Razer Tartarus V2 Vs Orbweaver Gaming Keypads
The newest products in Razer’s range of gaming keypads—including the Orbweaver, and Tartarus V2—feature pressure-sensitive keys for enhanced grain control. Both the Tartarus v2 and Orbweaver keypads are smart, with programmable keys and a vast array of advanced capabilities.
While both are great gaming keypads, they differ in a number of ways making each of the keypads suited for a different application. The Razer Tartarus V2, for instance, has 32 programmable keys, and a directional thumb pad.
The Orbweaver Chroma keypad, on the other hand, features 20 programmable buttons, and Razer green mechanical switches. Throughout this guide, you will learn what makes each keypad unique as well as how they compare and contrast to each other.
What is Razer Orbweaver Chroma?
First introduced into the market in 2015, the Orbweaver Chroma is a premium keypad by Razer. It features an adjustable wrist that may be customized to each user’s needs. Razer was one of the very first manufacturers to use mechanical switches on a keypad.
The Orbweaver is fitted with such mechanical keys that offer a unique tactile response. The keypad has a total of 20 programmable keys, all of which feature autonomous backlighting. Additionally, the keypad has a space bar, a D-pad with 8 different positions, and a function button. 10 of the keys on this keypad are multi-touch capable.
The touch-sensitive keys on Orbweaver Chroma are very responsive—requiring about 50 grams of pressure to activate. The keys are of different sizes making it easy for you to master the assigned buttons. Such a keypad is best suited for protracted night raids, especially in such games like LoL, WoW, and Dota.
Pros
- Features the signature Razer Green mechanical switch technology for that satisfying clucky sound.
- Equipped with an ergonomic Thumbpad for easier controls, and an 8-way directional pad that allows for natural control
- Has 30 keys, making it ideal for easier multitasking in-game
- Fitted with customizable, immersive Chroma RGB Lighting with three preset profiles
- Comes with customized key profiles
- Allows for instantaneous switching between the 8 keymaps
Possible Drawbacks
While the Orbweaver Chroma keypad works great on High Sierra, you may have a problem using it on the latest Mac OS. Again, the keypad requires an internet connection almost all the time and requires you to enter a password after every power cycle.
What is Razer Tartarus V2?
The Tartarus V2 keypad a equipped with membrane keys, making it suited for gamers who prefer a silent tactile experience.
The original Tartarus keypad was unveiled back in 2013 and featured 25 fully-programmable keys as well as an 8-way keyboard. The Tartarus V2 was launched in 2017 and is designed to offer a specific function and feel. As opposed to the Orbweaver Chroma, this keypad is ideal for users with smaller hands.
The mecha-membrane design of the keys leverages the mechanical click of mechanical switches with a soft cushioned touch offered by the membrane rubber dome. To deliver an instantaneous response, the keys are designed to actuate mid-height.
Pros
- Has 32 allows for more Actions and Hotkeys for gaming. It may also be integrated into creative workflows, thinks to the fully-programmable keys.
- The high-performance mecha-membrane switches allow for silent, yet tactile feedback associated with mechanical keys.
- The Razer Hyper shift programmable Macros allows you to remap all the keypress combinations and keys while setting the keypad up for complex commands
- Features an 8-way directional Thumbpad for natural, and easy movement controls
- Offers ultimate gaming immersion, and personalization with Razer Chroma
Possible Drawbacks
The initial setup is rather complicated as the keypad does not have plug and play functionality. The Tartarus V2 does not have an onboard memory, which requires you to keep Razer Synapse running.
How Does the Orbweaver Chroma Compare to the Tartarus V2 Keypad?
| Razer Keypad | Thumbpad | Price | Scroll Wheel | Key and Button Type |
| Tartarus V2 | Joystick Cap | From $79.99 | Yes | Mecha-Membrane Keys |
| Orbweaver Chroma | Hat Button | From $115.99 | No | Mechanical keys |
Both the Tartarus V2 and the Orbweaver Chroma gaming keypads are manufactured by Razer Inc. As such, the keypads are similar to each other in more than one way. Even so, they have been designed to meet different user demands.
Discussed below are the various similarities and differences between the Orbweaver Chroma, and the Tartarus V2 Razer gaming keypads:
Keys and Controls
One of the key differences between the Orbweaver Chroma and Razer Tartarus V2 keypads is the number and type of keys they have. While both are designed to deliver the best gaming experience possible, they do not work the same.
So how exactly do they compare?
Razer Orbweaver Chroma
The orb Weaver was the very first gaming keypad to ever use mechanical key switches. In its functioning, the keyboard is designed to bind every skill and command from any RTS, mmorpg, and FPS to the 20 mechanical keys.
It is designed to offer you infinite macros and commands. You will get an all-new feel and gaming experience from the distinctive tactile feedback offers by the mechanical keys on the keypad. The multi-award-winning mechanical switches are specifically designed for gaming applications.
