Monsgeek Fun60 Ultra — TMR technology enters the world of keyboards
Let’s talk about the Monsgeek Fun60 Ultra TMR Magnetic Keyboard — a intriguing addition to the world of gaming and typing peripherals. This keyboard marks a significant leap forward with its pioneering use of Tunnel Magnetoresistance (TMR) technology, setting it apart as the first of its kind in the magnetic keyboard arena. But that’s not all; the Fun60 TMR also blurs the line between tradition and innovation by offering compatibility with both magnetic and mechanical switches. This fusion allows users to enjoy the precision and responsiveness of magnetic switches alongside the tactile feedback of mechanical ones, providing a customizable typing experience like never before. Let’s check it out.
Disclaimer: this unit was sent out to me for a review, however, the opinions are mine only.
TMR Technology — what is it?
TMR (Tunneling Magnetoresistance) has been widely used in gaming controllers for quite some time and is now making its way into gaming keyboards. It is designed to deliver even more precise accuracy than what the Hall Effect can achieve.
In short, TMR is here:
- to boost the precision and sensitivity,
- to ensure enhanced reliability for wireless gaming.
- to implement both magnetic and mechanical switches in one keyboard, HE sensors can’t do that properly
Overall, TMR offers more potential for advancing the gaming. And because it is more stable under varying conditions, it is considered to be ideal for competitive gaming in wireless conditions. It would be super cool to achieve the equivalent level of latency in wireless as in wired connection.
In 3rd party precision tests of FUN60 series, it does show that the Ultra TMR version is relatively more precise than other hall effect versions. And it is thus more expensive as well — TMR sensors are able to accommodate both magnetic and mechanical switches as I’ve said. Hence TMR version is the ONLY one that offers the option to fit both mechanical and magnetic switches because TMR sensors are very sensitive so it can detect and interact with magnetic switches even if it is not placed at the center of the magnet. For HE sensors, they need to be placed at the center of the magnet otherwise they’re not sensitive enough to get triggered. Therefore, this causes interference with mechanical switches.
TMR does NOT decrease latency though, it’s about other things that are mentioned above.
In the Box
- Monsgeek FUN60Ultra tri-mode TMR version
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- keycap puller
- switch puller
- dust cover
- manual
- wireless dongle
I also received 2 boxes of Akko’s Green Fog mechanical switches:
Botton line? The contents are pretty default, some costs were cut here.
Specs and Features
But Monsgeek also offers more options in the FUN series:
Bottom line? This Fun60 Ultra TMR features some top-tier specs.
Design and Build Quality
The Fun60 Ultra TMR stands out in terms of build quality, offering a pretty premium experience at this price. Its sturdy CNC aluminum chassis, reinforced by a durable steel base plate, offers a robust and premium feel, giving it a substantial weight and a better overall finishing. This contributes to a sleek, polished feel that speaks to its high-end craftsmanship. It really reminds me of Wooting 60HE, but it’s actually… better quality because Wooting 60HE is plastic-made at premium price. Fun60 Ultra TMR even features a place for a strap, just like Wooting. The typing angle is also very similar. The difference is in the switch for the tri-mode — it’s concealed underneath the CAPSLOCK key and you need to remove it every time you want to manually change the mode — ofcourse, you can also do it via shortcuts but some operations require this switch to be pressed. The Fun60 Ultra TMR also features 4 non-removable silicon feet underneath the keyboard, non-adjustable. These elements combine to create a high-quality, refined product that sets it apart from most of the many competitors in the market, especially at this price range.
Bottom line? Good aluminum build add to almost premium feeling, the design is very similar to Wooting 60HE.
Keycaps
These PBT-shine through keycaps look pretty solid and they really remind me of those used also in Wooting 60HE. They share similar characteristics, it’s clear that Monsgeek took it after Wooting.
They also shine when used with the north-facing RGB of this keyboard, which is one really good of a feature here. It’s supposed to be ARGB (addressable RGB) with individually controlled LEDs for smooth, flicker-free lighting. With Alpha channel integration and a 500Hz refresh rate, according to Monsgeek — I haven’t checked that because RGB is the last thing a gamer should worry about but it indeed looks nice. To lower the latency though, you should turn the RGB off.
One thing about the keycaps, after a month they have developed a certain shine and became more slippery on most used ones, take a look.
Bottom line? Good keycaps, they develop a shine and lose some grip after some time.
Switches
Monsgeek is a sister company of Akko and they manfufactures their own switches for this keyboard: Akko Glares. They come with extra pins for stabilizing, reversed polarity, and closed bottom for a better sound profile. Some specs below:
- Total Travel: 3.4mm
- Initial Operating Force: 25gf Min
- Actuation force at 2.0mm Travel: 40±5gf
- End Force: 48gf Max
- Initial Magnetic Flux: 95+15GS (PcB1.6mm)
- Bottom Magnetic Flux:589+50GS (PcB1.6mm)
- Top/Stem/Bottom: PC/POM/PC
- LED Diffuser
They are also a bit similar in feeling to Lekkers used in Wooting, with much less stem wobble. The slight wobble is still there, as in every magnetic switch I’ve tested, but it’s nothing to be worry about. I personally don’t like too light switches, so I instantly found them very appealing. Obviously, they are factory lubed.
