Hi, thanks for the vid. Well, basically, to summarize : The "new feature" (2 actions per key, depending on the pressure) is just unusable. At least, now I know that the old v2 is good enough. Note: you didn't mention the fact the D-pad is actually 4 ways and its durability is terrible (mine button's broke twice in four years). Common issue but you can fix it yourself with some soldering... I really wish there was a "tartarus v3" with an actual analog stick on the thumb or at least a real 8-ways D-pad... I got the Nostromo, the Orbweaver Stealth and the Tartarus v2. The later seems to be the best for me since it has more buttons which is really neat in the end, but overall, the Razer products are pretty bad, quality and longevity wise and overpriced... Still, there aren't much other devices on that "niche" segment and once you're used to it and you have configured some layouts for your games (and apps, which benefit from it greatly too), you can't really go back to a single keyboard... my 50 cents.
Long time user of the V2 here. You're going to want to go with the pro version if you're going to need strength and longevity. The directional pad button's are flawed on the V2. Just normal use, for me, killed one of the buttons. A button no longer works because I used it too much. The "down arrow button" is pressed in and will not come out. The spring actuator is broken. These buttons are not meant for strong hands. If you get a V2 and not a Pro, be sure to be very gentle as it will break the buttons. See what it takes to repair these buttons here: ruclips.net/video/k_WztBWn4nU/видео.html
I was leaning toward ordering the Pro version to replace my aging Nostromo N52 Speedpad, which actually still works fine. Are you sure the Pro version has better quality keys than the V2 version? I haven't seen either up close but they look almost the same in many ways. Is the optical part of the buttons what makes it tougher?
I don’t understand why anyone would use the WSAD for movement on this pad. seems to be redundant from a keyboard. I use the thumb pad or joystick for character movement. It’s a big game changer. Try it out and let me know what you think.
One of the first configs I tried but it's just not the same as a PS5 or Xbox controller. Mostly a Dpad and not a complete analog feel. I just use it for interrupts like in WoW, prone or firing mode in COD, saber switch in Jedi Survivor, etc
Thank you, that was very informative and helpful. I went with the V2 after watching for exterior design and 2D/3D drafting as a draw pad peripheral device. Took 2 hours to map out 6 sets of key layouts (3 profiles + hyper-shifts). Razors hyper-shift option has made their products a go-to for me as using the hyper shift and scroll wheel for undo/redo is a game changer as well as stacking related commands like save then shifting for close with the shift as a sorta safety, escape behind delete for calculator, delete behind backspace and so on. Thanks again; very helpful in making the right choice!
Why did you choose the V2? I want it to use for digital drawing but im not good at listening english. Your reason may be useful for me to choose witch one I should buy
I remember the "belkin powered by razer" era in the late 2000s, when these had INTERNAL MEMORY, you could plug it into any computer and it would work perfectly, with no drivers, as programmed on your own pc.
Holy shit just based on the sounds of the keys alone I'm so glad I happened to buy the pro. I use my keypad digital painting and working at a studio with a bunch of people sitting around me. The V2 would have been so irritating to everyone.
The main advantage of a dedicated keypad in my opinion is the extra functionality, rather than the comfort. On a regular keyboard your thumb can often only perform one function, which is pressing the spacebar. With a keypad your thumb can now perform 6 functions, which is a pretty big jump, especially when that includes a D-pad. Playing League of Legends, for example, is so much better with a keypad. The thumb's D-pad can basically be used to control your camera independently of your mouse, which is a huge quality of life improvement. When playing WoW I just enjoy having 5 free extra buttons on my thumb than normal. When I play Druid I have the D-pad bound to switch between my various forms for example, which means those binds don't have to take up space anywhere else.
I agree the thumb on the D Pad is what makes this type of layout a win win for me. I have been using something similar since the old Nostromo N52 days. However, for most FPS or RPG games, I use it to control the walk/spring/crouch/prone options.
