MelGeek Centauri 80 Review: Who Should Buy the OLED Hall Effect Keyboard?

The MelGeek Centauri 80 is not just a MADE68 Ultra V2 with a screen. It is a larger, heavier Hall Effect gaming keyboard for users who want FPS-grade magnetic switch performance but do not want to give up the function row or onboard controls. The short review: buy it if you want an 80% wired Hall Effect board with a 1.78-inch OLED touchscreen, 8,000 Hz performance, and a premium aluminum build. Skip it if you only need the fastest compact FPS layout or if wireless matters.^[1]

What the Centauri 80 Is

Centauri 80 is the 83-key version of MelGeek's Centauri Hall Effect keyboard. The official spec lists a wired single-mode connection, aluminum alloy case, transparent PC keycaps, FR4 plate, Poron damping, Tinned Spring Gasket Mount, south-facing RGB, and a 1.78-inch OLED screen with 368 x 448 pixels, 325 PPI, and 700 nits ±50 maximum brightness.^[1]

That puts it in a specific lane: it is a premium wired gaming keyboard with more desk presence and more direct controls than a 65% board. It is not trying to be a travel keyboard, a budget keyboard, or a quiet office-first board.

What the OLED Screen Actually Changes

The OLED is useful when it reduces software switching. On Centauri 80, the screen fits users who change profiles, check settings, or want a visual control point on the keyboard itself. MelGeek describes Centauri 80 as the layout for users who want screen interaction, display personalization, and stronger Super Dock control.^[1]

That matters most in three situations:

You switch between typing and gaming profiles during the day.
You want to adjust lighting, macro, or trigger settings without digging through menus every time.
You use the keyboard on camera and care about the desk setup looking intentional.

If you set one profile and never touch it again, the screen is less important. In that case, the MADE68 Ultra V2 gives you the more direct FPS-first option. For users who do tune profiles, HIVE remains the software reference point for MelGeek magnetic keyboard configuration.^[3]

MelGeek Centauri 80 Review: Who Should Buy the OLED Hall Effect Keyboard?

Gaming Performance

Centauri 80 shares the same core Hall Effect direction as Centauri 60. MelGeek lists 8,000 Hz polling, 16,000 Hz scanning, 0.125 ms latency, adjustable precision at 0.01 mm, and Rapid Trigger support.^[1]

For FPS games, the practical benefit is the same as other good magnetic keyboards: movement keys can actuate and reset based on small changes in travel, not a fixed mechanical reset point. That helps with counter-strafing, jiggle peeking, and repeated movement taps.

The 80% layout is the tradeoff. You get direct F-row access, but you give up some mouse space compared with a 65% board. Low-sensitivity FPS players should measure their desk space before choosing Centauri 80 over MADE68 Ultra V2.

Typing Feel and Build

The Centauri 80 is built around an aluminum alloy case, transparent PC keycaps, FR4 plate, Poron damping, and Tinned Spring Gasket Mount.^[1] The feel is more structured than a lightweight plastic board. It should appeal to users who want a dense, premium desktop object rather than a portable keyboard.

The Flip King magnetic white switch is the listed switch option.^[1] It makes sense for a Hall Effect gaming board because the selling point is adjustable trigger behavior, not a traditional tactile bump. If you strongly prefer tactile switches for writing, this is not the board to buy.

Centauri 80 vs. MADE68 Ultra V2

Decision Point	Centauri 80	MADE68 Ultra V2
Layout	83 keys with F-row	68 keys, more mouse space
Screen	1.78-inch OLED touchscreen	No OLED screen
Best use	Gaming + profile control + creator desk setup	Pure FPS-focused compact setup
Connection	Wired	Wired
Case	Aluminum alloy	Full aluminum alloy chassis and side panels
Main tradeoff	Bigger and more expensive	Fewer direct keys

Choose Centauri 80 if F-keys, screen control, and a larger desktop layout matter. Choose MADE68 Ultra V2 if your first priority is mouse space and a simpler competitive FPS setup.^[2]

Who Should Buy It?

Centauri 80 makes the most sense for:

FPS players who also use F-keys in work, editing, coding, or streaming.
Creators who want a keyboard that looks good on camera and supports visual profile control.
Users who want Hall Effect performance but dislike compact 60% or 65% layouts.
Desk setup builders who value aluminum construction and RGB presentation.

It is not ideal for:

Wireless-first users.
Budget buyers.
Users who want tactile or clicky switches.
Players who want maximum mouse space above all else.

Centauri 80 decision checks

The Centauri 80 should be treated as a premium Hall-effect board with display and control features, not as the cheapest path to rapid trigger.^[4]
Independent reviews note the same trade-off: the OLED/display experience and build are distinctive, while value depends on whether the buyer wants those extras.^[5]
Yahoo Tech’s Centauri 80 review also supports the article’s distinction between a feature-rich showcase board and a pure value recommendation.^[6]
For buyers comparing it with MADE68 Ultra V2, the MADE68 page remains the cleaner source for compact Hall-effect gaming specs.^[7]

Additional source checks

RTINGS’ keyboard methodology gives neutral context for why polling rate and latency claims should be treated as performance factors, not the whole buying decision.^[8]