Beyond the blend of speed and tactile feedback, Razer claims the opto-mechanical switch is more durable, lasting up to 100 million presses Cherry MX are generally rated to 50 million.
![elite typing elite typing](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErspTfEXEAILCTw.jpg)
The opto-mechanical switches offer a clicky bit of feedback, not unlike Cherry MX Blues, but a lighter required actuation force (45g compared to 55g), making them more akin to Cherry MX Speed switches. With Razer's "opto-mechanical" switch there's actually a beam of light under each key, and when the beam is interrupted, a keypress is registered.
![elite typing elite typing](https://rapidtyping.com/img/best-typing-tutors/elite-typing-small.jpg)
Of course, the optical switches under the Huntsman Elite's keys are one of the main attractions here, and definitely what sets this keyboard apart from basically every mechanical keyboard on the market. There are also three dedicated media buttons with a very pleasant, round profile. The wheel's location is offset slightly from the side of the Huntsman and works flawlessly. The dial is clickable, just like a mouse wheel, so you can use it for extra functions like tapping it to mute the sound or your mic. On the Hunstman, the dial's default behavior is simple volume control, but you can also use it to zoom into Windows, swap between applications, change mic volume, or even swap weapons in games.
ELITE TYPING WINDOWS
While this wheel isn’t compatible at this point with Windows Dial functionality – unlike the Roccat Horde – it’s still programmable. Unfortunately, the RGB-powered wrist rest is the sole reason the Huntsman requires two USB ports – there’s no USB passthrough on this keyboard, which is a pretty big disappointment considering its price.Īt the top-right of the board resides another new feature of the Huntsman that's emerged as one of my favorites: a knurled metal dial. It's aided by strong magnets that keep the rest from flopping around. The wrist rest receives power via a new proprietary contact port on the body of the Huntsman. Unlike previous Razer keyboards, though, the lighting on the Huntsman doesn’t stop with keys, thanks to a fantastic under-glow provided by a light bar that runs around the edges of the keyboard, including the wrist rest. I found the lighting to be even and consistent, although a bit dimmer than I would have liked, even at max brightness. Key spacing on the Huntsman is equally comfortable, and typing felt natural.Īs expected, this keyboard uses Razer’s Chroma RGB lighting for per-key illumination. The result is pretty much heaven for long gaming sessions and typing. The Huntsman’s pad seems to be of the same design, with soft memory foam inside a leatherette covering, but its stance is a little more squared-off and elevated. The wrist rest on Razer’s BlackWidow V2 was the best I’d ever used – until now. Mark Knapp + 1 moreOn that note, the Hunstman Elite is definitely comfortable. On the underside of the board, the flip-out stand legs offer two positions, which is handy for finding a comfortable typing position. I’m a big fan of the brushed aluminum decks on the Corsair K70 MK.2, for example, but the Huntsman and its matte finish have the welcome benefit of warding off ugly fingerprints. The overall size feels more compact than the rather large BlackWidow Chroma V2 and the matte-black aluminum face of the board adds some needed weight to keep the keyboard from moving around the desk. Razer Huntsman Elite – Design and FeaturesThe Huntsman Elite, even from a distance, has the look of a high-end keyboard. I spent some time with the slick-looking Elite deck to see how the new switches compare to their mechanical rivals, and to see if the insane price tag was an early-adopter tax or justified. In addition to new switches, the keyboard also features new media controls (finally) and a cleverly-designed RGB perimeter lighting system that works with or without the wrist rest.Īt $200, the Huntsman Elite is Razer's most expensive keyboard, though there is a non-Elite version for $150 as well that forgoes the side lights and wrist rest. Here in 2018, it seems Razer isn’t done innovating on the keyboard switch front, as its all-new Huntsman Elite (See it on Amazon) is the first keyboard to use a new type of switch it calls "opto-mechanical." These switches use frickin' laser beams to register keypresses instead of metal contacts, theoretically offering better speed and durability. Back in 2014, Razer created its very own proprietary switches instead of going with the Cherry MX switches that were then, and still are, found on most mechanical gaming keyboards. Note that if you click on one of these links to buy the product, IGN may get a share of the sale. Be sure to visit IGN Tech for all the latest comprehensive hands-on reviews and best-of roundups.