HATOR has updated its popular Rockfall keyboard line. So far, the third series includes only one model, the HATOR Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless. But it has a number of interesting features inherent in top models. It supports hot-swappable switches, has a Gasket Mount design, is equipped with noise reduction, and also supports three types of connections. And for enthusiasts, support for settings using QMK/VIA will be interesting. How it all works, we will tell in today's review.
Features of HATOR Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless
| Form factor | TKL |
| Switches | HATOR Aurum Orange Linear rev.1.0 |
| Programmable buttons | All |
| Number of simultaneously pressed buttons | No restrictions (NKRO) |
| Survey frequency | 1000 Hz, 125 Hz Bluetooth |
| Backlight | RGB (16.8 million colors) |
| Built-in memory | Present |
| Wrist rest | Missing |
| Connection | Wired (USB 2.0), radio (2.4 GHz), Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Cable length | 1.8 m |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 364 x 144 x 44 mm |
| Weight | 943 g |
| Price in Ukraine | 4 499 UAH |
Package contents
The HATOR Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless is packaged in the company's typical bright yellow box with a picture of the keyboard itself and the main features and functions listed.
In addition to the HATOR Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless itself, the box includes a USB Type-A transmitter, a USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter, a cable, a tool for removing keycaps and switches, additional noise insulation for the spacebar, instructions, and a set of stickers.
Design and construction
HATOR Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless has a completely familiar design of a modern mechanical keyboard. It has reduced dimensions thanks to the so-called TKL format (tenkeyless), that is, without an additional numeric keypad. The rest of the layout is almost standard. But we will return to this a little later.
Skeleton keyboard models have recently lost some popularity. In the case of the HATOR Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless, the keyboard also has a black top cover, so the switches are not visible. The body is almost entirely made of fairly thick and high-quality plastic with a matte finish. We had a version with a black body and a combination of black and white keycaps for review. There is also a white version with white and gray keycaps.
There are a minimum of decorative elements. Except for the Hator logo on the front of the case. Previously, the company's keyboards had the inscription "...to the best haters" in this place. It seems that they decided to abandon it in the updated line. The general black and white color palette can be easily diluted thanks to RGB backlighting with a bunch of modes.
The keycaps are made of high-quality PBT plastic with a pleasant matte finish. They are not quite the usual shape and have more rounded edges, the so-called OMA profile. The keycaps are made using double-molding technology, so the symbols will not wear off over time. There are Latin and Ukrainian symbols on the keycaps, they are located in the upper part. This is done for uniform illumination, because the switches have the so-called "northern" (in the upper part) arrangement of the LEDs.
The keyboard has two LED indicators, located slightly to the right of the Enter button, above the arrow keys. The first indicator is CapsLock, the second is a charging indicator.
The back of the HATOR Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless has only one functional element - a USB Type-C connector for charging in the middle in a recess.
The entire bottom panel of the keyboard has an interesting texture in the form of hexagons. In addition to the name and technical information, there is a three-position switch for connection modes, many rubber inserts for reliable grip on the table, as well as double folding legs for angled placement. Under one of the legs there is a place to store the USB transmitter.
HATOR Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless looks interesting and pleasant. Even despite the plastic body, it feels reliable, the body practically does not bend and is not subject to twisting.
Ergonomics and switches
Despite the growing popularity of even more compact keyboard models of 60%, 65%, 75% formats, the manufacturer made the HATOR Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless in a fairly familiar TKL format without an additional numeric keypad. The rest of the layout is almost standard: the F1 button is clearly above 2, Enter is one-level, both Shift are long. The only unusual thing is the presence of two FN buttons on the right side of the keyboard. So in general, it won't take long to get used to the layout.
Perhaps the only thing the keyboard lacks for maximum convenience is additional markings on the front sides of the keycaps. After all, there are a bunch of key combinations to control the keyboard (including multimedia control, backlighting, etc.) and it's not very convenient to dig into the instructions every time.
The keyboard uses proprietary HATOR Aurum Orange Linear rev.1.0 mechanical switches. These are linear switches with a full travel of 4 ±0.4 mm, a travel to actuation of 1.9 ±0.4 mm, and an actuation force of 38 ±10% g. The claimed lifespan is 70 million clicks. The switches use elongated springs. The base of the case is made of ROM plastic, the stem is made of POK plastic. The upper part of the switch is transparent polycarbonate for better backlight diffusion.
The switches are lubricated from the factory. The stroke is even, smooth, without sand. The switches are very pleasant. There is support for their hot swapping. The installation of 3- or 5-pin mechanical switches is supported. You can use both branded HATOR and third-party ones, including Cherry MX. There are stabilizers lubricated from the factory under the long keys.
HATOR Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless has a Gasket Mount design (the board is placed on additional rubber pads) and several layers of noise-absorbing foam to eliminate unpleasant echoes and reduce vibrations. The keyboard sounds extremely pleasant: the sound is relatively quiet and muffled, without annoying ringing tones. In general, the experience of using the keyboard is very pleasant: both from the switches and the sound.
Functionality, capabilities and battery life
HATOR Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless supports three types of connections. 2.4 GHz radio channel using a USB transmitter, Bluetooth 5.3, as well as a cable. The keyboard can be connected to three different devices via Bluetooth. It also supports work with Mac, the Fn+Tab key combination is used to switch the layout. Although there are no corresponding additional symbols on the keycaps. The connection is stable, both via radio channel and Bluetooth. During testing, no problems arose.
The keyboard supports N-key rollover (NKRO), so it can process any number of simultaneously pressed keys. There is built-in memory that stores settings, profiles, and the current backlight mode. And thanks to key combinations, you can perform the vast majority of basic settings without the need for software.
There is no proprietary software for the keyboard. Instead, QMK and VIA are supported, which are especially appreciated by more advanced users of mechanical (including custom) keyboards. You can use both the web version and install the VIA application. After that, you need to download the keyboard definition in JSON format from the official website so that VIA can recognize it. But you should know that for this you need to connect the keyboard using a cable and be sure to disconnect the USB transmitter. Otherwise, VIA will show an error and you will not be able to configure anything.
Then you can completely reassign key functions, create macros and configure virtually anything in the keyboard. After that, all settings are saved in the internal memory of the HATOR Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless. Such a system and the VIA interface may seem complicated at first. Therefore, there is a separate page on the HATOR website with step-by-step instructions on how to do it all.
The HATOR Rockfall 3 TKL Wireless is equipped with a 4000 mAh battery. It is claimed that the battery life can reach 160 hours. During the week of use, I did not have to charge it even once. So everything is really very good with the battery life. But the stated full charging time is up to 8 hours.