Razer Lycosa Programmable Backlit Gaming Keyboard
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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 |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Razer Lycosa Programmable Backlit Gaming Keyboard
Customer Review: Good Keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my new gaming keyboard and I think its worth the price. I love the macro feature.Customer Review: razer lycosa
Summary: 5 Stars
i bought it for my 19 year old son at his request, and he absolutely loves it!Customer Review: Nice keyboard...and not just for gamers.
Summary: 4 Stars
First, I'm not a gamer. I enjoy a good FPS but generally get pwned by kids 30 years younger than me. I didn't buy this keyboard for it's gaming features. I needed to replace my Logitech MX5000 BT keyboard because it was driving me crazy with it's connection issues. The criteria I had for the replacement was that it be wired (I've tried too many flaky wireless solutions); that it preferably have laptop style keys; that it be relatively quiet (so my wife can sleep in the next room); and that the keys have a switchable backlight (more on that later). The Lycosa met these requirements for me.
The keyboard itself is really nice looking, not too big, and very low profile. The high gloss body finish does show finger prints and dust. The keys have a matte rubber finish that feels good under the finger tips.
I'm almost a touch typist and I have been intrigued by the Das Keyboard II but I just wasn't really ready to commit to a completely unmarked keyboard. The Lycosa is actually a nice compromise in this regard because I can turn off the backlight completely and have a virtually unmarked keyboard.
Speaking of backlighting, it is true that the backlighting for the keyboard it somewhat dim, especially when viewed from a slightly slouched seating position. If you are not very familiar with the standard keyboard layout and you like to slouch when surfing or gaming, then this is probably not the keyboard for you. However, when sitting in a normal typing position the lighting is perfectly adequate even in a well lit room. I do understand the desire to want to control the brightness of the backlight. Maybe that can be supported through a driver or firmware update at some point in the future. It is interesting to note that when the keyboard backlight is in "WASD" mode, that the lit WASD keys are significantly brighter than normal full keyboard backlight mode.
I want to mention that I continue to use my Logitech MX1000 BT mouse and that I have the BT receiver for the mouse plugged into the USB port on the back of the Lycosa and it is working well.
The Lycosa will not be the right keyboard for everyone. If you need to be able to see you keys all the time, look elsewhere. If your a confdent typist and are looking for a nicely designed, high cool-factor, keyboard, then this one is worth considering.
Other keyboards I considered:
Razer Tarantula: Didn't like the industrial design as much and only the side keys were illuminated. Did like the photo-editing keys on the left side (I'm a photoshop user). Didn't have laptop style keys.
Saitek Eclipse: Popular keyboard. Terrible design IMHO. Ugh.
Saitek Eclipse II: Well reviewed. Only slighty better ID than the Eclipse. Backlight was too ambient making keys harder to identify. Keys felt a bit smaller than I'm used too when I was playing with one.
Das Keyboard II: Very high quality, totally unmarked keyboard. I might have to get one someday just for the pure novelty.
Logitech DiNovo Edge: Really nice looking and well reviewed. Nice laptop style keys. Not wired. Very expensive. Too expensive. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, it's expensive.
I intentionaly steered clear of the Microsoft and Logitech herds of keyboards because that's what I've used for the last 20-some years and and I've never had one I truly liked. In fact the last keyboard that I truly enjoyed using was the original model-m keyboard that came with my original IBM PC in 1983. These are still made today, but did not meet my "quiet" requirement.
Customer Review: Excellent keyboard, just a few things holding it back
Summary: 4 Stars
First of all, let me start off by saying that I love this keyboard. I just want to point out a few things that you might affect your decision.
I ordered this keyboard after feeling dissatisfied with my Saitek Eclipse II. It wasn't a bad keyboard, but I think it didn't have enough features for how much I spent on it. I did quite a bit of research on this keyboard prior to purchasing it, so I had a general sense of what to expect. It sounded like it was a near perfect fit for me, and I was right. But, there are a few small issues that could be improved on, and that keep me from giving it a perfect score. I would give it 4.5 stars if I had the option. Anything I leave out of this review is omitted because I am happy with it.
