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GravaStar Mercury V75 Professional HE assessment
One other masterpiece by GravaStar: the magnetic Mercury V75 Professional HE – hand-painted aluminum alloy case, carbon plate, the hallmark alien legs, and all of the Corridor-effect options for aggressive avid gamers.
KBD.information
Printed June 26, 2025
What the heck?! Earlier than we delve into right this moment’s assessment/breakdown/disassembly of the GravaStar Mercury V75 Professional HE Neon Graffiti version (wow, nearly the size of the identify of a Spanish aristocrat), let me let you know that I hardly ever get enthusiastic about keyboards nowadays. Particularly about ones on the extra basic facet of the structure spectrum – like 65/68% boards or this very 75% structure. To say the reality, proudly owning a 130-strong assortment would not assist both I suppose. 🙂
However I cherished the mechanical GravaStar Mercury K1 Professional lots, and ever since reviewing the concrete gray version final yr, I have been commonly checking again to their store itemizing all these cool new colour variants, my coronary heart aching for a battle-worn yellow or cyberpunk particular version. Nicely…
Accessible beginning right this moment, GravaStar is launching their first HE boards, with the flagship GravaStar Mercury V75 Professional HE amongst them. And I used to be genuinely excited for the primary time in a protracted whereas for the reason that assessment unit I acquired got here with a very cool new design, on par with the cyberpunk one (no less than in my humble, non-gamer, non-sci-fi-expert opinion): Neon Graffiti model!
TLDR; With the magnetic Mercury V75 Professional HE there is a new Corridor-effect variant of GravaStar’s common K1 out there now. Focused at avid gamers and streamers, the high-end Professional is accompanied by a mid-range V75 and price range Lite variant. The distinct design language of the Professional with the hallmark alien legs and skeleton body is just about the identical as earlier than (K1 Professional), nevertheless, the unbelievable consideration to element was pushed even additional. Past the good out-of-the-box typing expertise – the V75 Professional HE case options hand-painted end, guaranteeing premium and distinctive aesthetics. Carbon plate, first-class lighting, all of your favourite Corridor-effect options. One other masterpiece from GravaStar. Accessible from
$260$220, use the KBDNEWS coupon code to say your 15% low cost.
Overview
The distinctive sci-fi look was inherited from the K1 Professional, and all the opposite cool periphery and audio stuff supplied by GravaStar.
Cool keycaps, cool legends, the acquainted aluminum alloy skeleton case with the distinctive 270 diploma RGB diffuser answer – and naturally the hallmark alien legs are again too! The K1 was so surprisingly properly tuned with its branded GravaStar switches (I nonetheless hold a type of switches on my desk for reference), and the V75 Professional HE would not disappoint both.
After the success of the K1, GravaStar may simply hold just about the whole lot intact and drop a HE PCB into the case. Nicely, it appears they have not rested on their laurels: the V75 Professional HE just isn’t merely a Corridor-effect variant of the unique, however a transparent enchancment for avid gamers.
GravaStar
It has been 7 years since Yong Huang – sci-fi lover, hardcore Starcraft gamer, industrial designer, and GravaStar CEO and founder – began sketching and exploring potentialities to merge sci-fi with on a regular basis life, mixing futuristic aesthetics with useful design.
GravaStar started with a easy query: what if we may flip our world right into a sci-fi wonderland? – Yong Huang.
Because the success of their first speaker, the Mars, GravaStar has launched over 50 merchandise, together with award-winning mice, and likewise the Mercury K1 keyboard as already talked about. At present they kick the door open as soon as once more by launching their first HE keyboards: the Mercury V75 with 3 variants.
At present’s assessment unit, this Mercury V75 Professional HE, is the flagship mannequin of the brand new GravaStar product household of Corridor-effect keyboards with magnetic switches – for avid gamers and streamers.
Disclaimer
As at all times, I acquired the assessment unit free of charge, which might introduce all types of bias – each adverse and constructive in my expertise. So ake the whole lot I write with a grain of salt.
