Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 Review
- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Our Verdict
- Compared To Others
- Test Results
- Retailers
- Deals
- Discussions
Tested using
Methodology v1.0
Reviewed
Sep 17, 2020 at 08:10 am
By Kelsey Linhares, Sean Gallagher, Olivier Gariepy
9.3
Gaming
3.1
Mobile/Tablet
8.1
Office
8. 0
Programming
4.8
Entertainment / HTPC
overview
test results
deals
discussions
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Connectivity
Wired
Mechanical
Yes
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 is a fantastic wired keyboard for gaming. It has full RGB lighting and programmable macros, both of which can be customized in the Razer Synapse 3 companion software. Ergonomics are good and a step above the original Razer BlackWidow, largely due to the removable plushy wrist rest. While it’s made of sturdy textured plastic, the keycaps are made of ABS plastic, which may disappoint some gamers.
We bought the version with Razer Yellow switches, which have low pre-travel distance and feel linear, but it’s also available with Orange (tactile and silent) and Green (tactile and clicky) switches.
Our Verdict
9.3
Gaming
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition V2 is an outstanding gaming keyboard due to the low pre-travel distance and minimal force needed for the keys to actuate. You can customize the RGB backlight in the companion software, as well as set macros and reprogram buttons. Unfortunately, the keys are made of ABS plastic, which may disappoint some gamers.
Pros
-
Decent ergonomics.
-
Short pre-travel and low actuation point.
-
RGB backlighting.
-
Programmable macros.
Cons
-
ABS plastic keycaps.
-
No Bluetooth capabilities.
-
No onboard memory.
See our Gaming Recommendations
3.
1
Mobile/Tablet
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 isn’t designed for mobile devices as it’s a bulky and wired-only keyboard that can’t be paired with a phone or tablet.
8.1
Office
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 is a great keyboard for office use. It has good ergonomics and comes with a plushy wrist rest and has one incline setting. Typing quality is great, while the tactile switches are quiet and shouldn’t disturb anyone around you.
See our Office Recommendations
8.0
Programming
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition V2 is a great keyboard for programmers.
Its typing quality is great, and it’s available with three different switch variants. Ergonomics are good, and it comes with a detachable plushy wrist rest. It feels sturdy overall, but some may not like that the keycaps are made of ABS plastic. Also, it lacks multi-device pairing.
Cons
-
No Bluetooth capabilities.
-
No multi-device pairing.
-
No onboard memory.
See our Programming Recommendations
4.8
Entertainment / HTPC
-
9.
3Gaming
-
3.1
Mobile/Tablet
-
8.1
Office
-
8.0
Programming
-
4.
8Entertainment / HTPC
+ Create your own
-
Updated Apr 08, 2021:
Converted to Test Bench 1.0. -
Updated Sep 17, 2020:
Review published. -
Updated Aug 14, 2020:
Early access published.
Check Price
Black
BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2
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Amazon.de
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Compared To Other Keyboards
This is an outstanding gaming keyboard. It has low pre-travel distance and doesn’t need much force for keys to actuate, but is light enough to provide a smooth and light gaming experience that’s superior to the original Razer BlackWidow. It has good ergonomics thanks to its detachable plushy wrist rest and adjustable incline setting.
It’s very versatile and is a great choice for programmers or those working in an office. For more options, check out our recommendations for the best gaming keyboards, the best RGB keyboards, and the best mechanical gaming keyboards.
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Amazon.com
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 is a more versatile keyboard than the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition. While they’re both outstanding choices for gamers, the V2 is also a great choice for programmers and office work. It has better typing quality and ergonomics. Both keyboards have outstanding RGB backlighting and have programmable macros. That said, the Huntsman has PBT plastic keycaps and has onboard memory.
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 and the Razer BlackWidow V3 are both fantastic wired gaming keyboards. The units we tested each have linear Razer Yellow switches, and the Tournament Edition is also available with Razer Orange and Razer Green switches, while the V3 is also available with the Green switches.
The main difference is that the Tournament Edition is TenKeyLess (TKL) and the V3 is full-size, so it has dedicated media keys. Typing feels a lot better on the Tournament Edition because it comes with a plushy wrist rest.
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 and the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed are mechanical gaming keyboards with incredibly low latency. If you prefer a wired, TenKeyLess board that comes with a wrist rest, the TE Chroma V2 is a better choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a wireless, 65% compact board, the V3 Mini HyperSpeed is a better choice. It can pair with up to three devices at once via Bluetooth, and you can also use it via its USB receiver. Both boards are available with clicky Razer Green and linear Razer Yellow switches, but the TE Chroma V2 is also available with tactile Razer Orange switches.
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
The Razer BlackWidow Elite is a better gaming keyboard than the Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2.
The Elite is a full-sized keyboard that feels sturdier, and while it has two incline settings, it does tend to slide around more. The Elite also has onboard memory, but both keyboards offer similar typing experiences and outstanding RGB backlighting.
