After the fun of building a high-profile gaming PC, most likely with as many bells and whistles as they can muster, the average computer nut then looks for some high-end peripherals to glitter and shine next to their LED, epilepsy inducing tower. For the average gamer also, a nifty looking USB mouse or keyboard can really look the business.The Trust GXT 881 Odyss aims to traverse the wire of being the best of both worlds by not only encompassing the features of a top range mechanical keyboard but also coming in at a price point suitable for any new enthusiast.For all of its good intentions it’s a pleasant surprise that in many aspects this approach is a success.
The Trust GXT 881 Odyss sets itself apart from the competition straight away offering a semi-mechanical system at a budget other competitors find hard to compete with. One of these bad boys can be picked up for around £35, unheard of in mechanical circles, certainly if consumers are also looking for some style to go with their ‘clicky-clacky’ keys. Of course, at a budget there are some sacrifices on build-quality in some respects, but overall the Odyss looks and feels great with a lot of key features built in to complement its semi-mech marvelousness. As well as anti-ghosting with up to 19 simultaneous buttons, 10 direct access media keys allow quick navigation to the essential commands while gaming and streaming. A nice little touch is also the inclusion of a gaming mode that once turned on, disables the windows key completely to ensure that no accidental slips are going to kick players back to the desktop. It’s a neat little feature that may not even be warranted, however it’s nice to know it is there and after playtesting for a few hours, turning it on becomes habitual.
With a keyboard showcasing semi-mechanical feedback as one of its main selling points however, the proof is in the feeling. The Odyss certainly holds up in responsiveness replicating that satisfying click-clack of top end alternatives whereas many of the options in the same price bracket feel soft in comparison.
Design wise it’s very much a question of taste. A lot of keyboards have moved away from the edgy, 90s aesthetic which was so popular at the time in favour of a classier, more professional look. Trust have fully embraced the days of baggy jeans and wallets on chains with a look fresh out of Hackers. It’s going to be a divisive choice but with an LED illuminated keyboard, the crazier the design, the better. One look at this and it’s for ‘GAMERS’. Illumination is as expected with 6 colour modes from full RGB keys and backlights. Bright enough for most environments although certainly shining best in a dark lit gaming cubby hole. With all the standard colour shades as well, this won’t have any issue fitting in with any other lighting setups or peripherals on the market.