You are exactly on point with the thumb! The thumb is also the strongest digit, so it's a waste to have it only perform one function. Many non-standard ergonomic keyboard designs try to utilize the thumb more for this reason.
My current Orbweaver is starting to show its age. Ive been holding out on buying the new Tartarus because it replaces a button with a scroll wheel. In my current WoW setup, I need that as a button. I have 1 through "=" in a grid 4 wide, and 3 tall. With ctrl, shift, alt modifiers on the left side. The extra top row is extra functions. movement is bound with the thumb stick. I'm not sure how to switch around to not having that bottom right button. I hope they come out with the next generation of Orbweaver, or a similar device that doesn't have a scroll wheel...
Not having analog stick is ridiculous. Check MH-Delta from MH Devices, uses Hotswapplable microswitches, cherry MX, analog stick, onboard memory and ton of features.
Word of warning for anyone interested in the Tartarus V2: I've gone through two of these by now and I believe the thumbstick input can be worn down too easily, especially if you use it to move your character around like I do. I hope the pro can fare better.
If you are playing WOW at least half seriously doing some higher keys in mplus or raiding...or you are serious in ARPG game like D4 or POE whatever.. this thing here will make your life EASY...the only thing that is against it is that Keysboard is natural to most people even when it hurts your hand :D because for example i used keyboard and mouse for gaming since 2002 it's been 22 years so it will be kinda hard to adapt yourself to this
this keyboard was made almost specifacly for mmos... cod has like 5 buttons. somes games like world of warcraft for example. require up to 20 inputs or more .
Man, do you have a link to the driver for this F'ing thing? I have the Tartarus Pro, got a new computer and cant find the driver for the life of me. Please help!
Watching this review I found while searching for a "backup" for my Tartarus pro I bought 2 years ago. I cannot, will not and do not play my favorite games without it. I wore out the buttons on my old Nostromo, which was the first version of this style gaming pad and was absolutely amazing at the time. I was accused of being a cheat on several of the FPS game servers because of it. I bought the "Razor Tartarus" which I quickly gave away. I will be buying a new Tartarus pro as a backup in case this one breaks down. I will not by the v2 because of the mechanical contact type switches which fail even though thew are rated for millions of actuation's. I had to replace my favorite vertical mouse this week because the mechanical contact switches are already dying after less than a year. I worked for an electronics company for 16 years doing PCB design/ prototyping. Tartarus pads, no matter which version you get will up your FPS gaming.
I get it when it's hard moving away from a gaming pad. I can still work with a normal board but when I travel or on my desktop, I prefer a keypad for gaming
is this recognized as keyboard or controller on pc? can this be used on pc and be recognized aa a controller with ur own mouse in order to get aim assist on mouse and key on pc?
If I recall correctly, it's recognized as a controller but I never got the benefit of being able to use aim assist. I mean, the aim assist option is there but it sure doesn't behave similar to what I see in console players
The biggest failing of these products is the fact that the thumb stick is not analog. I am dying for a product with that feature as I love mouse aiming, but just frankly don’t like keyboard control despite being a lifelong PC gamer. The keyboard was never made for gaming after all. I tried the Azeron but the fact that it uses mouse switches so close together made it impossible for me to not fat finger three different switches when just trying to press one, I just don’t have the dexterity in my left hand for that. A product with keyboard switches (like these!) and an analog stick, even better a hall effect stick would be perfect and I feel like there is a big hole in the market for that. The next best option would be like a small very short throw joystick with button buttons for your four fingers to rest on with an additional D pad for your thumb on top. As full size flight joysticks just don’t exactly feel great for character movement.
