WOOTING 60HE+ ― 611 days later and modding

I. Introduction to WOOTING keyboards

Revolutionary technology that opens the door to a whole host of exceptional features, that's what Wooting keyboards are all about!

This translates into faster, more precise and more responsive inputs, to the point where, for example, a perfect move frame like the superglide on Apex or a precise strafe on VALORANT become a formality. I've been using the Wooting 60HE on an almost daily basis for almost two years now, and its arrival on the market has changed absolutely everything, although the history of Wooting goes back much further than 2022.

In 2015, Calder Limmen set out to create a keyboard with analog input, an analog keyboard being one that measures the exact position of each key to the nearest 10th of a millimeter in real time.

The result? The functionality unlocked by this keyboard is the ability to customize the activation distance of each key individually. For example, if you often press a key on your keyboard, such as the Windows key, you can increase the actuation point to the maximum (4 mm), i.e. you'll have to press all the way to the bottom of your key for it to be activated, and conversely, if you need to activate keys on your keyboard more quickly, such as WASD or ZQSD (yes, baguette), you can reduce the actuation point to the minimum (0.1 mm).

Setting the actuation point to the minimum of 0.1 mm will give you the fastest possible input, and in games, you can really feel the difference. Making movements with your character feels much more fluid and instantaneous, and it makes perfect sense: there's no reason why you should have to wait until you're halfway through the switch on a standard keyboard before you can start moving.

II. Is the activation point a useful feature?

It may seem gimmicky to be able to define a custom activation point, but let me show you how being able to define a precise activation point makes it easier to perform useful actions.

On Apex, the superglide is reached by first climbing a surface, then jumping to the top (using the SPACE key, for example), waiting exactly one frame and then crouching (using the C key, for example).

The problem is that this technique is far too difficult, taking literally months of training just to get it right about 30% of the time. And that's where Wooting comes into play: to be more consistent, you can play with the activation point of the C and SPACE keys to bring the inputs together exactly right, and with a little practice, you can easily increase your success rate for this superglide, thanks to Wooting!

III. The activation point, but not just that... a whole new feature

Being able to define your activation point is a very important feature, but not the only one... Wooting has integrated probably its most important feature: Rapid Trigger

This feature allows you to instantly deactivate a key that has already been pressed, as soon as you release it by a tenth (0.1 mm) of a millimeter. In VALORANT, for example, this means you can stop moving at the frame where you release your key (WASD for example) to get a precise shot, whereas with a conventional keyboard, you'd have to wait for the key to go back up to the activation point before stopping in-game.

Rapid Trigger also unlocks the ability to make super-fast left/right strokes without our fingers needing to remember the exact position of the activation point.

III-2. Combining these two features

By combining these two features, the Rapid Trigger with an activation point of just 0.1 mm makes it possible to be the fastest in the strafe / counter-strafe meta when taking on a duel on VALORANT.

IV. Overall quality of the Wooting 60HE

It would be a shame if this Wooting keyboard were to be the fastest, most powerful keyboard on the market, but the build quality was poor. Rest assured, this isn't the case: the Wooting 60HE is housed in a fairly good-quality plastic case, although we'd perhaps have preferred a more solid case (aluminum/metal) to better reflect the price of around $200. At least that makes this keyboard super-light, reinforcing its identity as a keyboard built for "competitive" gamers.

As for the PBT keycaps set, it's very good quality, and you can also save around $10 thanks to the fact that Wooting lets you buy this keyboard without keycaps.

On this keyboard, we have Lekker switches that are linear and factory-lubricated, starting their stroke at 40 grams and finishing at 60 grams of pressure. These switches are a little unusual in that they're hall-effect switches. To put it simply, there's a magnet glued to each switch, and when you press on it your movement can be perceived by the keyboard thanks to the hall-effect sensors present on the PCB. The stabilizers are also factory-lubricated.

However, they will never have the same feel and sound as premium switches found on custom builds, but the unique features provided by this keyboard more than compensate.

The advantage of these Lekker switches is their natural hotswap characteristics, so you can remove them without having to unsolder them, except that Lekker switches are non-contact switches and can therefore be replaced super-easily, bearing in mind that Wooting provides you with two extra if you're a rough-edged type like Stubby.

At this stage, we've seen that Wooting completely reinvents the way of approaching certain game mechanics, while also bringing with it a pleasant typing experience and fairly simple repairability.