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 is a better, more versatile keyboard than the Razer BlackWidow. While both keyboards offer outstanding feedback for gamers, the V2 is a great choice for programmers and office use due to the impressive typing experience and programmable macros. That said, the original BlackWidow has onboard memory, which is great if you have to move between operating systems as the companion software isn’t available on macOS.
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 is a better keyboard than the Razer Huntsman. The TE comes with a detachable wrist rest and offers a better typing experience with its linear and quiet Yellow switches.
That said, the Hunstman has a Numpad and on-board memory.
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 is a better keyboard than the Razer BlackWidow Lite. The V2 has better ergonomics due to the detachable plushy wrist rest and has full RGB backlighting, while the Lite only has white backlights. Despite having different switches, the typing experience is of similar quality, and both keyboards allow for programmable macros. That said, the Lite has a better build as its plastic keys are placed on a metal plate foundation. Also, it has onboard memory, which is great if you move between a Mac and Windows often as the companion software isn’t compatible with macOS.
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 is a better keyboard than the Razer Cynosa V2. The TE may only have one incline setting but has a detachable wrist rest. Furthermore, it uses Razer Yellow switches, which feel linear and will be better suited for gamers.
That said, the Cynosa has dedicated media keys.
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 and the Corsair K70 RGB TKL are fantastic TKL gaming keyboards. The Razer is a bit more versatile for other uses like office use because it’s available in more switch types than the Corsair, like clicky and tactile, and it also comes with a wrist rest. However, the Corsair feels better-built because it has a sturdy frame and comes with PBT keycaps. Also, Corsair’s iCUE software is compatible with macOS, while Razer’s Synapse 3 software isn’t.
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 and the Logitech G413 SE are both wired-only mechanical gaming keyboards, but the Razer performs much better overall. The Razer comes with a detachable wrist rest for much better ergonomics. It uses linear Razer Yellow switches, which provide a responsive and light typing experience and have a shorter pre-travel distance. Also, its latency is better, and it has companion software.
On the other hand, the Logitech is a full-size board with PBT keycaps, which feel nicer to the touch.
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 and the Keychron K6 are two very different keyboards. The Razer is a wired model made for gaming. It feels more comfortable overall and has macro-programmable keys. It also comes with the Razer Synapse 3 software to help you customize it to your liking. On the other hand, the Keychron is a wireless keyboard that’s very good to use with mobile devices. You can pair it with up to three devices over Bluetooth and it has a more compact size, making it easy to bring it with you on the go.
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Test Results
Sort Category───────────RATINGSGamingMobile/TabletOfficeProgrammingEntertainment / HTPC
Category AllDesignTyping ExperienceSoftware and Operating System
Design
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Height
1.
7″ (4.2 cm)
Width
14.3″ (36.2 cm)
Depth
6.3″ (16.0 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
9.2″ (23.4 cm)
Weight
2.25 lbs (1.021 kg)
This is a wired, TenKeyLess (TKL) keyboard that’s significantly smaller than the Razer BlackWidow Elite. The wrist rest is detachable, which will alter how much space the keyboard takes.
Keycap Material
ABS
The Razer BlackWidow TE Chroma V2 is a decently built keyboard that’s made of textured plastic. The feet are an improvement over the Razer BlackWidow’s as they lock into place once extended, which makes them feel much sturdier. That said, the keycaps are ABS plastic, which may disappoint people who were hoping that this edition would be available with PBT plastic caps. Also, the mini USB cable that’s included feels flimsy when connected to the keyboard. If you want something similar that feels much better-built, consider the Corsair K70 RGB TKL.
Board Design
Straight
Minimum Incline
5.5°
Medium Incline
N/A
Maximum Incline
12°
Wrist Rest
Detachable
This keyboard’s ergonomics are good and are an improvement over the original Razer BlackWidow, largely due to the inclusion of the removable plushy wrist rest. There’s only one incline setting, but it shouldn’t cause any fatigue on the fingers or wrists.
Backlighting
Yes
Color
RGB
Individually Backlit Keys
Yes
Color Mixing
Good
Effects
Yes
Programmable
Yes
The Razer BlackWidow TE Chroma V2 has full RGB backlighting. The colors really pop due to the white plate that’s under the keys, and the brightness of the lights can be adjusted in the software or manually through the hotkeys on the f11 and f12 keys. For a keyboard with similarly outstanding RGB backlighting, check out the Razer BlackWidow or Razer BlackWidow Elite.
Connectivity
Wired
Detachable
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
Length
6.6 ft (2.0 m)
Connector (Keyboard side)
Mini USB
This keyboard uses a braided Mini-USB cable.
Bluetooth
No
Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing
No
Proprietary Receiver
No
Battery Type
No Batteries
This keyboard can’t be used wirelessly.
Media Keys
Hot Keys
Macro Programmable Keys
All
Trackpad / Trackball
No
Wheel
No
USB Passthrough
No
Numpad
No
Windows Key Lock
Yes
Lock Indicator
Caps & Scroll Lock
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 has media hotkeys and a ‘Game Mode’ button that acts as a Windows lock. Except for the Windows key, all other keys are macro-programmable. If you want a keyboard with dedicated media keys, consider the Razer Cynosa V2.
