Adjustable actuation keyboards — the ones that let you manually adjust how light or hard you need to push to trigger a keypress — are all the rage for PC gamers right now.
Wanna see what all the hype is about? Then head over to Woot, where you can grab a Razer Huntsman V2 Analog Gaming Keyboard for just $80. That’s a whopping $170 off its original price.
The Huntsman V2 Analog uses optical switches that detect keypresses via beams of light instead of mechanically closing an electrical circuit. Based on how much light is blocked, it can determine how far you’ve pressed a particular key and hold off triggering until you reach a certain depth.
In technical terms, that’s “adjustable actuation” — and yes, the Huntsman V2 Analog has adjustable actuation features like analog-style input, rapid trigger mode, and the controversial Snap Tap movement enhancer that’s been getting people banned in Counter-Strike.
This version of the Huntsman is Razer’s top-of-the-line keyboard in the V2 series, with a 100 percent layout, matching plush wrist rest, and RGB lighting that goes around three sides. It even has upgraded PBT plastic keycaps, a luxury that Razer still hasn’t extended to the more popular BlackWidow family of keyboards.
The optical switches mean this board doesn’t have my favorite keyboard feature, hot-swap switch sockets… but if you’re buying this thing, you want it for gaming first and foremost.
The Huntsman V2 Analog was $250 when it launched, so it’s an absolute steal for just $80 via Woot. Sure, there’s a newer version of the Huntsman available that uses magnetic switches instead, but that one’s now $250. If you want access to the most in-demand keyboard tech without breaking the bank, this keyboard is a fantastic option.
By the way: Woot is an Amazon subsidiary, so you can get free shipping on this keyboard if you’re a Prime member. This deal is valid for another six days, but Woot might run out of stock sooner than that — so get it fast if you want it.
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer, PCWorld
Michael is a 10-year veteran of technology journalism, covering everything from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he's the resident keyboard nut, always using a new one for a review and building a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop "battlestation" in his off hours. Michael's previous bylines include Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he's covered events like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael lives in Pennsylvania where he's always looking forward to his next kayaking trip.