@lukerestlessstudios the Azeron Cyborg II has hall effect sensors in the stick. Funny story. I started FPS gaming unable to use a keyboard, so I used a MS Sidewinder force feed-back joystick. I was decent. When the fire trigger broke, it forced me to evolve, and for several years I used the stick in my left hand, and a mouse in my right. People had to deal with getting killed by "Mstr2Fstr". I became Elite. In fact, I later modded the stick by cutting it short and mounting the original Belkin N50 keypad on the stick. Took it to a lan cafe and it drew crowds. Good times. (early 2000s)
@@tannji5971 very nice that they made the upgrade. Gosh I wish the switches could’ve worked for me. That’s a pretty creative solution you came up with. Something like a small short throw joystick designed for character movement with buttons that your fingers naturally rest on and a D-Pad style hat switch for your thumb could be a great product too.
My Orbweaver has started to give me a lot of trouble. I actually have it in pieces right now I've already replaced the switches with Cherry MX Speed Silvers. I'm waiting for the Kailh micro switches to arrive from China so I can fix the thumb buttons. Those have the notorious double-click issue. Having paid $150+ for the thing, I'm making sure I get as much life out of it as I can. Still curious about the Tartarus Pro. I love these keypads, but man, Razer makes some really crappy switches. For the prices they ask for their devices, they seriously need to step up their game and provide more reliable switches.
It weirds me out how many people sleep on the most obvious advantage of a gaming pad- the D-Pad. Why in the universe would you dedicate 3 separate fingers to movement .. when you can just use your thumb? That's the magic. Putting WASD on your thumb means you have all 4 remaining fingers and keys dedicated to hotkeys, which is huge for MMOs, space games, etc.
It dont mater wich one you pick, both have the same tumb stick problem, the tumb stick breake after 3-12 months. and they use the cheapest buttons on the Market there are A wole bunsh of repair and modding guide to fix the issu.
I had 2 Tartarus but there is one big flaw : bad build quality. Every one started to double click some key (especially the one on the thumb side) wich made them unusable. I still searching for an equivalent product.
So I'm hoping you'd know as you've tested these, can you map movement to the joystick on the thumb area and is it comfortable to use in that way? I just find using WASD to be a bit intensive on long play sessions and would prefer joystick for movement and mouse for aiming to alleviate any hand/wrist pain. Stuff like playing warframe where it's very movement oriented is quite difficult when stretching for your crouch and jump keys while using WASD constantly.
Yea you can map them but the stick is essentially a dpad. If you like the feel of xbox/ps controllers, it won't be the same. I still go with WASD. A friend of mine uses the stick for movement like the other comments here.
@HabitualCraving Thanks, I wouldn't say it has to be exactly as smooth as controller joystick (although that would be ideal) but close enough would be fine. I don't suppose you've reviewed any other products that have a form of joystick like that for PC?
Got nothing else. There's only one other product I'm considering if I had to replace my Tartarus - it's an Azeron pad. Pricier but it looks the same from a comfort perspective
Thank you for the review, i greatly appreciate the in depth analysis you put into your video. I've recently been eyeing the Tartarus lately as i tend to use Photoshop and a few other drawing programs, so i was recommended this product as a cut shortcut machine. I just wasnt sure if i wanted to go with the V2 or the pro. This review definitely helped me out
@@HabitualCraving at the current moment im leaning towards the Pro instead of the V2 mainly because of the fact that its quieter than the V2's mecha membrane switches. The only thing thats setting me back though is its high price point at $130. Might wait until Black Friday for a possible price drop. Otherwise, i'd def go for the V2 for its lower price
I think I can recommend it for most players because of the adjustable palm rest. I normally go for small or mini sized mice so this keypad works for me. Actually played a lot of Dragonflight while I was still subbed. If anything, the thumbkey might be a little harder to reach. It's by default the spacebar function
old comment but I would not recommend this if you have small hands. the top keys are unreachable without considerable effort, even with the palm rest completely off I was still struggling to play comfortably with this. ended up selling
I got the Pro a couple of weeks ago, and i really enjoy being able to sit comfortably leaned back in my chair/couch, with my trackball and keypad in my lap. The "dual function" is awesome for games like Arma 3, where you need a lot of buttons, and i find it much more practical than using the "hypershift" function. Light press = Compass, Full press = Map, and stuff like that. It is NOT good for run/walk (Shift+WASD) stuff though, as the shift button wont get released until you fully release the button - and it is definitely NOT ideal for situations where you need to be fully focused on the game, and cant afford to spend precious brain capacity on doing a light press. But it IS very practical for less "time sensitive" actions.
