Most mechanical keyboard switches have two states, on or off. The switches on Razer’s new $ 250 Huntsman V2 analog keyboard detect degrees of movement, allowing users to set their own depth of action, apply pressure degrees like with an analog joystick, or even make a key perform various functions depending on the pressure you have.
One of Razer’s most popular keyboards is now slightly better and very different from traditional models. Using the same analog switching technology similar to that of the Wooting One keyboard I reviewed it in 2018, the Huntsman V2 Analog allows an unprecedented degree of control in most major mechanisms. Traditional keyboard switches are activated when pressed to a certain depth. The Razer analog optical switch measures a beam of light as it passes through a lens at the base of the switch stem. As the switch goes down, the lens opens higher and lets more light through. By measuring the amount of light, the keyboard knows how far the key is pressed and can use that data to do interesting things.
An example that comes up every time analog keyboard switches are mentioned is the gas pedal of a car in a racing game. A standard keyboard switch offers no quality control. Either you’re pressing the gas, or you’re not. You can press an analog switch a little to give the car some gas, or you can press it all the way down in order to put it on the ground. Your WASD keys can not only determine how you are running, but also how fast it is running. (One problem: Huntsman’s analog keystroke support works by simulating gamepad button presses. If a game doesn’t support simultaneous gamepad and mouse / keyboard input, as some do not, you won’t be able to use keyboard next to a mouse.)
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog also allows you to set your own depth of joint. This is how far you have to press the key to register as a press. If you have a light touch, you can set a shallower depth and require less pressure to type. If you’re too heavy like me, a deeper depth can keep you from accidentally shooting the wrong keys while your sausage fingers try to dance through the keyboard. Controlled using Razer’s Synapse software, all keyboard keys can be configured individually, resulting in a keyboard whose sensitivity can be fully configured to suit your particular typing and playback needs.
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Even cooler, you can set a key to activate it at two different depths. This feature can be used to streamline game actions. You can set a single key to, for example, equip a grenade with a light touch or throw it with a harder pressure. For shooters with a sweet recharge point, you can press lightly to start reloading and later touch the correct counter point. Or, set up a button that can target a specific player and then cast a healing spell. Sure, all of these things can be achieved with macros, but the addition of analog functionality adds an extra layer of control.
It’s nice to see such a major player in the gaming peripherals market adopt this technology elsewhere. If anything can cause expired keyboard and mouse players to set aside their gamepads and get home, they’re analog keyboard switches.
It helps make these particular switches work on one of Razer’s best keyboards. The new Huntsman is equipped with all the bells and whistles of the older models, such as Chroma lighting, fully programmable keys, built-in configuration profiles for players on the go, thick braided fiber cable and step USB 3.0 very useful. The switches are topped with charming textured double-stroke PBT plastic keys. The top plate is made of aluminum, which gives the keyboard a good weight. The included magnetic wrist bracket is not only comfortable, but also expands the keyboard lighting when connected.
And it wouldn’t be a modern gaming keyboard without the damn multifunction dial at the top right. I don’t hate the dial nor am I a fan. I don’t know why a keyboard needs dialing. I use it as a volume control from time to time, when I haven’t forgotten. I am convinced that it only exists because the dials look great and retro-technological.
If you don’t mind anything about analog control, there’s no reason to buy this particular Huntsman model. At $ 250 it’s definitely the most expensive side of Razer’s typing gear. If you’re interested in a keyboard with definable degrees of switching depression, the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog is the perfect technology to squeeze.
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