<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> //344567.top 2025-06-12T16:11:52Z en <![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Razer doesn't release new keyboard lines every day, so when the brand announced the🏅 Joro ear🦩lier this year I was certainly surprised. The new ultra-slim device looks to capture a niche that few mainstream gaming brands have largely ignored over the last few years; handheld PC play.

These decks don't need to be the fastest on the market, or offer the most robust mechanical switches.𒀰 In fact, they're better if they s♔werve these temptations in favor of a lower weight and slimmer form factor.

Sure, we're dropping the 2.4GHz connection featured by most of the best gaming keyboards here, but the Bluetooth Razer 🎃Joro more than makes up for it in its super skinny form factor, gorgeous RGB lighting, and satisfying scissor switches.

I've been building an on-the-go Asus ROG Ally setup since I first got my hands on the device. It's certꩲainly pricier than a generic Amazon-brand portable deck, and it's by no means fast or comfortable enough to replace my daily driver. The Razer Joro is staying in my backpack for the foreseeable future, 🌸though - and here's why.

Key Specs

Price

$139.99 / £129.99

Type

Ultra low profile

Connection

Bluetooth 5.0 / Wired

Size

75%

Switches

Razer Scissor Switch

Keycaps

UV-coated laser etched

Media keys

Dual-function

Wrist rest

No

USB passthrough

No

Design

Razer Joro gaming keyboard on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

Straight out the box, this is a nice looking keyboard. Flick those RGB lights on and the Razer Joro transforms into something strangely mesmerizing. Between the soft feel and those vibrant LEDs, the Joro is a particularly clean piece of kit, a surprise considering compact decks like this often feel much cheaper than their fully fledged siblings. Unfortunately, though, there's only one zone of RGB lighting in here. That's a little odd considering just how slick these LEDs aꩲre. If you're after per-key illumination you'll need to check out Cherry's competitor.

Razer has developed the Joro for on-the-go play, which means it weighs just 374g and measures in at 16.5mm thin. That's just over half the thickness of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Cherry MX-LP 2.1, my previous go-to for a compact, backpack-friend🅘ly deck. The Joro achieves this low weight without feeling cheap, though.

Up top we've got a sturdy aluminum top plate constructed from 5052 aluminum alloy, 😼and even the plastic underside feels strong enough to withstand the trials of the outside world. There's absolutely no flex to this deck, a real feat considering so many❀ of the portable gaming keyboards I've tried often curve under heavier typing motions.

Side view of Razer Joro gaming keyboard showing thickness of main chassis

(Image credit: Future)

There's just one problem. Razer hasn't included any method of elevation on the underside. I can see why, this is a portable keyboard designed to be pulled out for quick play sessions while you're away from your main setup. However, Cherry's reversible rubber feet provide a little extra height tha♓t goes a long way without adding to the bulk of the final design. The deck is wedged to provide some ergonomic comfort, but it's still a very flat experience that can get tiresome ღafter a while.

The brand also doesn't include a case in the box, which hurts a little considering the $140 price tag. By contrast, the larger (but still portability-minded) 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile comes packaged with a pl꧑astic topper to keep everything safely in place during transit.

Keycaps

These plastic toppers are ൩UV-coated to maintain resistance to those in-bag scratches, though I'd still feel concerned keeping my keys in the same pouch. That coating is also more resistant to oily shines in my experience, though I'll need to spend more time with the Joro to know for sure if the same is true here. So far, everything is still looking as matte as the day I pulled it out the box. Legends are laser-etched, so not quite as durable as doubleshot models but will stand the test of time much better than a simple print job.

The caps themselves are smooth and soft to the touch, dropping the more textured feel of a full-sized (or even just regular low-profile) PBT keycap in favor of a more chiclet-style design. That means this feels more like the keyboard of one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming laptops than the thoccy mechanical beast you'd wan🅰t to keep in your main setup.

Close up on keycaps of Razer Joro gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

Personally, I prefer a little more grit in my caps. The Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile, for example, keeps things a little thicker but provides are far more satisfying texture up top as a result. I'm not exactly sliding across the deck 🍰here, but if you're used to a rougher t🍒opper things can feel a little clammy.

Razer has managed to keep a 75% form factor in this ultra-compact design, and we've still got full-sized keycaps across most of the deck. The fun🌳ction row has taken the hit for us here, with half-keys taking up the top line of caps to keep everything else comfortably sized.

They're still easy enough to reach both in-game and during typing, and I never found myself mis-pressing. I did need to take my eyes off the 𒁃screen a little more at the start to find t♐he correct button, though this eased over time.

Switches

This is what I was most worried about when I started testing the Razer Joro, but thankfully my fears of a mushy, lethargic switch-feel have been allayed. The Joro uses the same scissor switches as the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:2025 Razer Blade 16, though th💖is time with a slightly larger 1.6mm travel distꦇance (the Blade taps out at 1.5mm).

That means this isn't your everyday laptop-style keyboard, it takes after the best deck I've used in a gaming rig so far. These switches have a solid sense of resistance behind them, but feel far lighter under the fingertips than the heavier clacks of the Cherry MX-LP 2.1 and its Low Profile Speeds. That makes for a nippy experience, but one that's still satisfying, tactile, an✤d resistant to accidental presses.

Software

Screenshot of Razer Joro customization options in Razer Synapse software

(Image credit: Future)

When wired in, the Razer Joro is fully cus𓄧tomizable within the brand's Synapse software, a nicely presented program that provides access to additional keybinding features as well as power saving and RGB controls.

The Joro also takes full advantage of the Snap Tap feature shared by the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer keyboards on the market. You'll need to keep this on𒁃e away from competitive online endeavors, but itᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ essentially makes switching between two keys much faster by immediately cancelling input from one as soon as another is detected.

Overall the Joro makes good use of Synapse 4. You've got everything you need here, minus some of the fancier actuation features reserved for the brand's analog systems like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini, and everything's laid out intuitively to boot.

Controls

Close up on media controls of Razer Joro gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

I didn't even clock that this was a 75% keyboard until time came to wไrite up my thoughts - and that's after using it for two weeks. That's how well Razer has squeezed all these controls onto a compact deck, even if some are relegated to half key presses and dual-function nav buttons. The Razer Joro packs the full functionality of a larger keyboard into a tiny package.

Media playback mic mute controls are mapped to a function layer on the nav keys on the right, while colume, brigh💮tness, and Bluetooth connection options are relegated to the function row. Everything is s♉till easily reachable, though, making for a particularly versatile experience.

If you don't want to hook up to Synapse, RGB effects can be cycled with Fn, CTRL, and 1,2,3, or 4, while your three connected Bluetooth devices are all just a tap away as well. The only thing missing from beefier gaming keyboards is on-the-fꩲly macro recording, which would have been helpful considering there's less of a reliance on that software in this more portable design.

All that puts the Razer Joro in step with the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile and well above the Cherry MX-LP 2.🧔1, which drops the function row entirely but still m▨aintains dual-function media controls and easy Bluetooth switching.

Connection

Close up on USB-C port and connection toggle on Razer Joro gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

There's no 2.4GHz connection available here, which is understandable - Razer is targeting a mobile audience who will likely prefer to keep the precious ports on their 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:gaming handheld free.

Still, the brand is bringing Hyperspeed multi-device pairing (a way of connecting both the Joro and the Razer Basilisk Mobile 🐻mouse to one USB receiver), so the tech is there for a more stable connection. It would have been nice to get this option from the get-go, with a dongle in the box, for more versatility. Both the Asus ROG Falchion and Cherry MX-LP 2.1 offer this faster connection method.

As it stands, we've got space for thꦛree Bluetooth connections and a USB-C cable supplied in the box for charging and wired play. The deck is also compatible 𝔉with Windows Swift Pair and Google Fast Pair, and I never had any issue with reliability during my day to day use. Setup is quick as easy and moving between different devices is pretty much instant as well.

I did notice that the Joro takes much longer 🍌to wake from sleep than its 2.4GHz siblings, though.

Battery

Razer rates the Joro at 1,800 hours total battery with with its Power Saving Mode on - that's with no RGB, no Synapse, no device switching, and no fun. I've been testing it with 50% lighting brightness and it took just over 17.5 h🤪ours to fully drain to 0%, a solid result for a deck with lighting this strong and vibrant.

Ramping that brightness all the way up to 1🉐0 does swamp that battery much quicker, but considering you'll still get fantastic RGBs at half way there's still plenty of room to drop down.

Typing

This is a very different feel to the mechanical clickers you'll find among more traditional builds, and the result isn't quite as tactile. Forꦆ a laptop keyboard, these scissor switches are fantastic - but whether you want to pay $139.99 for that feel in a separate deck is another matter.

The typing experience is slick for its construction, but it's not going t✨o ri🔥val a set of mechanical clickers. The Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile is far more textured in its feel overall, providing more satisfying feedback, greater precision, and a super soft, cushioned landing that stays comfortable over longer periods. While it's not as heavy as the Cherry MX-LP 2.1, the Razer Joro's harsher landing and slightly higher resistance means fatigue does set in fairly quickly. I can feel that strain after about ten minutes of solid typing time, and around six hours of more casual use.

My typing speed test tells a similar story. The lighter switches mean I'm significantly faster on the Razer Joro comp꧟ared to Cherry's portable deck, but at the expense of accuracy.

Still, if you'd prefer to prioritize the much slimmer design of Razer's device there's some nice action to these🍒 keys. That sturdy top plate makes for a particularly energetic bounce with a rigid b🍎ackbone keeping everything snapping beautifully both in and out of each keypress.

Gaming

Razer Joro gaming keyboard with Asus ROG Ally on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

The shorter switches (especially combined with Snap Tap) make for a speedy gaming experience overall, even if that Bluetooth latency isn't going to keep up with more competitive decks. While I did miss the extra depth and tactile feel of a mechanical switch, I've spent enough time with gaming laptops♑ to have a muscle memory for these chiclet designs.

I maintained my usual laptop speed and accuracy on the Razer Joro, zipping across Doom: The Dark Ages maps and k💙eeping all my regular keybindings in tow as well.

Unfoജrtunately, that Bluetooth connection does introduce a little input lag that will be more noticeable to ultra-competitive players. I'm not one of those players, but I have spent most of my PC gaming life on a 2.4GHz receiver and the difference is noticeable. Until that Hyperspeed update this isn't one for the speed-conscious.

Should you buy the Razer Joro?

Razer Joro standing with packaging on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

For its $139.99 / £129.99 price tag, the Razer Joro looks and feels much better than the only-slightly cheaper ($129.99) Cherry MX-LP 2.1. That was previously my favorite portable gaming keyboard, b🎃ut with a thicker chassis, higher weight, and heavier typing feel, Cherry has lost its position here. The Razer Joro doesn't fare quite so well in its matchup against Asus in the wider low profile category, though.

If you're not too fussed about physical portability, the improved typing feel, extra connectivity options, and extra cover of the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile offer a more accurate and satisfying experience overall. You're paying slightly more, at $169.99 / £169.99, and the RGB doesn't look quite so pretty, but it's impossi🐽ble to deny those soft, pil♕lowy switches.

I'd recommend the Razer Joro to anyone hunting down the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Steam Deck accessories or kitting out an 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Ally with its own portable setup.🔯 The brand's scissor switches are certainly snappier than may appear at first glance, and with a sturdy battery life, super vivid lighting, and easy Bluetooth connectivity this is a fantastic handheld companion.

Ratings

Speed

4/5

Customization

3/5

Typing feel

4/5

Portability

5/5

Comfort

3/5

Controls

4/5

How I tested the Razer Joro

I used the Razer Joro as my main keyboard for both work and play over the course of two weeks, while also taking it on the road alongside my Asus ROG Ally and iPad Air. I primarily tested gameplay in Doom: T🧔he Dark Ages, while completing more esports-focused runs in Apex Legends and CS2. I performed a full battery test from 100% to 0% with RGB lighting set to 50% and examined typing speed and accuracy using three typing tests.

For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming keyboards, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also rounding up all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best hot-swappable keyboards for a more customizable deck, or check out more of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming keyboards and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best membrane gaming keyboards on the market.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/razer-joro-review/ 2vzn3Wf8uLC5cArKvLkNnJ Thu, 12 Jun 2025 16:11:52 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Vertical mice are nothing new, but brands seem to be jumping on Logitech's hype-train a little more frequently at the moment. The Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition is the second upright pointer I've tested in the last few weeks, and while it sits highꦦer on the price scale the upgrades in comfort and functionality are well worth the investment.

This is a productivity machine, so it's not going to be threatening the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models on the market. However, Razer's pedigree in creating high-quality peripherals that balance speedy sensors with additional functionality is ꧅certainly on show here. The Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition is too cumbersome to be a true threat on the battlefield, but it's certainly a beast in a spreadsheet.

Key Specs

Price

$119.99 / £119.99

Connection

2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired

Shape

Right-handed, vertical

Buttons

8

DPI

30,000

IPS

550

Switches

Mechanical

Weight

150g

Battery

Up to six months

Design

Front view of Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition gaming mouse on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

The Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition doesn't look like most of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:wireless gaming mice I 🌃test, and the clue's in the name. This is an upright pointer with a large, heavy base and some serious heft to its waistline. That means it's not going to be zipping across any Apex Legends arenas any time soon, and it's certainly taking a backseat in ranked play.

Razer's Pro line has never been 🍎in step wi♔th the brand's wider gaming motivations, though. First and foremost, this is a productivity machine.

That means comfort is a top priority here, and thankfully Razer has delivered. I felt too much of a strain to truly relax when wielding the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Keychron M5 earlier this year, but the Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition makes some key changes to that form factor. Instead of placing the thumb all the way at the bottom of the de🐈vice (the design Keychron takes, as well as Logitech), there's a large dent in the top left side. Here, the thumb sits comfortably atop the mouse, rather than strainiಞng to control it from the bottom.

Side view of Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition showing thumb indent and side buttons

(Image credit: Future)

That, plus the super grippy texture covering this side of the device, makes for a far more accurate and infinitely more pleasant experience. Instead🌄 of working overtime to keep a lumbering pointer in check, my thumb is resting neatly in the small groove while the rest of the work is balanced across three fingers on the top and my wrist. The difference is night and day.

At 150g this is still a solid piece of kit, but I never felt like I was dragging it across my mouse pad. There's a fairly sophisticated set of large skates on the underside that, while not as slick as the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse, keep thไat glide smooth and lighten the load a little.

Build quality feels sturdy, though there's a little more creaking when squeezing from the sides than I would have expected from a Razer device. It's by no means enough to ha♔ve me worried about long-term durability, though.

Controls

Top down view of Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition gaming mouse on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

The Razer Pro Click V2 line has a number of AI features built into Synapse and, in the case of the Vertical Edition, it's all accessible via a small button right෴ on the very top of the device. By defa📖ult, this small silver clicker cycles DPI settings but a long press brings up your AI Prompt Master. Connect to an AI Engine like ChatGPT and you've got quick access to a pre-set prompt of your choosing. You'll need Synapse installed and running to use this feature, though, and for now it's largely based around summarizing or writing text rather than running more complicated analysis prompts.

Then you've got your classic two side buttons, framing that thumb groove on the side. The curved side means Razer can't fit thes🥀e two clickers side by side as Keychron does. Instead, they're positioned above and below the thumb. Knocking upwards or downwards to actuate each button i꧂s a new feeling, but one I quickly merged into muscle memory.

These buttons ar༒e slightly more shallow than you might expect, but that's perfect considering they're being hit by the side of the thumb instead of the top. There's ample space on the button itself so I neve♊r missed a click but there's still enough room around the thumb to avoid accidental presses.

You do sacrifice some scroll wheel action by opting for the Vertical Edition over the standard Razer Pro Click V2. While the traditional design offers both smooth and notched scrolling, this wheel is locked to notched in the taller shape. Everything still feels responsi🌱ve and there's a strong sense of presence to each notch, but scrolling through longer pages does grow tiresome after a while (which is where that free-spin mode comes in).

Software

Razer Synapse 4 software with Pro Click V2 Vertical mouse connected

(Image credit: Future)

The Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition runs on Razer Synapse 4, the latest iteration of the brand's software. Things are a little slimmer here than I normally see in the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer mice, with no fancy sensor features or lift-oꦚff distance customizations on offer. Instead, we've got more ⛄of a focus on keybindings and the aforementioned AI Prompt Master.

The latter is basically a back door into ChatGPT, allowing you to bring up a Razer-skinned version o🍸f the software (with the addition of a few handy drop downs and preset prompt parameters) to either rephrase, summarize, or create tex♉t or images. It's basically an alternative to hitting alt-space to bring up the app itself, with the addition of a few quick settings.

Individua✱l prompts can't be mapped to any buttons, which is a shame. If you regularly find you⛦rself using one or two of the exact same prompts, it would be much easier to simply assign the full task to a keybinding.

Elsewhere, Razer's software can be used to set DPI presets (either along a simple slider or using five stages saved to the mouse itself), set the polling rate from 125Hz to 1,000Hz, and configure sleep mode timings. RGB lighting can be toggl🧔ed on and off, with Razer's standard range of effects on offer.

Everything is laid out well, with intuitive menus (though some keybinding options can be a pain to find in the smaller dropdown that appears) and easy sliders for your main controls. Synapse 4 is also far less CPU intensive than its predecessors, thoꦓugh it does con🐠stantly run in the tray in Windows, which has slowed my system in the past.

Connection

The Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition can connect via the supplied USB-C cable as well as both Bluetooth and its 2.4GHz receiver. That's par for the course at this price range, with most other $100+ gaming mice offerin♉g the same connection options.

Switching between connections is pretty simple, as is swapping between Bluetooth devices (there are three slots, which is handy for multi-tasking between different laptops and tablets). Interestingly, the toggle on the underside is used simply to swap between wired and wireless mode, with a separate button on the other side used to configure ei♐ther a 2.4GHz or Bluetoo🔴th connection.

Both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections remained resilient in my testing, with very little additional input lag introduced when using Bluetooth instead of Razer's 💞speedy receiver.

Battery

Razer advertises mammoth six-month battery life, which is likely a best-case Bluetooth scenario with no RGB. So no, you probably won't get six months of juice out of this device if you're using it at a 1,000Hz po𓄧lling rate over 2.4GHz with some fancy light shows - but you're still going to run for a long time.

I charged the Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition to 100% twelve days ago and I've just hit 50%. It sees runtime for eigh❀t hours per day during the work week, with a few extra hours in the evening for gaming, and around two to four hours each day on weekends. That's connected via a 2.4GHz receiver, witᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚhout RGB switched on, set to a 1,000Hz polling rate.

I've done the math, and that's roughly 102 hours for 50% of the battery to drain, puღtting us firmly into the 200-hour territory overall. I spent 112 hours testing the Keychron M5 and it was down to 45%, so both mice are offering particularly strong battery lives.

For reference, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX (my favorite gaming mouse at the moment) gets about 95 hours for a full charge, while the next-sturdiest (after the M5) 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Cougar Revenger Pro 4K taps o𒐪ut at 150 hours on its lowest polling rate.

Sensor

Hand using the Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition gaming mouse

(Image credit: Future)

We've got Razer's Focus Pro Optical Sensor at the helm here, the same eye featured in the cheaper 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed and slightly older 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Basilisk V3 Pro. That means tracking is smooth and accurate while keeping up with faster movements admirably, despite the lower-than-average 550 IPS. A gaming-focused mouse will generally start off with 650 inches-per-second of tracking speed, but the sacrifice doesn't make too muchꦜ of a difference here considering the weight and shape of the pointer itself. You're not going to be able to zip this across a mouse pad in the same way you would a lightw💙eight esports mouse.

For its productivity sensibilities, this is a fantastic piece of kit. Not many users are going to stretch to the full 30,000 DPI unless you're particularly nimble and using a much larꦐger dܫisplay. Overall, tracking is reliable and accurate, while maintaining a smooth curve at higher settings as well.

There are no lift-off distance settings to customize, but I can see why. The larger form factor means actually🌌 readjusting positioning during wider movements is far too cumbersome. I'm not knocking it, the Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition was never designed as a gaming-first device, but it's c🅘ertainly something to remember if you're looking for an all-in-one pointer.

Switches

This is a fully mechanical mouse, with no optical clickers🍌 in either the main clicks or the side buttons. That makes sense, Razer doesn't need to🍌 focus on pure speed here and instead the Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition offers a deep, precise actuation on its main buttons. That's a little lighter when it comes to the side clackers, but it still works in Razer's favor - they're easy to hit and still offer a robust sense of feedback when knocked with the thumb.

Should you buy the Razer Pro Click V2?

Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition gaming mouse with packaging on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

The Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition is a little too awkward to truly make sense as a gaming mouse, but it's not designed for that. This is a productivity tool that will serve anyone looking for a more relaxed hold particularly welꦡl.

It's far more comfortable than cheaper alternativꦬes from Keychron and serves its higher price tag well with a textured grip, excellent sensor performance, and easily accessibl꧅e extra buttons. AI features feel like a slight gimmick at the moment considering it's basically just another shortcut for ChatGPT, but could come in handy for the power user, and that battery life is second to none at the moment.

If yo♉u've decided to invest a little mo😼re in a more ergonomic shape for work or content creation, this is an easy recommendation from me. Just be aware of the extra weight that inevitably comes with this chunkier design.

Ratings

Comfort

5/5

Speed

2/5

Programmability

3/5

Connectivity

4/5

Battery life

5/5

How I tested the Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition

I used the Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical Edition for two weeks, running the pointer as my daily driver for all work and play during that time. My work primarily centers around writing and researching, but I made good use of additional productivity functions in image editing and across data-heavy spreadsheets as well. I primarily t𒁃esting the Pro Click's gaming chops in Doom The Dark Ages, while also running my usual competitive tests in Apex Legends and CS2.

For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming mice, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also rounding up all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Logitech gaming mouse models as well as the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best left-handed gaming mice for more options. Or, take a look at the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best mouse pads for gaming if you're truly looking to finesse that setup.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-mice/razer-pro-click-v2-vertical-edition-review/ KyPvvqTyHuwbWKjLXMbR87 Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:42:57 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Wireless microphones like the Rode Wireless Go have become a hot ticket item in the last few years. Tiny mic reels, TikToks, and on-the-go pieces to camera are seen ever𝔉ywhere online right now, so as you can imagine, the market for them has inflated i♛nto a bit of a bubble. Rode’s Wireless Go microphones have been there since the beginning, spanning a few different iterations up until now, when we have the Gen 3, and its Pro bundle counterpart.

But how do these things compete against the likes of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best mꦜicrophones for streaming and g✨aming? Are these tiny wireless solutions something that content creators in the gaming space should invest in when there are already so many moving parts to a streaming setup? Usually, I’d say the answer is no. Certainly, in years gone by, the mic quality just hasn’t really lived up to a mainstay XLR or USB alternative, but the Wireless G💜o Gen 3’s sound quality would give the very best of them a run for their money.

Mind you, it’ll also give you a run for your money, because even a starter set of these mics is going to set you back $299 / £279.99. That gets you a set of two microphones and one receiver, and while you can accessorise, anything to help you with versatility is going to set you back even more. With the market exploding with cheaper options, is that going to be worth it for you and the content you want to create? I’m confident that no other wir🌳eless mic is going to give you the ridiculous quality Rode can offer here, but are you willing to pay for it?

Design

The Rode Wireless Go Gen 3's reflective surface

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

The Rode Wireless Go Gen 3 mimics the small-form-factor design of the previous lapel mics from this brand. At a first glance, they’re a bit strange. They’re tiny, square things that don’t exactly look like microphones, and there are certainly smaller options out there. I think there is an argument to be made for Rode making its 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best streaming gear a bit more distinct to stand out, and that’s certainly what it’s done here. As I’ve already mentioned, your money gets you one receiver and a set of two microphones. These come in a practical pouch that comfortably holds them and their fluffy wind socks, an assortment of small USB-C, 3.5mm, TRS, and other cables that help you connect to a camera, PC, or mobile device. You also get a handy charging cradle that co🧔nnects all three parts into one convenient strip.

So what’s the difference versus the Rode Wireless Pro? In short, not very much. The pro version gets you two mics and a receiver - and they’re the exact same as the ones found in the Gen 3, but💎 you also get a smart charging case for them. Is that worth the bump🐟 in price of up to $379 / £369? I’ll let you decide.

In fact, with the cheaper Wireless Go Genജ 3, you get to personalise a bit more for the smaller price of entry. You can choose between loads of different, vivid colors, which is perfect for a content creation market that’s desperate to show off so many different personalities. The Wireless Pro, interestingly, is only available in black.

The top of one of the Rode Wireless Go Gen 3 microphones

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

All three parts of the Wireless Go are the exact same in terms of their design and physical dimensions, which makes them so easy to take on the go, albeit a tad confusing at a glance to tell which one is which. The wireless receiver, which we’ll call the brains of the operation, has a small display on it that shows you which mic is connected to it, and what its gain level is picking up. On top, it has a small Rode logo button which acts as its power and record start/stop button, and on its left-hand side, it has a USB-C p✤ort and a small TRRS port for plugging it into a camera. On the bottom, you’ll find two small navigation buttons.

The Transmitters have a mo🉐re centralised logo on their faces since th𒈔ere aren’t displays to fit into the equation. You can also distinguish them thanks to their indicator LEDs, one of which indicates battery level, one of them indicates recording status, and the other, a connection to the receiver. Transmitters have their catch-all power and recording button too, a locking TRS input, and a specialised recording button. Last but not least is a metal grate which, as you might guess, is where the microphone is.

On the back of all three devices is a small clip to let yo🍷u attach them to your clothes, a lapel on a jacket, or whatever works for you and your recording needs. If you’re up to date on your TikTok trends, you’ll probably look more flashy just pinching and holding it in front of your face. The Rode Wireless Go Gen 3 might not be so suited to thatꦏ, however, since their reflective surfaces are a magnet for finger smudges and oils from your skin.

Features

The Rode Wireless Go Gen 3 next to its USB-C cradle

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

Rode’s clever wireless mics feature a solid 2.4GHz digital transmission with 128-bit encryption. This means you can record audio on one of the wireless transmitters and have the receiver up to 260m away, so long as it has a clear line of sight and nothing is blocking the signal. On board, you have loads - and I mean loads of space for recordings. Up to 40 hours of🌃 32-bit float recording ensures you won’t lose interviews or important moments, and Intelligent GainAssist means you can tweak sound levels if you’re recording with someone who speaks louder or quieter than you. A battery life of up to 7 hours is pretty impressive and is likely more than enough for a day out at an event, capturing all sorts of on-the-go footage.

If you’re already bought into the Rode ecosystem, the Wireless Go Gen 3 has full compatibility with other Series IV devices like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:RodeCaster Duo, for example. This will be a useful benefit for podcasters who occasionally have more than one or two guests and still want to channel recordings through the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best streaming mixer. If you’re not an owner of the RodeCaster devices, you can still easily connect these mics to your smar🎃tphone or computer, and the newly streamlined Rode Central app makes configuring sound settings, recording formats, and file transfers super easy.

One of the Rode Wireless Go Gen 3 mics with its wind sock on

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

But what about the actual microphone bits? The Wireless Go Gen 3 harnesses an omnidirectional polar pattern and a condenser capsule, and from testing, I can say it’s all fairly genero🍒us f🧜or a lapel mic, but it manages to focus on the sound you actually want. There’s a frequency range of between 20Hz and 20KHz, and a signal-to-noise ratio of 72dB. If all of that sounds like jargon to you, essentially, the Wireless Go Gen 3 mics can capture sound from all sorts of directions within a small bubble of proximity, and their sound quality and clarity are up there with a lot of the stay-at-home microphones you’ll see on a streamer’s desk.

Then, of course, there are the accessories and various ways to buy one of these mics. The Interview GO has to be my favorite, as it’s a sleek handheld anchor for one of the transmitters to clip onto before you slip over a wind sock. This lets you present like a broadcast news correspondent, and if you’re like me, that’s a really fun way to channel your personality into a camera. If you’re a bit short of cash, you could always opt for the Wireless Me, which just gives you one receiver in your bundle - this might suit creators who don’t plan on interviewing folk𒊎s or capturing more than one voice. You can also buy the Charging Case I mentioned from the Wireless Pro if you have more budget to spend.

Performance

The Rode Wireless Go Gen 3 receiver held above the two transmitters

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

I have to say, as someone who has always been super sceptical about the qualityꦜ of wireless mics - particularly in the last few years, as so many cheap and cheerful solutions have arrived on Amazon, I’m blown away by the sound quality of the Rode Wireless Go Gen 3. For the YouTube videos I make, I’m so protective over the sound quality in particular, mainly because I think it’s one of the things that can make or break your audience retention. I can’t count how many times I’ve watched a reel or YouTube Short with someone using a tiny wireless microphone in the last couple of years and been appalled by the lack of quality, and the💮 fact that speaking normally into one is enough to blow out the recording. When I wanted to test out a wireless mic for myself, I knew I wanted to avoid that.

If you’re in need of a wireless microphone sys🍬tem for creating all sorts of content, there are few more versatile, and even fewer that will offer the kind of sound quality that Ro♊de’s do.

On the other hand, I knew that quality was achievable. Having used all sorts of radio mics for theatre performances and interviews, I’ve experienced excellent tiny microphones, but I still wasn’t expecting the sort of quality I found with the Wireless Go Gen 3. It gave the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Shure SM7dB a run for i🃏ts money, and that’s saying something.

If you don’t believe that claim, you can compare , in which I use the Shure flagship mic, with where I present to camera using the Wireless Go. As a handheld option goes for creators who usually stay at home, this worked so much better for me than , for which I decided to hold the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Alias in front of my face. That resulted in a lot of cable noise I had to edit out, and the less I talk about the extra annoyance that adde👍d, the better. Besides my moving the mic around in front of my face as I ges🐈ture, the sound quality is crystal clear and really consistent. I’ve added the same dynamics processing setting to each of those videos’ voice-over tracks, and you can hear that the results are pretty even.

It is a bit of a shame that there isn’t much of a digital popper stopper here, which Rode’s biggest rival managed to get into its cheapest 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Shure MV6 mic recently. There were a few times when I thought an extra form of pop filter, and even som൲etimes a De-Esser, could have done a 𒅌lot of work for me. With Rode Central now being a dedicated hub for these mics, I hope they find a way to add it to the Wireless Go’s settings menu. Even so, this is hardly going to ruin a recording, and since you can add this sort of thing in post, it’s hardly a big issue.

A close up of the Rode Wireless Go Gen 3 lying on a desk

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

For an omnidirectional microphone, I was pleasantly surprised by the pattern of this mic. Recording the audio for my recen🔯t Supermarket Together vide𓂃o, I was worried that both an echoy quality, and the noise from my building’s rather loud stairway might leak its way into my recording, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear back when it came to editing that the noise I had stopped speaking for wasn’t picked up to begin with.

As you’ll🔯 hear in the test audio sample recording, these mics are actually brilliant at levelling out background noise. The A Short Hike soundtrack I played there to talk over was actually really loud, probably to the annoyance of my neighbours. The transmitter didn’t seem to care at all, and it was concentrating solely on what I was saying.

Practicality-wise, Rode’s little wireless solution does earn a win in my book. It’s amazing how many scenarios you could use these in, and for me, they open up a world of recording poss🌼ibilities I previously didn’t have access to. It is a bit of a shame that the new version of Rode Central can be a bit buggy at times. On a few occasions, when transferring audio files or just connecting to the transmitters and receivers, the app has stalled. Who knows, though, this could easily be a Windows 11 problem.

Should you buy the Rode Wireless Go Gen 3?

The Rode Wireless Go Gen 3 components arranged next to one another

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

If you’re in need of a wireless microphone system for creating all sorts of content, there are few more versatile, and even fewer that willꦿ offer the kind of sound quality that Rode’s do. As someone who has been ♋a stay-at-home mic purist for years now, I never thought a wireless mic like this would win me over, but if any brand could do it, it’d be this one.

Annoyingly, this isn’t going to be the most a🌳ffordable option, even if there are various bundles and options available. Similarly, if you’re not planning on creating content on the go, delivering pieces to camera in interesting places, or straying at all from your at-home setup, there isn’t much need for a wireless mic. Your average Twitch streamer may not find much use, but I do think something like the Wireless Go is a versatile tool to have in your back pocket for those times when you want to do a bonus stream that involves an♏ything other than you at a desk, playing games.

If you need a wireless microphone and don’t want to compromise on sound quality, this is the one to get, but it is going to run you back a considerable amount of your budget, so cheaper options are undoubtedly going to steal some of Rode’s market here. If you’re not ꦇa professional and you’re looking for a quick fix while you build your audience, look elsewhere, but if you’re sparing no cost and want the absolute best, this is what to go for.

How I tested the Rode Wireless Go Gen 3

I put the Rode Wireless Go Gen 3 mics to the test over a few weeks before writing this review. In that time, I spent a good while setting them up, using them in a few different scenar🐟ios, and of course, speaking into them. I also got to grips with the new version of Rode Central to customize their quality and retrieve audio files from them.

I used the Wireles🍷s Go Gen 3 for creating my own video content for YouTube, and compared both the quality they offered me and their pr🎶acticality with the stationary, wired mics I’m used to using.

For more on how we test, check out the full澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询: GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.


Building out your content creation empire? You might need the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best capture card, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best webcam, or the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best ring lights for streaming to help you out.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/peripherals/rode-wireless-go-gen-3-review/ g5WqfyfGCmdQZXwQWHA7ZB Tue, 03 Jun 2025 15:28:53 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> AndaSeat is one 𓂃of those growing challenger brands in the gaming chair space, but it’s hardly a newcomer. With nearly 20 years’ experience and an established range of seats, its offerings have previously always been geared towards the upper end and mid-range of the market. The AndaSeat Novis flips that trend and pulls back on bells and whistles in the name of cost-cuttin🧜g. Starting at just $199 in the US, this is best described as an attempt at an entry-level gaming chair for the masses.

There’s no shortage of choice when it comes to picking a new gaming chair. From size and shape to feature set and perhaps most importantly, budget, there’s seemingly a combo for everyone. Our list of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming chairs is proof of that, but AndaSe♔at is following the path of Razer in 2025 in trying to cater to the more affordable end of the 🎃pricing scale.

I’ve sat on plen🐭ty of gaming chairs lately that cost twice as much as the AndaS🌱eat Novis, so the question I’m asking myself is a simple one. Are gaming chairs getting too complicated and too expensive, and is there value in keeping things simple?

Assembly

The feet of the AndaSeat Novis gaming chair

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

The AndaSeat Novis might be a budget offering, but the unboxing experience was almost identical to the far more expensive 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:AndaSeat Kaiser 4. It’s a far cry from the impressively slick 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Secretlab Titan Evo’s packaging and build, but its no-frills box with plenty of plain packing🉐 materials gets the job done well enough. All the parts and tools you’ll need are included, ꦓalong with a simple instruction booklet, but realistically, there are few enough parts here that you probably shouldn’t need to look at that anyway. Wheels on the bottom, seat on the top - you’ve got this.

I tackled the build solo and went from boxed to seated in around 15 minut🧸es without any major hiccups. Unsurprisingly, the slot-in side support bracket is notably absent, and while this does make things a little fiddlier, if it meant trimming a little more off the price, then I can live without it for the one-time use it offered. Also missing is either a head or separate back cushion. Again, this isn’t a surprise, and for me personally, it’s not a huge loss either, but it’s something toಌ be aware of.

Design & Features

The lumbar support on the AndaSeat Novis

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

With it put together, it’s safe to sa♌y the vibe of the AndaSeat Novis is about as quintessentially “gaming chair” as you can get. It’s almost like the starter mold that all other gaming seats are formed from. Available in two sizes and just two colours, the Novis features a wide, flat bucket seat with a slightly contoured back cushion, and honestly, that’s about it on the design front. Like the Razer Iskur V2 X, you miss out on adjustable lumbar support because of the lower price, and the armrests simply go up and down instead of playing hokey pokey like so many you see these days.

This is a gaming chair that ticks so many boxes and covers all the im♕portant bases. The cushion is softer and more comfortable than many others, the upholstery and frame hardware are still just as good as more premium chairs, and its price is eye-catchingly accessible.

Interestingly, despite being nearly a third of the price, there are a lot of shared components between the AndaSeat Novis and the Kaiser 4. I’ve been testing both the linen fabric and PVC leather variants of the Novis, and both upholstery materials are the same as the brand’s more expensive chairs. The wheels are the same too, as are the gas lift and tilt mechanisms. This chair may be missing a few aforementioned features, but 🧜you aren’t being skimped on when it comes to the basics, which is rather nice to see.

Little changes in the overall shape of the AndaSeat Novis between the L and XL variants; there are minor sculpting differences, but not enough to notice unless they’re placed side by side. The size cꦗhange is also not too drastic. Primarily, you gain width with the XL variant as the backrest and ground-to-⛦seat measurements increase by just a couple of cm each. Interestingly, the L variant’s five-point star base is a thick molded plastic, while the XL variant is given the same metal base as other AndaSeat chairs. Both are black and appear similar from a distance. I also didn’t notice a difference in stability or manoeuvrability when using the two chairs day to day, though that nylon base does make the Novis L a couple of kilos lighter.

Performance

The headrest of the AndaSeat Novis gaming chair

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

If I’m being honest, I didn’t come into this review with the highest ꦯof hopes or expectations. My experience with the (apparently) more premium AndaSeat Kaiser 4 wasn’t a brilliant one, so before jumping into the Novis, I was a little nervous about what the brand’s budget offering would be like. These concerns quickly faded because AndaSeat’s least expensive chair may well be its most comfort📖able.

I just don’t need my armrests to be 18D or whatever ridiculous number brands are itching to climb to. Instead, the AndaSeat Novis’ generously sized, slightly squishy 🦩rubber armrests go up and down; that’s it. To be honest, that’s all I needed them to do.

The AndaSeat Novis is the chair equivalent of the KISS philosophy: get the basics right and you’re most of the way to a winner. For a chair, that’s comfort, stability, and support, and fair play to the Novis because it does a wonderful job of the lot. Comfort was an immediate tick. The cold-cure foam seat cushion is considerably softer and welcoming than both the main seat cushion of AndaSeat’s other chairs, but also their main rivals’ offerings too. Premium options like the Secretlab Titan Evo or 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Boulies Master Series, for example, have aggressively firm seats that take a fair bit of adjustment to learn to love. I felt like I sat ‘on’ those other chairs, but I sat ‘in’ the AndaSeat Novis and I far preferred it. Whether this softer cushion is as good for my spine, I don’t know. I’m a writer, not a chiropractor. But as an experienced fan of sitting comfort♐ably, I can tell you I wish the Titan Evo’s seat cushion was more lik𝔉e the Novis’.

The large back cushion may lack any adjustability, and you’ll need to pay an extra $39 for a lumbar pillow add-on, but I found it was nicely shaped and felt just right for extended use. I’ve never been one for aggressive lumbar support bulges, so the gentle curves of the AndaSeat Novis struck a nice balance between comfort and ergonomics. This was the first area I noticed what felt like a slight drop in build 🅘quality, however. While the fabric L-size Novis I was testing wasไ fine, the PVC leather upholstery of the XL variant felt like it was wrongly sized. It didn’t tightly hug the contour of the back cushion and instead seemed to be stretched across the main face of the chair. It left me feeling almost like I was leaning back into a shallow trampoline, and although this may have just been a quirk of my particular unit, it was definitely a little less comfortable as a result.

The armrests on the AndaSeat Novis

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

Beyond this oddity, the rest of the AndaSeat Novis’ hardware did exactly what I needed it to without flare or fuss. The steel frame across both sizes felt robust and never creaked. The gas lift was exactly wha﷽t you’d expect, with a slightly modest but decent enough 10cm of adjustment. After a few recent disastrous experiences (I’m looking at you, Kaiser 4), the Novis’ armrests are mercifully only single-D. I just don’t need my armrests to be 18D or whatever ridiculous number brands are itching to climb to. Instead, the AndaSeat Novis’ generously sized, slightly squishy rubber armrests go up and down; that’s it. To be honest, that’s all I needed them to do. They’re comfortable, stable, stay firmly in place under load, and can be adjusted in quite fine increments up to 7cm. They do everything I need and they do it well.

While the AndaSeat Novis does offer the same standard tilt and lean controls as every other gaming chair I’ve tested, they were a little too resistant for my liking. The chair came out of the box w꧒ith the under-seat knob set to its firmest setting, but even after spending the best part of probably 30 seconds twisting this to its minimum level, I still felt I had to push back pretty hard into the Novis to be able to lean. I’m a man who enjoys a frequent recline to ponder the many meanings of life, or indeed how to best word a sentence about 6D armrests, so this quickly became an irritation and a source of disappointment. It seems like a minor thing to get hung up on, but realistically, this is probably what’s stopping me from sticking with the Novis as my daily driver over other far more expensive options. Admittedly, it may loosen up over time, but after a couple of weeks of testing things didn’t seem to change much, if at all, and I’m not sure they’d ever get to where I’d like them.

Should you buy the AndaSeat Novis?

The fabric and leather AndaSeat Novis gaming chairs together

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

I can see the AndaSeat Novis being a total crowd pleaser. This is a gaming chair that ticks so many boxes and covers all the important bases. The cushion iღs softer and more comfortable than many others, the upholstery and frame hardware are still just as good as more premium chairs, and its price is eye-catchingly accessible. AndaSeat has stripped things back, stopped trying to show off with features nobody really needs or wants, and has nailed it as a result.

Obviously, it’s not perfect, and there are a few figurative rough edges here and there. You’re also missing out on some of the more detailed posture and positioning features (and a few Dimensions of armrest adjustment). But if all you need is a comfortable place to park yourself for a few hours of work or gaming, then the AndaSeat Novis is going to be hard to beat for this price. As far as competition 🍨goes, this might be the best budget gaming chair on the market in 2025.

How we tested the AndaSeat Novis

I used the AndaSeat Novis gaming chair as my daily driver for both gaming and general office productivity for a couple of weeks. In this tim𒊎e, I tested both the L and XL variants, in the fabric and PVC leather upholstery, respectively. Throughout testing, I occasionally switched back to the Boulies Master Series and Secretlab Titan Evo t🍨o compare experiences.

For more on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming chairs, take a look at the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.


Creating your dream desk setup? Check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming PCs, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best mouse pads for gaming, and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming desks.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/chairs/andaseat-novis-review/ pD9BZnZw6QRgZcPVy2i55k Fri, 30 May 2025 10:30:40 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> The low end of the wireless gaming m෴ouse market is getting bigger by the day, and in the last few weeks alone I've tested four pointers all offering cable-free connections for under $100. While these aren't especially budget-minded in the wider scheme of things, they're certainly cheap for 2.4GHz devices - and SteelSeries has noticed things heating up.

The Rival 3 has always been a classic go-to for a no-frills, wallet-friendly wireless pointer. Sure, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models can run DPIs of up to 40,000 with polling rates that boggle the mind. ✅But if you don't want to part with more than three-figures, this has always been a solid companion.

This budget-friendly rodent has had a glow up for 2025, with the SteelSeries Riva൩l 3 Wireless Gen 2 hitting the shelves at $59.99 / £54.99 and promising an improved battery life, reduced click latency, upgraded PTFE feet, and extra software features. There are far more players in this arena compared to the original's launch, though, and with names like Razer and NZXT vying against cheaper brands like Keychron and Cougar, the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 has its work cut out for it.

Key specs

Price

$59.99 / £54.99

Connection

2.4GHz / Bluetooth 5.0

Shape

Right-handed

Buttons

6

DPI

18,000

IPS

400

Switches

Mechanical

Weight

106g (2x AAA batteries), 95g (1x AAA battery)

Battery

Up to 450 hou🧸rs Bluetooth, up to 200 hours 2.4GHz (2x AAA)

Design

Topo down shot of two SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 gaming mice, one blue and one white, on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

One of the biggest new changes to this year's Gen 2 series is the increase in color options. The SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless now comes in both black and white as well as Aqua and 🐬Lavender. I've had them all on the test bench, though the white version has been out and about the most. The blue and purple options appear just a ♕little brighter in SteelSeries' photography than they do in real life. I love the Aqua model in particular, but it is slightly darker than the sky-blue on the website.

Still, both the blue and purple versions have a slightly more satisfying underside than the white model. This is a courtesy nod to the past, with a translucent design that provides a glimpse into the guts of the rodent itself. The white version still features this panel, bu🐈t it doesn't quite show the insides off as well. If you're chasing that retro aesthetic, even subtly, I'd certainly recommend a colored model.

Al🐲l versions share the same foundations, though. A 120.6mm long, 67mm wide, and 38mm chassis keep𒐪s things easily flickable during faster moments, while still providing enough space for a comfortable claw grip or even a palm grip if you've got slightly smaller hands.

Underside of a blue SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 gaming mouse next to a white model, the translucent effect is more pronounced on the blue version

(Image credit: Future)

This is an ever-so-slightly flat design compared to the 41.3mm tall 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed (39.1mm), both of which use more of a humped dome to stay comfortable. That means it's better suited to faster twitch-reflex motions, though doesn't quite fit a more relaxed posture. I've got relatively small hands and play with a claw grip most of the time, and stayed comfort🌺able durin🐟g longer sessions.

Underneath, the SteelSeries Rival 3 ꦇWireless Gen🥃 2 has been outfitted with 100% PTFE feet for improved glide over the previous generation. It's not exactly light on those feet, though, and the additional weight of the battery means it's a little more cumbersome than alternatives.

The battery compartment underneath the main hump works hard to keep things balanced, but there's still a noticeable drag from the rear. It wasn't enough to slow me down during even fast-paced single-player adventures like Doom: The Dark Ages, but it did feel a little woolly in competitive FPS arenas. The max weight (with both batteries inserted) is 106g, hefty by today's standards. For only $10 more, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Keychron M7 8K is fully rechargeable and weighs only 63g.

SteelSeries🧸 makes up for this weight increase in its build quality. This is a sturdy mouse indeed, w♔ithout even a creak when squeezed on the sides or top and bottom. That's incredibly impressive for a $59.99 gaming mouse built out of solid plastic, especially considering it's a hurdle Keychron's cheaper mice sometimes fall at.

That dense build is complimented by a slightly textured surface up top, a design feature I've come to miss in this era of slightly clammy matte finishes. The slightly bumpy plastic provides excellent grip and avoids that sweaty feeling during longer play sessions. It reminds me of the surface of the far more expensive 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper V2 Pro, and it was𝓀 the feel of that particular mouse that had me running back to it time and time again.

Controls

Side view of SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 showing skinny front side button

(Image credit: Future)

SteelSeries isn't look🦋ing to do anything particularly new w🧸ith its control scheme here. Instead, you're getting everything you need from a modern gaming mouse without paying for any unnecessary extras. Two side buttons and a DPI shifter button in the center of the main clicks are all fully remappable, and function as expected.

Those side buttons aren't as easy to hit on this pointer, though. The front clicker tapers out into a particularly thin front-ജhalf, which doesn't hold up particularly well under faster movements. I've come to keep my shield throw bound to this button for Doom: The Dark Ages and I never felt like I could reliably hit it fast enough. The skinny button isn't particularly intuitive in the heat of battle, and the heavier force required to actuate can slow things down as well.

The scroll wheel is nicely notched and provides a defined step between each rotation that ꦍmakes cycling through weapons particularly respo𝔉nsive without feeling heavy.

Software

SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 GG software

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

The SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 is fully compatible with the brand's GG software, which houses all your keybindings, DPI settings, battery saving features, and sensor adjustments. This has never been my favorite program, Razer's Synapse feels more intuitively laid out, and the NZXT CAM program used to run the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Lift Elite Wireless mouse is much cleaner as well🌞. It's better🐬 than iCue, though.

The Engine tab is where you'll find all your devices, with one page of settings to manage for the Rival 3. Keybindings are simple to set up, though the menu system for finding individual functions isn't particularly appealing and sometimes nestles commands in unintuitive spots. An easy macro editor sits at the top of this menu, though, so setting your own 𝕴keyboard inputs is particulaꩵrly speedy.

Handy sliders allow for easy adjustment across polling rate, acceleration and deceleration, as well as the strength of your angle snapping, while toggles take care of the mouse's "High-Efficiency Mode", a super-low power setting, "Bluetooth Smoothing", which reduces jitter when using the slower connection, and "Wireless Stability Enhancement", for those using the device with a lot of other wireless connect🌟ions around.

