Mountain.gg Everest Max Review
Source: Geeknetic added 07th Nov 2020
Introduction and technical specifications of the Mountain.gg Everest Max
The MAKALU has already passed through our laboratory 076, the ultralight mouse that the new company Mountain.gg has released to the market. However, its flagship product is undoubtedly the Everest modular keyboard that we are analyzing here at GEEKNETIC today, specifically in its variant with all MAX modules.
Throughout the review of the Mountain Everest MAX we will discover what this model offers us and with what characteristics the company wants to fully enter a competitive market. Its greatest asset is all the configuration and customization options it offers, ranging from the additional numpad or multimedia screen modules, to the possibility of easily replacing each and every one of its mechanical switches.
We have tested the models with Cherry MX RED switches and Cherry MX Silent, but it will be available with other variants and the possibility to change them afterwards will always be there.
Basically, the Everest MAX is made up of the Everest Core, and the modules of the Numpad and DisplayDial. It is possible to purchase only the Everest Core, which is the base keyboard, or even the CORE Barebone, which is the base on which the switches you want can be placed directly.
Technical characteristics of the Mountain.gg Everest Max
- Cherry MX switches, with hot extraction (MX Red and MX Silent tested).
- Different languages and ANSI or ISO distribution. (Tested ANSI model with American distribution)
- RGB lighting on edges and key to key.
- Media Dock Display
- IPS screen of 249 x 265 pixels.
- 5 customizable multimedia buttons + rotary dial.
- Modular Numpad
- Full numeric keyboard.
- 4 customizable display keys.
- Everest MAX: 249, 129 euros.
- Everest Core (no numpad or media dock): 200, 149 euros.
- Everest Core barebone (no switches): 149, 129 euros.
Modular design and connectivity
As the first keyboard and great launch of the company, it is noted that Mountain.gg has put all the care and dedication in the design of Everest, including its presentation, something that many manufacturers do not They tend to pay a lot of attention but it gives a good initial impression, giving us the feeling of opening something “special”.
We have a box with compartments where the different modules come and clearly differentiated keyboard accessories, with an upper compartment where the keyboard and palm rest go.
The EVEREST MAX is the full version of Everest, that is, we have the base, with all the switches and keys (MX-SILENT and MX-RED in the two models (black and silver) that we have tested. Also included is the media dock or dual display, the numpad with the four screen buttons, a magnetic palm rest, a 2 m USB-C to USB-A cable and an extension cord.
Also included are a set of 5 Cherry MX switches for us to test, a tool to remove keys and switches, an extra ESC key, and a set of 8 magnetic lifters.
The Core, or The core of the Everest Max is its keyboard, a QWERTY model available in different language distributions and ANSI or ISO (in this case we have tested the ANSI model with American distribution). As the numeric keyboard is a module, the base does not include keys of this type or multimedia keys, although we do have an FN key to use these functions.
Although the lower structure is made of ABS plastic , quite resistant, the upper case of the Mountain is made of polished aluminum in the highest part.
The space where the keys are has a CNC machining that gives it a rather interesting industrial touch. We can also see that the ESCAPE key has a custom mountain keycap. If we prefer a normal ESC key, it is included for free. In addition, it should be mentioned that the company sells key kits of different shapes, handmade or not, with translucent finishes, etc. So it is possible to customize them all with your own models, or with any standard third-party keycap.
In this small case we can see the ESC key along with 5 extra switches, in addition to the elevators and the extraction tool.
An MX Blue, MX red, MX Silver, MX brown and MX Silent switch is included, so we can test and choose for a future update.
The system chosen by the company on Everest is hot-swap or hot extraction, that means that we can replace the switches directly, without turning off the keyboard, and without the need for welding.
Each switch has a translucent housing to better display the RGB lighting built into the PCB.
As we said, the Everest PCB is ready to be able to fix the switches on the mark, for this it has two connectors where the two contacts of each switch are hooked.
We now turn to bottom design. Here we can see different rails to route the main cable, or even pass cables from other devices.
The keyboard connector is USB-C, although the included keyboard has a USB-A termination to be able to use it in those types of ports.
USB-C is also the port chosen to connect the different modules, those ports, located on both sides and in the upper area, they only serve to add these modules and, unfortunately, are not USB HUBs, although they can charge devices.
The USB-C on the sides are accompanied by a magnetic attachment system to better fix the numpad.
The USB HUB is found in a USB-A 3.0 port located in the central area.
The lifting system is quite curious, it consists of rubber buffers with a fairly powerful magnet, and different extra modules with which we can add more lifting distance, up to 2 more levels if we add the NUMpad, or 3 if we only use the keyboard.
The Multimedia Dock is a small 249 x 249 equipped with 5 buttons, 4 of them for multimedia and a fifth to enter the menus, menus that are selected by rotating the screen as we will see later.
Connects via USB-C and a magnet system to any a of the two upper keyboard ports.
The Numpad, on the other hand, has a standard conventional numeric keypad layout, but with an interesting addition at the top in the form of four extra buttons with their own color screen.
