Still not available here in Poland :3 around Christmas they said. I'm gonna hang myself I said. Seriously though I'm waiting since i missed on n5 availability through carriers in Poland and when there finally is nexus I'm willing to get for 3000pln which is what i make working for 3 months as a student, I can't even get one :D
Well, I stopped using my Razer Lycosa Keyboard from three reasons: 1) online drivers: yes, they connect on every windows logon, and visually "in your face", so that you can not miss it. They often lose local config and rewrite with online 2) unable to remap keys: they support "full programmable keys", but that means I could put macro on any key. Funnily enough, I could NOT do simple key remapping ( for example, to set BACKSPACE to be Q ) 3) lack or "big" ENTER key - I'm used to Europe/UK style large UK keys. Logitech has versions of its keyboards with it, but not Razer
Granted, #3 is not an issue for most people, and #2 is probably fixed in new keyboard versions, but #1 ( online connection for driver) remains an issue that was main reason for my switch - especially after one of their online updates introduced bug. BTW, I'm not against occasional online checking for new version - Logitech does that, Windows does that. But I'm very much against need to open account and login and drivers not working properly without that.
And another not-Nexus 6p article popped on my rss feeds... When will it show?!?!?! :D Nice review anyway though i'm not in the market for gaming keyboard.
Every six months I switch from gaming with my left hand to right. It keeps my brain fresh and distributes the strain. Being a drummer, it helps my independence as well. So, yes, NumPad.
TheRealanalogkid - I support your dedication to improving yourself! Righto!
I thought I was special making sure I brushed my teeth with my off hand to help preserve the ambidextrous skills I developed after chopping off two fingers on my right hand! :)
I find it VERY nice. I can move to any other computer with razer stuff, login, and all my settings show up. Which is nice since I move my keyboard and mouse around at times. You sound like another band wagon hater that likes to go "me too".
As for the NUM pad, I use mine ALL THE TIME.
But they do make tourney versions of their keyboards that do not have NUM pads.
As an option? It;s not an issue. As a REQUIREMENT to change settings in the drivers (as is currently the case)? Total bullshit. The vast majority of people who purchase one of these keyboards will be using it on a single computer at a time, making the 'cloud profile' entirely pointless.
I like a numb pad. Nothing better when I need to put in strings of numbers. Do I use it often? No but it is damn nice when I need it. I'm guessing you never learned to 10 key?
since I use the arrow keys (old school, lame, whatever) melee, grenade and special are usually bound to 3 of the keys on the numpad haha. But like others have mentioned I don't game 24/7. It's useful other times
I agree with you. I would rather have the space freed up on my desk can fit a drink in the space the numpad takes up plus with less keys = cheaper price. I never ever ever need a number pad.
"What should be clearly noted however is that the RGB lighting is not programmable per-key."
Stopped right there. IMO the entire point of RGB keyboards is to allow one to set individual keys to different colors so you can hit it without looking down while gaming. For example WASD all red, I is blue, H is green, M is yellow, etc. If you can't set it per key it's just a stupid fake rave lightshow...
If you need lightup guides to find keys while gaming, learning to touch type might be a better plan. Any decent layout is going to put the stuff you need regularly all within reach of one hand if they expect the other to be on a mouse; so you should be able to use muscle memory to hit the keys without taking your eyes off the game..
And if that doesn't work, colours wouldn't help either: you'd have to look down to assign the different colours popping up in your periphery vision to the precise keys they illuminate.
I type well over 120 wpm - I've been using keyboards since the late 80's. My particular use case (I understand this won't apply for all) is playing with lights dimmed or off and using my peripheral vision to ensure I hit the correct key. For example I'm playing Witcher 2 right now, and the "signs" are keys 5-9. It'd be nice to have those as a different color so if I'm going for 7 in the middle, it's completely obvious which key 7 is. Likewise in Diablo 3 I accidently hit J instead of H many times, so in the middle of a battle I'm pulling up the damn journal or whatever instead of healing (I've since reassigned the key). The point is these RGB kb's have the potential to allow you to assign keys or groups of keys and have almost 100% accuracy in low light conditions.