That's a considerable wad of controls for a cheaperඣ gaming mouse, slightly extending past similarly priced options from NZXT and Razer.

Connection

Front view of SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 main clicks with scroll wheel in the middle

(Image credit: Future)

While some cheaper 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:wireless gaming mice will keep your connection limited to either Bluetooth or 2.4GHz, the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 is far more versatile. Both modes are available for speedy pairing, enabled via a toggle on the underside of the device. The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Cougar Revenger Pro 4K, NZXT Lift Elite Wireless, and Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed all stick to 2.4GHz only - even the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed drops the Blue𒁏tooth connection, and that's $40 more.

This is an excellent turnout compared to the competition, though, and considering the Rival 3 still feature☂d dedicated connection features like Bluetooth smoothing and wireless stability enhancements there's some serious value packed in. I noticed far greater benefits from the latter, however.

Bluetooth smoothing didn't add any noticeable improvements over the stock experience in my testing, but I was experiencing a notable amount of conn🤡ection dropouts and jittering when using a 2.4GHz dongle connecte🃏d to a busy USB-4 hub. There's no receiver extender included in the box, though I did see a dramatic reduction in this interference when using the dongle directly plugged into a laptop.

More competitive players may beꦑ interested in moving up to the Keychron M7 8K or NZXT Lift Elite Wireless for their 8,000Hz polling modes. However, the vast majority of users will be well served by the 1,000Hz cap on the Rival 3 Wireless Gen🐼 2.

Battery

SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 gaming mouse with top cover removed. One battery is in a left compartment with the right compartment staying empty, and a AAA battery is off to the side.

(Image credit: Future)

This is a replaceable batterꩲy affair, with two AAA charges supplied in the box. The SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 can run with either both installed (parallel, underneath the main dome) or one, for a lighter experience. I opted for the latter to keep things speedy in-game, and noticed battery draining at a rate of around 4% every five hours. Extrapolated out for constant use, that translates at around 80 hours of battery total.

SteelSeries suggests that running both batteri♉es under t🥂he hood will provide 200 hours, so it makes sense that halving that power will further reduce your lifespan. It's also understandable that a single battery will feel the strain a little more by itself, which explains the drop to 80 hours here, instead of 100.

The Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 also accepts rechargeable AAA batteries as well, which will keep those recurring costs down and prove more environmentally friendly as well. For $10 more, both the Keychron M7 8𒈔K and Cougar Revenger Pro 4K come with rechargeable batteries built in, lasting 140 hours for the former and 150 hours on the latter.

Sensor

Hand holding SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 gaming mouse upside down to show sensor and feet underneath

(Image credit: Future)

The second-generation SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless uses the same Tru♍eMove Air sensor as the older model. This is a modified Pixart 3335 and it's a little older than most o𝄹f the gaming mice in my comparison pool. That 18,000 DPI is still going to serve the vast majority of players well, though the 400 IPS could make for less accurate faster movements if you're particularly speedy.

Everything is still nicely responsive, with tracking holding up across a variety of surfaces and genres. I never noticed any inconsistencies in my usual 3,200 DPI setting, and only a slight amount of jitter once I started moving closer to 6,500 territory. For $59.99, this really is all you need though ꦦyou are losing out on adjustable lift-off distances.

Newer sensors, like the Pixart PAW 3390 and 3950 (often found in gaming mice at around $60 - $90) allow you to personalize the point at which your mouse stops tracking when it's lifted from the desk, which can make for more accurate positi♊oning when shifting the device to extend the cursor position on screen. A shorter lift-off distance means better precision, with newer models extending to 0.7mm or 1mm. The Rival 3 Wireless is kept firmly at 2.4mm.

Switches

Hand using the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 in a claw grip on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

SteelSeries doesn't give us any names when it comes to the switches used in the Rival 3 Wireless. They feel fairly short, though, with a lighter actuation force than the Keychron M7 8K but less energy than the NZXT Lift Elite. There's a dampened feel to them that makes for a satisfyingly quiet response, but doesn't provide the same kind of protection against accidental presses that I enjoy in more expensive mice like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX.

Still🎶, they hit when the moment needs it and I managed to sail through my usual roster of Apex Legends and CS2 runs without misfiring enough to become a problem, and all while still hitting twitch-reflex reactions. Would I prefer a crisper response? Absolutely. For $60, though, these are still fine clackers.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2?

SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 leaning against packaging with an orange backlight on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

The SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 is among the cheapest gaming mice I've tested recently, but it still holds out thanks to its versatile wireless conne🌊ctions, comfortable form factor, solid-value sensor, and impressive build quality. For $10 more, you can pick up the improved sensor, lower weight, and upgraded battery of the Keychron M7 8K, but you are sacrificing overall durability to do so. Or, you can take a gamble on the fantastic battery life and better side buttons of the Cougar Revenger Pro (though just don't trust that 4,000Hz polling rate too often).

Ultimately, if you're after a budget pointer it's w🍒ell worth keeping an eye on this device's sale prices. At $60 it's too close to more sophisticated models' price points to be worthwhile🌱, but as soon as it nears $40 or even $45, this is going to be a steal.

Ratings

Comfort

4/5

Speed

3/5

Programmability

4/5

Connectivity

4/5

Battery life

3/5

How I tested the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2

I used the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 for two weeks, solo-ing the device for one week and testing directly against alternatives from NZXT, Razer, Keychron, and Cougar for another week. It saw action in Doom: The Dark Ages, Planet Coaster, and Fallout 4, with additional testing completed in Apex Legends and CS2. For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming mice, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also hunting down all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best left-handed gaming mouse models and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer mice and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Logitech gaming mice in the business.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-mice/steelseries-rival-3-wireless-gen-2-review/ ip5XCkxpVfkXQMJLjwY7s5 Thu, 29 May 2025 16:09:10 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Memorial Day brings with it a slew of gaming hardware discounts, but 🃏it's also one of the few times throughout the year that you can count on premium chair brand Secretlab running a sale on its furniture. As always with this website's seasonal discount offerings, though, it can be rather tricky to see which chairs are actually discounted by the time you get to the final checkout button.

Memorial Day has brought back Secretlab's claim that you can get up to $100 off its signature Titan Evo chair, but as ever, that's only the case for a select few skins and only on the small versions of t𓆉hose select chairs. There are plenty of Secretlab Titan Evos included in the Memorial Day sale that don't get the full discount, but most of them aren't close to the full one hundred. For my money, those looking to save as much cash as possible will want to know about the House Lannister version. It's one of two regular-sized Titan Evos that's available with the $100 discount, which brings it to . If you're not so worried about the full discount, and you're just trying to get one of the most recent designs a little cheaper, I'd be seeking out the Goku version, which is seeing a discount from $684 down to .

Secretlab does make some of the most popular and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming chairs around, but it also makes some of the most expensive when all is said and done. The real challenge of getting a proper discount on a Secretlab chair during its seasonal sales is getting to the end of the checkout process and still having the same chair you clic🍨ked on originally - without any cost-adding extras lumped in.

Secretlab Titan Evo House Lannister Edition |
Save $100 - If you're not too worried about the design choices, and you just want the cheapest possible Titan Evo chair in the regular size, your options are limi♛ted to the House Lannister version (from Gameಌ of Thrones fame) or the Team Liquid version.

Buy it if:

✅ You want adjustable lumbar support
✅ You like the red color and design
✅ You're a Game of Thrones fan

Don't buy it if:

❌ You aren't a big GOT fan
❌ You never pay your debts

Secretlab Titan Evo Goku Edition |
Save $50 - If, like me, you're a massive fan of Dragon Ball, the Goku livery of the Secretlab Titan Evo is the one to beat.༒ Thi🀅s version only came out late in 2024, so it's still relatively new and hasn't seen many discounts yet.

Buy it if:

✅ You're a big Dragon Ball fan
✅ You want 4D armrests
✅ You like the bright colors

Don't buy it if:

❌ You'd rather get the full $100 saving
❌ You want the NanoGen cushioning

The full list of chairs that are available with the $100 off discount is listed below. Again, be warned that the $100 discount is only available on some of these if you opt for the small size. To make things easier, I've put the letter "S" in brackets next to the ones that only get the discount in that size. Otherwise, these 𝕴designs and more can be found with partial discounts in the regular size. To browse the , click the linked text.

  • AHRI (S) |
  • Akali (S) |
  • Team Liquid |
  • Team Secret (S) |
  • Viego (S) |
  • The Flash (S) |
  • Tracer (S) |
  • K/DA POP STARS (S) |
  • K/DA ALL OUT (S) |
  • House Lannister |

Should you buy the Secretlab Titan Evo?

The head cushion and backrest of the Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Edition

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

As you can see just from the discounted wares, one of the biggest reasons for buying the Secretlab Titan E🌜vo is for the rather ludicrous levels of design choices you have when shopping for them. There are tasteful designs for all sorts of nerdy franchises, so the true benefit of Secretlab is being able to pick the one that you stan the most. Can't decide on just one? The clever zip-up skins the Secretlab wizards cooked up let you remodel for a versatile feel. There are also lots of upholstery options, although you may not get as much choice on that as🔯pect if you're trying to secure a discount.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Secretlab Titan Evo for its comfort level, unless you're opting for the newer (and pricier) 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen Edition. This manufacturer cares about posture support and ergonomics, but it leavꩵes a bit to be desired in terms of cushioning. Of course, the build quality and solid shape of the Titan Evo do mean you can sit on it for hours of work and play and not really complain, but the seat cushion in particular isn't the comfiest, so if you prefer a softer seat, maybe look to another brand.

As you may have ꦛsussed out from the rest of this article, the final factor that I'd be hesitant to recommend Secretlab for is its price. Yes, if you go to the likes of Herman Miller, you can find more expensive chairs than this. But since Secretlab is one of the most popular chair makers out there, a lot of people don't realise they can get a lot of the same features (and sometimes more) from cheaper options.

If you've already tried a Secretl💙ab seat, you don't need me tꦡo tell you if it's for you or not. For a lot of folks, these are simply unbeatable chairs, so if you're shopping around for one, make the most of the lower prices while you can.


Need a PC to play in that new chair of yours? Check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming PCs, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best CPUs for gaming, and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best RAM for gaming.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/chairs/secretlab-says-you-can-get-up-to-usd100-off-its-gaming-chairs-for-memorial-day-heres-what-that-actually-means/ dMAzC7HLCbpFr2WexiN6TN Sat, 24 May 2025 11:00:00 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> The Corsair Scimitar is back, with the new Wireless SE model hitting the shelves today. That 12-button array returns in all its glory, with the addition o🌳f new Stream Deck features, an upgraded Marksman S 33K sensor, and a boosted 150-hour 2.4GHz battery life. At $139.99 / £139.99, the Corsair Scimita🦂r Elite Wireless SE is $10 more expensive than the previous generation in the US.

Long considered one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models for MMO titles, 2025's iteration returns the 12-button array as well as the slidable panel design. This isও where I've been having fun tinkering over the last few days.

Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE |
This is the gaming mouse for those who want all their 🀅controls right at their fingertips, and its integration with Stream Deck kit now makes it a go-to for streamers as well. Corsair has the new Scimitar Elite Wireless SE pointer on its site for $139.99 right now, though I'm only seeing the black and yellow colorway available.

Buy it if:

✅ You're a streamer
✅ You play MMO games
✅ You want as many buttons as possible

Don't buy it if:

❌ You prefer a larger form factor

UK:

That's a total of 16 customizable buttons, all rea👍dily available for personalization not just in iCue but in the Stream Deck software. The latter means you can now configure those clickers to run your streams, with the full suite of Stream Deck OBS and Twitch plugins available.

Close up on side buttons of Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE gaming mouse on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

That's big news for anyone on live, but with the wealth productivity and media editing tools also available on the platform the Scimitar Elite Wireless SE goes well beyond usual keybinding opportunities. I currently have a full work profile set up with access to every keyboard shortcut I use on a day-to-day basis available at the tap of a button. On top of that, though, there's the 🌟potential for everything from full stream control to super-fast video editing all taking place in the right hand.

There's also💜 an improved sensor under the hood, though the leap from the previous generation's 26,000 DPI to the new 33,000 DPI is only going to be noticed by the most competitive of players. The swap also co♌mes with a faster 750 IPS, though, which will make for more accurate tracking over faster movements.

The Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless SE packs 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity, with an estimated 500-hour battery life over Bluetooth (no RGB) and 150-hour charge when used on 2.4GHz. That's well above the average set out by the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming mice on the market, tying the the Scimitar's main competitor, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Naga V2 Pro.

If you're keen to try the competition, I'm also rounding up all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer mice on the market, but there's also a range of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Logitech gaming mice to consider as well. Lefties won't get on well with the Corsair Scimitar, but I'm also hunting down the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best left-handed gaming mice on the market.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-mice/corsairs-new-gaming-mouse-has-a-secret-weapon-that-could-make-it-an-insta-hit-with-streamers/ UVnR9rVHNqnkftP4Kfpb9k Tue, 20 May 2025 01:00:00 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Corsair has unveiled its next gaming keyboard ahead of Computex tomorrow, and the MAKR 75 looks set to take on Glorious ✤and the custom market. It's a fully modular deck, with everyt🅰hing from the switch plate to the connection options ready for customizing.

Available now, the $214.99 / £175.99 Corsair MAKR 75 features a full aluminum build with eight layers of sound dampening contained within - all in a gasket mounted design. That's a breath of fresh air from a manufacturer I generally find struggles with its switch noise. Like many of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboard brands, Corsair has its own sಌwitches and keycaps to choose from, but the deck will take any three- or🌊 five-pin clackers you want.

Corsair MAKR 75 |
The Corsair MAKR 75 launches today, with the chassis itself starting at $214.99, a premium rate for a barebone kit. If you're looking to dive into the world of custom keyboards, but want to keep your allegiance to Corsair's pedigree this where you're looꦬkin🉐g.

Buy it if:

✅ You want to keep gaming features
✅ You want more control over feel and sound
✅ You're keen to upgrade with modular parts

Don't buy it if:

❌ You don't need extra gaming features

UK:

Many gaming keyboard brands have been leaning into the world of custom decks for a few years now, starting by launching some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best hot-swappable keyboards of the last few years and now moving further into the space. Like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Glorious GMMK 3, however, Corsair is holding you to its own line of add-on acc🐻essories for upgrades and customizati🍎on.

And things get pricey when you start actually building the deck. That FR4 switch plate adds $20 to the final price, your switches come in at an extra $34.99 - $49.99, keycaps range from $30 to $40, and that LCD display is an extra $35. If you want a wireless deck, you're adding an additional $50 on top as well. That means a fully built keyboard is going to co𒁃st you between $234.98 and $354.98. Ooft.

Corsair MAKR 75 gaming keyboard with RGB lighting on a dark surface

(Image credit: Corsair)

While it doesn't quite beat the size of Glorious's modular range, there's only one switch plate alternative (FR4) and no Hall effect options,🗹 Corsair is doing its own bits here. The control dial in the top right corner can be swapped out for a customizable macro butt🐻on with its own display, and the connection can even be swapped to wireless.

You'rꦫe not getting the full personalization of a custom barebones kit here, but there's certainly more room to play. Not only that, but the Corsair MAKR 75 comes equipped with the brand's AXON 8,000Hz poling rate and is compatible with the Corsair Web Hub for a less CPU-intensive customization experience.

This is a lot for a barebone kit, but the aluminum build, swappable control dial, and ease of access does add to the overall proposition in a way cheaper first-timer kits can't. A more generic barebone kit will generally cost you between $80 and $120, though some can reach near $300 for premiu𒁃m materials.

It's expensive, then, but if you're after a gaming-first👍 keyboard with the customization options of more premium builds it could be a worthwhile investment.

I'm also rounding up all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming keyboards as well as the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best membrane gaming keyboards on the market. Or, check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models for a full system refresh.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/corsair-just-launched-its-first-diy-keyboard-but-this-barebone-kit-sure-is-pricey/ sGKNwdEmXk4jQu6AFojFRJ Mon, 19 May 2025 13:17:04 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> The Keychron M7 8K is an iterative update on the newer M7 model, upgrading the sensor to a Pixart PAW 3950 and adding support for 8,000Hz wireless polling. That's a small change in the grand scheme of things, even without those updates (and they will only really be noticed by the most competitive players in the arena) this is still one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models I've tested in a while.

Th🃏e value on offer here is particularly strong. While the build construction and plastic material isn't the most comfortable or tactile on the market, the shape is fantastic, the sensor is speedy, and the controls are well-placed. If you're on the hunt for a tail-free rodent but don't want to break the bank, you'll find very few sacrifices compared to the flagships here.

Key Specs

Price

$69.99 / £73.99

Connection

2.4GHz / Bluetooth / Wired

Shape

Right-handed

Buttons

8

DPI

30,000

IPS

750g

Switches

Huano 80M

Weight

63g

Battery

Up to 140 hours

Design

The Keychron M7 8K doesn't break the rulebook in its design, but it does add to it. The soft curve of the main chassis is s꧙upported by a generous thumb rest on the left flank and finished off with a soft-touch 🐷matte surface that feels fantastic under the hands. That means this is a comfort-first design, but one with a standard width and height for more nimble maneuvers.

It carries a larger footprint than many of the gaming mice in this mid-range, lightweight category but still manages to feel pliable under the fingertips. A total width of 77.1mm takes the thumb rest into account, which means it looks much larger than alternatives from Razer, Glorious, and Endgame Gear on paper. In reality, the actual grippable dome is far more streamlined. The Keychron M7 8K measures 124mm in length, which is again a touch larger than the 113mm 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Glorious Model O 2 Mini and 122mm 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed.

Much of that extra space, however, has been pushed towards the front of the device, with longer main clicks. That mean𒅌s the rear curve still easily slots in underneath the palm with space to spare, and I was still able to pivot the device from side to side in a claw grip.

Keychron M7 8K gaming mouse on a wooden desk shown from above

(Image credit: Future)

That's an impressive combination of comfort and freedom of movement that I rarely see in mice that verge towards the top end of the size scale. The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Turtle Beach Kone II Air, for example, goes all in on its wider base at the expense of flickability. The low 63g weight isn't quite as nimble as the 55g 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Cougar Revenger Pro 4K or Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed, but it's light enough to stay fast while still providing a nice sense of grounding to eac💃h movement. In my opinion, it's just a few grams heavier than the sweet spot.

The actual construction feels fairly solid, though I did notice some considerable creaking when pressure is applied to the sides. There's also 🅰a slight fဣlex from the bottom panel (though absolutely nothing from the top of the main dome) when pushed in the other direction as well. This is a cheaper all-plastic build, so it's easy to forgive.

The skates planted on the underside of the Keychron M7 8K aren't going to give the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse anything to worry about, and don't provide the super-smooth glide you'd expect from a more expensive pointer. They do, however, keep things moving along nicely with minimal sticking. I did require a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:mouse pad for a better experience.

The Keychron M7 8K comes in black or white, both benefiting from the same matte finish and glossy side buttons. The white model I received is ni🐟ce and crisp, though grime and dust do show up far quicker and take a little work to remove ful🀅ly.

Controls

Side view of Keychron M7 8K gaming mouse showing two side buttons and a third button towards the front of the device

(Image credit: Future)

The Keychron M7 8K packs all the standard controls you'🐼d expect from a gaming mouse, though removes anℱy side-to-side action on the scroll wheel that you'll see in some other models. Instead, the M7 comes with an additional clicker on the left flank, an angled third button that can be set up as a temporary DPI slower or simply configured to any other keybinding you choose.

I take as many buttons as I can on the side of my gaming mice, for both productivity and gameplay, so 🌼I'm always happy to see extras added. This third button could be difficult to hit if you have particularly small hands, duꩵe to its placement fairly high up the length of the chassis.

However, I have relatively little grabbers and was able to hook my thumb onto the angled portion of the button with ease. It doesn't take too much pressure to actuate either, which keeps it flexible for lighter touches without having to 𝕴shift grip too far. The two main side buttons are perfectly positioned for speedy access without the threat of misfiring.

It's rare to find a third side butto🅰n in gaming mice at this price point - none of the other models in this $69.99 - $99.99 comparison poꦰol go beyond the traditional two-button array.

Underneath, you'll find dedicated shifters for DPI and polling rate settings (as well as LED indicators for each). That's a feature I loved in the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Keychron M5. Again, it's rare to have on-🌃the-fly access to polling rates no matter how much you're paying for your pointer.

Software

Screenshot from Keychron Launcher software showing M7 8K gaming mouse keybinding process

(Image credit: Future)

Keychron doesn't rely on a download for its configuration software, instead keeping things light with an in-browser setup. That means no add⛄itional CPU usage and no annoying software updates and notifications. Everything is saved directly onto the M7's onboard storage and can be𝄹 adjusted from session to session, simply by running the .

The interface itself is neatly intuitive as well. Each of your configurable buttons are displayed on a graphic of the mouse, with keybinding options available on the lower half of the screen. Unlike the software packaged with the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer mice or the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Logitech gaming mouse models, your customized inputs aren't reflected directly on♎ the mouse's graphic, which can make things a little more confusing, but they're displayed neatly i🏅n a table below instead.

DPI settings can be configured in five stages, and adjusted in increments of 50. That's not as fine a level of control as you'll see in more expenꦅsive mice, but it's certainly everything an everyday player will need. Each preset is assigned a color which is represented via an LED on the underside of the mouse as well.

Overall, everything is easy to find and I never ran into any issues setting up different profiles and presets, even when leaving the Launcher website and reloading at a later date. It could be prettier, but I'll certainly take streamlined functionality over🥃 CPU-heavy graphics and ads any day.

Connection

Keychron M7 8K gaming mouse with receivers and white USB-C cable on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

Packing all three connection methods (2.4GHz, Bluetooth, and wired) as well as an 8,000Hz polling rate means the Keychron M7 8K beats the rest of its competition in this price range. The Cougar Revenger Pro 4K drops Bluetooth functionality and taps out at 4,000Hz for the same $69.99 price point and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed only uses a 2.4GHz connection for the same rate. Even at the $99.99 positioꦿn, the Glorious Model O 2 Mini drops you down to a 1,000Hz polling rate while keeping all three connection options and the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed kills Bluetooth and requires an additional dongle for ꦆsuper-fast polling.

That means the Keychron M7 8K is set up particularly well within its price bracket and, while the higher polling rate will only make sense for particularly competitive players, the versatility of those connection options is a win for everyone. I can keep the 2.4GHz receiver plugged into my 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:gaming laptop and ru🃏n the pointer off Bluetooth on my handheld (where ports are far more limited) or iPad, for example.

I never noticed any stuttering or lagging over either Bluetooth or 2.4GHz, even whe꧅n battery l🌟evels started to run down.

Battery

Front of Keychron M7 8K showing USB-C port on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

Keychron states that the M7 8K can run for up to 140 hours on a single charge, a considerable improvement over the 70-hour lifespan of the previous M7 model. It still keeps the M7 8K from the top of the testing pool, though it does beat a number of $99.99 options out there. The Cougar Revenger Pro 4K taps out after 150 hours and th♐e Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed can run for up to 280 hours (though that is on a replaceable AA battery).

Still, I haven't had to charge this pointer once in my testing, which is more than I can say for some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming mouse models I've had my hands on.

Sensor

Hand holding Keychron M7 8K gaming mouse and showing underside with sensor and DPI / polling rate indicators

(Image credit: Future)

The Keychron M7 8K comes with a Pixart PAW 3950 sensor under the hood, capable of tracking at up to 750 inches-per-second across up to 30,000 dots-per-inch. That's a solid mid-range spec sheet, and far more than you'll usually see from a mid-range model. The Cougar Revenger Pro 4K taps out at 26,000 DPI / 650 IPS, as do the more expensive Glorious Model O 2 Mini, Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed, and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Endgame Gear OP1 8K.

Keychron makes this sensor a little confusing on its site. There is another M7 model available without the 8,000Hz polling and a weaker PAW 3395 sensor (26,000 DPI and 650 IPS) and, confusingly, some of that model's specs have been pulled through to the 8K's listing. If you are looking at additional retailers, it's well worth double checking the listed specifications to make sure you're picking up the 3950 model. It will give you access to that faster polling sure, but also a lower 0.7mm lift-off distance option and better power handling. You can read more about the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:PAW 3395 vs PAW 3950 and what it reaꦫlistically means for each mouse ꧒as well.

The PAW 3950 runs beautifully sitting inside the Keychron M7 8K. Faster in-game mouse movements are tracked perfectly, representing as close to 1:1 movement as you can ask for beneath the $100 threshold. Ramping things up beyond my usual 3,200 DPI, action is still smooth thanks to theꦬ rippl🦹e control feature and even motion sync doesn't feel too woolly here.

Switches

Hand placed in a claw grip over the Keychron M7 8K gaming mouse

(Image credit: Future)

Huano 80M Micro Switches sit inside the main clicks of the Keychron M7 8K, delivering a crisp clack with a robust feel behind it. They're slightly heavier than the shorter stops I'm used to in more competitive mice, but repeat presses are♔ still swift and easy for the most part.

That extra heft does make itself known in faster moments - I often found myself staying stuck to the bottom of a press for a little longer than I would expect t🧔o in particularly competitive scenarios. They're far from mushy, though, and have a satisfyin🌠g thunk to them overall.

Should you buy the Keychron M7 8K?

Keychron M7 8K gaming mouse leaning against packaging on a wooden desk with green lighting

(Image credit: Future)

The Keychron M7 8K is a relatively affordable gaming mouse that doesn't shy away from the features more mainstream gaming💜 brands will sell you at a premium. While its switches won't keep up with the competitive needs of its 8,000Hz polling rate, there's plenty of headroom for faster players and a lightweight body to accommodate faster movements and twitch-reflex shots as well. The additional ergonomics in the thumb rest play beautifully into slower moments and productivity use-cases, while still keeping the main body of the mouse skinny enough to remain nimble in a claw and fingertip grip.

A🐲t $69.99, the K7 8K has some considerable competition. It's♈ the same price as, though much more widely available than, the Cougar Revenger Pro 4K and the Razer Viper Hyperspeed. If you're stuck at this $70 budget, the Keychron M7 8K wins the battle. It's better for more competitive players thanks to its lower weight and higher polling rate, while still catering to more casual markets better with its ergonomic design, extra side button, and versatile Bluetooth connection option.

The Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed is the gaming mouse that threatens the M7 8K the most, though. Before Keychron came along, this was the best value wireless pointer I'd tested. With its lower battery life, weaker sensor, lack of Bluetooth, and $30 higher price, that might be about to change. I'd stick to Razer if you're after extra sensor functionality, there are some neat Synapse tricks in here. However, if you're 🌼going for sheer value while cutting the cord,🍰 Keychron is the new name to beat.

Ratings

Comfort

4/5

Speed

4/5

Programmability

5/5

Connectivity

5/5

Battery life

4/5

How I tested the Keychron M7 8K

I used the Keychron M7 8K for all my daily work and play over the course of two weeks, testing specifically for competitive advantage in CS2 and Apex Legends and otherwise using the device across the tail end of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and South of Midnight. For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming mice, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also hunting down all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best left-handed gaming mouse models available now, as well as the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming headsets for a full setup refresh.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-mice/keychron-m7-8k-review/ bJRVzhCVELwqH8Gfz28MA5 Thu, 15 May 2025 15:01:37 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> There are two Pixart sensors dominating the custom and high-speed gaming mouse market right now, the PAW 3395 and the 3950. While most of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse brands will use their own spin on this tech, or modify existing Pixart models for their own exclusive use, smaller maﷺnufacturers like BenQ, Pulsar, Vaxee and Lamzu rely on these eyes for most of their current rosters. What's the difference?

Not much. In fact, I'll say right now - if you're buying a new gaming mo൲use there are far bigger factors to consider over the sensor; shape, weight, switches, and controls.

Still, i♏f you're torn between two identical rodents there could be some differences in their behavior based on the sensor🎀 inside.

The Pixart PAW 3950 is newer, releasing just last year, while the 3395 has been around much longer, driving a steady flow of mid-range and budget-minded gaming mice. Both sensors offer high-speed tracking, plenty of DPI headroom, and keen responses across a variety of surfaces, but there are a few differences that more discerning players wil🐭l want to note.

Pixart PAW 3395 vs PAW 3950

Specs

PAW 3395

PAW 3950

DPI

26,000

30,000

IPS

650

750

Acceleration

50G

70G

Lift-off distance

1mm, 2mm

0.7mm, 1mm, 2mm

Yes, the PAW 3950 can run at a higher 30,000 DPI compared to the 3395's 26,000, and that IPS tracking speed has been increased to 750 vs 650 on the older model. But very few players are going to notice those improvements. More competitive players may feel the additional speed during faster mouse movements, but very few are actually playing at the top of a gaming mouse'ౠs DPI range.

Instead, the Pixart PAW 3950's main benefits are its decreased lift-off distance and eꦆxtra battery life.

We have lift off

Hand placed in a palm grip using the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse

(Image credit: Future)

The Pixart PAW 33⛄95 allows users to choose between 1mm or 2mm lift-off distances (how high you have to lift the mouse before it stops tracking). The lower your lift-off distance, the more accurate your tracking is - as your mouseꦿ isn't continuing to move your cursor in between wider strokes.

The Pixart PAW 3950 improves on this customization by adding the option to drop as low as 0.7mm for a much faster stop to your tracking. You don't need to lift your mouse as high to reset your swing without interference, which means faster movements overall. More mainstream 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer gaming mice and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech gaming mouse models are still stuck at 1mm or even sometimes 1.2mm (like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper V3 Pro and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX).

I say it all the time, but only particularly competitive players a🐼re going to🅺 notice this benefit. If you're climbing ranks fast, it's worth considering, but casual users aren't going to move fast enough to spot the benefits of a lower lift-off distance past 1mm.

8% battery is 8% battery

Cougar Revenger Pro 4K gaming mouse in-hand of reviewer

(Image credit: Future)

The second noticeable benefit of the Pixart PAW ๊3950 compared to the PAW 3395 is its improved efficiency. This comes into play a little more when using higher polling rates (though, again, most players will only notice small benefits moving up to 4,000Hz 🌠and the majority won't even notice a shift up to 8,000Hz), but is still noticeable at 1,000Hz.

In short, the PAW 3950 handles its power better when sat inside one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming mice. I've noticed a slight increase in runtime that tends to average out at an 8% improvement in battery life. Below, I've compared some of the most popular brands that use Pixart's sensors, taking average 1,000Hz battery lives from similar models released by those manufacturers using both PAW 3395 andꦯ PAW 3950 sensors.

Granted, there are a number of different factors that go into a gaming mouse's battery life. The numbers above are in no way indicative of the work that the Pixart 3950 sensor is doing overall to increase that juice. You've also got to consider the size of the actual battery running the rodent, how efficient that battery is, any additional LEDs on board, and the presence of extra power saving features. Just look at the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Cougar Revenger Pro 4K topping the list with its PAW 3395 eye, fo🎀r examp𝄹le.

Still, I've stuck to different generations of similar models from the same brands in this data to try and keep that deviation to a minimum. The Keychr꧙on M7 and the Keychron M7 8K is a great example - this is a very similar mouse between generations, with one running the PAW 3395 and the other upgraded to a PAW 3950. On average, gaming mice with a Pixart PAW 3950 sensor under the hood generally run for slightly longer between charge🐈s.

The Pixart 3950 is better, but that's far from the full story

Inside the Endgame OP1 8K gaming mouse showing main circuitry, PCB, and switches

(Image credit: Future)

The Pixart PAW 3950 beats the older PAW 3395 both on paper and in the smaller areas you might notice it working away. However, I'd recommend against buying a gaming mouse purely for its sensor alone. We're talking about minor improvements that some players might notice here, rather than game-changing featurꦚes and performance enhancements.

What's really going to make a difference is the way your gaming mouse feels under the hand. Weight, shape, size, and layout all have a far greater bearing on whether a gaming mouse is right for you than its specs under the hood. A much bigger question would be whether a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:wired vs wireless gaming mouse would be better for your setup. I base my recommendations on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how to choose a gaming mouse on what you play and how you൲ play it 🌊- paper specs are rarely the only thing you should be considering.

I'm also hunting down all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best left-handed gaming mouse models on the market, as well as the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best mouse pads for gaming to get that glide just right. Or, if you're kitting out your whole setup, check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards available.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-mice/pixart-paw-3395-vs-paw-3950/ pxDHZZxYCASpJHEqrK4zr8 Thu, 15 May 2025 11:51:34 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Boulies has just released its latest gaming chair, and the EP300 looks set to take on the luxury ergonomic market. 🌄With an introductory discount taking the launch price down to $299, Boulies is making a strong statement about the lofty prices of high-end chairs.

If you shop around for the most premium ergonomic gaming chairs on the market, you'll probably land at the feet of one brand, and one brand only. Herman Miller makes some beautifully elegant aꦓnd comfortable seats, but ꦏits high price tags make it the holy grail manufacturer everyone wishes they could afford.

Boulies, on the other hand, makes some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming chairs on the affordable end of the spectrum. That's not to say it makes cheap seats that don't last, but this brand has a knack for taking premium feat♊ures from rival chair makers and cramming them into a much cheaper package. That definitely seems like the aim of its latest model.

Boulies EP300 |
Save $70 - In an introductory offer, Boulies is currently giving its brand new chair a $70 discount. In the UK, you can get a £35 reduction, b🐠ringing its price down to £254. This is more than a hundred cheaper than the Fractal Refine, and massively more affordable than Herman Miller seats.

Buy it if:

✅ You've always liked the look of Herman Miller chairs
✅ You want plenty of adjustability
✅ You want mesh without a high price tag

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're sceptical about build quality
❌ You can afford the Fractal Refine

UK:

Compared to the regular asking price of a Herman Miller chair, the price of the EP300 feels like a blessing from the gaming furniture gods. The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Herman Miller Embody costs more than a grand, and even the more affordable 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Herman Miller Vantum is still upwards of $750. Looking at theꦬ EP300 from a design standpoint, it has very similar ergonomic spinal curvature to the latter.

From first glance, I really love the look of this chair, and not just for its familiar design. In fact, when you look even closer at its features, it reminds me of another epic gaming throne, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Fractal Refine.

The EP300, just like the Refine, comes in both mesh and fabric upholstery options, which is such a great change from what a lot of gaming chairs do - separate their fabric and mesh options into totally different price points, often forcing people to pay more for the breath🍃able mesh option. While I wish there was more than one colorway of the new EP300, the black Padded Mesh or Black Mesh versions𝓡 look sleek in their own right.

The EP300 has also changeable seat depth, again, like the Fractal Refine. Boulies says this is to cater to different body types, but what I liked about it with Fractal's seat was that I could still benefit from the ergonomic backrest and posture support while sinking deeper into a more relaxed𓆏 position.

An office space with four Boulies EP300 gaming chairs around it

(Image credit: Boulies)

Herman Miller fans in particular might be envious of the headrest on the EP300, sinceꦚ Embody owners need to buy their headrest separately, and this one takes a leaf out of the book of a lot𒀰 of office chairs since it can adjust to the angle and position you want to rest it in.

Interestingly, there's no adjustable lumbar support here, which could end up being a flaw. Instead of the four-way adjustable padding found on chairs like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair TC500 Luxe and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Edition, the EP300 utilizes a spinal curve to its backrest that naturally provides lumbar support. The backrest has three height adjustment settings, so you can match that spinal shape to your body shape. Elsewhere, we have the tilting, reclining, rocking, and swiveling you'd expect from a desk chair, with a recline range of 90-109 degrees𝓡.

I'm most eager to try out the armrests. While I do like the armrests found across the other Boulies chairs, like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Boulies Elite and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Boulies Master Series, I do think an ergonomic chair like this calls for a more premium set of pads for your elbows to lean on. The armrests of the EP300 can be adjusted in height, depth (forward and backwards), and their pivoting angle. I personally hope they feature a button that locks them into position, though, since one of my pet peeves with gaming chairs lately is armrests that sl🔜ide around when you don't want t🎀hem to.


Creating a desk setup for the first time? Check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming PCs, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming monitors, and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best mouse pads

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/chairs/the-latest-gaming-chair-from-boulies-looks-like-a-herman-miller-killer-and-thats-before-seeing-its-price/ HvsnDG7c9CjBHNHPhB2GZB Thu, 15 May 2025 11:07:33 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> I usually tell people to put a pause on their gaming chair shopping trips until a big seasonal sales event l🐬ike Memorial Day, Prime Day, or Black Friday. My reasoning is pretty simple; gaming chairs are a sometimes stupidly expensive bit of furniture to buy, and they don't often go on offer outwith these big sales. We're just under two weeks out from Memorial Day, though, and I'm scrapping that advice.

Right now, three of my favorite chairs are all discounted, and with the prices they'r෴e at, I don't see any reason to wait for later this month. Kicking things off is a seat that's perfect for anyone buying their first one, or anyone who just doesn't have the budget for some of the bigger names. The Corsair TC100 Relaxed is going for right now, and even for our favorite budget chair, that's one hell of a bargain.

Next up is its mid-range sibling, the Corsair TC500 Luxe. This also appears on our 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming chair list, but the Shadow (black) model is currently rocking a $75 discount, bringing it to . Lastly, for those looking for the last word in lumbar support, the Razer 🅷Iskur V2 is down to , reduced from its hefty $649 price.

Corsair TC100 Relaxed |
Save $61 - Starting things off at the entry-level end of the price scale, the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is going for $60✃ cheaper than its launch price in the US. Granted, I hardly ever see this seat up at its MSRP these days, but even compared to its $210 average price, this is a real bargain.

Buy it if:

✅You're on a tight budget
✅You still want good comfort and features
✅ You're not bothered about color choices

Don't buy it if:

❌ You'd rather have integrated lumbar support
❌ You want more armrest adjustability

Corsair TC 500 Luxe |
Save $75 - If you have a bit more money to play with, the other option from Corsair is the TC500 Luxe, which I still use as my daily driver months after reviewing it. It has a lot of high-end features for a chair under $500, so seeing it laid low to the tune of a $75 discount is well worth recommending. Annoyingly, it💙's only on offer in its Shadow Black color.

Buy it if:

✅ You like a wider seat base
✅ You want something that looks a bit unique
✅ You're okay with the black color

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want great armrests
❌ You want even better lumbar support

Razer Iskur V2 |
Save $82 - I've seen Razer's latest high-end chair come down in price a few times since its launch last year, and although this isn't a patch on its lowest-ever price of $499, I'd💯 ta🔯ke any opportunity to get one of the more expensive gaming chairs for cheaper.

Buy it if:

✅ You care about lumbar support
✅ You have the money to spend
✅ You're looki🔥ng for a great alternative to Secretl🎃ab

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want lots of color choices
❌ You'd rather have something more breathable


For more on gaming furniture, check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best console gaming chairs, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best pink gaming chairs, and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming desks.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/chairs/dont-wait-for-memorial-day-these-gaming-chair-deals-wont-last-that-long/ opyVyFpd6QvvXDWBEdTbA7 Tue, 13 May 2025 16:20:56 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Razer has just announced its latest gaming chair accessory, with the $229.99 / £199.99 Razer Clio look𒀰ing to add surround♑ sound audio straight to your headrest.

I'm going to level with you🅷, surround sound systems, as cool as they are, are a bit of a hassle for most setups. Placing speakers in front of you is easy enough since you're generally going to be pointing yourself and your furniture at a screen which sits on a surface of some kind, or is tu🅷cked up against a wall. But speakers behind you? That's a bit more of a faff to organise, depending on your room layout.

Razer Clio |
The Razer Clio is now available to pre-o🎐rder exclusively at Razer's own store. That $229.99 price is considerable, but if you hate the feel of ☂a clunky headset (but still want spatial audio close by) it's an interesting investment.

Buy it if:

✅ You don't like the feel of a headset
✅ You have a classic racing back gaming chair
✅ You play competitively

Don't buy it if:

❌ You already have speakers from other brands

I'm sure you've also wished there was an easier way to get spatial audio without opting for a headset that's going to wreak havoc on your eardrums if used in every single session. Well, it turns out the folks at Razer have thought about this exact problem, and their solution is to mount those surround speakers to the headrest of your 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming chair.

Acting as a standalone speaker, Razer Clio can put surround sound-like audio into your lugs on its own than𝓰ks to its unique shape and placement behind your head, but it can also be paired with existing front speakers through Synapse 4 software.

As you might guess, it's essentially a wireless Bluetooth speaker, but it can connect to a PC or console using Raze🐲r's HyperSpeed Wireless technology (presumably with a USB dongle). Razer quotes it to have a 14-hour battery life, which isn't bad for a speaker.

Razer Clio headrest speaker against a blue background

(Image credit: Razer)

I can't lie, as quirky and new as this product is, it does seem a wee bit mor🐎e viable than some of Razer's other inventions. Not that a haptic feedback backrest isn't a cool idea, just hard to imagine being widely used by your everyday Fortnite 🅘player.

Clio does seem to have the 3D audio chops for this era of gaming, though. Like a lot of Razer's audio products, it has certification through THX Spatial Audio, and its design as a set of dual near-field speakers means that it'll deliver powerful audio, but might not be as disruptive if you usually play with speakers in a home with other people having to listen to it. Two 43mm full-range drivers will give some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best PC speakers a run for their money.

However, as someone who reviews and sits in a lot of different gaming and office chairs, I do have some questions about compatibility. Chairs and headrests come in all sorts of shapes and sizes,🔴 so just how will Clio play with chairs not made by Razer?

A person sitting in a Razer gaming chair relaxing with his head against the Razer Clio headrest speaker system

(Image credit: Razer)

Well, Team Sneki claims that with adjustable nylon straps, Razer Clio is going to be compatible with most high-end gaming chairs. In fairness, this is how most neck cushions attached to gaming thrones before magnetic ones game along. Either way, try telling that to 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Herman Miller Embody owners who famo෴usly get a little triggered by not haviౠng a neckrest included in their chair's asking price.

If pairing is done 𓄧through Synapse 4, I also h⛎ave a few questions about how this would pair up with an existing set of speakers that were made by another brand.

I don't know many speakers that can talk with Synpase if they aren't made by Razer, so it sure seems ♌like this is going to be able to sync up with an existing Razer sound system like the Nommo speakers, or one of the manufacturer's soundbars. Only time will tell, however, and maybe outward compatibility will be a featur꧑e Razer tries to integrate.

As many questions as I might have about Clio, there is one caveat that Razer itself 🐈has brought to light. As part of its sustainability mission, Clio has been designed to w♛ork with any USB to USB-C cable, and as such, there won't be one in the box when you buy this product. I'm all for sustainable packaging when it comes to gaming hardware, but for a $229 asking price, that might rub some people up the wrong way.

We're also rounding up all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming desks and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best computer speakers, or check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming headsets for a more traditional experience.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/chairs/razer-wants-to-put-your-headset-inside-your-gaming-chair-and-i-have-questions/ p2LQ9ug7R9f44ZCCtq8C3h Thu, 08 May 2025 16:49:09 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Razer has just announced a brand new gaming keyboard joining its family of high-end clackers, and the Joro is taking on the handheld market. The super-portable ultra-low-profile 65% deck weighs just 374g and sits at only 16.5mm thin, making it the most portable deck the brand has produced yet. What's🌳 more, its Bluetooth 5.0 connection means you can free up ports on your Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally.

I've had a handheld PC in my backpack for years now and regularly connect it to TVs and monitors when travelling. Lugging one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards around to keep all my controls at hand just isn't always feasible, though, so Razer's latest release🌼 makes a lot of sense. That 1,800 hour battery🌼 life is also going to come in incredibly handy, considering this will likely be a secondary device for travelling players.

Razer Joro |
The Razer Joro is now available for $139.99 direct at Razer's own store. That's not ꧃a bad price for a wireless deck from a mainstream brand, espe༺cially not one that usually charges a lot more than its competitors.

Buy it if:

✅ You regularly travel with a handheld PC
✅ You like low-profile keys
✅ You prioritize keeping weights low

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want it as a permanent desk board

UK:

At $139.99 / £129.99, this isn't the cheapest 65% model on the market, though it's certainly strong value if you're considering it alongside the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming keyboards available. While it relies on a Bluetooth connection rather than a faster 2.4GHz receiver, you're still usually paying well over $130 for a cable-free setup even in 2025. Not only that, but you don't even necessarily want a 2.4GHz dongle if you're planning on using the Razer Joro with one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming handhelds.

That's because devices like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Steam Deck OLED and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Ally typically have limited ports, and you may need to keep one free for 🍌charging. That's why I rely on Bluetooth for all devices in 🙈my on-the-go setup.

Razer Joro gaming keyboard in the middle of a Steam Deck setup with monitor and headset

(Image credit: Razer)

This is an exceptionally compact deck, far slimmer than the 27mm / 427g 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Cherry MX-LP 2.1 that I've been carryi🌸ng around all these months. Not only that, but you're still benefitting from all that Raz💦er goodness, with full Synapse 4 support across keybindings, Razer Hypershift functionality, Chroma RGB, and Snap Tap.

With that long battery life, super compact design, and low profile form factor, Razer isn't just taking aim at its core gaming fans here, though. The Razer Joro also supports Apple devices with Mac and iPad compatibility and keycaps, with storage for up to three Bluetooth 🍌connections. That's a pretty solid proposition for anyone who regularly travels with an iPad and a handheld.

If you want a full setup at your disposal, Razer has also unveiled the Razer Basilisk Mobile mouse, with a 76g form factor, 105 hour battery, tri-mode connectivity, and a Razer Focus X 18K optical sensor. The pointer is available for 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:$89.99 / £99.99 at Razer.

There are plenty more of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer keyboards to consider if you're after something more sturdy, or take a look at the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best hot-swappable keyboards and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best membrane gaming keyboards I've tested so far.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/razers-new-gaming-keyboard-looks-perfect-for-steam-deck-fans/ S2G2UCH8NtqBCyrtEivZga Thu, 08 May 2025 15:46:11 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Budget gaming keyboards rarely have it all, and in the case of the Acer Predator Aethon 330 you are making some sacrifices in sound and feel to achieve a lower-than-average price tag. Still, with wireless connectivity, a compact 60% form factor, and Kailh switches, there's plenty goi❀ng on here. This is a much better deal in the UK, where the Aethon 330 comes in at just £49.99. Over in the US, that $99.99 price tag is still a little too much to justify considering the sub-par build compared to other models.

The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards ca൩n be pricey, but considerin♋g you can pick up a much better feel and sound just a little further into the $100 price range, there's significantly higher value out there.

Key Specs

Price

$99.99 / £49.99

Type

Mechanical

Connection

Bluetooth / Wired

Size

60%

Switches

Kailh Blue

Keycaps

Unknown, likely a tactile-finished ABS

Battery

Approx 30 hours

Media keys

None

Wrist rest

None

USB passthrough

None

Design

Acer Predator Aethon 330 gaming keyboard with blue RGB lighting switched on

(Image credit: Future)

The Acer Predator Aethon 330 wants to stand out on a desk, and it does so with th🅘e help of an all-white (more cream) form factor, plenty of Predator branding, and a set of blue WASD keycaps. The acꦜtual chassis is a much crisper color than the caps themselves, which look a little dulled by comparison and pick up dust and debris particularly easily.

The aesthetic is relatively stylized by the st🌃andard of modern tastes. The Predato🤪r logo is stamped across the space key and the main legends use a stamp-like typeface that feels a little outdated.

Still, th𒀰e plastic base is impressively sturdy considering the price and there's no flex to the main top plate either. This is a well-constructed chassis in the budget price range, though you're missing out on the sound-dampened designs of only slightly more e🥂xpensive models.

The result is an incredibly loud typing experience. Clicky switches aside, 🌳there's a significant amount of reverb and echo around the main deck area, so everyday typing is blighted by constant pinging.

Close up on Predator logo on keycap of Acer Predator Aethon 330 gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

I'm glad this isn't a simple st༒ock black keyboard, though. The slick white chassis and sturdy build quality suggest a slightly higher price tag than some would expect from a wirel꧂ess model, though it's not the best implementation of double-function keys I've seen.

RGB is a big win for this deck. While some cheaper models pack lacklustre LEDs, these shine incredibly bright and manage to stay uniform even across longer legends. It's rare to find th🐲is level of lighting power at a lower price point, so those going all-in on RGB displays will be well served.