Great points you made as I hadn't thought about the run/walk problem (I was leaning toward getting the Pro for that alone). However, for all those secondary "non action" type functions like maps, viewing, etc. I think this would be great. I too never use Hipershift as that is definitely to much to think about in a game.
I actually want to switch from controller to this. Just started playing on PC. Can the thumb stick be used for movement and a mouse used for aiming and shooting?
@@georged5420 Maybe you can get used to it, but IMO, that stick is only suitable as a 4 way hat... The sticks on PS/Xbox controllers are 100 times better for movement. It is however very comfortable to use the WASD for movement though. My gaming keyboard really sucks in comparison. And i really started to like the soft keys too. Way more comfortable to use than clicky/tactical/"whatever they call it" buttons.
I’m fairly new to MNK gaming and I’ve been using the Tartarus V2 for about a year and I love it. Although I can now play on a standard keyboard, this was great for $60 at times on Amazon to transition from a controller to beginners on MNK.
is there a way i could connect the razer tartarus v2 to a mackbook pro? when tried the synapse app is not detecting the device, I bought this for only to use It for design purpose. is there any experts in here who can help on this?
Hi there, back again. I've been looking into some of the reviews for the Tartarus Pro and a lot of people have been saying they've been running into problems where keys will stick when they're playing a game due to the Pro's dual actuation feature. Have you by any chance run into anything like this in your time spent with the Pro?
I had both and they both had the issue. However, I only have the pro now and some while ago an updated fixed the issue for me. So no more keys which get "stuck". Btw, I didn't like the membrame switched so switched to the pro. It perfect!
@@dennishaller6578 thanks for the input, i was genuinely curious to hear if they had fixed that issue or not. also i agree, the membrane feel wouldnt sit right with me, especially after using mechanical for so long
after owning both for a while, the worst thing about these is the Dpad switches fail consistently, (generally just after warranty has expired) otherwise they have been good to use
Does the Mouse Scroll Wheel have a Button on it? I have lived and loved using my Razer Orbweaver which in my opinion is far better than the Tartarus for the simple reason of having an extra button over the stupid wheel. Anyway about the wheel button? Please
Hi. TX for you're interesting review. Is it possible to use the joystick thumb as the joystick to move around the character? So I won't have to use 3 fingers to go forward backward or left/right... I'm from console controller user 😅
@@HabitualCraving Hi what do you mean it wont feel the same ? it should feel more natural to me because im from console and used to play with a controller and move around with left joystick ... i'm surprised that hardcore gamers dont use this, i think using one figer to move around instead of 3 is an advantage in games. and you can use your 3 other fingers to do diferent actions ...
Well, underneath the circle cover of the thumbstick is really just a DPad and so with that (and the clicks) it won't feel as smooth as the sticks for either console. But if that won't bother you, it's still useable for movement.
For the pad, I just changed 5 to ESC and the rest I use the Tartarus default settings. In game, I changed a few things like Shift (16) is for jump, down key (thumbstick) to go prone, right key (thumbstick) to melee, up key (thumbstick) to toggle hybrid for some guns, etc. I really recommend experimenting (in game and with Synapse) as you might find certain configs or keybinds that are better for you.
Pretty much, yeah. Although it's worth noting optical switches have a considerably longer life than normal mechanical switches. Although the same can be said about membrane.
Yup!, I got the normal v2. Pull the keycaps off and on the switch there are little pieces of tin that have a nub sticking out. Use a dental pick, tooth pick something small and you can pull the little tin tabs out. And POOF!, you know have silent keys like the Pro.
