Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro Gaming Keyboard Review

Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro Gaming Keyboard Review

As a tech enthusiast and gaming aficionado with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the Turtle Beach Vulkan II TKL Pro is a keyboard worth considering for both work and play.


The Turtle Beach Vulkan II TKL Pro Keyboard is designed to stand out on your desk, utilizing its Hall Effect magnetic keys and high-end aesthetics to provide an experience that is both practical and visually appealing for most users, except for a handful of minor flaws.

In this article, we delve deeper into one of the most captivating keyboards of the year, examining its design, functionality, and dependability.

Packaging And First Impressions

The Turtle Beach Vulkan II TKL Pro arrives in a snugly-fitted box, accommodating the 75% keyboard along with its USB cable, wrist rest, and user manual, all neatly arranged within. Upon unboxing, you’ll immediately appreciate the premium quality of this keyboard, as it boasts a polished aluminum casing that encloses all its switches and keycaps.

Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro Gaming Keyboard Review

The Turtle Beach Vulkan II TKL Pro comes in compact, but easy to unpack packaging.

The following feedback might be less favorable concerning the keyboard and its accompanying wrist rest. Unlike the overall quality of the keyboard, which is robust, the included wrist rest from Turtle Beach seems less durable. This raises doubts about its suitability for a high-end TKL keyboard priced over $100.

The complete contents of the Turtle Beach Vulkan II TKL Keyboard retail box.

In summary, though it’s more spartan in design compared to some rival products, this package effectively accomplishes its intended purpose. The included braided and detachable USB cable enhances portability and needs a USB A interface on the device. To link with the keyboard, a Type-C connector is utilized instead.

Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro Gaming Keyboard Review

The USB-C port on the Turtle Beach Vulkan II TKL Keyboard can be found hidden beneath its left side.

Users without USB-A ports on their Mac, Windows laptop, or PC might require a USB-A to USB-C adapter or a USB-C to C cable for the keyboard to function properly. It’s important to note that while Turtle Beach’s keyboard is compatible with both Mac OS and Linux, it does not have official software support on these platforms at this time, but we will investigate this matter shortly.

Setting Up The Keyboard And Installing The Requisite Software

Configuring your keyboard is quite straightforward. Notably, the USB-C connection on the keyboard is thoughtfully placed on its left side. This arrangement could make dealing with cables slightly more manageable compared to keyboards where the cord runs down the center.

On Windows, the keyboard gets automatically recognized, and resources like the Quick Start Guide and a quick Google search provide guidance on which software, such as Turtle Beach’s Swarm II software package, is essential for customizing its functionality.

Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro Gaming Keyboard Review

The Swarm II suite feels functional and capable for entry-level and power users alike.

This software is both potent and user-friendly, providing an intuitive interface without bombarding users with excessive options. It effectively highlights the key features of the Vulkan II TKL Pro, making it an appealing choice for both gamers and power users when considering a keyboard investment.

Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro Gaming Keyboard Review

To fully leverage the features of the Vulkan II TKL Pro with the Swarm II suite, it needs an update to its firmware right out of the box.

The process begins by requiring two software updates for the suite, even though I’ve downloaded the most recent version from the site. This seems worth a second glance as having an up-to-date binary on-site would save users some time before moving forward to update the keyboard’s firmware, which is currently available for the review unit (the firmware during testing was Version 1.16 for the keyboard).

Using Turtle Beach’s solution provides a refreshing change compared to many competitors, as it doesn’t require frequent PC restarts, setup time is minimal, and it lacks the bloated feel common in overly complex offerings from other brands.

Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro Gaming Keyboard Review

The software enables users to customize various settings, such as selecting their preferred RGB lighting designs for their chosen keyboards.

As a gamer myself, I can confidently vouch for Turtle Beach’s design. The per-key RGB illumination, customizable actuation points that enhance accuracy, and an incredibly smooth software update sequence that feels intuitive yet offers the depth of control desired by power users, make it a go-to choice for me.

Performance And Comfort Revisited

In 2024, when users invest up to $150 in a gaming keyboard, they expect a blend of comfort and top-tier performance. If the software features don’t align with this standard, it becomes irrelevant. The market for keyboards at this price point is highly competitive, so meeting these demands is crucial.

Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro Gaming Keyboard Review

The Turtle Beach Vulkan II TKL Pro In All Its RGB-Lit Glory

The Vulkan II TKL Pro offers a premium, user-friendly experience despite the fact that some might prefer custom keycaps over those provided. Its design exudes elegance and appears well-suited for future uses due to its distinctive style, with the key layout contributing positively to its aesthetic appeal.

Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro Gaming Keyboard Review

As a gamer, I appreciate the robustness of the volume rocker on my Turtle Beach Vulkan II TKL Pro. It’s one strong point in an otherwise minimalist keyboard design that sacrifices media keys to maintain its 75% TKL profile.

Adjusting to typing on the Turtle Beach Vulkan II TKL Pro requires some time, particularly when transitioning from a different mechanical keyboard (like the Razer Huntsman Elite), but after getting accustomed to it, it feels incredibly natural, as if it’s an extension of your arm, just like its predecessor.

Actuation Customization Galore

Adjusting the activation point is advantageous for video games since it allows for the creation of sequences of commands that are typically more suitable for controllers, like reloading a gun in Gears of War or tossing a grenade in Counter-Strike.

Exploring the concept of employing various control points for diverse functions appears intriguing, yet its successful implementation is crucial, particularly for gamers seeking a tailored gaming experience that suits their preferences. We have dabbled with this idea in some games, finding it quite engaging and promising.

Durability and Portability

The Turtle Beach Vulkan II TKL Pro keyboard boasts switches designed to endure up to 150 million keystrokes, placing it among the toughest options in its price class. Additionally, it features 8MB of onboard memory and up to 5 customizable profiles, allowing for personalized saving of custom lighting, macros, and more, resulting in a distinct gaming experience.

As a fan, I find its weight to be quite advantageous compared to many other options out there, making it easier for me to transport. Its palm rest serves its purpose, especially when the keyboard is in an elevated position thanks to its rear legs. However, some may question if it perfectly aligns with the overall aesthetics of the keyboard design.

When you take everything into account, the Turtle Beach Vulkan II TKL Pro stands out as a strong choice for both comfort and performance. However, it might be worthwhile to replace the stock keycaps with ones that may not be as visually striking but provide a superior typing feel, making this device an even more appealing daily option for both work and gaming.

Should You Get The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro?

The Turtle Beach Vulkan II TKL Pro presents a commendable and bold improvement upon the renowned Vulkan series, boasting numerous internal enhancements, a robust software package, and an aesthetically pleasing design except for the wrist-rest, which may not appeal to everyone due to its unique taste.

Despite being slightly inconvenient, the wrist rest on this keyboard remains functional, especially considering its premium feel and numerous advantages. Priced under $150, it boasts Hall Effect magnetic switches, customizable per-key RGB lighting, and an industry-standard 1000Hz polling rate that not only makes it visually appealing but also delightful to type or play games on.

In summary, the Turtle Beach Vulkan II TKL Pro is a strong contender in its market, offering a competitive price and boasting unique strengths in design and software. While no product is without flaws, this one stands out due to its appealing aesthetics and robust software, setting it apart from many similar products. Thus, it’s an effortless recommendation for anyone seeking an elegantly designed gaming keyboard, according to Game Rant.

Currently, it’s discounted at the time of this writing. You can find it marked down by 13% or $20 on both Amazon and Best Buy. This brings its price down to $130, making it a more affordable option compared to its usual price of $150 in most retailers.

Related Products

Alternate 60% Magnetic Switch Keyboard OptionSteelSeries Apex Pro MiniBuy It Now!
Turtle Beach’s Full-Sized Vulkan OfferingTurtle Beach Vulcan II MaxBuy It Now!
Razer’s Premium Full-Sized Upgrade AlternativeRazer BlackWidow V4 ProBuy It Now!

FAQ

Q: Does the Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro Work Wirelessly?

The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro Keyboard can only be connected via a wired method, using a USB-A cable to link it with a computer or other compatible devices.

Q: Does the Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro Work On Macs?

Indeed, the Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro is compatible with Mac computers; however, it lacks a software counterpart similar to Turtle Beach’s Swarm II for Windows.

Read More

2024-10-01 19:06