- Razer BlackWidow TE Chroma V2 keyboard
- Quick Start Guide
- Mini-USB cable
- Wrist Rest
Typing Experience
Key Switches
Razer Yellow
Mechanical
Yes
Feel
Linear
Operating Force
44 gf
Actuation Force
44 gf
Pre-Travel
1.3 mm
Total Travel
3.
7 mm
We tested the Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition with Razer’s Yellow switches, which feel very similar to Cherry MX Red switches. The linear switches are very comfortable to type with due to the low pre-travel distance and minimal actuation force required. The keyboard is also available with Orange (tactile and silent) and Green (tactile and clicky) switches.
The Razer BlackWidow TE Chroma V2 has great typing quality. The Razer Yellow switches don’t need a lot of force to actuate and have a low pre-travel distance, which should help reduce typos while also being light enough to create an enjoyable gaming experience. Due to the plushy wrist wrest and inclination, you shouldn’t feel any fatigue when using this keyboard for extended periods.
Noise
Quiet
The Razer BlackWidow TE Chroma V2’s linear switches are quiet and shouldn’t bother those around you.
Latency Wired
1.1 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
N/A
Software and Operating System
Software Name
Razer Synapse 3
Account Required
No
Profiles
6+
Onboard Memory
No
Cloud Sync
Yes
Macro Programming
Software
Ease Of Use
Easy
Software Windows Compatible
Yes
Software macOS Compatible
No
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition is compatible with Razer Synapse 3 companion software.
From here, you can set macros and reprogram every key except the ‘Game Mode’ button. You can customize the RGB backlight and have up to six different profiles saved. Despite not having on-board memory, all your settings can be saved in the cloud. Unfortunately, Synapse 3 isn’t compatible with macOS.
Windows
Full
macOS
Partial
Linux
Partial
Android
No
iOS
No
iPadOS
No
The Razer BlackWidow TE Chroma V2 is fully compatible with Windows, but there’s no software support for macOS or Linux. Furthermore, the ‘Scroll Lock’, ‘Pause Break’, and ‘Sleep’ buttons don’t work on macOS.
Discussions
Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 review: Same old keyboard, with comfy new wrist rest
Reviews
Take a load off.
By Hayden Dingman
Games Reporter, PCWorld
IDG / Hayden Dingman
At a Glance
Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Magnetic wrist rest is a huge step up over most competitors
- Razer’s lighting is still top-notch
- New Razer Yellow switch is an excellent Cherry MX Speed imitation
Cons
- Lacks dedicated media keys
- Wrist rest is great, but some may not want to use it (or have their own)
- Expensive
Our Verdict
Razer’s BlackWidow Chroma refresh features a plush wrist rest and Razer’s new Cherry MX Speed-like Yellow switches, but a lack of media keys and other modern luxuries leaves it feeling a bit behind the competition.
Best Prices Today: Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2
When I reviewed Razer’s faux-mechanical rubber-dome Ornata keyboard a few months back, I mostly found myself admiring its wrist rest. Yes, wrist rest. Usually a pack-in wrist rest means a cheap piece of hard plastic or, if you’re lucky, rubbery plastic that snaps into place and works just well enough that you’re loathe to throw it out and replace it with something nicer.
But in the case of the Ornata, it meant a plush, leatherette-covered hunk of foam about an inch thick held gently to the chassis by way of magnets. This was the all-leather-interior luxury car of wrist rests, and it came attached to…a rubber-dome keyboard.
Mentioned in this article
Razer Ornata Chroma
High time then that the same wrist rest makes its way to Razer’s actual mechanical keyboards, such as the Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 I’m reviewing here—which happens to offer a new Razer Yellow switch, too.
Note: This review is part of our best gaming keyboards roundup. Go there for details about competing products and how we tested them.
Same but different
Aside from the wrist rest, not much has changed about the Razer BlackWidow Chroma’s design. This is essentially the same keyboard I reviewed nearly three years ago. At some point Razer swapped the old blocky typeface on each key with a slim sans-serif, but otherwise the two are almost identical—same jet-black rectangular slab, almost 2001: A Space Odyssey monolithic.
IDG / Hayden Dingman
It’s sleek. Even if you’re not a fan of Razer’s design language, I think the BlackWidow Chroma is one of Razer’s best. To some extent that’s because it’s so inoffensive—no-frills, and dressed in that most reliable of colors: black. But still, there’s an art to minimalism and I think the BlackWidow Chroma executes perfectly.
Or almost perfectly. There are some baffling omissions, or rather one very baffling omission: dedicated media keys.
Mentioned in this article
G610 Orion Spectrum
Everyone’s doing it—or, at least, everyone in the BlackWidow Chroma V2’s price tier. At $170, the BlackWidow occupies an elite club consisting of basically Corsair’s K70 RGB and K95 RGB, Logitech’s G910, and…well, that’s about it, at least so far as gaming-centric keyboards are concerned. And they all have dedicated media keys, except Razer. You’ll even find dedicated media keys on keyboards nearly half as expensive nowadays. (See: Logitech’s G610, G.Skill’s KM780, and so on.)