Variants
Similar to the K1, the Mercury V75 has three variants too: V75 Professional, V75, and V75 Lite – premium, mid-range and entry stage variations, respectively. I put right here a hyperlink to the gathering.
“The V75 Professional is constructed for avid gamers who demand each top-tier efficiency and standout design,” stated Yong Huang, Founder & CEO of GravaStar. “It’s our quickest and most responsive keyboard but – and with the hand-painted Neon Graffiti version, we’re pushing the boundary between gaming gear and artwork.”
The alien legs are distinctive to the Professional, however the V75 and V75 Lite include aluminum alloy case as properly, however the Lite model has plastic backside case, and it has an additional key as an alternative of the flamboyant three-way change. It additionally lacks per-key RGB.
First impressions, design language
First issues first: this can be a wired keyboard. I am stressing this so that you’re conscious of it as a result of the K1 was three-mode wi-fi.
The design language attracts inspiration from common sci-fi themes, like the long-lasting film Alien, but in addition metal craft and liquid steel because the Mercury identify implies.
I used to be blown away by the unique design, and as you could discover, I am blown away by this one too – regardless that I am not a gamer myself and have just a few Corridor-effect switches in my ever rising change assortment.
The pattern is fairly clear although: HE switches are prevalent right this moment, with some distributors’ predominant focus being increasingly this class. The related options, e.g. 0.005mm precision fast set off, per-key adjustable actuation, and so on., could also be a significant promoting level for aggressive avid gamers.
As I wrote earlier, the flamboyant legs will not be only a design ingredient however a useful a part of the keyboard: you may set the typing angle with them. They usually really feel freakin’ heavy responsibility, not flimsy or wobbly in any respect. (Nevertheless, to be sincere, I needed to tighten a screw this time.)
As well as, even when I have a tendency to show off lights on each keyboard after a couple of minutes of testing, I’ve to confess that the lighting of the V75 Professional HE, particularly the underglow, is spot on once more.
Unboxing & Contents
The Mercury V75 Professional HE got here in a pleasant cardboard field with daring, vivid colours:
Pre-built keyboard with keycaps and switches mounted, the acquainted however nonetheless funky mud cowl to accommodate the legs ;), primary black cable, primary mixed software to take away keycaps and switches, quickstart information, some spare switches, microfiber wipes – and a brush to maintain your board clear!
Specs (Professional)
- Format: 75%, 79 keys + three-way toggle button (quantity, mute)
- Typing angle: 7 levels
- Materials: forged aluminum alloy skeleton case (Lite: PC)
- Keycaps: pudding model PBT+PC, dye-sub legends
- Switches: Gravastar x Gateron Jade Gaming HE
- Mount: high mounted
- Plate: cast carbon
- PCB: HE, south-facing per-key RGB
- 270 levels backlight
- Polling price: 8000Hz, 0.125ms
- Software program assist: on-line, proprietary, closed supply
- Dimensions: 415 x 187.6 x 57.6mm
- Weight: 1.66kg
Format
The structure is identical because the K1: 75%, however not the dreaded crowded one. The arrow cluster is not offset however remains to be very simple to find when contact typing. The additional column on the best having solely three keys undoubtedly helps, and to the best of the spacebar there are solely two modifiers, plus a niche – so you aren’t getting misplaced when altering between the house row and arrows. (Customers coming from ISO could need to redefine the best Ctrl to AltGr.)
75% means no numpad and no full navigation cluster both. You have got arrows and performance keys although.
As well as, the V75 Professional HE has a three-way change within the high proper nook, identical to the K1. The Lite variant has a daily key on this place.
Solely ANSI.
Construct high quality, construction, case
The Neon Graffiti V75 Professional is the spotlight of the sequence, a particular version that includes a completely hand-painted aluminum body with daring graffiti-inspired art work.
Every keyboard comes with its personal distinctive identification quantity, making it a real collector’s piece for avid gamers who need to stand out – GravaStar.
