The Software Is Holding This Stunning Keyboard Back! AKKO MOD007 V3 Year of the Dragon
đź›’ Products Featured:
AKKO MOD007 V3 Hall Effect Special Edition Year of the Dragon Keyboard: https://en.akkogear.com/product/mod007v3-he-dragon-mechanical-keyboard/?ref=69752
Non Limited Edition Versions: https://amzn.to/47NL1AX
AKKO Creamy Yellow Magnetic Switches: https://en.akkogear.com/product/akko-v3-cream-yellow-pro-switch-45pcs/?ref=69752
In the world of custom mechanical keyboards, AKKO has made a name for itself by offering visually striking designs, high-quality keycaps, and unique features at a competitive price. Their MOD007 V3 Hall Effect Special Edition Year of the Dragon keyboard is no exception when it comes to aesthetics. Featuring a dragon-themed design and some innovative features like magnetic switches and 8K polling rate, this keyboard seems like the perfect addition to any enthusiast’s collection. However, beyond its beauty lies a series of functional flaws that might give even the most die-hard fans reason to pause.
In this review, we’ll break down every aspect of the AKKO MOD007 V3 Hall Effect keyboard—from its jaw-dropping design to its lackluster software. By the end, you’ll know whether this keyboard is worth the $179 price tag or if it’s better left as a display piece.
Design and Build Quality
When it comes to design, AKKO truly knows how to stand out. The MOD007 V3 Special Edition is designed with meticulous detail, and the dragon-themed keycaps are the immediate highlight. The vibrant colors, three-tone anodization, and intricate dragon artwork are stunning. This is a keyboard that demands attention on any desk, and AKKO’s reputation for delivering high-quality PBT keycaps shines here. The keycaps are textured and feel sturdy, ensuring that they won’t wear out quickly, even with heavy use.
The build quality matches the design’s premium feel. The MOD007 V3 is housed in a solid aluminum case, giving the keyboard a satisfying weight and rigidity. There’s no flex when typing, and the board feels robust enough to last for years. It’s also equipped with south-facing RGB lighting, ensuring that your keycaps and overall aesthetic are illuminated without the RGB overpowering the design.
Dragon-Themed Keycaps: Visuals Over Function?
The keycaps are undeniably beautiful, but there’s one critical design flaw—off-center legends. Some of the key legends, particularly the number keys, are placed in the lower-right corner, while others remain in the top-left. This inconsistency can make typing feel off-balance and can cause accuracy issues for touch typists. When you glance down at the keyboard, it creates the illusion that the keys are misaligned, making it hard to get accustomed to the layout. A simple design adjustment to center the legends would have vastly improved the user experience.
Switches and Typing Experience
One of the major selling points of the MOD007 V3 is its Hall Effect magnetic switches. For those unfamiliar, Hall Effect switches allow for customizable actuation—you can adjust how far down you need to press a key before it registers, which is a game-changer for typists and gamers alike. The AKKO Creamy Yellow Magnetic Switches included with this keyboard offer a smooth, linear feel. The switches have a light 40g actuation force, making typing feel fast and responsive.
Typing Feel and Sound Profile
The typing experience itself is smooth, but this is where the MOD007 V3 starts to show its flaws. While the Creamy Yellow Magnetic Switches are pleasant to type on, the overall sound profile is disappointing. Many enthusiasts expect a premium sound from a Hall Effect keyboard, but the MOD007 V3 produces a somewhat hollow and muted sound, particularly on the spacebar and larger keys. Given the rise of keyboards with excellent acoustic dampening and thocky sound profiles, this is a glaring omission for AKKO in this model. Other keyboards in a similar price range, like the Wooting 60HE, have managed to balance performance with satisfying acoustics, which makes this all the more noticeable.
Moreover, despite the premium case and gasket-mounted design, there is noticeable rattle in the stabilizers. This isn’t uncommon with stock stabilizers, but for a keyboard priced at $179, this can be frustrating for users who expect a more refined experience right out of the box.