IDG / Hayden Dingman
Why Razer continues to double up media controls on the Function row, especially on its flagship keyboard, is beyond me. A huge issue? Absolutely not, but with the keyboard market both increasingly crowded and increasingly granular, an omission of that size is a notable delineation between Razer and practically all the competition. I’m a big fan of volume rollers, but even just dedicated volume keys would be handy—a fact I’ve really come to appreciate while playing Divinity: Original Sin II, where I need my Function keys to actually work like Function keys in the context of the game.
The same goes for dedicated Game Mode keys, a dedicated macro recording key, and so on. Razer’s got a few premium features in this board, but with the exception of the five programmable macro keys arrayed down the left side, most of these features are tucked away as secondary functions.
But that wrist rest.
It’s excellent. I just can’t say it enough. With about an inch of foam padding framed by a thin plastic chassis, the BlackWidow ever-so-gently cradles your wrists in a leatherette-clad cloud. You can also get a bit creative with it, since it’s only attached to the keyboard magnetically. Want to angle it a bit, or pull it away from the keyboard an inch or two? Done. The range of options is still limited—it is, after all, a wrist rest—but better than (for instance) the one-size-fits-all approach taken by Corsair.
IDG / Hayden Dingman
Lighting on the BlackWidow Chroma V2 is also great. I think Logitech gets top marks thanks to the centralized LED in the Romer-G switch, and Corsair’s K95 is a decadent lighting feast, but the original BlackWidow Chroma was a beauty back in 2014 and the Chroma V2 remains stellar.
Again, the problem is more that the competition got fiercer in this department.
Speedy fingers
Razer’s new Yellow switch keeps with the times, though. I spent quite a bit of my Corsair K95 review praising its new Cherry MX Speed (Silver, to third parties) switches—a linear switch with very low resistance. Think “Cherry Red with a hair trigger.” Even resting your finger on a key too heavily can be enough to trigger an actuation.
Mentioned in this article
Gaming K95 RGB Platinum
And while that can be a pain sometimes when typing, it’s a godsend while gaming—as long as your muscle memory is precise. Quick reactions, double taps, the Cherry MX Speed makes it easy.
The new Razer Yellow switches are Cherry MX Speed clones. They feature the same travel distance of 3.5mm, the same actuation point of 1.2mm, the same actuation force of 45g, and the same linear response. At least on paper, the two are identical.
IDG / Hayden Dingman
To my fingers, too.
Past Razer switches have always taken liberties with Cherry designs—Greens, for instance, are essentially MX Blues, but with a slightly shorter actuation point and a somewhat stiffer action. And you could sense it. Maybe not the layperson, and in day-to-day use the differences wouldn’t amount to much, but a well-trained typist who knows what to feel for could distinguish between the two, even when blindfolded. How do I know? Because I did it.
I’m not confident I could tell Razer Yellow and MX Speed switches apart. I’ve A/B tested them for a couple weeks now and the two are indistinguishable to me.
That’s good for Razer. In the past, Razer’s switches have suffered the same stigma as other “knock-off” Cherry switches, and to be fair there are other factors that are harder to test for—durability, for instance. But as far as first impressions go? Yellows might as well be true Cherry MX switches. Even though they’re not.
IDG / Hayden Dingman
With that in mind, expect the same benefits as Cherry MX Speeds—a very fast, low-resistance typing experience, suitable mostly for gaming but which can be satisfying for day-to-day use too, provided you don’t mind the occasional fat-finger error.
I’ll say this: A couple of months with first the K95’s Speed switches and now Razer Yellows has increased my precision tenfold, just out of necessity.
It’s a good keyboard. Stellar lighting, supple wrist rest, and Razer’s new Yellow switches make this probably the best Cherry MX clone I’ve ever used. The BlackWidow Chroma V2 is a solid choice.
But it does feel somewhat like Razer’s falling behind the competition, or rather that the competition’s caught up. In 2014 the BlackWidow Chroma was our best-rated RGB keyboard, but now it’s an also-ran in a field that keeps getting more and more crowded, where prices keep falling, and where gimmick features are the sole way to really stand out. Is a sweet wrist rest enough to stave off the pack when third-party wrist rests abound? Hard to say. If you’re not interested in the wrist rest, or prefer to bring your own, you can probably dock another half-star off the score here.
In any case, I hope Razer’s next flagship aims a little higher.
At heart this is the same keyboard I reviewed three years ago, and in peripherals terms that’s ancient. Media keys would be a good start. It’s the little things, you know?
Author: Hayden Dingman, Games Reporter
Hayden writes about games for PCWorld and doubles as the resident Zork enthusiast.
Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 mechanical keyboard review / Overclockers.ua
The updated BlackWidow Chroma V2 mechanical keyboard is the crowning achievement of Razer’s engineering and marketing ideas, and the most relevant keyboard in their range today. It would seem that what else can be invented in such a simple device that has not undergone significant changes over the past two decades? But Razer, as «always», succeeded. Let’s take a look at the innovations in detail.
