Razer’s marketing department must be short of edgy reptiles and poisonous arthropods. The latest keyboard, the DeathStalker V2 Pro, has revived the line that declined a few years ago.
The Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro is a full-size, thin wireless optical gaming keyboard that looks much like its predecessor. It’s a term I use very loosely since I last saw the DeathStalker line in 2016. Razer’s original DeathStalkers are ticklet-style membrane keyboards. I think the new DeathStalker V2 Pro follows a very general theme of the line by being flat.
However, the new DeathStalker V2 Pro features Razer’s thin optical switches, flat (non-ticklet-style) keycaps, and a new design that deserves its own aggressive-sounding military codename. (I personally call it Hellbender. It’s named after Ozark’s giant, goofy, flat-looking salamander.)
Anyway, the DeathStalker V2 Pro is Razer’s new ultra-thin, flat, thin keyboard with its optical switches (linear or click), Chroma-injected per-key RGB, 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.0. It has a wireless connection via. And a whopping 40 hours of continuous battery life. It’s a nice looking, well-built, sturdy keyboard, and that’s why it (probably) costs $ 249.99.This is quite expensive for a gaming keyboard, not to mention technically non-mechanical (we have a lot of low-priced mechanical gaming keyboards). Best Gaming Keyboard List), But Razer seems pretty confident and calls the new DeathStalker V2 Pro the new flagship. Well, anyway, the flagship thin optical gaming keyboard.
Razer plans to release a wireless TKL version (DeathStalker V2 Pro Tenkeyless) for $ 219.99 and a wired full-size version (DeathStalker V2) for $ 199.99 in the third quarter of this year.
Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro Specifications
| switch | Razer Low Profile Optical (Linear or Click) |
| Lit | RGB for each key |
| Onboard storage | 5 onboard profiles |
| Media key | Multi-function roller and media button |
| Game mode | yes |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C |
| Additional ports | Not applicable |
| Keycap | ABS |
| construction | Aluminum alloy, plastic |
| software | Razer synapse |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 17.2 x 5.5 x 1 inch / 437 x 139 x 26mm |
| weight | 1.7 lbs / 776.5 g |
Design and build DeathStalker V2 Pro
The DeathStalker V2 Pro is an attractive keyboard, but it doesn’t have a particularly unique and eye-catching design. This is a slim, thin board with a relatively small footprint, clean lines and minimal branding. Housed in a lightweight plastic chassis, topped with a durable aluminum alloy top plate and finished in a fingerprint-resistant glossy black. The only visible brand is the small, unobtrusive Razer logo at the bottom center.
The DeathStalker V2 Pro is full size with standard navigation keys, numeric keypad, machined aluminum multifunction rollers and media keys in the upper right corner. The overall footprint is relatively small at 17.2 x 5.5 inches (437 x 139 mm), with the thickest part slightly over 1 inch (26.6 mm). On the back, there are two sets of flip-out legs for adjusting the tilt angle. More dramatic adds about 0.25 inches (6.4 mm) to the height of the back of the keyboard. The keyboard weighs 1.7 pounds (776.5g), but it feels sturdy and sturdy with no identifiable bends during typing.
The DeathStalker V2 Pro features a thin matte black ABS keycap with a laser-etched legend that shines with RGB lighting for each bright key on your keyboard. Razer claims that the keycap has an “ultra-durable” coating to “make it last longer,” but put the DeathStalker V2 Pro in a bag (another keyboard, Razer laptop, wallet). Thrown for hours, hours (using). There was a small scratch on the key.
The DeathStalker V2 Pro has a connection control at the top left corner. Power switch to switch between 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.0, 3 buttons to switch between Bluetooth profile and USB Type-C port.
The keyboard comes with a 6-foot braided USB-C-USB-A cable and a USB extender. There is also a 2.4 GHz wireless USB-A dongle. It is housed in a small compartment on the back of the keyboard (with a slightly flimsy cover).
Typing and gaming experience with DeathStalker V2 Pro
The DeathStalker V2 Pro features Razer’s thin optical switch, which operates via light (rather than traditional contact-based operation). The lack of physical contact means faster operation and even faster when combined with the DeathStalker V2 Pro’s thin, short keystrokes — Razer’s claim. There are two variations of Razer optical switches: linear (red) and click (purple). The review unit comes with a linear option.