Do I’ve No. 2052? That is a reasonably excessive quantity given I acquired this weeks upfront. 🙂
The distinctive outer body is like an exoskeleton for the board. Hooked up to its inside, there are particular person frosted plastic items which collectively act as a large 270-degree diffuser, giving specific which means to the backlighting.
The body, whereas its base colour is black, seems to be fingerprint-resistant.
The construct high quality is gorgeous as normal. Whereas the K1 felt lighter than what you’d anticipate from an aluminum keyboard, the whole lot feels heavy responsibility now (the plastic backside was changed by a steel one for the V75 Professional). The legs have built-in backlight too, which makes their sturdiness much more commendable.
Typing angle: mounted 7 levels, with closed legs a bit extra.
Keycaps
Because it was normal with the Mercury K1, I anticipate a number of Mercury V75 variants, colorways and particular editions sooner or later. The primary one launched right this moment is the Neon Graffiti version, that includes street-style visuals.
The keycap set matches this model completely: with daring, vivid colours and graphic design. Pudding model PBT+PC two-shot molding with dye-sub legends – smoky, frosted transparency for the lighting results, good texture and legends on high.
With reference to keycap compatibity, the 75% structure must be broadly supported in case you favor a special keycap profile and go for your individual keycap set.
Switches
In idea, the V75 Professional is constructed with Gateron Jade Gaming Corridor Impact switches, providing customizable actuation factors and a 100 million keystroke lifespan, and, ahem, 0.005mm fast set off precision – making it splendid for high-speed, high-volume gameplay environments like FPS, MOBA, and RPG titles.
That stated, what I’ve as Jade Gaming within the change database seems to be in another way (pale inexperienced). Truly, these white/mild gray switches coming with the V75 Professional are the closest to Jade Gaming from Gateron’s magnetic change line of merchandise, so they might be a colour variant made for GravaStar.
Anyway, in keeping with the official specs, the mid-range V75 variant options Gateron Jade Professional switches, at the moment the most well-liked Corridor-effect switches available on the market – as per the latest change survey.
HE switches are hotswap by nature (no soldering wanted) as they do not have the same old pins of mechanical switches. Which means you may simply swap them. Take a look at all the best-selling Magnetic Corridor-effect (HE) switches in case you want some suggestions. Nevertheless, HE-switches are additionally restricted to linears, so you could favor the mechanical Mercury K1 keyboards if you would like one thing tactile or clicky – and might reside with out the HE options.
I for one tried the brand-new TTC Tai’e Sword HE switches that I appreciated the most effective from the model’s samples.
Nicely, a bit louder, a bit extra direct and clacky, and possibly lighter too, they really feel considerably totally different, nevertheless, I’ve a tough time to distinguish between all of the linear HE switches. I could not inform which one I like higher.
Construction & Mounting
High mounting with O-ringish gaskets(?). The plate/foam/PCB sandwich is screwed to the highest case with glued in silicone washers/gaskets.
Plate(s)
Solid carbon plate for the K1 Professional [PC for the other two variants?]. No flex cuts this time.
As an alternative of the cool natural sample of the K1’s FR4 plate, we now have a pleasant woven carbon fiber sample this time.
With plate-mount stabilizers.
PCB
This can be a prebuilt keyboard so most of you will not get this far in disassembling it (and let’s be sincere, it is senseless in any respect for the typical person), however right here it’s anyway. Because the PCB is sandwiched between thick layers of froth, you do not see it even in case you substitute your switches or just open the case. Nevertheless, GravaStar nonetheless put a whole lot of effort into the design.
The silk display screen’s sample follows the natural and extra-terrestrial idea, and you’ll spot a cool branded MCU too.
By the way in which, I needed to take away precisely 31 screws to have the ability to shoot a few of these pictures. That means the V75 wasn’t actually designed with frequent disassembly in thoughts. 🙂
Per-key RGB (V75 Professional and V75) and backlighting (all three variants), plus the ornament piece with the GravaStar emblem, situated above the best arrow, has RGB backlight too.
