Sharkoon Crystal Shark in the test: Transparency is a radiant shark light 86 comments
The Sharkoon Crystal Shark makes a shark impression on the pictures: the transparency of the housing and the completely transparent keys give the keyless keyboard a really unusual look; especially with the activated RGB lighting, which is a huge shark light. But the buttons themselves also impressed in the test.
Table of contents Transparency is a radiant shark light Stand out, stand out, stand out! The Sharkoon Crystal Shark in detailLayout and additional functions It’s the lighting, stupid Keys in detail: good and cheapButton: KKT Kang White V3 Keys: Polycarbonate Everyday life and acousticsThis is what the lighting play on the top plate brings to the table Conclusion
Stand out, stand out, stand out! Stand out, stand out, stand out, that’s the idea behind the Crystal Shark from Sharkoon. Although the concept is more “standard” than Hai-End, the manufacturer creates a very unique look that is rarely found elsewhere. The translucent lights make the Crystal Shark a shark lamp that only has a few shark-shaped corners. The details in the test.
The Sharkoon Crystal Shark in detail
Layout and additional functions
As a keyless keyboard, the Crystal Shark, available in transparent white or transparent black, does not have a numeric keypad. Sharkoon also saves on additional buttons or features.
The Crystal Shark uses a tenkeyless layout, so it does not have a numeric keypad
However, there are additional functions. Although not memorized to the keys, the media player and volume can be controlled, as can the lighting. Buyers have to live with what they get out of the pack because the occupancy is fixed.
Data transfer is carried out via a USB-C cable or optionally a 2.4 GHz radio. A 2,600 mAh battery allows autonomy of up to 180 hours (one week). When not in use, the required nano receiver is connected to the USB cable with a storage tab.
It’s Beleuchtung, stupid
What’s really important about the keyboard is the play of light that highlights the transparent material. The effects are predefined, but the speed and colors can be adjusted. However, depending on the effect, the color change process seems almost a little too fast and therefore noticeable even at minimum speed. One or two even slower steps with very gradual color changes would have suited the Crystal Shark well.
The LEDs only remain static in one mode: permanent lighting of the keys, where we find a colored pattern. However, a more static variety would have been welcome. An individual profile of eight predefined colors can also be programmed.
Buttons in detail: good and inexpensive
Even though they look like terrible table drawers: KKT Kang White V3 knobs live up to their good reputation.
Taster: KKT Kang White V3
The caps wobble less than common standard buttons and factory lubrication ensures smooth insertion. A little “residual scratching” is still felt, but if we compare Kang White to Kailh Red or even MX Red, the difference quickly becomes perceptible. Additionally, the buttons refuse to tilt, even when pressed in a provocative and unfavorable manner.
It’s hard to say for sure whether this makes it the “budget king”, but it’s certainly a very good choice in this segment. They are particularly suitable for the Crystal Shark because of their white pads, which are barely visible under the key caps. Yellow or red alternatives, on the other hand, are immediately visible, making the appearance worse. If you want, you can always do it: thanks to the hot-swappable sockets, the buttons can be replaced without tools.
KTT Kang White V3 Cherry MX RedKailh Box Red ✔Kailh Red ✔KTT Kang White V3 ✔ Kailh Box Red Cherry MX RedKailh Box Red ✔Kailh Red ✔KTT Kang White V3 ✔ Kailh Red Cherry MX RedKailh Box Red ✔Kailh Red ✔KTT Kang White V3 ✔ Features: Linear Stroke: 4.0 mm 3.6 mm 4.0 mm Position of signal point: 1.9 mm 1.8 mm 2.0 mm Resistance at signal point: 43 g 45 g 50 g Resistance at pressure point: – Duration of life (arrests): 60 million. 80 million 60 million
Button tuning roughly matches the common “red” buttons, although the spring tension is slightly less than the MX Red and is less floaty than the Kailh Red. A key difference between these buds and the KKT is volume, as shown in a direct comparison with the Crystal Shark. Kang White has a duller, more subtle background noise and therefore reduces background noise. The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow are a little better, but also a little more expensive. Sharkoon does it all here.