I haven't really tried but I'll see this weekend if it works. From what I've seen for some people on reddit, 1 or 2 have made it work and others seem to have no luck.
@@Daxxwabs710 I love it the "widgets" functions of the screen are identical as my G15 keyboard and setting up configurations is quite simple. The only thing I wish it had was a scrollwheel like the Razer one. I can even setup configs up for DosBox games so I dont have to play using a full keyboard.
@@dragosandrei31 It's a lucky FaceBook MarketPlace find actually. I'm hoping lighting well strike twice so I can get one for my other Retro gaming machine.
@@r4nowo because then you could use it on any device that supports just a keyboard. like you could connect it even to android, or raspberry pi. also its nicer to have everything saved on the device. if you have like multiple laptops and PC and you wish to switch
Pressure sensitivity could be something in Battlefront 2 where you have to press a button for the binocular, then another button to actually look/use it and a third button (fire button) to mark the enemies with the binocular. It'd be nice to use the same button to bring the binocular and use it.
thanks for making this video. My old orbweaver v2 is dying and I really like the clicking sound and feel. It's an ASMR thing.
Hi, thanks for the vid.
Well, basically, to summarize :
The "new feature" (2 actions per key, depending on the pressure) is just unusable.
At least, now I know that the old v2 is good enough.
Note: you didn't mention the fact the D-pad is actually 4 ways and its durability is terrible (mine button's broke twice in four years).
Common issue but you can fix it yourself with some soldering...
I really wish there was a "tartarus v3" with an actual analog stick on the thumb or at least a real 8-ways D-pad...
I got the Nostromo, the Orbweaver Stealth and the Tartarus v2. The later seems to be the best for me since it has more buttons which is really neat in the end, but overall, the Razer products are pretty bad, quality and longevity wise and overpriced...
Still, there aren't much other devices on that "niche" segment and once you're used to it and you have configured some layouts for your games (and apps, which benefit from it greatly too), you can't really go back to a single keyboard...
my 50 cents.
Long time user of the V2 here.
You're going to want to go with the pro version if you're going to need strength and longevity.
The directional pad button's are flawed on the V2.
Just normal use, for me, killed one of the buttons.
A button no longer works because I used it too much.
The "down arrow button" is pressed in and will not come out. The spring actuator is broken.
These buttons are not meant for strong hands.
If you get a V2 and not a Pro, be sure to be very gentle as it will break the buttons.
See what it takes to repair these buttons here:
ruclips.net/video/k_WztBWn4nU/видео.html
Are you sure it's not just you big guy?
@@davestafford4905 happened 2 times for me as well. Never V2 again
Same thing just happened to me after 5 months. Up key is broken, seems very common. But, the video makes it seem like its the same dpad...
I was leaning toward ordering the Pro version to replace my aging Nostromo N52 Speedpad, which actually still works fine. Are you sure the Pro version has better quality keys than the V2 version? I haven't seen either up close but they look almost the same in many ways. Is the optical part of the buttons what makes it tougher?
Yeah my v2 is busted tp shit rn
I don’t understand why anyone would use the WSAD for movement on this pad. seems to be redundant from a keyboard. I use the thumb pad or joystick for character movement. It’s a big game changer. Try it out and let me know what you think.
One of the first configs I tried but it's just not the same as a PS5 or Xbox controller. Mostly a Dpad and not a complete analog feel. I just use it for interrupts like in WoW, prone or firing mode in COD, saber switch in Jedi Survivor, etc
@@HabitualCravingyeah analog on the pro is beautiful. Does the “joystick” have analog input on the pro?
No it doesn't. Feel is pretty much the same with the other Tartarus
Do u have warzone gameplay using this device
The keys are aligned instead of staggered like a regular QWERTY and that is easier on my arthritic hands.