Backside/Weight
The underside of the Mercury V75 is hefty steel. The intricate sample of the K1 has gone. To be sincere, I wasn’t an enormous fan of that one, it was a bit an excessive amount of asthetically, and was made from plastic. The brand new backside seems to be way more fashionable and feels heavy steel. (Yeah!) Much less is certainly extra on this case, no less than concerning the design. (Extra remains to be extra contemplating the load.)
Sound dampening
Loads of foam: thick PORON sandwich foam, IXPE change pad, PET sound dampening pad, plus one other thick PORON base foam layer on the backside filling up many of the empty area within the case.
Lights
As you could know, I am not an enormous fan of per-key RGB on the whole. Nevertheless, the backlight of the V75 works fabulously with the massive diffuser. Outsourcing the lights to the legs is one other good contact.
The illuminated GravaStar emblem, which acts as a mirror with the lights turned off, is one other good contact.
Loads of colours and patterns, however much more choices within the software program.
Portability
The Mercury would be the centerpiece of your desk, however If mobility is your predominant concern, I might select one thing smaller and lighter. 🙂 The legs of the V75 Professional could also be in the way in which when packing up and hitting the street, possibly the V75 and particularly the plastic V75 Lite would work higher on this regard.
Software program
On-line customizer. Hmm. Click on this hyperlink.
(You want Chromium based mostly browsers, this may very well be indicated e.g. for Firefox customers.)
I’ve to say that that is the fanciest on-line customizer I’ve ever seen. 🙂 Extra akin to a recreation interface.
Choose your language desire (Chinese language or English) and immerse your self within the large vary of options like per-key actuation and fast set off (RT) – principally for avid gamers as you may see. Nevertheless, I appreciated taking part in with the journey check regardless that I am not a gamer myself.
Some highlights: Dvorak, Colemak and Workman presets! Yay! Updating/recreating your customized keymap’s base layer, in comparison with e.g. VIA/Vial, is a bit cumbersome, but it surely works.
Nevertheless, after I tried this final week I used to be caught and gave up. At present it really works as anticipated, so it appears that evidently the interface and capabilities are nonetheless being up to date.
Layers are restricted to a few FN layers, and whereas there is a double perform faucet/maintain function, to recreate SpaceFN performance, it would not appear to work correctly.
So for keymap wizards there’s SpaceFN with a third-party software left.
On Home windows, I exploit the age-old TouchCursor to arrange SpaceFN and create an extra logical layer activated after I maintain the spacebar.
This single layer generally is a actual game-changer, placing arrows, navigation and numbers below your fingertips.
Conclusion
GravaStar‘s first HE keyboards, particularly the flagship Mercury V75 Professional HE variant, are one other insanely good trying 75% wi-fi gaming keyboards. The sci-fi-inspired design language with the alien legs nonetheless make it stand out of the group. It is a heavy and durable 75% board in an aluminum alloy case. The cool graffiti model caps and HE switches – each simple to exchange for much more customization –, per-key RGB, the even higher 270 diploma backlight, and the hand-painted case make the V75 Professional an ideal provide.
A bunch of magnetic options for avid gamers, however, sadly, the software program could restrict your choices in case you rock a customized keymap with faucet/maintain layer switching, no less than for now. Nevertheless, given all of the variants and possibly future themes, most avid gamers and keyboard fanatics will discover their most popular setup.
(When you do not want the HE options, I would select one of many superior Mercury K1 editions for extra change and plate choices although.)
Worth & Availability
The Mercury V75 Professional HE is on the market as of right this moment, twenty sixth June. This specific version within the assessment prices $260 $221 (pre-order). Remember to make use of the KBDNEWS coupon code for 15% off! However the Lite variant might be yours for $110 $93.
Printed on Thu twenty sixth Jun 2025. Featured in KBD #194.
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