Review: Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz

Love it or loathe it, RGB lighting is here to stay. If you are a fan, there is no doubt that your setup is bright and garish. However, if you are one of the few gamers who hate such a grand show, you won’t know what all the fuss is about. I’m in the love it camp, so when the Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz mechanical keyboard landed on my desk, I immediately unwrapped it.

I have recently reviewed the ROCCAT Vulcan TKL Pro keyboard, and I adored it. So, therefore, how would this inexpensive and simpler accessory stand up to its upmarket peers? In short, it does pretty well! Yes, it doesn’t have a fancy name or a big price tag, but it performs well, looks stylish, and can be customised to your liking.

What’s in the box of the Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz mechanical keyboard?

• The packaging is lightweight and simple in design. It is about 95% recyclable and unfortunately didn’t fare so well in transit. However, the accessory and paperwork were intact. With some key points and the company logo on display, the packaging is as you’d expect.
• The Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz mechanical keyboard. This TKL or Tenkeyless keyboard is compact and well built. It has an attached USB 2.0 cable to connect to a PC or Laptop and has a nice weight. There are supporting legs at the rear and this, alongside the high-profile keys, makes it comfortable and easy to use.
• A straightforward user manual. A well-designed manual explains the fundamentals. You will learn how to change the light pattern, increase or decrease the brightness and speed, and understand the shortcut functionality. Thankfully, this user guide gets you up and running in no time at all.

Technical aspects.

Gaming keyboards are all about their responsive nature and comfortable layout. Luckily, this one has both thanks to its small travel distance and compact design. This smaller than normal keyboard allows for a greater mouse movement and a natural position for both hands. What’s more, as it is a mechanical peripheral, it has that delightfully noisy clicking sound that we all enjoy.

Alongside these key elements, we all like a stylish accessory that is built to last. Fortunately, the metal top plate offers a premium finish while making the Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz mechanical keyboard more robust. Furthermore, there is a massive 50 million keypress guarantee and a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty.

RGB accessories are all about the lights and the patterns. With 6 different colours and 20 unique programs, you will find the style that matches your personality. Alongside this, there are adjustable speeds and the ability to reduce or increase the brightness. What’s more, if you fancy a break from the multicolour display, you can simply switch off the lights and continue to use the keyboard as normal.

With convenience and time a priority for many players, it is nice to see the inclusion of media buttons. With 12 shortcuts options included, and a well-placed function button, you’ll adjust your setup on the fly with little effort.

Is the Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz mechanical keyboard worth it?

I’m a firm believer in you get what you pay for. Therefore, at less than £50, you may be a little dubious. Luckily, for the most part, this is an exceptional entry-level peripheral. With a premium metal finish, high profile keys, vivid lights, and multiple programs to select, this gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

However, this doesn’t mean it is perfect because it isn’t. Annoyingly, it can be slow to boot up and you have to watch it run through its load cycle every time. Now, this may seem a small thing, but if you want to load into your boot menu, this can be problematic. Furthermore, the backlit style can make reading the keys a difficult task. Therefore, if you are unfamiliar with touch typing, you may unwittingly make mistakes as you chat or game. Fortunately, with the adjustable brightness, this problem can be eradicated with some fine tweaking.

Other than these small issues, I found this to be a good, user-friendly gaming keyboard that is excellent for an entry-level gamer. Yes, there are better examples out there, but they will cost you an awful lot more. If you are in the market for a bright and stylish accessory that won’t break the bank, then look no further!

Summary.

The Trust Gaming GXT 834 Callaz mechanical keyboard is an inexpensive addition to any gaming setup. What’s more, it is robust, looks fantastic, and has an excellent keystroke guarantee and manufacturer warranty. Its compact design is comfortable and makes the smallest of desks look massive. Sadly, it doesn’t compete with the big brands, but this shouldn’t detract from its brilliance. It is a fantastic budget peripheral that will look amazing next to that bright gaming rig.

_{(More information on Trust Gaming can be found here!)}