Razer Introduces Keyboards With Optical-Mechanical Switches

Razer has announced its Huntsman line of keyboards with optical-mechanical switches. The switches on the Razer Huntsman and Huntsman Elite are equipped with infrared sensors.

With its Opto-Mechanical Switches, Razer builds on its proprietary mechanical switches. The manufacturer has integrated an optical sensor into each switch for this model. When the button is pressed, the sensor registers the infrared beam and follows the command. The switches have an actuation point of 1.5 mm, with which the keyboard responds 30 percent faster than traditional mechanical switches, according to the manufacturer.

It takes 45 grams of force to reach the actuation point and otherwise the tactile feel would be comparable to that of the Razer Green switches. Because there are fewer moving parts and there is also no physical point of contact, the service life would also be longer. The manufacturer is talking about a doubling.

The Huntsman and Huntsman Elite are 10-key rollover keyboards with anti-ghosting and programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording. They also offer a combination of on-board and online storage of up to five profiles. The Elite version also has Razer Chroma lighting under the keys, with 38 zones to control. The Huntsman Elite also has media buttons with a striking turntable on the side and there is also a magnetically detachable leather wrist rest.

The keyboards will be on sale from July. Razer does not mention a euro price yet, but the dollar prices of the Huntsman and Huntsman Elite are 150 and 200 dollars respectively.