Thank you, that was very informative and helpful. I went with the V2 after watching for exterior design and 2D/3D drafting as a draw pad peripheral device. Took 2 hours to map out 6 sets of key layouts (3 profiles + hyper-shifts). Razors hyper-shift option has made their products a go-to for me as using the hyper shift and scroll wheel for undo/redo is a game changer as well as stacking related commands like save then shifting for close with the shift as a sorta safety, escape behind delete for calculator, delete behind backspace and so on. Thanks again; very helpful in making the right choice!
Why did you choose the V2? I want it to use for digital drawing but im not good at listening english. Your reason may be useful for me to choose witch one I should buy
I remember the "belkin powered by razer" era in the late 2000s, when these had INTERNAL MEMORY, you could plug it into any computer and it would work perfectly, with no drivers, as programmed on your own pc.
Holy shit just based on the sounds of the keys alone I'm so glad I happened to buy the pro. I use my keypad digital painting and working at a studio with a bunch of people sitting around me. The V2 would have been so irritating to everyone.
I kinda like the v2 sounds even more
The Pro actually sounds alot worse than the V2... The Pro has that cheap plastic on plastic sound... 😮
The main advantage of a dedicated keypad in my opinion is the extra functionality, rather than the comfort.
On a regular keyboard your thumb can often only perform one function, which is pressing the spacebar. With a keypad your thumb can now perform 6 functions, which is a pretty big jump, especially when that includes a D-pad.
Playing League of Legends, for example, is so much better with a keypad. The thumb's D-pad can basically be used to control your camera independently of your mouse, which is a huge quality of life improvement.
When playing WoW I just enjoy having 5 free extra buttons on my thumb than normal. When I play Druid I have the D-pad bound to switch between my various forms for example, which means those binds don't have to take up space anywhere else.
I agree the thumb on the D Pad is what makes this type of layout a win win for me. I have been using something similar since the old Nostromo N52 days. However, for most FPS or RPG games, I use it to control the walk/spring/crouch/prone options.
You are exactly on point with the thumb! The thumb is also the strongest digit, so it's a waste to have it only perform one function. Many non-standard ergonomic keyboard designs try to utilize the thumb more for this reason.
The D-pad is convenient but I wonder what a joystick wouldve been like on this thing
Since I first saw these keypads, I thought the D-Pad was a thumbstick. Very sad to see that it's just a D-Pad
My current Orbweaver is starting to show its age. Ive been holding out on buying the new Tartarus because it replaces a button with a scroll wheel. In my current WoW setup, I need that as a button. I have 1 through "=" in a grid 4 wide, and 3 tall. With ctrl, shift, alt modifiers on the left side. The extra top row is extra functions. movement is bound with the thumb stick. I'm not sure how to switch around to not having that bottom right button. I hope they come out with the next generation of Orbweaver, or a similar device that doesn't have a scroll wheel...
You can macro the scroll wheel, down up scroll and down scroll can have different macros
Thank you 😀
So what did you choose ?
@@XeonX__ASMR__METAL-experimentsI’m going with the V2
Not having analog stick is ridiculous. Check MH-Delta from MH Devices, uses Hotswapplable microswitches, cherry MX, analog stick, onboard memory and ton of features.
Word of warning for anyone interested in the Tartarus V2:
I've gone through two of these by now and I believe the thumbstick input can be worn down too easily, especially if you use it to move your character around like I do. I hope the pro can fare better.
If you are playing WOW at least half seriously doing some higher keys in mplus or raiding...or you are serious in ARPG game like D4 or POE whatever..
this thing here will make your life EASY...the only thing that is against it is that Keysboard is natural to most people even when it hurts your hand :D
because for example i used keyboard and mouse for gaming since 2002 it's been 22 years so it will be kinda hard to adapt yourself to this
this keyboard was made almost specifacly for mmos... cod has like 5 buttons. somes games like world of warcraft for example. require up to 20 inputs or more .
