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| Before jumping into this review, I just want to give a shout out to Velocilinx for providing the tech! |
I gave you a little backstory behind the name Brennus, so I'll do the same for the "Boudica" collection. According to Velocilinx, Boudica was a Celtic Queen who solely led a revolt against the Romans with a win or die mentality, she was not going to live or die as a slave. So they utilize the name of the collection to represent leadership, power, and perseverance... which is a perfect fit for gamers that refuse to sit back and take an L from the competition.
Here you have the Velocilinx: Boudica gaming headset. It's just like the Velocilinx: Brennus when it comes to the specs, and build. Both are lightweight, and deliver nice audio. The Boudica gaming headset, just like Brennus version... lack the customizable LED lighting options of the mouse and keyboard (which made me sigh)... but they get the job done.
Even if the specs are the same for both the Boudica & Brennus gaming headsets... I like the color scheme on this gaming headset a lot more. The Brennus version has a been there and done that... over and over and over again color scheme (mainly the black on black), where as the Boudica adds a fresh pop of white in the mix. This isn't a diss, but the Boudica headset catches my eye more... that's all.
You get the same features:
Sound: 7.1 Surround (Virtual)
Frequency: 20Hz-20KHz
RGB backlit: 7 colors
Connector: USB 2.0
Cable length: 2.2m
OS: Windows 7 or newer
Adjustable mic boom
Inline control: Volume, microphone, backlight on/off
Speaker size: 50mm
Speaker impedance: 21
Microphone type: Omnidirectional
Microphone size: 6*5MM
Microphone sensitivity: -42DB+3DB
Having different color options is common, and it doesn't take from one or the other... but Velocilinx should strongly consider different specs the next go round to mix it up. Brennus could've been the entry level with 7.1 Virtual Surround, while the Boudica could have been 7.1 True Surround with customizable colors, a detachable cord, detachable mic, and swivel ear cups for easy travel. If they want to keep the cost down while switching things up for one... they could always make one bluetooth instead of 7.1 True Surround.
Just like the Brennus gaming headset, the Boudica also retails for $69.99... and other than the color there is nothing really jumping out as different to rate these differently than the Brennus.
Comfort 4
Sound 4
Features 3
Price 5
4 out of 5 Cool Points
I just want to say that I love these mice, there are no extra's on that... I just love the way they feel and function.
The Velocilinx Artemis Pro Gaming Mouse from the Boudica collection is just like the one from the Brennus collection... and that's not a bad thing. This version is silver on top of the metallic base and... that's the only difference, the specs are the same for this 5 button 10,000 DPI gaming mouse. It feels good when used on a plain surface or a mouse pad. $52.99 is a steal. |
You get the same features:
Six color RGB lighting
High precision optical engine
Chipset: A3325
DPI: 1000-2000-3000-5000-7000-10,000
Frame rate: up to 3600 fps
Programmable buttons: 5
USB interface
Metallic bottom case
1.5M braided fiber cable
I don't know what i'd add to make the Boudica different from the Brennus, possibly bluetooth instead of wired but wired is still better... even if its by a little bit (no potential interference to worry about... or batteries). If the Boudica headphones were to take a turn to bluetooth... it could be fitting to do the same with the mouse and even the keyboard (we could still have the ability to connect them via a detachable USB or something). Not saying its in the cards, but... i'm just thinking of what would deliver some variety to the product offerings.
It's the same mouse... so i'm giving it the same 5 out of 5 rating!
Comfort 5
Usability 5
Features 5
Price 5
5 out of 5 Cool Points
Last but not least... you have the Velocilinx: Boudica Mechanical Gaming Keyboard! The other products may have mirrored eachother, but... the Boudica keyboard is quite different from the Brennus. I saved this for last because you definitely have a different type of keyboard and price.The Boudica Mechanical Keyboard, is also aimed at gamers... and comes in silver and white.
I don't see a lot of keyboards with this color and it actually matches an old silver and white laptop tucked away in the office storage somewhere. Here is a visual comparison of both keyboards (seen below), the Boudica has a bit more style to it... but I will say that the Brennus gives you a bit more of those "out of the box" features.
Off the bat, you see these silver cap-like circles closer to the upper sides of the keyboard, and an RGB color strip sandwiched between the white base of the keyboard and the keys. Very appealing, and I love the ability to customize the keys to exactly the way you want them (so I had to represent SDGT Entertainment!).
The Boudica keyboard also comes with a palm wrest if its something you desire to attach. This keyboard also includes a Veloci Key programmed to give you access to 8 preset color options, but when you access the app... you get access to 26 lighting effects vs 14 with the Brennus.
The Brennus felt good to use... but the Boudica feels better (especially when I place the keyboard on my lap). I do give the Brennus more credit in the functionality department, even if you can customize the keys on the Boudica. You get all the secondary keys you can want on the Brennus, they're already spelled out via the icons... where as the Boudica does not.
So if you're a serious gamer with a need to get non-gaming related tasks done (and you don't feel like programming keys), the Brennus keyboard may be the way to go... but if you're a fan of fully customizable keyboards... you may want the Boudica. I'm not saying that the Boudica doesn't have hotkeys... but nothing is listed for things like "Stop", "Play", "Calculator", and things of that nature.
I do think that Velocilinx missed out on an opportunity with this keyboard based on the design. Going back to the silver cap-like circles... they could have totally placed a volume knob with a mute button in the center and something useful on the other one. So if there were a volume knob on the right side, there could've been something like an accessible USB port on the other side or something.
Both keyboards get the job done... even though i'd probably walk into a tournament with the Boudica Collection. Speaking of eSports... you don't get the game mode keys preset with the Boudica, but this keyboard is a lot more customizable so you can simply light up the keys you need to use in any colors you desire.
You can't easily switch out the colors of keys in the Brennus keyboard with a variety of customized colors (and believe me... I tried). You can use the same color on the keys using the Brennus, but I ran into a snag when I tried to add additional colors. This is not a problem for the Boudica (as seen below).
The feature that the Boudica has in common with the Brennus are as follows:
Built-in anti-ghosting technology
Outemu Blue mechanical spring keys (e-sports standard)
Flash memory EEPROM
WIN key lockout for gaming
The differences the Boudica has from the Brennus come with a different price tag, but... it's not far off. The Boudica is $109.99 compared to the Brennus which currently retails for $99.99... so compare, contrast and see if either of these mechanical gaming keyboards works for you.
Some of you may scratch your head at the score because of how much you can customize... but those secondary keys go a long way and they just aren't presented straight out of the box.
Comfort 5
Usability 5
Features 4
Price 4
4.5 out of 5 Cool Points
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