Specifications
| Model | Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 |
|---|---|
| Product page | razerzone. com |
| Connection | Wired |
| Interface | USB 2.0 |
| Polling frequency, Hz | 1000 |
| Type | Gaming room |
| Number of keys | 104 |
| Additional buttons | 5 |
| Keystroke resource, million | 80 |
| Key type | Mechanical |
| Switch type | Razer MX Green/Orange/Yellow |
| Changing the angle of the housing | + |
| Built-in memory, KB | – |
| Macro recording capability | + |
| Rollover handling | 10KRO |
| Light | + (RGB) |
| USB cable length, m | 2.15 |
| Braid material | Nylon braid |
| Integral display included | – |
| Material | Plastic |
| Color | Black |
| Software | + (Razer Synapse 2. 0) |
| Removable palm rest | + |
| External interfaces | 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x 3.5mm audio port |
| Dimensions (L x W x H), mm | 484 x 182 (247 with stand) x 42 |
| Weight, g | 1 460 (1700 with stand) |
| Compatible with OS | Windows 7, 8, 10 / Mac OS X (10.8 — 10.11) |
| Features | Soft magnetic palm rest |
| Average cost, $ | 165 |
What’s in the box
When it comes to product packaging, Razer excels. It turned out beautiful and surprisingly informative. On the front there is an image of the keyboard and a small window at the bottom right, allowing you to try how the mechanical switches installed here work. On the back side, the main, from the point of view of the company, advantages are noted — mechanical switches with a MTBF of 80 million clicks and RGB backlighting.
In addition, there you can find brief information about the types of switches used here. And on the sidewalls are data on weight and size characteristics, compatibility with operating systems and the type of layout used.
A BlackWidow Chroma V2 comes with three types of mechanisms at once. There are classic green (analogous to Cherry MX Blue), yellow (something like Cherry MX Red in tactile sensations) and orange (tactile, but quiet, exactly like Cherry MX Brown). You can feel how they work without opening the box.
Inside, everything looks quite nice too. All documentation is packed in a pocket under the top cover of the box. The keyboard is protected from damage by soft dampeners on the sides, cardboard inserts at the top and bottom, and a transparent overlay (which is desirable to save and use to protect against dust when the device is idle for a long time). But the cutest and most interesting can be seen in the lower right corner.
It turns out that the test mechanical key is actually a key fob.
It can be taken out of the package, hung on the bundled string and, after the user takes out the battery gasket, can be used as an anti-stress gadget. The key fob is not only pressed like a real mechanical button, but also shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow.
In addition to the keychain, the delivery set includes the already familiar congratulations on the purchase from the company’s president, two stickers with the Razer logo and instructions for use.
Appearance and Design
The appearance of the BlackWidow Chroma V2 is largely unchanged from past iterations of this keyboard. The sloping housing made of matt black plastic has a beveled front characteristic of the entire model range. On the left there are additional keys. In the center at the bottom is a glossy window with an illuminated company logo in the form of a three-headed snake. At the top right, a stylized indicator panel remained in its place. Seems like nothing new. But there has to be something “innovative” right?
As funny as it sounds, the difference is that the new keyboard has a soft magnetic palm rest.
It is enough to attach it to the body, after which it pulls itself up to it and holds it very securely. And yes, it’s actually pretty damn convenient, and many Razer fans have long begged the company to do something similar. It would seem that this is a trifle. But it changes the ergonomics of the device dramatically.
Separately, I would like to pay attention to the workmanship of the palm rest. Its upper part consists of a high soft cushion with leather upholstery and a logo in the center. It springs under the palm, taking its shape under load and straightening back when the user removes their hands. The reverse side is solid plastic (other manufacturers often make it hollow inside) with six rubber feet around the perimeter and three mounting screw caps. Powerful magnets in the amount of six pieces are hidden under the reverse sloping edge, and it’s definitely not worth bringing bank cards close to them.
Key layout — standard, «American». The left and right shift keys are long, F1 is located exactly on the number «2».
Enter is single line and long. The Latin alphabet is applied by laser engraving on the top center. Cyrillic is in the middle right. Both fonts are poorly visible without backlighting, but when the backlighting is active, they are read perfectly. Unfortunately, additional characters under the numbers and on the function buttons are not highlighted. The caps have a cylindrical recess in the middle. To the right of the space there is an Fn modifier. The combination of the Fn key with the function F buttons serves to activate additional functions. In particular, Fn + (F1-F3) control the volume of the sound, Fn + (F5-F7) are used to control playback, Fn + F9activates macro recording, Fn + F10 turns on the game mode, Fn + (F11-F12) controls the brightness of the backlight, Fn + Pause puts the PC to sleep. In addition, Fn in combination with ten numbers from «0» to «9» allows you to quickly switch keyboard settings profiles.
In previous versions of the device, macros could only be assigned to the additional five buttons on the left.
Now it is possible to record a macro on any buttons except Win and Fn through the driver or on the fly, directly from the keyboard. Since there is no onboard memory, the software must always be active in order to play macros. Recording from the keyboard is simple: press Fn + F9- the M indicator lights up red, the backlight of the keys turns off. We type the desired command of any length and press Fn + F9 again. The M indicator starts blinking. Press the key where you want to assign the macro. The indicator goes out, the macro is successfully recorded, the backlight lights up again. Interestingly, not only commands from the keyboard are perceived, but also mouse clicks.