Keycaps

Keycaps from Acer Predator Aethon 330 gaming keyboard, removed from the main deck and placed on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

This being a smaller 60% keyboard means that pretty much every key on the🎐 rigܫht-hand side has a double-function of some kind and, with the large fonts and gray printing, things can look pretty busy. The caps themselves have the thinner construction of an ABS make but the grainy texture and doubleshot main legends more commonly associated with PBT.

I can't find any information on the actual material used, but the surface feels like PBT under the fingertips, while holding the thinner response of ABS when actually used. The fact the caps can flex fairly easily when removed from the main deck leaves me to believe these are in fact ABS with a textured finish, though it's an impressive implementation. They certainly feel more comfortable than the shiny, slippery keycaps I recently tested on the far more expensive 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair K70 Pro TKL.

Switches

Acer Predator Aethon 330 with keycaps removed to reveal blue Kailh switches underneath

(Image credit: Future)

I'm not a natural fan of clicky switches, but if you don't mind a loud typing experience and prefer as much auditory feedback as possible you won't be put off by the Kailh Blues under these keys. The switches themselves actuate at 1.9mm with a strong tactile bump, travelling a full 4mm in total. That's good for everyday typing, there's no need for a forceful push here, and it's easy to fly across keys with a much lighter tap. However, they're far from the most satisfying clackers on the𝔍 market, and certainly won't be right for those after a deeper, thoccy experience.

In the Acer Predator Aethon 330, these switchꦍes feel particularly hollow and scratchy. With the thinner keycaps, lack of sound dampening,꧂ and softer feel, they have a lethargic bounce past the point of actuation and can feel mushy as a result.

Software

There's no software associated with the Acer Predator Aethon 330. RGB lighting is configured directly on the board, with preset cycling available via a function layer. There's no way to set your own keybindings with on-the-fly macro programming, and the dual-functions that are explained in the manual are only indicated with ANS𒈔I layout keys, even when shipping in ISO.

Controls

Close up on dual-function keys on right side of Acer Predator Aethon 330 gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

As a result of that lack of software, y🧸our onboard controls are significantly limited. Yes, this is a 60% keyboard with all the usual dual-function controls, but there's no media control legends printed onto the deck and no mention of playback or volume settings in the manual. RGB can be shifted betwe🐽en 19 different settings, brightness can be raised or lowered, and speed can be shifted, but that's about it.

I wasn't expecting the world considering the price point, especially in the UK. However, you do get far more functionality from other brands' budget models. While you might be more limited to wired devices, and it's worth remembering this is only a Bluetooth connection, devices like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Cynosa V2 feature full software support for macro settings as well as dedicated media controls. Even Razer's more premium 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Huntsman Mini offers more functional controls in this 60% form factor, and it's reg🥂ularly available for less than the Acer Predator Aethon 330 in the US (though not in the UK).

There's another problem here. A dual-function has been doubled up. Hitti𒅌ng Fn and the question mark key es꧒sentially kills your access to arrow buttons, which would usually be accessed via a secondary layer. The problem is that the question key also shares its functionality with the up arrow, which means this directional button can - essentially - never be used.

In a super fun twist, while those arrow buttons are enabled, the question mark is also out of bounds. Hitting shift and then the key simply hig🤪hlights a portion of text. That's not something I've ever seen before.

Connection

The Acer Predator Aethon 330 does have one trick up♕ its sleeve that cheaper gaming keyboards in the US (and similarly priced models in the UK) don't. That Bluetooth functionality makes it a little more versatile than the wired-only RK Royal Kludge or Redragon dꦚecks that would otherwise offer better value overall.

This is a slower connection than the 2.4GHz you'll usually find on a gaming deck, and it's not fast enough to keep up with the rest of the market. However, if you play s🤡lower strategy or simulation games it's certainly enough to see you through. The Bluetooth connection was solid during my testing, though its range is limited.

Ac꧑tually setting up a new connection is a little hit and miss. The onboard controls didn't always work for me, simply flashing the RGB lighting without even pairing half the time. Once it's all up and running, though, there's space for three connections and an easy keybindin𒊎g to switch between them on the fly. I preferred to use the 1,000Hz wired connection during most of my gameplay, though.

Battery

Side view of Acer Predator Aethon 330 gaming keyboard showing all-white chassis and side of keycaps

(Image credit: Future)

Acer doesn't publicly state its battery life anywhere, but I managed to squeeze just under 30 hours of juice out of the device while running it without any RGB lighting. With those powerful LEDs on at full whack, I just about made it through a day of use. That's far from competitive, while 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:wireless gaming keyboards are generally more expensive than thisꦬ, there are models only slightly above that $100 price threshold༒ that perform much better.

The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair K65 Plus Wireless is only $50 more than the Acer Predator Aethon 330 is currently available for in the US, and packs a 266-hour no-RGB battery life. The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Cherry MX 8.2 is𝓀 $40 more in the US and I ma😼naged to get through just under a week of work and play on a single charge.

In the UK, things are a little diff📖erent. The £49.99 price tag on the Aethon across the pond works particularly hard to keep it relevant. You'll struggle to find a wireless deck from a mainstream brand for that cash, let alone one with a battery life that can compete. The Redragon K596 Pro RGB taps out at ten hours for around £60 - £70.

Typing

If you're a clicky-switch fan you'll enjoy the clack of these Kailh Blues under your fingertips - this switch design is favored among typists for its speed and low pressure requirements. That's all true of the Acer Predator Aethon 330, these are low-resistance clackers that only require a slight push to actuate down to their tactile click. They're far from the fastest on the market, and I found myself regularly droᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚpping a press accidentally, particularly on the space bar.

Still, that speed meant the Aethon 330 kept up more expensive 60% decks like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Alienware Pro Wirele🐻ss gaming keyboard and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile in my typing speed tesꩲt, even scoring a higher accuracy score than the heavier Alienware model.

The scratchy, mushier feel underneath that actuation point, and the louder reverb across the deck as a whole doesn't make the overall typing experience all that pleasant. Even if you're a fan of those clicky blue switches, there's too much going on elsewhere around the deck to truly appreciate them. The texture of the keycaps does make skating across the deck a little more comfortable than I had initially expected, though✅.

Gaming

Acer Predator Aethon 330 gaming keyboard with RGB enabled on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

Relying on a Bluetooth connection for gaming didn't give me the reaction speed I needed for particularly competitive endeavo🦄rs, but I was able to get some good twitch-reactions in with a wired s🌞etup. Those clicky switches made for a nice, speedy approach to Apex Legends and CS:2, even if their tactile bump is a little restrictive when it comes to repeat presses.

If you're mashing keys, you'll want to find y꧂ourself a deck with a linear s꧒witch feel, as the actuation notch here slows down speedier hits considerably.

The lack of software-level keybinding and macro settings was a little frustrating for more complex combo moments, especially if I usually rely on a turbo-key for repeated movements in certain action-advent🔯ure titles. On the whole, though, the Acer Predator Aethon 330 functioned well in-ga🎃me, with only a few missed inputs here and there. If you're playing slower titles you'll be fine, though anything ranked will need a more sophisticated deck.

Should you buy the Acer Predator Aethon 330?

Acer Predator Aethon 330 with packaging on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

In short, probably n✅ot - especially if you're in the US. Where the price currently sits at $99.99 the Aethon 330 doesn't just not offer enough value against the budget wireless market, it also comes with too many control sacrifices and outright problems. There are a number of gaming keyboards only $20 - $50 more expensive than this that offer far more features, faster 2.4GHz connection speeds, and sound-dampened builds.

In the UK, things are a little more complex. The lower £49.99 price tag is certainly enticing, it's extremely cheap for what it is - a wireless 60% gaming keyboard with solid RGB functionality. I'd still only recommend it t♚o those who like a blue clicky switch, need to spend less than £50, and 🌳want the versatility of a Bluetooth connection for productivity purposes while still flashing those LEDs during gameplay.

Ratings

Speed

3/5

Customization

2/5

Typing feel

2/5

Portability

3/5

Comfort

3/5

Controls

1/5

How I tested the Acer Predator Aethon 330

I used the Acer Predator Aethon 330 for all daily work and play for two weeks, testing in both Bluetooth and wired mode. I primarily used the deck for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and South of Midnight, while performing more specific tests in Apex Legends and CS:2. I fully charged the device on unboxing and ran the battery down multiple times during this process, both with RGB lighting fully enabled and switched off. I completed three one-minute tests on TypingTest.com, taking the average score across all as my final result. For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming keyboards, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also hunting down all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best membrane gaming keyboards if you're after something a little cheaper, or check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best hot-swappable keyboards and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer keyboards for a larger investment.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/acer-predator-aethon-330-review/ WdfPQYYxXzbksUPG8Fg9PY Wed, 07 May 2025 13:26:19 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Logitech’s MX Creative Console combines the might of a stream deck with the functionality of a video editing controller. Editing scroll wheels and multimedia joystick consoles are seldom seen these days thanks to convenient keyboard shortcuts and plugins for live streaming hardware, so there’s definitely room for more products that lean into the non-live aspects of content creation. While I do support new approaches to an existing mar꧂ket, it’s hard to ignore the context around this particular product.

Logitech acquired Loupedeck, one of the market leaders in this space, shortly before putting the MX Creative Console out. Loupedeck’s clever content creation tools, intuitive software, and various bits of 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:gear for live streaming put it on the map, offering a rare but viable alternative to Elgato’s lineup of Stream Decks. To see it be acquired by a bigger brand was disappointing, e♋specially since Loupedeck had a distinct identity.

Not only did Loupedeck get subsequently shutteꦉred by Logitech, but its software, which serviced even Razer’s stream controller lineup, was also given its last update. Around the same 🌃time, Logitech announced the MX Creative Console for $199.99 / £199.99. This blatant rebrand of Loupedeck’s hardware is backed by software that’s clearly been copied and pasted under Logi’s name, with Loupedeck’s engineers supposedly now working on it. Did this act of capitalist survival of the fittest lead to a better product? I’m not so sure.

Design

A reviewer using the MX Creative Console

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

The MX Creative Console takes the initials in its name from Logitech’s other peripherals aimed at working professionals. Most directly related is probably the MX Brio, a 4K webcam that doesn’t necessarily compete with the likes of 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer’s Kiyo Pro Ultra, but still feels like it’s bred for content creators. The Creative Console copies its steely grey visage in either its Pale Grey or Graphite colors, but splits the typical design of an 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Elgato Stream Deck into two halves.

On one hand, a wired keypad houses nine programmable buttons, with two function keys sitting💯 beneath them to change its “pages”. The other half of the console is a small, wireless Dialpad that’s home to a large wheel, four mappable buttons, and a scroller. The Dialpad is wireless, connecting via Bluetooth, while the keypad uses a single USB-C tether. Also included in the box is a stand, but I’ll talk more about that after I get some other technicalities out of the way.

MX Creative Console dimensions

MX Creative Dialpad
Height: 92.1 mm
Width: 93.7 mm
Depth: 33.8 mm
Weight: 128 g

MX Creative Keypad
Height: 91.7 mm
Width: 77.9 mm
Depth: 25.5 mm
Weight: 96 g

Stand
Height: 112.7 mm
Width: 58.5 mm
Depth: 20.5 mm
Weight: 61 g

The Dialpad works thanks to two AAA batteries, and a USB cable for the Keypad comes in the box. The main dial spins without any tactile notches to click through, although it has a stopper that means it doesn’t continue turning with the momentum of your twists. That’s the same for the secondary scroll wheel, although the grooves on it give it a bit more texture. The buttons on the Dialpad have a very short actuation, and Logi has done well to ensure they don’t ring out as too hollow when they’re used. The keys on the Keypad have a deeper membrane to them, and bright, vivid LCD displays within. These don’t click in very loudly, but press deeply enough that they don’t suffer from the same mis-press annoyances of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Stream Controller X. Besides a subtle dot texture on the bottom of the middle key, there honestly isn’t much more to talk about in terms of physical design here. It’s🐬 all very understated and would look right at hꦦome on a minimalist work-from-home desk.

Features

The MX Creative Dialpad on a desktop

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

A purchase of the MX Creative Console gets you a 3-month Adobe Creative membership, which is a nice bonus for anyone looking to make their own digital multimedia.𒉰🌱 Thanks to that, there are loads of specific uses for the Creative Console within the wider Adobe Suite, no matter if it’s InDesign, Audition, Photoshop, or Premiere Pro.

Of course, the big feature of a device like this is going to be its dedicated software, which in this case, feels like a reskin of what Loupedeck already had w✱orking for it. Rather confusingly, Logitech hasn’t placed this in a singular application of its own, nor has it put it alongside webcam adjustments in its Logi Tune software. Instead, the Console utilizes Logi Options+, the same application you’d use to customize the brand’s mice. I’m sure Logitech wanted to consolidate the amount of companion software for its users here, but it would have felt more appropriat💝e to do that in its webcam software, in my opinion, given that both are more likely to be used as content creation tools.

Image 1 of 2

The MX Creative Keypad being edited in Logi Options+ software

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)
Image 2 of 2

The Logi Options+ application showing the customization of the MX Creative Dialpad

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

If you’ve used Loupedeck’s software before, you’ll be familiar with what’s here. Most of the customization happens on a simple drag-and-drop system where you map each function to a key and see it cܫhange on the device in real time. There’s a really simple search function that means if you can’t find the exact thing you want, it’ll likely come up for you from a simple keyword. This is great, and I managed to set up the pages on my device in under 10 minutes.

The new software does feel a bit clunky, though, which I never felt with Loupedeck. I encountered a few more instances of the application essentially telling me what I was asking for wasn’t allowed, and customizing the two halves of the console separately prevents them from ever feeling like a cohesive whole. It doesn’t help that Loupedeck’s software always felt like it could be trusted to go about its business behind the scenes, never overstating itself or asking too much of a CPU. Logi Options+ creates a UI overlay that will sometimes appear over Windows, telling ജyou what functions you’ve pressed. A perfect example of this is the actions ring, which is constantly locked to one button on the Dialpad. It tries to centralize a lot of functionality, but it never feels useful enough to warrant a constant task manager process that’s nigh-on impossible to force close.

Performance

The MX Creative Console's keypad displaying Spotify functions

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

Programmable buttons are a great thing. Take it from me, someone who spends most of their gaming time using the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Azeron Cyborg II; I love making me some controller profiles. However, that relies on good software that makes the job easy, and doesn’t limit what your imagination wants to create. Trying to program Logi’s Dialpad in particular felt like a total pain, especially because the pre-installed ♈Adobe settings feel rigid, limited, and a bit immovable. Four (but really three thanks to the actions ring) buttons don’t feel like nearly enough for such in-depth software too, so there are a lot of annoying decisions and compromises to make when mapping what functions go where.

Firstly, the Dialpad didn’t have enough functionality to beat the convenience of a keyboard - I was frequently having to reach for another device on my desk to do basic things. Secondly, having the functi🐷ons of the Creative Console split over two separate devices feels really awkward and leads to a slower, more tiresome editing experience.

I wanted to set Premiere Pro’s razor tool to one of its buttons, b𓃲ut that option doesn’t appear in Logi’s software menus since it’s already pre-mapped to a Keypad button. Thinking outside of the box, I tried to set the keyboard shortcut for the razor tool (“c”), to the button I wanted to assign it to on the Dialpad. Unfortunately, that doesn’t work either because when you’re activelꦆy using an Adobe app, the Dailpad goes into its dedicated profile setting for that application, shutting off any regular Windows functions in the process.

It also sucked that within the most up-tജo-date version of Premiere Pro’s Control surface menus, I didn’t see the LogiPlugin that was needed for the Creative Console to be compatible. In Leyman’s terms, that meant that to actually use the Creative Console as a controller that speaks to the editing software, I had to go through some very questionable forum threads and download it for myself because Logi’s own backend support doesn’t offer it separately (or at least, not that I could find).

A reviewer using the MX Creative Dialpad

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

Then, when it finally came to actually editing with it for an hour, I wasn’t convinced it was making my life much easier. Anyone who’s spent a lot of time editing videos knows that muscle memory is a very important thing to build up, especially since suites like Premiere Pro have such a steep learning curve and a lot of less-than-intuitive keyboard assignments. Once you become experienced and learn its intricacies, though, you know that the keyboard has a lot of utility for you. Three buttons and two dials didn’t match up to the number of actions, shortcuts, and tools in this program, not even close. Even if twisting the central wheel o🐻f the Dialpad feels like a satisfying way to scrub through footage, it definitely wasn’t more efficient.

I put around an hour and a half total into testing the creative console as a video editing tool, and even after I’d built up some muscle memory, I found two problems. Firstly, the Dialpad didn’t have enough functionality to beat the convenience of a keyboard - I was frequently having to reach for another device on my desk to do basic things. Secondly, having the functions of the Creative Console split over two separate devices feels really awkward and leads to a slower, more tiresome editing experi🌼ence. Ultimately, I was more focused on the hardware I was using than I was on the project I was trying to create. I felt actively distracted while using it, and that’s the opposite of what you want.

The MX Creative Console's keypad

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

As a video editing tool, then, it’s a bit disappointing. I make video essays for YouT🎃ube, and although I love the creative aspects of cutting one together, I want hardware to help me streamline that process, and Logi’s Creative Console just feels clunkier than a typical keyboard in almost every way. Then again, a lot of people reading this will likely be drawn to it as a streaming controller for broadcasts, and that’s a lot easier to recommend it for.

Because Logitech’s Options+ software feels so similar to the drag-and-drop ease of Loupedeck’s now-retired software, it’s easy to set up pages and keybinds for the Keypad. Since Logitech also owns Streamlabs, it becomes a first-party controller𝓡 that feels right at home talking to another bit of sibling software. Outside of SLOBS, I didn’t manage to find any programs that weren’t supported. There’s a decent range of programmable functions here, between keyboard shortcuts, Windows functions, and app support. I have a Spotify page on the Keypad for controlling playback, a SLOBS page for switching between all my streaming scenes, and a general page for opening frequently used apps with the touchཧ of a button. The software is good, and the display of each key is nice and vibrant - no complaints there.

The stand for the MX Creative Console

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

Where I do have complaints is in the utterly useless stand for the Creative Console. The stand for the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Elgato Stream Deck+, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Loupedeck Live, and the Razer Stream Controller X all have sticky pads on their bottoms so that when you mount the device on it and press in one of the keys, the device stays put. The stand for the MX Creative Console simply isn’t fit for purpose. Maybe it’s because they intend both halves of the device to lie flat on your worktop, but surely the stand is in🔜tended to be used as more than just a holster for when you’re not using it. As soon as you press the keypad into this stand, it feels like it doesn’t fit correctly, and trying to actually use the keys on it sends it sliding across your desk.

It’s said that capitalism breeds innovation, but in the case of the MX Creative Cons♐ole, I’m not so sure that’s the case.

This isn’t exactly desi⛎gned to be a gaming device, but some Stream Deck users program macros to their keypad to use in clutch scenarios - that isn’t going to be an option here though, because pressing this in the heat of a Helldivers 2 bug swarm will push the poor thing straight off your desk.

Even if you manag♔e to bolt the keypad down to your desktop, I can’t help but feel the limited number of keys hamstrings it slightly. I had to cut down my usual pages from the Stream Controller X by three keys, which is fine for selecting apps to open, but not great when it comes to practical elements like switching stream scenes and having thatꦆ utility there without navigating menus.

Most of the time, the Dialpad feels totally surplus to requirements. As a massive fan of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best streaming mixers, I’d love to use this as an audio interfa𓂃ce, but Logitech doesn’t offer any support for this at the time of writing. Logi does pre-program some volume and scrolling functions into it, which I had to remind myself I could use. It also didn’t help that the Bluetooth connection goes to sleep after mere seconds of not using it. I like that this saves battery, but I’d like to not have to wait for a five-second reconnect between button presses, thank you. I’m not sure the receiver is the best in the Dialpad, either. If I lie it flat on my desk (as is suggested in the marketing materials), it often won’t connect at all, but if I prop it up in the stand, it’ll connect quicker. Maybe there’s some interference going on in my setup, but that’s just one more reason not to use a device that feels a little pointless in the first place.

Should you buy the MX Creative Console?

The MX Creative Console on a desktop

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

It’s said that capitalism breeds innovation, but in the case of the MX Creative Console, I’m not so sure that’s the case. This feels like Logitech saw what a great product range Loupedeck had made, wanted its particular piece of the market with an Adobe-tilted spin, and took a big bite out of the smaller fish.🐓 The result is a combination of controllers that I’m sure will suit certain digital creators, but isn’t as versatile as any of the products Loupedeck made.

With a lack of audio functionality, it feels half finished as a live streaming controller. With a small🐻er footprint on a desk, it feels more👍 immediately convenient for those without as much workspace, but its more complicated functionality and smaller number of keys pale in comparison to the similarly priced rivals already on the shelves.

Even in the Adobe software it was designed to be used in, the Creative Console feels really clunky. Content creation gear is all about harnessing the imagination of users so they can make things freely without distractions, convoluted processes, and compromises. The MღX Creative Console doesn’t help with any of ꦆthat, and in some cases actively brings them to light.

How I tested the MX Creative Console

I used the MX Creative Console for around two weeks before writing this review. In that time, I used it every day for general usageꦅ tasks at my desk, I used it for liv🍸e streaming and video editing with Adobe Premiere Pro, and I got to know its companion software very well.

I compared my experience closely with the Razer Stream Controller X, as well as with our coverage of the Loupedeck devices and Elgato’s Stream Decks. For more on how we test the latest content creation gear, check out the full澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询: GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.


On the hunt for streaming gear? Check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best webcams, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best capture cards, and the best microphones for streaming and gaming.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/peripherals/mx-creative-console-review/ 6AmAUzTxKiXX3DYuSYZTc Wed, 07 May 2025 12:51:22 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> As the gaming chair market has expanded, manufacturers have been exploring all sorts of quirks to help you relax in them. Most gaming chairs end up looking pretty similar to the compet🦩ition that already exists, but occasionally, you'll find the odd chair that really stands out from the crowd. There are chairs w🥂ith mesh backs, chairs that are beanbags, foldable gaming chairs, seats with floating backrests, and yes, even gaming couches and beds.

By far, though, the ones I get asked about most often are chairs with heated massage features, because boy, don't they sound nice. Who doesn't want a gaming chair that heats your body up in the winter and massages all your aches away while you work from home? That sounds like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming chair imaginable, doesn't it?

Well, pardon the pun, but I'm not sure these chairs can "back up" their allure. While they sound nice on paper, I usually disappoint people by telling them that these chairs often aren't worth the extra money you pay for them. Gaming chairs are expensive enough, but that's only the beginning of the problem with heated backrests and massaging gaming chairs. So please, beforeܫ you take the leap, allow me, your friendly neig🌺hbourhood chair reviewer, to talk you back down from the ledge. Here's why I'd argue against buying a massaging gaming chair.

Price

A marketing image of one of Elfordson's RGB massaging gaming chairs

(Image credit: Elfordson)

I know I literally just said it, but gaming chairs are already an expensive item to invest in. Not only that, but shopping for one feels very high-risk. It's not like you can take a trip down to the local gaming chair shop and park yourself in all the different ty🧸pes to try them out and see which suits you best. A lot of the time, you're sinking a small fortune (around $500 for a decent chair with lots of features) into something you'll have no idea you'll like.

Brands like Secretlab and Herman Miller charge a premium for their seats, and it's easy to come away from them having spent upwards of $700. Mid-range brands that still make great chairs are brands like Fractal Design, 🎐Boulies, Corsair, and AndaSeat. Even then, you're still parting with between $300-$500 to sit down in their products. Sure, there are the entry-level options that lie around the $200-300 mark, but my guess is that if you're looking for an all-singing, all-dancing massage chair, you won't be interested in compromising to one of the cheapest ones out there that only give you the bare bones.

Massaging gaming chairs can come from either end of the spectrum. Sometimes, from that upper echelon, and in the case of the Mavix M9, the massaging features add extra cost to an already pricey seat. Massaging/heated𝔉 chairs from Mavix and DXRacer can cost you anywhere from $600-$800. That's a whole lot of money to part with for one extra feature. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you've got options from Elfordson, which are a lot more affordable, but their chairs don't have th♓e strongest user reviews. No matter how much pain your back is in, I really don't see a chair being the solution.

They won't help your pain as much as you think

Mario and Sonic at the Olympics marketing image of the two characters sprinting next to one another

One of the biggest reasons people are drawn to massage chairs is that they have back pain complaints. Let me tell you, as someone who's been reviewing gaming chairs for the better part of three years, that this is a great reason to invest in one. Since I was a te♓enager, I've always carried stress in my back and shoulders, and one of the big ways I evaluate each gaming throne is by seeing how it helps or hinders that pain.

Posture support is an amazing feature of gaming chairs, but I'm going to burst your bubble right now. Posture support is just that - it's support, it's not a cure for your back pain.

Massage features are the exact same. Even if you hired a professional massage therapist to give you a bi-weekly rubdown, their help would only go so far. According to , the number one cause of chronic back pain is muscle atrophy - as in, muscles deteriorating so they can't properly support your spine, ligaments, and body weight. In fact, according to the , the , , , and pretty much any physiotherapy website I can see all argue that muscle deterioration comes before improper posture, genetics, or chronic conditions, and that exercise is the thing that will help you overcome your pain.

Now, don't get me wrong, a solid, posture-enhancing chair is absolutely going to aid you in your quest against back pain as well, but it isn't going to be a cure-all, nor an easy way out. Without speaking too broadly because your back pain might be due to a sp⭕ecific trauma or condition I don't know about, strengtheni🐼ng your back is going to be the long-term way to improve things for you.

The realities of massage chairs

Mavix M7's lumbar and back support

(Image credit: Future / Alistair Jones)

What's more, gaming chairs with massage features aren't really designed to cater to your specific back issues. You might have a specific point of pain, or a different somatotype (body build) from the people these chairs were designed around, so it's not like they can specifically target your area of💫 discom🍬fort.

Plus, have you ever tried a proper, non-gaming massageꦯ chair? I'm pretty sure at some point we've all sat in one of those giant coin-slot massage chairs you can find in shopping malls, at cinemas, or sometimes theme parks. Alternatively, maybe you have a grandparent or older relative who has a massage chair at home. If you have tried one, you'll know that these armchairs don't exactly "massage" you; they make you🅠 feel like you've been repeatedly hit by a truck, often worsening whatever pain you have.

Gaming chairs that have heated massage features, like the Mavix M7, don't go that far. Their motors aren't as powerful, and don't actually span the entire backrest, they mainly focus on a small portion of your lower back. When our new🤡s editor Ali reviewed that chair, he really enjoyed it, but did come away feeling as though the Elemax features are a luxury that don't necessarily warrant the extra money you pay.

Ali also noted that the practicalities of owning a heating, massaging chair aren't all that great. You'll need to plug it in to either charge it or power it when it's working. If you're worried about your energy bills already, thanks to a full gaming PC setup and all the tech you use on a daily basis (and constantly surging energy prices), this is going to be an extra expense for you. Plus, if you don't have a spare plug socket near where you sit, that'll be an inconvenience. Extra electrical parts also make for a trickier (and heavier) assembly process, which I know from assembling the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Fezibo Triple Motor L-Shaped Standing 🌺Desk.

A regular gaming chair with great lumbar support will be just as good for you

A closer look at the Razer Iskur V2 adjustable lumbar support

(Image credit: Benjamin Abbott)

While I wouldn't necessarily recommend that you fork out extra money on a gaming chair with massage features, there are plenty of chairs out there that give you great lumbar support that I would r♛ecommend investing in.

For starters, there's the go-to choice of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Iskur V2, which, although pricey, does have a partially floating backrest that lets you customize its lumbar support to suit you and the ♔positions you like to sit in.

Then there are ergonomic options like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Fractal Refine, which is our current pick for best overall gaming chair. It, like a lot of other chairs, has lumbar support you can customise both in its height and depth, and its mesh cosmetic options ensure the rest of your spine is supported in a healthy way. The best thing about the Fractal Refine's lumbar support, though, is that it has a secondary seat depth for when you want to sink into the chair a little deeper. This ensures that while you take a more relaxed and recline⛦d positioඣn, your lumbar and spinal column are still being supported by the chair's ergonomic design.

If you're okay with something a bit more traditional in terms of gaming chair design, why not opt for the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair TC500 Luxe, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Secretlab Titan Evo, or the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Boulies Master Series? All three of these feature adjustable lumbar support along with other features. While they won't heat you up or rub you down, they will give you everyth🐭ing you need to start conquering your back issues.


For more on gaming furniture, check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best console gaming chairs, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best pink gaming chairs, and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming desks.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/chairs/do-you-need-a-gaming-chair-with-massage-features/ UpmDyvyUrRAw8KjUixRZfU Fri, 02 May 2025 15:51:12 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> I broke my hand about ten years ago,ඣ and my wrist has never been quite right since. It's achy and stiff when held at an angle (or only moving slightly) for too much time, a problem I generally only run into when stress-testing gaming mice over longer periods of play. I was skeptical when the Keychron M5 showed up at my door, though cautiously optimistic.

We've all had friends waxing on about the benefits of vertical mice, and I've considered joining the gang a few times over the years. I never quite pulled the trigger bꦕut, after two weeks with this lop-sided fella, I can see the benefits - in some lights.

While it may have the 8K polling rate and extra control features of some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models, the M5 isn't going to replace an FPS-first pointer for most players. In some sessions it even presented more problems than it solved. However, if you're tired of cracking you✱r wrist after longer gaming✱ sessions, it could be worth a look.

Key Specs

Price

$69.99 / £69.99

Connection

2.4GHz, Bluetooth, Wired

Shape

Right-handed, vertical

Buttons

6

DPI

30,000

IPS

750

Switches

Huano 80M

Weight

95g

Battery

Up to 225 hours

Design

Th🌄is is the first time I've used a vertical mouse, but it only took about an hour of use for the upright 🦄position to feel natural. The wider base and increased pressure on the base of my thumb? That took a little longer.

Actually holding the Keychron M5 feels comfortable enough, though perhaps not immediately so compared to the hundreds of flat mice I have in my cupboards. This isn't a magical win for ergonomics - instead, its design places pressure on different places around the hand.

Hand holding Keychron M5 vertical mouse in a gaming setup

(Image credit: Future)

When I'm using a regular gaming mouse (I'm testing against the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX here) I notice a strain around the sides of my wrist. After a few hours with the M5 that pressure is more noticeable around my thumb and the base of my ha🌄nd. When I swap between the two I can feel different parts of my wrist relaxing and tensing - neither is more ☂comfortable than the other overall, but each offers something different.

It's the role that my thumb has to play that trips me up the most. While the M5 offers a generous rest on the left side, and a sturdy middle portion to grip with the rest of the palm, I'm squeezing the device a lot more than I would with a regular gaming mouse.ꦍ That's due in part to the shape, 💮I'm no longer sharing the load between my thumb, pinky, and a couple of fingers, but also the size.

Accuracy isn't the name of this game, maneuvering this larger, taller monster around finer aiming s🐽cenarios is a nightmare. The extra heft of a 95g chassis, reliance on thumb movements, and wider base meant ܫI'm miss-clicking a lot more in Google Chrome, let alone Apex Legends.

The whole thing just feels too clunky to truly be wieldable in an FPS or ev🍸en a faster action-adventure scenario. That much was obvious when I first started testing, but it's also remained true as I've grown used to the weight and shape of the chassis itself.

Back of Keychron M5 gaming mouse, showing wide base and left side buttons on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)

The actual chassis isn't decked ou𒆙t with anything particularly special. This is a cheaper-feeling plastic build with a hollow air to it and a non-descript all-black aesthetic. Visually, it could be from a top brand like Keychron or it could be Amazon Basics, I wouldn't know by either looking at or feeling it. That smooth material also gets a little clammy during longer sessions. Creaks are audible when the sides are pushed, though the plastic base never flexes.

Keep in mind, though, that this is a $69.99 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:wireless gaming mouse with an advertised 8,000Hz polling rate and 140-hour battery. I'll forg𒆙ive a basic design if the features are༒ all there.

Controls

Close up on side buttons and scroll wheel on Keychron M5 gaming mouse

(Image credit: Future)

The Keychron M5 benefits from all the usual side buttons you'll find on a regular gaming mouse, but also adds an additional scroll wheel on the left flank. The two, slightly glossy, si🍬de buttons are easily reachable, though the front clicker takes some readjusting to nail, and it only takes a small flick of the thumb to engage the⛦ notched wheel as well.

You don't normally get two of these on a gaming mouse, so I had to get preᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚtty creative thinking up ways to use it in-game. It functions beautifully as an additional accessory in sniper s🌜ituations in particular. I can keep my main scroll locked to my weapon wheel while scope-zooming on the other. That's really the only time I found myself using it. Though it's going to be a dream for video editors, it could have been far more useful had it also featured a scroll click.

Software

Screenshot of Keychron Launcher software with M5 gaming mouse customization options

(Image credit: Keychron)

Keychron doesn't rely on a full install for its customization options, everything is readily available via its . This is a simple interface that hides its in-depth features behind a basic coat of paint. It doesn't look like it's 𓄧ready to take on Razer Synapse or Logitech G Hub, but it's certainly winning in what it actually offers.

Keybinding and macro recording is easy enough, each taking up their own tab and offering a simple, intuitive process for setting up. Inputs are selected from a graphic at the top of the page, though these aren't updated once a keybinding is set, which can make it difficult to cycle through diffeꦆrent profile settings.

DPI is adjustable in increments of 100, all along a sliding sc🦂ale. There's no option to manually input your own numbers here, but the position can be fine-tuned with +/- buttons along the side๊. Each profile can house five DPI settings, with each one assigned to a color that displays under the mouse itself. Interestingly, the polling rate gets the same treatment.

This is the first time I've seen a gaming mouse allow you to cycle through different report rates on the device itself. Each stage (125Hz through to 8,000Hz) is represented by a different combination of red, white, and blue LEDs in a separate indicator portion on the bottom of the mouse. That's a supe🌼r easy way to keep track of your settings, especially when the software boots up fresh every time.

You've a🐈lso got access to lift-off distance settings with both 1mm and 2mm options available, as well as a shorter 0.7mm toggle (more on that later). Debounce time can also be configured across all five main keys, giving you a seriously detailed level of control over speed response.

All of those settings are saved directly onto the mouse so it's truly a set-and-fo🌄rget experience.

Connection

Underside of Keychron M5 gaming mouse showing DPI and report rate settings, power button, and sensor

(Image credit: Future)

For a cheaper gaming mouse, the Keychron M5 certainly outdoes itself in its wireless connections. Not only are you getting 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, and a wired port in here (the similarly priced 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Cougar Revenger Pro 4K and even more expensive mice like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed drop Bluetooth) but there's up⭕ to 8,000Hz polling rates available straight out the box.

With no need for an additional dongle to make the most of these speedier response times, Keychron certainly has one up over the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer mice 🐭in the polling department. Of course, that's only going to be a win for the most competitive among us - very few players truly require full 8K rates. Still, it's handy to have in your back pocket when picking up a cheaper gaming mouse.

Unfortunately, that 2.4GHz connection wasn't the most reliable in my testing. ꦍDespite still having plenty of battery left, I noticed the Keychron M5 stalling out every so often, spending a few seconds stuck before catching up. This was persistent even with every other receiver and Bluetooth s💙ignal removed from the setup.

Battery

Keychron M5 gaming mouse on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

This is an insane battery life. I normally charge all my gaming🍬 mice to 100% before running their 🐈batteries fully down. It's been two weeks of normal play and I'm still at 45%.

Keychron estimates that its rodent has 140 hours to live, and based on my usage that feels conservative. Of course, this is box fresh so mileage is going to deteriorate over time, but that's true of every mo♛use I test and very few make it through the whole testing period without needing a charge.

It's also true that this is at 1,000Hz (though there were a couple of hours of 4,000Hz and 8,000Hz gameplay in there). If you keep to higher polling rates 🏅you're going to see a significant drop in battery life.

Sensor

A Pixart PAW 3950 sensor keeps everything rolling here. That's a slightly boosted version of the sensor I was expecting from a $69.99 device. Most budget-conscious gaming mice use a Pixart 3395 (even more premium models like the $149.99 / £134.99 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse opt for this weaker version).

The 3950 can run at up𒀰 to 30,000 DPI with a 750 IPS tracking speed. That gives you slightly more room for high-sensitivity moments (though nobody is going to be reaching the top end of that DPI chart) and more hea🐲droom for reliable tracking at faster mouse speeds. The 3395 I usually see in gaming mice that don't use their own sensors, or modify Pixart's, runs at up to 26,000 DPI and 650 IPS.

Of course, most players aren't going to notice the difference between these two sens🌄ors from sensitivity and tracking speed alone. There are other benefits present here that are impressive for the price.

The Pixart 3950 also benefits from that lower 0.7mm lift-off distance, which can be helpful if you'🍬re playing wit☂h a higher DPI and need to quickly readjust more frequently. It's also a more efficient sensor overall, which helps ensure that robust battery life as well.

The 3950 also maintains the key feature benefits of the older sensor as well, with angle snapping (for more rigid movements free of smaller jitters) and ripple control (f🍃or keeping high-DPI movements smooth).

Everything ran smoothly in the Keychron M5. The sensor kept up with faster gameplay moments well, matching high-speed movements with strong accuracy and keeping motion free from any stutter. My wilder 🍎panic-sweeps in Apex Legends felt 1:1 with the mouse's actual position, even at high speeds.

Switches

Keychron M5 gaming mouse main clicks on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)

The Keychron M5 uses Huano's switches under its clickers, with a satisfying snap and a noticeably heavier feel compared to more esports-focused models ﷽like Logitech's Lightf🏅orce switches or Razer's Gen 3 Optical clackers. I like the heavier feel in this iteration, though. The angle of the main clicks means they could easily be accidentally pressed if a shorter.

I naturally pr🃏efer a shorter, crisper switch, and the M5 can ru♉n the risk of feeling a little hollow, especially around the side buttons. However, considering the size and shape, these feel like well-tuned switches overall.

Should you buy the Keychron M5?

Keychron M5 gaming mouse with packaging on a wooden desk with blue lighting in the background

(Image credit: Future)

The Keychron M5 is a very capable gaming mouse if you don't like the strain of a regular-shaped device and don't play particularly competitively. Whiღle it's too heavy to truly be considered a competitive device, and its larger form is too cumbersome to twitch into finer movements, it's comfortable and speedy enough for longer single-player sessions. I did note some 2.4GHz connection dropouts, and the shape isn't a cure-all for wrist or hand ache. However, if you're already used to a vertical pointer and want a new device that can take on your Steam🀅 library just as well as it can your spreadsheets, this is a fantastically priced device.

Ratings

Comfort

4/5

Speed

3/5

Programmability

5/5

Connectivity

3/5

Battery life

5/5

How I tested the Keychron M5

I used the Keychron M5 for two weeks, running the device for all my daily work and play (currently Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and South of Midnight). I also stress-tested the mouse in Apex Legends and CS2. For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming mice, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also rounding up all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best left-handed gaming mice on the market, as well as the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer mouse models and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Logitech gaming mouse models available as well.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-mice/keychron-m5-review/ BZVLU6QEiwe5uZSmtHTG7j Fri, 02 May 2025 12:23:24 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> I've been using content creation gear for just shy of a decade, and I'd argue the most important thing to invest in is a good microphone. These really are front and centre in any streaming and gaming setup, and since there are so many to choose from, it𒉰 can be tricky knowing which one is worth spending on. For most people, the easiest thing to do is to start out simple with a USB microphone. These tend to be around the $130 price point, and they're more than capable before you move on to a more complicated XLR loadout.

XLR ꦚmics are often more expensive, too. They do give you more professional sound quality and mixing potential, but along with higher price tags, they also require a streaming mixer or audio interface. It isn't every day you see an XLR mic that's under that typical USB markup of $130, but in my opinion, one of the most underrated XLR options is flying heavily under the radar right these days. The Rode PodMic is discounted down to , which, even for a slightly older peripheral, is a serious bargain.

I can't think of a time when I've seen a professional-grade XLR microphone like this one drop down in price to below the level of most USB options, especially when the 澳洲幸运5开奖🍨号码历史查询:best micropꦉhone for streaming and gaming market is so competitive. Rode is easily one of theꦏ best audio manufacturers in the space, too, and can charge a premium price for its products. With this price though, it's beat💦ing Shure, SteelSeries, Logitech, and more.

Rode PodMic |
Save $50 - On further inspection, the Rode PodMic hasn't been up at its full price in a while♎ now. According to the price data I'm seeing, it spends most of its ꦇtime these days hanging around the $100 mark. But that doesn't mean this deal is worse - the product you get for the money here, compared with the other options on the shelves, makes it a real bargain.

Buy it if:

✅ You're looking for a solid XLR microphone
✅ You want to keep costs down
✅ You have an audio interface to use with it

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want the plug-and-play simplicity of USB
❌ You can afford a hybrid USB-XLR mic

UK:

Should you buy the Rode PodMic?

RODE PodMic USB connected with an XLR cable

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

In truth, I can't really think of a reason not to recommend the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Rode PodMic when it's at this price. This is a microphone that, largely, has flown under the radar for a lo𝓀t of streamers, but itꦰ's been a staple of the market for years now.

Back when I was the station manager of my university radio station, we used these mics exclusively, and they were truly excellent for any podcasting and broadcasting that my fellow students and I wanted to do. They had the professional quality you'd expect from an XLR mic from one of the biggest names in the sector, but they were approachable too. Sometimes when transitioning to dynamic XLR mics💫, there's a real learning curve with mic etiquette as they take a more careful voice to wield. The Rode PodMic isn't like that. As long as you have a general idea of how to position it in front of you, it's surprisingly easy to use.

I do have some small caveats while recommending this peripheral, though. The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Rode PodMic USB is a newer model that squashes the US🍬B vs XLR debate into one convenient device. It's however, so you'll need to decide if the added versatility of having USB ꦐconnectivity as well is worth it for you.

The other thing to consider is that with any XLR mic, you'll need to think about buying one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best streaming mixers to hook it up to. This can seem like an annoying extra step, which makes an XLR setup more of a next-step investment for those taking their content creation to new levels. But when you can get an XLR mic this good for this cheap, it might be worth thinking about making the transition. A decent streaming mixer can open up loads of possibilities for you when it comes to live streaming - it's the one bit of 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:streaming gear I thꦿink can make the biggest dif🐈ference to content creators.


Looking to up your content creation game? Check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best capture cards, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best webcams, and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best ring lights for streamers.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/peripherals/the-rode-podmic-is-one-of-the-most-underrated-streaming-mics-on-the-shelves-and-its-a-steal-at-just-usd99-right-now/ NZEnZNwygq45GyryukiQY9 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 11:30:35 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> The Cherry MX 3.1 is a soft, velvety keyboard that pairs the brand's newer MX2A switches with a robust dampening system and smooth keycaps for a particularly pillowy typing feel. This is about smooth a gaming keyboard as you'll find, but whether or not that's a good thing depends on how precise you are🦩 and how fast you need to move across deck.

At $119.99 / £119.99, Cherry is undercutting a lot of the more expensive flagship decks on the markets. A full-sized Razer deck can cost you north of $200, but if you're after a softer typing feel and high-end mechanical switches Cherry's looking particularly strong right now. No, it doesn't feature the customizable switches of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards on the m🧸arket, but in the right hands it cಌould well be a perfect fit.

Key Specs

Price

$119.99 / £119.99

Type

Mechanical

Connection

Wired

Size

Full

Switches

Cherry MX2A

Keycaps

ABS

Media keys

Dedicated

Wrist rest

None

USB passthrough

None

Design

Cherry MX 3.1 gaming keyboard with blue RGB lighting on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

The Cherry MX 3.1 is simultaneously familiar and distinct in its design. The all-white top plate and keycaps are instantly recognizable from previous releases like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Cherry MX 8.2 and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Cherry XTRFY K5V2 of yore. And yet, peering just underneath that is🐓 a💟 silver aluminum chassis unlike anything I've seen on a gaming keyboard before.

A dappled metallic finish keeps things interesting, but not as visually striking as the windowed RGB lighting on each side. It doesn't exactly shine onto the surface below, so it never catches my eye when I'm usin🐭g the keyboard face on. It's sti❀ll a nifty look, though, and shows how far Cherry has double down on its looks after its fairly boring earlier releases.

The main deck plate and sides are all constructed from a solid plastic, with those silver panels at the top and bottom being aluminuღm. There's an oddity to this design, though, that helps the Cherry MX 3.1 stand out. A hollowed-out channel runs along the top and bottom of the deck via this metal plating.♏ At first I thought this was a cable management runner, but it looks like it's purely aesthetic. It's a neat stand system, though I would have preferred built-in feet to the easily losable screws included in the box.

Build quality

Side view of Cherry MX 3.1 gaming keyboard showing RGB lighting and aluminum borders

(Image credit: Future)

All of that makes for an interesting split between angular looks and soft feel. That plastic is pretty harshly cut on the sides, and the cut-out for the cable at the top is similarly boxy. However, the ABS keycaps, and sw🀅itches overall, feel particularly smooth under the fingertip𒆙s.

Everything is solidly put together, with a strong top plate only slightly yielding to pressure when I actively force it down. The aluminum chassis keeps eve▨rything s💫turdy on the desk. I'm not used to having a full-sized model in the center of my space, but it managed to survive all my mouse knocks without shifting out of place.

There's also a particularly satisfying amount of sound damp🥃ening going on inside the chassis. That means I experienced absolutely no switch pings or echoes during my testing, and every bottom-out feels cushioned with a bouncy spring back to full height.

Keycaps

Close up on WASD key caps on Cherry MX 3.1 gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

I'm impressed with these caps, and that's not something I often find myself saying about ABS models. Rather than feeling shiny and oily, like the cheaper clackers on the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair K70 Pro TKL, they simply feel comfortable and smooth. I na𝓀turally prefer a more textured PBT, but this is a rare instanceꦕ of ABS not feeling like a cheap-out.

Ergonomics

Close up on screw-in height adjustment feet on Cherry MX 3.1 gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

Unlike more compact 60%, 65%, or even TKL gaming keyboards, a full-sized model comes with its own ergonomic benefits. Keys are well-spaced on the Cherry MX 3.1, which 🌠means I'm not hunched over a small selection of clickers, but sitting comfortably with my shoulders nicely apart. I find that with smaller models, whi𒅌le they do allow for wider mouse movements, I'm often reaching too far over to the left to compensate.

Rather than using inbuilt folding feet for elevation, however, Cherry has opted for a set of two screw-in toppers. They're installed by plucking the existing covers out of the keyboard and simply twirling the taller feet in. That does leave you with two extrꦺa parts, small enough to lose pretty much instantly.

I'm not a fan of this method. While the feet themselves are 🍷sturdy, and the screw design means they don't fall out from under the keyboard when pushed up and down the desk (like regular hinge models), 🌼they don't provide as much elevation as I've seen in other decks. There's also only one height option, whereas most models offer two.

Switches

Cherry MX 3.1 arrow keys with caps removed to show switches underneath

(Image credit: Future)

The deck I've been testing uses Cherry ꦰMX2A Silent Red clickers, your classic red linears with a slightly a slightly shorter 1.9m🎃m of pre-travel and 3.7mm total travel (compared to the previous generation MX Reds).

That means they're swift, soft, and smooth, with a relaxed feel that lends itself well to both typing and gameplay. This is the second generation of Cherry switches, offering factory lubrication and contactless motion to avoid😼 the scratchy feel that plagued many before them, while also moving over to a new spring design that maintains uniformity in rapid keypresses.

That's what Cherry's said at least. I've noticed significantly less rattle and scratching in my time with these clickers, and a nicely energetic return to full height as well. While the landing can sometimes err on the s🐠ide of mushy, as is common with shorter linears, it'sꦚ a comfortable experience if you're opting for a quieter switch.

I still cannot, for the life ofꦬ me, work out why Cherry's keyboards aren't hot-swappable considering the brand is one of the biggest manufacturers of individual switches on the market - but there we go.

Software

The Cherry MX 3.1 relies on the Cherry Utility Software for basic key mapping and RGB settings. This is a lightweight program with no ads, no heavy CPU loads (accounting for 0.1% during my usage), and simple, streamlined access to controls. It's refreshing after w𓆏ading through SteelSeries' marketing or Razer's nested menus, though with simple mechanical switches and no wireless connections there's not a whole lot you can do with it.

