on the degree of something like theKeychron Q1 HE , but it is notably better than the G915 out of the box . Unlike that keyboard , the G515 feels broken in . You do n’t get that tight crunchiness you find on the G915 when you first unpack it .
The switch now expend a cross - type prow , as well . The G915 used a proprietary time to hold the key caps in space , meaning you could n’t swap the primal caps out . you could employ any primal caps you want now . I threw some full - sized key caps on , and they work amazingly well . Unlike a few years ago when the G915 released , there are plenty of low - profile primal caps useable now , so it ’s great to know that they ’ll do work with the G515 .
As with the previous design , you get tri - mode connectivity . There ’s Bluetooth , electrify , and Logitech ’s Lightspeed 2.4GHz connector . If you do n’t need the radio set , you could clean up the G515 for $ 100 in a wired reading , as well . The big addition here is 2:1 pairing . If you have a Lightspeed mouse , you may copulate it and the G515 to the same receiving system to release up a USB interface .
Cutting a few corners
Although Logitech took the time to improve the G515 , it ’s not the premium merchandise that the G915 was . There are plenty of shortened recession here to accomplish the lower toll . That ’s most immediately noticeable in the build quality . Logitech is using charge card for everything on the G515 , which is a big step back from the Al available on the G915 . The keyboard is still hefty at 1.9 pounds , but the plastic is definitely a step backward .
I really do n’t mind the plastic case , though . The G515 does n’t feel cheap compared to the G915 — instead , the G915 experience much more premium . It ’s a small but important differentiation for a keyboard that ’s still $ 140 . This keyboard still feel deserving the monetary value .
The great loss for me are the sensitive keys . You do n’t have any consecrated sensitive keys , nor the bombastic metal mass rack that stood out so much on the G915 . The metal mass wheel , in particular , is a premium trimming of the G915 . I do n’t expect that same quality on the G515 . There ’s a huge neglect opportunity for dedicated media Florida key andsomeway to control volume , though . Outside of the recent 60 % G Pro X 60 , this is now Logitech ’s most expensive keyboard without dedicated mass medium controls .
Instead , you ’ll need to access those functions through the various dissimilar remappable layers on the G515 . There are media keys that you could access with theFunctionbutton , but you could also go a lot further through Logitech G Hub . As with other Logitech keyboards , you could assign one push to G Shift , which unlocks a disjoined layer of macros , central assignment , and functions across your entire keyboard . There ’s a lot you’re able to do if you desire to get your hands dirty in G Hub .
Back in the fight
For the past few years , Logitech has struggled to find a strong middle priming with its gaming peripherals . We either get expensive agio options like the Pro X 60 or clear budget plays like the G213 Prodigy . The G515 fills that crack . It ’s a agiotage offering with a humble - profile finish , but it bring down back in a few area to attain a much lower price .
The main challenger is theAsus Falchion RX LP , which is more expensive at $ 170 . Asus offers a skilful typing experience on its blue - profile offering , but the thinness and price of the G515 put up a serious engagement .