One of the most important aspects of Fun60 Ultra TMR (and only this version!) is the platform cross-compatibility. Gamers now can mix and match magnetic switches and any 5-pin mechanical switches freely, something I’m not sure I’ve seen before. Imagine having only WASD keys swapped for magnetic switches, and leave the rest for mechanical for a classic mechanical typing experiences. That’s what I did for testing purposes.
The ones I used were Akko’s Green Fog mechanical switches. With a 60g actuation force on top of enhanced RGB effects with the use of an LED diffuser, they felt really… heavy. Actually, the heaviest switches I’ve ever used. It took me some time to get used to typing on those, but I liked the feeling. These switches feature a POK stem, PC top cover, and PA66 bottom housing, offering a heavier typing experience with a deep and heavy thock sound. Their 5-pin design fits keycaps with standard MX structure. Some specs:
- Type: Linear
- Operating Force: 60gf ± 10gf
- Bottom-out Force: 70gf max
- Total Travel: 3.6 ± 0.4mm
- Pre-Travel: 2.0 ± 0.4mm
- Top Cover: PC
- Bottom Housing: PA66
Bottom line? Fun60 Ultra TMR offers great MagMech compatibility.
Typing Experience and Sound Test
Overall, I really liked the typing experience with both magnetic and mechanical switches. They keyboard was factory preluded, even with its tray-mounted design it sounds pretty good. The stabs are lubed well too, the typing angle on this non-adjustable keyboard was not bothering me at all. However, after 1 month, the most used WASD keys lost some of its initial quality, but it’s something we can live with. Here’s the initial sound test out of the box:
Bottom line? Good sound out of the box, especially at this price point. The typing angle is acceptable even though the keyboard has non-adjustable feet.
Software
So, here comes the most sensitive part of review for every magnetic keyboard. When it comes to HE keyboards, software is the most important thing. Fortunately, it is something you can constantly improve, unlike the hardware. However, I have to say that there have been some serious hiccups when I was thoroughly testing the Fun60 (4 weeks) but there are also some really good things there. Let’s start with negatives.
- even though it’s a web-based software, you still need to download an .exe file to make it work. The whole point of web-based soft is that you can use it anywhere, without downloading anything. Here, it is the opposite — you need to install some file to kick it off. Weird. And it works only on chromium based browsers.
- the profiles don’t work well at this moment: you can only rename it, share it or delete it, you can’t download it to save it for later. And every time there’s an update of the firmware, you lose your settings. So, that’s really a bummer.
- mode switching is not automatic: when you connect the keyboard via the dongle for 2.4 GHz wireless connection, you still need to use some key shortcuts to pair it. And when you pull the dongle out, the keyboard still needs to be switched to the wired mode manually via shortcuts. Why is it like that? It should work automatically, for example, Chilkey ND75 did it in the right way.
- when you download a profile from the Share Section of the software, you can’t store it and use later either, it automatically overwrites your main profile which is unacceptable.
- Layers settings have also some weird issues, I had problems with setting the arrow keys that are non-existent on a 60% keyboard
- Chord splitting (how quickly the keyboard reports multiple keys pressed at the same time) can be sometimes problematic, not a huge issue but it must be mentioned
- some solutions are also unintuitive (Mod Tap, Layers etc.), some translations need to be fixed as well
I am writing this article at the end of January 2025, so perhaps those bugs have been fixed at the time you’re reading this because Monsgeek work on updating the firmware and software all the time: in one month of testing, I had received 2 firmware updates that fixed some of the issues not mentioned here.
But there are also good things and you need to know them as well.
- Dynamic Roar Mode — something similar to Tachyon mode used by Wooting. It’s an algorithm that prioritized last 8 keys you pressed, giving them a boost to 16k scanning rate at the expense of the rest of the keys being downgraded to 4k scanning. While it’s true that other keys will experience a relatively slower scan rate, this adjustment is designed to be imperceptible during regular typing, even in scenarios where more than 8 keys are used frequently. In competitive gaming, however, most scenarios require repetitive use of up to 6 keys. This is where the Dynamic Roar Mode truly shines, ensuring faster response times and improved control. This feature was made possible by implementing the new and powerful ARM chip.
- Dynamic Calibration, by some called AI calibration. Works really well
- Dead Zone settings: they get rid of this empty feeling when you use magnetic switches right to the bottom. As far as I know, no magnetic switches are shorn of this. I suggest 0.25–0.3 mm Dead Zone
- Rapid Trigger Stabilization: gives you great stability and get rids of those natural human mistakes. I use 25% but don’t go too high because it adds latency, 0% is still fine.
- SOCD works very well, even though you can’t choose priority of the keys yet
- FUN60 Ultra TMR features a lot of magnetic and mechanical (5 pins) switches, take a look:
- Fun60 Ultra TMR has a real potential because theoretically MonsGeek/Akko team has the technical capability to further enhance the dynamic scan rate (e.g., 32K, 48K, or higher) for a few selected keys. However, implementing such changes would significantly increase power consumption in wireless mode. Further sacrifice would involve other keys being noticeable delayed during typing.