The set of keys on the right side is standard. In the upper right corner, on a glossy substrate, there are two rows of indicators. They glow white when activated. In addition to Caps, Num, and Scroll Lock, there is an «M» indicator that notifies you about the recording of a macro command (it glows red when turned on) and a G-indicator that signals the game mode.
As previously mentioned, three types of switches can be set on this keypad. They are labeled as Razer (in fact, they are produced by Greetech on special order) and differ in color and, accordingly, in characteristics. Let’s go through them one by one, starting with the Razer Green, which are similar in tactile characteristics to the Kailh Blue. They have a non-linear course, a loud and sonorous click when triggered. The activation force is 50 grams, the operation occurs at a stroke height of 1.9mm (+/- 0.4 mm). The dead zone between the activation and reset point of the mechanism (in which it is possible to cause repeated operation without a click) is a little more than 0.4 mm and it can only be felt on purpose, since it is floating in different instances. The stated time between failures of these mechanisms has steadily increased after the change of OEM and now stands at 80 million clicks, while most similar competitors offer a more modest 50-60 million activations. But let’s not quibble, because it is still impossible to develop this resource in two years of an official guarantee, and what will happen next is of no particular concern to anyone.
Stabilizers of long buttons are ordinary wire, with a slight play in the horizontal plane. The base plate under the buttons is made of white reflective metal. The plastic of the keycaps is white, painted with black paint on the outside. The massive LED installed here protrudes noticeably from the switch body and in it, at low brightness, three separate light elements of green, blue and red are clearly visible.
Razer Orange mechanical switches behave like Kailh or Cherry Brown style buttons. They are noticeably quieter than the Razer Green, but have a more pronounced tactile feedback, which is felt at the moment the switch is activated. The button travel is non-linear, the force required to activate is 45 grams, the actuation occurs at the same height as the Razer Green, but there is practically no dead zone between the moment of activation and reset of the switch. According to the degree of noise, these mechanisms can be called average. They don’t click like the green ones, but the overtone is due to the sharp return of the button cap to its place, even if the sound of hitting the substrate is excluded.
In principle, this is a compromise option, equally well suited for intensive gaming and typing large amounts of text.
As a lover of linear mechanisms, I liked the Razer Yellow switch option the most. They are analogous to Cherry or Kailh Red. The key travel is completely straight, with no tactile feedback. The pressing force is 45 grams, the dead zone between actuation and reset is completely absent. The actuation height is now at the 1.2mm (+/- 0.3mm) point, making these buttons one of the most sensitive on the market. In addition, the Razer Yellow is quiet enough to be used at home, at night, or while streaming. By purpose, they can be considered purely gaming, since fans of typing on mechanics may critically lack tactile feedback.
In profile, one more difference between the new model and the previous ones becomes noticeable. The front bevel now rests completely on the table surface, in the manner of the metal panel in BlackWidow X. In previous versions, it ended at a height of 10 mm.
All buttons are relatively flat in the first three rows, with the top three rows having a slight ergonomic slope. There are no external ports on the left side.
But on the right side, a pass-through USB 2.0 port and a combined 3.5 mm audio jack, suitable for headsets, where the speaker and microphone contacts are brought out to one common plug, remained in their place. In addition, in this perspective, you can also evaluate how the palm rest looks in profile if you attach it to the keyboard. The unfolded legs add 18 mm to the height of the case and the device is equally convenient to use, both with and without legs.
The signal cable is non-removable and enters the keyboard housing exactly in the middle, in the place where the glossy plastic insert is made. The cord is located closer to the bottom edge and is equipped with a massive kink protection.
The USB cable has a total length of 2.15 meters, is completely covered with a nylon braid and actually consists of two parts — before and after the splitter box.
The first part of the cord is thick and relatively flexible. And the last half meter is divided into three thin, but very rigid cables. The first of them is responsible for connecting the keyboard, the second is needed for a pass-through USB port, and the third is for connecting audio. USB connectors are green and covered with translucent protective caps. In addition, there is such a nice little thing on the cable as a reusable rubber tie, which makes it easy to collect its excess length.
The base of the keyboard is plastic and completely flat. In the corners and in the center there are small rubber feet in a total of five pieces. A tag with the serial number of the product is pasted in the center.
Extendable legs with rubberized edges.
The keyboard has individual RGB backlighting for all keys and logo, and a variety of lighting effects, as evidenced by the word Chroma in its name. You can fine-tune the LEDs through the driver. The brightness is adjustable from 33 to 100%, it is possible to completely turn off the backlight.
All indicators are illuminated with a dull white color, they do not blind the eyes, and in a brightly lit room they are hardly noticeable at all. Color rendition is correct and beautiful.
Software
As software, the BlackWidow Chroma V2 traditionally uses the Razer Synapse 2.0 universal multilingual driver (version 2.21), which requires a permanent Internet connection to save all settings in the cloud, but also has an offline mode of operation. In the program settings window, you can check for updates, read the manual, or select the interface language (10 options are available, including Russian). In addition, it is possible to send a review about the product or follow the official web pages of the company in social networks.
