AZIO Levetron Mech5 KB577U Black USB Wired Gaming Mechanical Keyboard w/ Cherry Black MX Switches

Pros: 1. I love the options and macro capabilities
2. The removeable keypad was the big factor in my purchase
3. The D-Pad keys are nice but might be a waste because their positioning has to happen over the F-Keys.
4. Toggling Windows key off/on is also a big plus

Cons: 1. Even though keyboard is quite large they key layout is very cramped. Miss-hit keys are all too common.
2. Included software stinks. No updates poor documentation. No ability to save the profile or not to the keyboard (i.e. Hardware mode).
Volume knob is HUGE yet it tracks so poorly it is hardly worth having.
3. Main key are not backlit.
4. Like many HUD-type input devices using USB this keyboard suffers from the computer not recognizing it upon boot up or awake from hibernation. This requires unplugging and re-plugging over and over. Not really a Con from AZIO but a limitation of USB I believe.

Other Thoughts: This can be a very good keyboard fro the right person. It was not for me. Keys felt cramped and getting the software to work correctly is a major trial and error. Patience is needed and it does work. reminds me of software written by engineers and not users.

Pros: -Extremely solid keyboard
-Modular in some aspects is a nice feature.
-very comfortable typing
-nice rubber WASD and arrow keys included
-backlighting in the side keys to switch between mod. keys

Cons: -sometimes the keys decide not to register and it could require an extra press
-key pad sometimes doesn't register as being plugged in
-slight fading of keys, especially WASD
-would have loved back lighting with the whole keyboard
-backlighting doesn't do much other than to know A1/B1 selection

Other Thoughts: some of the negatives could bite back later in the life cycle of the keyboard, especially with the keys fading. Still like typing on this keyboard is really nice and doesn't lose an egg for that.

Pros: It is so easy to use and setting up the macro keys is an easy way to play SC2 or any other games that you need to multi-task. Having the buttons where you can turn off the windows key is a brilliant idea because I have pressed that button when I am in the game. I would definitely recommend this keyboard to my friend.

Cons: None that I can think of right now. :)

Other Thoughts: You should try to make the whole keyboard light up because I play in the dark and sometimes I wish the numbers would light up.

Pros: Great feeling, durable keyboard. There's a small break in period as with most mechanical keyboards, but soon enough the keys press like a charm, mechanical keyboards are unparalleled.

Cons: The "D" keys on the little slider tray get in the way while entering passwords, coding, etc. as the tray sticks out a little too far and tends to be a little bulky. The general idea is cool, but all they really are is F1-F6 as with all AZiO products, the bundled software is just for looks and does absolutely nothing at all, but this was to be expected having owned several of their products in the passed. Just don't expect to be able to use any of the macro keys for anything or resign the function keys on the "D" slider tray.

Once again, as with all AZiO products, the bundled software is the best, don't expect to be able to download a newer version on their web site as it is never updated and really quite terrible to say the least. For instance, you won't even find a download at all for this keyboard, but there is one oddly enough for one of their other keyboards.

Other Thoughts: Hopefully they get the software working properly, I would love to be able to actually use some of these macro keys one day, but I'm not holding my breath. I buy AZiO products because they are way cheaper than Logitech and way better quality in construction, not so much for the bundled software.

Pros: Really liked the keys while they worked.

Cons: Keys started to stop working, first the backspace , then some of the letters ...... and the numpad never worked. Worst keyboard I have ever used.

Other Thoughts: Looks awesome..... but don't let looks deceive you.

Pros: -Easy to put the grippy red keys on
-key presses feel nice
-Very responsive
-It is pretty. O.O

Cons: -It is pretty wide, especially with the numpad on it. Not necessarily a con, but not my preference.
-The sensitivity of the volume nob is soo low. Perhaps this can be changed in some settings, I have not looked very hard.

Other Thoughts: I recommend.

Pros: Mechanical
switchable ten key pad
sliding 6 key on top
volume control
alternate key caps

Cons: not backlit. the alternate key caps are great for movement during gaming but not so much for just typing.

Other Thoughts: wish it was a little better lit. key sound isn't too bad considering its mechanical

Pros: So many to list, key feel is excellent, also they ship additional red rubber keys and a tool for you to replace keys with! all software works, still haven't gotten around to figuring out programming options fully using the provided software. keyboard feels pretty solid, easy setup and install. I got this keyboard using the promo code and a gift card, so essentially I payed 50 dollars for it, and for 50 dollars I got a lot.

Cons: the volume knob has too fine an adjustment, you have to turn it a lot to make large adjustments, would be nice to have some additional web keys but you can easily program those in in about 2 minutes, wrist rest is mostly decoration but I am cool with that.

Other Thoughts: A helpful tip with the spill proof feature, if you do accidentally spill a sugary drink on it, to avoid stickyness immediately get water and pour it on the keyboard multiple times, this will wash out the sugary drink, and since the keyboard is spill proof will not cause any detriment to its function

Pros: Cherry MX Black switches.
Feels very sturdy and well built.
Very comfortable to type on.
Modular number pad.

Cons: Looks very gaudy on my desk full of clean peripherals. Definitely could have done without the fake rivets.
When I first set the keyboard up, I had the num pad attached on the left side, because it made more sense with how my desk is set up. Shortly there after, it stopped responding. I detached it and connected it to one of the USB ports with the included cable, and all is well. I think I like it better like this anyway.

The only other thing I really dislike about this keyboard is the location of the USB ports. I wish they were on the side or something, though I don't think that's possible with the rest of the design. I just worry about them getting bumped and jiggled and eventually stop working. -1 egg for all of these.

Other Thoughts: This is my first mechanical keyboard. Every other keyboard I've ever used was a membrane or scissor switch, and I have to say that I enjoy this much more. There is definitely a stronger feel to these keys. I can definitely look past the minor cons that I have listed, and would definitely recommend this keyboard.

My system:
ASRock 970 Extreme3
AMD Phenom II x4 960T
4x4GB Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 1600MHz
EVGA GTX 550Ti FPB
CM Storm Scout
CM Extreme Power Plus 550w
Azio Levetron Mech5
SteelSeries Sensei
Turtle Beach x41 + Creative Fatal1ty headset + Logitech speakers
HP 2311x + LG Flatron EW224

Pros: I, like many gamers, appreciate the capability to turn the windows key on or off. The numpad can be moved to either side and that was a huge plus and a seller for me. I also like the removable D pad.

Cons: This keyboard is not capable of making special characters. It seems small but it's almost enough to make me send it back because I use special characters daily. I've never come across this issue before.

"Sadly, the Mech 5 is not capable of this. The key codes sent from the number pad is not supported by the ALT codes. We apologize if this caused you any inconvenience.
Best Regards,
Va Trung
AZIO Customer Care
19977 Harrison Ave.
City of Industry, CA 91789"

Other Thoughts: They keys seem a little too high for me, but that's not a huge issue.