Each key is programmed through its own 'Action', a setup that adds an extra step over others but is easy en𝓀ough to work through. From there, you can create a macro (though yoꦿu can't save them to use across additional keys), replace the input, select a PC function or input custom text. Everything is saved across a series of profiles, listed on the left.

RGB settings are 🀅clean and simple, offering a range of different presets for both the keys and side lighting areas as well as🃏 a slider for speed. Per-key effects are also available.

There's no ability to ♔tie your profiles to specific games like you'll find in most brands' programs and no SOCD set🍬tings to configure either.

Controls

Close up on media control keys on Cherry MX 3.1 keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

Full-sized decks are rarely lacking in onboard controls, and the Cherry MX 3.1 has you covered for all the basics. You've got every key you'd expect from a full plank here, as well as dedicated media playback options and additional functions up top. This is where you'll find the volume settings - unfortunately, Cherry doesn't include a dedicated volume roller or co🅠ntrol dial like many others. Instead, that top-bezel space is shaved off and you'll be hiܫtting that Fn key to change your settings on the fly (should you not wish to remap in the software).

Connection

USB-C port on Cherry MX 3.1 gaming keyboard, with aluminum cover and cut-out

(Image credit: Future)

This is a fully wired affair, with a USB-C port located inside of a particularly angular crevice in the top center of the deck. It's a simple plug and play deck, with🔴 a 1,000Hz polling rate and a braided cable supplied. It would be tough to find a full-sized wireless deck for a similar price point, and they're rare these days.

A wireless connection is great for keeping cables off your desk, yes, but it's primary benefit is portability. There aren't many players lugging a ful♒l-sized keyboard around wi꧒th them these days, which is why you'll find more 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections in more compact models.

Typing

Cherry MX 3.1 gaming keyboard with RGB lighting off on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

This is a particularly comfortable typing experience, but not the most satisfying. The softer feel means less strain on the fingers over a long period of time but a less tactile thunk to each key overall. I typed for about 13 hours in one stretch during my testing, and never felt the fatigue I would have on something stiffer like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Endgame Gear KB65HE or 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3🌼, but I did miss that more robust switch feel at the time.

I averaged a typing speed of 94 WPM with the Cherry MX 3.1 at the helm, running at 93% accuracy. That's slightly towards the lower end of my usual scores, with precision taking the larger ⛎hit.

The comparison below takes a spread of the mechanical gaming keyboards at the top of their categories as well as a range of Cherry alternatives and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Ducky One X (a similar-feeling full-sized deck, with inductive switches). Most notably, the Cherry MX 3.1 comes at the sameꦿ speed as the MX 8.2, but with a reduced accuracy.

Gaming

Th✨is is about as simple as gaming keyboards come with no adjustable switches, debounce settings, or game mode features to play with. Of course, you're still getting the n-key rollover you'd expect from a deck in 2025, but that's about it.

It's certainly not unplayable, but considering there are cheaper wired keyboards out there busting with more g✨aming-specific personalization options it's not the best value experience on the mark𓆉et. This feels more like a cozy setup item than a companion to enhance your gameplay experience.

Sti𝄹ll, I was able to strafe and glide like the rest of them in more competitive games, with easy macro and keybinding options in the software and snappy inputs registering at a tap. The full-size design isn't the best for FPS titles, especiaꦕlly if you want to fine-tune your mouse's sensitivity for more precise controls (and therefore wider sweeps).

However, I was able to stay nimble in single-player adventures like Indiana Jones and the𓆏 Great Circle while still enjoying a wide enough key spacing to reliably hit additional commands without any accidental presses.

Should you buy the Cherry MX 3.1?

Cherry MX 3.1 gaming keyboard with packaging, cable and elevation feet on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

If you use your keyboard for work 80% of the time and for play 20% of the time, prefer a softer switch feel, and don't want keyboard clack ruining your audio, the Cherry MX 3.1 could well be a wise purchase. It's not got the chops of more substantial gaming decks like the $219.99 SteelSerie🎐s Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 or $179 Ducky One X (for a full-sized comparison), but it ticks along in-game nicely with a bas♉ic set of keybinding and RGB lighting software controls at your disposal.

If you need a performance-focused keyboard for more competitive endeavors, I'd recommend something that prioritizes speed and tactility over additional controls and comfort. The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid is excellent value, packing in Hall effect switches and a set of slick PBT keycaps at $169.99, or the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair K65 Plus Wireless at $159.99.

That s𒁏aid, Cherry is occ⛎upying a particularly lucrative price point here. There aren't many gaming keyboards nearing that $100 threshold, and even fewer doing so with a full number pad attached.

Ratings

Speed

4/5

Customization

2/5

Typing feel

3/5

Portability

1/5

Comfort

4/5

Controls

4/5

How I tested the Cherry MX 3.1

I used the Cherry MX 3.1 across both work and play for one week, while also comparing directly against the Ducky One X and Cherry MX 8.2. In that time I primarily played Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Fallout 4, while also testing in Apex Legends specifically. I also performed three typing tests, taking the average of all three as my final score for comparison. For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming keyboards, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

If you need to cut the cord, check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming keyboards on the market, or take a look at the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best hot-swappable keyboards available for more switch options. I'm also rounding up the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best membrane keyboards for cheaper alternatives as well.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/cherry-mx-3-1-review/ mymxAJBzBFQfuQDugKaw7C Fri, 25 Apr 2025 16:04:49 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Cherry has released a new switch this week, dropping the MX Northern Light at Amazon for $29.99 🎃/ £29.99. The linear clickers offer a super soft feel with a quieter auditory profile that look set to give those after a creamier experience something ne🀅w to play with.

Northern Light switches are currently available in stacks of 36 and are the newest releases by the brand since it launched the MX Silent Clear at Computex last year. The clickers feature a total 3.7mm travel, coming in slightly shorter than traditional 4mm linear offerings found in some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards, with 45cN𝐆 actuation force. Actuation occurs at 1.6mm of travel, making for a light, bouncy resp🍨onse.

Cherry MX Northern Light Switch Kit |
Cherry's new MX Northern Light switches are availabl🍷e in batches of 36, with one set coming in at $29.99. They were officially available starting April 17, but Amazon's delivery might take a little longer - these aren't covered by Prime. That wait is extended even longer in the UK.

Buy it if:

You prefer quiet switches
You like a dampened feel
You prefer linear mechanisms

Don't buy it if:

You're used to a tactile bump

UK:

The Cherry MX Northern Light switch has been designed to replicate the aesthetics of the Northern Lights, with a deep blue chassis, translucent 🌜gray top and a dark gray stem. The sound profile is also promised to be just as serene.

Cherry characterizes its Northern Lights switches as "whisper-quiet," which means they're going to appeal far more to those aft💦er a cosy, creamy setup than those who prefer a thoccier clunk to their keypresses.

Cherry MX Northern Light Switches on a purple background

(Image credit: Cherry)

Each switch is factory-lubed and features a sound dampening spring inside the main chassis that will further reduce echoes across the deck. It's a refreshing design considering Cherry MX switches have always run the risk of feeling a little scratchy, 🅺at least in their early implementations.

Gamers are also welcome here, with a <1ms bounce time and that shorter actuation working to keep things nimble on the battlefield.

Shipping in boxes of 36, you'll need four stacks to cover 𒆙you for a full-sized deck ($119.96 in total), three lots for a 75% keyboard ($89.97), and two boxes for a 60% model ($59.98).

I'm also rounding up all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming keyboards and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best hot-swappable keyboards on the market. Or, take a look at the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best membrane gaming keyboards for something a little cheaper.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/cherrys-new-limited-edition-mx-northern-lights-switch-kit-sounds-like-the-perfect-fit-for-cozy-gamers/ QiMJKAqmue7gsta8byYHym Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:48:30 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Last month, Razer dropped a new colorway of⛦ one of its most impressive gaming keyboards to date. The white Ra𒉰zer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini instantly caught my attention, plugging the brand's analog switches into a compact form factor and making the most of them with neat dual-step functions that actually made sense for a 60% deck.

I've spent the last two weeks tinkering with the not-Hall-effect-don't-ever-say-that deck, and it's quickly become one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards in my arsenal ri▨ght now. And it's all thanks to on♏e Synapse setting.

Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini |
With Razer's Analog switches in tow, the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini offers a super adjustable alternative to Hall effe🥂ct gaming keyboards, packing all the same features plus additional thumbstick-like movement. At $179.99 it's a litt⛦le more premium, but actually sits at the same price as many flagship 60% decks from brands like Corsair and Logitech.

Buy it if:

You play racing or stealth games
You like a smaller form factor
You don't like the tension of a🎃 Hall effect switch

Don't buy it if:

You like a sound dampened typing experience

UK:

Screenshot of Razer Synapse showing analog settings for Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini

(Image credit: Future)

Hitting that single 'Bind' box allows the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini to act more like a controller than I would have ever imagined a keyboard could. It uses the Razer Analog switches to mimic the more finely tune☂d control scheme of a thumbstick.

That means WASD ✱stops being an on/off input and instead mimics the variable pressure that one may make o🍬n a stick at any moment in play. That's not a Hall effect feature, that's an Analog feature.

Hall effect gam🅘ing key♛boards are coming up fast. Instead of just relying on the closing of a circuit to actuate their switches, like mechanical decks, they offer more variation in different actuation points by measuring the magnetic field as the key is pushed. That means you can set one input (say W for walk forwards) for a half press and another (Shift+W for run forwards) for a full press.

That still only le🍷aves you with walk or run, Ra༒zer goes in between.

I've been using the Huntsman💛 V3 Pro Mini for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle over the last few days, and it's kept my controller firmly on the shelf. I've got the freedom to creep around as slowly as🍷 I want while still having the speed of super sensitive surrounding keys should I need them. Throw a couple of racing games into the mix and this could be a silver bullet for the right Steam library.

Close up on Razer logo of the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini gaming keyboard with RGB underglow on white chassis

(Image credit: Future)

Of course, this isn't the first time Razer's Analog switches have been in the limelight. Before the world of mainstream gaming keyboards fully accepted the Hall effect switch, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Huntsman V2 Analog brought the adjustable clickers to the market.

Even if you're not a fan of the 60% form factor (I wasn't before I tried this deck, but the dual-step arrow keys certainly saved it), the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Huntsman V3 Pro offers a full-siꦉzed experience with the same clickers under the hood. Both of these full-sized keyboards give you more controls to work with if you're concerned about scaling all the way down.

Close up on Analog Optical switch inside Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

♉There's one drawback to the V3 Pro Mini, but even as a typing feel snob I can get past it to have access to these extra features. There's pretty much no sound dampening in this deck, and these switches have a tendency to rattle.

It'sꩲ a lot to begin with, especially if you're used to a quieter deck. However, if this is your first move away from mechanical keyboar💎ds you may prefer the additional feedback compared to some of the stiffer Hall effect models out there.

This isn't the first 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer gaming keyboard I've tried with 𒆙these Analඣog switches up front, but since the world of Hall effect decks has opened up it's certainly the first one I've enjoyed this much.

Maybe I'm more primed to experiment with actuation settings now that I've had ꦕmy hands on more magnetic models, or maybe it just landed with me at the perfect game, but I've got a few keyboards to test over the next few weeks and I'll be waiting for the day I can return to the Huntsman.

I'm also hunting down all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming keyboards on the market, as well as the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best hot-swappable keyboards available now. Or, for the full setup, check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models I've tested so far.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/razers-latest-keyboard-has-me-falling-in-love-with-its-analog-switches-all-over-again/ MzpgY4vMg2BAYzysH6yfAD Mon, 21 Apr 2025 10:30:00 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> The Cougar Revenger Pro 4K is a tricky one. It launched at $69.99 in the US, but has been pretty much impossible to find at that price recently, with Amazon currently only listing a f𒁃ew at around $95. At its MSRP, it's well worth a look - undercutting more mainstream brands with 4,000Hz wireless polling (🎶in theory), a solid Pixart 3395 sensor, and a fantastic battery life. If things stay near $100, though, things aren't quite so clear.

This is the threshold where some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models on the market come to play, and with a cheaper build quality and a problematic 4,000🧸Hz polling dongle, the Revenger is going to struggle.

Key Specs

Price

$69.99 (MSRP), $95 - $105 when tested

Connection

2.4GHz / Wired

Shape

Right-handed

Buttons

6

DPI

26,000

IPS

650

Switches

Omron 70M Optical

Weight

55g

Battery

Up to 150 hours (1,🉐000Hz), up to 45 hours (4,000Hz)

Max polling rate

4,000Hz wireless

Cougar Revenger Pro 4K:

Design

Cougar Revenger Pro 4K gaming mouse in-hand of reviewer

(Image credit: Future)

Cougar sent me both a black and white colorway of its symmetrical gaming mouse, and I instantly ripped open the white model first. It's a slick aesthetic, with a clean white chassis and jet black side buttons and scroll wheel quickly reminding me of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Endgame Gear OP1 8K, only without that cable sticking out the front.

The black version is🥂 more tame, after all this is the colorway many come to expect f♔rom their gaming mice, but it's still elevated with a brassy 'Cougar' logo stamped on the side. That's the only piece of branding you'll find topside, making for a nice relief from the RGB logos and etched stamps of other designs. The white model looks crisper, but it's certainly harder to keep clean. It's a magnet for the everyday grime of daily life.

Both pointers are covered with a soft-touch finish over plastic chassis', imitating the less textured surfaces of mice like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper V3 Pro and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Alienware Pro Wireless. While these pointers manage to stay grippy, though, the Cougar Revenger Pro 4K can sometimes slip. Grip tape is included in the box and I only noticed the rodent gett🧸ing away from me dꦅuring faster combat moments, but it's not quite as solid a surface as you'll find from more mainstream devices.

Cougar Revenger Pro 4K black and white gaming mice on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

This is a cheaper gaming mouse, with (at MSRP) a $70 price tag, and there are signs. Squeezing the Revenger's sides revealed more creaking than I found on the similarly priced 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed and there's a considerable amount of flex when squeezed from the top and bottom. Thesꦛe aren't going to impact your day to day play with the device, but do raise some concerns over longer term du💃rability.

At 124 x 65 x 38mm, the Cougar Revenger Pro 4K is slightly larger than the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Glorious Model O 2 Mini in all regards, with a taller hump along the back offering better purchase for a palm hold in particular. It's roughly the s𒊎ame width and length as the Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed, but slightly lowers the maximum height from 41mm to 38mm. That's a slightly more well-rounded set of dimensions than either the flatter (fingertip / claw-friendly) Glorious model or the more palm-minded Viper.

I found it comfortable enough to run with my usual claw grip most of the time, with enough space at the rear for finer pivot movements between the base of the mouse a𝔉nd my palm 🅷and a slightly indented left flank making for a secure hold overall.

Side view of Cougar Revenger Pro 4K gaming mouse showing side buttons and logo

(Image credit: Future)

What's perhaps more impressive is its weight. The Cougar Revenger Pro 4K squeezes everything down into a 55g form factor - that's lighter than the majority of models on the market at this price. Keeping things nimble on the battlefield is always a goal, but making sure that weight is balanced and sturdy can trip smaller brands. Cougar has navigated this line particularly well, beating the Alienware Pro Wireless, 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX, and Glorious Model O 2 Mini in the weight arena while still feeling gᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚrounded at the same time.

Features

With a Pixart 3395 sensor and Omron optical switches, the Cougar Revenger Pro isn't doing anything particularly innovative in its components. This is a classic 26K DPI / 650 IPS optical eye seen in a number of competitors' devices, from Alienware to Glorious, and it represents some of the best value for money on the market right now. A newer 30K DPI / 750 IPS Pixart 3950 has hit the shelves since the heyday of this tracker, but at this mid-range po🌟sition the 3395 represents the bests of both performance and affordability.

Hand holding Cougar Revenger Pro 4K gaming mouse showing underside with power settings and sensor

(Image credit: Future)

Those switches offer a deep, responsive click with a little more travel distance than more esports-focused pointers. That's not necessarily a bad thing, on the contrary these clickers pro🧜vide just enough tension to꧅ avoid accidental presses while remaining fast and comfortable during repeat inputs. They're crisper-feeling than the mechanical switches inside the similarly-priced Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed, which can feel soft by comparison. That optical design also means actuation can run a little faster as well.

Polling rate is a bigger issue for competitive players, but if you're finding yourself climbing the leaderboards and don't want to splash out on a flagship speedster like the Viper V3 Pro or Logitech G Pro X Superlight it's worth noting you can bump up to 4,000Hz wireless polling. That's a happy medium for me, 1,000Hz will serve the vast majority of players just fine - the increase in speed as you climb that ladder will only be noticed by the top 1% of competitors. However, if you do want a little more juice just in case, Cougar readily provides without making you p✃ay for unnecessary 8,000Hz rates. It should be noted now, though, that I do have some concerns over that 4,000Hz polling mode.

Some more expensive mice can accommodate a wide range of polling rates from one dongle, for others it's a little more complicated. Like some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer mice, you'll need to use a separate receiver when scaling all the way up to 4,000Hz though, un𝓰like Razer, it's included in the box. That's a blessing and a curse - you won't need to shell out for an additional accessory, but splitting the two receivers is a headache. I can only see myself losing one and being stuck with the other, and switching a full USB around every time I want to adjust my polling rate gets tiresome quickly.

Cougar Revenger Pro 4K gaming mouse with 4,000Hz receiver

(Image credit: Future)

There's a silver lining here, while the 4K dongle is huge and requires a cabled connection anyway (tough luck if you're trying to cut down on your wires by opting for a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:wireless gaming mouse), keeping it separate does make the Cougar Revenger Pro 4K more portable. Unli꧋ke the Razer Viper V3 Pro, which needs the full kit to work, it's much easier to simply pack the 1,000Hz receiver when travelling.

Unlike many cheaper gaming mice from 🧜smaller brands, the Revenger Pro 4K does have its own software. This is far simpler than competitors' options, but it does offer a clean and efficient interface for setting keybindings, fiddling with DPI settings, changing polling rates, and configuring lift-off distance. There are also a few additional customization options for angle snapping and ripple control to toggle on and off as wellꦜ.

All in all, it's a light and breezy so♛ftware with simple controls and intuitive menu systems. It's not as flashy as SteelSeries Engine or in-depth as Synapse, but it gets the job done without tanking your system.

Cougar Revenger Pro 4K gaming mouse with cable, 2.4GHz receivers, and grip tape on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

The battery life is phenomenal. I was skeptical when I first saw that 150-hour figure from Cougar itself. That's the longest-lasting rechargeable 2.4GHz battery life I've seen in a mouse weighing just 55g, and it really does live up to that estimate. I ran the mouse for four weeks before that little red LED starting flashing at me, that's at between eight and ten hours on weekdays and three to four hours per weekend day. The hardest working gaming mice I've tested so far are the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K at 140 hours, the Alienware Pro Wireless at 120 hours, and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Turtle Beach Kone II Air at 130 hours, and the Cougar has them beat.

So what's missing from similarly priced mice? The Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed ($69.99) can bump those speeds up to 8,000Hz, but you'll need to buy a separate receiver to get there, and adds 'Dynamic Sensitivity' to its sensor allowing for a more natural DPI curve based on your movement speed. The MSI Clutch GM31 ($69.99, though regularly on sale for less) comes with its own wireless charging dock. And the Endgame Gear OP🌺1 8K ($74.99) can reach up to 8,000Hz polling though drops your wireless connection to get there.

Performance

Gaming with the Cougar Revenger Pro 4K proved pleasant and precise, with the low weight and snappy clicks offering both speed and precision in single-player and competitive🌞 titles alike. The sensor holds out well, generally keeping up with faster movements, though not quite offering the resilience of the 888 IPS speeds of the Logitech G Pro Superlig🐽ht 2 DEX.

That translates to a slightly heavier-feeling glide in faster moments, but I only noticed the difference when lining up the same shots I have a thousand times before and directly comparing between the two sp💜eeds. We're also talking about🦩 (at MSRP) a $90 difference in price, so can't complain.

Front main clicks of Cougar Revenger Pro 4K gaming mouse on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)

The shape and weight work to keep mo⛎vements zippy while allowing for a finer tuning of aim in slower sniper situations, especially thanks to that slightly shorter length running into the base of the palm💯.

Switching over to the 4,000Hz dongle is no mean feat. The whole receiver needs to be paired to the mouse, which means removing all dongles from the PC, holding the left, right, and scroll buttons, and controlling the software with the space button. It doesn't take too long, but the on-screen instructions don't match the user guide included in the box (with each suggesting a different color for the pairing light and instructing for different ﷽keyboard buttons to be pressed). I got there fairly quickly, but it felt like a rocky process. There was little difference between the 1,000Hz and 4,000Hz polling rates in my everyday gameplay, at least - when it was working.

The fir💙st time I paired and played with the 4,000Hz dongle everything was fine, but after wakꦕing the mouse from sleep and trying again things got a little patchy. Even with no other 2.4GHz receivers plugged in (or Bluetooth devices switched on), the mouse would drop connection for about a second fairly frequently. At some points I could barely make it across the screen without input dropping out.

After all that, you'll need to repeat the same pairing process toꦦ get back to the 1,000Hz receiver.

Should you buy the Cougar Revenger Pro 4K?

Black and white Cougar Revenger Pro gaming mice with packaging on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

Taking that dodgy 4,000Hz receiver out of the picture for a minute, the Cougar Revenger Pro 4K actually offers a solid proposition. It's got one of the ꦅbest batteries I've tested in a lightweight gaming mouse, glides and tracks well at a variety of different speeds, and offers an efficient, intuitive software sys🍌tem. It's unfortunate that the 4K reception needs a little more work, hopefully via firmware updates in the future, and requires a finicky setup process that could prove frustrating.

It's also worth bringing us back to the fact that I haven't seen that $69.99 MSRP ♊for some time now, with low stock levels at Amazon giving us some rogue prices closer to $100.

All of that to say, the Cougar Revenger Pro 4K could have been a fantastic gaming mouse, but it's lack of availability, cursed 4,000Hz wireless polling, and lower build quality in the face of similarly priced competition stops it from being an easy recommendation. If it pops back onto the shelves for $69.99 it will be worth investigating in the future, but for now I'd stick to the Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed at the same price, or spring for the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed at $99.99 / £99.99.

Ratings

Comfort

4/5

Speed

4/5

Programmability

3/5

Connectivity

2/5

Battery life

5/5

How I tested the Cougar Revenger Pro 4K

I spent four weeks using only the Cougar Revenger Pro 4K for all my daily work and play. I primarily played Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Fallout 4, and Avowed with the device, while also testing across my usual competitive roster of CS2 and Apex Legends. My DPI was set at 3,200 for the duration of testing. I ran the battery from 100% to 0% at a 1,000Hz polling rate and, used the device in both this and 4,000Hz polling settings for as long as possible. For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming mice, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also hunting down all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Logitech gaming mice and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best left-handed gaming mice for more options. Or, take a look at the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best mouse pads for gaming to complete your setup.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-mice/cougar-revenger-pro-4k-review/ nTJXPZESwacU36QBCQbCsM Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:34:00 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Sneki's analog switches make their return in the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini, a 🍬60% non-Hall-effect gaming keyboard with customizable actuation points, handy dual-functions, and super crisp keycaps. The switches underneath these clackers don't use the magnetic fields that many Hall effect decks opt for, instead, these are optical switches measuring infra-red. They feel different under the fingertips, but Razer also argues that they're faster and more consistent.

Magnetic switches can be found in some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards on the market, but Razer's been working on these analog clackers for a little longer than most mainstream brands. With the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer keyboards running these adjustable keys ri🦩ght at the start o💙f the boom, the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini benefits from plenty of experience.

Key Specs

Price

$179.99 / £179.99

Type

Optical analog

Connection

Wired

Size

60%

Switches

Razer Analog Optical Switch Gen-2

Keycaps

Doubleshot PBT

Media keys

Dual-function

Wrist rest

None

USB passthrough

None

Design

Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini with blue RGB lighting on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

In its 60% layout, the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini drops a lot of the additional controls of the standard 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Huntsman V3 Pro we reviewed last year. However, the compact form factor suits competitive p❀layers much better. You're getting far more space on the desktop for wider mouse sweeps ꦜat lower DPI settings and keeping your shoulders in line for better comfort during longer sessions.

This still feels like a slick deck, though it still steers clear of the iconic chunky chassis and sloped front of previous Huntsman generations. Instead, we have a skinny base with a slight wedge to it towards the rea♑r - a far cry from the heft of earlier releases. That makes for a far more luxurious l⛦ook and feel overall, though, especially in the newer crisp white colorway I've been testing.

Even the Razer logo stamped in the middle of the front lip looks suave thanks to this trimmed design. While the bezels are slightly thicker than the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini, they give the RGB LEDs underneath plenty of space to glow. In white, the effღect is particularly impressive, with super vivid lighting giving the keys on top a floating effect that I haven't seen in many other decks.

Close up on Razer logo of the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini gaming keyboard with RGB underglow on white chassis

(Image credit: Future)

Those LEDs shine through a set of particularly tactile doubleshot PBT keycaps with impressive strength, remaining uniform across longer legends as well (something the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid struggles with). Combine that with the rough texture of the keycaps and every🌳thing looks and feels particularly smart here.

That's supported by a robust chassis, with an aircraft-grade aluminum top plate displaying zero flex no matter hoﷺw hard I push and a slimline plastic underside that keeps its cheaper material feeling luxurious with an embossed finish.

Two feet flip out from underneath, providing enꦺough elevation to remain comfortable (and I say that as someone who likes a particularly high keyboard) while remaining strong enough to stay in place while the board is moved back and forth along a desk surface. Only larger keys suffer from any kind o🐟f wobble, and the half-Enter design means this is largely reduced to just the space bar.

Underside of Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini gaming keyboard showing flip-out feet and plastic surface

(Image credit: Future)

I just wish Razer had padded its chassis a little more. Most gaming keyboards these days come with sound-dampening foam in between the internal plates, serving to reduce the clack of each keypress and provide a 💮more muted auditory experience. Coming off the back of testing several keyboards with these layers installed, the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini sounds a little hollow by comparison.

Switches can rattle and echo across the deck even with smaller pushes, which is a far cry from the thoccy experience of something with more padding, like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Endgame Gear KB65HE.

Features

These aren't your regular adjustable switches. Razer first dropped its analog clickers back in 2021, with the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Huntsman V2 Analog. Back then, very few gaming keyboards were offering customizable actuation points, let alone dual-trigger inputs. With the boom of Hall effect decks like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3, t𒆙hoಌugh, Razer's market niche has widened and its Gen 2 Optical Analog switches need to keep up.

What's the difference? Put simply, a Hall effect keyboard measures a magnetic field whereas Razer's clickers work purely using light. Razer argues that magnets can become disrupted by changes in temperature or other magnetic forces, whereas its Opti⛦cal clickers offer a more precise input. I've never noticed any magnetic interference on 🤪any of the Hall effect keyboards I've tested so far.

Close up on Analog Optical switch inside Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

Razer's Analog switches do everything Hall effect models can; a dy♎namically resetting Rapid Trigger mode for super-fast repeat presses, adjustable actuation points to fine-tune exactly how sensitive you want each switch to be, and dual-step actuation for mapping two commands to the same key. You'll find those features in pretty much all magnetic decks, b🥂ut Razer takes things a step further.

Unlike Hall effect keyboards, there are additional Analog mꦏodes available. Th🐠ese allow your switches to mimic a controller's more varied inputs, say through a thumbstick or trigger. With a quick press of a button, you can immediately assign WASD to these analog controls, and see in real-time how your buttons now work more like a thumbstick than an on/off keyboard switch.

The result is immensely satisfying and made a real impact on my Indiana Jones and the Great Circle gameplay. Being able to creep up behind Nazis is always fun, and that fine🔴-tune𓆏d control makes even the smallest of movements possible on this keyboard.

Screenshot of Razer Synapse software showing Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini gaming keyboard customization options

(Image credit: Future)

Actually mapping everything from your actuation points to your keybindings is done through Synapse, a sometimes finicky piece of software that benefits immensely from a clean, intuitive layout. Being able to visibly see each switch's actuation pointꦇ on a sliding scale as I pressed it made tuning my controls to my natural typing force incredibly easy - far easier than on other decks.

Setting up dual-step actuation is a little more hidden, burying the feature a couple of menus deep into individual keybinding settings. I found it within a few minutes, but it was the only feature I was searching for within Synapse. Straight out of the box, though, Razer provides a factory default setting th💧at could make the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini my favorite 60% gaming keyboard.

Close up on dual-function arrow buttons on Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

I love me an arrow button, so sacrificing them on these more compact models hurts. Razer maps the right-most cluster of keys to arrow buttons using dual-step actuation. A simple tap gives you a directional function, and a full bottom-out g💯ives you the originally intended input. That's a game-changer, and considering it works so intuitively straight out the box it's a must-beat feature for any 60% competitor.

There are also a number of secondary functions printed on the front of keycaps on the right-hand side, giving you access to media and navigation buttons as well as brightness settings in a more tr🥀aditional Fn control scheme.

This is a fully wired deck, as are most adjustable keyboards, so you're dropping the 2.4GHz connection of wireless options like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Glorious GMMK 3.

Performance

There are very few gaming keyboards out there that don't offer the speeds 99% of players are going to need for both solo adventuring and competitive endeavors. We're passed the days of slow inputs now, especially when it comes to wired models. The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini is a speedy deck, though it doesn't pack the high polling rates that tournament-focused options offer. While the Corsair K7ꦑ0 Pro TKL can run up to an 8,000Hz polling rate, the Huntsman is limited to 1,000Hz.

That's not a setback - only the top 1% of players will even notice speeds moving faster than 1,000Hz (you can find out more about why you probablꦓy don't need an 8,000Hz gami🤪ng keyboard). Instead of add🃏ing to an already pretty high f𝔍inal price with unnecessary marketing gimmicks, though, Razer has implemented actually useful features that make a real tangible difference to gameplay.

This is the only series of gaming keyboards that I've tested that can accurately translate the experience of using a joystick 𝓡into its keys. Whether I'm skulking through Ancient Egyptian tombs in Indiana Jones or navigating the streets of Forza, I came to rely on analog inputs for a more precise, intuitive, and ultimately more fun experience on a keyboard. Some hoops need to be jumped through to get everything set up, but it's an experienc🦋e like no other once you do.

Side view of Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

However, these switches do feel different under the hands. If you don't like the tighter tension behind most Hall effect clickers, the more mechanical-feeling Razer Analog switches might be a better bet. While they do suffer from additional rattle compared to SteelSeries' or the Inductive Switches inside the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Ducky One X (another Hall effect deck that feels more mechanical), there's less of🌞 a 'stuffy' fe💦el to them overall.

They're not my favorite-feeling switch in the world. With the lack of dampening and the additional rattle from the clickers themselves, the typing experience doesn't feel as satisfying as that of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Azoth or SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL G♈en 3. It's certainly workable, though, and I quickly found myself adjusting to the new s♌ound and feel.

There's a quirk here that some may find annoying, though. That RGB lighting is fantastic, but there is a whine. It's far from loud, in fact, I can't hear it when I've got a laptop whirring away next to me and the regular sounds of my typing and mouse clicks. I can pick it up in quieter moments, though, a high-pitched buzz coming from the deck itself. As soon as I hit the Function button (which kills the lights on everything other than the keys with additional fun♋ctions) it stops.

Should you buy the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini?

Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini gaming keyboard with cable and packaging on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini has its flaws. Your ears may not appreciate the rattly switches or that RGB hum, but your hands are certainly going to fall in love with the textured keycaps, robust switch feel, and fantastic analog features. Throw in super intuitive arrow buttons whenever you need them, vibrant RGB ligh꧑ting, aꦏnd a clean, luxurious white colorway and the V3 Pro Mini might just be the best 60% gaming keyboard I've tested so far.

That means it's got to beat the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair K70 Pro Mini Wireless, a mechanical deck with hot-swappable switches and space for up to 50 onboard profil🤡es. These are two functionally different decks, yet they both hold the same MSRP. Corsair's is built for speed, with an 8,000Hz wired polling rate (2,000Hz over a 2.4GHz connection) whereas Razer wants to give you more functional options to play with. If you don't want the extra customization of adjustable switches and would prefer the flexibility of a wireless connection instead, it's still the best option for you. For most players looking to add to their setups with new and unique featu🌞res, though, Razer's got the edge.

Whether or not you buy the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini over a more traditional Hall effect deck depends on whether you'll actually be using those analog switches to their full potential. If you don't plan on using them, or your Steam library doesn't require that kind of finely tuned input, the similarly priced 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid might be a better fit. It offers a better typing experience overall, with more 🌞controls in its TKL form factor, all while still offering the majority of Razer's adjustment features.

Still, with this feature list and deꦓsign, the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini does enough to easily justi✱fy its price tag and earns a spot among my top recommendations.

Ratings

Speed

4/5

Customization

5/5

Typing feel

3/5

Portability

5/5

Comfort

5/5

Controls

5/5

How I tested the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini

I used the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini for one week, using the device for all my daily work and play during that time. I tested using Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Forza Horizon 4 to fully explore the potential of those analog switches, while also running my usual tests in Apex Legends and CS2. For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming keyboards, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also rounding up all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming keyboards and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best hot-swappable keyboards for more customization options. Or, for something a little cheaper, check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best membrane gaming keyboards on the market.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/razer-huntsman-v3-pro-mini-review/ nSgiX6G9Dezenm36sZWHM6 Tue, 15 Apr 2025 15:26:21 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> It's my job to review all the latest content creation gear for streamers, and lately, I've been spotting fewer wired microphones hitting the shelves, and instead, tiny wireless mics stealing the limelight. If you spend a lot of time on Instagram, TikTok, or any social media app that's trying to be TikTok, you'll probably have seen these tiny wireless mics used by more and more cꩵontent creators.

From red carpet interviews recorded on a phone, to improvised and, let's be honest, not very good ASMR, there are loads of uses for the latest tiny mics. But how do these stack up against the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best microphones for streaming and gam💞ing? Are they suited to going🅘 live on Twitch, or should you only really consider them if you're making videos and need so♐lid sound quality on the go?

Like any type of specific microphone, whether it's right for you or not will depend on the use case, the type of content you're creating, and as always, your budget. I can make things nice and easy for you right away, though. If you only make gaming content from the comfort of your home and you don't need something to take on the go, you probably won't need one of these wi🥃reless microphones. If, however, you plan to make more reels, TikToks, or shorts, and you want to be open to recording outside your make-shift studꦰio space, one of these wireless mics could be a massive, massive boost to you.

Wireless mics: What you need to know

Although we're seeing a new wave of tiny wireless mics at th🌄e moment, they're not exactly new technology. Wireless radio mics have been used for decades now in theatres and by broadcasting stations and documentary makers. The reason they're so popular nowadays though is that Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity means it's become far easier to connect them to your phone. These sorts of mics used to cost an arm and a leg, but now, because demand has shot up, they're starting to come down in price.

In the last five years, short-form video content has exploded, and the demand for great, directional microphone quality so people can make videos with high-production value from the comfort of their phones has gone through the roof. You'll notice just from comparing sound quality with longer-form videos on YouTube that these tiny mics can't really replicate the professional standards of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Shure SM7dB, or indeed more affordable USB mics like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Alias. But some of them aren't too far off, and they're certainly better quality than your phone's microphone, and better than a lot of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming earbuds.

The reason they really excel is that they have a more direct pickup pattern, meaning if you're in a noisy environment, a smaller lapel mic will pick up the noises close to it and your voice won't be so drowned out by what's happening around you. This makes a change from a lot of microphones designed for streaming and gaming which have generous, omnidirectional cardioid patterns so they can remain crystal clear no matter how much you move around a desk setup filled with the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gear for streaming.

Tiny mics are great for interviews, fun vox-pop style content, pieces to camera, and any content creation where you need to record out in public. That said, because of their slightly lesser quality, most video game streamers on Twitch ൩won't really benefit from them if they're only making content from home. On the other hand, i𒀰f you want to move things away from a desk and do the occasional stream outside, or in another room (cooking streams, for example), then a lapel mic could come in handy.

What about budget?

RODE PodMic USB being used with an iPad Prousing a USB-C cable

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

Of course, price will also come into things. Since these are really popular pieces of ki⛄t at the moment, you can find a massive range of them, many from unknown brands. The cheapest options at Amazon are around the $20 mark, although they'll likely not have the best sound quality. The MAYBESTA Professi🔯onal Wireless Lapel Mic is only , discounted down from $21.99 at Amazon, for example.

MAONO's Wirꦗeless mics work with Android and iOS devices, and at $99, they see🥃m like a solid entry-level option with 88 five-star reviews at Amazon. But you'll also see heavy hitters in the audio game like Rode charging over $300 for its Rode Wireless Go II at full price. Right now, it's actually , giving you a hefty discount for the two-microphone bundle.

In comparison, it can be difficult to find ✅a USB microphone under $100 these days that's actually worth it for the production value you want from this sort of microphone. If your budget can stretch to it, there's a band of amazing USB-C options at the $130-$150 price point that'll blow a lot of wireless mics out of the water. You might need to spend a little more on a stationary setup mic, but remember that you're paying for better quality here. The Shure MV6 is , and our favorite budget pick, the Blue Yeti Nano is a super-affordable , also at Amazon. Similarly, the top-range XLR mics from Shure will also come in around $300 or more, but you can get incredible functionality and quality from Rode and Shure's mid-range options, like the , or the

It's also worth saying that a USB-C mic designed for a PC setup first and foremost can also be used on the go. The Rode Podmic USB, for example, can plug into a phone or tablet and used for recording that way, as seen in the image above. Whether or not that will work for the content you plan to make is another thing, but it is a compatibility solution to think about. Similarly, one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best streaming mixers can be used with a lot of versatility these days, so one of those could🌠 help you too.


Looking for more streaming gear? Check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best webcams, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best capture cards, and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best ring lights for streaming.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/peripherals/tiny-wireless-microphones-are-all-the-rage-right-now-but-should-you-buy-one-for-streaming/ 7oWJ4Vg9rYqndyhYngVskC Fri, 11 Apr 2025 14:32:36 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> The Corsair K70 Pro TKL debuts the brand's first stab at a set of magnetic switches, bringing the popular range up to 2025's flagship standards with additional actuation customization, faster repeat presses, and dual-function assignments. This is where the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards on the market areജ focusing their energy right now, and with good reason. With the right set of clickers at the helm, these decks offer massive benefits over traditional mechanical keyboards, boosting both personali🌳zation and speed.

At $179.99 / £179.99, Corsair isn't exactly at the top of the market here, but it's certainly pitching at a higher cost than some Logiteꦕch and R✅azer options. This is a keyboard built with speed in mind, and those hunting down a smooth landing with additional controls at the helm are going to have a fantastic time. While its switches won't be for everyone, and its software does hold it back, competitive players still have a home with Corsair.

Key Specs

Price

$179.99 / £179.99

Type

Magnetic Hall effect

Connection

Wired

Size

TKL

Switches

MGX Hyperdrive

Keycaps

ABS

Media keys

Dedicated volume

Wrist rest

Detachable

USB passthrough

No

Design

Corsair K70 Pro TKL gaming keyboard without RGB backlighting on

(Image credit: Future)

The Corsair K70 Pro TKL isn't doing anything drastic with its design - this is a simple black keyboard with a brushed top plate and a plastic chassiܫs. Unfortunately, the first thing I noticed about the construction was the cheaper-feeling ABS keycaps.

These are very simple tappers, with the classic oil-clinging smoothness of that ABS plastic providing a sticky experience I wouldn't expect to see in a Hall effect keyboard at this price point. For reference, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G Pro TKL Rapid comes inꦡ $10 cheaper than this rig, and does so with full doubletshot PBT.

Onto brighter things, though, the rest of the Corsair K70 Pro TKL's build quality is solid. That aluminum top plate holds firm under pressure, with no flex or creaks during more intense pushes, while the plastic casing remains sturdy as well. It's got enough heft to it to reassur꧑e you of its materials, and won't be knocked around during gameplay. Despite its wired connection, though, it's still light enough to fit relatively comfortably into a backpack.

Underside of Corsair K70 Pro TKL gaming keyboard showing slight elevation of the main chassis

(Image credit: Future)

The entire chassis is ever so slightly wedge-shaped, though there's a considerable o𝔍verhand compared to keyboards with a heavier gradient. The bottom of the deck is slightly extended, but two flip✅-feet provide a single extra height option (as opposed to the two I often see on gaming keyboards).

Both hinges feel sturdy, locking int🔥o place with aꩲ thud and offering a strong resistance underneath them. They also feature rubberized feet to keep everything in place, and don't buckle when pushing the keyboard forwards along a desk.

Close up on wrist rest of the Corsair K70 Pro TKL gaming keyboard on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

The included wrist rest feels particularly ༺welcoming, w🌠ith a densely packed foam underneath a satisfyingly texturized leatherette surface. It detaches magnetically from the main deck and held its position well during my testing, never breaking away from the keyboard when shuffling around.

This being Corsair, we've got a selection of bright RGB LEDs underneath each keycap, shining through with impressive uniformity across both short and long legends. I personally find Corsair's illumination to be a little too pastel-like for my taste, and that was certainly the c🌳ase straight out the box here.

However, setting my own cu🏅stom static cyan color proved that these LEDs can run nice and bold as well. There's a little bleed around the edges of the caps - something you'l🌃l notice more here than on the Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid.

Close up on macro buttons of the Corsair K70 Pro TKL gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

Two of the additional controls also take advantage of this customizable RGB, though I'm not as big a fan. The translucent caps on the game mode and media buttons mean they certainly stand out nicely and offer an extra pop of color to your setup, but if ꩵyou're going for a more slick aesthetic they do run the risk of cheapening the experience.

Underneath those clickers, the Corsair K70 Pro TKL features two sound dampening layers, one underneath the aluminum top plate and another under the PCB. That foam absorbs each keypress particularly well, but doesn't offer the soft thud of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Azoth or 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3, which both offer three years of foam. There's absolutely no echo around this deck, as is more common with Hall♑ effect keyboards, but it's a relief after years of testing particularly rattly Corsair decks.

Features

The Co💃rsair K70 Pro TKL is the brand's first Hall effect keyboard, and it uses MGX Hyperdrive magnetic switches to give you all those extra features. These are proprietary clickers, coming pre-lubricated and offering a linear feel with between 30g and 55g of actuation force. That magnetic stem means the actuation point of every key can be configured from between 0.1 and the full 4.0mm, making for feather-light touches or more keys more resistant to accidental presses.

That's the same as the Logitech and SteelSeries' Hall effect decks, and a wider span than the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Ducky One X (which bottoms out at 3.5mm) and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:NZXT Function Elite Mini TKL with its higher 0.6mm minimum sensitivity.

Corsair switches inside the K70 Pro TKL gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

Of course, you've also got access to rapid trigger for super-fast repeat presses and dual inputs to map separate functions to the same key (one at a half press, for example, and another at the full bottom-out). SOCD is all here, in the form of 'Flashꦏ Tap', a feature that automatically ignorꦺes a directionally oppositional input when two buttons are pressed.

It's used for quickly changing direction without experiencing a lag for the split🧸 second both keys are pressed at the same time, but is heavily banned in most competitive arenas.

Actually making these ♔adjustments is pretty exhausting. Very few keyboard software make this process smooth, though NZXT and Logitech do a particularly good job and keeping things clean. iCue is far from these big leagues.

The fact that even the download for the software is hidden behind a checkbox opting you into marketing emails is a red flag. Not being able to update the firmware without the deck becoming completely unrecognizable to the software is♓ another. Having only half the keyboard image load into the main menu isn't a deal breaker, but it certainly doesn't make a gooജd impression.

Corsair iCue software customizing actuation points on the Corsair K70 Pro TKL gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Corsair)

Using the software is pretty clunky and unintuitive. While trying to set dual-function key 🎶pཧresses I was regularly left confused as to which key I was actually working on due to the sometimes inconsistent visual display up top. It all works, but it's particularly painful and considering there are far more streamlined platforms out there for less cash it's dampens the overall experience considerably.

This is a fully wired deck, but that does mean more competitive players can take advantage of an 8,000Hz polling rate for a lower price than I typically see in wireless models. That's not going to be a major concern for most of us, though - only a small group of the top 1% of players will actually notice or benefit from the increa✨sed speed. Instead, everyday players will benefit more from the massive onboard storage. There's space for up to 50 profiles in here - far exceeding the norm of between three and five.

Close up on control dial of Corsair K70 Pro TKL gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

That TKL form factor does🐻 open us up to more keys, with a full array of navigation buttons and good spacing around the arrows as well. There's also a particularly satisfying control dial in the top right corner, offering a super clicky scroll through a range of customizable controls, from volume to zoom. It's nicely raised above the rest of the deck for easy access as well.

Performance

On my Hall effect journeys, I've found that these magnꦰetic clickers generally feel a little softer than their magnetic counterparts, often dropping the clack of yesterday's switches. Corsair's clickers don't have the extra resistance behind them that sometimes feels a little woolly in other decks, but they do still feel lackluster compared to the competition.

Don't get me wrong, they're good linears. A keypress moves smoothly down the stem with impressive speed and feels responsive under the fingertips. However, there's a lack of tactility here that you'll find easily in other Hall effect decks. Interestingly, they've got a slightly harder push than the inductive switches of the Ducky One X, though with less action and energy underneath them. However there's far less thock compared to the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Endgame Gear KB65HE's Gateron KS-27Bs - my c𝕴urrent go-to for a satisfy🌞ing magnetic feel.

Corsair K70 Pro TKL gaming keyboard with wrist rest attached on a wooden gaming desk

(Image credit: Future)

They feel much flatter than the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 as well, losing the depth and tension 🔥that makes those OmniPoint 3.0 cl♏ickers so impressive.

All of that deflates the overall gameplay experience a little. I found it harder to judge my position across a key press in-game, and more difficult to train to specific actuation points. Th✨e board comes to life, however, in more competitive scenarios. At their💟 highest point of actuation, these are still incredibly fast switches and they'll serve anyone after a smooth, soft landing particularly well.

SOCD, rapid trigger, and dual-functions all work as expected, adding functionality to the Corsair K70 Pro TKL that you won't find in regular mechanical keyboards. This functionality comes in incredibly handy during 💞both com🉐petitive and solo play. Being able to configure both walk and run to the same key kept my movement super streamlined, opening up more space for faster dodges and parries in the process.

Should you buy the Corsair K70 Pro TKL?

Corsair K70 Pro TKL gaming keyboard on a wooden desk with blue RGB lighting

(Image credit: Future)

The Corsair K70 Pro TKL takes the brand's comfortably recognizable K70 keyboard and gives it a new lease of life with Hall effect switches that keep up with the rest of the competition. I would still only recommend it over the similarly priced (actually slightly cheaper) Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid if you know you want your key presses to be as low-resistance as possible or if you need a plush wrist rest attached.

Both are go🎐ing to be down to your personal preferences - I like a little more tension under each cap, but the linear tradition is one based on speed and Corsair does nail that brief better than most HE models.

However, the ABS keycaps I tested, poor iCue software, and higher price point mean the Corsair K70 Pro TKL will likely♈ stay out of the limelight for most players. The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 remains the best HE deck I've had my hands onꦇ so far.

While its wrist rest is less comfortable than Corsair's, it packs much more energetic switches, higher quality keycaps, an additional OLED display, and a better software experience. If you can spring thಌe extra $40 for its higher price tag, it's well worth the upgrade.

Ratings

Speed

5/5

Customization

3/5

Typing feel

2/5

Portability

4/5

Comfort

3/5

Controls

4/5

How I tested the Corsair K70 Pro TKL

I used the Corsair K70 Pro TKL keyboard across my current roster of games, our dedicated test titles, and in all my daily work for a period of two weeks. I ran it across Apex Legends and CS2 for strict competitive testing, while also using it in my everyday Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Avowed, Oxenfree 2, and Fallout 4 gameplay. For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming keyboards, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also hunting down all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming keyboards and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best hot-swappable keyboards on the market. Or, for a look at the competition, take a look at the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer keyboards available now.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/corsair-k70-pro-tkl-review/ jnsQrxFMKNJ4xdoEtvdDC7 Fri, 04 Apr 2025 14:03:51 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> SteelSeries has 🌜just launched its latest gaming keyboard, taking the Hall effect Omnipoint switches of its Apex Pro Gen 3 TKL and squeezing them into a 60% form factor. The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 is now live on the shelves, available for $199.99 / £1🍎89.99.