Why do they refuse to put an analog joystick on this thing. I would've bought one by now if it had one.
pick neither because Synapse still doesn't switch profiles on Windows 11
Man, do you have a link to the driver for this F'ing thing? I have the Tartarus Pro, got a new computer and cant find the driver for the life of me. Please help!
Just get Synapse from Razer
Thanks. I have the Razer Tartarus Pro and I had this question. Both are so similar.
Watching this review I found while searching for a "backup" for my Tartarus pro I bought 2 years ago. I cannot, will not and do not play my favorite games without it. I wore out the buttons on my old Nostromo, which was the first version of this style gaming pad and was absolutely amazing at the time. I was accused of being a cheat on several of the FPS game servers because of it. I bought the "Razor Tartarus" which I quickly gave away. I will be buying a new Tartarus pro as a backup in case this one breaks down. I will not by the v2 because of the mechanical contact type switches which fail even though thew are rated for millions of actuation's. I had to replace my favorite vertical mouse this week because the mechanical contact switches are already dying after less than a year. I worked for an electronics company for 16 years doing PCB design/ prototyping. Tartarus pads, no matter which version you get will up your FPS gaming.
I get it when it's hard moving away from a gaming pad. I can still work with a normal board but when I travel or on my desktop, I prefer a keypad for gaming
logitech g13 is superior just hard to get these days...
How is this different than the Nostromo?
Is the Razer Tartarus wireless..... ?
is this recognized as keyboard or controller on pc? can this be used on pc and be recognized aa a controller with ur own mouse in order to get aim assist on mouse and key on pc?
If I recall correctly, it's recognized as a controller but I never got the benefit of being able to use aim assist. I mean, the aim assist option is there but it sure doesn't behave similar to what I see in console players
The biggest failing of these products is the fact that the thumb stick is not analog. I am dying for a product with that feature as I love mouse aiming, but just frankly don’t like keyboard control despite being a lifelong PC gamer. The keyboard was never made for gaming after all. I tried the Azeron but the fact that it uses mouse switches so close together made it impossible for me to not fat finger three different switches when just trying to press one, I just don’t have the dexterity in my left hand for that. A product with keyboard switches (like these!) and an analog stick, even better a hall effect stick would be perfect and I feel like there is a big hole in the market for that. The next best option would be like a small very short throw joystick with button buttons for your four fingers to rest on with an additional D pad for your thumb on top. As full size flight joysticks just don’t exactly feel great for character movement.
@lukerestlessstudios the Azeron Cyborg II has hall effect sensors in the stick. Funny story. I started FPS gaming unable to use a keyboard, so I used a MS Sidewinder force feed-back joystick. I was decent. When the fire trigger broke, it forced me to evolve, and for several years I used the stick in my left hand, and a mouse in my right. People had to deal with getting killed by "Mstr2Fstr". I became Elite. In fact, I later modded the stick by cutting it short and mounting the original Belkin N50 keypad on the stick. Took it to a lan cafe and it drew crowds. Good times. (early 2000s)
@@tannji5971 very nice that they made the upgrade. Gosh I wish the switches could’ve worked for me. That’s a pretty creative solution you came up with. Something like a small short throw joystick designed for character movement with buttons that your fingers naturally rest on and a D-Pad style hat switch for your thumb could be a great product too.
Are the switches on the thumb pad different between the two? I’ve owned the V2 and had to replace the switches under the thumb pad 3 times.
The thumb sticks should be the same for the 2 versions.
Which game is this first one you are playing? I've never seen 😅
It's World of Waecraft.. their previous expansion Dragonflight
My Orbweaver has started to give me a lot of trouble. I actually have it in pieces right now I've already replaced the switches with Cherry MX Speed Silvers. I'm waiting for the Kailh micro switches to arrive from China so I can fix the thumb buttons. Those have the notorious double-click issue.
Having paid $150+ for the thing, I'm making sure I get as much life out of it as I can. Still curious about the Tartarus Pro.
I love these keypads, but man, Razer makes some really crappy switches. For the prices they ask for their devices, they seriously need to step up their game and provide more reliable switches.