To fix it to either side of Everest, we can see the ingenious dual USB-C port system that hides at the bottom.
Moving that lever to one side or the other, we deploy the USB-C together with two magnets and a third lower projection, also magnetized, to the right or to the left. We also have the lifting system by magnetic sections.
With this system, we can have the numpad and the multimedia dock located on the right or left, or combined as we want:
In addition, as it is USB-C and includes a male-female extension, we can separate the numpad from the keyboard without giving up its use, something quite practical if we want to use it as an extra pad with additional functions beyond the numeric keyboard, or it is simply more comfortable to use it tilted or separated from the keyboard.
By default we have default functions and logos, from left to right (load the mountain website, open the explo file speaker, suspend computer, open task admin)
We can customize, we will go into detail later, each key in function and icon. Of course, as we can see, the viewing angle of the screen is somewhat poor, especially if we use colors other than the blue that it brings by default.
The multimedia screen also works with the USB extension cable, being able to place it in any other place, although in this case the utility is not so much.
Different functions are included that we will see in more detail, in addition to having a customizable screensaver mode with the images we want:
The RGB lighting system can be combined with the on-screen menus, and not only limited to keys, since the entire edge of the keyboard, ei Even the numpad, it has RGBs around it.
All RGB is configurable in effects and color, even manually you can specify the color of each key LED and the edge.
The entire design of the Mountain Everest MAX has been taken care of to the millimeter. Holding it in your hands gives the feeling of a very robust keyboard and we have not detected any mediocre finish or element that is not where it should be. Considering that it is the company’s first keyboard and device, the merit is twofold.
Software and customization
We meet again with the Base software Camp that we already tested with the Makalu 076, now in a newer version with more features and stability. When connecting the keyboard, the different options focused on it and its accessories are enabled.
The interface is simple, with shades of gray and, in general, the options they are quite clear.
We start with the last section , the Settings. Here we can update the firmware, both of the keyboard and the modules, in addition to configuring some special functions.
For example, the game mode, which is activated with FN + Pause, is You can configure to deactivate certain combinations such as Alt F + 4, the win key, etc.
It also allows you to deactivate the illumination of the keys Caps Lock, Num Lock, etc., for use a white color when activated. In this menu we can also change the keyboard layout or reset the keyboard to factory state.
In the profiles menu we can have up to 5 different profiles with their different custom options, macros, lighting, bindigns, etc. It allows to save the profiles in XML and load them, so, in reality, we can have thousands of profiles saved, although at the same time there can only be 5 on the keyboard.
A function interesting is that of associating a program to each profile , in such a way that when Base Camp detects that a specific game is running, for example, it loads the profile that we have customized for that game.
The lighting section has 7 lighting modes, one off and the YETI Mode, a hidden Easter egg for users.
Each color mode has a real-time preview in the software, which shows what effects and in what way and color they will be displayed. It should be noted that depending on whether we have the modules connected, and where they are connected, they will also appear shown in the diagram.
Each effect can be synchronized between devices or profiles, and define color , speed, brightness, direction of rotation or of effect in those that allows it, etc.
All LEDs are customizable, even those on the edge, in cost mode. Although it is missing being able to select basic colors quickly (for example pure red, blue, green, etc.) instead of having to select in the panel of millions of colors.
The Key Binding section is the one where Base Camp allows you to assign functions to each key, from those of the keyboard, to the screen keys of the numpad or even the buttons and rotary wheel of the multimedia display (as long as we put it in custom mode)
The options that the program gives are to use the default press, deactivate the key, add system commands operating (task admin, shutdown, explorer, browser, etc.), Run any .exe program on the computer, launch macros, multimedia functions, key combinations or mouse functions.
The keys of the numpad can be customized with the image that we want, for example, it is possible to add the logo of a program, Spotify in this example, and associate that key to launch Spotify. Base Camp already includes some default icons such as counter strike or discord, among many others
The macro screen has a fairly simple system. We can create a macro, press the record button, and the system saves each keystroke or mouse, along with how long it takes to press it. Once saved, you can edit the name, modify the order or even the delays / delay of each action, although it does not allow modifying a recorded key (if we press A, we cannot change it to B later).
These macros would then be assigned to keys in the Key Binding section.
Finally, we have a section dedicated to the Display Dial, which is nothing more than the semicircular screen in the MultiMedia Dock.
By default, we have several predefined functions, such as a digital or analog clock, with stopwatch and counter, a section to change the profile, another to adjust the volume, the brightness, the modes of lighting, etc.
It also has the option of displaying computer information (CPU, GPU, disk consumption, etc.), an APM counter (actions per minute, records keyboard and mouse keystrokes performed per unit of t ime, something used in strategy games and the like) and Custom mode, a mode that is activated to allow assigning other functions to the keys and wheel.
Navigation between menus is done by rotating the display bezel and using the closest button to enter the options (one press) or to exit (double press).
It is also possible to activate or deactivate a screen saver, or replace it with any other image, although centering it is somewhat unintuitive.
You can also change the menu selection color, yellow by default. In short, practically all buttons and screens on everest are customizable.
