DeathStalker v2 Pro Is One of Razer’s Thinnest Keyboards, however It’s Not for Everyone

Low-profile mechanical keyboards are a relative area of interest within the keyboard group, however they’re changing into extra widespread as individuals demand choices. Low-profile keyboards have the same look to laptop computer keyboards, and so they would possibly really feel like they sort just a little quicker with the shorter journey between keys, although your mileage could range. Potential downsides embody lessened suggestions and keycaps that that aren’t as customizable because the commonplace.

Razer’s attempting its hand at one thing within the low-profile realm, with a smaller bodily footprint than the remainder of its full-size mechanical gaming keyboard lineup. The DeathStalker V2 Pro, primarily the successor to its final technology of DeathStalker chiclet gaming keyboards, is likely one of the lightest, thinnest Razer boards I’ve dealt with since beginning this beat over two years in the past. I prefer it way more than my long-standing low-profile favourite, the wi-fi Logitech G915. But there are all the time concessions; on this case, this isn’t a board you purchase for personalisation. And it isn’t a board to think about should you favor the chunky press of a daily mechanical key.

Light as a feather, stiff as a keyboard

My two greatest considerations when purchasing for a mechanical keyboard are whether or not it could actually match comfortably on my desk and whether or not I can sort on it at full velocity with my claws. The Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro will get one level in the precise route for taking over little or no actual property.

I discussed I favored the Logitech G915, and that’s due to its slim profile and easy-to-tap keycaps. But its downfall is that it additionally comes with an additional row of keys for Macro-led gaming and computing, and I ended up retiring the keyboard as a result of I didn’t like coping with that further row on my desk. The Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro is way much less demanding on my desk area than that Logitech G915—or any of Razer’s earlier full-size mechanical keyboards that I’ve examined and reviewed, together with the full-size Huntsman V2.

The DeathStalker V2 Pro is available in three sizes: full-size wired ($400), wi-fi Tenkeyless ($220), and wi-fi full-size ($250), in any other case generally known as the Pro mannequin. Razer despatched me the wi-fi full-size model—the Pro—which connects through Bluetooth or a 2.4 GHz USB-A dongle that makes use of the corporate’s Hyperspeed wi-fi expertise. It additionally works plugged in through USB-C, which I favor so I can justify how a lot cash I’ve spent on vainness cables. I gotta use ‘em.

The full-size DeathStalker V2 Pro is about 5.5 inches wide and 17.2 inches long. It’s smaller than the Logitech G915 by about half an inch, and that keyboard takes up almost an inch extra in desk area. The Corsair K70 MK2 low-profile mechanical keyboard, which we additionally examined as a part of our purchaser’s information some time again, is longer than the Razer and Logitech keyboards by about an inch and a half, although it’s about the identical size because the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro. All that mentioned, the DeathStalker V2 Pro is a full-size keyboard, so that you’ll must accommodate a quantity pad off to the precise in your desk even when it’s not in use. If you don’t like that concept, you would possibly think about the TKL format.

I used to be impressed by how mild the DeathStalker V2 Pro is in comparison with the opposite Razer branded full-size mechanical gaming keyboards I’ve stacked in my gadget closet. Those keyboards felt chunky regardless of their relative lightness, particularly the Huntsman V2. The DeathStalker V2 Pro’s aluminum alloy case feels mild as a chunk of cardboard at 2.27 kilos, and surprisingly it’s solely half a pound lighter than the full-size Huntsman V2. The thinness and consolidation of elements appear to assist contribute to that.

As per Razer’s normal model, a quantity controller is affixed within the keyboard’s higher right-hand nook. It’s far sufficient out of the way in which that you simply don’t have to fret about by accident hitting it. There’s an extra media button subsequent to it which you can program utilizing the Razer Synapse software program. By default, it begins and stops media playback. You can even push down the quantity curler for fast mute.

Can you deal with low-profile typing?

The factor a few low-profile mechanical keyboard is that it’s very completely different from a daily mechanical keyboard regardless of sharing some bones and terminology. Razer’s DeathStalker V2 Pro is as svelte as gaming keyboards get, however the typing expertise could not work for everybody.

