Exploring Razer’s Ultimate Keyboard Upgrade Kit

Right now, Razer introduced its new line of keyboard customization choices, together with new keycaps, cables, palm rests, and a model new Phantom Version of its Blackwidow V3 Hyperspeed. On the lookout for a style of the candy keyboard customization taking on YouTube? This is likely to be a tremendous place to begin. Let’s take a more in-depth look.

Specs

Razer PBT Keycap Improve Set

• Present Worth: $29.99
• Coloration Choices: Quartz Pink, Mercury White, Razer Inexperienced, Basic Black
• What’s included: 120 keycaps, optical/mechanical stabilizers, keycap removing device

Razer PBT Keycap + Coiled Cable Improve Set

• Present Worth: $49.99
• Coloration Choices: Quartz Pink, Mercury White, Razer Inexperienced, Basic Black
• What’s included: 120 keycaps, optical/mechanical stabilizers, keycap removing device, USB-C to USB-A Cable

Razer Phantom Keycap Improve Set

• Present Worth: $34.99
• Coloration Choices: Black, White
• What’s included: 128 keycaps, optical/mechanical stabilizers, keycap removing device

Ergonomic Wrist Relaxation 

• Present Worth: $19.99
• Sizes: 
• Mini: 292.5 x 89.9 mm
• Tenkeyless 356.1 x 89.9 mm 
• Full-sized: 444.5 x 90 mm
• Floor: Leatherette
• Interior: Reminiscence Foam

Ergonomic Wrist Relaxation Pro

• Present Worth: $34.99
• Sizes: Full-sized: 444.5 x 90 mm
• Floor: Warmth Switch Cloth
• Interior: Cooling-gel Infused Reminiscence Foam

Ergonomic Wrist Relaxation Pro

Razer Blackwidow V3 Mini Hyperspeed Phantom Version

• Present Worth: $199
• Format: 65%
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz Wi-fi, USB-C

In case you’ve adopted my reviews, you most likely already know that I’m deep into the mechanical keyboard interest. Since 2015, I’ve been attempting as many various mechanical keyboards as I can get my fingers on, and for concerning the final yr and a half, I’ve been constructing customized keyboards and customizing nearly each keyboard you see reviewed right here. My present assortment sits someplace round 60 keyboards with round 10 being absolutely customized builds. 

So, when Razer reached out about its “Final Keyboard Improve Package,” it was just about an immediate sure, ship it now, don’t wait, actually ship two sort of state of affairs (no, they didn’t really ship two). Whereas I’m undecided if there’ll certainly by a “equipment” obtainable for buy, the corporate is including various key customization choices to its line-up. Let’s undergo them one after the other.

Razer PBT Keycap and Coiled Cables 

Razer already supplied a number of PBT keycaps, however will now be increasing them to incorporate coiled, braided cables, as effectively. The obtainable colours are Mercury White, Basic Black, Razer Inexperienced, and Quartz Pink. Every of those units is made out of doubleshot PBT, which suggests the legends are shaped from a second piece of plastic and gained’t chip or fade over time, and for the reason that legends are translucent, RGB lighting illuminates them for typing at midnight. The fabric, PBT, is denser than conventional ABS plastic keycaps and gained’t shine with prolonged use. The partitions are thick and there’s a pleasant texture on their floor.  Every set additionally consists of 120 keycaps, so that they’ll work with most different standard-sized keycaps. They’re actually fairly glorious for the $29.99 standalone worth or $49.99 with the coiled cable.

The bundle included the coiled cable is dearer however offers you a substitute cable modeled after the customized builds taking on YouTube and Reddit proper now. The braiding is sweet and is color-matched to the set you got. As somebody who owns a number of customized cables, I can see what they have been going for however there’s nonetheless room for enchancment. The coils are small the entire cable and due to the way it’s packaged (wound in a circle), they don’t lay flat. There’s additionally an excessive amount of size between the keyboard and the coil.

Nitpicks? Perhaps. The cable continues to be an improve from the standard, rubberized one included within the field. However, should you’re searching for an affordable means out of an costly customized, we’re not fairly there but. 

Razer Phantom Keycaps: A New Sort of Pudding

Along with its regular PBT keycaps, Razer will even offer its personal tackle puddings. Pudding keycaps, should you’re not acquainted, are translucent on the underside half, permitting RGB to shine via way more brightly. Razer’s Phantom keycaps apply the identical precept however with a bit extra frosting on the translucent portion, giving them a extra subtle, phantom look. 

I’ve purchased a number of units of pudding keycaps and just about all of them are the identical. These are the primary keycaps in that fashion that really feel distinctive (outdoors of G.Skill’s Crystal Crown keycaps, which I haven’t tried). They’re product of ABS plastic for higher shine-through however they nonetheless have pretty thick partitions and really feel good underneath the finger. Putting in them was tougher, nonetheless, as a result of the legends are nearly invisible with none backlighting. As soon as they’re put in, they positively take RGB backlighting to the subsequent degree. 

Razer Ergonomic Wrist Rests 

It doesn’t cease with keycaps. Razer additionally has a number of wrist rests to match its completely different sizes of keyboard. It is going to provide commonplace variations in Mini, TKL, and full-size sizes for $19.99 a bit and a Pro model that’s solely obtainable in full-size for $34.99. The usual wrist relaxation, which I used to be despatched, is snug and works effectively. It includes a PU leather-based higher with reminiscence foam inside. The Pro model includes a heat-transfer cloth prime with gel-infused reminiscence foam beneath. I wasn’t capable of take a look at the Pro model, however leather-based wrist rests may cause sweating should you recreation in a sizzling atmosphere whereas cloth isn’t as vulnerable to that. My workplace is normally round 75 levels and sweating wasn’t a problem for me even with the usual rests. 

Razer Blackwidow V3 Mini Hyperspeed Phantom Version

Lastly, in celebration of its new line-up of customization choices, Razer can be launching a brand new model of its Blackwidow V3 Mini called the Phantom Edition. This model will retail for $20 greater than the usual V3 Mini at $199. I reviewed this keyboard for IGN and located it to be glorious, if fairly costly. The shape issue is a superb middle-ground between performance and compactness. It additionally options Razer’s Hyperspeed wi-fi know-how for wi-fi efficiency that competes with wired gaming keyboards. 

The brand new Phantom Version is way more of an eye-catcher. The RGB was already shiny however is way more so due to the translucent bottoms of the Phantom Black keycaps. Functionally, it’s the identical keyboard it was earlier than however appears to be like rather a lot higher should you’re a fan of RGB lighting results. If you realize you need the Phantom keycaps and likewise the keyboard, shopping for this version additionally saves $15 from shopping for them individually.

Closing Ideas

All informed, it is a good array of possibility to assist newcomers to keyboard customization give their setup a little bit of distinctive aptitude. The PBT keycaps are prime quality and can work on extra than simply Razer keyboards, too, so should you’re searching for a set of shine-through keycaps that gained’t value an arm and a leg, they’re a stable possibility that gained’t disappoint. I hope Razer continues to increase its line-up with extra keycap and cable choices, however it is a welcome addition to its array of merchandise.