Again, I'm using my peripheral vision not actually changing my focus. Simply "blanking out" the orange key with my finger lets me know it's in the right spot. Putting several similar keys in a row will help you find the 2nd or 3rd, 4th easier, especially if that set of keys is on an "island" like 5-9.
It's quite simple really, when I'm typing my fingers are anchored by the ridges of the F and J keys. When I'm gaming they are not - left hand can be on WASD or 1234, right hand is on the mouse. Knowing how to touch type writing paragraphs is completely different than hitting a single key when your hands are in an unusual place. WASD is a bit easier, for D3 where my left hand is on 1234 it's more difficult.
Spoiler: RGB keyboards only purpose is to look cool. If you need to look down to find hotkeys while gaming you're doing it wrong or don't know how to rebind hotkeys. Even SC2 which uses >20 hotkeys with 3 modifiers can rebound to have all keys within easy reach. Google "tenkeyless otaku" for what a gaming keyboard looks like (if you don't like bling).
@Kakti: " IMO the entire point of RGB keyboards is to allow one to set individual keys to different colors so you can hit it without looking down while gaming."
Err. Maybe I'm missing something here, but what good does unique colors do you if you don't look at the colors. I'm going to assume you meant so that you don't have to look down longer than a glance to figure it out. Side Note: For those that don't want to look down at all, I recommend finding your home keys (the "F" and "J" keys have a small raised feature usually an underscore at the bottom of the key) and shifting one key out from there.
To support your point, though, RGB without individual lighting is only really useful to select the color of your backlight. I think a uniform backlight is useful, but I don't see any reason to pay for the full RGB treatment for a uniform backlight when there are some many non-RGB backlights that are cheaper. If I'm paying RGB pricing, I want my functionality.
Looks like this is just a software limitation, as all keys are capable of the full 16 million colors.. It will probably be added soon or by a 3rd party via the SDK
" individual keys to different colors so you can hit it without looking down while gaming. For example WASD all red, I is blue, H is green, M is yellow, etc"
So how do you see the colors without looking at them?
Once I saw chiclet keys, I stopped reading. I personally just can't stand them. I "deal" with them on a laptop only because there really isn't much of a choice (aside from the one laptop that has a mechanical keyboard).
Basically, this is terribly overpriced. There are mechanical keyboards at similar prices (G710 is selling for just under $90 on Amazon), as mentioned in the conclusion. There are also non-mechanical keyboards with backlighting and macro keys for far less, like the Corsair K40 or Logitech G105.
Maybe chiclet keys are nice if you type by sliding your fingers around (surprisingly effective at times), but you can do that with rubber dome keyboards as well.
I don't get this, how is this a gaming keyboard? now key quality and everything else aside. Since when was the standard qwerty arrangement 'optimal' for gaming. Look up the steelseries merc stealth. I couldn't care less if they litereally used ionised turds to determine key pressed or not, they actually have gaming shaped keys so you can plonk your left hand down and be ace. Fuck this 'gaming keyboard' when I have to contort my wrist to get the play I want.
Okay... it saves the settings to "Razer's servers", enough of "TEH CLOUD".
Honestly, it looks like a fairly decent backlit chiclet keyboard, though I wouldn't want to pay more than $40 for it. Razer is like the "Dr. Dre Beats" of PC gaming accessories... cool to look at but I wouldn't buy it even at 50% off.
I'm loving my Ducky Shine 4 and newish G400s's right now so, thankfully, I'm all set for awhile as far as input devices but it's still nice to check out what's coming out. I really like that actuation test you all showed... that was the first time I've seen that. Good work, Anandtech.
why on earth would someone shell out for a full size keyboard (and a more expensive one at that, with the lighting and all) and go for chiclets? It'd be like ordering a tower case and filling it with laptop parts
I've owned the normal version of the Deathstalker for over six months now, and I'd recommend it to anyone as one of the few high quality options if you use a laptop and desktop daily. I never got used to a cherry mx keyboard due to having used a macbook for several years before getting a desktop (again).
