The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is a keyboard that has made a significant impact on the gaming community. As someone who keeps abreast of the latest in gaming peripherals, I have observed that the Huntsman Tournament Edition stands out primarily for its cutting-edge Razer Linear Optical Switches. These switches are renowned for being highly responsive, which gives gamers an edge in fast-paced environments. The lack of a numeric keypad contributes to a more compact design, making it a tenkeyless keyboard that is both portable and space-saving.
I appreciate the build quality of the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition; it feels robust and is designed with longevity in mind, boasting a durability of up to 100 million keystrokes. The doubleshot PBT keycaps are a nice touch, offering a premium, textured finish that does not wear down as quickly as traditional keycaps. Additionally, the detachable USB-C cable enhances its portability and ease of use.
From a customization standpoint, the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition does not disappoint. It features Razer Chroma RGB lighting, which allows for an impressive array of personalized lighting effects. The onboard memory is a convenient feature for saving profiles directly to the keyboard, which is particularly useful for gamers who travel to tournaments. Despite its competitive focus, this keyboard also serves well for general typing tasks, though the sensitive switches might increase the chance of typos for those not accustomed to its light touch.
Design and Build
Razer has equipped the Huntsman Tournament Edition with features suited for durability and a competitive edge in gaming. I’ll discuss the robust construction of the keycaps and the keyboard’s overall design for portability and gaming performance.
Keycaps and Construction
The Huntsman Tournament Edition boasts PBT keycaps, known for their resilience against wear compared to standard ABS keycaps. These keycaps are made using a doubleshot molding process to ensure that the legends on the keys don’t fade over time, offering a long-lasting aesthetic and functional quality. The keyboard’s structure is strengthened by a sturdy aluminum top frame, contributing to its solid build quality. The tournament-ready design is emphasized through its standard bottom row, which allows for enhanced customization – a boon for those looking to personalize their setup with custom keycaps.
Ergonomics and Form Factor
This keyboard embraces a tenkeyless (TKL) form factor, which means it lacks a number pad, a design choice that delivers a more compact footprint. This smaller size facilitates easier transportation for esports professionals who often travel to and from competitions. By reducing the distance between the mouse and keyboard, the TKL layout also promotes a more ergonomic posture for the wrists and shoulders during prolonged use. Despite the reduced size, the keyboard retains a full function row, ensuring full functionality for gaming and productivity tasks without the need for secondary keyboard layers commonly found in smaller 60-percent designs.
Switches and Typing Experience
In my exploration of the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition, I focus on its use of innovative optical switch technology, specifically how the linear optical switches impact actuation and performance in a gaming and typing context.
Optical Switch Technology
I find that the core of the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition’s edge in performance lies in its Razer™ Linear Optical Switches. Unlike traditional mechanical switches that rely on metal-to-metal contact, these optical switches use a beam of light to register key presses. When a key is pushed, the switch allows a light signal to pass through, instantly sending the signal to the computer. This mechanism not only allows for faster actuation but also enhances durability, with Razer claiming up to 100 million keystrokes—considerably higher than the industry standard for mechanical switches.
Actuation and Performance
Speaking of actuation, my experience with the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition reveals a remarkably quick actuation at just 1.0mm. To put this into perspective, typical Cherry MX Red switches, commonly used in competitive keyboards, have an actuation point of about 2.0mm. This makes the Razer’s switches twice as responsive, which is a significant advantage in fast-paced gaming scenarios.
In terms of typing experience, however, this high sensitivity means that the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition might be prone to more typos for someone who’s not accustomed to such a responsive keyboard. The linear nature of the switches is smooth and lacks tactile feedback, which some typists find invaluable for daily typing tasks. Although the switches are comparable to the Cherry MX Red in smoothness, the faster actuation might not cater to everyone’s typing needs, especially for those who prioritize accuracy over speed.
Lighting and Customization
I appreciate that customization is a cornerstone feature of the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition, enabling users like me to personalize their gaming experience to a great extent. The keyboard features advanced lighting and configuration options driven by Razer’s proprietary technology.
Razer Chroma RGB
The Huntsman Tournament Edition is equipped with fully customizable Razer Chroma RGB lighting. This system boasts a palette of 16.8 million colors and a variety of effects, which I can easily alter to suit my setup or mood. Patterns and color profiles sync seamlessly with gameplay and other Razer devices, providing an immersive experience. I find the standard bottom row layout particularly helpful, as it allows for effortless swapping of keycaps.
