Thursday, March 3rd 2022
Razer Adds Analog Switch Support to Huntsman Mini 60% Keyboard
Razer has been quietly updating its peripheral lineup, including its Huntsman series of keyboards that used to be exclusively mechanical and using Razer-branded linear, tactile, or clicky switches. Then came optical switch versions that theoretically promise zero debounce and smoother travel owing to no mechanical components for the stem to physically move into, and this time it was either a linear Razer switch or a clicky one. It would be no surprise then that the natural progression of this was via analog switch versions of its popular keyboards. The full-size Huntsman V2 Analog was the first of these to launch a few months ago, with the use of "Razer Analog Optical Switches" to complete the set. These analog switches rely on optical sensors to detect the travel of the stem downward, akin to what the likes of Wooting have been doing for a while now, and aim to finally be the one peripheral to address the strengths of keyboards and game controllers collectively.
Perhaps the 100% form factor was too large for consumers, especially given analog switches have rarely found an established use case outside of gaming even today, so a smaller keyboard size may be what you are looking for. Razer certainly thinks as much, as today it introduced the Huntsman Mini Analog—a 60% form factor keyboard now employing the same Razer analog switches. With customization over the analog actuation in Razer Synapse between 1.5 and 3.6 mm, and plenty of games already good to go on Windows, the Huntsman Mini Analog might be also a dedicated game/macro pad in the making. It costs $149.99 in the US, which is a $20-30 hike over the equivalent Huntsman Mini keyboards with optical switches, and is a reasonable price increase with said context. Hit the link in the source to learn more, and perhaps purchase one if this is to your liking.
Source:
Razer
Perhaps the 100% form factor was too large for consumers, especially given analog switches have rarely found an established use case outside of gaming even today, so a smaller keyboard size may be what you are looking for. Razer certainly thinks as much, as today it introduced the Huntsman Mini Analog—a 60% form factor keyboard now employing the same Razer analog switches. With customization over the analog actuation in Razer Synapse between 1.5 and 3.6 mm, and plenty of games already good to go on Windows, the Huntsman Mini Analog might be also a dedicated game/macro pad in the making. It costs $149.99 in the US, which is a $20-30 hike over the equivalent Huntsman Mini keyboards with optical switches, and is a reasonable price increase with said context. Hit the link in the source to learn more, and perhaps purchase one if this is to your liking.
7 Comments on Razer Adds Analog Switch Support to Huntsman Mini 60% Keyboard
There's no dedicated arrow keys, and no dedicated function keys row either. Specially since F5 and F8 arr quick save and quick load keys and not user-replaceable in most games.
I like my arrow keys, don't use em in games, but they're still nice to have for other uses (seeking in media, etc). 75% and TKL are great too, I just don't use an F-row often enough to bother having either.
There's an enormous amount of news coverage, press releases, review samples, and of course reviews - but it's all manufacturer-driven noise about keyboards smaller than 75%. I'm not denying there's a niche market for 65%, 60% and smaller, but that amount of coverage that 65% and 60% keyboards get seems disproportionate to the number of people I know who actually want them.
I don't know about anyone else, but I stick to standard layouts as much as possible because I'm constantly switching between several devices. Having even one of them require a Fn-key modifier to do simple stuff is absolutely disruptive. Muscle memory isn't a conscious choice for me, it's an uncontrollable reflex. I can adapt to a different layout fast enough but when forced to use a non-standard layout for even a few days, it then takes a couple of hours for me to unlearn the reflex I've just learned. Perhaps this isn't a problem for casual typists or people who still look at the keyboard to type, but then that market demographic are generally fine with membrane keys at one-fifth the price...
I purchase about 10 keyboards a month, and among architects, engineer, and 3D modellers, I think over 95% of people who come to me for a keyboard get upset if there's not a numeric keypad.
Like I said before TKL is the most aesthetically pleasing to me. The newer 75% layout with rotary knob introduced by GMMK Pro a close second. 60% look downright ugly in comparison to both of them.
I bought the Dierya K91 with optical gaterons to try all the fuss about optical switches and I gotta say they are the best I ever tried. Now I want that standard optical goodness on TKL for my work keyboard and eventually my regular full size keyboard, but it's all about 65% and less or go with propietary ones. If the Huntsman series used regular Cherry springs it would be fine but that's not the case.