Razer Lycosa Programmable Backlit Gaming Keyboard
by Razorbill
|
List Price: Our Price: $69.99 You Save: $10.00 (13%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $49.99 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Razer Lycosa Programmable Backlit Gaming Keyboard
Customer Review: Supernice!
Summary: 5 Stars
After doing a lot of research I finally decided on this keyboard (instead of the G15 or a game pa). I'm used to just using 13 dollar microsoft keyboards, so it was a lot of money for 'just' a keyboard, but so worth it!
Just the keyboard alone, minus the programmable aspects, have been great. I love how it looks when lit up (which I've had no trouble with it seeming too dim), and when my computer is off it looks good too with it's dull black look instead of a shiny plastic like most keyboards.
I also love that it's a very economic design, and especially small for a programmable keyboard. One of my concerns was that some of the other programmable keybards simply seemed huge, and I felt like they were investing too much desk space both for normal computer use and especially for gaming where I have the bad habit of shoving the keyboard to the far left to use mostly the right side.
On that note, because I'm a 'goofy footed' gamer that doesn't use the standard wsad with my left hand for movement, this keyboard was exactly what I needed. Most of the programmable keyboards I saw had the 'special' keys on the far left side, which I can't easily reach when I play games. With this keyboard you can turn ANY key into a programmable macro and it has quick and easy profile switching (and even auto-switching when a program starts up). For me this was great because I was able to turn the insert-pgdwn block of six keys into programmabed macros for my online gaming. It even let me bind macros/programs to the print screen and pause/break keys, which most games don't let you bind actions to in game so they're wasted. As well, you can disable any (any) key on the keyboard that you want (again controllable via profile options), meaning you can disable the pesky windows start/control button that will crash a lot of games to desktop!
Typing on the keyboard is very comfortable too. I write a lot, so I was worried I'd have to effectively have two keyboards, one for gaming and one for writing, but I've found this keyboard to be very comfortable with standard typing (as opposed to my work computer that I'm on right now that the keyboard feels like a game of whack-a-mole to get words out). Sucks though, no going back to the cheapo MS keyboards now even for writing, this one is just too comfortable.
Also being able to plug my usb drive into the back of the keyboard is nice, and keeps me from forgetting it. Having a headphone/speaker jack right in the keyboard is sweet too istead of having to fumble around the base of my tower for the right hole (feeling like a virgin drunk on prom night!). I've never had any problems with the keyboard slipping either, which has been a problem in gaming with the cheaper keyboards I'd use previously.
Oh yeah, I was concerned about how hard it would be to 'program' keys being my first programmable keyboard. I can't compare it to any other keyboard, but it was very easy (no need to read instructions, yay!). It will take a few hours to fine tune 'programs' between the keyboard and game, but once you get the hang of it you won't know how you ever managed without a programmable keyboard for gaming!
Customer Review: Great Keyboard, Met And Exceeded Expectations
Summary: 5 Stars
I was a little wary purchasing this keyboard, as it had quite a few negative reviews. Fortunately, my experience has been great thus far!
Setup was a breeze; I just plugged it in and it worked without any drivers (nevertheless, I subsequently installed the CD drivers just to be safe). The keyboard has 2 USB cords, a 3.5mm audio, and mic cable to plug into your computer, but only the one USB is required. The other cables are only used to utilize the extra ports on the keyboard itself. I'd just recommend leaving those unplugged though (unless keyboard ports are personally a lot more convenient), as I imagine your USB transfer speeds would be less than a direct port into your computer would offer.
The Lycosa keyboard has a very sleek appearance and has a pretty small footprint as well; great for those with limited desk space. The majority of the body is reflective plastic. Personally, I would prefer a matte surface that is easy to keep clean, but I knew what I was buying. The keyboard has two different elevation angles: one flat against the desk and one that is slightly raised (less so than on my older keyboard). As such, it may take a while to get accustomed to if you are used to typing with a raised keyboard. However, I wouldn't call it 'uncomfortable' in the least.
The keys have a great feel to them when typing. They are somewhat rubberized and offer a good grip. They are also more similar to laptop keys than traditional desktop computer keys in that they don't depress as much. They are not as shallow as the keys on certain Mac keyboards though. It seems like a good compromise to me; very responsive.
The laser-etched keys with blue back-light make typing day or night a breeze. I'd recommend leaving the light on at all times as the letters are very hard to see without it. I have not had the issue that others have had with the light not being bright enough. In fact, I've tried to find a viewing angle that makes the keys unreadable, but the back-light is sufficient even when viewing parallel to the keyboard. The back-light is not too bright either; it shouldn't be distracting at night.
Many customers mentioned the media control touch pad was not responsive as well. While when first plugging the keyboard in, touch functionality was spotty, it cleared up after a minute or two and has worked perfectly since. Maybe it just took a minute for the keyboard to 'boot up' properly. Nevertheless, I'd still prefer a more tactile feedback (i.e. buttons), but this is really a minor concern and the touch pad is perfectly adequate.
Maybe the back-light and touch pad issues have been resolved in the product line (I did notice that most of the negative reviews were older ones). This keyboard has met and exceeded my expectations! Only time will tell if it lasts; I will update my review if anything unexpected happens.
Customer Review: Good keyboard for anyone
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this keyboard to replace my old Saitek III(water damage beyond repair). I had a hard time choosing between this and the Mirror Edition, but I finally decided that the rubber coated keys would be a key advantage over the gloss. I chose the Lycosa because I didn't want a huge keyboard like the Logitech G15, I dislike the volume wheel on the G110, I have tried most other back lit keyboards for about the same price, and didn't want to fork out the cash for the Alienbware Tactx.
