Razer has lengthy been recognized for its pro-level gaming keyboards and mice—and amongst them, its Huntsman keyboard line is likely to be the one most beloved by hard-core players. As the most recent member of the long-running arachnid-themed lineup (sure, the huntsman is a spider), the Huntsman V3 Professional TKL ($219.99) has a lot to suggest it. Analog optical switches, a light-weight construct, and a number of other pre-configured modes to find out key-switch conduct (together with the all-new Snap Faucet mode) mix to assist professional players take the highest spot of their recreation of selection. Couple all that with Razer’s signature daring visible design and glowing RGB backlighting, and you’ve got a gaming keyboard that execs will thrill to.Design: Type and FunctionOne of my favourite keyboards of 2023 was the Razer BlackWidow V4 75%, and I used to be anticipating some similarities between it and the Huntsman V3 Professional, but it surely seems like a distinct beast completely. Measuring 1.5 by 17.5 by 5.5 inches (HWD) and weighing 2 kilos, the Huntsman V3 Professional is wider than the BlackWidow 75% and the lately reviewed Asus ROG Azoth Excessive, regardless of being a tenkeyless (TKL) board that lacks a quantity pad. Not like these competing keyboards, the Huntsman permits extra area for arrow keys, operate keys, and an LED array that helps customers make on-the-fly changes (extra on this later within the evaluate).
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(Credit score: Zackery Cuevas)
Along with the all-white TKL model we’re reviewing right here, the Huntsman V3 Professional is available in two different sizes (full-size for $249.99 and 60% for $179.99) and in black. Razer’s signature RGB lighting shines brilliant by way of the keyboard’s double-shot PBT keycaps. Razer keyboards are sometimes of stable construct high quality, which stays true with the Huntsman. Turning the keyboard over, you’ll discover Razer’s motto (“For Players, By Players”) emblazoned throughout the board’s underside utilizing a reflective film-like materials. Additionally, two pairs of swing-out toes add 6 or 9 levels of elevation. 5 rubber pads hold the keyboard regular and provides it sufficient grip to offset its light-weight physique. (Laborious-core players favor heavier keyboards to keep away from unintentional motion.)
(Credit score: Zackery Cuevas)
Now, I feel that each keyboard ought to have a wrist relaxation and a quantity curler, and the Huntsman checks each containers. It additionally comes with a agency magnetic leatherette wrist relaxation that’s good, albeit fairly stiff. It’s a step above the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96, however I do miss the very plush wrist remainder of the BlackWidow.After all, a keyboard needs to be judged primarily by the standard of its typing expertise, not its wrist rests. The Huntsman, which connects to your PC by way of a removable USB-C cable, largely succeeds on this rely. It makes use of Razer’s Analog Optical Gen-2 key switches, which have a faster response time than mechanical switches. Additionally they have an extended lifespan as a result of they lack failure-prone metallic contacts to detect how far a secret is pressed. As an alternative, optical switches use infrared mild and photoelectric switches to detect key presses. We have seen linear optical switches in keyboards just like the NZXT Perform 2 and the SteelSeries Apex Professional earlier than. Optical analog switches take this a step additional, permitting for a full enter vary from 0% (the secret is up) to 100% (the secret is pressed all the way in which down).
(Credit score: Zackery Cuevas)
This isn’t completely new to Razer’s keyboards. Each the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog and the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog even have optical analog keys. The distinction right here is that the Gen-2 switches bump the utmost actuation level as much as 4mm (the earlier max was 3.6mm) and transmit analog inputs from all keys, enabling them to imitate the actions of an analog thumbstick or joystick. The earlier technology does this, too, however solely on the WASD keys. With Gen-2, you may get pleasure from joystick-like movement on every key.This can be a area of interest characteristic, and whereas it’s extremely cool in apply, it doesn’t make me need to change how I play. Sure video games play higher with a keyboard, and sure video games are higher with a controller, for my part. However for these players hellbent on by no means utilizing a controller once more, that is nearly as good because it will get.Twin-step actuation falls in an identical area of interest, letting you set two completely different actions on one key. Urgent midway down triggers one motion, whereas going all the way in which down triggers the subsequent. Energy customers will definitely get pleasure from this. Even cooler, you may regulate actuation on the fly with a keyboard shortcut—no have to create a brand-new profile—and test the LED array positioned above the quantity keys to make sure that your change was accurately utilized.