This is the first extension of the third generation Apex Pro line, with the TKL hitting first towards the end of last year. It carries over those Omnipoint 3.0 switches as well as all the rapid trigger and adjustable actuation features you could ask for. Considering the original release is the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboard on the market, this is a must-see for anyone who prefers a more condensed fꦐorm factor.

SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 |
The newest SteelSeries gaming keyboard just hit the shelves, taking the O𒀰mnipoint 3.0 Hall effect switches of the TKL model and shrink🧸ing it into a 60% form factor. It's available direct at SteelSeries with free shipping.

Buy it if:

You need a compact form factor
You want a high-end Hall effect experience
You don't mind a wired connection

Don't buy it if:

You prioritize a wireless connection

UK:

I reviewed the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 earlier this year, and its super satisfying approach to adjustable actuation shot it straight to the top of my ra🍬nkings. Hall effect gaming keyboards are rapidly hitting the mainstream these days and, while they can still cost more than their mechanical siblings, the additional features on offer make them well worth the investment.

There's something different to the switch feel in these decks. While plenty of magnetic🐽ally minded keyboards still offer a thoccy typing experience, there's a robust sense of tension under every cap. That means it's slightly easier to work out exactly where you are in your keypress - a massive benefit when playing with multiple actuation points.

SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

If you're still wondering 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:what a Hall effect keyboard is, it essentially swaps the on/off actuation of a mechanical switch for a measurement of magnetic field. That means you decide how far down you have to push for a keypress to be registered. Not only that, but the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 line also allows for multiple inputs in one key - a light touch for one and a full press for another.෴ Having a finer understanding of exactly where you are in every keypress makes SteelSeries' Omnipo🅺int 3.0 switches my favorite Hall effect clickers for mapping these dual-functions overall.

Of course, you are sacrificing some functionality in the new 60% form factor. Arrow buttons are relegated to dual-function keys, the OLED display and dedicated media controls are missing from the TKL model, and there's no function or navigation keys. Still, these mini de🌠cks have a massive following from those look⛄ing for more space for larger mouse sweeps, so if you don't need additional macro functions it's well worth a look.

I'm also rounding up all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming keyboards and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best hot-swappable keyboards on the market. Or, for more setup inspiration, take a look at the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models available.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/steelseries-new-gaming-keyboard-shrinks-my-favorite-hall-effect-deck/ ZZQGUJRnriX5gLPgH4ADm7 Tue, 25 Mar 2025 14:00:00 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Dune Awakening's system requirements were published just before the weekend, but eagle-eyed spec-scourers may have noticed a familiar Sneki logo popping up. Developer Funcom not only confirmed that the MMORPG will skip early access for a full launch when it hits the airwaves on May 20, but that it will support Razer's Sensa HD haptics straight out the gate. That means developer-coded haptic sensations running via either the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Freyja seat cushion (an add-on for the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming chairs) or 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Kraken V4 Pro headset.

That makes it the most recent titl☂e added to Razer's roster of Sensa HD compatible games, joining Final Fantasy XVI, Frostpunk 2, Star Wars Outlaws♐ and more. It also comes shortly after Razer announced Simhub integration with its Sensa-enabled gadgets, giving racing fans the feedback they've been asking for since these devices launched late last year.

Razer Freyja haptic cushion |
Save $40 - Th🍸e Razer Freyja cushion is available to buy straight from Amazon, and we're currently at a record-low price. This has been a $299.99 gadget since launch, but $40 savings started popping up sporadically just a few days ago.

Buy it if:

You want more immersion
✅ You're curious about the newer tech
✅ You have a classic gaming-designed chair

Don't buy it if:

You're happy to wait for the tech to mature

Razer Kraken V4 Pro |
Save $96.53 - The Razer Kraken V4 Pro is also on sale at Amazon right now, baking the brand's Sensa HD tech right into its cups. That's still a premium headset, b𝄹ut it comes with all the luxury features you'd expect at this price point. That MSRP is particularly high, but at today's record-low the Razer Kraken V4 Pro's value actually looks solid.

Buy it if:

You prioritize immersive audio
You have other Sensa HD enabled games
You want dual connectivity

Don't buy it if:

You don't want the OLED control hub

UK:

Exactly how 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Dune Awakening uses Razer Sensa HD haptics remains to be seen. The tech is usually reserved for smaller in-game moments - different spells have their own unique feels in Hogwarts Legacy, while Final Fantasy will translate your sword attacks in simila𓃲r ways.

So far, Dune Awakening has promised us bazookas, ornithopters, rifles, buggie🌟s, and jetpacks - all solid contenders for specific in-game haptic responses. There are certainly plenty of in-game opportunities to use these motors but, having reviewed both the Fℱreyja and Kraken, Razer needs to make sure these experiences are powerful and distinct.

Reviewer's hand holding earcup of Razer Kraken V4 Pro with RGB on

(Image credit: Future)

Sure, it's great to feel the jolt of a specific spell as you wander throu♏gh Hogwarts - but after a certain amount of time they do tend to blend into one experience and there are larger cut-scene and gameplay moments that benefit more from audio-to-haptic features. Switching Sensa HD on means you're sacrificing the vibratio💜ns of larger musical swells or explosions, if they're not coded into their own haptic settings.

Razer has recently been digging into its racing audience with its Simhub partnership, so I'm hopeful the tech will take advantage of the vario🐲us terrain and vehicle opportunities afforded by Dune Awakening in May. Imagine feeling that sand crunching under your wheels or the rev of Holtzman Engines across six individually tuned motors. That's the kind oཧf immersion Razer and Funcom could be playing with here.

Dune Awakeni🔥ng pre-orders are now available on PC, and Razer's Sensa HꦆD gadgets are currently on sale as well.

We're also hunting down all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming headsets and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming desks, or if you're after a new system, check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming PCs on the market.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/chairs/dune-awakening-will-launch-with-full-razer-sensa-hd-haptics/ gxvyWyaxvJebNQyBRHMo4f Mon, 24 Mar 2025 16:35:09 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> The second the Shure MV7i was shown off at this year's CES event, it piqued my interest. Rather than just churning out another USB mic, the brand I I used throughout almost my entire education as a music graduate has instead created a high-end microphone and interface package that goes the extra mile. Better yet, unlike the rest of the gaming tech I had my eye on at the event, the MV7i was available as soon as it was shown off to the public.

Shure isn’t the first on record to pop an audio interface into a USB microphone. But the idea of the quality of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Shure MV7+ mic paired with a sound system, and even a mixer too, set off music tech nerd alarm bells in my head. Not only did this provide me with an excuse to do away with my Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 and save on some precious desk space, but its existence means those who haven’t yet invested in a separate interface of their own can make their audio-streaming lives more streamlined, less cluttered and possible more affordable.

The combined effort results in one of the best streaming microphones for streamin𝕴g and gaming, which sounds just as good as it is to use. At $349 / £329, its price might be a bit steep for those purely in the market for a new mic, especially as it lacks any accompanying desktop stand, and requires the purchase of a separate compatible boom arm from th꧙e get-go. But, at that price, you’re not only getting one of the best-sounding USB mics I’ve had the pleasure of talking into but also one of the easiest-to-use mixers. The setup negates the need to start researching interfaces and making you꧂r audio setup less complicated than it needs to be, and I’m totally here for it

Key Specs

Polar Pattern

Unidirectional (Cardioid)

Inputs

XLR and 1/4" Tip Sleeve (TS), ¼" 𓆏Tip Ring Sleeve (TRS)

Mic form factor

Handheld

Phantom Power

Yes (+48 V DC)

Frequency Range

50 Hz to 16,000 Hz

Dimensions

‎164 mm H x 207 mm L x 90 mm D

Weight

1.04 kg

Compatibility

Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS

Price

$349 / £329

Design & Features

The Shure MV7i utilizes that almost-capsule form factor you’ll be more than familiar with if you’ve spent any time with any of the brand’s mics with the ‘MV7’ suffix. At a glance, it’s almost entirely identical to the MV7+, but instead features a dark-gray-almost-black colorway for its main body. The only real pop of color you’ll find with the mic is relegated to its 36-bit color-adjustable LED touch panel. This fits at the front of the mic and can be used to identify peaking or mute your audio altogether - or customized to give it a bit of that ‘gamer’ edge.

From the offset, this is a high-quality microphone, even before you get into the audio side of things. It feels robust in your hand and is made from a high-quality metal. The foam covering of the grill does feel a bit on the cheap side and was a bit misshapen when I first took it out of the box, but it gets the job done. Speaking of unboxing, the package features the MV7i, its all-black yoke for attaching to a podcast arm, and a USB-C cable to power your brand-new mic.

Sadly, there’s no accompanying desktop stand, like with the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Seiren V3 Chroma, but the mic relies on the mobility of a boom arm to be of any use to you in the first place. For the sake of this review, I was graciously provided with the Shure SH Broadcast1 Podcast Boom microphone stand so I could set it up. Coming🥃 from a music background, I’m drowning in music mic stands, but not any that were compatible with the MV7i. I’ll touch more on this later, but this is worth acknowledging as you will have to invest in a 🔯compatible boom arm if you’re looking to pick up this particular mic.

Photos taken by writer Rosalie Newcombe of the Shure MV7i microphone, within a pink and white themed room.

(Image credit: Future/Rosalie Newcombe)

The key difference you’ll find with the design of the MV7i, other than its reference to its “2-channel audio interface” along the side of its body in plain off-white text, is found at its base. Instead of just a singular USB-C and headphone jack port, they’re paired with an XLR port, which is the real meat and bones of what makes this mic so special. This is where you can plug in any condenser microphones - like my Rode NT1A - that you may have lying around, and record two channels of audio at once.

Recording a condenser microphone at all involves not just the use of an external PA system, but also the use of phantom power to give it the appropriate kind of juice it needs to power up all that intricate circuity. The MV7i, on the other hand, streamlines the setup process and uses its built-in 48 V Phantom Power to support a condenser mic (or a dynamic mic) duo set-up. This included XLR port isn’t just handy for recording two mics, but it also means any budding musicians have a way to record vocals and an instrument at the same time. This will be less of a benefit to those specifically looking at utilizing the MV7i for streaming or chatting to friends via Discord. But, if live music is part of your streaming process in some shape or form, it’s worth taking on board.

Of course, it’s not just this convenience of the XLR port that the MV7i has in spades. The microphone has a long list of features, including the customizable LED touch panel I mentioned earlier. This panel is a bit over-sensitiv🍸e, and I did find myself accidentally muting the mic repeatedly🐭 by simply brushing past it during a recording for a fortnightly podcast I do in my spare time. However, the bright green light will change to a pulsating red to alert you of your clumsiness (as it did for me.) The mic is also decked out with real-time audio monitoring, audio level adjusting with SmartGate, and customizable audio mixing and monitoring through Shure’s MOTIV Mix software.

Performance

Shure’s long history of producing microphon🐠es is pretty well-known at this point, especially if you have any e♊xperience in the music world. The Shure SM58 is a performance staple, and just about everyone with a history in singing (myself included) will either own one or have used one regularly throughout their career. That’s why it was an absolute treat to see how the MV7i took that high-end audio excellence I remember and transposed it into a device fit for streaming, podcast recording, and any other form of audio recording you can imagine.

The MV7i did not disappoint in this case, and even without a treated audio space, my speaking sou༺nded♍ rich, warm, and quality enough to rival that of my trusty Rode NT1A condenser mic - a mic that’s more suited to capturing the nuances of my Scottish doric twang.

My biggest concern with the MV7i was any peaking or distortion, especially as someone with a very loud speaking voice. This has been a common occurrence when it comes to other microphones I’ve tested, or even just used in a music studio environment. Yet, even without auto-leveling gain and Smart Gate toggled on (a preset Shure designed to dynamically adjust the mic's audio) there were no disturbances throughout even multiple hour-long stretches of recording.

Where the Shure MV7i shines even brighter is through its MOTIV Mix software. While other audio brands have often middling and confusing to use free software, MOTIV Mix takes inspiration from DAWs (digital audio workstations) actually used in professional audio recording environments, and the end result is one of the most streamlined and easy-to-use mixers I’ve come across. Through it, you can add audio channels just as you would in any DAW, adjust your mics gain, and juggle through various different add-ons and settings.

Most notably, MOTIV Mix gives you access to a whole range of audio customizability, to various different degrees of tone, reverb, a real-time deno💫sizer to get rid of unwanted background sounds, a popper stopper (a built-in pop shield) and even singing and instrument modes. Ensuring MOTIV Mix is downloaded on your PC, Mac or your smartphone is a must if you’re going to actually make use of the two-channel audio recording, as it’s also here when you can ensure your Phantom Power is running - or let you switch to a ¼ input instead if you’ve got an electric guitar or other instrument connected.

Photos taken by writer Rosalie Newcombe of the Shure MV7i microphone, within a pink and white themed room.

(Image credit: Future/Rosalie Newcombe)

With my Rode 💦NT1A easily inserted into the back of the mic, all it took was clicking and dragging the MV7i audio source into the mixer, and setting it up as two channels. For a nice flashy touch, the LED panel onꦏ the mic changes to a duo blue and green colorway, so let you know two mics are being recorded. This doesn’t get rid of the mute function either - but instead transforms it into two touch panels, so you can mute each of your mics individually.

Typically, I record all my audio alone, as any gaming podcast I’ve been a part of has had me chatting with those miles away from the bonnie shores of Scotland. With that in mind, I had to rope my partner into testing out my Shure-to-Rode mic daisy chain setup, but the end result was just as I imagined. With my limited space, my second mic wasn’t as far away as it should be, so both🐠 it and the MV7i were dealing with some over-spill (which you’ll hear in the recording sample) but it has🤡 opened up the ability to record, and monitor, two mics, without the need to rely on my audio interface previously taking up that valuable desk space.

Shure SH-Broadcast1 Boom Arm

Photos taken by writer Rosalie Newcombe of the Shure MV7i microphone, within a pink and white themed room.

(Image credit: Future/Rosalie Newcombe)

I was provided with the Shure SH-Broadcast1 Boom Arm for this review, which was vital in getting the mic set up to begin with. The absence of a stand of any shape or form could be a deal-breaker for those wanting to keep costs at a minimum, especially as the Shure Broadcast Boom Arm comes in at $99.99 / £105. Without having to invest in an additional sound system, you are saving more than that, especially if you were looking at picking up one to record two channels of audio, but it’s still not ideal.

The Shure SH-Broadcast1 Arm was still an impressive bit of kit, and its mobility is what has truly made the MV7i an indispensable part of my PC setup. The podcast arm can be clamped around any desk up to 2.17 inches (55mm) thick and features a full 360 degrees of rotation and an extension of up to 32.25 inches. It’s made from black powder-coated aluminum and sports a tension spring to help keep it quiet when adjusted.

I’m backed into a tight corner in my office, so it has now become one of the biggest fixtures of my desk. But despite its large size, it never crumbled under its own weight through my weeks of testing, nor did it even budge unless I wanted it to. Better yet, never in my hours of recording did the swinging, or adjustment of the boom arm, ever get picked up by the mic itself. Typically, you don’t want to be moving around your mic when recording audio anyway, but even with my tendency to fidget with stands, it never made a peep.

Pairing the MV7i with the SH-Broadcast1 isn’t vital - and if you happen to own a podcast arm that’s already compatible with the yoke of the MV7𒊎i then you’re golden. But the build quality of the SH-Broadcast1 was just as r𝄹eliable as the mic itself, and it made the setup process a lot more manageable. You will need a desk, and a setup that can facilitate such a large accessory, and even weeks later, I’m still trying to find the best placement for it with my limited space.

Should you buy the Shure MV7i?

If you’re in the market to level up your setup with the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gear for streaming then the Shure MV7i would be a valuable asset. Its existence as a three-in-one package (microphone, audio interface, and mixer) means you don’t have to use up any extra room on your desk. Audio interfaces don’t necessarily have to take up too much space (especially if you own the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 like I do), but when you take their need for their own cables into consideration, things can start to get messy and cluttered fast.

Negating the need for a separate sound system not only saves you space amongst your other gaming PC accessories but can save you some cash too. The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, just like the MV7i, lets⛎ you record two channels of audio, but has an MSRP of $199.99. You can pick up older models to save some cash, or even grab one second-hand, but typically the more ports, and channels of audio it allows you to record, the more you can be expected to pay. At $349 / £329, sure you’re not getting a ton of on-board controls on the MV7i mic, but you are getting the benefits of an audio interface, along with the microphone itself.

Photo of the Shure MV7i microphone and sound interface taken by writer Rosalie Newcombe, with a pink and white office in the background.

(Image credit: Future/Rosalie Newcombe)

The hindrance of the Shure MV7i is naturally its lack of any stand. For over $300, I’d like to have seen at least a compact desk stand with a compatible-sized yoke included. Using a podcast arm like the one provided to me for this review will still be the best method when it comes to using the MV7i, but can mean at least an extra $100 / £100 provided added into the mix.

The MV7i may also not be the best fit if you’re never going to have the opportunity to record two channels of audio to begin with. If you stream alone, don’t plan on recording vocals and an instrument together any time soon, or simply don’t even own a condenser mic to begin with, you could still get the benefits of Shure’s high-quality audio with an older model like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Shure MV7+ or even the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Shure MV7 instead. That being said, the MV7i brings together the highest level of convenience, and some of the best-soundinღg audio I’ve heard from a microphone. So long as you can actually justify the benefit of that XLR compatibility - whether that’s in streaming with a 💝friend, recording a podcast at home, or even creating a music setup, I can’t sing the Shure MV7i’s praises enough.

How I tested the Shure MV7i microphone

I spent over two weeks with the Shure MV7i and the Shure Broadcast Boom Arm. During that time, I used it to record multiple episodes of a non-work-related podcast. During these episodes, I spent hours putting the MV7i through its paces, using the MOTIV Mix software to keep an eye on my audio levels and play around with settings. During my testing time, I also used it to chat with friends via Discord, as well as talk to family through audio calls. For more information on how we test streaming microphones, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Check out our guides to the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best capture cards, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best webcams, and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best ring lights for streaming if you want to create the ultimate game streaming setup.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/peripherals/shure-mv7i-review-convenience-and-excellence-rolled-into-one-superb-sounding-package/ rWQYKoYeuWJRCfXj8Z75S7 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:26:47 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> As Hall effect and analog switches continue to rise, there’s one feature being slapped across every piece of packaging I’ve been seeing for aও few months now; rapid trigger. Hailed as the speedster’s secret weapon, this mode essentially makes your repeat presses much faster by eliminating the need for a switch to fully reset before it actuates again.

It’s one of the few additions to the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards that actually does make a noticeable difference in gameplay, so if you’re ready for an upgrade in 2025 and you play faster FPS-style games it’s well woꦬrth prioritizing.

To understand how rapid trigger works, we’ll first have to take a look at how we used to do it in the old days. A mechanical switch will either be on or off. I’ve delved deeper into how both mechanical and magnetic switches work in my guide to exactly 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:what a Hall effect keyboard is but, in short, once a mechanical key is pressed a circuit is closed and an input is registered. To repeat that process, you’ll need to fully reset the key to its normওal position, slowing down your rate of fire.

Glorious Lynx HE switches inside a GMMK 3 gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

While a mec🌺hanical switch only has this one point of actuation (the moment a keypress is registered), a Hall effect or analog switch uses magnetic fields or light to be able to sense depth. That means the switch knows how far down it’s being pressed and can actuate at various points along that journey. That’s how you get various features like dual-step actuation and customizable actuation points in some gaming keyboards.

Rapid trigger relies on thi♔s technology to essentially ‘reset’ the switch as soon as the key is released even a little bit. We’re talking about a very small amount of time in general here, but it’s still a considerable benefit in-♐game. Rather than having to wait for the switch to move all the way back above its reset point, a keypress can be repeated near-instantaneously.

Ducky Inductive Switch being held in the hand against a gaming setup

(Image credit: Future)

rapid trigger on or off, some decks allow for additional customization. The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid, for example, allows users to select a particular actuation point that they need to move beyond to actuate the key for finer control. Meanwhile, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 uses a more dynamic setting that automaticaཧlly adjusts your actuation based on active gameplay.

The feature is reserved for gaming keyboards with either Hall effect or analog switches, and these decks are sitting towards the top end of the price spectrum right now. The cheapest keyboard with rapid trigger I’ve tested is the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Endgame Gear KB65HE, with✃ Gateron KS-37B Hall effect switches at $139.99 / £139.99. That’s a fantastic deck, and my favorite 65% model overall - well worth a look if you prefer to keep things compact.

In a time where unnecessary features like super-fast polling rates seem to be dominating marketing materials, I’m glad that switch-specific innovations are starting to steal the limelight once again. Rapid trigger isn’t going to cha🎀nge everyone’🐓s gameplay, but it certainly makes a lot of experiences noticeably snappier and more responsive. If you’re a competitive player with a spam addiction, it could well be leading the charge in your shift away from traditional magnetic switches.

I’m also rounding up all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming keyboards and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best hot-swappable keyboards for more options. If you’re kitting out your whole setup, check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models on the market as well.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/how-does-rapid-trigger-work-instant-repeat-presses-explained/ QLHZdVJA29WBx32ucWC5cG Thu, 20 Mar 2025 16:14:16 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Razer has just launched its latest re-color and the it's the tiny Razer Huntsman V3 Proℱ Mini getting the paintjob this time around. The 60% plank has been stripped of its drab black chassis and decked out with a white chassis and those crisp Razer keycaps. That's excellent news for those with a lighter setup, but it's the dual-step actuation of the arrow keys that has my attention.

The Huntsman is Razer's speed-focused line, but the Mini does also benefit from the brand's analog optical switches. These are similar to the Hall effect clickers found in some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards across the market, of🌜fering adjustable actuation and Rapid Trigger for super-fast debounces and a finer detail of control over keypresses.

Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini White Edition |
The new white version of the Razer Huntsman V3ꦦ Pro Minꦰi is now available to order direct at Amazon. That comes with free (but longer) shipping, landing between March 31 and April 2.

Buy it if:

You want to save as much space as possible
✅ You don't mind doubling up functions
✅ You want a classic mechanical feel

Don't buy it if:

You need plenty of controls

UK:

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini White Edition is a fully wired deck, as are so many analog options these days, however being able to set dual-step actuation actually solves one of my biggest problem🌱s with 60% keyboards. Squeezing players down to as few keys as possible saves plenty of space for wider mouse sweeps, but it often comes at the cost of arrow keys. I keep these clickers mapped in-game pretty much constantly, so having to hit the Function button to actually use them is often a nightmare.

Close up on arrow keys of white Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini White gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

They're still dual-function here, though Razer sets these keys to actuate as arrow keys at a quick tap and their separate functions when ✱held fully down. This feature is available on both the white and black models. For the uninitiated, dual-step actuation is a feature offered by gaming keyboards that use magnetic Hall effect or optical analog switches.

A mechanical switch will register a keypress once, when a metal contact closes a circuit loop on being pressed. That's a pretty rigid on / off system. By doing away with this process, Razer's analog switches can actuate twice - once at a half press or tap and again at the bottom of a keystroke. That means you can assign two in🎉puts per key. It's by no means an exclusive feature, but it is used particularly well in the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini.

Aside☂ from that, you'll find Razer Snap Tap, super satisfying doubleshot PBT keycaps, full Razer Chroma RGB🎃 support, and storage for up to six onboard profiles.

I'm also hunting down all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming keyboards for those who want to cut the cord, as well as the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best hot-swappable keyboards and plenty more of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer keyboards on the market.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/razer-just-launched-a-new-white-razer-huntsman-v3-pro-mini-and-its-switches-solve-one-of-the-biggest-problems-in-60-percent-gaming-keyboards/ FsFmjDEjzBBKRphSiATUC Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:08:35 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Razer released its first hot-swappable keyboard last year, and now the BlackWidow 75% has gone Pro. What does that m♏ean? It’s wireless, it’s got a super clear display window, and it’s rejuvenated its onboard controls. It’s also very, very expensive.

At $299.99 / £299.99 this is among the most expensive gaming keyboards I’ve ever tested, matched only by Mountain’s modular Everest Max. It’s $80 more than the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboard on the market, the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3, and drops the additional cus🅘tomization of Hall effect switches. That price is $50 more than the similarly hot-swappable Asus ROG Azoth, with a fraction of the battery life. Razer has a fight on its hands here, and only very few players are going to lift the trophy for the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%.

Key Specs

Price

$299.99 / £299.99

Type

Mechanical (hot-swappable)

Connection

2.4GHz / Bluetooth / Wired

Size

75%

Switches

Razer Mechanical Switches Gen 3

Keycaps

PBT Doubleshot

Media keys

Customizable control dial

Wrist rest

Detachable

USB passthrough

None

Design

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% with wrist rest attached on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% packs all your necessary controls into a Goldilocks 75% layout. There’s a reason this form factor has become so popular in recent years, without squeezing the alphanumeric keys and dropping function and navigation options, the BlackWidow can stay compact enough for wider mouse sweeps while still providing plenty of breathing space on the deck itself. Everything is beautifully well balanced, from the key spacing to the viewing angle on the OLED display occupying the top right corner, making for a particularly precise typing and gaming experience. Everything is slightly more spread out than the previous iteration, with the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer BlackWidow V4 75% dropping space betwee🅰n the main deck and the navigation / arrow keys on the right.

Doubleshot PBT keycaps feel particularly sturdy under the fingertips. Razer is well known for the quality of its caps, and the brand has busted out its best for the BlackWidow. There’s a fantastic sense of grip to these toppers, with just enough tex🥀ture to feel satisfying without impeding speedy movement across the deck. They also♌ provide particularly vivid shinethrough for the LEDs underneath.

The main chassis is constructed from an aluminum alloy top case with a plastic underside to the rear. That’s a solid enough material for longer-term durability, but it’s not quite as premium-feeling as the cold, hard metal of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Azoth’s top. The difference isn’t felt during everyday typing or tapping away in-game, but the B🐲lackWidow did flex considerably under harder pressure, which is a little disappointing for a $300 deck.

I 𒊎also noticed that dreaded space bar ping returning to my setup. The last few years have seen gaming hardware brands packing their keyboards with the same kind of sound-dampening, echo-absorbing foam and mounts that custom decks pioneered back in the day.

Side view of Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% gaming keyboard with close up on side light strip

(Image credit: Future)

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 𒆙75% does a similar job, with Poron gasket mounting and a single layer of foam underneath the main plate, but it’s not enough to keep those twangs out of my ears. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard it, and it’s just as difficult to ignore as it was when mechanical keyboards were in their heyday.

The Azoth triples the amount of dampening foam under the♋ hood for a much softer sound. I should note that this ping is in no way extended across the board - for the most part, every key other than the space bar bottoms out with a crisp clack, it’s just that pesky long fella. While sometimes a little pingy, these larger keys are well stabilized 𒀰with barely any wobble.

Two feet extend from the bottom plank to provide a little elevation, but this is also a wedge-shaped case design that packs extra🌃 height as well. This is a comfortable typing experience as a result, and while I did fꦑind the wrist rest to be a little too high compared to the keys it’s exceptionally plush and sinks down with plenty of support.

Front panel of Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% showing connection options and rear feet elevation

(Image credit: Future)

That aforementioned RGB lighting is crisp and bold, offering its range of effects with a premium feeling of precision and clarity. There’s a considerable amount of power behind these LEDs for a bright, dynamic light show around the edges of the keys. Unfortunately, some longer legends suffer from a lack of uniformity in their underglow, which is particularly noticeable on the ‘Enter’ cap. This per-key RGB lighting is also accompanied by the slick side strip that I loved on the full-sized 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro for some extra style as well.

Features

Underneath those lovely keycaps you’ll find a set of Razer’s third-generation mechanical switches - orange ones, to be precise. These are the same clickers I used in the previous release, with a 3.5mm travel and 50g of actuation force. The entire deck is hot-swappable, though, with three🤡 and five-pin switch sockets and the process of switching out these clickers is smooth and easy with no stuck or bent pins.

Of course, if you just wanted that tactile typing experience you’d be checking out the cheaper model. Razeওr has packed its Pro devꦰice with wireless 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity. By default, the 2.4 GHz connection polls at 1,000Hz but that can bump up to 4,000Hz with the use of the Razer Hyperpolling dongle included. That’s not the win many might think it is.

In reality, very few players need a higher polling gaming keyboard, it’s only the very 1% of the most successful competitive esports players who might even notice the faster rateಞ, let alone benefit from it. This is largely a marketing exercise. Instead, it’s more of an inconvenience having to contend with another cable rather than simply running the BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% from a simple receiver, as the HyperPolling dongle requires its own USB-C connection. That kind of kills one of the major benefits of going wireless for most everyday players.

I’m willing to guess a good slice of 🗹that $299.99 price tag has been sunk into the high polling rate, but there are still features here to draw in those looking for a more casual experience as well.

Close up on digital display of Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

The OLED display in the top right corner is the clearest, brightest panel I’ve used on a gaming keyboard. The SteelSeries Apex𓃲 Pro TKL Gen 3 and Asus ROG Azoth both use similar screens for checking onboard vitals, displaying media information, and running cute animations. While SteelSeries’ can run a little dim and Asus’s doesn’t quite offer the resolution I’d be after in 2025, though, the BlackWidow’s screen is incredibly crisp.

The display can show you your keyboard’s connection and battery information, system usage, audio waves and track titles, animations, or a still image. Meanwhile, a customizable control dial to the right handles volume controls, playback, brightness, and app switching, with additional support for zoom and scroll functio🧜ns as well.

All of that is sorted through Synapse 4, a system that’s not without its tantrums but played nice during my testing. Aside from the media controls and display settings, this is where you’ll choose RGB effects, configure battery-saving features, and set up keybindings. Everything is neatly laid out with an intuitive menu system and collection of toggles, sliders, and tick boxes for all your usual personalizaꦚtion options.

Battery life isn’t going to hold up against the Asus ROG Azoth, even if Razer claims that it will get 2,100 hours of juice with all the extra features switched off (that would put the BlackWidow among the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming keyboards on the market). If I⭕ spent $300 on a gaming keyboard, I certainly wouldn’t be ignoring its features, though. In regular usage, with the display at 70% brightness, RGB lightin⛦g at 50%, and with default power-saving settings, I rarely managed to squeeze two days of use out of this device.

On average, it lasted around eight to ten hours before dying out - a particularly low life. I thought I had accidentally whacked everything up to 11 and set my polling rate ♈to 4,000Hz when the battery first plunged to 0. ♍Unfortunately, this is a wireless keyboard that will likely spend most of its life plugged in.

Close up on switches in arrow keys on Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

There’s one notable absence from this feature set, one that I wouldn’t have brought up this time last year but feels surprising foꦯr a $299 keyboard in 2025. These are fully mechanical switches with no magnetic Hall effect features or analog ♛dual-step actuation. These aren’t necessarily must-haves for a good gaming keyboard, but these newer switches are making their way into cheaper flagships across the industry. Razer has its own spin on the tech, but it’s largely relegated to its Huntsman range.

Performance

In-game, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% feels exceedingly precise. There’s a strong bu🌸mp to these tactile switches that gives every key press that extra level of tension that makes for particularly clean inputs. Combined with the excellent spacing and textured keycaps, I never missed a beat during my competitive sessions and still managed to stay comfortable and accurate when strafing around Avowed’s melee combat and parkour moments.

That heavier bump does make itself known during longer typing periods, which might grow a little fatiguing if you’re more used to a lighter switch. It requires far more force than the Asus ROG Azoth’s short linear feel, and if you naturally type fairly lightly you may feel that strain fairly quickly. I was able to type all day and then return in the🐼 evening for gaming without feeling it too much, though.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% gaming keyboard with RGB and display switched off

(Image credit: Future)

The extra heft takes a little getting used to if you’re used to bottoming out for actuation,𒉰 but after learning the height of the bump the BlackWidow can be surprisingly speedy to navigate. I was hitting all my necessary keys just as fast as I would with a lighter key while still benefitting from the extra precision.

Wireless connectivity is rock solid, with no interference from the buzz oꦅf other 2.4GHz receivers I have in my setup. I also noticed that while my keyboard was often at low battery, a dwindling charge never interrupted this connection as it would with a cheaper deck.

Should you buy the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%?

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% gaming keyboard on a wooden desk with packaging and wrist rest

(Image credit: Future)

It’s difficult to recommend any $299.99 / £299.99 gaming keyboard to the majority of 🌠players due to its particularly high price tag. It’s even harder to recommend one that drops newer Hall effect switches, lags in battery life, and puts a considerable amount of stock in a feature that very few players will notice.

There’s nothing materially wrong with how the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% functions - in fac❀t, it’s a particularly comfortable deck with a slick, smooth typing experience, and an impressive digital display. It does a lot of ꦜthings better than other decks, its RGB is more vivid than that of SteelSeries and its spacing is miles better than its predecessor.

If you’re a professional-level esports player looking for a slightly heavie🍨r mechanical feel with a wireless connection it’s well worth a look. However, the vast majority of players are going to find significantly better value in the Razer BlackWidow V4 75%. It offers a very similar experience, albeit without that screen, for a 🐽considerable chunk of change less.

Ratings

Speed

5/5

Customization

3/5

Typing feel

4/5

Portability

3/5

Controls

4/5

How I tested the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%

I used the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% for a period of two weeks, running the device for all my daily work and play during that time. An average day saw between seven and eight hours of typing with an extra two or three hours of gameplay in the evening. During that time I primarily tested across Avowed, Oxenfree 2, and Fallout 4, with dedicated testing in CS2. I ran the battery down multiple times during testing, measuring lifespans with various RGB and digital display brightness settings, across both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth. For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming keyboards, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also testing all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best membrane gaming keyboards and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best hot-swappable keyboards on the market, as well as hunting down the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer keyboards available now.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/razer-blackwidow-v4-pro-75-review/ ShSps9QZHhEgFUPbA4JkaF Wed, 19 Mar 2025 17:43:39 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Released two years after the original Razer Basilisk V3 Pro (which we gave full marks in our 2022 review), the new 35K model promises a faster sensor, boosted battery life, and a wider range of sensor customization options. The jump from 30K to 35K may be negligible for most players, though, and the original model's battery life was already pretty solid. This is a mid-life refresh for the chunkier Razer rodent, but whether it w🔯ill be worth buying over the older (and therefore cheaper) previous generation isn't quite so clear cut.

Both mice launched at a hefty $159.99 MSRP - about as expensive as the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models get. However, in its extra two years on the shelves, the Basilisk V3 Pro has dropped as low as $95 and is generally found for around $110꧒ day to day. Considering there's a $50 premium on the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K model, you'll need to really want that extra speed to procee🃏d.

Key Specs

Price

$159.99 / £159.99

Connection

2.4GHz / Bluetooth / Wired

Shape

Right-handed

Buttons

11

DPI

35,000

IPS

750

Switches

Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen 3

Weight

112g

Battery

Up to 1🐻40 ho🧔urs (2.4GHz) / Up to 210 house (Bluetooth)

Design

Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K with blue lighting on a woode desk

(Image credit: Future)

This isn't Razer's light and zippy FPS-first pointer. The chunkier frame, wider base, and heavier profile firmly cement the Basilisk as a slower, more tactile device. It still feels fantastic under the hand, though, even coming straight from the flyweight 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX. At 112g it's not as easy to flick into wilder shots or quickly pivot to an approaching enemy, and I did struggle with the extra heft at first. However, the curvature of the main hump and the severe gradient to the front angle (tilting right) meant I was still able to maneuver this rodent with impressive speed. Yes, the weight drags more than you'll find in the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper V3 Pro, but the excellent PTFE feet underneath mean eꦺach glide is still buttery smooth, making for a zippy experience overall.

It's not quite fast enough for competitive FPS gameplay, but it still packs the speed necessary to keep up with my amateur CS:2𝕴 sessions. Instead, the real benefit of that larger chassis is the blend of speed and comfort. Not only does the larger form factor lend itself to a more comfortable claw or palm grip, especially with that slanted front, but the generous thumb rest on the left provides plenty of landing space for a strong hold as well. This surface is slightly rubberized with a dotted texture for extra textural support (repeated on the opposite flank as well), which means I can easily keep the tip of my thumb in place while letting the rest of my fingers do the rest of the work. I'm normally relying on my wrist a lot more in a relaxed palm grip, which can strain over time.

The main chassis still features a nice amo🅺unt of texture to its plastic cover, with a slightly bumpy design that promotes easy control within the palm and across the main clicks. I received the white version, and I'm in love with the aesthetic.

Left side of Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K with close up on rubberised textured grip

(Image credit: Future)

There's something much cleaner about white tech these days. I don't know if it's the fact that everything was limited to black or gray for most of gaming hardware's history, but the crisp, clean design of the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K feels particularly swish. That white chassis is cut up with angular black diagonals and curves across the top of the main hump, featuring a glossy finish that manages to catch any extra RGB lighting you have in your setup particularly well. It looks like a serious 😼piece of kit, both in hand and on the desktop.

The brighter plastic also allows the abundant RGB lighting to shine at its brightest as well. While you can't configure them individually, there are three areas of LEDs stamped in here. The scroll wheel and Razer logo are the two areas you'll see the most of, but there's also a strip of underglow lighting around the base as well. This is one of my favorite aspects of the Basilisk design as a whole. I loved it on the cheaper 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Basilisk V3 ♈꧙base model, and its inclusion in the latest wireless iteration is a particularly slick benefit.

Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K front main clicks showing angled design

(Image credit: Future)

Everything feels solidly built, there's no creaking under pressure from eit♌her the sides or the top and bottom of the device. Main clicks exhibit no wobble or extra travel, and the scroll wheel is secured in the ce💎nter with no flexing either. There's only one niggling concern in the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K's construction, and it's more of an annoyance. This will only affect the white version, but the joinery on the underside of the device does allow smaller fibers from a mouse pad to cling. There's a fairly deep groove around the main control area, which picks up, and holds onto, these fibers with particular stubbornness.

Features

The sensor, scroll wheel, and battery are the main dri♓vers behind this refresh, promising faster top speeds with more functionality and for longer between charges. While it may have made its way into the name of ꦆthe device, though, the sensor upgrades are likely going to be the least important changes to the feature list.

Very few players will need to get near even the 30,000 DPI offered on the original Razer Basilisk V3 Pro, let alone move past it and into 35,000 DPI territory. At most, the majority of users will tap out at around 5,000 DPI - I rarely move beyond 3,500 even in faster first person shooters. What's perhaps more impressive is that 750 IPS. In real world use, this jump means that the 35K Basilisk can track faster movements with far more accuracy than the 650 IPS tracker of similarly large mice like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Turtle Beach Kone II Air and the 400 IPS 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G502 X Plus.

Up top, each main click features the sa♐me third generation optical switches as the previous model, offering a clean and snappy response with a speedy response and energetic debounce. You'll also find similarly clacky switches underneath each other two main side buttons and the additional sniper button positioned towards the front of t💧he device.

Left view of Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K showing side buttons and sniper button

(Image credit: Future)

The scroll wheel is largely the same as in the previous release. Nicely notched when you need precision and free-spinning when time's of the essence, this is a hybrid design that carries over from the previous release. That means Smart-Reel is still in play, a ꦓmore dynamic scrolling mode that automatically swaps from a Tactile (notched)ꦓ to a freewheeling spin when moved fast enough.

It's a neat addition that I wouldn't necessarily rely on during gameplay (it's a little too sensitive, often moving into free-spin when I simply want a faster, but still controlled, mode) but comes in handy when browsing the web. The latter use-case also benefits from Virtual Acceleration, dynamically speeding up that scroll even more wh♌en faster movements are detected. The only difference here is there's now an adjustable slider that can be used to personalize these acceleration levels.

Of course, all that's configured in good old Razer Synapse. While it's not the most reliable of programs, the lates💟t Synapse 4 release does let up on your CPU a little compared to previous iterations and holds a wealth of customization options that often span beyond those offered by competitors. The Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K benefits from an abundance of different dials and sliders, all working to fine-tune your experience across sensor, scroll wheel, keybinding, RGB, and battery settings.

These are nicely laid out across five tabs, with an easy keybinding process to start off. Personalized inputs can be set across 12 buttons - your usual side buttons but also an extra two side inputs on the scroll wheel, two buttons just underneath that, and a 'Sensitivity Clutch' (a DPI slower for moments that requir❀e finer control). Five DPI settings can be saved to the mouse itself, with a button underneath the scroll wheel toggling between🎃 different speeds.

Underside of Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K gaming mouse showing sensor and connection toggle

(Image credit: Future)

The Basilisk V3 Pro 35K also features a DPI Sensitivity Matcher. Sliding your old mouse and the Basilisk side by side along a surface while running the feature will essentially transfer your DPI sensitivity from one to the other. I've used this with the Razer Viper V3 Pro in the past, and it's a b𒉰it of a gimmick. I'd expect it to only be used once, and it's not even particularly necessary for that initial setup either.

There are 13 zones of RGB Chroma lighting to play with here, and a range of different effects to choose within Synapse itself. Overall, the lighting is bold and vibrant, though you'll need to b𒅌ump up the brightness to 100% to get the full benefit of that underglow effect.

That's going to have a noticeable impact on battery life. Sure, RGB lighting does generally run down a charge quicker, but I noticed a particularly speedy depletion on the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K with these LEDs at full whack. Razer estimates a 140 hour battery life on the new model. With my day to day use that would normally last me around two weeks but with all guns blaring I only made it to around ten days from a full charge - around ▨80 hours. With those lights off, Razer's 140 hour suggestion rang true.

Performance

Hand holding Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K gaming mouse in a palm grip on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

It took me a little while to get used to the larger form factor of the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35ℱK, having come to the mouse fresh from a series of ultra-light FPS-first pointers. I was a firm believer in the Logitech G502 Hero back in the day, though, and once that muscle memory kicked in I was away. This is a particularly smooth mouse to navigate both fast and slow gameplay moments with. The glide feels incredibly soft under-hand, which impressed me considerin🌄g the feet themselves aren't particularly generous in size. Despite only taking up, maybe, 20% of the base they provide a nicely textured swipe on a mouse pad.

I did struggle on harder surfaces, though. If you use a more rigid mouse pad or you play directly on a desk top, ಌI'd recommend something with larger, deeper skates. The Basilisk sometimes crunches across the desk top as it is and feels significantly more cumbersome without a dedicated surface underneath it.

Everything runs beautifully under the hood, though, with a slick sensor keeping up with every twitch of my CS2 gameplay and holding up against more frantic Avowed melee moments as well. The larger shape means I can't get into a more nimble fingertip grip for faster flicks and tweaks, but I still felt nimble in a claw grip. Surprisingly, I was never fatigued in this posture either. I would have e🥀xpected to feel the strain on my pinky and ring finger due to the extra weight of the Basilisk, but the contoured shape of the device lends itself well to both comfort and control for longer sessions.

The main clicks are super fast for simple shots, and repeat presses actuate nice and speedy with very little unnecessary travel in between them. That ꦜmakes for comfortable spamming (provided you're in the rigꦆht grip) and precise, well-placed headshots alike.

Should you buy the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K?

Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K gaming mouse leaning against packaging on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

There's one problem with the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K, and that's that you can essentially pick up the exact same mouse for $50 less these days. The new release sim🐈ply doesn't do enough to separate itself from the original, offering an extra 5,000 DPI that practically nobody will use and a niche scroll wheel adjustment feature that adds on to an already existing f🌜unction. Sure, you're getting an extra wad of battery life, but considering the original already had plenty of other flagships beat there's little point to stretching a little further for so much more cash.

If it was the first in its line, with no ancestor to worry about, the V3 Pro 35K may well be one of my favorite gaming mice⛦ on the market. It's certainly got the competition beat in its sensor specs, comfort, and additional feat𒁏ures. Without its own benefits, though, the V3 Pro 35K feels a little lost. If the features and design laid out above are exciting, I'd recommend sticking to the original for a better value proposition overall.

Ratings

Comfort

5/5

Speed

4/5

Programmability

4/5

Connectivity

5/5

Battery life

5/5

How I tested the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K

I used the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K for a period of two weeks, running the rodent for all my daily work and play during that time. I primarily used the device in Avowed, Oxenfree 2, and Fallout 4, while also specifically testing across CS2 as well. I ran the battery down from a full charge twice, once with full RGB and again with no LEDs at all, while also experimenting with different sensor and scroll wheel functions during both play and daily work. For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming mice, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also hunting for all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming mouse models as well as the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Logitech gaming mice around. Of course, there are plenty more of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer mice to contend with as well.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-mice/razer-basilisk-v3-pro-35k-review/ a7MhZjcfVR8NWRBiLNRFkA Tue, 18 Mar 2025 17:49:47 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> I've been reviewing gaming chairs for long enough to see various design trends come and go. Mesh chairs with vastly inflated prices arrived a little while back, for example. Floating backrests have been poking their heads in the door, and reclining footrests are anot꧃her example of an innovative feature one brand go💝es for, then the rest of the market immediately follows.

None of them have enraged me like the latest mainstay trend though, because it's an undeniable step backward for any gaming chair, and yet it's showing up all over the place. I am of course talking about freely rotating armrests that have no locking mechanism to keep them in a desired position. Don't get me wrong, being able to adjust the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming chairs to the position and shape you want to sit in is one of the reasons they're worth investing in, but they also need to stay📖 in the position you want them in. Allow me to explain.

A lot of gaming chairs stand out against office chair rivals because of their 4D armrests. These are armrests that can be adjusted on four different axes. Usually, they can slide forward and back, side to side, they can rotate, and you can adjust their heights. When you ♏first sit in a gaming chair with these high-end armrests, you may have a brief moment of confusion as you work out how you adjust them in each direction. Until recently, there are almost always buttons, levers, or small catching mechanisms that release each dimension. That might sound tricky to grasp, but for how often I actually adjust 🉐my armrests, it's never really bothered me.

The 2D armrests on the Razer Iskur V2 X

(Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter)

What more recent models have been doing is removing the rotating catch on armrests so that all you need to☂ do to twist them around is apply some light pressure in either direction.

To be frank, this sucks. It means that, depending on how you're sitting, or what part of the armrests you put weight on, they can pivot away from you, making you feel and look extremely silly. At best, this is a minor inconvenience that you'll encounter maybe once every ಞfew days, but at worst, it drives you insane because every time you go to stand up and use the armrests to push yourself upward, the armrests spin out and leave you seconds away from a slapstick comedy stunt.

I first noticed this on the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Fractal Refine, which, despite its annoying armrests, currently holds our top spot for best oꦿverall gaming chair right now. Luckily, its armrests are pretty great otherwise. They have a fantastic shape and size to them, they're wide enough that your forearms have plenty of room to slide around when you're doing big mouse flicks, and they feel nice and cushioned for your elbows. The freely rotating armrests are a minor flaw in this instance, then, but I didn't realize that I was going to start seeing them popping up from other brands.

Fractal Refine's armrests

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

Putting my slightly exaggerated ranting to one side for a moment, I do actually worry that these types of rotating armrests could cause some folks a nasty injury. Stand꧟ing up is bad enough, but what about the people who use gaming chair armrests to carefully lower themselves down into a chair? If all your weight is relying on armrest stability, and they then spin out, it's a recipe fo🌄r disaster.

The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair TX500 Luxe and the new 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Iskur V2 X are two more recent examples of gaming chairs that have this feature, and I cannot understand who's deciding it's a great thing to have. I get that mobile gaming is a constantly overlooked market, and the emergence of so many handheld gaming PCs means people need more r♏otation in their armrests, but would it be so much to ask for a button to press when you actually want them to move?

I'm pretty particular about my chair positioning. I like knowing that whenever I sit down, my 🎃back🧸rest, lumbar support, and armrests are in the position I've set them up to be in, and another problem with unlocked rotation is that my armrests are constantly in the wrong place which leaves me feeling uncomfortable and even a little stressed out. That's probably my just-right OCD talking, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who gets annoyed by it.

The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen Edition is not my favorite gaming chair, but at least that brand gets armrest adjustments right. It has buttons and catches for all of its dimensions, and once you've adjusted them once, it's pretty easy to remember which button does what. Then again, Secretlab's armrests aren't perfect either - they click into set positioဣns rather than fre𒉰ely moving and locking in where you want them.