- Colors available: 16.8 million
- Customizable elements: Key-by-key
- Integration: Syncs with gameplay and other Razer devices
Synapse Configuration Software
Razer Synapse is the software hub where I manage all the settings for my Huntsman Tournament Edition. Through the Synapse software, I can tune lighting effects to my exact specifications, record macros with on-the-fly macro recording, and store my preferences in profiles to switch between my setups instantly.
- Lighting settings: Customizable via Synapse 3
- Macro recording: On-the-fly without leaving the game
- Profile management: Save and switch profiles with ease
Configuring each element is straightforward—I select my keyboard from the Synapse device list, navigate to the LIGHTING section, and tweak the settings as required. It’s impressive how Razer gives me the control to be as creative as I want with my keyboard’s appearance while ensuring these customizations do not interfere with my gaming or workflow.
Connectivity and Compatibility
In my evaluation of the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition, I’ve found the connectivity options to be highly versatile and practical for both casual users and competitive gamers alike. Notably, the keyboard offers a reliable wired connection and benefits significantly from its portable features.
USB-C and Cable Quality
My Huntsman Tournament Edition keyboard comes equipped with a detachable USB-C cable, which adds to its portability. The quality of the cable is robust, ensuring durability and a secure connection. The inclusion of USB-C is beneficial as it’s becoming the standard for modern peripherals, resulting in easier replacements and universal compatibility with other devices.
Onboard Memory and Portability
I appreciate the onboard memory feature in the Huntsman Tournament Edition, which allows me to store my configurations and use them on any system. This functionality makes the keyboard incredibly portable. The fact that it is a wired keyboard with onboard memory signifies that I can enjoy a consistent gaming experience on the go without having to redo my settings.
Overall, my findings suggest that the connectivity and onboard memory in conjunction with the keyboard’s portability make the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition an excellent choice for gamers who require their setup to be as nimble as they are.
Performance in Gaming and Esports
As a competitive gamer, I find that the reliability and responsiveness of a keyboard are crucial. The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition, with its high-performance keys and design, meets these rigorous demands, especially in the esports arena.
Key Rollover and Anti-Ghosting
In terms of key rollover and anti-ghosting, this tenkeyless keyboard stands out. I can press multiple keys simultaneously, and each one registers accurately during intense gaming scenarios. This feature is vital in competitive gaming where every keystroke could mean the difference between winning and losing.
- Key Rollover: Full N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
- Anti-Ghosting: Yes, for every key
Professional Use-Cases
Esports athletes require hardware that can withstand the rigors of professional play. The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition, designed with feedback from esports professionals, offers an impressive 100 million keystroke lifespan, ensuring long-term durability and performance. Its tenkeyless design is not only space-efficient, allowing for more mouse movement, but it’s also easily portable, making it a standard choice for players on the move.
- Durability: Rated for 100 million keystrokes
- Design: Compact, tenkeyless layout
- Latency: Almost non-existent, which is critical for games requiring quick reflexes
The swift actuation of the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition’s keys also gives me a competitive edge, reducing the latency between my actions and in-game responses. Every millisecond counts in pc gaming, and the low actuation force of the keys means commands are executed faster, which is essential in a professional gaming environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, I’ll address some of the most common queries regarding the features and functionalities of the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition.
What type of switches are included in the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition?
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is equipped with Razer™ Linear Optical Switches, designed for rapid actuation and a high level of performance during competitive play.
Can the keycaps on the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition be replaced?
Yes, the keycaps on the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition can be replaced with any compatible after-market keycaps that support the keyboard’s switch structure.
How does the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition compare to earlier versions?
The Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition improves upon earlier versions by offering faster actuation with its optical switches, a compact form factor, and onboard memory for storing profiles.
What is the price range for the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition?
As of my knowledge cutoff date, the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition typically retails around $129.99, but prices may vary based on sales or retailer discounts.
Where can I download the latest drivers for the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition?
The latest drivers and firmware for the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition can be downloaded from the official Razer website under their Support section.
Is it possible to customize the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition using its software?
Yes, customization of the Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is possible using Razer Synapse 3, Razer’s configuration software, which allows for key remapping, setting up macros, and personalizing the RGB lighting.
I’m Marcus Bextor, a seasoned software engineer passionate about demystifying technology. With over a decade in the tech industry, my journey began with a Computer Science degree, evolving through various roles in software development, system architecture, and project management. At MWTA, I leverage my expertise to provide in-depth, unbiased reviews of the latest tech products, from smartphones to smart homes. My blogs aim to be accessible to all, breaking down complex jargon into simple language. Besides reviews, I share insights on tech trends and practical tips. Connect with me for questions and suggestions as we explore the tech world together.