(Credit score: Zackery Cuevas)
Whereas all of this software-level customization is nice, the keyboard will not be hot-swappable on the key-switch degree or bodily customizable in the way in which the BlackWidow V4 75% is. At a primary degree, this is not an enormous omission. The keys are sturdy and look good. The issue is that they’re astonishingly loud. Even by mechanical-keyboard requirements, this keyboard causes a racket, and it is particularly annoying if you’re typing at pace. The BlackWidow 75% makes use of a variation of the “Tempest” modification—painter’s or masking tape utilized in layers to the again of the PCB board contained in the chassis—to dampen sound. I want one thing comparable have been utilized right here as a result of everybody round you’ll know, acutely, if you’re typing on the Huntsman.Software program: Switching Modes in Razer SynapseAs you already know if you happen to’ve acquired a latest Razer product, Razer Synapse is the corporate’s free customization software program. The app controls RGB lighting, macros, and lots of different options throughout six onboard profiles. For the Huntsman, the Synapse software program presents you pre-configured modes you may activate, and also you’ll need to hold two of those in thoughts specifically. The primary is Speedy Set off mode, made with FPS video games in thoughts. It lets you launch and repeatedly press keys at a a lot sooner fee than is bodily potential on commonplace keyboards by eradicating the fastened reset level of the important thing.
(Credit score: Razer)
The second mode is the extra fascinating of the 2, and it is unique to the Huntsman. If you happen to’re adept in FPS shooters, you’re in all probability used to strafing whereas taking pictures, however the act of bouncing backwards and forwards between targets on an everyday keyboard can inadvertently result in an occasion the place two opposing keys are pressed on the similar time. They received’t register motion, leaving you a sitting duck for opponents to get the drop on. The brand new mode, dubbed Snap Faucet mode, solves this, so if you end up in an occasion the place two opposing instructions are detected, it should register the final enter because the precedence and hold you shifting. In fact, this concern wasn’t even one thing I believed was an precise downside. However together with the Speedy Set off mode, Snap Faucet can enhance your recreation with out you realizing it. We frequently say that options like these would solely be appreciated by top-level esports rivals, however even for an informal gamer like me, the distinction is palpable. (Whether or not they need to be allowed in tournaments, although, is some extent of competition in gaming communities throughout genres.) The LED array on the keyboard comes into play once more right here, letting you recognize when modes are activated. And, like actuation changes, the modes could be activated on the fly and confirmed utilizing the LED array.Surprisingly, the Huntsman V3 Professional reaches a most polling fee of only one,000Hz, which is low in contrast with the Huntsman V2’s 8,000Hz most. Polling fee refers back to the pace at which your machine sends your keystrokes or different inputs to your PC. A fee of 1,000Hz implies that info is distributed to the keyboard as soon as per millisecond. Increased charges have gotten more and more widespread in “professional” gaming keyboards, which makes their absence right here a bit shocking. After all, some players will excuse the decrease polling fee due to all the extra performance the Huntsman presents. Verdict: One other Profitable HuntKeyboards just like the Huntsman V3 Professional TKL aren’t for informal players searching for a every day driver. However if you happen to take your video games significantly (and if you happen to’ve learn this far, you in all probability do), you will recognize the additional options which, actually, make it really feel such as you’re dishonest. (However we imply that in a great way!) Our favourite high-end gaming keyboard continues to be the Razer BlackWidow 75%, with its silky-smooth tactile mechanical switches and all-around killer efficiency. However the Huntsman V3 Professional nonetheless fills a distinct segment, and hard-core players tuned into that vibe will adore it.
Razer Huntsman V3 Professional TKL
Execs
Correct optical analog switches
Plenty of software program customization choices
Glorious RGB lighting
LED array helpful for managing on-the-fly changes
View
Extra
Cons
Exceedingly noisy key motion
No hot-swappable key switches
Low polling fee for a “professional” keyboard
The Backside Line
Razer’s Huntsman V3 Professional is a superb keyboard that ought to enchantment to critical players seeking to enhance their kill/loss of life ratios—if they’ll bear the cacophonous key noise.
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