- you can’t change the polling rate at this moment but at least it’s very stable at true 8k in both wired and wireless mode
I’d love to see more improvements and more polishing to the software and firmware department. It’s very important and actually the only thing that keeps me from screaming “this keeb is a complete banger!”
Bottom line? Fix the software/firmware and it’s a banger of a keyboard.
Latency and Gaming Performance
The Fun60 Ultra TMR truly impressed me with its latency and gaming performance. When I tested it, the single keypress detection was around remarkable 0.2ms in wired mode and an equally impressive 0.7ms in wireless mode, showcasing how well the TMR sensors perform even when untethered, which also contributes to an extended battery life (all test performed with the most sensitive Actuation Point settings at 0.1mm and Rapid Trigger most sensitive settings on as well).
Although the overall latency was slightly higher than some top competitors like Wooting, Nuphy, Iqunix, or Melgeek by a few ms*, this difference is not noticeable in real-world scenarios. In gameplay, the Fun60 Ultra TMR felt incredibly responsive; I was pulling off complex maneuvers in trick maps with ease, feeling an immediate connection with every jump and hop. The keyboard’s tactile feedback, thanks to its high-quality switches, combined with software that, despite serious bugs, generally functioned well, made it one of the best keyboards I’ve gamed on. The stability of the switch stems was also a highlight, adding to the overall satisfaction. However, it’s not without flaws; I experienced one disconnection over a month of testing, which I attribute to software issues. For most of my gaming sessions, I used magnetic switches on the WASD keys for that extra edge, relegating mechanical switches to the rest of the board but I’d recommend sticking to megnetic switches all the way, even with everyday work.
*I’ referring to the whole latency of the keyboard, not one single key press.
It’s time to say it — Fun60 Ultra TMR is the first wireless magnetic keyboard that does it right — very low latency combined with good battery life makes it actually the one to recommend for those who value portability and hate wires.
Bottom line? Very low latency in wired and mode, only 0.5ms slower in wireless, among the industry’s top at this moment.
Closing Thoughts
In closing, I must say that my experience with the Monsgeek Fun60 TMR Tri-mode magnetic keyboard has been really positive. I’ve found immense satisfaction in its performance, both in the aesthetic appeal and functional aspects. The north-facing RGB lighting is nothing short of spectacular, especially at night; it adds a vibrant, dynamic glow that truly enhances my workspace.
The tactile feedback from the keyboard, whether I’m gaming or handling everyday productivity tasks, is exceptional. It’s comfortable, responsive, and feels just right under the fingers. The build quality is commendable, especially considering the price point. It’s evident that a lot of thought has gone into ensuring this keyboard is durable and well-constructed.
On the performance front, the latency of the Fun60 TMR is quite impressive, topping that of the Wooting 60HE, with just an additional 0.5 ms in wireless mode. This level of performance is remarkable for a keyboard at this price, making it a true competitor in the market.
The integration of TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) technology has been something new and it’s a good thing. Not only has it significantly extended the battery life, allowing for longer usage between charges, but it has also enhanced the feel and stability of the magnetic switches. This blend of magnetic and mechanical switch technology offers a versatility that is rare in this price range, effectively bridging two worlds to cater to varied preferences.
However, no product is without its flaws, and the software remains a serious letdown (I’m reviewing it at the end of January 2025). While it’s a pity that the software isn’t as polished as the hardware, it’s reassuring to see Monsgeek actively working on improvements. Over the 4 weeks of testing, I’ve received two firmware updates, which have begun to address some of the initial software issues.
In conclusion, despite its minor software shortcomings, the Monsgeek Fun60 TMR stands out as a very solid contender in the budget keyboard market. It’s one of my favorite keyboards to date, offering a compelling mix of style, performance, and innovation at a price that’s hard to beat. I also personally… like it very much, not sure why to be honest. But it seriously clicked with me.
If you’re in the market for a new keyboard that doesn’t break the bank but still delivers on quality and features and it introduces the TMR tech, the Fun60 TMR should definitely be on your radar.
Bullet Points
- the very first TMR keyboard that combines the world of mechanical and magnetic keyboards
- very good wireless connectivity with only 0.5ms delay compared to wired mode
- latency is so low that it’s among top industry brands
- true 8k polling and scanning rate, both wired and wireless
- Dynamic Roar Mode that boost up last 8 key presses in terms of latency
- very nice RGB, north facing
- very solid build quality, almost premium feeling
- software needs a lot of work, bugs polishing and overall refinement though
- tri-mode connectivity switch is a bit of a clunky solution
- switches (both types) and keycaps offer very pleasant typing experience
- very good battery life
- pretty affordable offer for what it offers
- many FUN60 variants to choose from
Visit Monskgeek and check it out (no affiliation)
Disclaimer: this review is not a paid endorsement. I want to ensure transparency and let you know that I am not receiving any compensation, monetary or otherwise, for evaluating or discussing this tech product.