Razer mechanical key switches feature an optimized set of reset and actuation points which are meant to enhance gaming performance. These guarantee exceptional speed and response regardless of the game you are playing. Other aspects you will come to like about the mechanical keys and controls on this keypad include:
Programmable Keys
The Orbweaver Chroma keypad has a total of 30 fully-programmable keys, including 20 mechanical keys, and an 8-way Thumb pad. This presents gamers with more choices for hotkeys, macros, and skills. You may use the programmable 8-way directional thumb-pad for movement within the game.
The thumb-pad may also be used asa modifier key for expanding the repertoire of game-destroying abilities. For the thumb pad, this keypad features a hat button. As compared to Tartarus V2, the 8-way thumbpad on the Orbweaver gaming keypad is a little wobbly.
It is advisable to program the thumbpad to between two and four tasks.
Razer Tartarus V2
Get a keypad that allows you to activate the necessary skills and even cast spells in a flash whenever you are on a battlefield. The Razer Tartarus V2 keypad allows the gamer to bind skills and in-game commands, hence be able to activate them instantaneously whenever they are required.
Some of the aspects that make the keys and controls on this keypad stand out include:
Programmable Keys
With the Tartarus V2, you will have access to a total of 32 programmable keys including an 8-way directional thumbpad. The programmable thumbpad may be used to expand on commands or move around. Unlike the Orbweaver keypad, the Tartarus V2 gaming keypad is fitted with a scroll wheel as well.
The Razer Tartarus V2 gaming keypad offers two options for the 8-way directional thumbpad: a joystick cap for the thumb. This cap may be removed to reveal a d-pad—much like the one found on the leading console controller models today.
Mecha-Membrane Key Technology
The all-new Mecha-membrane technology by Razer couples the comfort of a conventional membrane keyboard to the unique tactility of a mechanical switch. You may think of this technology as the perfect blend of mechanical switches and membrane rubber dimes.
The soft, cushioned touch offered by this patent-pending Razer Mecha-Membrane technology has been proven to offer enhanced gaming comfort. The solution will also offer you a crisp tactile click. This, coupled with the mid-height keycap actuation mechanism of the keys, allows for incredible speeds.
Hypershift Functionality
The gaming keypad features an Hypershift mode. Activating the Razer Hypershift mode will open a secondary set of commands for anything, right from windows shortcuts to macros—on top of the current controls. This alone makes the keypad much more versatile.
Ergonomics
With regards to ergonomics, you will find both keyboards relatively easy to use. Both the Tartarus V2 and the Orbweaver Chroma keypads are also comfortable to use for extended periods. Basically, the Orbweaver keypad has more adjustable parts than the Tartarus V2.
However, the features offered, in this regard, are somewhat different, as explained below:
Razer Orbweaver Chroma
The wrist rest may be moved back or forth such that it cradles the palm, or sits under the thumb perfectly. This optimizes ergonomic access to the various controls on the keypad and lowers wrist fatigue. You may also slide the thumb buttons further or closer together as well as tilt the palm rest angle.
V2 Features
This one features a simpler design with fewer adjustable parts. In this case, the Tartarus V2 comes with a detachable palm rest. The palm rest features two adjustable positions for angle and comfort. This keypad offers a single level of adjustment, whereby you can pull the hand rest off and reposition it.
The forward position is best suited for gamers with shorter hands, while the back position is meant for use by those with longer hands.
Chroma Backlighting
Both the Orbweaver Chroma and the Tartarus V2 keypads feature the innovative Chroma Backlogging by the manufacturer. Their design includes individually-programmable backlit keys that have about 16.8 million customizable color options.
You can customize the keypads—through Razer Synapse—to different color schemes, ranging from unique, custom color palettes to preloaded lighting effects for different games. This option allows gamers to configure a gaming experience that is unique to them.
Razer Synapse Software
Both keypads are powered by the Razer Synapse software. The software will make it easy for you to configure the various aspects of the keypads to your specific needs. For instance, you can assign macros, rebind buttons, explore advanced keypad capabilities save your profile configurations to the cloud.
All these and more can only be accomplished through this hardware configuration tool.
Durability
Just as is the case with other Razer products, gaming keypads by this manufacturer are renowned for their extended durability. The various components, including the mechanical switches, are manufactured in-house to ensure that they meet strict standards.
As such, both the Tartarus V2 and the Orbweaver Chroma gaming keypads can withstand more than 80 million keystrokes.
Final Verdict
Games like Fortnite, World of Warcraft, and several real-time strategy games can benefit from the customization, and streamlined key layout offered by Razer keypads. Similarly, the Tartarus V2 and the Orbweaver Chroma keypads are better than conventional keyboards for productivity apps.
The Tartarus V2 keypad has more programmable keys and delivers a soft, yet tactile gaming experience. If you do not mind the clicky sound, the Orbweaver Chroma will be a great choice as it has more adjustable parts for reduced fatigue.
Both keypads are great for almost any computer game you will come across, and the difference is minimal.
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