I. Backlighting: There are three backlighting modes on this keyboard: off, on, and WASD only. When all the keys are lit, it is a nice soft blue glow. It is very pleasing to the eye, not too bright or too dark. However, when it is set to off or WASD the Touchpanel controls (which are pretty cool) are not lit up. They are still visible when NumLock is on, but it may be a little hard to see exactly what you're pressing. Also, when it is set to off or WASD, the letters on the keys (except WASD in the WASD mode) are a little hard to read when the room is dark, but that may be a plus for touch typers.
II. Keys: The keys feel great and provide a nice amount of grip, but they are slightly noisy when typing fast. It isn't too hard or easy to press, but the springback could be a little more forceful. It still beats any keyboard that I have used before, save for a couple laptops. I am still happy with them and I think I type faster and more accurately with them.
III. Touchpanel: The Touchpanel is a joy to use, but sometimes it is hard to tell if you hit the controls dead on. They don't flash or glow when you touch them, but they are easy enough to use.
IV. Software: The Razer software is very powerful. You can record macros with up to 16 keystrokes and delays in-between, and you can save profiles and have them automatically activate when you launch a game or return to your desktop. However, it did take me a little while to figure out just how to use it. The manual doesn't provide the best explanation, but the software is robust and versatile. There is a bit of a learning curve, but once you figure it out you will love having it.
Those are the only negative points I have found with the Lycosa. I love everything else about it, and those that I mentioned don't detract from the experience enough for me to feel at all dissatisfied. It looks great, the keys are nice and responsive, it's compact, and the software is very powerful. I've never used a better keyboard than this.
It isn't quite perfect, but what is? I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a quality gaming keyboard. 4.5/10
Customer Review: Nice for the money, but not the final word for gamers
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this to replace an awful gaming keyboard. And opening the box for it this, I was greeted with a nice shiny toy. Let me move to the pros and cons on this.
Pro's:
Looks really sharp when new.
Excellent lighting.
Laptop key set.
Neat media controls.
Slim over all package.
Con's:
Looks beat up after avg gaming wear. Rubber coating comes off with gaming abuse.
Attracts fingerprints.
Ties up two USB ports.
No scissor action key set(almost soggy).
Allow me to explain.
If your a gamer/power user, your going to wear off the coating on the keys. If you got dry hands, this wear will happen faster. Same with oily skin. And you can't sharpie the letters back, like a Creative Fatality or a key set with all clear keys. It looks awful when this happens. I like my gaming toys, and I like to show off my pride. You don't show this after owning 6 months or longer.
Fingerprints galore. I'm not accustomed to wiping keyboards off. Cans of 'dust off', yes. Wiping down my keyboard, no.
Taking two USB ports up, even if there is a port hub on the keyboard. Some of my USB powered toys would, and would not work off the hub. If your a desktop replacement user, keep this in mind.
Key set action. Here is a big issue I took with this. None of the keys have that 'laptop authoritative crisp' key stokes, that you would normally expect from a higher end keyboard. They are not super spongy, I felt spongy, I will say they are soft, and questionable. I've had some missed key strokes adjusting to this from a Creative Fatality keyboard.
There is not many mechanical keyboards, with an even illumination, short action low profile laptop key set, and slim out there. None that will also let you change the volume, or pause your media... I've had mine for an ages, and like the above posted pictures, my keys are unreadable. But I've had mine for awhile and my hands can touch type this by memory now.
I'm willing to pay out for a nice keyboard, but none have come out to my liking.
For the price point of this keyboard, you will find not many better.
It's a better than average gimmick/toy, but not for someone die hard or professional.
If you want this to game, it's not a bad choice.
If you use keyboards like a tool for your career, move on.