Keys: Polycarbonate
The keycaps are made of polycarbonate, considered more durable than ABS plastic. A rough surface inside also diffuses light. This means that the lighting is less glaring and the lighting appears more uniform. The top is different from coated ABS caps: at first it feels like a rubber coating, but after a few hours it is simply smooth, which sets it apart from the lightly structured surfaces of other caps. This creates a certain “slipperiness” compared to their PBT plastic counterparts, which mostly takes some getting used to.
The labeling is printed due to translucency – other methods are simply not suitable as they change the surface, require coating or require two layers of different colored plastic. Not labeling secondary functions also makes sense when it comes to lighting: it means that as little “color” as possible is hidden – and creates a simple look that certainly benefits the keyboard.
Daily life & acoustics
Acoustically, it resembles a standard keyboard, which is mainly due to the lack of isolation. The most important factor for volume is the buttons; the manufacturer does not provide any additional “surveys”. The Crystal Shark therefore remains structurally simple – and is not a particularly quiet keyboard, although it clicks quite deeply and therefore pleasantly.
However, it is much more present than the Cooler Master MK770 with its complex structure. The Sharkoon product sounds a little more muted, but has “reverb” in the form of the typical plastic keyboard rattle that you can hear; it lacks the rich backdrop of more expensive keyboards, which are a bit brighter but click quieter.
This brings the top plate
Whether or not the magnetically removable top plate is used has no bearing on the noise when typing. So this is only important for modding and for easier cleaning. Without it, the keyboard design is worse because the white switch plate is flush with the transparent housing – it looks a bit like a purely functional design. But that’s not the point of the Crystal Shark.
The position of additional functions must be learned here. Since Sharkoon uses a relatively intuitive and common layout, this is quick and easy. The fact that nothing can be changed and the color scheme only allows a rough selection should not be a problem. But it’s possible: this keyboard would be predestined for open source firmware.
Play of light in sight
In fact, it’s a question of lighting and design. Isn’t that boring? No. LEDs are definitely blinding, but only if you look at them from a very acute angle. During normal use, they are covered by the button housing, more precisely by the non-translucent pad, which effectively prevents its owner from being blinded. However, the backlight impairs readability somewhat, although viewing angle and brightness are also crucial here.
The general rule of the test is: the flatter the viewing angle, the higher the brightness should be. If you mostly sit at the keyboard, the minimal setting has proven effective; On mechanical keyboards, the diodes are already bright, but here they can work almost tirelessly.
The Crystal Shark is quite a lamp. At a flat angle, the maximum brightness is more interesting, because it makes the keyboard shine quite well. In addition, the readability of the keys is better thanks to the higher contrast. All that remains is the reflection on the monitor – and the realization that the “colored” keys look damn stylish.
Conclusion
Stand out, stand out, stand out, that’s the idea behind the Crystal Shark. Although the concept is more “standard” than Hai-End, the manufacturer creates a very unique look that is rarely found elsewhere. The translucent lights make the Crystal Shark a shark lamp that only has a few shark-shaped corners.
The keyboard’s biggest “weakness” is its average acoustics. However, it must be said that it is suitable for the price range and is lower than what would be possible thanks to the good dull buttons. Not all users will like the fact that the colors and key assignments are fixed – just like smooth keys, this is a real elimination criterion for very few of them. The Crystal Shark works really well.
You have to want the Crystal Shark because of its looks – and that’s a good thing
The keyboard stands out for its transparency and its play of light. You have to want it too. The design is undoubtedly a matter of taste, but it is also a centerpiece of the peripheral configuration and a big change in the market.
But the Crystal Shark is much more than that. This is ensured by carefully chosen buttons that live up to their reputation. The Khang Whites are quite good and are a significant upgrade over the Kailh White or MX Red, often sitting in the segment with a purchase price of less than 100 euros. At a price of around 80 euros, the keyboard is therefore a fair offer.
Techconseil received the Crystal Shark from Sharkoon on loan for testing. The manufacturer had no influence on the test report and was not obliged to publish it.
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