Entering DeathStalker V2 Pro was a pleasant surprise. Believe it or not, it’s better than expected given my general preference for loud, clicky mechanical switches. Linear optical switches are quite similar to other linear mechanical switches. With an average force of 45 grams, it still has some weight, even if it doesn’t require physical contact to operate. Like other linear switches, linear optical switches are smooth and have no tactile “bumps” when pressed.
According to Razer, the linear optical switch incorporates a “carefully tuned” silicon damper to provide a quiet typing experience that maintains a satisfying key bottom out. Well, the DeathStalker V2 Pro is far less than the average non-mechanical keyboard, but it certainly still feels a bit muddy. The unobtrusive, low-movement keys on the keyboard continued to speed up typing, but the slight muddyness and lack of tactile feedback compromised my accuracy. Specifically, I accidentally pressed the Shift key about 27 times while writing this review.
However, the keyboard is very quiet. This is a welcome change for anyone who can usually hear my typing from 3 blocks away.
Typing is very different from games. I like tactile and clicky bumps when typing, but I really don’t need such physical or auditory feedback when playing games. Razer’s linear optical switches are really great for games. Smooth and consistent feel, speedy movement, thin and short keystrokes are the perfect combination for games where you need to press the keys quickly and accurately without disturbing your sense of touch.
DeathStalker V2 Pro Features and Software
Deathstalker V2 Pro can be configured using the Razer Synapse. This isn’t my favorite companion software suite, but it does provide a good customization experience.
Synapse allows you to remap almost all DeathStalker V2 Pro primary key bindings (Windows keys, “Razer HyperShift” function keys, and strangely multimedia buttons cannot be remapped) and secondary key bindings for most keys. increase. “Hyper Shift” mode. The small footprint of the DeathStalker V2 Pro means that there are no programmable macro keys beyond the normal Fn lines. That’s why Razer’s HyperShift, which provides programmable macro keys that correspond to the entire keyboard, is especially useful here.
You can also use Synapse to fine-tune your keyboard lighting and power settings and access the HyperSpeed Multi-Device Pairing Utility (which allows you to pair a second HyperSpeed compatible device to the DeathStalker V2 Pro’s HyperSpeed dongle. increase.
The Synapse software suite also includes Razer’s Chroma Studio, Chroma Visualizer, and Chroma Connect utilities. With these utilities, you can customize the RGB lighting for each key on your keyboard with different colors and effects and synchronize it with other Razer peripherals with Chroma.
DeathStalker V2 Pro can store up to 5 onboard profiles.
Wireless experience and battery life with DeathStalker V2 Pro
DeathStalker V2 Pro offers three connectivity options: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, and wired (via USB-C). For games and anything that delays or delays can be an issue, we recommend connecting using a 2.4GHz wireless connection. This connection features Razer’s “industry-leading” HyperSpeed wireless technology, which is 25% faster, according to Razer. Other wireless technologies. (Of course, 2.4GHz wireless is already a fairly fast and low latency connection.)
Razer’s HyperSpeed wireless technology supports HyperSpeed multi-device capabilities. This means that the DeathStalker V2 Pro’s USB-A dongle can support two compatible Razer peripherals (keyboard and mouse) at the same time. Unfortunately, I don’t currently have a HyperSpeed compatible Razer mouse in-house to test this, but it’s a very useful feature if you’re missing a USB port. (Another option for reusing the USB port is to use the keyboard’s Bluetooth 5.0 connection instead of 2.4GHz wireless. Connect to three Bluetooth-enabled devices at the same time and use the Bluetooth profile button at the top of the keyboard. You can use to switch between them.)
According to Razer, the DeathStalker V2 Pro offers 40 hours of continuous battery life when the backlight is set to 50% brightness. I like bright and flashy light shows, so I had to charge the keyboard several times during the test. The DeathStalker V2 Pro consumes more power than expected (perhaps because it needs some of its juice to power a light-powered switch), so you’ll need to have the cable handy.
Conclusion
Razer’s new DeathStalker V2 Pro is a completely different animal than its predecessor, which is good. It’s a compelling thin keyboard with all the essential features you need, such as connectivity, customization, and beautiful lights, as well as a stunningly decent typing experience and a great gaming experience. It’s not “built like a tank,” as Razer claims, but it’s small, slim, and lightweight, so it’s pretty durable. But that’s not that exciting — and if you’re going to spend $ 249.99 on a keyboard, you should definitely be hyped about it.