In the basic setup screen, you can remap all keyboard buttons except Win and Fn keys to any other commands or actions. Settings are stored in profiles, each of which can be assigned one of a dozen available hot key combinations for quick manual activation.
Or associate automatic profile activation with the start of a specific program.
In the backlight setting, you can select ten types of lighting effects, adjust their parameters and adjust the brightness of the glow in the range from 33 to 100%. For more detailed adjustment, you can go to the effects configurator.
In the effect configurator, you can create separate light profiles for key groups or for each key individually. Even the glow of the logo can be customized separately. The number of parameters that can be adjusted is simply amazing.
The Game Mode setting allows you to turn it on or off and choose which keys or shortcuts will be blocked when it is activated. The Win key is always disabled by default, and Alt+F4 and Alt+Tab can be disabled if needed.
The macro editor is standard on all Razer devices. It can record keyboard commands and mouse clicks, taking into account time delays (their length can be edited). All recorded macros are stored in the PC memory.
They can be given individual names.
Chroma Application Mode allows third party applications to use the device to display lighting effects.
In order to use third-party lighting control applications, they must first be downloaded and installed from the official Razer Chroma Workshop website.
The statistics module collects information on the use of Razer devices in quantitative terms. For the keyboard, statistics are collected on the number of button presses, the distance traveled by the keys, the number of profile switches and the activation of macros.
Ergonomics and testing
With a new body shape and the addition of a padded palm rest, the Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2’s ergonomics are significantly more pleasing than previous models in the range. Using the stand allows you to spend up to 14 hours a day at the keyboard without feeling any fatigue in your hands, and this is just a godsend for both gamers and office workers whose work involves typing large amounts of text.
The standard key layout will not take time to adapt to blind typing. However, the presence of a vertical row of additional keys on the left will require the user to get used to not to miss and not to press them from time to time. It took me about three days to do this. Provided that there is a stand, the keyboard is convenient to use with any position of the legs. If the stand is removed, then the option with folded legs will be more comfortable. The key surfaces are nice and non-slippery, although the case as a whole tends to pick up dust and fingerprints rather quickly. The resistance of the keyboard to slip is almost absolute — this is facilitated by both its very large weight and the presence of a large number of rubber stickers on the bottom. Pleasantly pleased with the build quality of the device — there are simply no backlashes and squeaks in it.
The use of additional ports has caused me two complaints. They are located on the right, and when connecting peripherals with straight connectors, this can interfere with the free movement of the mouse, which, as a rule, is also located on the right.
Moving these ports to the rear panel in the future, I think is a more promising solution. The second point is the use of a paired 3.5 mm jack. Headsets still have two separate microphone and headphone jacks, and if an adapter is not included, the user will be left without the ability to connect a microphone, or will not use this port on the keyboard.
Switching from mechanical switch OEM to Greetech, at least on first impressions, has had a positive effect on the tactile feel of the device. About their reliability, of course, it is too early to say anything. The user has a choice among three types of switches — Green (loud and tactile), Orange (quiet and tactile) and Yellow (quiet and linear). Compared to the Kailh, they all fire to much tighter tolerances and have more pronounced tactile feedback. In addition, there is no parasitic ringing of the springs, which annoyed me in Green mechanisms even more than loud clicks. Therefore, at this moment, everything is just fine with BlackWidow Chroma V2.
My personal preference for the range of switches is the Razer Yellow, although everyone has their own tastes in this regard.
The backlight looks great. All fonts are perfectly readable in the dark and in daylight. Although some characters are not highlighted, such as percent signs, brackets, etc. on the number line at the top. The software remained unchanged, and therefore without comments.
For the keyboard, the manufacturer declares the possibility of simultaneous operation of 10 keys in any combination. In fact, this statement was fully confirmed, although in some combinations the device controller is capable of processing up to 14 simultaneous commands, but no more.
Results
It seems that Razer managed to make a very decent keyboard that can compete with any analogues from competitors. The BlackWidow Chroma V2 received a slightly modified body shape and a chic palm rest with a magnetic mount. And, most importantly, updated three types of mechanical switches: Green, Orange and Yellow, among which fans of the brand can now choose those that they like in terms of tactile sensations and actuation patterns.
All this is complemented by a well-assembled case and beautiful RGB lighting with a wide variety of effects.
The only drawback that the BlackWidow Chroma V2 has is the location of the USB and audio ports on the right, which is inconvenient for connecting wired peripherals. However, if you use a wireless mouse or audio with L-shaped connectors, then this disadvantage turns into a virtue.
In a word, if you are not confused by the traditionally high cost of products from Razer, and your life is connected with constant work at the computer, consider the BlackWidow Chroma V2 as a gift to yourself. She’s worth it.
