VARMILO VA87M SUMMIT [INTRODUCTION]

12/2020 by PAUL GÖRNHARDT / HOLGER DASSLER - Back to overview

The Chinese keyboard manufacturer Varmilo is known for its high product quality, which is able to withstand even the critical eyes of enthusiasts. The VA87M Summit also stands out with a unique keycap design inspired by Nordic mythology. The keyboard is rounded off by a wide selection of CHERRY MX switches. Find out what else the keyboard has to offer in this blog post.

Specifications at a glance:

  • Keyboard Layout: TKL 80%
  • Switch Type: CHERRY MX RGB Brown, Blue, Red, Silent Red, Speed Silver
  • LED Color: White LEDs
  • Macro Keys: All keys
  • Response Rate: 1ms
  • Matrix: 100% Anti-Ghosting with N-Key-Rollover
  • Software: No
  • Integrated Memory: Yes
  • Media Keys: No
  • Palm Rest: No
  • Dimensions: 356 mm x 134 mm x 33 mm
  • Weight: 940 gram

Varmilo VA87M Summit in detail

The name Varmilo may not be familiar to the average consumer. But what the manufacturer saves in marketing costs, it invests in the material and processing quality of its keyboards. The Varmilo VA87M Summit also stands out from the majority of mechanical keyboards with its eye-catching keycaps.

Especially for experienced users who have already developed a taste for mechanical switches and are not deterred by using shortcuts for macros or LED configuration, this keyboard can prove to be a real gold mine. Varmilo pays special attention to the inner workings and refines the typing feel with details such as a shock-absorbing foam mat and additionally greased stabilizers.

Design and ergonomics

The VA87M Summit is a real eye-catcher with its unique keycaps. Arranged in a compact 80% TKL layout, this keyboard leaves plenty of room on the desk for expansive mouse movement. Inspired by Nordic mythology, the individual keycaps feature lovingly drawn designs accented by matching colors. A nice detail: the Enter key has coordinates printed on it, which point to an area in Norway associated with Jötunheim - "World of the Giants".

Extraordinary feature set

Although the keys themselves are at the heart of the VA87M Summit, the keyboard also offers common convenience features such as adjustable, sturdy feet. With their rubberized base, they ensure ergonomic and safe positioning. Enthusiasts particularly appreciate the additional lubrication of the stabilizers, which provides a characteristically fluid switching feel. The exchangeable mini-USB cable with a length of 1.5 meters allows for a long-lasting use without worrying about a cable break. The PBT key caps also underline the claim to durability. This material is particularly abrasion-resistant and durable. A special foam mat is embedded under the circuit board to dampen the key strokes, resulting in a gentle typing feel. Thanks to N-Key Rollover, numerous simultaneous key strokes are no problem.

Lighting and software

In keeping with the VA87M Summit's stylish appearance, Varmilo decided against RGB lighting and instead installed discreet white LEDs under the key caps. These can be animated in various effects, dimmed in four steps or switched off completely by a key combination. Media control and volume control are also accessed via shortcuts. Status lights of the CapsLock and ScrollLock are hidden directly under the keys themselves. If necessary, they can also be replaced with alternate supplied key caps without status display in favor of a uniform design.

CHERRY MX switches

The Varmilo VA87M Summit is available with a variety of CHERRY MX switches. For frequent users, MX BLUE or MX BROWN switches are ideal, while gamers might prefer MX RED or MX SPEED SILVER. Varmilo also offers a version with MX SILENT RED for use in noise-sensitive environments such as in the office or for streaming.

Our sample keyboard is equipped with these MX SILENT RED switches. These are characterized by their low actuating force of 45 centinewtons. Due to this low resistance they enable particularly fast reaction times during gaming. On the other hand, the slightly shortened pre-travel of 1.9 millimeters (compared to the regular MX RED) also supports fast responses. With a total travel of 3.7 millimeters, the switches can provide that decisive advantage in tricky situations.

Conclusion

The Varmilo VA87M Summit doesn't need a lot of bling and instead convinces with inner qualities and a unique key cap design. Even those who have already tried out one or more mechanical keyboards may discover a new typing feel thanks to Varmilo's targeted detail adjustments such as the additional lubrication of stabilizers and the integrated damping mat. The compact TKL form factor is also a relevant purchase argument for many. On the other hand, those looking for a standard gaming keyboard full of assistive features and with intuitive software configuration will be better off with traditional brands like CORSAIR or ASUS ROG, not least because of the price.