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BlackWidow or Huntsman


The title is the subject. I don't care about whether it's clicky, tactile, or linear, though the people around me may. It would be helpful if you could also help me choose which one in each lineup. I don't care about media keys (I'm looking at the Tiamat 7.1 V2, although I may choose something else), nor do I care about the ten-key. I'm mainly considering the Huntsman TE and the BlackWidow TE Chroma V2, but others in the lineups would be welcome. The reason I'm looking at these is the compactness (and the included wrist rest in the BlackWidow). If it helps these will be used in place of the built-in laptop keyboard.
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14 Replies

Lafar
Vanguard
  • Vanguard
  • 120 replies
  • March 21, 2020
If you're aiming for compactness, you're definitely on the right track with the Tournament Edition lineup.

I've used the BlackWidow (Green and Orange switches) for a very very long time. But as of late I've been on the Huntsman Elite.

With the Huntsman lineup, your main choice would be the Huntsman TE. It comes with some super sweet doubleshot PBT keycaps that provide a more matte texture.

As for the BlackWidow series, it'll depend on your aesthetic preferences. If you want something more low-profile that's more professional looking, you can't go wrong with the BlackWidow Lite. As for the BlackWidow X TE Chroma vs. BlackWidow TE Chroma V2, it depends on whether or not you dig the exposed metal faceplate look. I currently have a BlackWidow TE Chroma V2 (Orange switches with o-rings) as my office keyboard. The compact size gives back some desk space, and the included wrist rest is great for long typing sessions.

If you're still curious, here's a handy insider look into the Huntsman TE.

  • Author
  • Insider
  • 10 replies
  • March 21, 2020
BlackWidow Lite has no RGB, so it's an instant no go. The X doesn't include the out of stock wrist rest, so that's also a no go. So it boils down to Huntsman or Blackwidow V2. The thing is, I'm also unlikely to be using it outside of gaming, and I'm not competitive enough that the actuation point makes a huge difference. So it's is it worth the $18 saved on the BlackWidow?

Khirman
BlackWidow Lite has no RGB, so it's an instant no go. The X doesn't include the out of stock wrist rest, so that's also a no go. So it boils down to Huntsman or Blackwidow V2. The thing is, I'm also unlikely to be using it outside of gaming, and I'm not competitive enough that the actuation point makes a huge difference. So it's is it worth the $18 saved on the BlackWidow?


I would chose Huntsman lineup because of it's reliable optical switches that does not develop chatter or double press issue like normal switched keyboards.
If you buy a normal switched keyboard, sooner or later some keys will develop chatter anyway and you will have to either return the keyboard or change it's faulty switches. This does not happen on optical switched keyboards.
For normal switches, that 50 million or 80 million keypresses lifetime claim is clearly a lie. A marketing gimmick. Normal switches begin developing chatter way too early.

I've decided to go with the Huntsman TE. Thanks for the feedback.

Lafar
Vanguard
  • Vanguard
  • 120 replies
  • March 24, 2020
Khirman
I've decided to go with the Huntsman TE. Thanks for the feedback.

Awesome!

Let me know how you like it!

  • 5 replies
  • March 30, 2020
nice I want to get the huntsman now but I only have the blackwidow

kennethyha
  • Insider
  • 217 replies
  • March 30, 2020
Khirman
The title is the subject. I don't care about whether it's clicky, tactile, or linear, though the people around me may. It would be helpful if you could also help me choose which one in each lineup. I don't care about media keys (I'm looking at the Tiamat 7.1 V2, although I may choose something else), nor do I care about the ten-key. I'm mainly considering the Huntsman TE and the BlackWidow TE Chroma V2, but others in the lineups would be welcome. The reason I'm looking at these is the compactness (and the included wrist rest in the BlackWidow). If it helps these will be used in place of the built-in laptop keyboard.

DO NOT BUY Razer Tiamat V2 if you care about Razer Synapse 3.0 support. It is supported by Razer Synapse 2.0 only and the earpiece will crack just within 1 year. Instead, I recommend Razer Nari which is cheaper, wireless, supported by Synapse 3.0 and most importantly the earpiece doesn't crack and it is much cooler over an extending gaming period. I used it for 1 year and it's still working very well.
As for Razer keyboard, if you are like me who prefer maximum gaming performance and hate delays, get a huntsman keyboard with opto mechanical switch. It is light, fast and responsive. Like SSD, once you use it you are not going back!

  • Author
  • Insider
  • 10 replies
  • April 29, 2020
kennethyha
DO NOT BUY Razer Tiamat V2 if you care about Razer Synapse 3.0 support. It is supported by Razer Synapse 2.0 only and the earpiece will crack just within 1 year. Instead, I recommend Razer Nari which is cheaper, wireless, supported by Synapse 3.0 and most importantly the earpiece doesn't crack and it is much cooler over an extending gaming period. I used it for 1 year and it's still working very well.
As for Razer keyboard, if you are like me who prefer maximum gaming performance and hate delays, get a huntsman keyboard with opto mechanical switch. It is light, fast and responsive. Like SSD, once you use it you are not going back!

I was looking at something wired intentionally.

kennethyha
  • Insider
  • 217 replies
  • April 30, 2020
Khirman
I was looking at something wired intentionally.

Actually Razer Nari can be used as wired too, just plug it in using usb cable. However, because it is wireless so there is some weight to it. If you want wired, you can go for Razer Kraken X as it is super light or Razer Kraken or Kraken Tournament or Ultimate edition. Others you need to be careful as they might not be supported in Razer Synapse 3.

poppacalypse
  • Insider Mini
  • 295 replies
  • April 30, 2020
Definitely go for the Huntsman.

  • Author
  • Insider
  • 10 replies
  • May 1, 2020
kennethyha
Actually Razer Nari can be used as wired too, just plug it in using usb cable. However, because it is wireless so there is some weight to it. If you want wired, you can go for Razer Kraken X as it is super light or Razer Kraken or Kraken Tournament or Ultimate edition. Others you need to be careful as they might not be supported in Razer Synapse 3.

Probs gonna get Kraken Ultimate.

kennethyha
  • Insider
  • 217 replies
  • May 1, 2020
Good choice!

  • Author
  • Insider
  • 10 replies
  • May 1, 2020
Thanks! At this point I'm probably going to get everything in order of cost, so mouse, then headset, then the keyboard. And I've also decided to get an elite instead of a TE now that desk space is improved. I just hope there are enough USB ports!

M-S-G
  • Insider
  • 398 replies
  • May 3, 2020
USB connections are simply too rare. No matter if Notebook or desktop. Always have 1-2 USB adapters on it because simply too few connections.

magictim
  • Insider
  • 484 replies
  • May 5, 2020
Well... I am using Huntsman TE as my new keyboard adoption, but still some advice to you:

  • The key slots are very, very light. It is good for quick responses but at the same time, it makes a lot of misclicks even I used that for nearly half a year.
  • The RGB Chroma effect is merely standard. If you want crazy lighting color sparking around your room and make your friend jealous, you should go for Huntsman Elite.

Even so, the Huntsman TE is the latest keyboard of Razer for now. So it is still better off to buy that to catch up on the "latest trend".

  • Author
  • Insider
  • 10 replies
  • May 7, 2020
magictim
friend jealous

That would require I had friends. (Yes, I do actually have friends. They just don't come over all too often.) Anyway, I actually stated in my previous post that I am getting an elite.

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