RGB gaming keypad review and test
Today, the segment of gaming peripherals for gamers includes a large number of different devices. Depending on the genre you prefer, there really is plenty for gamers to choose from, and the gaming peripherals industry caters to gamers’ demands at lightning speed. Manufacturers release new items every quarter, replenishing their extensive range with high-quality gaming products, ranging from the simplest to functional, fancy and expensive devices.
In this field, the company stands out Razer , which over the years has clearly succeeded in this segment. In addition to all kinds of gaming mice, keyboards, headsets, rugs, and other products, the company’s catalog contains very interesting devices — keypads.
Keypads are such “cropped” gaming keyboards that have retained the most important and vital functionality for games. These devices have excellent ergonomics, compactness and convenience. Of course, there is no question of universality, so you can forget about typing and other everyday tasks that the user performs on a regular keyboard. A keypad is a very specific device for one specific purpose. The first versions of keypads were relatively good devices, but they contained little that should have helped the gamer in the game, well, their modern versions have grown with much more extensive functionality and significantly increased ergonomics. Today we will talk about keypad from Razer — Orbweaver Chroma with proprietary RGB lighting.
Razer Orbweaver Chroma
The device comes in a box that is relatively compact for a keyboard (of course, given the very compactness of the keypad), painted in the Razer branded black and green colors . Packaging Orbweaver Chroma has a hinged lid, behind which is the device itself under the blister. Theoretically, before buying, you can put your hand on the device and evaluate its ergonomics, but Orbweaver Chroma is a keypad that can be fully customized, so the convenience of such devices is best evaluated «live» and not through a blister pack. In addition to the keypad, the box also contains the traditional Razer welcome message to players, a user manual, and two stickers with the company logo.
Design and appearance Razer Orbweaver Chroma
Razer Orbweaver Chroma outwardly resembles some kind of transformer device from the future, which at first glance seems inconvenient, however, when you start to understand in more detail, it becomes clear that everything is not as simple as it seems at first glance.
The device consists of several independent modules that can be fully customized to the needs of the gamer, which makes the Razer Orbweaver Chroma a fully customized gaming keypad, the dimensions of which are very compact. At the bottom of the device is an adjustable palm rest, as well as an adjustable wrist rest with a pleasant to the touch rubber coating. The main block consists of 20 mechanical keys, arranged in 4 rows, and which are simply numbered here, but the most interesting, which is also the most functional block, is on the right.
The block on the right, which, by the way, is also adjustable, is designed for the thumb, and there is an unusually shaped button that acts as a space bar, as well as a small 8-position mini-joystick and a profile switching button. Profiles are configured in proprietary software Razer Synapse 3.0 , where the gamer can reassign any of the 20 function keys of the main unit, and assign any actions to the 8-way joystick.
In addition, you can record and apply macros in games, as well as create up to 8 profiles for different games and quickly switch between them with the click of a button.
Switches and RGB lighting Razer Orbweaver Chroma
Separately, it is worth noting that the Orbweaver Chroma is designed exclusively for the left hand, and, unfortunately, the manufacturer did not release a special version of the kepad for right-hand control i.e. for lefties. As mentioned earlier, the device has 20 mechanical keys, which in turn are equipped with updated Razer Green Switch switches. By the way, these switches were developed within the walls of the manufacturer’s company and have a pressing force of 50 grams, a stroke of 4 mm, and the key is actuated at 2.2 mm. Supports up to 10 simultaneous clicks.
Quite good indicators even for mechanics, but the main disadvantage is that they are quite loud when pressed, so it’s clearly impossible to play unnoticed or in silence for others.
The Orbweaver Chroma features proprietary RGB backlighting on the main unit keys, which is customizable in Synapse 3.0 . The keypad is also equipped with a two-meter fabric-braided cable, as befits high-end gaming devices, and connects to a computer or laptop using a gold-plated USB connector.
Ergonomics and testing Razer Orbweaver Chroma
We tested the Razer Orbweaver Chroma for several days in various games on a gaming PC and laptop. Best of all, of course, the keypad showed itself when playing on a laptop. keyboards in laptops, even gaming ones, are not always of the highest quality and most convenient for games, so the Razer Orbweaver came in handy here. As for the convenience in the games themselves, everything is ambiguous here. In most genres, the keypad is very convenient, although it takes a little getting used to. For example, in first-person shooters and games of the genre and other online role-playing games require a lot of buttons for a quality game, which the keypad lacks for this genre.
As for ergonomics, this is, as always, purely subjective, but the keypad will most likely turn out to be really convenient for most gamers, not least thanks to personal customization. In this regard, the Orbweaver provides players with a complete set: absolutely all the buttons on the keypad can be reconfigured, the wrist rest can be angled to a more comfortable angle, and the right block and palm rest are also adjustable depending on the owner’s preferences.
The Razer Orbweaver Chroma is a great keypad and an equally great addition to a gamer’s gaming peripherals. Device customization and RGB lighting give the keypad originality — you can completely remake it for yourself and it’s really cool. However, as we said at the very beginning, a keypad is a purely specific device, for one specific purpose, and as it later turned out during testing of the device, it is not suitable for all genres, for example, the path to MMORPG with Orbweaver is partly closed, so we recommend the device we wouldn’t be everyone and everything.