Performance Features: 8K Polling Rate & Custom Actuation
The 8K polling rate is one of the standout features of the AKKO MOD007 V3, particularly for gamers. This high polling rate ensures that your keystrokes are registered with minimal latency—ideal for fast-paced gaming where every millisecond counts. However, while the feature works as advertised, the practical difference between 1K and 8K polling rate is almost negligible for the average user. Unless you’re an esports professional or ultra-competitive gamer, the added benefit of this feature may be lost on you.
Custom Actuation: A Hall Effect Essential
The ability to customize key actuation is where Hall Effect switches truly shine. The AKKO MOD007 V3 allows you to adjust the actuation point of each key via the software, which is crucial for creating a keyboard tailored to your specific needs. Whether you prefer a short actuation for rapid keystrokes in games or a deeper actuation for more deliberate typing, the MOD007 V3 has you covered. However, this feature’s usefulness is hindered by the software, which we’ll delve into next.
The Software: AKKO’s Biggest Weakness
As impressive as the hardware is, the software is where the AKKO MOD007 V3 truly stumbles. When working with Hall Effect switches, the ability to fine-tune every aspect of the keyboard is key. Unfortunately, the software used to control these features is slow, clunky, and unresponsive.
Lag and Slow Response Times
Every change you make—whether adjusting RGB lighting, changing actuation points, or remapping keys—comes with an unacceptable lag. It takes up to 3 seconds to register simple changes like switching the lighting mode or adjusting the actuation of keys. For a keyboard at this price, with Hall Effect technology that is entirely reliant on software, this kind of performance is unacceptable.
Convoluted Interface
In addition to the lag, the software interface is poorly designed. It’s convoluted, with options hidden behind confusing menus. This makes customizing the keyboard more of a chore than it needs to be. Competing brands like Wooting and Keychron have set the standard for how software should work with Hall Effect keyboards, offering seamless, intuitive interfaces that make customization simple and enjoyable. AKKO’s software, in its current state, feels like a missed opportunity to capitalize on the strength of Hall Effect switches.
If AKKO can improve their software to be more responsive and user-friendly, this keyboard would be a much more compelling option. However, until these issues are resolved, the MOD007 V3’s reliance on lackluster software severely limits its potential.
Conclusion: A Stunning Keyboard with Missed Opportunities
The AKKO MOD007 V3 Hall Effect Special Edition Year of the Dragon is a visually stunning keyboard with a lot of potential. Its design is undeniably beautiful, and the magnetic switches offer some unique features like customizable actuation points and an 8K polling rate. However, the lackluster software, underwhelming sound profile, and minor design flaws hold it back from being a must-have keyboard in its price range.
If you prioritize aesthetics and don’t mind some software frustrations, this keyboard might still be worth considering. But for those looking for a Hall Effect keyboard that delivers on both performance and customization, there are better options on the market.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Stunning design with dragon-themed keycaps and premium anodization
- Smooth typing experience with AKKO Creamy Yellow Magnetic Switches
- Customizable actuation points thanks to Hall Effect technology
- 8K polling rate for gaming and fast typing
- Solid aluminum build with no flex
Cons:
- Laggy, convoluted software with slow response times
- Underwhelming sound profile, especially for a premium board
- Rattling stabilizers on larger keys
- Off-center key legends that affect typing accuracy
- High price for the performance offered
Final Verdict
The AKKO MOD007 V3 Special Edition Year of the Dragon offers an exquisite design and some promising features, but its performance is hindered by unrefined software and a lackluster typing experience. It’s a keyboard that looks great on your desk, but for $179, it’s hard to justify the investment when there are other Hall Effect keyboards on the market with better overall functionality.
For enthusiasts who prioritize customization and sound profile, this may not be the ideal choice. However, for users who are drawn to its stunning aesthetics and don’t mind some software hiccups, it could still be a unique addition to their collection.