However, the Razer software is a bit of an annoyance, since their "never install" option does not work, and constantly tries to install it after bigger windows updates. I have zero use for macros or anything like that.
All in all, it's the closest you can get to a macbook chiclet keyboard, although somewhat mushier. The fonts are terrible though.
I wonder how much money anandtech got to review razer crap? I love how the 'Quality Testing' section doesn't include a pic of the PCB which was no doubt soldered by an undernourished six-year-old, just like the rest of razer's products. Combined with their generic switches and now this new blasphemy of chiclets keys ... No words. You couldn't pay me to use this trash. P.S. Nice choice on the Ducky Shine 4, jthomp.
To be fair to the guy wanting per key lighting, you don't only use lighting AFTER you've put your hands on the keyboard. Sure, once we all are in process of gaming there is no need for the lighting. But this is for when you pause, do something and go BACK to replacing your hands on the keyboard, it's quicker/easier to get placed back correctly. I do this often when typing or gaming and at night. Sure, not a huge deal, but a bit easier/faster doesn't hurt. Albeit it's a very very small improvement.
Although lacking mechanical keys, the Deathstalker is both easy and comfortable to use. Not everyone's cup of tea for gaming, but it will certainly please anyone who decides to purchase.
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
56 Comments
Back to Article
VnnAmed - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
Nexus 6p review? Please? Pretty please? Btw nice article as per usual.theblacklaser - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
It's great. Get one.ronnybrendel - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
#2. Can you please compare it to other keyboards. I use a ThinkPad Keyboard on my desktop pc.VnnAmed - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
Still not available here in Poland :3 around Christmas they said. I'm gonna hang myself I said. Seriously though I'm waiting since i missed on n5 availability through carriers in Poland and when there finally is nexus I'm willing to get for 3000pln which is what i make working for 3 months as a student, I can't even get one :DzeeBomb - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
Are Razer's Khalith keys any good? Or whatever they're called...or should I stick to Cherry MX instead?Sndice - Tuesday, January 5, 2016 - link
I'm gonna be brutally honest. Until the CS pros are using one of these I'm gonna hold judgement.Not a single one is using the Deathstalker. (Source: http://csgosetup.on-winning.com )
Seems like razer product are on the decline anyways. And they are just so expensive.
Nenad - Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - link
Well, I stopped using my Razer Lycosa Keyboard from three reasons:1) online drivers: yes, they connect on every windows logon, and visually "in your face", so that you can not miss it. They often lose local config and rewrite with online
2) unable to remap keys: they support "full programmable keys", but that means I could put macro on any key. Funnily enough, I could NOT do simple key remapping ( for example, to set BACKSPACE to be Q )
3) lack or "big" ENTER key - I'm used to Europe/UK style large UK keys. Logitech has versions of its keyboards with it, but not Razer
Granted, #3 is not an issue for most people, and #2 is probably fixed in new keyboard versions, but #1 ( online connection for driver) remains an issue that was main reason for my switch - especially after one of their online updates introduced bug. BTW, I'm not against occasional online checking for new version - Logitech does that, Windows does that. But I'm very much against need to open account and login and drivers not working properly without that.
IdBuRnS - Sunday, January 24, 2016 - link
Who cares what keyboard people are using to play Counter-Strike? /rolleyesvastac13 - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
And another not-Nexus 6p article popped on my rss feeds... When will it show?!?!?! :D Nice review anyway though i'm not in the market for gaming keyboard.Notmyusualid - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
I'll bet you have to Register online, in order to download the driver for the lighting to work.Saw it before on one their keyboards.
Unacceptable.
And what gamer needs the number pad I ask you all? Certainly not me. Useful in work during stock entry, but not at home for gaming.
inighthawki - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
You're right - as a gamer, one could not possibly have any need for a number pad...BurntMyBacon - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
@Notmyusualid: "And what gamer needs the number pad I ask you all?"Yeah, because no "Gaming PC" ever does anything that isn't playing a game. Oh Wait.