The DeathStalker V2 Pro makes use of ABS low-profile keycaps coupled with
Razer’s low-profile optical switches. The boards can be found with an choice of Red Linear or Purple Clicky switches. The former presents an actuation level of 1.2mm and require much less pressure than the latter Clicky switches. The Red Linears are what Razer calls its “sweet spot” switches, as a result of they’re not as noisy when typing and supply “substantial feedback.” Since I’m a author by commerce, that’s the model I acquired for assessment.

I take advantage of Red Linear switches every day on commonplace mechanical keyboards, however I didn’t do effectively with the low-profile variant. While the keystroke feels gentle and presents a pillowy touchdown, my lengthy nails hate that, as a result of it produces much less suggestions with the low-profile keycap than on the hollowed-out sq. keycap of a daily mechanical keyboard. I would like that bodily push again in opposition to my nail to really feel like I’ve hit the important thing.

I had a tough begin with the MonkeyType typing take a look at, which I usually use to see how briskly I can sort on any given keyboard. In the start, I used to be typing quick however with a number of errors. I maintained a extra constant efficiency all through the 30-second take a look at by slowing down my stroke and being extra methodical in regards to the presses, however that required focus that’s exhausting to maintain up at velocity whereas additionally parsing via phrases in my head. It’s clear that for my most popular model of typing, the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro wouldn’t be my first alternative for banging out 1,000 phrases (although I did write this whole assessment utilizing the keyboard).

I additionally had a tough time with the this keyboard’s angling. The two kickstands on both facet of the board are adjustable between three heights. But I require a wrist relaxation for typing, and when paired with considered one of Razer’s off-the-shelf leather-based wrist rests, my palms have been too excessive for my fingers to naturally angle onto the DeathStalker V2 Pro.

This is a gaming keyboard, so it does have all of the bells and whistles for enjoying first-person shooters, MMOs, and the occasional spherical of Fortnite. The DeathStalker V2 Pro is a completely programmable keyboard with on-the-fly macro recording skills, akin to Razer’s earlier releases.

The DeathStalker V2 Pro is battery-powered. Razer claims as much as 40 hours of battery should you preserve the backlight low. There are additionally software-side choices inside the Razer Synapse app to assist lengthen battery life, like turning off the backlight when idle. I didn’t get an opportunity to place the 40-hour promise to the take a look at, however the board was at about 83% after two days on standby and over 10 hours of typing.

It’s nonetheless Razer’s software program

If you sport or wish to modify the per-key Razer Chroma RGB backlights, you’ll must obtain the Synapse software program in your PC for the complete expertise. I’ve mentioned earlier than that I’m not an enormous fan of the Synapse software program due to how bloated it feels while you’re not utilizing any of the gaming-specific options bundled in—like the power to obtain explicit macros particular to a title. It’s positively not a pleasant app for older PCs. But on the very least, Razer has made the app extra module-like, with the intention to obtain solely the plug-ins and skills you wish to truly use on the DeathStalker V2 Pro. You can even retailer varied keyboard profiles within the cloud if the three on-board ones aren’t sufficient in your utilization.

Are you a low-profile typist?

Razer’s DeathStalker V2 Pro is a classy gaming keyboard and a compelling low-profile keyboard for these bored with clunky builds taking over their desktop. But as I discussed, earlier than you spend the $250 on a full-size keyboard, there are issues.

For one, the low-profile look means this keyboard is just not as customizable as one with common mechanical keycaps and switches. You can attempt to purchase knock-off keycaps across the web, however I’ve by no means efficiently discovered a suitable set. I’d like to see Razer enterprise into customization inside this low-profile lineup like it did with its different gaming keyboards.

A low-profile keyboard is just not for everybody, which I shortly realized after archiving among the different low-profile and chiclet keyboards I’ve reviewed. On the flip facet, an individual in search of a quiet from-day-to-night keyboard would possibly like this exactly as a result of it’s like typing on a laptop computer.