I like to think that I am an ideal tester for keyboards. Something always ends up happening that ruins my keyboard and I end up looking for a replacement. Anyways, a few nights after purchasing the Lycosa, I accidentally poured hot wax over the keys(YES, ACCIDENT). I was so pissed because I thought the keyboard would be ruined forever(there was a LOT of max. Most of it was around the arrow keys, but there was just SO MAX WAX!), and I absolutely LOVE the Lycosa(The rubber coating is great, small profile is nice, and the feel of the keys is comforting). The next day I ended up using Goo Gone and removing ALL the wax. I was so amazed that I was able to clean the keyboard to near-pristine condition. Also, I was concerned that the Goo Gone and buffing action would remove the keys' coating. However, this was not the case and the Lycosa cleaned up nicely.
I do a lot of research before I buy a new product, and the Lycosa was no exception. I saw all the complaints about the keys going bad after time and the like. I have had a Razer product in the past and was not impressed, but I really enjoy the Lycosa. I have only been using it for two weeks, but it hasn't failed me yet. If something were to happen to my Lycosa in the future rendering it useless, I would not hesitate long(to make sure there isn't anything better at the time for the price)before purchasing another.
To summarize the keyboards attributes which stand out to me: The media keys work flawlessly, the rubber coating is very desirable, the back lighting isn't so bright that it's blinding but instead is practical to use in any lighting environment, overall appearance is intimidating with wrist pad attached, and lastly but most importantly each key can be programmed with any macro you have. This keyboard is fully customizable EXCEPT for the media keys =(
I should note that the keys do not feel like a regular desktop keyboard. They have a laptop-esque feel to them, but travel a bit further. I happen to really like the feel of each key depression, but some may not. Prepare yourself for this by feeling a Lycosa in store before purchase, or just know what to expect.
Looks like Razer did something right with the Lycosa.
Customer Review: Best Keyboard!
Summary: 5 Stars
I just got this keyboard about 2 weeks ago, and let me tell ya, it is great! The keys are just the right brightness for me, however, I do understand and wish that Razer would have include some means of brightness adjustment. With that being said, I still really like this keyboard. I like that it has non-slip laptop keys. As to the previous review, it is true that you will have to turn on the backlighting everytime you turn on your PC...that is if you do not install the software. Once the software is installed, you can set up the keyboard to be on all the time, except of course when the computer is off. The Media touch pad, works great! I know some people will complain that there is no mute, but it does not bother me. All I have to do is just press and hold the lower volume button and it will drop the volume quickly!
Now, I am no power gamer, however the capability of programming any button is way cool. I can setup any kind of setup I need, whether I am playing Guild Wars, or if I am using Photoshop. I can set it up to auto-launch the custom profile when I launch the specific application/game or I can manually switch it by press and hold the Razer logo on the Media Pad, and then press the F-Key that I have assigned to that profile. You can set up to 10 profiles on this board, and it is easy to setup.
Pros:
* Slim Keyboard (not huge like G-15v1/v2 or Tarantula
* Non-Slip Laptop Style keys
* Well layed out, very sleek and attractive
* All Keys (but spacebar) are lit (when in all mode)
* Rigid, and sturdy detachable wrist rest (in order to remove must use a phillips head screwdriver)
* Gaming mode will disable the Windows Key
* Programmable Keys/Custom Profiles
Cons:
* No brightness adjustment, just mode select (i.e. All Keys, WASD, Off)
Other:
* This is a G15 Killer! Granted, no LCD screen, but come on...how many people really need that? I understand that there are a lot peeps that use it, esp for WoW, but not everyone needs it. Without the LCD the G15 is just a G11 and this is Definitely a G11 Killer!
Customer Review: Best Gaming Keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had this keyboard for about 6 months now and I absolutely love it. I have looked at or tried the other gaming keyboards on the market and for me, this is by far the best. The only other keyboard that compares is the G15. Here is my criteria and how this keyboard meets them:
1. Backlit - The lighting on this keyboard is bright but not garish, and it has a nice WASD cluster, all key, or none lighting option. Unlike the Saitek, the keys are not clear with cheap paint on them. After a few months, all the paint had worn off my Saitek keys and you couldn't tell what was what. These keys are coated in a black rubber or poly and then laser cut to allow the light through in the proper place.
2. Standard Layout - There are a few decent keyboards out there with non-standard layouts. (Fatal1ty/Adesso I am looking at you) As I also do a lot of programming on this computer and use other computers at work, I needed a standard keyboard layout. No weird shaped keys, no misplaced buttons, need full number pad, home keys, etc.
3. Solid feel - Key action is awesome. This is my favorite keyboard to type on. The key action is not too deep, keys have good tactile feedback, and sensitivity is just about right. This keyboard feels well made from top to bottom.
4. Simple - I wanted a keyboard with only the features I absolutely needed. I did not want 17 different bells and whistles, heads up LED display, or any of the rest of it. To me, this is just more stuff to break or get in the way. Although I have some friends who like the Logitech G15, it does not appeal to me for this reason. The G15 is equivalent to a QVC Ultra-Brand-New-Super-Tool with 7 blades and 13 folding attachments not including the snap on Bread Slicer. This is more like a single, perfectly crafted and balanced blade, hand tempered by some Japanese master on a snowy hilltop.