TheRealAnalogkid - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
Every six months I switch from gaming with my left hand to right. It keeps my brain fresh and distributes the strain. Being a drummer, it helps my independence as well.So, yes, NumPad.
Refuge - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
TheRealanalogkid - I support your dedication to improving yourself! Righto!I thought I was special making sure I brushed my teeth with my off hand to help preserve the ambidextrous skills I developed after chopping off two fingers on my right hand! :)
Friendly0Fire - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
I use it constantly as a quick access inventory for some games, as a directional control for others, etc.Since when is having less flexibility a good thing?
Murloc - Tuesday, December 8, 2015 - link
not to mention flight simulatorswillis936 - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
Uhh how about rhythm games with multiplayer, 6 dof, cs buy binds, or pretty much any game that could use hotkeys?ronnybrendel - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
ridiculous, actuallyjust4U - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
"And what gamer needs the number pad I ask you all?"---
As a lefty I use the arrow keys to move about and access the number pad with my pinky for certain games.
Stuka87 - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
Whats the big deal with registering?I find it VERY nice. I can move to any other computer with razer stuff, login, and all my settings show up. Which is nice since I move my keyboard and mouse around at times. You sound like another band wagon hater that likes to go "me too".
As for the NUM pad, I use mine ALL THE TIME.
But they do make tourney versions of their keyboards that do not have NUM pads.
edzieba - Tuesday, December 8, 2015 - link
"Whats the big deal with registering?"As an option? It;s not an issue. As a REQUIREMENT to change settings in the drivers (as is currently the case)? Total bullshit. The vast majority of people who purchase one of these keyboards will be using it on a single computer at a time, making the 'cloud profile' entirely pointless.
hpglow - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
I like a numb pad. Nothing better when I need to put in strings of numbers. Do I use it often? No but it is damn nice when I need it. I'm guessing you never learned to 10 key?kaidenshi - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
"And what gamer needs the number pad I ask you all?"RTS gamers, MMORPG gamers, any gamer who likes to custom-map their keys...
"Certainly not me."
Yes, because the world revolves around you and your preferences. >_>
MamiyaOtaru - Tuesday, December 8, 2015 - link
since I use the arrow keys (old school, lame, whatever) melee, grenade and special are usually bound to 3 of the keys on the numpad haha. But like others have mentioned I don't game 24/7. It's useful other timesMurloc - Tuesday, December 8, 2015 - link
game trainers use the number pad exactly because it's not used by the games themselves.wolfemane - Wednesday, December 9, 2015 - link
I'd be in a world of trouble if trainers went full F keys... I detest thoughs.Laststop311 - Tuesday, December 8, 2015 - link
I agree with you. I would rather have the space freed up on my desk can fit a drink in the space the numpad takes up plus with less keys = cheaper price. I never ever ever need a number pad.piiman - Saturday, December 12, 2015 - link
"And what gamer needs the number pad I ask you all? Certainly not me. Useful in work during stock entry, but not at home for gaming."Speak for yourself. I use the keypad for all my gaming because I use the mouse in my left hand.
Kakti - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
"What should be clearly noted however is that the RGB lighting is not programmable per-key."Stopped right there. IMO the entire point of RGB keyboards is to allow one to set individual keys to different colors so you can hit it without looking down while gaming. For example WASD all red, I is blue, H is green, M is yellow, etc. If you can't set it per key it's just a stupid fake rave lightshow...
