Razer Huntsman V2 Tenkeyless
MSRP $150.00
“Razer’s Huntsman V2 TKL is a gaming keyboard which will win you over with its clear switches.”
Professionals
- Oh-so clear linear opto-mechanical switches
- Good wrist rest comfort and ergonomics
- Quiet typing
- Tidy design
- Detachable USB-C cable
Cons
- No media keys
- Although comfortable, wrist rest has a handful of factors
- No tactile change risk
Razer is releasing a model new TKL gaming keyboard within the current day, solely every week after introducing its new Basilisk V3 gaming mouse. This one is dubbed the Huntsman V2 Tenkeyless, and now now we have a sample obtainable to see if it’s any good and worthy of competing with the right gaming keyboards you should purchase.
The Huntsman V2 TKL is part of the Huntsman line of ultraperformance centered wired gaming keyboards, which might be constructed to excel in aggressive gaming with out costing as gobsmackingly lots as a result of the BlackWidow assortment.
In consequence, they aren’t primarily probably the most feature-rich planks, nonetheless the Hunstman V2 TKL proves that its fantastic switches and good kind concern nonetheless make for a inconceivable PC gaming companion.
Design
When wanting on the Huntsman TKL, the very very first thing that stands out about it is the straightforward design – it’s solely a plain TKL keyboard with none fancy goodies in its peripherals. The media keys are built-in into the F-keys, in its place of being devoted, there is not a amount roller, and there isn’t a ton of RGB goodness slathered in all forms of obnoxious corners. There could also be some RGB, nonetheless it’s solely under the precept keys.
Pair that simplicity with the all-black design and the aluminum prime plate, and you end up with a fairly trendy keyboard that, oddly, doesn’t draw quite a lot of consideration to itself. Razer was a company that constructed eccentrically styled gear that was unmistakably “gamer,” nonetheless lately, it appears to be leaning within the course of sleeker, further mature designs. Possibly it’s rising up together with its core viewers.
Moreover included with the Huntsman V2 TKL — and that’s arguably crucial enhance from the distinctive — is a pleather wrist rest. I first encountered this easy, plush wrist rest with the BlackWidow V3 Skilled, and proper right here, I’m nonetheless in love with it merely as lots. The height is good for comfort, and because it’s oh-so easy, typing with it turns into an precise cope with.
There are a few caveats: Its softness isn’t going to remaining ceaselessly – I do actually really feel like the thin supplies will placed on out by flaking comparatively quickly, and on warmth days, it would merely be a bit too plush, leaving you begging for one factor further breathable.
Fortuitously, Razer sells its wrist rests individually from the keyboards, too, so while you do variety ample to placed on it out, various shouldn’t be a problem. Nonetheless moreover, the wrist rest doesn’t actually connect with the keyboard – there’s not even lots as a magnet to hold it in place.
The keyboard connects to your PC with a detachable, braided USB-C cable.
The switches
On the coronary coronary heart of all of it, the reason why you’d must buy a Razer Huntsman keyboard, are the optical switches, or as Razer calls them, the opto-mechanical switches. These bought right here onto the market in 2018 and expert a quick uptick in popularity, for good goal.
Niels Broekhuijsen/Digital Traits
Our sample of the Huntsman V2 TKL bought right here with the crimson linear variant of the switches, and these are by far my favorite. Often, I’m a tactile (brown) change kind of man, nonetheless in a keyboard as gaming-focused as a result of the Huntsman V2 TKL, I desire a linear change. So, thanks Razer for these. The keyboard will also be obtainable with clicky optical switches, nonetheless there is not a tactile risk.
Nonetheless what’s it that I like regarding the opto-mechanical switches lots? It’s the smoothness.
Razer markets the optical switches as being sooner, touting all forms of wondrous phrases paying homage to “the speed of sunshine” and “the quickest effectivity you’ll ever experience,” nonetheless I couldn’t care a lot much less about these points. Constructive, in a scientific verify, they may outperform conventional electrical mechanical switches on account of they don’t should account for debounce, nonetheless while you uncover me one one who can inform the excellence in velocity in a blind verify, I’ll buy you a beer. Maybe two.
Niels Broekhuijsen/Digital Traits
Nonetheless the smoothness. I can hardly begin to clarify it, as there are few switches I’ve encountered that present a similar smoothness of their journey. With a change paying homage to a Cherry, or Gateron Pink, you would possibly lube them and arrange damping O-rings on the stems – and solely with all that effort could you get close to the similar clear journey.
The best way during which the switches journey is so supple as to exude a way of luxurious that you simply simply don’t get on many keyboards – at least not with out entering into the expensive custom-made keyboard territory.
It’s the opto-mechanical change’s smoothness that makes the Huntsman V2 TKL so likable.
The switches are moreover virtually silent. Due to a layer of sound-dampening foam contained within the keyboard, that is possible one of many quieter mechanical keyboards you’ll uncover.
There’s just one catch: Because of the switches are optical, they devour further power than typical electrical mechanical keys, which suggests the keyboard cannot be wi-fi. So, there’s a cable. And the stabilizers often usually are not the similar as on Cherry-based boards. Most keys will match, nonetheless the longer keys gained’t. The stock keycaps are double-shot PBT, though, so most people gained’t trouble upgrading them.
Gaming effectivity
When leaping into gaming, the Huntsman V2 TKL is a joyous companion. The keyboard’s smaller construction isn’t pretty as game-friendly as one factor really small identical to the Razer Huntsman Mini or the BlackWidow V3 Mini, or Corsair’s K65 RGB Mini, nonetheless it’s miles larger than a full-size keyboard on account of added mouse space. This lets me play at a lower DPI, resulting in further right taking photos.
Niels Broekhuijsen/Digital Traits
Pair that with the comfortable wrist rest, prime, and clear switches, and likewise you largely neglect all regarding the keyboard when participating in – and that’s about the simplest reward I can present a keyboard. It’s all merely clear crusing.
Whereas the keyboard does poll at 8,000 Hz, 1,000 is masses, and Corsair’s K70 RGB TKL Champion Model already confirmed that you simply simply don’t need 8,000 Hz on a keyboard.
Our take
Razer’s Huntsman V2 Tenkeyless is a simple nonetheless well-executed TKL keyboard for PC avid avid gamers. It isn’t wi-fi, which isn’t doable with optical switches (not with out very restricted battery life). It moreover doesn’t have media keys, and I’ve a few factors with the included wrist rest.
No matter these nitpicks, though, the excellent opto-mechanical switches and cozy kind concern may have you ever falling head over heels for it.
Are there any alternate choices?
The closest completely different from Logitech is the G Skilled mechanical keyboard, which packs largely the similar attribute set. Nonetheless it doesn’t embrace the similar good switches, nor the comfortable wrist rest, so I’d resolve the Razer of the two.
Within the meantime, Corsair carries the K70 RGB TKL Champion Assortment, which does have media keys and as well as does 8K polling, nonetheless like Logitech’s board, doesn’t have the similar comfortable switches. The wrist rest, as soon as extra, is missing.
How prolonged will it remaining?
The Huntsman V2 TKL should remaining a minimal of 5 years under common use, though I do anticipate the wrist rest will need early various all through that time — presumably twice. Razer covers the keyboard with a two-year assure.
Must I buy it?
Certain. Priced at $150, the Huntsman V2 TKL is probably going one of many most interesting off-the-shelf TKL keyboards at current obtainable.
Editors’ Recommendations
