Razer Huntsman Review – Wrist Rest Anyone?

Another keyboard from Razer, how can they improve? Right now I use the Razer Ornata and the Razer Blackwidow Chroma V2, out of the two I highly prefer the Blackwidow as it comes with the Razer Orange Switch – Tactile and Silent, it is not really that silent but it does feel good underhand. The keyboard also comes with RGB Lighting, full keyboard layout, Macro keys, media keys and a wrist rest, everything a gamer needs. Now I have the new Razer Huntsman, not the elite version I shall have that one soon.

Just come back from France with a copy of Monster Hunter on Switch, which for some reason I prefer over Monster Hunter World, no idea why maybe its because I can easily find time to play my switch over my PC of late. But that is not here or there, this is about a new keyboard I got myself with Razers new Opto-Mechanical Switch. I wanted this keyboard simply for the new switch, I wanted to feel how it works when I type and play games. If you want to know more about how this switch works you can find out here. Personally, I think it is amazing, and possibly one of Razers best switches, one switch I hope they incorporate more variations.

“Razer Opto-Mechanical Switches have an optical light sensor inside the switch. Upon pressing a key, you allow a receiver to be activated by this light signal, instantly actuating the switch command. You’ve never experienced speed like this before.”

I shall call it Light Beam Technology, and I can tell you now the keys do feel lighter to use compared to the Blackwidow switch I was using. Just depressing them, it just feels that the keys require less pressure to create an action and they are clicky and louder. The question is do I like them? well, the answer is yes and a no. I really like the actuation force required to activate a key it is super light, one of the lightest keys I have ever used, however, the clicky sound is a bit too loud and can be clearly heard when streaming, so might not be the best keyboard key for streamers that have watchers that complain about keyboard sounds.

Here is a video of the sound test recorded with the Samsung Galaxy S9

So now that’s the new key covered not to bad right? its great for typing and great for gaming, not to good for streamers, well do a degree. So now let us look at how Razer sells this new keyboard on the shelves.

Some shops have the keyboard on the show floor for you to look at, even have the keyboard plugged in so you can check out the chroma lighting. But what happens if they only have it boxed away, what would you get from reviewing the product while it is in its box?

From the front, you can see the keyboard and there is a small cut out which allows you to feel and touch the new keys, this is a great idea for consumers to test out the keyboard before purchasing. One thing missing from the front is the chroma lighting logo, this has moved to the back. There is a sticker on the front noting that this keyboard used the Razer Opto-Mechanical Switch – Light and Clicky (Purple). If you want to know more about the switch, all you have to do is turn the box around and Razer has provided you all the information you will need.

So you like? going to buy?

When it comes to installing this new keyboard everything is done via Razer Synapse 3 which is currently in beta, and plug the keyboard into one of your spare USB ports. Now I had some issues with this one for some reason, I just could not get it to work, until I reinstalled Windows 10 pro on to my system then for some reason it worked, strange as this is the first Razer product I have ever had issues with before. I am sure this has nothing to do with the product, but something to do with my system.

But now I have the Huntsman working, how does it feel? well, the first thing I was using it for was typing out this review, using photoshop and then playing some Monster Hunter: World along with Two Point Hospital and Dragon Quest 11. The simple answer here is, the keyboard is a charm to work with, apart from the clicky sounds when I stream my gaming. For typing it is quick and responsive, one of the quickest keyboards I have used. The actuation force required to create an action is little to nothing, compared to the Blackwidow, these new keys from Razer are much better.

Now no keyboard is for everyone and this can be said for this one, it is mechanical, has RGB lighting and is rather loud, it also has system software, and not everyone likes software.

Within the software aka Razer Synapse you can control the RGB lighting as well as set onboard profiles, yes, this keyboard has a small amount of memory that allows it to remember pre-set configurations when you want to use the keyboard without Razer Synapse or on another system.

Then you have all the RGB Chroma effects available which include the following;

• Spectrum Cycling
• Wave
• Breathing
• Fire
• Reactive
• Ripple
• Starlight
• Static

We also have Chroma Advance Effects which allow you to create your own effects and assign them to a profile. The last option is brightness controls and with the ability to turn to lights off when the screen is off or the keyboard is idle.

The keyboard itself is solid in construction with a very rigid plastic design, scoring 6 rubber feet underneath to help the keyboard not move when in use. As with all keyboards you also get keyboard legs that offer two levels of height. Razer has also opted to use a braided cable and a non-gold plated USB plug, everything about this keyboard shines quality.

Oh yeah must not forget all the boring tech specs, I know some of you like this so here you go.