Tt eSPORTS MEKA G-Unit Red Switch Mechanical Keyboard Review

A lot of gaming-focused keyboards feature macro support, but Tt’s MEKA G-Unit does something I consider to be important: It allows you to set a macro to a normal key, and not only the dedicated ones.

In addition to the 12 dedicated keys found on the left side of the board, 8 more keys can be configured as macros, which means when all three profiles are combined, you’ll have 60 macros at-the-ready.

While some peripheral vendors make excellent hardware, not all of them put as much thought and care into their software. Tt’s here, for me, is about middle-of-the-road. As I first used it, I felt an honest headache coming on, but after a handful of minutes, I came to understand it a lot better. Even once “mastered”, though, the software can be quite finicky, so don’t go into this expecting an amazing, fluid experience.

As seen in the above shot, Tt’s software here features aesthetics perfect for gamers, and for the most part, its design is straight-forward. When the keyboard is in “Normal” mode, it can’t be adjusted much at all – no macros can be set. For that, “Game” mode must be selected, either through this software or through the dedicated keys on the keyboard. Afterwards, you’ll then be able to select almost any key on the keyboard to set a macro (the volume/lighting keys can’t be used, nor can the Windows key be).

Before a macro can be set, one must be created, so for that, the “Macro Key” option can be selected on the software’s main page. That will bring up this small dialogue:

From here, you can hit “Record” and then press the keys your macro requires. If you want a macro executed as quick as possible, you can use the “Ignore Delay Time” to set a 0 ms delay for all key presses; this will then execute each step sequentially.

The macro creator is simple, but it works, and the resulting macros work just as well in my experience. One thing I must give kudos to Tt for is including the ability to run the macro “Until Pressed Next Time” – a minor feature that a lot of macro software tends to lack.

The next and final major portion of the software is “Light Option”. Here, you can configure the backlighting to some degree; you can disable the backlisting behind the numpad, for example, while leaving it behind the other supported keys. There’s no real fine-tuning here though, just a handful of variations you can use. A pulse option is also available for those who want it.

On the main page of the software, there’s an “Instant Shift Sys.” button that doesn’t explain itself at all. Once clicked, you’ll be able to assign either the Shift, Ctrl or Alt to profile 2 and 3 so that when one of those keys is pressed, you’ll gain access to that profile’s macros. This is going to be a feature only the most dedicated macro users will likely require, as it boosts the options available while ingame from 20, to 60.

Usage & Final Thoughts

Tt’s MEKA G-Unit is the first mech I’ve been able to use long-term that’s utilized CHERRY MX Red switches, and overall, their performance is just what I expected. As a gamer, Red switches can be ideal because they’re very easy to press – some have called them “too easy”.

After having used this G-Unit for a couple of months, I can say that I understand where people are coming from when they say that. Somewhat often, I’ll be sitting at the PC thinking about something (such as what to type next), and then clue in that I’ve been holding a key down. For some, this might be considered a downside, so if linear is desired but you’d rather not experience that kind of issue, Blacks would be a better choice.

Despite the minor issue of holding a key down without realizing it on occasion, I found this keyboard quite nice to use – a smooth type overall. In terms of noise, it’s far from being the quietest mech I’ve ever used – it will be heard by someone standing outside the door. But, it’s hardly what I’d consider “loud”; there’s no audible click when the key bottoms-out, which helps.

One aspect of the MEKA G-Unit that does drive me a bit insane is its European-derived key layout, which features a backwards L-shaped Enter key, and also a “\” key that’s found in a different location. Refer to the photo below to see what I’m talking about.

The G-Unit is the first keyboard I can ever remember using that’s adhered to this design, and right from the get-go, I didn’t like it. I use the right Shift key often (unlike most others, I’ve discovered), but on this keyboard, it’s been made shorter – as a direct result of the Enter key being much larger than it needs to be. The “\” key as well, which is usually found above the Enter key on most keyboards sold in the US, is now found under it, and in the place the ? key is expected to be.

The learning-curve here at first was rough – so rough that I started to wonder if I could even do a proper review of the keyboard. Over time though, I adapted to the differences, and I admit it’s become a non-issue for the most part. I do find typing a “\” to be more tedious than before (I need to stretch my pinky in an odd way to reach it), but overall, I’ve become used to it (even though I don’t think I should have “had” to… this design is foolish as far as I’m concerned).

All of that said, I haven’t had a single issue with the MEKA G-Unit on the hardware side since I began using it – and trust me, I type a lot (and I’ve been using this for three months). I appreciate the fact that macro profile keys are made available right on the keyboard, as well as media player / volume adjustment keys. It’s worth pointing out though that those top-arranged keys are definitely audible. If you’re in the habit of skipping songs in a playlist, the noise might become a little off-putting over time.

On a similar note, I’ve experienced a bit of oddness when it’s come to media control. With the launch firmware, I coudn’t use these keys at all with my preferred player, Foobar2000; hitting any one of the buttons would launch Windows Media Player. Fortunately, that issue has been purged with a recent firmware update.

However, if I am inside of a game, these keys become useless for some reason, even though the on-screen visual will tell me that the key is being pressed. It’s only when I’m actually in Windows doing things that it works. I’ve tested out a couple of different players to the same level of success. After talking to Thermaltake about the issue, it sounds like it could be a unique issue, but if so, it’d be with this particular sample as I’ve replicated the problem on another PC.

As for the software itself, I couldn’t go out on a limb and call it “great”, because when a piece of software manages to bring on a headache, it can never be “great”. I think the UI should be about twice as large, because it takes up a mere portion of the screen and results in small text that has to be squinted at. Once the software is learned, however, managing it is no problem, and as mentioned above, the macros execute flawlessly.

When the MEKA G-Unit “Red Switch Edition” was first released, it carried an SRP of about $150. At the moment though, it can be had for $100, which I consider to be a fantastic value – but that assumes you don’t mind some of its niggles, like the large Enter key, loud media player buttons, the (possible) inability to use the media keys with your player of choice while in a game – and of course, it’s wide frame of about 22 inches. On the flipside, it offers the perks of being well-built, having an integrated USB audio card, dual USB ports and excellent macro control – and not to mention a smooth typing experience.

Pros

• Solid design. Built like a Thermaltank.
• CHERRY MX red switches make for some seriously smooth typing.
• Keys for profile switch, media control, and volume.
• Software could use some polish, but the macro support is good all-around.
• Sturdy palmrest included, as well as a protective bag for the board and its cable.
• Built-in audio card, as well as 2x USB 2.0 ports.

Cons

• That Enter key… (which I suspect will be rare on future Tt mechs).
• Media player keys wouldn’t work for me while in a game.
• Only select keys are backlit.