Razer’s latest mechanical keyboard, the $ 250 Huntsman V2 Analog, is similar to the company’s previous models, but the biggest differences are in the switches. The optical switches on this model support adjustable control (the amount of movement required to register a press), allowing for nearly endless adjustments through Razer’s Synapse software.
Perhaps the most attractive feature of these keys is that, rather than being limited to the usual on / off nature of key operation, they can be programmed with analog inputs to mimic a controller’s joysticks for smoother, variable levels of movement and control. You can program the keyboard so that if you press a key lightly you will slowly step into the game, while fully pressing the keyboard you will walk on a normal clip – just like an analog stick.
(Note that game support for using analog inputs and a mouse at the same time will vary, but using this feature requires the Synapse software at all. And programming an analog input for a key overrides the original usage situation , so you have to revert it or go to another profile.)
Building on that feature, the Razer Keyboard also allows gamers to program two different functions that normally require two buttons on one key, one firing at one control distance and the other when you press the key fully. You could equip a grenade with a gentle push of a key, and then throw it by pushing the key all the way down, just to name an example.
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Image: Razer
Razer’s switches can even be customized for your specific activation preferences for gaming or other use. The Huntsman V2 analog keys have a standard 3.6mm stroke, but you can adjust the distance to a much shorter 1.5mm or anywhere between those values. It’s important to note that this doesn’t change how the keys feel when you press them, but a shorter actuation allows you to type a little softer without worrying that your keys aren’t registering pressure.
Here’s how it works: Rather than relying on separate physical mechanisms to delimit activation states, the switch’s sensor assesses the pressed distance by judging the amount of infrared light that hits it. The embedded animation shows this in action.
Razer’s Huntsman V2 Analog has an aluminum frame, a set of dedicated buttons to control media and a dial to adjust the volume, all of which look and feel great. Razer includes Doubleshot PBT keycaps, which are said to wear out better with age than standard keycaps, and you also get a soft palm rest that contains RGB lights and attaches magnetically to the keyboard. As you’d expect, the keyboard itself also has stunning Chroma RGB lights all around.
The cable that powers the Huntsman V2 Analog is USB-C, but Razer includes an adapter so you can connect it to USB Type-A ports. And if you want to use the keyboard’s single USB 3.0 Type-A passthrough port for an accessory, there’s a second USB Type-A cable on the back that you can plug into your PC.
By the way, in case this is your first time hearing about this kind of analog key technology and customizable controls, keyboard manufacturer Wooting Razer has reports with similar keyboards dating back to 2016. That company’s current keyboards start at around $ 150, much less than Razer’s $ 250 Huntsman V2 Analog. Whether Razer’s model can justify its high price depends on your hunger for Chroma RGB lights, dedicated media buttons, and optional USB-C connectivity.
The Huntsman V2 Analog is now available exclusively on Razer.com through February 9, when it will hit more retailers.