User experience
We have already seen the elements and options that the Everest Max on a physical and software level, and now we will comment on our impressions after using this keyboard as our main keyboard for several weeks.
On the design and quality of the elements already We have commented that Mountain has shown excellent care in these aspects, and the keyboard looks like a exclusive top-of-the-range model, which it is. The module fixing system is very easy to use, and all of them are perfectly fixed with the magnetic system.
The numpad allows a certain game to avoid breakage when the keyboard is moved, but when it is resting on the table it is perfectly stable and its use does not differ from that of a numeric keyboard integrated in the own keyboard.
Continuing with this element, the possibility of associating any function and image to the keys is a success, although, as we have already said, the viewing angles are not too good when using backgrounds away from blue or dark colors in logos, so it is always advisable to use homogeneous backgrounds and white icons so that they can be better seen with a normal slant.
Out of habit, I have used the numpad on the right side most of the time, and occasionally separated with the cable as a gaming pad (as if it were WASD + keys for special functions in games), this is something that could only be achieved with an additional module on conventional keyboards, so the whole concept of the modular numpad seems like a success and very well implemented, although by design, the viewing angles are not too wide and distort if we do not look from a fairly vertical angle.
The upper multimedia module provides the keyboard with direct functions that allow controlling the playback of content, in addition to the extra involved the screen. With the normal use of the PC, the most common thing is that we use the volume option to be able to raise or lower it by turning the wheel, although the ways to change lighting, brightness or profiles are very practical, even the clock counter can come in handy to control times in games or normal tasks.
The navigation system, at first, can be a bit confusing. Perhaps due to other types of devices, what has seemed more intuitive to enter menus is, since you are turning the wheel to move through the cursor, press it inwards to enter. However, the wheel only has circular movement, and we must use the closest button to enter (one press) or to go back in the menus (two press) . In addition, there are functions, such as showing system notifications, that are missing and that would give it even greater versatility.
The extra that allows you to put any image will delight of anyone who wants to customize their equipment, offering options that few keyboards have. Added to this is the possibility of changing switches, keycaps also offered by the company itself, etc.
Leaving aside the modules, as a pure keyboard the Everest MAX more than delivers. The model that I have used the most and that, by habit, is that I usually like the most, is the one with switches Cherry MX RED , however the MX Silent show a similar behavior, with a small reduction in travel, but the noise they generate, especially in the “clack” of pressing and returning, is considerably less.
The keys are sturdy and there are no unwanted movements, they are all at the same height with the same shape and orientation, and writing or playing with it is a satisfying experience.
As we have already said, This keyboard allows you to change the switches on the fly, so if we regret it s at some point in choosing a model with certain switches, changing part or all of the keys is easy. Also, by ensuring compatibility with Cherry MX we ensure that we have access to some of the best switches on the market.
Analysis and conclusion
Mountain has bet heavily with this Everest, we must not forget that the market for high-end keyboards is very competitive, and in the general market companies such as Razer, Cooler Master or Corsair, among many others, have very strong proposals to beat.
However, Mountain’s strategy has been quite clear and direct, to create a high-end keyboard that offers the greatest number of customization and configuration options to the user, and the truth is that more than meets.
On the “pure” keyboard part, which would be the Everest Core, it offers a robust model , with a di Very careful and premium finishes along with Cherry MX switches that we can change. The test models have been the Cherry MX Red and its silent equivalent, the Silent, some switches, in both cases, geared towards gaming but with which writing is a simple task.
In this model, the Everest Max , we already have all the extra modules as standard. , including the numpad and the multimedia dock with its own screen. The Numpad, in the numeric keypad part, works like a numeric keypad attached to any keyboard in a final way, only that on Everest it is possible to change its place with an ingenious hooking system, or even separate it with a cable. Personalization is multiplied with the extra keys with display included in the upper part.
The multimedia module, with Two positioning positions, it offers the typical multimedia controls that facilitate the control of songs or videos, but it also has a circular screen from which we can control various aspects of the keyboard or computer. It is customizable too, like the entire keyboard, and although the menu entry / exit system could be a bit more intuitive, the extra control and monitoring it offers is very difficult to find on another keyboard.
The software is complete and its use, in general, is simple and intuitive. There are some features that could be expanded in small details, but it’s nothing an update can’t add, and we know Mountain is working on it.
Your price of 265, 129 euros, in the version with everything, they place it precisely in the range in which it deserves, that of premium keyboards. The Everest Core, only the keyboard, can be purchased by 200, 129 euros, or the same model without switches by 149, 129 euros. If we compare the price with other high-end models, which lack the modular design, the screens and their functions, Everest is not far from the quantities that are requested for these equipment, which can exceed 240 euros, so, Beyond the fact that it is difficult to find a keyboard like this and considering what it offers, its price is quite adjusted to the market.
Without a doubt, the Mountain Everest Max is a one-of-a-kind keyboard with excellent build quality and finishes, offering customization options that we have never seen before. A model that will possibly create a trend and will become the rival to beat.
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