Razer Deathstalker Ultimate Review
Synapse Software
Published: 23rd January 2013 | Source: Razer | Price: £250 |
Software
The Razer Synapse 2.0 software has quickly established itself as one of the best customisation packages around. Everything is easy to find, clearly labelled and, thanks to the cloud storage, available wherever you happen to be.
Initially the Deathstalker seems like so many other keyboards. Multiple profiles are available, and you can name them and provide a keyboard shortcut for them. The function key modifies the F-keys for media controls and adjustments to the brightness of the lighting. Scratch the surface and it's clear the Deathstalker has everything you could hope to find. As we said on the previous page, calling the lighting "tri-colour" is doing it a disservice. Not only can it be adjusted to one of forty preset colours, but you can also click custom and pick any colour you like, with surprisingly effective results.
As well as adjusting the backlighting with the F-keys you can change it in the Synapse software, and the brightness of the Switchblade UI can be adjusted too.
The excellent gaming mode can be setup here, or on the Switchblade UI with one of the applications. You also have a lot of control over the performance of the trackpad and associated keys.
Speaking of the trackpad you can change what it displays too. By default it's a soft Razer logo but can, as we'll soon show you, be set to display any image you like. The Synapse 2.0 software automatically squishes or stretches it to fit, but of course you're better off using an image in 16:9 to ensure it has a decent aspect ratio.
Reassigning keys, whether the macros, the 10 LCD display ones above the trackpad, or any key you fancy, is a simple procedure. Select the key you wish to change. Pick what you'd like it to do from the drop-down box and you're good to go.
The ten dynamic keys can also include an icon of your choosing to help you remember what each does. The Synapse comes with a selection of ones for some specific programs but they're thankfully generic enough that you could use them for anything. If none of them suit your purpose then any square image can be displayed and we'll show you a couple on the next page.
Finally the macro editor is extremely robust, offering everything you could desire. If you want to create one on the fly then the Switchblade UI includes a macro editor application so you can create them without leaving your game. Unbelievably useful.
We've kept you in suspense long enough, let's see exactly how the Deathstalker Ultimate looks in action.
Most Recent Comments
Nonetheless; Good review
I'm thinking that touch pad area might be handy for game development...
Just needs some better apps added and its a winner. Id use it.....
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Originally Posted by MrKambo
now this is one amazing keyboard, but without actually using one dont think i could justify the £250 price tag, shame i dont have a store around me that might have this on display
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£250!! Fook that!
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Originally Posted by SPS
Ohhh... I could have sworn when I looked at the review it said £119.99.
£250!! Fook that! |
The keyboard looks AMAZING, but they've taken away a (somewhat) useful part of the keyboard (the numberpad) and added on something that is virtually useless.
I'm sorry, but I'd rather have nothing than have that touchpad, no matter how nice it looks. At least a tenkeyless keyboard has the advantage of giving your mouse an extra 5 inches of space to move around on.
Then again, it's really pretty.
The numpad thing is actually a non-issue besides the alt codes. The app replicates one perfectly, and there is a side-mode that modifies it to just directions. You really don't notice that it's not a "real" one at all. I only notice because, as part of my regular writings here, I have to use the alt symbols a lot.
Trust me, the pad and apps are incredible. If you look at it as an extra £150 for a 4" touch screen, applications, 10 Optimus style keys, and all the fun of a Synaptics touchpad it becomes a LOT more palatable. Like so many of the high-end reviews here at OC3D, until you've used it you just see the huge price and think it can't offer enough over a more cost-effective option.
Sure it's expensive as you like, but how much of your life is spent using the keyboard? Using a cheap keyboard is like buying a 22" TN monitor to put your SLI 680s through. Put the money down on an awesome keyboard and mouse and your hands will thank you.
All of that and not once did I make a comparison between buying a Focus and a Bentley. Damn...
The wristrest is too small for my liking, the keys are too flat and it's not mechanical! D:
250-80 = 170 Quid! Just for that touch screen? No thanks, I'll use my phone
You can literally buy either 3 regular edition keyboards for that, or 3 Corsair K60s ... or 3 CM Storm Quickfires
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Originally Posted by VonBlade
The numpad thing is actually a non-issue besides the alt codes.
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Originally Posted by VonBlade
Trust me, the pad and apps are incredible.
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Originally Posted by VonBlade
Using a cheap keyboard is like buying a 22" TN monitor to put your SLI 680s through.
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That's where my gripe is. For all the flashy features, I don't see anything that I can't already do better with equipment I already have. If I wanted to drop 250 quid on a keyboard, I'd probably pick up a HHKB 2 Pro.
I do think it's a cool concept, though. This just makes way WAY more sense in the Razer Blade than it does on my desk.
i was going to put some money down on the Standard deathstalker but now i have to rethink
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