GK61 60% Keyboard with hot swappable Gateron Optical Switches, RGB Lighting and USB-C

Download GK61 software download here: GK61 Companion Software

The GK61 is a standard-sized 60% keyboard featuring RGB backlighting, USB-C wired connection, and Gateron brand optical switches. The USB-C cable is detachable for convenience of portability. Stabilizers come pre-lubed.
Note: This is an optical switch mechanical keyboard. Switches can only be hotswapped with other optical switches.

It comes in 6 possible switch colors/weights of:

Gateron Optical Red (Linear) – 45g (2mm pre-travel | 4mm travel distance)
Gateron Optical Black (Linear) – 60g (2mm pre-travel | 4mm travel distance)
Gateron Optical Brown (Tactile) – 55g (2mm pre-travel | 4mm travel distance)
Gateron Optical Blue (Clicky) – 55g (2mm pre-travel | 4mm travel distance)
Gateron Optical Yellow (Linear) – 35g (1mm pre-travel | 3.2mm travel distance)
Gateron Optical Silver (Linear) – 45g (1mm pre-travel | 3.2mm travel distance)

The GK61 has a companion software which supports full keymap programmability with up to 3 additional layers for a total of 4 layers. Lights and macros are programmable as well and lights can be programmed with custom animations through frame-by-frame animation programming. All custom programming can either be used in “Driver” mode for use only when connected to a computer running the companion software, or programming can be loaded onto keyboard on-board memory for use with any computer.

Optical switches are much more durable than conventional mechanical keyboard switches and are rated for 100 million keystrokes. They have a high actuation point of 1.5mm for fast response. Gateron optical switches utilize a horizontal infrared beam which is transmitted across the width of the inner keyswitch. The infrared beam is normally blocked from reaching a sensor across from it by the stem. Once a switch is pressed, the switch stem no longer blocks the infrared beam and the beam is detected by the sensor, which activates the switch. Due to the optical mechanism, an optical switch has an extremely fast response time of 0.2ms, which means faster reactions in those times where timing is critical, such as when gaming.

Programming Tips:

• Each layer needs to be sent to the on-board memory of the keyboard individually by clicking “Apply” at the bottom right corner of the window for each layer.
• Custom programming should be done in the “Onboard Settings” tab if you wish for the programming to be loaded onto the keyboard for use even without the companion software.