The armrests of the Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Edition

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

Boulies may be on the firmer end of the scale with its armrest cushioning, but if you grab the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Boulies Elite Series or the more expensive 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Boulies Master Series, you'll get buttons and catching mechanisms to keep them in the positions you want. I don't know about you, but it seems like a basic requireme༺nt to me.

If this seems like a trivial thing for me to write over 800 words about, I don't blame you for thinking so. But armrests are a very underestimated part of a gaming chair, especially if you use one to sit at a desk and play on a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:gaming PC. They can actually have a huge impact on your ergonomic sitting position - one of the cornerstones a🐼round which gaming chairs are designed. Have them too far apart and you create a slouch. Position them too high and you'll give yourself back tension. Make them too narrow or too firm, and you'll inhibit your mouse aim or give yourself sore elbows.

Gaming chairs are expensive, and some🐭times needlessly so. I hope this isn't a trend that sticks around, because if I was paying the often silly prices of these gaming chairs, I'd be livid that such basic design flaws were making their way into a finished product.


Looking for other gaming hardware? Check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best pink gaming chairs, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best console gaming chairs, and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming desks.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/chairs/im-declaring-war-on-gaming-chair-armrests-in-2025/ v33VwKnMJxvU6PthqAa9MB Fri, 14 Mar 2025 17:34:09 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> SteelSeries has just launched three new QcK mouse pads, follow ups to the original desk mats that have dominated the market for a little while now, under the umbrella name 'QcK Performance'. While previous pads only offered different sizes (save for some thicker 'comfort' releases), the latest QcK trio has been built to cater to different playstyles with a variety of surfa🦄ce materials.

Speed, Balance, and Control are the order of the day, with each of SteelSeries' new gaming mouse pads offering a slightly different feel based on texture, stitch patterns, and fabric weave. I've had all three on my testing deck over the last few weeks, swapping each out for different genres and use-cases to see if they can become the new 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best mouse pads for gaming.

All of the mouse pads in the SteelSeries QcK Performance line come in either L or XL sizing, featuring the same MSRPs ($39.99 and $49.99ဣ respectively). They're available right now via SteelSeries and select retailers.

SteelSeries QcK Performance |
The SteelSeries QcK Performance series is now available direct at the brand's own store. The $39.99 large and $49.99 extra large sizes are available in a super slick 'Speed', more tactile 'Control', an✨d a middle of the road 'Balance' design.

Buy it if:

You prefer a square shape
You have a precise playstyle or...
You have a particularly fast playstyle

Don't buy it if:

❌ You prefer an extended design

Key Specs

Specs

Speed

Control

Balance

Surface

Smooth, interwoven fabric

Micro-textured with high-density stitches

Tight fabric weave with softer texture

Base

Non-stick rubber

Non-stick rubber

Non-stick rubber

Thickness

3.5mm

3.5mm

3.5mm

SteelSeries QcK Performance: Control

Close up on surface texture of SteelSeries QcK Control mouse pad

(Image credit: Future)

I started my testing with the Control pad. Like most, my gaming setup needs to put on a suit and tie during the day as I work, and between smaller photo editing adjustments and the sheer number of times I accidentally close a tab this felt like the most natural choice for everyday use. The surface is considerably coarser than the Speed model, with a rough feel under the arm during use. That never grew uncomfortable, though - in fact, it provided a pleasant sense of control and grip even before I placed my hand on a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:gaming mouse.

The Control pad is designed to provide better stopping power, more accurate mouse sweeps, and finer precision in smaller movements 𝓡thanks to this textured design. It absolutely nails the brief. I'm glad I chose to slap this one on the desk first, because it's easily my favorite.

The rough surface never feels too cumbersome for flashes of faster movement, I was still able to zip through Avowed's more frantic combat moments and keep a solid pace in CS2. However, there's just enough granularity in this surface to keep a high DPI at bay, still keeping clicks tighღt and controlled during slower moments.

I'm currently using a Razer Basilisk V3 Pro, and combining the mouse's DPI-slowing sniper button with the SteelSeries QcK Control's grainier texture made for particularly precise sniper shots. Ramping up the DPI on something lighter like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX was also far le✃ss manic, allowing for faster sweeps without the jittery over-extension I usually experience when running at sensitivities hওigher than around 8,000.

There is a little extra drag, that's what this mouse pad has been designed to offer, which does compound the feeling of 🧜extra weight in a larger mouse like the Ba𒁏silisk. If you're using a lightweight speedster but still want access to a greater sense of accuracy this is a fantastic pickup.

SteelSeries QcK Performance: Speed

Close up on surface texture of SteelSeries QcK Speed mouse pad

(Image credit: Future)

At the other end of the spectrum we have the Speed pad. This is an almost-slick surface that provides the same kind of glide feel as a hard pad, but with the comfort and malleability of a traditional soft design. That's a potent combination, and while I preferred the Control pad for everyday work and most of my games, faster assaults like Apeꦓx Legends and CS2 do benefit from the additional slip of this surface.

I was able to move much quicker across the pad and still maintain some degree of control over my movements, though there was definitely less precision in my gameplay than on the above model. Both the heavier Basilisk V3 Pro and lighter Logitech DEX moved nicely over the finer-weaved surface, though the particularly low-weight Razer Viper V3 Pro was particularly swift on this surface. That sometimes translated into a little more of a flick than I was expecting, and I had to adjust my muscle memory accordingly, minimizing my right-hand mov👍ements compared to the wider gestures I would make on the Corsair MM700 Extended (my daily driver).

If you're a particularly fast competitive player this is going to be a massive win. Smaller movements means less time spent actually making your plays, and increasing the tracking specs of your mouse's sensor can get those flicks and twists down to simple twitches. However, I'd recommend the reliability and stopping power of the Control or Balance models for the majority of players out therᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚe.

SteelSeries QcK Performance: Balance

Close up on surface texture of SteelSeries QcK Balance mouse pad

(Image credit: Future)

Finally, we have the happy medium. The SteelSeries QcK Balance gaming mouse pad aims to provide a better halfway point between controlled movements and faster glides. This is essentially the next generation of the standard SteelSeries QcK mouse pad we've all come to know and love, combining spee🗹d, comfort, and control into one Goldilocks mat. It's the model most players are going to gravitate towards first, and the one we should see the most action out of.

Like both the Speed and Control, the new generation is thicker, with edged stitching to better ✱protect against frays in the longer term. The SteelSeries logo has also been darkened into a gray rather than the stark white we saw in the original. The actua𓆏l feel of the pad sits more on the control side than speed. There's a less effortless glide here, with more attention paid to stopping power and finer movements. Being a fan of the QcK Control, this is a lean I'm happy to support. It's much more comfortable for everyday work tasks and more game genres overall.

There's a much less noticeable drag compared to the fuꦆll texture of the Control model, 💮which is going to keep those who use a heavier gaming mouse particularly nimble.

Should you buy a SteelSeries QcK Performance mouse pad?

SteelSeries QcK Performance gaming mouse pad line on a wooden desk, with focus on brand logo

(Image credit: Future)

SteelSeries is well known for the durability and glide of its mouse pads, it's why the original QcK has stood at the top of our ranks for a couple of years now. The latest iteration keeps the all-in-one nature of the original with the Balance mat, but also brings new options for speed-focused and more precision-minded players. Of the three, the Control pad is the most refreshing. Very few mouse pads are confident enough to actually add an element of drag to their feel, but the ext♛r🀅a accuracy it brings to both gameplay and everyday productivity has been a real benefit in my testing. If you use a heavier mouse, the Balance model still offers a grainier feel than the previous generation but provides a smoother glide for a more comfortable experience overall.

The Speed model is certainly fast, and is going to ജgive competitive players looking to milk high DPI settings an edge. The vast majority, though🌌, should be looking to the two more tactile models for a real sense of control.

Right now, only the square Large and Extra Large models are available, whereas I naturally prefer an XXL or an Extended design. It means that, during testing, I have to keep my keyboard veered slightly too far left to truly be comfortable for day to day typing (lest it overlap🎃 with the pad itself). In-game, I tend to angle the k🐠eyboard anyway, and there's no swapping my right hand between devices, so there's less of a sizing issue if you're buying for a dedicated gaming setup.

Otheꦍr than the size, the only feature I found myself missing during testing was the RGB lighting of my Corsair MM700 Extended. It does mean I had fewer wires trailed around my setup, but I did enjoy the extra pzazz b❀rought to my setup, and the relatively simple-looking SteelSeries model didn't bring the same level of flair to my desk top.

How I tested the SteelSeries QcK Performance mouse pads

I used the SteelSeries QcK Performance Speed, Control, and Balance mouse pads over the course of two weeks. I split my time evenly between each pad during that time, while also comparing against the previous generation QcK and QcK Heavy on the desk as well. I used both a heavy (112g) Razer Basilisk V3 Pro gaming mouse and lighter Razer Viper V3 Pro (55g) and Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX (60g) mice in both wired and wireless mode. For more information on how we make our recommendations, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also rounding up all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming mouse models and hunting down the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best left-handed mouse for gaming. Or, take a look at the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards for a full setup refresh.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-mice/steelseries-qck-performance-review/ SgKLSFuktNJzNHXSAdz85E Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:00:00 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Logitech has just released the PowerPlay 2 mouse pad, the next generation of its wireless chargiဣng mats promising never-ending power as you play and pause. The new iteration looks similar to the original, albeit wi💝th a much slimmer form factor and a slightly lower price point. The Logitech PowerPlay 2 comes in at $99.99 / £89.99 and is available to order today.

That's $20 cheaper than the lofty MSRP of the previous model. The first PowerPlay mouse pad hit the shelves all the way back in 2017 at $119.99, and while we're talking about small change considering this is still a pretty expensive 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:mouse pad for gaming, that two-figure sum could squeakౠ it into the budgets of Logi fans who already have compatible rodents under their hands.

Logitech PowerPlay 2 |
The Logitech PowerPlay 2 is now available at Best Buy, offering wireless charging for your compatible L🃏ogi mouse at a lower rate than the previous model. It's still a lot of cash for a mouse pad, but if you're tired of plugging in it's well worth a look.

Buy it if:

✅ You always forget to plug in
✅ You have a compatible Logitech mouse
✅ You prefer hard mouse pads

Don't buy it if:

❌ You don't have a compatible mouse
❌ You prefer more textured surfaces

UK:

Spending over $100 for a mouse pad always felt ludicrous, but discounts in the coming months could drop the PowerPlay 2 to around $80 if we're lucky, and the similar original model could well nosedive after this release. Considering you're spending that cash to stop charging your mouse a♔ll together, it's not a completely unreasonable value proposition.

This is more than an optimized surface to improve glide, after all. Low-frequency electromagnets keep a small puck in compatible mic൲e charged up the entire time they're on the pad - whether they're moving or still. It's a system of never-ending batterꦓy that, as I sit and watch my current pointer blinking red at me, I can't help but envy. After all, I seem perfectly happy to drop more than that on a portable charger for my phone and other accessories, and this is a device I use constantly for between seven and ten hours a day.

Logitech PowerPlay 2 mouse pad with gaming mouse in a setup

(Image credit: Logitech)

It's a small / medium pad (anything extended would be unnecessary considering its charging capabilities), but the 344 x 284mm footprint still gives you a good amount of space for sweeps. Thickness is par for the course, with all components coming together for a total of 3.5mm depth. Tha🥃t's still thinner than 🌞the original thanks to the surface cover cutting its waist line.

There are currently eleven 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech gaming mice thatꩵ are compatible with the PowerPlဣay 2 charging system:

  • Logitech G309
  • Logitech G502 X Plus
  • Logitech G502 X Lightspeed
  • Logitech G502
  • Logitech G703
  • Logitech G903
  • Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2
  • Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX
  • Logitech G Pro X Superlight
  • Logitech G Pro 2 Lightspeed
  • Logitech G Pro Wireless

It's worth reiterating that these are the only gaming mice that can be charged via the pad's electromagnetic system. Even if you have the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse on the market, if it's not on that list it's not going to be charging. Similarly, the surface is designed to work with the included puck, which fits neatlඣy into the above devices, so there's no Qi charging for phones or other peripherals available here.

Where to buy the Logitech PowerPlay 2


Best Buy is my retailer of choice for the Logitech PowerPlay 2. It's the fastest store in the US with its Thursday March 13 delivery dates and it comes with a free month of Discord Nitro. That perk is only going to appeal to a few players, but it's still the best value on the web right now and the speediest shipping.


Logitech itself is offering free shipping on its new PowerPlay 2 mouse pad, though that standard tier will take 4 - 7 business days. Ouch. If you want to pay $8 you can have the pad delivered by Express Courier, but that's still going to arrive after Best Buy's current estimates.


Amazon actually has the longest shipping time of the lot at the time of writing. There's no Prime delivery available here, so the earliest you'll receive the PowerPlay 2 is March 25.

I'm also hunting down the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming mouse models as well as the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboard. Or, take a look at the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer mice for more from the competition.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-mice/logitech-just-refreshed-its-wireless-charging-gaming-mouse-pad-and-it-might-finally-be-cheap-enough-to-be-worthwhile/ 8QQAMSc9kTrCD7Z74DLhfn Tue, 11 Mar 2025 12:24:11 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Logitech has brought its first ever Hall effect magnetic keyboard to the market, and the G Pro X TKL Rapid is actually relatively well-priced. The $169.99 / £169.99 model comes in cheaper than alternatives from SteelSeries, Glorious, and NZXT and still manages to offer all the features yo♒u’d expect from these newer switches. This is a classic customizable actuation package with a wired connection, support for rapid trigger and dual-step triggers, and super sensitive switch modes for a comprehensive feature set.

Combine that with the brand’s super vivid RGB lighting and a set of dedicated extra controls and you’re looking at one of the strongest TKL keyboards on the market, save for its high-resistance typing experience. If you don’t want to move past the $200 threshold to pick up one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards available, this is an excellent choice.

Key Specs

Price

$169.99 / £169.99

Type

Magnetic Hall effect

Connection

Wired

Size

TKL

Switches

Logitech Magnetic Analog

Keycaps

Doubleshot PBT

Media keys

Dedicated

Wrist rest

None

USB passthrough

None

Design

Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid gaming keyboard on a wooden desk with blue lighting

(Image credit: Future)

The Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid is available in black, white, or pink, with all three models benefiting from pﷺarticularly vibrant Lightsync RGB. It’s those LEDs that steal the show in this design. While I was a little disappointed to see some uneven coloring around longer legends (the caps, tab, and enter keys all lose some of this spark), the main alphanumeric keys are beautifully lit with controlled, rich color. It’s rare that I speak so highly of an RGB system so early in a review, but with no light bleed it’s truly one of the first things to impress me about this deck.

The actual TKL form factor is taller than that of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3, with a larger top bez൩el providing extra space for a silver ‘G’ logo stamped into the left corner, as well as the media control buttons and volume dial on the right. It means these controls aren’t as hidden behind the keycaps as they are on SteelSeries’ model, though they’re still set fairly low and some peering and reaching is required to hit them. It’s easier to adjust the volume during more frantic moments, though, thanks to that extra headroom.

Close up on volume and playback controls on Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

A metal top plate is recessed into a plastic chassis, making for a sturd☂y landing for each keypress that doesn’t break the bank with a full premium construction. SteelSeries adopts a similar design, with the same flex-free results. The plastic casing also means that the Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid is light enough for easy transport, though still sturdy enough on the desk to stay in plac🐬e when confronted with my occasional mouse-hand knocks.

Doubleshot PBT keycaps provide an overall good sense of grip, but I can’t help but feel that they’re slightly more slippery than the more textured caps of SteelSeries’ product and certainly less grippy than those of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:NZXT Function Elite. While I never slid enough to actually lose precision, they don’t feel as satisfying under the fingertips as other option🔴s. With a more frantic playstyle, positioning could get sloppy.

The main deck, however, is incredibly well built. There isn’t a hint of a creak to the body itself, every join is seamless, and even larger keycaps resist wobbling under the hand. Two💜 flip feet on the underside operate with a reassuring snap and never buckle when pushing the keyboard up and down a desk. I regularly shove my keyboard up the desk to take notes and hate hearing the clatter of a weaker hinge buckling from the momentum. There’s a little hint of luxury in this build quality as well, with a small strip of glossy metal outlining the main typing plate and catching the light beautifully.

Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid bottom right corner

(Image credit: Future)

It doesn’t feel like there’s too much additional dampening going on inside this chassis, so keypresses can sound a little more coa𝓀rse compared to SteelSeries and NZXT. As with most magnetic switches, though, there’s no pinging from within the case during even heavier typing sessions.

I did, however, notice the space bar starting to soften during the course of my testing. The deeper thocc heard at the start of my process was accompanied by a lighter clack towards the end. The space bar has its own padding underneath, but it feels like a looser c𒊎onnection in the stabilizer itself - the switch still feels solid on close𝓡r inspection.

Features

Of course, it’s those switches that are going to be drawing many towards the Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid over other decks. Logitech’s Magnetic Analog switches can be configured to actuate at between 0.1mm and 4mm of travel. That essentially means your keys can be as sensitive or as heavy as you wish, and individual keys can be set up in different ways - for example, uppi🦩ng the sensitivity of WASD while lowering it in surroundin𝓰g keys to avoid mis-presses.

Being able to actuate at 0.1mm makes for a particularly speedy switch, and while SteelSeries matches this full range of customization choices, NZXT’s Hall effect keyboard taps out at 0.6mm, giving you less room to work with. I’m glad Logitech went for the full range here, especially considering it’s $20 cheaper than the Function Elite at M🍸SRP.

Us𝔉ing a magnet rather than a traditional mechanical on / off switch means you can also map two separate fu🌱nctions to two different actuation points within the same keypress. I mostly use this feature for configuring ‘W’ to walk when at a half press, and adding a ‘Shift’ modifier for a run when pushed all the way down. It’s a neat feature that helps replicate more of a controller thumbstick feel, and considering I spend most of my time in Avowed sprinting (thank you no-stamina-sprints) I rarely felt myself hovering uncomfortably at a half press.

Side view of Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid gaming keyboard on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

It’s worth noting that some keyboards allow for four inputs per keypress (one on the way down, one at a full bottom-out, one on the way up, and one at a full return). That’s particularly tricky to nail and rarely comes up in everyday gameplay, but it is a feature available on the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Glorious GMMK 3 HE.

Of course, as the name suggests, that all-import♊ant Rapid Trigger mode is also available here. It’s essentially a repeat-press shortcut that allows for incredibly fast debounce responses. In Logitech’s deck, you set a preferred actuation point from which your press with de-register which means you don’t need to wait for a full reset before actuating again, as you would with a mechanical switch. Most Hall effect keyboards use this feature.

SOCD controls are available as well, named ‘Key Priority’ in Logitech’s vocabulary. If you haven’t heard the controversy around this feature, it essentially allows your keyboard to override your previous keypress with a new one. If you’re holding ‘A’ to strafe left and immediate🍨ly want to change direction with ‘D’, previous keyboards would have nullified this action for the amount of time both keys are being pressed.

෴In those milliseconds where you have both keys pressed, you’d be going nowhere. SOCD overrides your ‘A’ input with ‘D’ as soon as it’s actuated for an immediate change in direction. This feature is extremely useful in casual play, but it’s also banned in a number of competitive arenas, so use with caution.

Close up on RGB lighting on Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid keycaps

(Image credit: Future)

All of this is configured in Logitech’s G Hub software, which does make light work of ensuring each customizatio♏n process is smooth and intuitive. I use a lot of different programs by a lot of different brands, so finding out where each set♒ting is on each one can become tiresome. Logitech combines its actuation point, rapid trigger, and SOCD controls in one menu, called ‘Analog Switches’. A simple sliding scale reminds me of the particularly streamlined NZXT CAM software that I loved during testing, but Logitech also benefits from showing your individual actuation points on a graphic of the keyboard itself as well. That’s particularly handy for finer tweaks.

Screenshot of Logitech G Hub software being used to set customized actuation points on Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

Customizing those dual inpuꦜts is all done in the ‘Assignments’ tab, which makes sense now that I think back on it but threw me at the start of te൲sting. It would make sense to have this ‘analog switch’ feature included in its respective menu, but I can see why it’s here. The fact that it’s one of the more simple multi-action remapping tools I’ve used makes up for that brief confusion - a simple building block interface and a testing section makes the process pain-free where other platforms can get confusing.

Screenshot of Logitech G Hub software setting dual actuation triggers on a Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

Like most Hall effect keyboards, this is a fully wired affair. The extra power draw of these switches mean few keyboards can comfortably run for long enough on battery power over a 2.4GHz or Bluetooth connection. If you do want to go wireless you’ll be paying for it - the Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE is cable-free, but its price can skyrocket. A 1,000Hz polling rate keeps things reasonable, some keyboards can go higher to cover the odd millisecond of missed input as keyboard and PC converse. The vast majo🍌rity of players don’t need an 8,000Hz polling keyboard, but competitive players might want to consider Glorious’s model for thatꦐ extra safety bla♏nket.

Performance

The Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid looks gr൲eat, feels alright, and is stacked with ❀a good set of features for its price. The way it runs put me off a little at the start of testing.

The first thing I noticed about this keyboard is its particularly soft bottom-out. I’m a fan of a softer clack, I love my 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Azoth for this pillowy response. But there’s a woolly feeling to these switches that sometimes makes typing feel a little heavier than it should. Combined with a lack of energy from the top plate, it verges on feeling just a little mushy. I’m by no means likening this experience to that of a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:membrane gaming keyboard, there’s still a snap to these switches, but comparedꦕ to the rest of my testing pool there’s a little too much tension somewhere in these switches.

Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid gaming keyboard with cable on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

Hall effect switches will also lose some of the snap of a mechanical deck, but the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 and NZXT Function Elite still manage to feel crisp and clean under the fingertips. There’s less resistance behind each keypress, particularly in NZXT’s switches while the level of force required to half-actuate Logitech’s keys can get fatiguing during longer typing sessions. This made less of a difference in-game, and - like in the case of the Apex Pro - the extra stiffness actually allowed me to discern where I was within the actuation range of each key a little better. SteelSeries nails this intuitive feel for actuation points 𒁃while also providing aꦇ comfortable everyday typing experience, though.

It should be noted that that heaviness never got in the way of super light keypresses. With my actuation point set to the top 0.1mm, I was never pushing down enough on a key to feel this resistance fully. That made for particularly speedy moꦓvements across Apex Legends and CS2.

Should you buy the Logitech G Pro X Rapid?

Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid gaming keyboard with packaging on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

The Logitech G Pro X Rapid does have a lot going for it, at a price point that appeases more wallets than SteelSeries and NZXT. If you’re after a Hall effect keyboard purely for gameplay use, it’s a fantastic alternative to more premium options (which feels weird to say about a Logitech deck). You’re getting the same range of actuation customizations as you would with both the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 ($219.99) and NZXT Function Elite ($199.99), with dedicated media controls, vibrant RGB lighting, a compact TKL form factor, and a slick design. I’d reᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚcommend getting your hands on these switches in-store first if you know you prefer a lighter feel (and you’ll be typing a lot every day), but overall it’s an eas🐲y recommendation for the price.

If you can go a little further up the budget scale, though, I’d still point you towards the SteelSeries Apex Pro first and foremost. It’s got better keycaps, a handy OLED display, and a less stuffy switch-feel in the hand. It also comes with a wrist rest and, while it’s a little harder to hit reliably, a volume dial for quick adjustments in-g🍸ame.

Like most Hall effect keyboards, both Logitech and SteelSeries’ entries are wired-only. If you’re after a cable-free setup, the Glorious GMMK 3 Pro ⛎HE is the way to go. It’s a good deal more expensive, but provides a more luxurious dampening design, 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections, and additional multi-trigger settings as well. The deck is also modular for further upgrades later on down the line, with a full customization experience available via th꧟e .

Ratings

Speed

4/5

Customization

4/5

Typing feel

3/5

Portability

4/5

Comfort

3/5

Controls

4/5

How I tested the Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid

The Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid was my daily driver across work and play for two weeks, during which time I primarily played Avowed, Oxenfree 2, and Fallout 4. I stress tested the deck in competitive rounds of Apex Legends and CS2, using varied actuation points across different keys and making use of rapid trigger as well. I tested SOCD and dual actuation mostly in Avowed. For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming keyboards, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I’m also hunting down all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming keyboards, but if you’re after a look at the competition I’m also looking out for the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer keyboards on the market. For switch-swappers out there, I’ve also had my hands on all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best hot-swappable keyboards as well.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/logitech-g-pro-x-tkl-rapid-review/ vihQpf4XxncpptrD2sqwTH Fri, 07 Mar 2025 15:00:45 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 back in 2023, but the DEX model feels tailor made to fix pretty much all of my initial concerns. This is a lightweight, speed-focused gaming mouse with a renewed enthusiasm for comfortable design and the improvements to the chassis, and more recent sensor upgrades (to both devices) make this a serious force to be reckoned with. It’s facing off against the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse on the market right nꦍow, the Razer Viper V3 Pro - and it wins an impressi🎀ve number of battles in this war.

Both models feature the same $159.99 MSRP (though Razer is £10 ෴more in the UK), the standard flagship price for a high-end pointer. This is the only luxury gaming mouse that has seriously threatened Razer’s crown in the last few months, with a blindingly fast Hero 2 sensor, 8,000Hz wireless polling straight out the box, an ergonomic chassi൲s, and incredibly satisfying main clicks. There’s a fight going on at the top, and Logitech is gaining the upper hand.

Key Specs

Price

$159.99 / £149.99

Connection

2.4GHz / Wired

Shape

Right-handed

Buttons

5

DPI

44,000

IPS

888

Switches

Logitech Lightforce

Weight

60g

Battery

95 hours constant motion

Design

Reviewer hand holding Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX gaming mouse in black against a PC setup

(Image credit: Future)

The design of the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX is the biggest, flounciest, f༺eather in its cap. I never really got 🐠on with the straight lines and chunky dome on the standard model, but Logitech has cinched this waist and added some extra ergonomic support to the main chassis for its DEX release. That’s a massive relief on the hands.

There’s a much more severe slope on the left flank this time around, with a higher gradient running down towards the bottom of the device. Not only does that make for a much more comfortable hold, but I’m also noticing a considerable improvement in the amount of control I have over the larger body as well. It does mean my thumb has to reach a little higher to hit the side buttons, but this defined curve puts the DEX out in front of both the original model and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper V3 Pro. Razer features a straight side flank, 𓄧pushing the thumb outwards more for a less com🍷fortable claw grip.

Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX in front of Razer Viper V3 Pro gaming mouse, showing height difference between the two

(Left) Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX, (Right) Razer🧔 Viper💎 V3 Pro (Image credit: Future)

At 43.9mm at its highest point, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX is also taller than both the previous Superlight 2 and the Viper V3 Pro. That means there’s slightly less room for a fingertip or particularly light claw grip, but palm holders are better catered for overall. I swap between a palm g𓆉rip for work and a claw grip for gameplay and had a good time with both styles.

There’s more room for the thumb and pinky to play a larger role in finer move🌟ments compared to the squat Viper, making tiny adjustments particularly easy in both palm and claw mode. The wider base does mean it’s not particularly well-suited to a fingertip hold, there feels like a little too much🐻 junk in the trunk for movements to be as controlled as they are on the Viper.

At 60g it’s about as light as the majority of FPS-first mice on the market, and that weight is well balan🐻ced so that I never felt any dragging or uneven distribution during gameplay or work. The Viper is lighter, though, aꦺnd those extra grams do make themselves known in side by side comparisons. It’s a little easier to lift the Viper at speed, and the lighter weight also contributes to a less strenuous glide.

Available in black, white, or pink, the DEX follows the same colorways as the original model, stil🐟l keeping that subtle aesthetic that many prefer in their setups. There are no RGBs to distract or drain ℱthe battery - only a simple ‘G’ logo stamped on the back hump.

You’ll also feel the same soft-touch coating across the entire device as the previous model. This is a newer trend in performance gaming mice, with the Razer Viper line and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Alienware Pro Wireless adopting the same strategy.

Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX, Alienware Pro Wireless, and Razer Viper V3 Pro gaming mice on a wooden desk

(Left) Alienware Pro Wireless, (Mid💫dle) Razer Viper V3 Pro, (Right) Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX (Image credit: Future)

I’m always sad to see the bumps and ridges of more tactile materials fall out of favor and, like all mice that use this coating, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX can clam up a little during prolonged use. It’s still nicely grippy, I never slid out of grip during testing, but there’s a stickiness that starts to creep in after a while. The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper V2 Pro is still my go-to for a comfortable𝄹 surface texture.

I would be surprised if the DEX wasn’t put together well - every other 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech gaming mouse in the last few years has been particularly durable. There are no creaks to the c💯hassis when pinching hard between the sides or across the top and bottom of the device, and no rattle from inside the main chassis or scroll wheel. Everything is joined nicely, and wi🍃th no honeycomb cutouts to worry about, dust is easy to manage.

Features

Logitech updated its Hero 2 sensor somewhere between the launch of the original G Pro X Superlight 2 and the DEX model. The optical eye now sports a massive 44,000 DPI, set in increments of 20, with 888 IPS tracking speed and 88G acceleration. Both mice now benefit from these specs, so you don’t have to pick up the newer DEX to upgrade your sensor. While very few players will actually dare near the top end of that DPI threshold, the opt🐠ion is open to you. Don’t get too excited, though, DPI is a bit of a marketing gimmick - most players won’t need to move beyond 3,000 or 4,000.

Reviewer hand holding Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX gaming mouse with underside showing sensor and feet

(Image credit: Future)

There’s far more to understand about how a gaming mouse performs from its IPS. If you’re a competitive player, you’ll want to have your rodent tracking as many inches per second as possible.🐟 It’s how you maintain precision and tracking control during𝕴 twitch-reflex movements like a quick shot or rapid pan.

This is the aspect of the Hero 2 sensor I’d recommend putting most stock in. Most gaming mice tap out at around 650 IPS, and Logitech has gone 200-inches above that. Razer’s latest Viper mouse sits behind the G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX at 750 IPS, w꧒hile Alienware’s Pro Wireless comes in at 650 IPS at a similar price as well.

The G Pro X Superlight range has always targeted esports professionals, so its 8,000Hz wireless polling rate makes sense. If you’re a more casual playerꦉ, or simply starting out on your leaderboard domination journey, you won’t need to be polling this 💎high. In fact, the impact it will have on your battery means I’d actively warn against using this feature in day to day gameplay.

Tournament-level players are adopting this i🅺ncreased polling rate as a safety blanket to prevent missed or late inputs, even if we’re talking about fractions of milliseconds saved. Still, those players do exist and it’s worth pointing out that this is another battleground between Razer and Logitech. Both models can run up to the full 8,000Hz over a 2.4GHz connection, andꦬ both cap rates at 1,000Hz when wired (I still find that strange).

Side view of Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX gaming mouse on a wooden desk, showing mouse right flank with Superlight logo

(Image credit: Future)

However, there’s a slight edge to the Superlight 2 DEX. Razer requires a whole cable and separate receiver for its wireless polling, whereas Logitech can run it all from a simple plug-and-play USB-C receiver. It doesn’t make much of a difference in dayও to day use, aside from keeping your desk a bit tidier, but if you regularly take your setup on the road it’s not inconsequential. I have to pack a whole extra cable and relatively chunky dongle when traveling with the Razer Viper V3 Pro - the receiver simply tucks into the body of the Logitech G Proꦺ X Superlight 2 DEX and I’m good to go.

Under the hood (or hoods), Logitech has used its Lightforce optical switches in the main clicks. These clickers provide the speed of a light-based actuation but with the satisfying crunch of a mechanical switch. I don’t want to get into the performance section too early, but I’ll say these are some of the best main clicks I’ve used in a gaming mouse in a long time. They feel richer while also being crisper, and sound far more satisfying, than Razer or Alienware’s switches. The joy of these main clicks was the first thing I noticed about the DEX, and it still remains one of my favori🌳te aspects of the mouse overall.

There’s no dedicated DPI profile shi🀅fter on the mouse itself (Razer has one located underneath the main chassis), but there’s space for five onboard profiles. You’ll need to head to G Hub to set them up and switch between them, though, which can be a pain. I hate having to tab out of a game and load up a whole separate program just to swap between free-gunning and sniping, but without a dedicated button that’s the case here.

Close up on main click buttons of Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX

(Image credit: Future)

Still, G Hub has seen some strong development over the years. Two♍ tabs keep your button assignments and DPI settings nice and simple. Actually binding the five available buttons is incr🅺edibly easy. A simple drag and drop approach removes the need to hunt through layers of nested menus and there’s a strong supply of Windows system and keyboard shortcut inputs to assign here. It’s also one of the easiest programs to use in creating new macros.

The Sensitivity tab provides a similarly streamlined approach to adjusting DPI, set either with a draggable scale or by inputtin♒g numbers straight into the program. It’s a far cry from some of the more obstinate programs I use in testing (Glorious has a particularly frustrating DPI process on its Core software). This is where you can also set your polling rate for both wired and wireless connections and calibrate your sensor’s DPI to match that of another mouse’s settings. This is similar to Razer’s own syncing feature, and like with the Viper I don’t see how it’s going to be used more than maybe once in the life of the mouse.

Screenshot of Logitech G Hub software showing DPI assignment on Superlight 2 DEX mouse

(Image credit: Future)

I noted the lack of lift-off distance settings in this software and, after hunting through tabs and hidden menus, it seems like there’s no way to adjust this commonly personalized setting on the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX. It’s not going to be a deal-b🅷reaker, but its absence raises an eyebrow. You’ll also find more sensor and control features in other mice across the market, this is relatively stripped back for a flagship release.

The Viper V3 Pro also keeps things simple, but the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair DarkStar Wireless adds more functionality in its tilt controls and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed provides a sensor orientation guide 🌸rope that makes lifts far more accurate. The DEX’s feature list is still par for the course in the world of eSports mice, save for the exclusion of lift-off 𓃲customization.

Screenshot of keybinding software in Logitech G Hub, connected to Superlight 2 DEX mouse

(Image credit: Future)

Like most speed-focused mice there’s no Bluetooth connection here. Neither Razer nor Alienware’s competitors offer the slower wireless option, but it does mean you’re more limit𝔍ed in your devices compared to a more generalist device. Still, Logitech reckons you’ll get 95 hourꦿs of battery life out of a 2.4GHz connection - and I managed to surpass that when starting from a fresh full charge. That’s because Logitech’s estimate is based on constant movement.

In regular day-to-day use (around eight hours of work and two to three hours of gameplay) I kept t💛he DEX alive for just shy of two weeks. Factor in a weekend with less use (roughly three hours of gaming at 1,000Hz per day), that accounts for 11 days - putting the usable battery life at around 100 to 105 hours. Of course, setting the switc🔜hes to purely optical mode and dialing polling rates to 8,000Hz cut this life short considerably.

Performance

While the sensor can and does perform at the top of its game, very few flagship models actually don’t. Instead, the rea൲l performan🐻ce potential of each rodent comes down to a combination of its shape, weight, click feel, and ease of access. You don’t need me to tell you that an 888 IPS Logitech Hero 2 sensor is going to perform well in-game across both single player adventures and competitive endeavors. I won’t shock anyone by saying that this lens manages to track all my faster movements in CS2 incredibly well, with no jittering, dropped tracking, or over-extended throws.

Instead, it’s the shape and main click buttons that make more of a difference to the G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX experience overall. Those super snappy clackers have just enough tension underneath to still feel deep and richly satisfying, without losing debounce or actuation speed. There’s slightly more travel to them compared to the Viper, which means they do feel a fraction of a millisecond slower to actually hit. However, the optical actuation still ensures reflex-level 🔥speed overall. I’m nowhere near the level of tournament play required to notice the slight slow down from that highe꧂r click, and I’d take a crisper, more satisfying actuation than an ever-so-slightly faster feel any day.

Hand using the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX gaming mouse in a relaxed claw grip

(Image credit: Future)

The shape of the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX also contributes to a more controlled feel overall. While it’s heavier than the Viper, and that fact does make it drag a little in day-to-day, there’s more space for the thumb and pinky to carry a little more of the control load. I like adjusting my aim by wiggling the back portion of my mouse between these fingers in a claw grip, but not all gaming mice have a shape that supports this movement. The higher dome, cinched sides, and fairly severe gradient down the back of the mouse means th🤡ere’s plenty of space between the chassis and my hand for free motion.

Close up on left flank of Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX gaming mouse, showing deep curve for ergonomic design

(Image credit: Future)

The side buttons are a little more diffic📖ult to hit than the Razer Viper due to their higher placement on the mouse itself. That means it’s more difficult to ro🔯ll between the two with the thumb placed comfortably on top. They’re also softer than the main clicks, still offering a nice snap, but without the extra travel that makes the feature switches so satisfying.

Should you buy the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX?

Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX gaming mouse leaning against packaging on a wooden desk with blue lighting

(Image credit: Future)

I have a whole wad of gaming mice to test and review after the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX and I can’t wait to get it back on the desk afterwards. This is one of the most comfortable gaming mice I’ve tested in a long time, and that ergonomic design doesn’t come at the cost of performance. I usually find myself sacrificing lightweight design to pick up a more comfortable form factor (like in the case of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Turtle Beach Kone II Air) but Logitech has nailed all corners of the market hereﷺ. It’s a no-brainer over the original Superlight 2 and even gives the Vipܫer V3 Pro something to think about.

Razer’s competitor does offer a lower overall weight, with a better design for fingertip and particularly light claw grips and more software features. However, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX wins in its dongle-less 8,000Hz wireless polling, overall comfort for palm and claw grips, and more satisfying main clicks. Both mice hold their own on the battlefield, in far more competitive arenas than I can last a second in. For the vast majority of players who use a claw grip, I’d recommend the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX over the Viper. That’s not a recommendation 🐠I make lightly, Razer has dominated the top spot in this war for years now. However, unless you use a fingertip grip, the comfort of this chassis and the sophistication of this sensor are hard to argue with.

If the DEX has beaten the Viper it’s certainly got the 𝄹Alienware Pro Wireless ♌on its knees. While it’s not as floaty in its glide and its main clicks don’t feature the same super-fast magnetic debounce, improvements to its ergonomics, specs, polling rate, and side buttons make this a much better buy at roughly the same price.

Ratings

Comfort

5/5

Speed

5/5

Programmability

4/5

Connectivity

4/5

Battery life

5/5

How I tested the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX

I used the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX for daily work and play across a period of two weeks. I spent one week solely testing the device by itself, with another week of comparative testing across the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless, Razer Viper V3 Pro, Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2, and Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse. During that time, I primarily tested across CS:2 and Apex Legends, with nightly Avowed sessions and a sprinkling of Fallout 4. For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming mice, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also hunting down all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming mouse models on the market, as well as the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best left-handed gaming mice available. Or, if you're in Sneki's camp, check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer mice I've tested so far.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-mice/logitech-g-pro-x-superlight-2-dex-review/ 6KDvQUQ4yyDLse8MTWNGB6 Tue, 04 Mar 2025 18:09:42 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Alienware released its selection of Pro Wireless peripherals last year, and having spent the first couple of months of 2025 with the mouse and headset it’s time to turn to the mechanical keyboard. In a time when most gaming brands are adding Hall effect switches to their decks, Dell is keeping things old school. This is a ret🍒urn to the full mechanical clack we all know and love, and while that nostalgia is certainly welcome it’s not quite doing enough to justify its $199.99 MSRP compared to its peers.

Competition in this price range is brutal. The three decks most closely aligned to the Alienware Pro Wireless’s price point just so happen to be some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards money can buy right now. Alienware wants its tri-mode connectivity, bold RGB lighting, and thoccy mechanical switches to speak for themselves, but where others are𝐆 upping the game from a customization standpoint, the brand🍸 struggles to be heard against the rest of the market.

By itself, the Alien🅷ware Pro Wireless gaming keyboard is a nicely constructed piece of kit. A rock solid build quality, excellent typing feel, and strong versatility in its connections puts it in good stead for those after a pure mechanical experience. Problems occur when that $199.99 receipt floats into view.

Key Specs

Price

$199.99 / £199.99

Type

Mechanical

Connection

2.4GHz / Bluetooth / Wired

Size

75% (mini)

Switches

Alienware Linear switches

Keycaps

Doubleshot PBT

Media keys

Dedicated volume, dual-function playback

Wrist rest

None

USB passthrough

None

Design

Alienware Pro Wireless gaming keyboard on a wooden desk with blue RGB

(Image credit: Future)

I received the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming keyboard in the brand’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ colorway - that’s black to you♌ and I - but it’s also available in ‘Lunar Light’, aka white. I personally prefer white gaming tech - it just looks more premium and stands out more compared to the hundreds of boring black gadgets on the market. Still, I can appreciate the slightly lighter gray base body and jet black caps here - even if they may be absorbing some of that RGB power.

Don’t get me wrong, Alie♚nware’s deck does a lot to differentiate itself from the usual black bricks that pass over my testing desk. The soft rounded corners make for a more relaxed aesthetic overall, with a gentle slope on the underside providing a little more visual excitement as well. Not that you’ll꧂ be picking up your keyboard all too often, but it’s an extension of Dell’s curvy design vibe.

That comfort-factor is compounded by the soft-touch coating across the top of the aluminum top plate. It’s a softer alternative to the cold, hard metal found on the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Azoth and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 and, while the slimli🦄ne bezels mean I wasn’t coming into contact with the surface all too ofte﷽n, it adds an air of sophistication to the design as a whole.

Corner of Alienware Pro Wireless gaming keyboard on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

The aluminum chassis melts into a plastic under-case with a seamless join halfway down the side, with both panels working together to produce a fantastic build quality. This thing is rock solid - exactly what you want for a traditional linear mechanical switch. I never encountered even a whisper of flex in the main deck, and the response to a fully bottomed-out keypress was clean and energetic. Even switch wobble is kept to an absolute minimum across largﷺe and small keys - everything is incredibly tight under the fingertips here.

Those old school mechanical switches do make themselves known, with a loud clack to each actuation that takes me straight back to the glory days. It’🦩s a little too loud to truly be considerate in a shared space, thoughꦗ I personally love the auditory feedback in my little den. While there are some dampening foam layers in the internal construction, which work particularly hard to calm any rattle or ping produced by the switches, this is still far from the gasket mounted clicking of the ROG Azoth.

This is a 75% layout, but not as you might know it. Everything is squished into a 𝓡form factor 🦄more in keeping with the traditions of a 65% deck. You’re still getting arrow keys and a full function row, with some extra navigation and media controls on the right hand side. The main alphanumeric area still remains nicely balanced, though, and I never had any issues with mis-presses between keys. It does, however, mean that you miss out on some of the extra features like a display or control dial that you’ll find in SteelSeries or Asus’s boards.

Back panel of Alienware Pro Wireless gaming keyboard showing side flipping feet

(Image credit: Future)

The Alienware Pro Wireless gaming keyboard provides a very slight natural incline due that extended section underneath, with two flippable feet adding extra elevation as well. These are the first keyboard feel that I’ve used to flip out sideways, and I’m a big fan. Unless you’ve got all but the strongest hinges, front-folding feet tend to buckle and fold back in𝔉to place when moving a keyboard backwards and forwards. Whenever I make similar adjustments with Alienware’s device, the feet simply glide in motion with th♊e deck. A rubber strip also runs along the bottom of the Pro Wireless to keep it in place on a desk as well.

Connection options are a little hꦗidden at the front of the keyboard, and it’s a little frustrating to have to lift the deck and angle it simply to see which device I’m connected to or to switch between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections. Still, I’m rarely tinkering with these once everything is set up - so it’s not going to be a major headache in the long term.

Features

Dell has outfitted the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming keyboard with a set of its own linear switches. These clickers are both the deck’s greatest strength and biggest point of contention. At $199.99, you’re not exactly skimping on your new gaming keyboard, so it’s difficult to justify the lack of Hall effect clickers from a pure functionality perspective. These newer magnetic switches provide far more customization of your switch behavior via personalized actuation points and dual-step triggers. They also provide faster repeat presses when a dynamic feature called Rapid Trigger is enabled. Newer gaming keyboards, like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:NZXT Function Elite Wireless ($199.99) and SteelSeries’s latest Apex Pro ($219.99), easily throw these switcheꦡs into their decks.

Close up on red linear switches inside Alienware Pro Wireless gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

A longer feature list isn’t always the hallmark of a great gaming keyboard, though. That’s where the stronger side of this mechanical offering comes in. These are particularly smooth, responsive, and satisfying switches, operating at a Goldilocks 40g actuation force for the perfect balance between sen🅠sitivity and speed.

While the smaller 75% form factor does limit some of the controls avai💯lable, the Pro Wireless still features dedicated volume buttons along the right, with a preset swapper in the top corner. This gives you fast access to your five onboard profiles, with RGB switching as well. Having onboard control over these presets is a fantastic bonus, especially if you regularly switch between control schemes on the fly. I appreciated being able to make the change from a sniper position to a full run’n’gun playstyle with𒐪 the tap of a button, rather than having to tab out and head into Alienware Command Center. It does, however, mean that the delete button has been pushed to the left, which never felt intuitive during day to day productivity.

The squished form factor also 🍰means media playback and navigation buttons are relegated to a separate function layer, though they’re all neatly placed around the right for easy access.

Wireless connectivity is also one of the Pro’s strongest assets. A USB-C 2.4GHz receiver takes care of all your low-latency gaming needs, while slots for three Bluetooth connections keeps things flexible across separate devices as well. 1,000Hz polling is nice and speedy for everyday players but those with their sights set on tournament stardom will be disappointed to learn that there’s no additional polling gains to be had from a wired connection. While the NZXT Function ⛎Elite relies solely on a wired connection, it runs at a faster 8,000Hz polling rate for the uber competitive.

Front panel of Alienware Pro Wireless gaming keyboard with connection options and indicator lights on show

(Image credit: Future)

Alienware Command Center is back in action to set up all your personalized keybindings, configure RGB settings, and enable power saving features. It’s a little basic compared to 💫some of the controls available in Razer Synapse, for example, but it does the same core job. Everything is🐠 nicely laid out, with three main tabs for lighting, keybinding, and general settings. I do prefer the single-page layout of NZXT’s CAM software, though this is a better experience compared to Asus’s Armory Crate.

Performance

I’ve been testing a hell of a lot of Hall effect gaming keyboards in the last few weeks, so hitting these linear mechanical clackers felt like coming home. The typing feel is fantastic here, offering just the right level of tension behind each switch while still providing a nicely sensitive actuation threshold. I missed not being able to set a higher actuation for certain keys I’m more likely to need to twitch into, but there’s a reaso♎n mechanical keyboards lasted so long in the gaming world. These factory-lubed switches are smooth and bouncy with strong feedback that feels tactile without getting in the way of comfort during longer typing sessions.

Close up on arrow buttons and dual functions on Alienware Pro Wireless gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

That means accuracy and speed are maintained at high levels. I was able to hit my dodges in Avowed just as well as I would on a controller, while also benefitting from a range of quick-tap commands elsewhere on the deck. I also appreciated 𒅌the slightly narrower design when it came to holding ca❀ps or shift for certain maneuvers, as my fingers didn’t need to stray as far from WASD to keep everything locked in.

Battery life also holds its own, coming in at up to 72 hours over 2.4GHz (with RGB switched on), and up to 798 hours without that lighting enabled. With these LEDs engaged, I was able to run the deck for around♛ a week and a half from a full battery - using the deck between seven and ten hours per day, and a few hours on weekends. Asus still wins in the battery department, though, with a massive 2,000 hours of charge in its ROG Azoth provided you keep those LEDs off.

Should you buy the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming keyboard?

Alienware Pro Wireless gaming keyboard with blue RGB on, leaning against packaging on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

There are a few gaming keyboards the Alienware Pro Wireless needs to beat. The $249.99 Asus ROG Azoth has long been the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming keyboard on the market, and its age means that price is much closer to $199.99 these days.🦩 It’s a 75% deck with a little more breathing space, a better battery, extra control and display features, and a softer typing feel. Not all of those benefits are going to appeal to everyone, if you’re after a more traditionally clacky switch then Alienware is the better choice, but overall value is on Asus’s side.

