Sweet baby Jesus, just look at this new gaming keyboard from the folks at Nuphy. The Nuphy x AKIRA40K Field 75 Wireless mechanical gaming keyboard is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s a 75% keyboard that is the love child of Nuphy’s pursuit of sleek, low-profile mechanical keyboards and AKIRA40K from CIY Studio’s diesel-punk aesthetics.
The result is a board that you’d expect to see V from CyberPunk 2077 use to hack into one of the many MegaCorps. Whether it’s the unique Electro colorway, the various knobs and switches, or just the fact that the board has a carry handle, it’s unlikely you’ve seen any gaming keyboard quite like this.
Retailing for $169.95 US or about $250 Aussie, the Field 75 has a lot to offer. It’s built like a tank, has hot-swappable switches, Cherry profile PBT keycaps, 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity, 8 custom macro keys, a two-tone wrist wrest, and of course, RGB lighting to improve those framerates.
Design and Build
The design of the Field 75 was inspired by World War II military equipment, hence the retro-futuristic look. CIY Studio collaborated with Nuphy on the design, opting for a 75% layout ideal for gamers who often need to tilt their keyboard while gaming. The layout still allows for arrow keys, full function row, and home keys, something you lose out on smaller 60% boards. This layout is perfect for freeing up desk space, especially in smaller setups.
Despite its size, the Field 75 is quite heavy at 1.276 kg, thanks to the generous use of steel in the chassis. Nuphy ensures a satisfying clack sound without being disruptive to others around you, using a combination of Plate Poron and PCB IXPE to absorb ping. Nuphy also introduces the GhostBar, a special design for the space bar that aims to create a ‘hollow-sound free gaming environment.’
The Field 75 is slightly wider than other 75% keyboards due to the added space on the left that houses the tactile controls, a column of 4 dedicated macro buttons, and the metal handlebar for carrying the board. The tactile controls are exceptional in both feel and sound. The volume dial has a delicious clicking as you rotate it, and the connection toggle has a satisfying clack as it moves. The little cog solely adjusts the brightness of the RGB and has a stiffness that requires intention when rotating it.
On the top edge of the Field 75, you’ll find the USB Type-C connector port, a power switch, and a USB hub. A cool feature is the slightly translucent backplate which lets you see the faint glow of the RGB LEDs. You also get flip-out feet
The macro buttons (G1 – G4) are made of thick rubber with a surprising clickiness to them, allowing you to assign various actions using the Nuphy Console. The remaining G5 – G8 macro buttons, situated beneath the space bar, are rectangular in shape. The placement of G1-4 buttons allows for quick access during gaming or productivity tasks, while the ones on the bottom might require more attention to press the correct one.
The Field 75 comes in a choice of four color themes — Electro (Black, grey, neon green), Gravity (white, purple), Noether (Pink, Purple), and Ethereal (Beige, orange). Nuphy offers a matching wrist rest that complements the board’s aesthetics, but it lacks any sort of clips to the board and doesn’t have RGB passthrough like some competitors. Nevertheless, it looks elegant and matches the board well.
Switches, Connectivity, and Battery Life
The Field 75 is available with a variety of switch options; Polaris, Fleeting Gold, Cherry Speed Silver, and Cherry Ergo Clear. The Polaris Linear switches I tested have a 1.2mm pre-travel and 3.3mm total travel distance with an operating force of 46gf. The factory-lubed switches are smooth and responsive, making typing and gaming a pleasure. Additionally, the keyboard is hot-swappable, allowing users to customize their switches to their liking.
As a gaming keyboard, the Field 75 supports N-Key rollover, and all keys can be customized using the Nuphy Field Console software. The software is still in beta so take everything with a pinch of salt as it will likely look completely different to you by the time this goes live. Either way, its pretty simple and straight forward.
You can adjust the lighting, assign key functions and more. Annoyingly, the software only works when you are connected via USB cable. You can also choose from 18 different backlight modes and create your own.
The keyboard connects via 2.4 GHz with a 1000Hz polling rate, perfect for low-latency gaming. It also offers Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, allowing seamless switching between up to four devices with an LED indicator displaying the connected device.
In terms of battery life, Nuphy claims anywhere between 25 – 42 hours with RGB lighting on and up to 160 hours with RGB off. In practical usage, it averaged about 6-8 days between charges, making it a reliable companion for extended gaming sessions. Additionally, the USB-C cable offers a quick charging solution.
Verdict
The Nuphy x AKIRA40K Field 75 is a fantastic piece of gear that gamers would love to have in their setup. The attention to detail, tactile buttons, and customizable features make it a compelling choice for any gamer. Whether you’re looking for a stylish and unique keyboard or a high-performance gaming companion, the Field 75 delivers on all fronts. With hot-swappable switches, customization options, and overall excellent performance, there’s very little to complain about for the average gamer.
While keyboard enthusiasts may have some concerns about the ease of upgrading and tinkering, the out-of-the-box experience makes it a standout product, comparable to other favorites like the Asus ROG Azoth, only missing an OLED display. If you’re in the market for a distinctive and high-performing gaming keyboard, the Nuphy x AKIRA40K Field 75 should be at the top of your list.
Nuphy kindly provided the Nuphy x AKIRA40K Field 75 to PowerUp Gaming for the purpose of this review.