DanNeely - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
If you need lightup guides to find keys while gaming, learning to touch type might be a better plan. Any decent layout is going to put the stuff you need regularly all within reach of one hand if they expect the other to be on a mouse; so you should be able to use muscle memory to hit the keys without taking your eyes off the game..MrSpadge - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
And if that doesn't work, colours wouldn't help either: you'd have to look down to assign the different colours popping up in your periphery vision to the precise keys they illuminate.Kakti - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
I type well over 120 wpm - I've been using keyboards since the late 80's. My particular use case (I understand this won't apply for all) is playing with lights dimmed or off and using my peripheral vision to ensure I hit the correct key. For example I'm playing Witcher 2 right now, and the "signs" are keys 5-9. It'd be nice to have those as a different color so if I'm going for 7 in the middle, it's completely obvious which key 7 is. Likewise in Diablo 3 I accidently hit J instead of H many times, so in the middle of a battle I'm pulling up the damn journal or whatever instead of healing (I've since reassigned the key). The point is these RGB kb's have the potential to allow you to assign keys or groups of keys and have almost 100% accuracy in low light conditions.Again, I'm using my peripheral vision not actually changing my focus. Simply "blanking out" the orange key with my finger lets me know it's in the right spot. Putting several similar keys in a row will help you find the 2nd or 3rd, 4th easier, especially if that set of keys is on an "island" like 5-9.
YMMV
nugglets - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
You must be able to slow time, because I can't imagine how you are able to type 120wpm but not consistently hit the right keys.That makes no logical sense whatsoever.
Kakti - Tuesday, December 8, 2015 - link
It's quite simple really, when I'm typing my fingers are anchored by the ridges of the F and J keys. When I'm gaming they are not - left hand can be on WASD or 1234, right hand is on the mouse. Knowing how to touch type writing paragraphs is completely different than hitting a single key when your hands are in an unusual place. WASD is a bit easier, for D3 where my left hand is on 1234 it's more difficult.Dr_Orgo - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
Spoiler: RGB keyboards only purpose is to look cool. If you need to look down to find hotkeys while gaming you're doing it wrong or don't know how to rebind hotkeys. Even SC2 which uses >20 hotkeys with 3 modifiers can rebound to have all keys within easy reach. Google "tenkeyless otaku" for what a gaming keyboard looks like (if you don't like bling).BurntMyBacon - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
@Kakti: " IMO the entire point of RGB keyboards is to allow one to set individual keys to different colors so you can hit it without looking down while gaming."Err. Maybe I'm missing something here, but what good does unique colors do you if you don't look at the colors. I'm going to assume you meant so that you don't have to look down longer than a glance to figure it out. Side Note: For those that don't want to look down at all, I recommend finding your home keys (the "F" and "J" keys have a small raised feature usually an underscore at the bottom of the key) and shifting one key out from there.
To support your point, though, RGB without individual lighting is only really useful to select the color of your backlight. I think a uniform backlight is useful, but I don't see any reason to pay for the full RGB treatment for a uniform backlight when there are some many non-RGB backlights that are cheaper. If I'm paying RGB pricing, I want my functionality.
jasonelmore - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
Looks like this is just a software limitation, as all keys are capable of the full 16 million colors.. It will probably be added soon or by a 3rd party via the SDKpiiman - Saturday, December 12, 2015 - link
" individual keys to different colors so you can hit it without looking down while gaming. For example WASD all red, I is blue, H is green, M is yellow, etc"So how do you see the colors without looking at them?
ciparis - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
In a lighted gaming keyboard, WASD (at a minimum) should be its own zone. Inexplicable oversight from a supposed gaming hardware company.Fallen Kell - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
Once I saw chiclet keys, I stopped reading. I personally just can't stand them. I "deal" with them on a laptop only because there really isn't much of a choice (aside from the one laptop that has a mechanical keyboard).chlamchowder - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
Basically, this is terribly overpriced. There are mechanical keyboards at similar prices (G710 is selling for just under $90 on Amazon), as mentioned in the conclusion. There are also non-mechanical keyboards with backlighting and macro keys for far less, like the Corsair K40 or Logitech G105.Maybe chiclet keys are nice if you type by sliding your fingers around (surprisingly effective at times), but you can do that with rubber dome keyboards as well.