The $219.99 SteelSeries Apex🅺 Pro Gen 3 TKL swaps the Alienware Pro Wireless’s cable-free connection for infinitely more customizable Hall effect switches. It’s a much more sensitive experience if you need it to be, and also comes with more onboard controls, higher headroom for faster inputs, and a wrist rest included. If you’re going all out on speed over a classic mechanical typing feel, SteelSeries is the deck to beat. It’s currently my favorite TKL form factor plank on the market.

Then there’s the NZXT Function Elite ($199.99). This is a newer release that also takes advantage of Hall effect switches while keeping the price closer to that of the Alienware Pro Wireless. It’s got a similarly squished TKL form factor, though includes dedicated navigational keys at the expense of media controls, and provides a solid light show in the process. The build quality doesn’t match Alienware’s, and it’s a wired-only device, but if you’re climbing those competitive ranks fast its more sensitive switch🍒es and increased polling rate could make it the better buy.

Overall, I’d recommend the Alienware Pro Wireless to players who have cash to burn on an old school mechanical experience. If you don’t want to tinker with switch actuation points, and would prefer a deeper, richer key feel you’re going to be right at home here. It’s not one for the pros, and its far from entry level, but if you’re upgrading to a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:hot-swappable keyboard with plenty o🔯f versatility for extra devices it’s a solid option.

Ratings

Speed

3/5

Customization

3/5

Typing feel

5/5

Portability

3/5

Controls

3/5

I'm also scouting down all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best membrane gaming keyboards for something a little cheaper, or check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer keyboards to see what the competition has to offer. If you're outfitting your whole setup, take a look at the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models I've tested so far.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/alienware-pro-wireless-gaming-keyboard-review/ 2cY9dRQ5w8UFMujkThm7dZ Thu, 27 Feb 2025 16:50:23 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> The NZXT Lift Elite Wireless is the PC-building brand’s first dedicated wireless gaming mouse, and while it makes some sacrifices to reach its particularly competitive price tag it offers excellent val✱ue compared to flagships from more established brands.

At $79.99 / £79.99, it’s cheaper than other pointers in its class; the Glorious Model O 2 Mini comes in at $99.99 / £89.99 and the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed hits $99.99 / £99.99. In dropping Bluetooth functionality and a few nice-to-have sensor features, the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless keeps its spec sheet impressively lean. The result is a fantastic mid-range rodent that looks to threaten some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models on the market for sheer value.

Price

$79.99 / £79.99

Connection

2.4GHz / Wired

Shape

Right-handed

Buttons

6

DPI

26,000

IPS

650

Switches

TTC Optical

Weight

57g

Battery

70 hours

Design

Hand holding NZXT Lift Elite Wireless gaming mouse against a PC setup

(Image credit: Future)

I’ve used $150 mice that feel like they could be $50, so the premium build quality of the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless took me by surprise when I first opened up the box. There’s a little creaking when squeezed in at the sides, but the plastic chassis feels solid where it counts. In an age where the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer mice and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Logitech gaming mice are all opting for smoother plastic surfaces, I was relieved to feel a little grit under my paws this time around. Small bumps on the Lift Elite Wireless’s plastic frame provide a tactile sense of grip, even if their application is a little more slap-dash compared to the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper V2 Pro. Still, if you’re worried about the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed’s surface getting clammy after a few hours of use, this is 😼a fantastic a𝔉lternative.

Measuring in at 118.8mm in lengꦚth and 60.8mm in width, this is a fairly compact device, though I got on fine with my smaller hands. Those with larger hands might struggle to maintain comfort during longer sessions - the extra footprint of the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed (125.2mm x 63.3mm) provides extra space to work withও. In practice, the dimensions of the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless felt natural and intuitive personally, and I appreciated the extra dome height compared to the Glorious Model O 2 Mini Wireless when it came to a palm grip. NZXT has lifted its hump to 38.3mm at its highest point, for a more relaxed hold than Glorious’s 35.5mm.

Side view of NZXT Lift Elite Wireless gaming mouse showing rubber side grips and buttons

(Image credit: Future)

That said, I generally prefer a claw hold when working and gaming, and that’s where the extra grip panels on each side come into their own. It’s rare to find these days - a lot of more premium mice have ditched these textured panels in recent releases, save for the fantastic 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair Darkstar Wireless, but the extra support they💫 provide in fast-paced games can’t be beaten. The grip panels on the Lift Elite are made up of small, almost rubbery-feeling, dots spanning the thumb and pinky portions of each flank. It’s a well-positioned section, providing a reliable surface just below the side buttons and making for much easier fine-adjustments with the thumb. If you need even more control, the Lite Elite Wireless also comes with a🐷dditional grip tape in the box - though I found it to be slightly overkill when I applied it.

NZXT has kept this mouse’s weight impressively low. At 57g, this is much lighter than some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming mice on the market. It matches the Glorious Model O 2 Mini without requiring honeycomb cutouts across the main chassis and far surpasses the 82g 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed. The Death💜Adder V3 Hyperspeed does have NZXT beat with its own 55g form factor, though.

Hand holding NZXT Lift Elite Wireless gaming mouse showing hollowed out underside and DPI shifting button

(Image credit: Future)

That weight is generally well distributed,💝 though a little front-heavy. Peering inside (which is pretty easy to do thanks to the hollowed-out chassis), the Lift Elite Wireless’s innards are housed entirely under the main clicks. I’d certainly prefer a mouse that leans slightly forward in its weight distribution over one that🦂 drags to the rear, but it is noticeable when lifting off.

Features

I talk a lot about mouse polling rates when trying to consider the value of each rodent scuttling across my desk. With so many mice shipping with high price tags and ‘8,000Hz polling’ slapped across their marketing materials, it’s easy to get swept up in feature lists and end up paying for something you won’t use. The vast majority of players won’t need this kind of speed, and yet they’re sold it✅ under the pretense that it makes a better mouse for all. That irks me. In reality, it’s only the hyper-competitive among us who will notice the difference between a 4,000Hz rate and an 8,000Hz rate. This is why NZXT’s approach to polling is exempl🐬ary.

This is a particularly low price for a gaming mouse that can poll at 4,000Hz wirelessly. That’s the kind of speed that provides a runway for improvement for more casual players setting their sights on tournament glory. NZXT isn’t cutting its esports players out entirely though - 8,000Hz is within reach, you’ll just need to plug in for it. That brings the final cost of the Lift Elite to a much friendlier level, while still providing the𒊎 extra features that more professional players will need.

PixArt’s PAW-3395 sensor runs the show here, a step down from the slightly beefier PAW3950 but stꦑill excellent༺ value with its 26,000 DPI. Very few players will need to move all the way up to the top end of this scale but there’s still enough scope to fine-tune tracking settings at a more granular level. The sensor also features a 650 IPS tracking speed (that’s faster than the 500 IPS on the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed), with overall specs that match the Glorious BAMF 2.0 optical sensor.

NZXT Lift Elite Wireless gaming mouse with charging cable, USB receivers, and grip tape on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

Under each main click, NZXT has opted for TTC Optical switches with 60gF of actuation force. These are light and snappy, a crisp relief from the soft-feeling 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse I tested before this, with a 0.2ms rated response time🌳.

Two side buttons and a clickable scroll wheel make up six total programmable inputs (there’s no side-to-side action on the wheel itself). These are all configured in the NZXT CAM software, a piece of kit I much prefer to the more bloated options from the likes of SteelSeries and Corsair. This is a clean interface with a single page of customization options - no digging through unintuitive nested menus like you would with Glorious’s Core program. It’𒈔s relatively CPU-light and provides a quick look at your battery and DPI settings with simple sliders for persona🐼lized configurations across five presets.

There are six buttons, but only four programmable inputs mapped across the middle click, two side buttons, and DPI clicker (located on the bottom of the device). Actually setting up these keybindings can get a little tedious. The program locks a setting when it’s been assigned to a macro, which means I needed to delete each macro before I could remap. A selection of handy Windows functions is included in the ꦑkeybinding menu, but I quickly found that the “Copy” option was non-functional. NZXT has assured me that anღ update to the program is in the works to fix the bug.

The software houses customization options for polling rate, lift-off height (set to 1mm or 2mm), and motion sync. I prefer to keep that last feature turned off - it’s designed to keep your mouse’s polling in line with the 2.4GHz receiver’s own rate but I find it generally just translates into a slightly woolly tracking experience. Handy power management features allow you ꧅to customize the time it takes for your mouse to sleep when not being used.

These software features generally play nice with the rest of the market’s offerings, though Razer does go a step further with the DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed. Its Focus X sensor supports a sensor orientation feature that makes repositioning after lift-off much more precise as well as a dynamic rampi✤ng of DPI based on your own pre-set sensitivity curve.

NZXT Lift Elite Wireless gaming mouse on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

There’s one omission to this feature list that puts Glorious’s competitor out in front, and that’s Bluetooth. The NZXT Lift Elite Wireless only connects via its 2.4GHz receiver or through a wired connection, whereas a good range of other gaming mice also provide Bluetooth support for extra versatility. In truth, it didn’t make much of a differen🃏ce to the way I play. I’m quite happy unplugging a dongle when switching computers, and I don’t tend to use a mouse with my iPad.

It does, however, limit the Lift Elite Wireless’s use outside of its core functionality - and many players do prefer a mouse they can easily connect to different sources without any faff. The only time I felt this pinch was when connecting my 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Ally to a monitor with only an HDMI converter. It’s a sacrifice that the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed al♒so makes, but one that plenty (like the Model O 2 Wireless) don’t. Still, the cheaper Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed even does away with wired connectivity further down the price scale.

Battery life sits pretty strong at 70 hours with a 1,000Hz polling rate in play. That’s towards the bottom end of the market, but considering the price point matches this scale I’m not too mad. I was able to run the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless for a week and a couple of days of full work and play before needing to plug in. Bumping things up to 4,000Hz wireless polling did cut that char𝔍ge short, dropping me down to around 25 hours. At 1,000Hz, the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed can zoom for up to 100 hours, while the Glorious Model O 2 Mini tops the chart at 110 hours. The cheaper Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed does win with its 280-hour life span, but you’re relying on AA batteries for that one.

Performance

A lightweight mouse with a zippy sensor and speedy clicks is always going to perform well, but the NZXT Lift Elite comes in at a fraction of flagship prices and still nails both speed and accuracy in-game. The allocation of weight towards the front did slow things down a little in more frantic moments, putting slightly more strain on my pinky grip when lifting off. The skates aren’t as super-smooth as those of the Alienware Pro Wireless. The side buttons take a smidge longer to reach due to their higher plဣacement on the body than some. At the end of the day, though, I had a blast with this pointer.

Hand using the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless gaming mouse in a claw grip on a desk

(Image credit: Future)

I was able to maꦡintain my usual speed in Counter Strike 2 and Apex Legends, panning with accuracy and fine-tuning aim points with as much precision as I can muster. The sensor keeps up with the action particularly well, never jittering over smoother tracking surfaces. Dialing between weapons was particularly easy thanks to the generous gaps in between n꧙otches on the scroll wheel - plenty of more expensive gaming mice feature much smaller steps, which often leads to overextension.

There was a little more resistance to smaller mouse movements than I’m used to with more premium pointers. I’d chalk that up to the aforementioned front-loaded weight, but it sometimes made inching over a few 🐼millimeters when lining up a sniper shot feel less responsive.

The main clicks feel particularly energetic, though. The low tr𒈔avel distance and super-fast debounce make for a lightning-fast click that registered within the time of a twitch reflex. The side buttons feel a little more hollow but generally better than the far more expensive clickers on the Alienware Pro Wireless. A similar low-travel action is present here, making for fast inputs once I had made my way up the side of the chassis itself.

One strange behavior kept coming up in my testing, though, particularly in th♎e first week. I was regularly misclicking the right main button. It’s not something I come up against in other gaming mice, so my grip isn’t to blame. The switches themselves never felt super-sensitive during reg൩ular gameplay, so it’s not a case of low actuation pressure.

The slightly narrower front width does force my ring finger onto the main click area where it wouldn’t normally sit on a larger device, but I didn’t have the same issue with the similarly built Glorious or Razer devices I’m comparing against here. That leads me to believe there’s something about the overall shape that’s putting a slightly different pressure on my middle and ring fingers than usual. Move in a certain way and they accidentally hit the switch. This generally only happens with slanted designs, though, and I can’t see any heavy gradient in this form factor.

Should you buy the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless?

NZXT Lift Elite Wireless gaming mouse leaning against packaging on a wooden desk with purple RGB lighting

(Image credit: Future)

The NZXT Lift Elite Wireless is one of the best value gaming mice on the market, but it doesn’t have the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed beat overall. Yes, this is $20 cheaper than Razer’s alternative but that little extra cash gets you a lighter device with a better battery as well as more software and sensor featu♕res. If you don’t need to fine-tune more aspects of your sensor’s behavior and would rather prioritize a grippy feel over a lower weight it’s a must-see.

It has better software and the space for a more relaxed grip compared to the Glorious Model O 2 Mini Wireless, which could well be the deciding factor if you use🍬 a palm hold. However, it’s worth noting that the $20 you save compared to Glorious means you’re dropping Bluetooth func𝄹tionality and that extra battery life.

Overall, the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless ✤is perfect for those looking to upgrade their entry-level gaming mouse and still pick up a set of excellent features. 8,000Hz polling isn’t to be taken for granted at this price, even if it is via a wired connectiꦿon, and the smooth sensor response and snappy click buttons speak for themselves.

Ratings

Comfort

4/5

Speed

4/5

Programmability

3/5

Connectivity

4/5

Battery life

3/5

How I tested the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless

I used the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless gaming mouse for two weeks’ worth of everyday work and play. I spent a lot of that time exploring Avowed and making my way through Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, while also testing faster scenarios in Apex Legends and Counter Strike 2. I used the mouse on both a bamboo work surface and Corsair MM700 RGB Extended Mouse Pad, across 1,000Hz and 4,000Hz wireless polling and 8,000Hz wired polling. For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming mice, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I’m also hunting down all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best mouse pads for gaming as well as the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards for those who truly want to finesse their setup. Or, take a look at the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best left-handed gaming mouse models for more ambidextrous designs.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-mice/nzxt-lift-elite-wireless-review/ VoMudhSGcB3N97CuVrLZJk Wed, 26 Feb 2025 17:53:34 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> When I was in my teens, Razer was the brand that you wanted plastered on all your gaming tech and accesso𓂃ries. Unfortunately, it was all a little bit too expensive for me then. That is exactly why the Razer Iskur V2 X is appealing to me at the ripe old age of 26.

The whole appeal of the brand-new Razer Iskur V2 X is that it delivers all of the best features you’d expect from one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming chairs but at a much more accessible and appealing price point. This is something that directly speaks to and excites me. For just $299/£299 Razer is offering something that competes with its sibling that costs almost twice as much, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Iskur V2.

For years I ignored what I sat on while gaming so that I could afford to buy more games instead. T﷽hat was until recently when I realized that my knees and back would thank me later in life if I decided to invest in a c𝐆hair that would help me take care of them. That’s exactly why we liked the Razer Iskur V2 to begin with, so does the budget model live up to the same standards?

Assembly

I was pleasantly surprised at just how easy the Razer Iskur V2 X was to assemble. To beಞ perfectly honest I started to get suspicious of myself. “What have I missed?” I began to ask myself. Will the seat just collapse under me because I have forgಞotten something? I can proudly say this hasn’t happened, and the V2 X just has a breezy building process.

While it didn’t become uncomfortable over lonওg periods of time, I found it particularly hard to ge🌠t used to the built-in lumbar support.

The seat comes with a very helpful and informative instructions sheet that walks you through the assembly step-by-step. It really couldn’t have been clearer and I was able to swiftly have it built and ready to jump into a 🐎round of Call of Duty Black Ops Zombies in around 20 to 30 minutes - it’s worth noting that I constructed the chair by myself so it may be quicker with two people.

I really enjoyed the addition of an included Allen key that was much easier to use than your standard one. This was a nice touch that meant that I didn’t have to scramble in drawers searching for my Allen keys that only come out once in a b🎐lue moon.

Design

The headrest of the Razer Iskur V2 X

(Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter)

What I really appreciate about the Razer Iskur V2 X is the fact it’s quite ‘no-noꦛnsense.’ Taking a look at Razer’s website prior to my chair arriving, I wanted to check out all the possible combinationsꦛ and customization options. I was surprised to see that there weren’t any. Now, this may sound like a negative at first but to me it was a selling point as I didn’t have to weigh lots of options and configurations, the chair simply comes as it is with all the baked-in features that Razer is offering.

And ‘what are those features?’ I hear you shouting at your screen right now - calm down. Well, Razer is offering only one color option for the Iskur V2 X model, Black/Green. I’m a big fan of the color scheme as it can really fit any setup and looks professional enough to be used in a work setting. The Black/Green design is a multi-layered fabric that, while $350 cheaper than the leather Iskur V2, still gives off a premium feel to the touch. Razer touts tᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚhis as a more breathable and cool material for those longer gaming sessions.

Features

The 2D armrests on the Razer Iskur V2 X

(Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter)

The Iskur V2 X also proudly features built-in lumbar support, something which I really appreciate and look for in any gaming chair since I began an office-based 9-5 job. To cut some corners and keep the price down Razer has not utilized the ‘6D lumbar support’ which is part of the more expensive line, but it does a pretty good job for a significantly cheaper price. Unlike more premium options like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Boulies Master Series, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair TC500 Luxe, or the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen Edition, this lu🐬mbar support is non-adjustable and sits in a fixed curve.

The other key difference compared to the more expensivജe Iskur V2 is that it features 2D armrests rather than 4D. This doesn’t mean they’re flat like Paper Mario, rather it means that instead of going this way, that way, forward and backwards (over the Irish Sea) they jus𓂃t move up, down, and can rotate at an angle.

Speaking of angles, I was impressed that the Iskur V2 X still retains the 152-degree recline oไf the more premium model for any of you who like to really relax when gaming 𝔍- be honest, you can’t be comfortable sitting completely reclined. Razer has actually expanded the seat base to 545mm on the Iskur V2 X compared to the V2 meaning that you’ve got more room to play with if you find yourself sitting in various positions

Performance

The Razer Iskur V2 X in a gaming setup

(Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter)

Thankfully my assembly was masterfully done and my first time sitting in the Razer Iskur V2 X didn’t result in me crashing and burning, rather I was met with something much more comfortable. I spend the majority of my time sitting down in an office chair at work, most recently the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Boulies Elite Series gaming chair, so I want ♛to have a comfortable experience when I get home to game too and the Iskur V2 X gives me just that… to an extent.

Now, I am someone who enjoys quite a firm seat. In fact, this extends to a lot of things in my life - careful now - as my pillow is basically a brick, for example. So, I was happy to discover that the foam cushioning of the Iskur V2 X di꧅dn’t simply slump or sag under my weight when sat on. It remained firm but still left ꦿme feeling cushioned. Essentially it doesn’t get uncomfortable to sit in it for long periods of time, but still provides the firmness I like.

The chair remains comfortable to an extent though, and that’s because the backrest didn’t have the best of both worlds as the cushion did. While it didn’t become uncomfortable over long periods of time, I found it particularly hard to get used to the built-in lumbar support. This is a feature that I was excited about prior to sitting in the chair itself but found myself getting a little annoyed at over time. I am used to the Bouiles Elite Series gaming chair, a chair that targets a similar price and consumer, and I think that it provided me with a more comfortable experience when it comes to lumbar support. Yes, the Iskur V2 X is ൲supportive in that regard and it is comfortable for the majority of the time, the fact that I am unable to adjust it means ♉that it was never quite right for how I wanted to sit. On the flip side of this maybe it has improved my posture as I am now trying to properly align with the shape of the chair. Does that one-size-fits-all support work for everyone’s body type though? It’s a little tricky to say.

The Razer branding on the Razer Iskur V2 X gaming chair

(Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter)

The 2D armrests were comfortable and adjustable meaning I was able to bring them to the exact height I needed them to be at any given time. However, due to the fact that they rotate without a button or lever-pull means I would occasionally put too much weight on them and they would spin a little. This is a trend we’re noticing with a few gaming chairs here at GamesRadar+, with even our top pick, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Fractal Refine, succumbing to this feature’s annoyance. I’d have liked to see a loc♚king feature to ensure they remained in my desired position, please.

Unfortunately, the Iskur V2 X doesn’t come with 🦄additional support cu൲shions and I did find myself attaching a spare one I had lying around the house for my neck during those longer gaming or work-from-home sessions. You are able to buy one separately from Razer if you want something more official, though.

Should you buy the Razer Iskur V2 X?

The Razer Iskur V2 X review sitting at a desk with two monitors on it

(Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter)

If you were to ask teenage me if I would want a Razer Iskur V2 X I would have immediately jumped at the chance because of the name associated with it. Now as an older, hopefully wiser man I am able to lo🌌ok past just the premium brand name and appreciate the product itself. I am ꦏglad to say that the Iskur V2 X would live up to the hype my teenage self would have had. Especially thanks to its more affordable price than most of the big-name gaming chairs out there.

If you’re looking for a gaming chair that has bu🍃ilt-in lumbar support, a comfortable seat, and a professional and sleek look then you canꦓ’t go wrong with the Iskur V2 X. It is a solid chair that delivers on what it promises; premium features but at a less than premium price. However, the Razer Iskur V2 original model is the choice for anyone who can stomach its price. Just be thankful it’s seeing discounts more often now.

How we tested the Razer Iskur V2 X

To extensively test the Razer Iskur V2 X I really put it through its paces with extended periods of sitting. I used it for both work and gaming purposes for a 2-3 week period before writing up this review, and would frequently spend up to 8 hours a day sitting down in it. I assembled the chair on my own, usin𒀰g the instructions provided.

For more on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming chairs, check out our full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:hardware policy.


On the hunt for more gaming furniture? Check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best pink gaming chairs, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best console gaming chairs, and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming desks.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/chairs/razer-iskur-v2-x-review/ qrWAE9fQ5CvVrhaWVrcE2F Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:01:27 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> If you've ever played around with the idea of starting up a gaming YouTube channel or live stream, you'll likely have been stopped in your tracks when you realize how much "stuff" you need to get started. A camera, a capture card, a microphone, good lighting, an audio interface - there are so many parts to pull together and the fantasy can quickly turn from a fun hobby idea to an impossible 🍸budgeting nightmare.

I'm lucky to have gotten to review all sorts of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best streaming gear, and I test a lot of it by making video essays about my favorite games on YouTube. I've tried out different microphones and cameras while making videos, and I've used so many audio mixers while doing live streams that my home is starting to resemble a radio studio. But creating good content is about so much more than just having production value. With so many people now live streaming their gameplay and posting gaming reviews to YouTube, your idea🅠s are really what matters.

What I never expected while testing out various bits of content creation gear was for a paper tablet called the reMarkable 2 to become the thing the rest of my setup often revolves around. You might have heard of the reMarkable, or seen its hypn𝕴otic marketing targeted at you on social media.

reMarkable 2 with Marker Plus |
Admittedly, the reMarkable 2 is not a cheap device, and it's a lot pricier than the likes of the Kindle Scribe. I don't usually advocate for tech that has a higher price tag 🌳versus the competition for seemingly no reason. I make an exception for the reMarkable though, because its premium feel and luxury writing experience are second to none, and🧸 its focus on giving you distraction-free creativity is uncommon in this day and age.

Buy it if:

✅ You want to take distraction-free notes or make sketches
✅ You want the best writing experience of any tablet
✅ You're trying to boost your creativity and spend less time on your phon🎐e

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want a color display (the Paper Pro is the model for you)
❌ You're alreadꦬy integrated into the Kindle eܫcosystem

UK:

It is, for allಌ intents and purposes, a digital notepad and not much else. Of anything I've come across, it has the most authentic writing feel of any tablet out there. Amazon's Kindle Scribe might disagree with me there, but the reMarkable 2 is a much more minimalist take𓂃 on the e-reader. It can read Ebooks and PDFs, and you can even annotate them while reading. But it's not linked up to digital bookstores like Amazon's Kindles, and it's really geared toward those who want an unlimited notepad instead.

What I've found more and more since using the reMarkable is that it hasn't just come in handy for content creation, it's transforming my gaming time too🌄, ෴in ways I never expected.

Ideas first

The reMarkable 2 showing a notebook over page with a title

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

By this point, I'm sure you're probably wondering how on earth a notepad can possibly be such a revolutionary content creation device - if anything, it likely sounds like a waste of money compared to one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best microphones that would up your production quality.

Chances are, if you're looking to create content and post it online for the world to see, you're probably a highly creative person. Speaking from experience, the creative parts of my brain are a bit scattered, and organizing ideas for projectsꦉ while maintaining lists, or just keeping track of script ideas when they come into my brain at inconvenient moments can be tough.

The reMarkable helps me a lot because I can clearly organize folders and notebooks for each project I have 🦄in the works. I make a new notebook for every video I'm working on, give it a cover page with the tablet's fancy calligraphy pen setting, and then I have a place to set out my plans for that one project. From there, I can dedicate a page to thumbnail inspiration, a page fo꧅r each of the main points I want to talk about in the video, I can even drag around things I've written previously if I need more space on the page for a fresh idea.

I can doodle, I can format in any way I want, and unlike with a real notebook, I don't need to worry about my god-awful handwriting making a mess of everything. One tap of the undo button later, or a ꧟quick scribble with the eraser end of the reMarkable's pen, and any mistakes are gone.

I used to do a lot of this content organizing on my phone's notes app, b⛦ut since I was limited to the abilities of a small touch screen, I never felt like I could jot things down in ways that agreed with my dyslexic brain. I didn't have the freedom to scribble an arrow from one thought to another, and since I used my phone for so many other things in life, I would often get distracted, or feel like it wasn't a dedicated place for my ideas. My creativity felt a bit stifled, and the reMarkable's tactile writing experience, in a weird way, makes me feel closer to the ideas I have.

There are so many ways I've used the reMarkable when creating gaming content that I don't think this 𒀰device's inventors really planned for. When I was video editing a recent project, I had about 20 hours of gameplay footage to cut down. After scru🅷bbing through it all, I noted down timestamps and references for each clip I knew I might want to use in the video. Yes, this took a while, but having a clear list in front of me meant I had less reason to procrastinate while cutting the video together because I knew where to look.

Similarly, when I'm streaming, it can be really easy for me to get overwhelmed by looking at the chat window, focusing on gameplay, and keeping the technical aspects of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best streaming mixers running smoothly, and I ca🐟n often forget things I wanted to talk about. Writing down some points on my paper tablet and sitting it on my desk is a lovely, helpful way for me to keep my livestream on track.

  • Amazon:

The gaming sidekick I didn't expect

A reMarkable 2 displaying a Baldur's Gate 3 Paladin guide by GamesRadar+

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

But it's not just content creation the reMarkable 2 is helping me with. I've really been trying to cut back on my phone usage lately to heal my brain from soci𓄧al media doom scrolling. Instead of keeping my phone on my desk for a down moment in a game, I've been leaving it in the other room, and using the reMarkable to keep me occupied when I'm taking a break.

If I'm waiting for matcඣhmaking in Hunt: Showdown 1896, or another online game, I can load up an article I've sent to the tablet for reading later. It might be a game review or a longer-read feature that caught my eye, but I feel like I can truly connect with what I'm reading when I don't have so many distractions buzzing at me for my attention. Whether you save and send over a PDF version of the article, or you send it using reMarkable's handy Chrome extension adverts from articles are either frozen in place or removed entirely. Since there's no backlight beaming int💃o my eyes, it feels like a pure and friendly way to keep up with the news.

An image of the reMarkable 2 displaying a Baldur's Gate 3 guide with some notes over it

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

If you long for the nostalgic days of having a guidebook, gaming magazine, or list of cheat codes open next to you as you explore a new game, the reMarkable has brought back that experience for me. I'll load up a guide or two of the game I'm playing onto the tablet, and if I need to consult it during my session it's right in front of me, ready to scroll through. I can even write down some notes for my Baldur's Gate 3 playthrough and refer to them later when I forget what one spell does compared to the other. For its minimalist approaches, the reMarkable has a lot of versatile uses for nerdy hobbies. It can make for 澳洲幸运5开奖号👍码历史查询:an incredible𓆉 way to organize a campaign in D&D.


Looking for more streaming gear in 2025? Check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best capture cards, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best webcams, and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best ring lights for streaming.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/peripherals/this-gadget-has-transformed-my-gaming-time-and-the-way-i-create-youtube-content-and-it-was-never-designed-to-do-either/ qNiZXdDhxSJGt98VezTNn9 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:12:26 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Razer has just announced its latest partnership in a long line of special edition colorways for its top gaming tech. This time it's the Razer Viper V3 Pro getting t🎀he special treatment, with a new red Faker edition launching today via the brand's own store and selected retailers. This version comes with a slight price hike compared to🍸 the regular $159.99 Viper V3 Pro, with a $179.99 MSRP straight out the gate. That's not unusual, though, most brands put a premium on their collaborative releases.

The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper V3 Pro is currently the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse on the market, making this a prime pickup for any fans of Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok. With an eye-wateringly sensitive 35K Razer Focus Pro sensor and wireless polling at 8,000Hz (for those who will actually make use of such speeds) this is a pointer designed for ultra-competitive battlefields. It makes sense, then, t♛hat this latest special edition comes from the 2024 Worlds MVP and League of Legends... uh legend.

Razer Viper V3 Pro Faker Edition |
The special Faker edition of the Razer Viper V3 Pro does come with a $20 price bump, but the first 500 to get to Razer's store can offset that increased rate with a free Gigantus V2 mouse pad in the s🌸ame design. It's only worth $9.99 by it🐠self, but superfans will be thrilled.

Buy it if:

✅ You're going all out on speed
✅ You prefer a higher dome
✅ You need a wireless connection

Don't buy it if:

❌ You prefer a skinnier form factor

Price check:

UK:

The T1 player's colorway comes in a super bright red, with black detailing around the main dome. These wavy black lines form an homage to Faker's nickname, the humble 'Unkillable Demon King'. Razer's own logo is stamped on the left main click, with a signature from the unkillable himself on the right. It's actually a pretty slick design - from initial images it looks like this is a much brighter red than we've seen on previous Viper V3 Pro special editions. It pops a lot more than I expected it to, but as I saw in the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Fortnite collection, this is a brand that knows how to go big with color. There's also a limited edition 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:mouse pad up for grabs, for ꦍthe first 500 p🧸layers who purchase via Razer's site.

Faker with Razer Viper V3 Pro gaming mouse on a black background

(Image credit: Razer)

Unlike some collabs, this isn't a whole new version of the Razer Viper V3 Pro. It's the same wireless gaming mouse, just with a different coat of paint. Still, it's worth making sure that you absolutely need all the tech stuffed inside this device before jumping to checkout. There's a super-fast 8,000Hz polling rate, incredibly snappy 35K DPI / 750 IPS sensor, and plenty of extra software tricks at play here - but you are paying for each and every one of tꦫhem. If you're a tournament-level player hoping to take on Faker himself, it's the best in the business. If you're a more casual fan, you can save plenty of cash by opting for something less competition-oriented.

The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed is a fantastic example. It's still incredibly nippy on the battlefield, and sports a🐽 comfortable, flexible, and easily flickable form factor, but it strips out the absurdly high speeds for a lower price tag. It's $99.99 at MSRP - a fantastic price for those still climbing the ladder.

Where to buy the Razer Viper V3 Pro Faker Edition


Razer itself should be your first stop this time around. The brand is not only one of the first sites to actually offer the Faker edition, but it's also giving away a free medium sized Gigantus V2 mouse pad (in the same design) with the first 500 orders. Sh💙ipping b꧋efore March 3 costs $10, though, otherwise you might be waiting until March 5.


Amazon also has the Razer Viper V3 Pro Fazer edition available to buy straight out the ga𝓰te. If you're not fussed about, or too late for, that extra mouse pad this is where I'd recommend heading. Shipping is much quicker here, with Prime members receiving their mouse as soon as February 25 at the time of writing.

I'm on the hunt for all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming mouse models on the market, as well as finding the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best left-handed gaming mouse as well. For more setup ideas, check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards available now.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-mice/razer-has-teamed-up-with-faker-for-its-latest-viper-v3-pro-special-edition/ p6L45fAfBfgN3xJQABoGkY Thu, 20 Feb 2025 17:25:05 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> The Ducky One X isn’t what I expected it would be. While I know just how well this brand can create a super smooth typing experience, I wasn’t quite prepared for the relaxed, almost serene feel as my fingertips tapped along these keys. This is a Hall effect keyboard🌳 for those who hate Hall effect keyboards - which is good because it actually uses the brand’s own inductive switches instead.

While similar in their operation (you’re still getting that precious rapid trigger), these clickers feel far different to the rest of the magnetic decks I’ve tested so far. Whether that’s enough of a trade off for some of the sacrifices the Ducky One X makes comes down to what you want from your next deck. If it’s a smooth and speedy ride with plenty of extra actuation controls, then this could be the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboard on the market for you.

Key Specs

Price

$179

Type

Inductive

Connection

Wired / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth

Size

Full

Switches

Ducky Inductive Switches

Keycaps

PBT Doubleshot

Media keys

Dedicated Volume

Wrist rest

None

USB passthrough

None

Design

Ducky One X gaming keyboard on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

I was surprised when I opened up the Ducky One X. From my time with the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Ducky One 3 I was looking forward to some wacky combinations of vibrant colors and dominatingly vivid RGB lighting. This duck’s grown up,♏ and I was instead met with a completely white full-sized deck, with more of a pastel hue to its RGB lighting. I’m not mad about it, there’s something crisp and clean about white tech, but I do miss the fun old days of color. A collection of peach-colored alternate caps are available in the box, but their RGB shinethrough isn’t as clear as the stock white op🍰tions, and the deck feels a little off as a result.

The actual chassis is fairly tall, with a wedge-shaped design that makꦗes the most of harsh angles and heavy slopes. That does give the deck a slick almost-floating aesthetic when viewed from the top down, the lower lip hides a lot of this height by extending well paꦜst the base board of the deck itself.

The full plastic construction feels a little more luxurious in this design, though. The entire chassis is made out of this rigid material and while I am able to flex the top plate a little around the arrow buttons (only while directly testing for it), the surface feels robust enough to bounce nicely during typing. There’s a heft to this base that feels anythin🐠g but cheap as well, which⭕ means the deck itself certainly isn’t going anywhere if knocked during play.

Coming from a series of smaller 75% keyboards, the Ducky One X took a few slaps at the start of my ওtesting. The full-sized form factor means there’s less space for wilder mouse sඣweeps, though I naturally play with my keyboard at an angle anyway and was grateful for the extra keybinding and productivity potential in the number pad. Returning to this classic form factor also meant I had to contend with slightly wider key spacing.

The Ducky One X is well balanced in its placement overall, and I was able to adjust quickly with only a 🍨few accidental presses here and there. If you’re used to a smaller deck, though, this isn’t something to discount entirely - moving across the full key space is slightly more of a workout for the fingers and it didn’t go unnoticed during typing-heavy work days. I was never uncomfortable during these longer periods, but I certainly felt the strain when writing a few sentences at a time without a pause.

Close up on enter key on Ducky One X without RGB shinethrough - in comparison to surrounding white keycaps which do

(Image credit: Future)

That may have been alleviated by the extra height of a wrist rest, an addition usually included with full-sized gaming keyboards. It’s a little disappointing that there’s no rest here, then - especially considering the actual feel of the sw⭕itches makes for an excellent typing experience separately.

That’s partly because the Ducky One X features a seven-layer sound-dampening system build around a gasket mount design. IXPE sheets, EVA plate foam, a silicone pad, and a PET acoustics isolation layer all sandwich the PCB to stamp out any switch rattle or ping. It’s one of the most controlled typing sounds I’ve used so far, save perhaps for the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Glorious GMMK 3 - a keyboard that allows you to configure your exact build materials to suit your own personalꦐ taste.

Up top, you’ve got a set of doubleshot PBT keycaps that feel great under the fingertips. Ducky claims that its caps are made out of 85% PBT (whereas other brands are sometimes limited to 40-60%). The extra concentration of this material should reduce shine while providing a better texture overall. I rarely encounter shine problems in keycaps these days, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Azoth I’ve been using for two years is still just as grippy as the day I opened the box, so I’m not particularly so꧒ld on the benefits. However, they’re soft and smooth while still providing a satisfying sense of tactility - which is hard to achieve. They also feel like they offer a slightly deeper concave design than I generally encounter, which is fantastic for positioning and precision even in the most hectic of scenarios💯.

Ducky One X keyboard with lower lip and keycaps visible from the front

(Image credit: Future)

I was also impressed with the wobble reduction in larger keys. Ducky claims that its o🤪wn plate-mounted stabilizers have kept things mꦺore rigid around the Enter and Space caps and, in a rare turn of events, I don’t think this is marketing spiel. I have trouble actually wiggling the Enter key without hitting the button, a fantastic sign that everything is tightly tuned and well controlled.

Features

Ducky says it’s going in a slightly different direction to most gaming brands releasing new gaming keyboards in 2025. While the market is being filled with Hall effect switches, the brand’s Ducky Inductive Switch is a slight delineation from this norm. I say slight, because the difference between the two types when under the fingers is relatively small. These are still, for all intents and purposes, magnetic switches - they still allow for customizable actuation points, multiple actuation inputs, and rapid trigger functionality - they just go about it in a slightly different way. If you’re unsure of 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:what a Hall effect keyboard is in the first place, it’s basica🏅lly a se🅷t of switches that measure the movement of a magnet to register a keypress, rather than the on/off contacts between mechanical metal plates.

Ducky’s Inductive switch does the same thing, but the brand claims it does so with more reliability and consistency, stating that magnetic Hall effect keyboards can yield to a decay in magnet strength. That’s not something I’ve come across in my year of using the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Endgame Gear KB65HE, as a𓆏n example, but in day to day practice there’s a bigger benefit to these clickers. They’re much smoother.

Ducky Inductive Switch being held in the hand against a gaming setup

(Image credit: Future)

Most of the Hall effect keyboards I’ve tried so far have a clacky quality to their press. Aside from the gorgeous Lynx switches I used in the Glorious GMMK 3, they’ve all been a lot harsher than their mechanical counterparts. While the Ducky Inductive switches aren’t quite as creamy as those ꦐfrom Glorious, they’re still much smoother than the majority of the market, and provide a crisp, clean feel all together. These are linear switches with a 3.5mm bottom out (they’re shorter than most) and 40g of initial force, which makes them relatively snappy compared to alternative Hall effect and𒊎 mechanical options.

Using inductive switches also means Ducky has had an easier time making the One X a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:wireless gaming keyboard. While most Hall effect decks, like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 (though notably, again, not the Glorious GMMK 3) need to conserve their power for those magnets, Ducky has both a 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connection packed in here. That’s excellent considering the One X has a significantly lower price tag than SteelSeries’ flagship, and comes in cheaper th๊an the GMMK 3 Pro HE as well.

Unfortunately, the One X doesn’t quite hold up in the battery department. With RGB switched on, I only managed between ten and 15 hours of battery life per charge, regularly having to plug in during the course of a week. Actually working out how much battery remains is also a struggle - the information is only visible on the deck itself, with Fn+B displaying your level in red ligh🔜ting across the number row.

Ducky One X keyboard with switch and keycap removed in the arrow buttons

(Image credit: Future)

Still, the actual ‘Hall effect’ functionality you get with every other magnetic deck is still here. Actuation points can be configured from 0.1mm to 3.5mm (a slightly smaller spread compared to SteelSeries and Endgame, though with a more sensitive top-end setting than the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL). Plus, the Ducky One X is taking a leaf out 𓂃of Glorious’s book and offering multiple actuation points across both the depress and return stages of each push. That means you can configure four different inputs per key (two on the way down and two on the way up) if you really want to be as efficienꦆt as possible. Most Hall effect keyboards don’t offer additional functionality on the return of a keypress, instead actuating once on the way down and a second time at a full bottom out. It’s difficult to find the right use-case for this mapping, and even more difficult to master it in-game but if you’re willing to re-learn your controls it’s fantastic at this price point.

Rapid trigger is readily availꦜable and easily toggled in Ducky’s ‘software’ (it’s a web page, but I’ll get onto that in a second), though there’s no specific SOCD controls or additional dynamic actuation settings. The SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3, for example, can automatically adjust actuation points of various keys ba🐷sed on your gameplay.

All of this is available, but can be a nightmare to set up. In comparison to NZXT’s super slick and easy configuration tool, Ducky IO is a little too messy and unreliable for my taste. The webpage connects to the keyboard quickly and easily (though it does need to be wired in for any adjustm🍬ents to hold), but the entire thing often loads in the wrong language, can take a good few minutes to populate with information, and often doesn’t allow for multi-point trigger customization. Setting actuation points, RGB lighting, and macros are all fairly straightforward, but there’s a lack of assistance ✃on this multi-input functionality that made my initial setup particularly frustrating.

Ducky Hub running on Windows 11, displaying a multi-trigger assignment page

(Image credit: Future)

It should be noted that I’ve been using the Ducky One X ahead of release, at which time more functionality and stability may be added to this portal. I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled and will update this review should the experience change. I hope Ducky invests in this tool - it’s fantastic not to have to rely on a whole separate piece of software for customizati꧋on (I have far too many clogging up my PC as it is).

Those switches are among the few features that actually make the Ducky One X a gaming keyboard. There are no other additional extras one mig🦄ht expect from a dedicated deck. SteelSeries has its display, NZXT has its high polling rate, Ducky has its typing experience and wireless connectivity.

While this is a full-sized deck, additional controls are sparse. While decks like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro will cram as many additional dials, knobs, and buttons onto their faces as possible, Ducky is keeping this one clean. The only extra dedicated controls are the volume settings in the top right corner. Aside from ꦏBluetooth switching (mapping four separate connections across the QWER keys) there aren’t even additional functions printed on side legends.

I missed having dedicated playback options during productivity hours, but you’ll likely only miss having dedicated clickers for your favorite combos or keyb🐻indings if you already use them now. Still, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro is only slightly more expensive (we’re talking $20 these days) than the Ducky One X, so if you’re after a full command center those extra controls are going to be worth more than the inductive switches.

Performance

The Ducky One X nails both speed and typing feel in testing, whether I was blasting my way through CS2 or writing up this very review. The almost powdery feel of these super smooth switches reminds me of the fantastic typing experience I had with the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile - just with a little extra satisfaction in the boosted tension of these high-profile springs. That’s combined with an excellent degree of sound dampening - tꦑhere wasn’t even a hint of rattle or ping as these keycaps clattered around the deck, everything sounded beautifully muted and creamy.

Response times are as fast as I can expect them to be as an every day player, the majority of us won’t need more than the kind of speed on offer here. If you’re a competitive player heading towards the top of those league tables, though, it’s worth noting that the Ducky One X caps out at a 1,000Hz polling rate. While you don’t need an 8,000Hz polling rate keyboard for most endeavors, those at the top of their game may prefer something with a faster report (like the NZXT Function Elite). You’re not going 𒁃to be dropping inputs in Indiana Jones or Avowed here, though.

Ducky One X front panel showing wireless connection toggle and power port

(Image credit: Future)

In fact, being able to set your acಞtuation point as low as 0.1mm might make far more of a difference in competitive play than your polling rate. While most Hall effect keyboards can reach this kind of twitch-sensitive actuation, NZXT’s deck isn’t quite so lenient. In practice, the control afforded by those curved, nicely textured keycaps, combined with super high levels of tap🥂 response makes for an incredibly speedy experience. I was changing between weapons and shifting direction in a blink of an eye - much faster than even the most sensitive of mechanical gaming keyboards. Throw in rapid trigger for near-instant repeat presses and you’re a powerhouse.

Should you buy the Ducky One X?

Ducky One X keyboard leaning against packaging on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

The Ducky One X feels fantastic under the fingertips, can run wirelessly as long as you remember to plug in overnight, and offers plenty of flexibility in both your Bluetooth connections and switch actuation settings. Its software is going to take a little more patience than SteelSeries’ or NZXT’s, and its onboard functionality is limited ins🧜ofar as additional controls and displays are concerned. However, if you’re look🅺ing for that switch experimentation without the traditionally thoccy feel of a Hall effect magnet, I’d heartily recommend it.

If you’re not specifically hunting down magnetic (or magnetic-like) switches, there are better options out there. The Asus R🐷OG Azoth still remains my favorite mechanical gaming keyꦆboard on the market, and it has Ducky thrashed in both the battery life and controls department. Its 75% form factor makes for a more comfortable experience overall, especially if you’re prone to wider mouse movements, and these days those price tags regularly merge at around the same position.

If you’re a competitive gamer looking to gain an edge with every Hall effect tool under the sun, Ducky might be coming up short again. While you are sacrificing that wireless connection, the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 gave me a much better sense of depth when I was working through those mid-press actuations. SteelSeries’ switches have a little more room to breath🌌e, which makes nailing those half-press inputs easier overall. Not only that, but you’re getting more software options and𝕴 an OLED display for extra value for money as well.

Ratings

Speed

4/5

Customization

3/5

Typing feel

5/5

Portability

1/5

Controls

2/5

How I tested the Ducky One X

I used the Ducky One X over the course of two weeks (with a break in between to test a different deck). In that time I exclusively used the full-sized deck for all work and play, running everything from CS2 to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, with a good old Sims binge in the middle. I directly compared the Ducky One X with the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 and Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE side by side during both gameplay and typing tests. For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming keyboards, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

If you’re after a different brand, I’m also hunting down all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer keyboards on the market. Or, for something cheaper, check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best membrane gaming keyboards available. You’ll also find all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best hot-swappable keyboards I’ve tested so far right here as well.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/ducky-one-x-review/ 7pj9tBKiXKaxKiiCbqr23J Tue, 18 Feb 2025 10:23:31 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> NZXT is more commonly known for its PC cases, but the brand released its first keyboard a few years ago to relative acclaim. The NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL is the next step, a $199.99 deck kitted out with industry-darling Hall effect switches ꧅a🍎nd a compact form factor.

That’s a premium piece of kit - more expensive than some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboards on the market, so it’s got a lot to live up to. Considering its price point puts it in direct competition with the Asus ROG Azoth and SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3, two options regularly found at around $200, NZXT isn’t playing around. I’ve spent the last two weeks zipping around these clickers, to see just where it stands in a particularly competitivﷺe market.

Key Specs

Price

$199.99

Type

Hall effect magnetic

Connection

Wired

Size

75%

Switches

NZXT Magnetic Switches

Keycaps

Doubleshot PBT

Media keys

Dual-function

Wrist rest

None

USB passthrough

None

Design

NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL on a wooden desk with mouse and plant

(Image credit: Future)

NZXT calls the Function Elite a MiniTKL, which is to say it sits somewhere in between a 75% and TKL deck, though it leans far heavier on the former. Instead of a separate arrow and nav key row you’ve got two columns of commands with a set of pointers only slightly separated from the rest of the main deck. It’s still slightly longer than the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Azoth, but does a good job of staying out of the way of wilder mouse sweeps. 75% is my personal sweet spot, so keeping the full functionality of a TKL while shrinking that size down counts as a win for me. ꦑIt does, however, remove the possibility of any dedicated media buttons (which you’re more likely to find on the larger size option).

Just because it’s smaller than most TKL options doesn’t mean it’s lighter. This is a heavy board wi♑th a super grippy rear surface and a rock-solid typing surface that feels both rigid and bouncy under the finger tips. It’s a little too heavy to truly be considered portable, but fights for its position well when being knocked about on a desk. A plastic underside features a unique textured panel as it reaches up the rear sides to the top, which helps when repositioning. As a result, the plastic portions of the deck didn’t pick up any scuffs or scratches during everyday use. An aluminum top plate provides a little extra heft, and adds a touch of luxury that should really be running further through this design.

Compared to the brushed metal brick that is the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Endgame Gear KB65HE, a much le♚ss expensive 💧Hall effect keyboard, the NZXT Function Elite can feel a little cheaper in the hand than it should at this price point. Perhaps it’s the softer rounded edges, but from look and feel alone I would be surprised when faced with the final price tag.

Side of NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL keyboard on a wooden desk, with plastic underside visible

(Image credit: Future)

RGB fans are going to be delighted, though. There aren’t many gaming keyboards that can stick a perimeter light strip around the edge of their decks, while also featuring full per-key LEDs, and still look slick. I was brought back to the days of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Roccat Magma when I 🌳first fired up the Function Elite, but the crisp, vibrant, and incredibly clean li🎶nes of these LEDs impressed me. While the actual light bar is considerably brighter than the per-key illumination (by virtue of being completely visible rather than obscured by keycaps), it produces a gorgeous glow across the base of the deck and even helps illuminate side-printed function legends along the top row. What I initially feared would be garish turned into one of the most elegant elements of this design.