We were able to see the benefits of customizing the activation point, Rapid Trigger and how this translates into games, and there are plenty of other possibilities for other types of games (OSU, Trackmania, League of Legends...) which will be well explained and detailed in dozens of videos on YouTube.

V. Innovation, not just in hardware.

Wooting clearly ranks among the market leaders in terms of innovation in this field. Wooting keyboards aren't the first to use analog technology, but they're clearly the first to really take advantage of it. From customization of the activation point, to Rapid Trigger, XBOX controller emulation, dynamic keystroke and so on, this keyboard doesn't just come with its hardware, but also, and above all, the great software behind it.

This software is available in a web browser, so there's no bloatware to install, just everything you need and no more. We also have access to some pretty cool RGB effects, because they take advantage of the analog aspect of the keyboard, for example, the more we press a key, the more the lighting increases. The software is very intuitive and efficient, despite its highly advanced features, so it's perfect!

VI. Modding accessibility, thanks to Wooting.

The Wooting 60HE keyboard stands out not only for its cutting-edge performance, but also for its commitment to customization and modding.

With an exhaustive list of compatible cases, Wooting opens the doors to limitless customization. But what really makes the Wooting 60HE remarkable is its ingenious design, which makes it easy to transfer the keyboard PCB to another case. By simply removing a few keyboard keycaps and five screws, users can breathe new life into their keyboard without having to invest in a whole new set.

Wooting's open and accessible approach to modding is reinforced by a series of detailed tutorials available on their official channel, guiding users through every step of the process, many thanks to Sander for this!

With the Wooting 60HE, the customization experience goes beyond simple software parameters, giving enthusiasts the freedom to create a keyboard that truly reflects their style and preferences.

VII. My personal modifications

The first major modification I made to my Wooting 60HE keyboard concerns the switches. Although the original Lekker switches provide a satisfying experience, I decided to replace them with Gateron Jades supplied by MechKeys and available HERE.

Not only do these switches offer a remarkable feel, they also produce a distinctive sound that adds an extra dimension to every strike. To illustrate this difference, I've carried out a comparative sound test, highlighting the subtle nuances:

You can also listen here to the difference between the Gateron Jades switches first, then the Lekker 45, the Lekker 60 and finally the Gateron Jades again.

Then I set about transferring the PCB from my Wooting into a Salvation Case from Salvun. This case, renowned for its build quality and minimalist aesthetic, offers a new dimension to my typing experience. The leaf springs offer exceptional flexibility, allowing the entire plate/PCB sub-assembly to yield under key pressure and vibrate independently of the case. The result is a smooth, vibrating typing experience across the entire keyboard. With its solid construction and sleek design, the Salvation Case adds a touch of sophistication to my keyboard.

To complete my keyboard transformation, I opted for custom keycaps available from MechKeys. These triple-shot PBT keycaps from WOB DOMIKEY offer not only exceptional durability, but also unique aesthetics. Their high-end construction and elegant profile add a touch of personality to my keyboard, while their pleasant texture offers unrivalled typing comfort. By combining these different modifications, I was able to create a fully customized Wooting 60HE keyboard that perfectly suits my needs and preferences.

VIII. The conclusion

As you'd have guessed, the Wooting 60HE is a fantastic keyboard: the customization of the activation point and the Rapid Trigger make for an exceptional base that has now become a quasi-standard on the market, replicated by numerous major brands in recent months.

The Wooting retails at around $189, which is quite a high price for a "casual" player, but surprisingly it's the cheapest when compared with other major brands that have tried to integrate these features into their keyboards, but not as well.

The Wooting brings with it a whole host of additional features that we've already talked about, and which I couldn't even go into because it would be so long, as well as the simplicity of being able to repair and modify your keyboard in your own way.

Wooting is planning a larger format very soon, the Wooting 80HE, which offers the same functionality but with improved performance thanks to the implementation of 8000 Hz polling-rate, so if possible I'll also cover this keyboard in the form of a detailed review.

In conclusion, the Wooting 60HE keyboard perfectly embodies the alliance between performance, customization and build quality. With its modular design allowing easy modifications such as replacing switches and transferring the PCB to an alternative case, the Wooting 60HE offers unrivalled flexibility to meet the needs and preferences of every user.

For competitive gamers and enthusiasts alike, this keyboard is much more than just a peripheral; it's a guarantee of performance.

The Wooting 60HE is an essential choice for those seeking excellence in their gaming equipment. As a convinced user, I highly recommend the Wooting 60HE.