Razer Huntsman V2 Review, Keyboard, 8,000Hz HyperPolling technology

Razer Huntsman V2

Razerthink – The Razer Huntsman V2 is all about speed. These are equipped with optical, mechanical switches that can theoretically register keystrokes faster than their traditional mechanical counterparts. Then, a polling rate of 8,000Hz means it can report those keystrokes to your PC like the speed of Light. The Razer Huntsman V2 mechanical gaming keyboard enhances the already impressive set of Huntsman Elite features without raising the price. With all the other changes, which are thoughtful improvements to the predecessor’s design.

The new Huntsman V2 comes with four different price points depending on whether you want a Numpad and whether you like click or linear switches. The tenkeyless model starts at $149.99 with the clicky switch, or $159.99 with the linear, while the full-size model is $189.99 or $199.99. That’s relatively expensive by mechanical keyboard standards, which means the Huntsman V2 has a lot to prove.

The Razer Huntsman V2 is a fantastic gaming keyboard, thanks to its low latency. Razer’s Linear Optical Switch provides a very responsive feel. This keyboard can set macros to any key directly from the board or Synapse 3 software. It has customizable RGB backlighting, two angled settings, and a comfortable faux leather armrest.

With the linear key switch variant of the new Huntsman V2 coming in at the same price point as its predecessor and the clicky version now even cheaper, there’s not much to complain about. Most notable of the many changes to the previous Huntsman design is the introduction of a second-generation linear optical lock switch and the optical click switch now available in a keyless version. The second-generation switches come with fast 8,000Hz HyperPolling technology and a latency of just 0.2ms.

Razer Huntsman V2 8,000 Hz TKL Keyboard

• Switches: Razer Purple Optical Clicky (tested), Razer Red Linear Optical
• Lightning: RGB per button
• Onboard Storage: 5 profiles
• Media Keys: With FN
• Connectivity: Detachable USB Type-C cable
• Cable: 8.5-inch (216mm) USB-C to USB-A braided cable
• Additional Port: 1x USB Type-C
• Keycaps: PBT plastic
• Software: Razer Synapse
• Dimensions (LxWxH): 14 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches (335.6 x 139.7 x 33.02 mm)
• Weight: 2 pounds (907g)
• Addition: Faux leather armrest

Design

The Razer Huntsman V2 has a bit of a surprise for anyone who has tried Razer keyboards over the last few years. The Huntsman V2 has an all-black plastic chassis with a brushed matte finish. There’s a hidden Razer logo on the removable armrest. The Huntsman V2 is a large keyboard, measuring 17.5 x 5.5 x 1.0 inches. Like its predecessor Huntsman, the Huntsman V2 has large discrete media keys on the top right, including a volume wheel that barely covers the edges of the keyboard. The keyboard also has per-key RGB lighting.

Although it no longer has the wraparound LED strip that made the original Huntsman so distinctive. The keyboard also features a removable magnetic palm rest. It’s not a huge loss, in my opinion, especially since the keyboard is a bit cheaper as a result, but RGB fans should probably stick with the older model.

If you buy the Razer Huntsman V2, you’ll have the choice of a Razer Purple Clicky or Razer Linear Red switch. As the name suggests, the purple button is loud and tactile; the red control is quiet and linear. The Razer Huntsman V2 is built with high quality. The body is very sturdy plastic and has a solid metal base plate. There are six rubber pads on the bottom that hold the board and an additional six on the armrest. The four ramp legs also have rubber grips, but they don’t hold the board in place. The keycaps are PBT double shots, which improve over the Razer Huntsman’s predecessor ABS keycaps.

Most of the more minor keys feel stable, but the larger ones, such as the Spacebar, Shift, Enter, and Backspace, have a wobbly feel and a different sound and feel than the more minor keys. Those who don’t like full-size boards take up a lot of space. Razer provides a smaller TenKeyLess variant called the Razer Huntsman V2 TKL. The Razer Huntsman V2 is a straight board with good ergonomics thanks to two angled settings and a padded faux leather wrist rest. It has four legs parallel to the rubber grips to hold the board in place, but it is not as strong as the six rubber pads at the bottom of the board.

lighting

The Razer Huntsman V2 has RGB backlighting that you can adjust on a per-key basis. You can adjust brightness and change lighting effects directly from the board or customization software.

Feature

The Razer Huntsman V2 has several additional features from the previous Razer Huntsman, such as dedicated media buttons and a multi-function volume control button by default. All keys are macro programmable, and you can set macros directly from the board using the Macro keys.

Razer Huntsman V2 runs on Razer Synapse software. This comprehensive app lets you reprogram buttons, set profiles for individual games, manipulate RGB lighting, assign alternative functions to the volume wheel, and much more. Over time, the program has become much easier to navigate and stable.

As for the RGB lighting itself, it’s bright and colorful. You also have plenty of enjoyable presets at your disposal if you don’t want to fiddle with the Razer Chroma software. One improvement over the previous Huntsman is that the keyboard now connects with a single USB cable instead of a two-prong USB cable for basic functionality and RGB features.

Performance

The Razer Huntsman V2 offers outstanding gaming performance. There is no case when the keyboard is less responsive. Synapse’s additional layer of programmability also allows me to store custom keymaps and onboard profiles for individual games. So you don’t have to hunt through settings before launching and diving into the game. I don’t consider myself a competitive gamer, but in both Valorant and CS: GO, Huntsman V2 makes you feel faster with a touch of the speed of Light.

The response generated by the new HyperPolling technology, Butter-smooth buttons under the finger, and a higher actuation point means they react faster under the finger. Unlike the first generation of these switches, they are not easily triggered by accident which lowers the learning curve and helps avoid typos. HyperPolling, on the other hand, feels a little gimmicky. No doubt Razer claims about 8000Hz polling. Statistics prove why Huntsman V2 parses commands faster than its competitor’s, thanks to HyperPolling technology.

And no doubt this is true; the Speed of Light and the speed of a mechanical switch is objectively very different, but they still start when the player decides when to press the button, however, if you are playing at a very competitive level, where every second counts, Huntsman V2 may very well be an option.

Pros

• Volume wheel
• Feature-rich software
• 8,000Hz response rate

Cons

• Non-detachable cable

Price 

The Razer Huntsman V2- Linear Optical Switch (Red)  is now available on the Razer website for US$199.99 and Clicky Optical Switch (Purple) US$189.99

Overall

At $200 or so, the Huntsman V2 isn’t a cheap keyboard, but this award-winning keyboard from Wooting One is a great gaming keyboard with all its features. The Razer Huntsman V2 is one of the best gaming keyboards Razer has ever produced.