MrPoletski - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
I don't get this, how is this a gaming keyboard? now key quality and everything else aside. Since when was the standard qwerty arrangement 'optimal' for gaming. Look up the steelseries merc stealth. I couldn't care less if they litereally used ionised turds to determine key pressed or not, they actually have gaming shaped keys so you can plonk your left hand down and be ace. Fuck this 'gaming keyboard' when I have to contort my wrist to get the play I want.DryAir - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
Creating an online account just to use a piece of hardware? How can people accept this?hasseb64 - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
Conclusion is longer than the article. Nothing new here at AT..Conclusions tend to be long here.
just4U - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
Is that a problem? Different sites have different approaches..theuglyman0war - Monday, December 7, 2015 - link
fer aging eyes and an avid stereoscopic fan fumbling in the dark with active shutter glasses...really appreciate no spilling but powerful LED light.
jthomp - Tuesday, December 8, 2015 - link
"TEH CLOUD, TEH CLOUD!!!"Okay... it saves the settings to "Razer's servers", enough of "TEH CLOUD".
Honestly, it looks like a fairly decent backlit chiclet keyboard, though I wouldn't want to pay more than $40 for it. Razer is like the "Dr. Dre Beats" of PC gaming accessories... cool to look at but I wouldn't buy it even at 50% off.
I'm loving my Ducky Shine 4 and newish G400s's right now so, thankfully, I'm all set for awhile as far as input devices but it's still nice to check out what's coming out. I really like that actuation test you all showed... that was the first time I've seen that. Good work, Anandtech.
MamiyaOtaru - Tuesday, December 8, 2015 - link
why on earth would someone shell out for a full size keyboard (and a more expensive one at that, with the lighting and all) and go for chiclets? It'd be like ordering a tower case and filling it with laptop partsTunnah - Tuesday, December 8, 2015 - link
I would rather be forced to trade in my PC for a mac than ever use another Razer product. Terrible reliability, worse customer service.A-Skate - Wednesday, December 9, 2015 - link
I've owned the normal version of the Deathstalker for over six months now, and I'd recommend it to anyone as one of the few high quality options if you use a laptop and desktop daily. I never got used to a cherry mx keyboard due to having used a macbook for several years before getting a desktop (again).However, the Razer software is a bit of an annoyance, since their "never install" option does not work, and constantly tries to install it after bigger windows updates. I have zero use for macros or anything like that.
All in all, it's the closest you can get to a macbook chiclet keyboard, although somewhat mushier. The fonts are terrible though.
jesh462 - Friday, December 18, 2015 - link
I wonder how much money anandtech got to review razer crap?I love how the 'Quality Testing' section doesn't include a pic of the PCB which was no doubt soldered by an undernourished six-year-old, just like the rest of razer's products. Combined with their generic switches and now this new blasphemy of chiclets keys ...
No words.
You couldn't pay me to use this trash.
P.S.
Nice choice on the Ducky Shine 4, jthomp.
Chad - Sunday, January 3, 2016 - link
To be fair to the guy wanting per key lighting, you don't only use lighting AFTER you've put your hands on the keyboard. Sure, once we all are in process of gaming there is no need for the lighting. But this is for when you pause, do something and go BACK to replacing your hands on the keyboard, it's quicker/easier to get placed back correctly. I do this often when typing or gaming and at night. Sure, not a huge deal, but a bit easier/faster doesn't hurt. Albeit it's a very very small improvement.Sparktt - Sunday, February 7, 2016 - link
Just bought this and the keys when pressed down seem to work for a few seconds then stop a second or two then restart....uuuuuuuuuu - Wednesday, November 16, 2016 - link
How long would this keyboard last for a gamer, do the keys easily break and is it a good keyboard for gaming, how many keystrokes does this take?AbreyBarree97 - Monday, October 15, 2018 - link
Although lacking mechanical keys, the Deathstalker is both easy and comfortable to use. Not everyone's cup of tea for gaming, but it will certainly please anyone who decides to purchase.Overguy - Wednesday, September 25, 2019 - link
Even Fitzyhere is not using deathstalker now. (Source : https://avastips.com/guides/fitzyhere-overwatch-se...