A set of PBT doubleshot keycaps line the top deck. While I naturallℱy prefer a slightly rougher feel, they still feature enough texture to remain satisfying and comfortable to the touch, avoid oily residue, and keep grip snappy. These keys are also nicely spaced and well-balanced - I was able to get up and running with my standard typing speed incredibly quickly, maintaining my usual level of accuracy.

As is to be expected,💞 the back panel features a set of flippable feet for two elevation options. I was pleased with the highest level - I prefer a higher incline for typing and gaming in general, and had plenty of space to keep my wrists in their usual position comfortably.ꦦ The hinges on these flippers also snap with a surprisingly heavy force, so provided they’re not constantly being adjusted they feel durable enough to stand the test of time.

Back of NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL showing flippable feet and grippy texture

(Image credit: Future)

I do have one durability concern from my time with the Function Elite, but it’s relatively minor. Th♋e USB-C port presents with a little too much wiggle for me to be fully satisfied if I was regularly plugging and unplugging. It’s slight, so the only reason I’m calling it out is because this is a fully wired device - if you plan on regularly taking it on the go with you I’d make sure to be careful when manoeuvring the connection. There’s no recessed housing for this port either, which would have calmed my nerves.

Features

A set of NZXT Magnetic Switches keep all those keypresses rolling. Magnetic clickers like this are quickly making their way into more and more gaming keyboards across the market, offering extra control over actuation while also enabling Rapid Trigger for extra speed and dual-actuation for extra keybinding options. It’s easy to see why they’re growing in popularity, being able to customize the exact point at which your keypress delivers (and change that point based on your game or activity) is a massive benefit to both competitive and casual gamers. If you’re not fully caught up on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:what a Hall Effect keyboard is, I’ve just finished up an explainer on the subjecꦇt that will get you up to speed if you’re considering the NZXT Function Elite.

All the usual Hall effect functions are also available here. Rapid trigger allows for a super speedy debounce for almost instant repeat presses, and actuation points can be set anywhere between travel distances of 0.6mm to 4.0mm. That’s not quite the fastest on the market, though. In fact, NZXT’s shortened distance is still a way out from that of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 and Endgame Gear KB65HE. Both of these decks can be configured to register a keypress with as little tr🧸avel as 0.1mm, and can therefore be far more sensitive than the F🌃unction Elite.

In the real world, only the most competitive of players are going to be held back by those 0.5mm. The top end of this spectrum was still too sensitive for me, and I’m firmly outside of leaderboard territ▨ory. The problem is the NZXT Function Elite is priced as if it was aimed squarely at these ultra-competitive players, and in this particular arena its switches fall short of the pack. Both keyboards claim to offer 40 individual actuation points, though, with NZXT offering a finer level of control with more steps between its ranges than SteelSeries.

NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL arrow buttons with switches and keycaps removed

(Image credit: Future)

It’s also worth mentioning that these Hall effect switches put the NZXT Function Elite a step ahead of the Asus ROG Azoth for particularly speedy players. ℱWhile I generally prefer the typing experience of the ROG NX mechanical switches overall, the extra features of these magnetic clickers makes it a better buy from a sheer functionality perspective.

Everything is controlled through the brand’s CAM software, an impressively clean and simple program that feels far less spammy and bloated compared to🦂 other options from Razer and SteelSeries. This is where you’ll enable options like Rapid Trigger and ‘Snap Overrides’ (SOCD resolutions). The latter should only be used during non-competitive play, but does make changing d🌼irection incredibly fast by immediately reprioritizing button presses.

Individual actuation points ar💫e set using a simple slidable scale, which is by far the easiest way I’ve set up my own. There are also handy presets for different genres and use-cases if you want to dive straight in and tweak as you play. This is also where you’ll set your polling rate. Th💙e NZXT Function Elite can poll at up to 8,000Hz where most gaming keyboards keep things limited to 1,000Hz.

That sounds great, but in reality very few players will need or even notice this extra speed boost. The vast majority of casual players simply don’t need ultra-high polling rates, no matter what the marketing tells you (you can read more in my guide to exactly 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史ꦰ查询:what a gaming keyboard’s polling rate is). I’m not denying the fact that I would be bashing the Function Elite if it didn’t have this feature at $200, but if you’re an everyday player it shouldn’t be a deciding factor. Tournament-level competitors will be pleased to know that the Function Elite also syncs this polling rate with your PC’s scan rate for an incredibly accurate response. Both the Endgame Gear KB65HE and SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 are capped at 1,000Hz, though the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Glorious GMMK 3 runs all the way up to 8K.

Close up on NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL USB-C connection with cable attached

(Image credit: Future)

The NZXT’s flagship features are aimed more at these high-level players, which means there are sacrifices for casual users - sacrifices that ultimatel𝕴y make the $200 price tag a little difficult to reconcile. This is a fully wired keyboard with no 2.4GHz or Bluetooth wireless options. For me, that just meant putting up with another wire in the middle of the desk, but for players who need to take their kit on the road it could be a larger headache overall.

There’s no USB passthrough, dedicated macro keys, or wrist rest available, and media controls are relegated to dual-functions along the top row. There is, however, space for five onboard profiles, with full per-key remapping across two individual function layers per profile. That’s pr🐓etty impressive and a lifesaver for those who hop between genres regularly. I was able to keep all my usual macros and even extend my roster with the ꦗextra function layer underneath without ducking into CAM every time I fired up a new game.

This is also, technically, a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:hot-swappable keyboard - you’llꦦ find a switch and keycap puller in the box and a few spare clackers just in case. However, swapping Hall effect switches isn’t as simple as it is with mechanical decks, and compatibility is going to be limited.

Performance

The NZXT Function Elite feels clacky and responsive under the fingertips with a strong base providing plenty of energy and a satisfying thocc to each keypress. I do find myself preferring the typing experience of the Endgame Gear KB65HE, however. It feels just a little tighter overall, with a slightly more controlled press and debounce. There’s no denying the Function Elite is stable, it’s got dual-rail switches to keep everything🧔 firmly in place, but🍎 there’s a slight wobble to each press that is only identifiable when side by side.

I caveat that so heavily, becau﷽se this really is a pleasant typing experience - it’s just no♍t the slickest I’ve experienced. Considering the $199.99 price tag, that might hold some more casual players back.

NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL front edge with NZXT logo in a glossy texture

(Image credit: Future)

Competitive players are unlikely to care too much - there are enough features in here to keep them coming back for more, and the resulting speed in-game is particularly impressive. While I wasn’t able to discern the difference between higher polling rates and more casual 4,000Hz settings (or even 1,000Hz in most games), keeping everything set to super low travel distances made for super snappy actuation tཧhat never felt too sensitive for a fast, controlled playstyle.

Switching between throwables and scrolling ♛through nearby loot was incredibly fast, and dual functions came in handy during my usual roster of RPG titles. That’s because every k♔eypress is particularly smooth when taken in isolation - there’s a slightly creamy feel to these switches that I didn’t appreciate until I slowed down with Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

Should you buy the NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL?

NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL gaming keyboard with RGB off, leaning against packaging on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

The NZXT Function Elite is a fantastic device for anyone looking for more of a competitive edge (assuming yꩲou’re already playing at a level high enough that you’ll notice the extra speed available to you). Its typing feel isn’t quite as deep and satisfying as that of the cheaper Endgame Gear KB65HE, and there aren’t the kind of onboard controls or wireless connections you’ll find in slower, more mainstream decks. If you’re just looking to tinker with Hall effect switches, I’d recommend opting for the cheaper Endgame Gear model - you’re getting a slightly wider range of actuation points without sacrificing too many keys over the MiniTKL form factor (you’ll still get arrow buttons).

The Function Elite MiniTKL does offer strong value compared to front runners like the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3. I did miss the OLED display and physical media controls, and the switches under the hood don’t feel quite so intuitive in their response. However, if you’re looking to spend✤ a little less and pick up a comparable experience you’ll have a great time here.

Ratings

Speed

4/5

A high polling ra🐎te is excellent for super competitive players, but the less sensitive switches just notch it below perfect.

Customization

4/5

Everythi𒅌ng from the RGB to the actuation point is in yo📖ur control here, with just a few mm off the full range of other models.

Typing feel

4/5

Strong and sturdy, but sometimes🏅 lacking the tightness of competitors, the Elite still feels great under the fingertips.

Portability

3/5

This is a heavier deck than most, so while it's nice and compact෴ without losing too much functionality, it's not designed to be fully portable.

Controls

3/5

There are no dedicated media controls on here, which you will find in a full TKL design. However, you've still got 🐎a solid selection of dual functions on board.

How I tested the NZXT Function Elite Mini TKL

I used the NZXT Function Elite for a period of two weeks (while also testing another deck for a couple of days). I directly compared it with the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 and Endgame Gear KB65HE side by side, re-running tests across Counter Strike 2, Apex Legends, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle in that time. For more information on 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming keyboards, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I’m also hunting down the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best wireless gaming keyboards on the market, as well as the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best membrane gaming keyboards. Or, for more setup upgrades, check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models I’ve tested so far.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-keyboards/nzxt-function-elite-minitkl-review/ fXgX5YwsffTpgo4ahSuY5j Mon, 17 Feb 2025 15:53:59 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> From a basic wheel clamped precariously to the edge of a coffee table, right through to a rig Max Verstappen would be proud of, every sim racing setup is different and there’s a combo for everyone.💧 While they may vary in size and budget, a common name across them all is Playseat. Wi🦹th 20 years of experience, the brand offers everything from simple folding options like the Challenge X right through to full-size rigs costing thousands.

The new Playseat Formula Instinct F1 Edition sits somewhere in the middle of the field. At $599/£519 this rigid, fixed-position racing seat is a sign you’re taking sim racing seriously. This is a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming chair contender for those who spend more time on the virtual t⛎racks than in any other genre, but it could just be versatile enough to be a mainstay of any console setup.

Inspired and officially licensed by Formula 1 it’s an eye-catching option, but with plenty of alternatives around, including Playseat’s own 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Trophy Logitech G Edition, is it the one to go for?

Assembly

A disassembled Playseat Formula Instinct F1 Edition laid out on a carpet

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

While it takes a massive team of engineers to construct an F1 car, you’ll need to put together the Formula Instinct F1 Edition yourself. Thankfully Playseat has kept things as simple as possible. Arriving fully flat packed it’s remarkable how few individual pieces make up this racing seat and goꦫing step-by-step through the easy-to-follow instruction booklet I was able to construct it on my own in about an hour.

I did face a couple of💮 hiccups courtesy of a particularly stubborn connection that just wouldn’t budge, but I imagine this was more a tolerance quirk of my unit rather than a major design flaw. You’ll find all of the required bolts and tools in the box along with a pair of white fabric gloves if you’re꧑ feeling particularly fancy.

Design

Playseat is a familiar co-pilot for me, I’ve tested 𝕴a number of its seats in the past and the excellent Playseat Trophy has been my daily driver over the last 12 months. While the Playseat Formula Instinct F1 Edition is a similar concept, it follows a noticeably different design language. The Trophy is flowing and almost organic in style with rounded edges and a soft flexible seat. The Formula Instinct is almost industrial in comparison with a hard-shell seat and angular metal frame.

The F1 panelling on the Playseat Formula Instinct F1 Edition

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

Build quality is excellent, not that you’d expect anything less from a $599 cockpit made by a brand with Playseat’s reputation. The metal construction gives this racing seat a🦂 noticeably solid and sturdy feel with a slightly textured finish on the main frame and glossy white highli🌳ghts to break things up. It’s certainly not as sleek as the Playseat Trophy but with a few flourishes of strikingly red F1 branding it’s smart enough to look at.

Also Consider:

The Playseat Trophy: /
The Playseat Challenge X: /

Interestingly, despite being larger according to the spec sheets, the Formula Instinct felt smaller and less commanding in my room than the Playseat Trophy. I don’t have an explanation for this except vibes, the seat itself on both cockpits is a relatively similar size and shape but there was a definite visual difference. Maybe it’s just an optical illusion. Optical illusions don’t apply when it comes to footprint though and the size of the Playseat Formula Instinct shouldn’t be underestimated. This isn’t a compact, living room-friendly option like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Playseat Challenge - this is a full-size rig that realistically needs a dedicated gamingꩲ space.

I also quickly discovered that with just four small rubber feet, it’s not particularly carpet-friendly either. These are the only points of contact with the ground and bearing the full brunt of the weight were quick to leave alarming marks in my medium-pile carpet. I could see this causing permanent damage in the long run so I ended up grabbing some furniture sliders to place underneath each foot to spread the load. These were cheap enough to grab online so not a major issue bu🗹t it’d be nice to see Playseat include something similar 𓂃in the box to screw to the bottom.

Features

A reviewer showcasing the thin cushioning of the Playseat Formula Instinct F1 Edition

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

The Playseat Formula Insti🦹nct F1 Edition includes a fixed, molded seat and while the bucket shape is deep and welcoming, it’s also my only disappointment when it comes to build quality. Playseat might give them funky ‘Modufoam’ branding in an attempt to jazz them up, but the cushions seem out of place and generic compared to the rest of the seat. They do the job, but the🌠 back panel in particular feels thin and while the base seat is a little thicker and nicely sculpted, it all just seems like basic foam. They’re not uncomfortable, they’re just entirely unremarkable and I was expecting more.

More so than other sim racing seats I’ve tested, the Formula Instinct is wonderfully customizable. Everywhere you look there seemsꦰ to be another way to dial it in to your liking. From the angle of the pedal tray to the height of the headrest cushion, it’s up to you how you want it and I played around for almost an hour making little tweaks here and there. It was surprising just how much of a difference small changes would make to the overall feel and I’d definitely recommend investing some time to really understand the impact changing each part makes. At a quick count, I found no less than eight different points of adjustment, some allowing for detailed fine-tuning with others delivering broader changes moving between a range o✨f fixed positions.

The feet, and floor protectors of the Playseat Formula Instinct F1 Edition

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

On the whole, each of these adjustments was simple to make, though I felt like some mechanisms were stronger than others. The main crossbar that supports your 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best racing wheel features the jazzily named ‘X-Adapt quick release adjustment system’ while others are more basic and use a thumb sc⭕rew or hex bolt. I have no major complaints about any of the choices Playseat has made here and I’m sure simplifying in a few place𒈔s would have helped keep costs from spiraling, though a little spot to store the required hex keys would have been a nice touch and saved future searches I’m sure I’ll have to make.

Annoyingly the most common adjustment you’ll probably want to make is also the most awkward to do. Just like an F1 driver’s seat fitting is the first step of their journey in a new car, sliding the Formula Instinct’s seat back and forth is the main starting point for sim racers and the first thing you’ll want to change if a new player is hopping behind the wheel. Playseat has improved things from the Trophy which needed multiple hex bolts to be removed and the Formula Instinct now just needs four knobs to be loosened. This is great, but with these undone actually sꦍliding the seat itself was stiff and more difficult than it needed to be. It may loosen over time as it wears or perhaps just needed a little squirt of WD-40, but a more assisted or at least less resistive solution would have been very welcome.

Performance

A Playseat Formula Instinct F1 Edition review image of the back of the chair pointing at a TV

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

Jumping into F1 24 any pent-up tension from the build process or frustrations over underwhelming foam instantly vanished into 💮the rearview mirror because out on track the Playseat Formula Instinct is lovely to use. I’ve spent a lot of time (pretty poorly) racing F1 cars in the Playseat Trophy over the last few months so it was surprising how different the experience in the Formula Instinct was. Playseat’s marketing boasts an ‘authentic F1 racing position’ and while I’ve never set foot in a Formula One car and can’t say whether that’s true, what I can say is it’s a noticeably different driving position to the Playseat Trophy and Challenge. It’s also༒ by far the easiest of the bunch to climb in and out of. The cockpit feels far more open with fewer places to bang your knees and fewer ways to lose your dignity trying to clamber out of it.

While much of my racing is generally done with the compact MOZA R12 wheelbase, I thought I’d stress test the Playseat Formula Instinct with the beefiest wheel I had available, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel a꧃nd Peda🥂ls. Not only does that generate 11Nm o✱f torque through its direct drive motor, but it’s also an absolute beast of a thing that weighs 8.5kg and ha♋s a hefty overbite that makes it noticeably front-heavy. I figure if the Formula Instinct can handle this, it’ll handle pretty much any wheel - and it handled it with ease.

The pedal fixing mechanism on the Playseat Formula Instinct F1 Edition

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

No matter how much the forcꦏe feedback shuddered and how quickly I whipped the wheel around tight corners the Playseat Formula Instinct kept it locked in. The X-Adapt clamp system does a wonderful job of not allowing any give or loosening a𓃲nd the wheel remained in exactly the same position at the end of 70 laps as it did when the lights went out. Perhaps more importantly, so did I in the Formula Instinct’s rigid bucket seat. The fixed position means this is a very different experience than with Playseat’s other mid-range chairs and while I’m a fan of the Playseat Trophy’s hammock approach that gives and moves with you, there’s definitely a more professional vibe that comes from this more static seat.

The locking mechanism for the Playseat Formula Instinct F1 Edition's pedal tray

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

By far the least elegant component of the Playseat Formula Instinct is the pedal tray but it’s a textbook example of function over form. Just like the wheel platform I had no trouble lining up the aggressively large Logitech G Pro Pedal base but it’s a far fiddlier and more frustrating affair. Admittedly this is probably on me, so a word of advice; don’t try to mount the pedals with the Formula Instinct on its feet - tip it on its side or you’⛎ll be there for twice as long as you need to be. Pedals attached - and my bright papaya McLaren out on track, however, the pedal tray was capable of withstanding serious strain. With exposed bracing arms on either side the Formula Instinct certainly looks far less slick than the Trophy’s all-in-one system, but they’re mighty effective as even when slamming the G Pro’s 100kg load cell brake pedal down the Formula Instinct never budged. The braces also allow for a greater and more granular range of positio💜ns than other Playseat racing chairs too, complimenting F1-inspired seating position well with a tray that can reach some pretty extreme angles.

Should you buy the Playseat Formula Instinct F1 Edition?

A Logitech G Pro racing wheel bolted to a Playseat Formula Instinct F1 Edition

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

There’s a lot to like about the Playseat Formula Instinct F1 Edition, this is a🌜 racing seat that ticks just about every box for the right kind of gamer with the right kind of setup. Build quality is noticeably strong, it’s deeply customizable, and most importantly it’s a joy to race in. For $599/£519 you get a lot of rig for your money and the Formula Instinct stacks up well against the rest of the ༒field as a result.

I’m not sure it’s as universal a rig as some of Playseat’s other options though. The Playseat Trophy Logitech G Edition is sleeker and less harsh on carpets while the Playseat Challenge X is cheaper and considerably more living room-friendly. One isn’t necessarily better than the others though, just better suited for different situations. If you have a dedicated racing sꦯpace and you don’t mind sacrificing some aesthetics for a little extra adjustability, or if you like the fact it has an F1 logo on the side, then go for the Formula Instinct. It’s a great rig and unlikely to disappoint.

How we tested the Playseat Formula Instinct F1 Edition

The Playseat Formula Instinct became the center of my sim racing setup for a few weeks, paired wꦚith both the MOZA R12 and Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel. I supplied my own furniture sliders as the racing sea♕t was tested solely on carpet however this did not impact the performance of the unit. I completed a number of races and general driving sessions in EA F1 24, Forza Horizon 5, and Forza Motorsport, along with some dedicated stress testing.

For more on how 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:we test the latest gaming chairs, have a read of our 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:hardware policy.


If you're still trying to narrow down your choices of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best console gaming chairs, take a look at our handy guide. If you're in need of a wheel to mount to a Playseat cockpit chair, check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best PS5 steering wheels and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Xbox steering wheels.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/chairs/playseat-formula-instinct-f1-edition-review/ HnwWSVH5ZvXMC8Fu4jsWAi Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:54:01 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Alienware isn’t pitching its latest gaming mouse to everyday players, the ‘Pro’ in that product name is doing more heavy lifting than you’ll typically see in other brands’ marketing. This is a speedster designed purely 🐠for competitive play, with the price tag to match. $149.99 isn’t particularly out of this world for a flagship device these days - it’s cheaper than the Razer Viper V3 Pro and Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2, but it’s still🔴 a far cry from prices aimed towards the more casual market.

I’ll start off by saying this is a clear sign that the Alienware Pro Wireless isn’t going to find its way into the hands of most players, but if you are at a high enough competitive level its focus on speed and precision could well pay off. It’s in direct competition with some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse models money can buy, though,ꦏ and it does fall short in some finer details.

I’ve been using the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse for two weeks, directly testing against similarly priced competitors, the $159.99 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper V3 Pro and $159 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2, as well as cheaper alternatives that still subscribe to that tournament-first approach; the $129.99 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Glorious Series 2 Pro, $99.99 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed, and $74.99 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Endgame Gear OP1 8K.

Key Specs
Price$149.99 / £134.99
Connection2.4GHz / wired
ShapeRight-handed
Programmable buttons6
DPI26,000
IPS650
SwitchesOmron D2FP-FN2
Weight59g

Design

Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

Aside from the angular lines shaping the long main mouse clicks and soft, light gray Alienware logo on the rump, the Pro Wireless could be an everyday office mouse. There’s no RGB fanfare in this design, and both the black and white models fly under the radar with a simple matte finish and curvy silhouette. It’s a shape I’ve come to recognize in this new generation of FPS-first gaming mice. Gone are the skinny frames and low domes, instead we’re embracing comfort with wider bases and a higher profile. It means ꧋those with larger hands are well catered for, but my smaller grabbers feel a little less nimble when battling with the extra surface area.

I can easily spend hours in a palm grip, with the slight cinching in the middle of the device offering a good level of purchase to hit the two side buttons reliably, and the tail end nestling neatly in the base of my hand. However, I do prefer a claw hold and there’s just a little too much mouse here for me to fully retain control during more frantic moments. I have to adjust a little too much weight to keep those side buttons engaged in a claw grip, with the back of the mouse leaning more towards the base of my thumb than it does in skinnier models. Still, that palm grip remains 🎃nicely comfortable, with just the right amount of height to keep strain off the wrist.

This is a larger device than I would typically choose for myself, but looks can be deceiving. At 59g it’s one of the lighter 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:wireless gaming mouse options on the market, beating the Logitech Gꦡ Pro X Superlight 2 by a gram. It’s not, however, the lightest out of my comparison pool, with the wired Endgame Gear OP1 8K coming out top with just over 50g to its name. The Viper V3 Pro is 5g lighter with all that wireless functionality - but actual numbers aren’t the end of the story here.

Back of Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse with blue lighting on a wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)

There’s a reassuring weight that only makes itself known when you need it. With a set of particularly slick skates underneath and a well-balanced feel, the Alienware Pro Wireless mouse can keep its precision without sacrificing raw speed. It also means that, for the most part, it feels more luxurious in the hand, compared with the initially cheap-feeling OP1 8K. Dell says this is the optimum weight it’s found during tests with esports players and, since this is a mouse geared towards those same professionals, I’m not inclined to disagree. If,♏ however, you prefer to keep things as floaty as possible, there are lighter options on the market.

I’m not a professional esports player, but I still found the shape and weight to be well-tuned with each other. That said, when I first laid hands on the Alienware Pro Wireless, I was concerned. This is a boxy shape with only a very slight groove on the th𝔉umb and pinky rests. In everyday play, I found the deeper curves of the Razer Viper V3 Pro to be more comfortable and controllable. Like Razer’s newer releases (and Logitech’s Superlight series) the matte finish coating everything feels smooth under the hand, but does provide a good friction grip that means it never slipped during my testing.

Features

The biggie here is that 8K polling rate. For the uninitiated, mouse gaming mice poll (send information to the PC) at a rate of 1,000Hz. You can get a more reliable response by upping that rate to 4,000Hz - your mouse will send these packets of data to your PC four times more often, ensuring fewer missed⛦ messages. A lot of mice also offer this feature nowadays. The Alienware Pro Wireless can up that polling rate to 8,000Hz for an even more consistent response, but only over a wired connection. This is a feature seen in competitive-oriented pointers, but it’s also making its way to the mainstream thanks to the magic of📖 marketing. Unfortunately, the vast majority of players simply don’t need it, nor will they see a difference in their experience.

This is a spec for the fastest players among us,🔴 and we regular folk are generally wasting money opting for a gaming mouse that prioritizes such a feature over other, more useful, customization options. However, it’s a feature being quickly adopted in competitive circles for peace of mind. The problem here, though, is that the Alienware Pro Wireless doesn’t do 8,000Hz polling as well as other, cheaper, mice.

Hand holding Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse against a blue PC setup, with mouse sensor and skates visible

(Image credit: Future)

That’s because you’ll need to plug in for that full speed, whereas the Glorious Series 2 Pro can have you hitting the full polling rate with just the wireless connector. The Razer Viper V3 Pro needs the brand’s separate dongle to do so, but it can also poll at 8,000Hz wirelessly. Even the sub-$100 Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed can hit t🦩hese heights without a cable (though you’ll be paying extra for the receiver to do so). Alienware has gone all-in on this speed, so for it to fall short against cheaper alternatives in the very arena it’s placing its bet is disappointing.

Instead, Dell should have been screaming about its battery life. Save for the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Turtle Beach Kone II Air (130 hours), this is the longest-lasting𝓰 rechargeable battery I’v༺e used in a gaming mouse when running a 1,000Hz polling rate over a 2.4GHz connection. Alienware’s 120-hour suggestion rings true in my own testing - I’ve been running this rodent all day for two weeks now and I still have 20% charge left. Considering both the Viper V3 Pro and Logitech Superlight 2 come in at 95 hours per charge, that’s pretty impressive. Bumping things up to 4,000Hz does drop that battery considerably, but there are settings in the Alienware Command Center software that automatically drop your polling rate when the battery hits a certain threshold.

Command Center is a fairly basic piece of software, but it still provides access to DPI, polling rate, lift-off, battery, and keybinding settings in an easily digestible menu format. I’m a fan overall, it covers all the basics without throwing ads in your face - even if Razer’s Focus Pro sensor means it can offer additional settings within the b🐎rand’s Synapse program. There’s space for five onboard profiles here, which is pretty standard fare.

Hand placed in a palm grip using the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse

(Image credit: Future)

The actual d🤡evice features everything you would expect to find on a competitive gaming mouse, though its 26K / 650 IPS Pixart PAW3395 sensor is neither the fastest in Pixart’s own line nor the highest spec on the market (the Razer Viper V3 Pro reaches up to 35K with 750 IPS and space for extra fancy mapping features). The two main click buttons use optical switches, but with Alienware’s magnetic-force system that promises enhanced speed. Essentially, two magnets oppose each other on each side of the switch, allowing for a snappy bounce when returning back to their original positions after a press. It’s a benefit over similar options from Razer, Logitech, and Endgame if you’re looking to tune speed in all areas of the experience.

Extra buttons are limited to the two side clickers you’ll find on similar mice, with a DPI / profile shifter button placed underneath. It’s a faff to flip the mouse over every time I want to change settings, and it’s a placement I’ve criticized on even the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Razer mice in the business.ꩵ If you’re ultra-competitive and prefer to set and forget, though, it’s kept neatly out of the way.

Performance

The sensor at the helm of everything does a fantastic job of keeping up with the action, though very few gaming mice can’t zip across a battlefield these days. The skates underneath and fantastic weight distribution, however, make the Alienware Pro Wireless feel particularly smooth in action. I was twitching and flicking my way through Counter Strike 2 in near serenity, thanks to the float-like feel of the chassis overall and the extra space afforded by a chunkier base. While my smaller hands mean that I didn’t exactly feel as nimble as I do with a slimmer device, like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Viper V2 Pro or, more recently, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Glorious Model O 2 Mini Wireless, I was still✤ able to hit my marks with speed and ease. I didn’t notice any jittering at any of the set polling rates, but equally couldn’t feel the differe⭕nce between a 1,000Hz and 8,000Hz experience - other than the extra sensation of the cable plugged in.

I was initially surprised by the main click switches, and not in a good way. Coming from the Glorious Model O 2 Mini Wireless, with its particularly short, tactile click-feel, the Alienware Pro Wireless almost𝄹 felt too heavy at first glance. After a week of work and play, I realized it wasn’t a👍 sensation of weight that stopped me in my tracks, but one of space. There’s a minute feeling of extra depth to these clickers, but the snap of those magnetic contacts was masking the slightly longer travel distance. I generally prefer a shorter stop, so I was confused at why I wasn’t hating the experience of using them day to day. It’s because the debounce is so fast and so responsive, you get the best of both worlds - a more precise initial press and a faster return to neutral.

Side view of Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse showing side buttons

(Image credit: Future)

The very thing that initially had me worried about the Alienware Pro Wireless quickly became my favorite part of the experience (other than not having to charge). Shots felt incredibly 🉐fast but I was in complete control of them the whole time, with laser-focused repeat presses that felt both measured and intuitive.

Unfortunately, I can’t sing quite so loudly about the side buttons. A $150 gaming mouse with so much emphasis on a smooth, luxury feel has no business us🃏ing these clickers. They feel hollow and cheap while also being too heavy in their actuation to truly feel intuitive and fast. They’re positioned in a perfect spot for my thumb, but compared to the soft, quiet main clicks they’re obnoxiously loud and could threaten to ruin the experience if you rely on them day to day.

Should you buy the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse?

Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse leaning against packaging in a PC setup

(Image credit: Future)

There’s a lot that I love about the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse; its excellent battery life, responsive main clicks, smoo😼th glide-feel, and intuitive software. Its focus on competition-level play means its price won’t make sense to the majority of players, but I could say the same about the Razer Viper V3 Pro, my current favorite gaming mouse overall. If you’re an everyday player looking for a wireless mouse that can still keep you at the top of your game you’ll find far better value in the extra features of the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed. You’re dropping out-the-box 8,000Hz polling but you don’t need it - instead, the DeathAdder has a range of additional sensor controls while beating both the Viper V3 Pro and Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 in battery life.

That’s fair enough, the Alienware Pro Wireless is a competitive mouse with its sights firmly set on tournament-level players with cash to burn. Unfortunately, Razer still wins the matchup, with a faster sensor, better side buttons, wireless 8,000Hz polling, and better grip curves on its Viper V3 Pro model. It’s $10 more at MSRP, but it’s also older and those numbers move south far more regu♍larly. Yes, you’ll need to use the Razer HyperPolling dongle for the full 8K speed whereas Alienware can get you there straight out of the box (albeit with a wired connection), but the overaꦦll package is better value for money.

That’s not to say nobody should be looking at the Pro Wireless. Those magnetically debouncing main clicks have me excited, and that battery life can’t be denied. If you’re st📖icking to 4,000Hz in wireless mode, prioritize glide-feel over extra grooves for grip, and always forget to plug your mouse in overnight, the Alienware Pro Wireless should be your go-to.

Ratings
Comfort★★★☆☆
Speed★★★★☆
Programmability★★★☆☆
Connectivity★★★☆☆
Battery life★★★★★

How I tested the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse

I used the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse for two weeks, running the device for all my daily work while also playing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Counter Strike 2, The Sims 2, Fallout 4, and Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey. I tested in direct competition with the Razer Viper V3 Pro, Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2, Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed, and Endgame Gear OP1 8K. For more information about 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:how we test gaming mice, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I’m also on the hunt for the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Logitech gaming mouse on the market, as well as all the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best left-handed gaming mice available. Or, check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best mouse pads for gaming to get that glide right.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/gaming-mice/alienware-pro-wireless-gaming-mouse-review/ xKBMEPa6fnxgKdf7E9JdN5 Tue, 11 Feb 2025 15:38:22 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> 🐷Opal isn’t wrong when it describes its Tadpole as ‘the tiny webcam with a clip’. That’s exactly what it is; it’s𒆙 a tiny webcam sitting on a clip that seems perfect for any laptop user who wants a bit more optic bang for their buck. A simple idea, really, but an idea that Opal has proudly swung for while most other brands ignore this segment of the market.

Until the last 18 months or so I didn’t really care about ensuring I had the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best webcam for all my digital needs. It feels bad to say, but it’s true. I just used whatever I had on hand to get the job done. After all, finding the 🌺webcam that's right for you is a very tough job - one that I hope I can assist you with – especially with so many different selling points and price points to go along with them.

So it was a very pleasant surprise to find out that the Opal Tadpole really does seem to put simplicity and price accessibility at the forefront, all while advertising 4K - the keyword being ‘advertising’. Hitting the market for $129/£130 it’s a fairly simple price to wrap your head around, especially compared to the likes of the OSBOT Tiny 2 or the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra. However, it still feel🐭s like a very small tadpole in a very big pond.

Design

The packaging of the Opal Tadpole

(Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter)

Potentially my favorite aspect of the Opal Tadpole webcam is its aesthetics. It is an absolutely stunning piece of kit that appeals to my enjoyment of minimalist technology. This may sound like a negative but it reminds me of a LEGO piece - it certainly has the size of one. A “large”, sleek, white aluminium square houses the lens that will sit atop your laptop. The Tadpole feels both retro and futuristic at the same time but is never dated by its basic design language. You’ll notice I put the word ‘large’ in quotations as it really is anything but that. The 🐬actual size of the device is 35 x 40 x 20mm, so yeah, it's as tiny as advertised, weighing in at just 45 grams.

The deep, black lens contrasts nicely with the rest of the webcam, almost like this inky pupil o𓆏f an eye staring back at you. This contras💃t really gives the webcam a premium feel that can be lacking from competitors which are more ambitious with their designs. It doesn’t just look premium though as it features chemically strengthened glass to ensure that you won’t be paying a premium to replace it anytime soon.

At the back of the webcam, you’ll find the clip mechanism that allows you to attach it to your laptop. Once again the prevailing word here is “simple”. If you’ve ever used an alligator clip before then you’ll know exactly how to get the Opal Tadpole attached and ready to use. The clip has a range of 35 degrees which means it will fit the majority of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming laptops. However, if you’re trying to use it on your🎐 PC and monitor then you’ll likely struggle, for reasons I’ll come onto.

Also on the rear of the Tadpole is a fittingly tiny cable. I found this to be far too short at only 55cm in length. This isn’t helped by the bead that sits in the middle of the woven cable which means it never fully extends to its full length. However, it does mean that you won’t have to worry about cables getting in the way of things - I personall𒁏y don’t want to do much cable management when using my laptop.

Features

The Opal Tadpole and it's short cable on a desk

(Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter)

Underneath the Scandinavian-style hood, there is actually a fairly robust and well-rounded camera. The Tapole features a Sony IMX582 RS sensor which in plain terms is a 48-megapixel image sensor often utilized on mobile phones such as the Samsung Galaxy A range. It does a good job of providing clean images with minimal noise, even in lower-light situations - making this ideal as a potential tool to add to your 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:gear for streaming setup. Additionall♔y, it provides vibrant enough colours giving you an image that has a nice pop to it.

I could picture myself in my local coffee house, book on the table, MacBook on a desk, and sitting ato♋p would be the Opal Tadpole. This was an attractive mental image, but unfortunately, one that didn’t quite come to pass. When I realized that the Tadpole was locked to 1080p, 30fps video recording, and when it became apparent that both my MacBook and iPhone had better camera quality, the fantasy I had became suddenly diluted.

The 48 MP camera will💫 likely be a big draw for people, especially in combination with that Sony sensor which is capable of 4K imagery. Despite a lot of 4K marketing claims you’ll see on the Tadpole’s retail page though, make no mistake that this camera is locked to 1080p. This will likely be more than enough for most people as it still looks sharp, but one of the big draws of this webcam is an affordable 4K option you can take on the go with you.

I mentioned low light situations and the f/1.8 lens on the Tadpole does let in a decent amount of light to assist with that and ensure that the image is best r𒆙epresented. However, it is worth noting that it did struggle a bit more in highly lit situations with so🐓me scenarios being a little overexposed and lacking details.

It isn’t just the camera that you get here however, it also features an on-board microphone, something which is even more impressive considering how small it is. Opal has decided to use a directional microphone to only capture audio in front of the webcam. I found this to be both incredibly helpful and incredibly annoying at different times. Yes, it allows for any sound outside of a specific window of direction to be ignored, but it does mean that you need to ensure you are directly in front of the camera whenever you want to speak. The cable fe✅atures a clever capacitive mute button on one end, meaning you can tap to mute yo🌠urself if need be. This is a nice trick, but when you can do the same thing with a simple push of the space bar in most video calling programs, it feels like fluff.

Unfortunately, the cable is attached to the back with no way to replace it with something longer, s♔o if you need more than the 55cm length then you are out of luck.

Performance

The Opal Tadpole's narrow alligator clip

(Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter)

I was very excited to try the Opal Tadpole. As I’ve said, the aesthetics are perhaps my fav🌳orite aspect of the whole package. I could picture myself in my local coffee house, book on the table, MacBook on a desk, and sitting atop would be the Opal Tadpole. This was an attractive mental image, but unfortunately, one that didn’t quite come to pass. When I realized that the Tadpole was locked to 1080p, 30fps video recording, and when it became apparent that both my MacBook and iPhone had better camera quality, the fantasy I had became suddenly diluted.

The next big issue I ran into was that it wasn’t compatible with my PC/monitor setup at home. Yes, I know it is priℱmarily designed for your laptop but if you’re paying $129/£130 I would expect more versatility. The clip unfortunately doesn’t have enough range on it to be attachable to most monitors, plus the cable being as short as it is means that this use case is pretty much off the table.

When I do have my very expensive MacBook sitting right next to it, I can make peace with some PC incompatibility. So I hooked it up and was similarly underwhelmed by the experience. That isn’t to say that it doesn’t produce a nice image (as you can see by the examples that I have provided). It does look good and does exactly what you expect from a sub-$200 webcam. But it just feels like it does the bare minimum, especially compared to options like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Elgato Facecam MK2, or even the more basic 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Logi Stream Cam.

Image 1 of 2

An Opal Tadpole example image showing its overexposure in brighter scenes

(Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter)
Image 2 of 2

An Opal Tadpole example image showing the webcam's image quality close up

(Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter)

What I am🍸 wrestling with is the fact that it’s such a brilliantly designed webcam from a visual standpoint, but when using it I just find myself gravitating to better options. My MacBook Pro webcam does a decent enough job and I don’t have to carry around an extra webcam in my pocket if I’m traveling. Failing that, I have my iPhone in my pocket at all times which can double as a capable webcam on its own. What remains is an additional purchase that's tri𒁏cky to justify. This isn’t better than an average phone camera, it requires a USB-C connection, and it even struggles to compete with standard laptop webcams without delivering on its 4K claims.

If I want something small, then the OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite is sitting right there, can actually record in 4K, and has AI pan, tilt, and zoom feature🐷s. If I want something with better overall performance, then the Razer Kiyo Pro is more compatible with PC setups and is signific꧙antly cheaper.

For example, I stream fairly frequently and I wanted to stress test the Tadpole in a content creation scenario. Unfortunately, it just made it a very difficult experience and I reverted back to using the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite fairly quickly. In terms of the microphone, I was actually fairly impressed by what it can do. Despite the fact that the range isn’t great, it does do an impressive job of capturing your voice with detail and clarity. Alongside this it does a good enough job of eliminating any background noises – although it did struggle when I did venture out to a public place, specifically a train. I’d still recommend you get yourself one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best microphones rather than using the built-in one, but if you need 🐟to use it then it does the job.

🌸While disappointing generally for me, I must admit that I found the Tadpole's best use case was when I needed to jump into online meetings Zoom calls, or Discord video chats. The simp🐠licity factor of its design extends to its usage too, you simply plug it in and it works. Not much more to it. This made it super convenient for me to attach onto my laptop when needed and I’d be in the call without delay.

Should you buy the Opal Tadpole?

The Opal Tadpole in its packaging, with its lens uncovered

(Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter)

This was incredibly tough for me. As I have reiterated through🌞out this review, the design and visuals of the Opal Tadpole are brilliant in my mind. Even the way it's presented in its box is visually appealing and minimalist. So, if you want a webcam that has no frills, looks great and just does the job then sure, this is a decent purchase.

However, it falls short for me compared to some of the other webcams you can get today. If I want something small, then the OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite is sitting right there, can actually record in 4K, and has AI pan, tilt, and zoom features. If I want something with better overall performance, then the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Razer Kiyo Pro is more co🐬mpatible with PC setups and is significaꦅntly cheaper. If I want a content creation webcam with 4K abilities, there are plenty of options out there nowadays.

I really wanted to love the Opal Tadpole, but unfortunately, I don’t. I am sure there is someone out there that 🐓this specific devic🥂e is perfect for, it just isn't me. I want to be clear, it is by no means a bad webcam, it could just be so much better.

How we tested the Opal Tadpole

I used the Opal Tadpole day-to-day where possible with my MacBook Pro. This included video calls on Discord, some light streaming, and facetime calls. I t✨ested the device extensively over a period of a month or tw♛o.

For more on how we test the latest content creation gear, check out the full 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:GamesRadar+ hardware policy.


Looking for more production value? The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best green screens, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best capture cards, and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best ring lights for streaming can help.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/peripherals/opal-tadpole-review/ mWrT4KyyLKboLPKcWJXyrV Mon, 10 Feb 2025 13:14:45 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Flagship gaming chairs don't come cheap, and if you shop with the biggest, most well-known brands you'll quickly realize that. The names "Herman Miller", "Secretlab", and even "Razer" automatically bring $600+ price tags to mind, and if you opt for the flagship seats from those𓃲 manufacturers, you dip into seriously expensive territory.

Corsair may be better known for its gaming PC components than its furniture, but if there's one well-established gaming hardware brand right now that's making flagship gaming chair features more accessible, that's the one. I just reviewed Corsair's TC500 Luxe - in fact, I'm still park💯ed in it right now - and despite only having a $499.99 price tag, it's seeing a near $100 discount at Amazon which brings it

This $95 price cut only applies to the Sherwood green model, but both the Frost (white) and Shadow (grey) variants are going for $424.99 at the moment. I'm honestly surprised to see this chair get such a deep price cut this February. First of all, this isn't the time of year I expect to see big chunks of cash coming off any of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming chairs. Secondly, this chair only launched late in 2024, so for it to already have mor♍e than a $50 discount is pretty good going.

Corsair TC500 Luxe |
Save $95 - From the price history data I'm seeing, this appears to b🎉e the lowest-ever tag for Corsair's hig𝓰h-end gaming chair. Keep in mind, too, that even without its current price cut, it's more affordable than the top options from Secretlab, Razer, and Herman Miller.

Buy it if:

✅ You want a classy gaming chair
✅ You want premium features for less than other brands charge for them
✅ Wide armrests aren't a dealbreaker for you

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're expecting leather
❌ You aren't a fan of the design

UK:

Should you buy the Corsair TC500 Luxe?

The Corsair TC500 Luxe from below

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

You may be wondering why I'd argue that the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Corsair TC500 Luxe isn't for everyone. To begin with, just take a look at it. It doesn't exactly fit in with the crowd of quite samey, racing seat-shaped, RGB-reflecting gaming chairs from specialist brands. It doesn't even go down the route of minimalist Swedish design that makes the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Fractal Refine stand out. This is a chair that resembles a classy leather reading lo𒅌unger more than it does a gaming throne. It's like what you'd expect a bond villa꧅in to swivel around in while ominously expecting you.

I'd argue this seat walks the line between something that has all the gaming features you want for desk setup or console gaming while looking safe for work at the same time, which is a tricky balance to get right. The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Boulies Master Series manages that too, and either chair will give you a more distinct look than the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Secretlab Titan Evo, which is so pಞopular that it's immediately recognizable.

The TC500 Luxe is plenty comfortable and strikes another great balance between comfort and firmness for posture correction. It's got integrated lumbar support and a beautiful head pillow that feels s♋ofter than any other I've tested. It has a wide seat base to cater to lots of different sitting positions and body shapes. But there's another reason I'd argue this chair isn't for everyone. Its armrests are both excellent an💧d terrible.

The Omniflex armrests of the Corsair TC500 Luxe

(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

The innovative "omniflex" design Corsair has gone for with this chair is great. It allows you to sink weight into your elbows without a rigid armrest putting pre🀅ssure on them or trapping a nerve. But for some reason, even when you move them to their narrowest setting, the armrests are far too far apart. It's a glaring issue a lot of review♛ers have noted, and it's a massive shame. I, for one, have come to terms with it, and I'm still using the TC500 Luxe as my everyday chair at the moment because it doesn't ruin the experience. But this is a flaw I can't understand how it got all the way into final production - especially when the rest of the seat is so well thought-out.

So, is the Corsair TC500 Luxe for you? If it i💛s, I wouldn't wait around for its discount to disappear.


Looking to beef up your gaming setup this year? Check out the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming PCs, the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best VR headsets, and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best PC controller.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/chairs/this-isnt-a-gaming-chair-for-everyone-but-its-discounted-price-sure-is/ 4uz3MQN2QNC2FRqwWHpKiC Thu, 06 Feb 2025 13:30:44 +0000
<![CDATA[ Latest from GamesRadar+ AU in Peripherals ]]> Until recently, extendable recliners were something you'd only find on the cheapest gaming chairs - the type from brands on Amazon that are constantly discounted. To me, recliners have always seemed like a gimmick that the bigger-name brands didn't include because they interf🍒ered with the ergonomic posture support they were going for. That was true until recently, when Secretl𓂃ab launched an ergonomic recliner add-on for its popular chairs.

Now, it feels like floodgates might be opening, because Boulies, another well-established maker of some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming chairs is also joining the party. The brand has today announced a new version of its Master Series chair which comeꦍs with a folding-out legrest.

The Boulies Master Rex doesn't seem to change an awful lot about the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Boulies Master Series we know and love, but it does seem to be a separate model. In other words, this isn't like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Secretlab Recliner add-on which can be bought separately and attached to an existing 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Secretlab Titan Evo.

The green Boulies Master Series in a home office setup

(Image credit: Future / Alex Berry)

While current Boulies Master Series owners won't have the benefits of Secretlab's add-on designs in this instance, you may be surprised to𝕴 know that the Boulies Master Rex will only set you back , although that's with an £80 discount d𒈔own from its official £409.99 price tag. Considering the Secretlab Recliner costs $199 / £159 on its own, that's not bad in comparison.

Although the Boules Master Rex launches today in the UK, stock doesn't appear to have reached the US yet. I've reached out to Boulies to ask when stock will be available since the rest of the brand's chairs are available in both territories. Boulies is based in the UK, so it may just be that the Rex will come to﷽ US buyers in due course.

Despite a very similar look to the original Master Series offering, Boulies has refined its 4D armrests. This is a big positive in my eyes, since across the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Boulies Elite Series and now discontinued 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Boulies Ninja Pro, the brand's armrests did tend to feel a tad hard to sink your elbows into. The redesign brin🐠gs in softer surfaces, which I hope make their way to the rest of t♛he Boulies chair range.

A Boulies marketing image showing a 165 degree reclining mechanism

(Image credit: Boulies)

The Master Rex (which sounds like the name of a well-to-do young dinosaur) is available in the same colors as the regular Master Se▨ries c🅠hair and in either fabric or the brand's newly refined Ultraflex PU leather.

The Boulies Master ꦦSeries has always utilized an integrated lumbar support system, with a 🉐decent range of tilt. The chair brand says this updated Rex model will use its spinal curvature and an enhanced tilting mechanism to ensure comfort whether you're gaming, relaxing, or working from home.

One of my biggest issues with Secetlab's recliner was that it didn't extend out the way forꩵ folks with longer l🌠egs. While its cushion was plenty comfortable, it was only really supporting the back of my knees and calves. It's hard to tell without testing, but the Master Rex's footrest looks like it slides outwards after unfolding, so hopefully it can really help you recline by reaching your heels.


Hungry for more? Why not read about the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best console gaming chairs and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best pink gaming chairs. For more furniture, we also review the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming desks.

]]>
//344567.top/hardware/chairs/the-latest-gaming-chair-from-boulies-comes-with-an-extendable-recliner-and-its-price-may-surprise-you-compared-to-secretlabs/ xFatFqp3HqofjyNCmXMhhM Wed, 05 Feb 2025 17:27:55 +0000