1. Introducing Thermaltake BattleStation2. Specification and Build3. Closing Thoughts4. View All Pages

Thermaltake put on a good show at Computex where we saw a line of their BattleStation gaming desks. They were big and impressive but our main impression was the price which seemed terribly expensive. Immediately after Computex we received the only press sample of the BattleStation in the UK and have been able to spend a good deal of time with this mighty RGB desk. We have formed a solid opinion of BattleStation so let’s roll the video and get on with the review.

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Main features:

• iTake gaming engine enables vivid dynamic lighting control and full-system lighting synchronization across compatible peripherals, power supply, cooling, fans and more.
• 8 dynamic lighting effects with up to 20 customizable zones
• Allows for multi-monitor gaming setup
• Height adjustable from 70cm to 110cm (without desktop thickness)
• Quiet motor for added strength and stability
• 4 level profile programmable controller makes each transition quick and easy
• Cable management system that keeps your workspace clutter-free.
• Heavy duty frame boasts a weight capacity of 150kg
• Full surface mouse pad included
• Desk Dimension : 165cm (L) x 75cm (W)
• Board Material : MDF P2 (Medium Density Fibreboard)

Specification:

• Motor: Single motor with two-stage lifting system
• Voltage: Input 110-240V, 50/60Hz, 1.5A
• Output 29V, 2.5A
• Speed: 49 RPM (+/- 5%)
• Duty Cycle: 10%. Max 2 mins on/ 18 mins off.
• Torque: 16 Nm
• RGB LED Lighting Strip: 16.8 million colours
• Software: iTAKE Gaming Engine
• Input voltage: 5V
• Power requirements (Adapter): Input 100~240V~50/60Hz 1.5A
• Output 5V 5A
• Digital Lighting Controller: RGB LED Strip control box 5V Input voltage
• Interface: 9-pin USB 2.0 Connectors
• System Compatibility: Windows 7/8/8.1/10
• Extra-large mousepad: 1606mm(L) x 705mm(W) x 4mm(H)
• Balanced for speed and control play styles
• Optimized surface for all mice and sensors
• Non-slip rubber base
• Shipping dimensions: 91.5 x 84 x 29cm
• Net weight: 68kg
• Gross weight: 75kg
• Warranty: 2-year warranty (desktop, motor, frame, controller, RGB LED strip and mechanisms)

Building the BattleStation takes a fair while. We are clear this process could be helped if the user guide was clearer and the individual parts were labelled. Perhaps the most annoying part of the build comes close to the end when you connect the USB control for the RGB lighting, as you essentially have a choice of two approaches. Do you want to use an external USB from the back of your PC or laptop, or are you going inside the PC to use a 9-pin header and Molex power? There are two sets of hardware to choose from and the process is far from intuitive. Put it this way, you would find the second BattleStation build was considerably faster than the first.

Once the BattleStation is finished and ready for action you install the software on your connected PC in a step that is simply not mentioned in the user guide. You have a choice of two pieces of software for controlling the RGB. We were surprised to find the established TT RGB Plus Software suite threw up an error message and would not proceed, while the new TT iTake software behaved perfectly.

 

The desk itself works well. It is large, sturdy and does not rock around or sway – however we have a number of complaints about certain details. The MDF table top has three round cut-outs that allow you to pass cables through the desk. These holes are filled with plastic inserts that have moving top covers, and the mousemat surface sits on top with the result that you have an undulating desk top.

It is clear that Thermaltake has adapted an existing desk to make the BattleStation and has done the job competently, but the mess of cables under the table is a nightmare. You can tidy everything up to a certain extent but you need to pay attention to the 40cm rise and fall of the desk as you won’t want to risk having cables pulled out of place.

We are confident that Thermaltake built the Level 20 BattleStation RGB Gaming Desk for their own purposes as a way of showing off Thermaltake systems at shows such as Computex and CES. Thermaltake has a history of making huge cases and some of the modded systems they show are simply enormous, so when we ask the question ‘Who needs the ability to lift 150kg?’ the most likely answer is ‘Thermaltake themselves.’

Naturally the BattleStation requires RGB and needs to integrate with other Thermaltake hardware and in that sense the desk is a success, however the way the RGB connects to the controlling system is messy. We were unimpressed that the lighting control stopped working when we shut down the laptop that was used to run the iTake software.

It seems the most obvious idea that the desk lighting should continue to run in the current selected mode and that you want a Mute/Dark button to shut it off whenever you like. Instead the desk has controls for Up and Down plus four presets for saved heights. We really do not see the need for a specific button to reach your chosen setting as it doesn’t seem difficult to simply keep an eye on the LCD display as you adjust the height of the desk.

This is clear evidence to us that the built-in controls for the motorised rise/fall are part of the original desk while the RGB side of things has been added afterwards. At a certain level this is what we expected to see, however this is most unsatisfactory when you consider the price of the BattleStation which is massively expensive at £1,199. We simply cannot contemplate paying four figures for a piece of furniture with an MDF top, regardless of whether it has RGB lighting or not.

In the event the price was reduced to, say, £600 then we might be able to talk turkey. That is still a significant amount of money, however it is the right ballpark for a motorised rise/fall desk. No doubt Thermaltake will point out the colossal load bearing ability of the BattleStation and we would have to concede that point. You may well want to show off your heavy new custom PC in which case the BattleStation is very likely a good purchase. Most of us simply have no need for a desk that can carry so much weight and as a result we do not need to pay the price.

Buy the BattleStation for £1099.99 inc VAT HERE

Pros:

• The motor control can handle 150kg.
• Solid construction – BattleStation does not rattle or shake.
• Thermaltake iTake software does a good job with RGB.

Cons:

• BattleStation costs £1,199.
• RGB lighting requires a constant USB connection.
• This is a big, heavy piece of furniture.
• Assembly is laborious and the user guide could be improved.

KitGuru says: Thermaltake BattleStation is big and bold but also hugely expensive.

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