Thank you so much this was very informative.
It weirds me out how many people sleep on the most obvious advantage of a gaming pad- the D-Pad. Why in the universe would you dedicate 3 separate fingers to movement .. when you can just use your thumb? That's the magic. Putting WASD on your thumb means you have all 4 remaining fingers and keys dedicated to hotkeys, which is huge for MMOs, space games, etc.
It dont mater wich one you pick, both have the same tumb stick problem, the tumb stick breake after 3-12 months. and they use the cheapest buttons on the Market there are A wole bunsh of repair and modding guide to fix the issu.
it kinda sucks they dont make a right handed version and sell it as an ergonomic split keyboard. that would be awesome.
I had 2 Tartarus but there is one big flaw : bad build quality.
Every one started to double click some key (especially the one on the thumb side) wich made them unusable.
I still searching for an equivalent product.
So I'm hoping you'd know as you've tested these, can you map movement to the joystick on the thumb area and is it comfortable to use in that way? I just find using WASD to be a bit intensive on long play sessions and would prefer joystick for movement and mouse for aiming to alleviate any hand/wrist pain. Stuff like playing warframe where it's very movement oriented is quite difficult when stretching for your crouch and jump keys while using WASD constantly.
Yea you can map them but the stick is essentially a dpad. If you like the feel of xbox/ps controllers, it won't be the same. I still go with WASD.
A friend of mine uses the stick for movement like the other comments here.
@HabitualCraving Thanks, I wouldn't say it has to be exactly as smooth as controller joystick (although that would be ideal) but close enough would be fine. I don't suppose you've reviewed any other products that have a form of joystick like that for PC?
Got nothing else. There's only one other product I'm considering if I had to replace my Tartarus - it's an Azeron pad. Pricier but it looks the same from a comfort perspective
Thank you for the review, i greatly appreciate the in depth analysis you put into your video. I've recently been eyeing the Tartarus lately as i tend to use Photoshop and a few other drawing programs, so i was recommended this product as a cut shortcut machine. I just wasnt sure if i wanted to go with the V2 or the pro. This review definitely helped me out
Glad it was useful! Out of curiosity, which one are you leaning towards?
@@HabitualCraving at the current moment im leaning towards the Pro instead of the V2 mainly because of the fact that its quieter than the V2's mecha membrane switches. The only thing thats setting me back though is its high price point at $130. Might wait until Black Friday for a possible price drop. Otherwise, i'd def go for the V2 for its lower price
Great review you cover most of the features, but do you recommend it for small hands players? I'm interested on playing WoW with it.
I think I can recommend it for most players because of the adjustable palm rest. I normally go for small or mini sized mice so this keypad works for me. Actually played a lot of Dragonflight while I was still subbed.
If anything, the thumbkey might be a little harder to reach. It's by default the spacebar function
old comment but I would not recommend this if you have small hands. the top keys are unreachable without considerable effort, even with the palm rest completely off I was still struggling to play comfortably with this. ended up selling
@@dead_protagonist Oh man i am so glad to see your comment. Guess I will just stick to my g600 mouse
I got the Pro a couple of weeks ago, and i really enjoy being able to sit comfortably leaned back in my chair/couch, with my trackball and keypad in my lap. The "dual function" is awesome for games like Arma 3, where you need a lot of buttons, and i find it much more practical than using the "hypershift" function. Light press = Compass, Full press = Map, and stuff like that. It is NOT good for run/walk (Shift+WASD) stuff though, as the shift button wont get released until you fully release the button - and it is definitely NOT ideal for situations where you need to be fully focused on the game, and cant afford to spend precious brain capacity on doing a light press. But it IS very practical for less "time sensitive" actions.
Great points you made as I hadn't thought about the run/walk problem (I was leaning toward getting the Pro for that alone). However, for all those secondary "non action" type functions like maps, viewing, etc. I think this would be great. I too never use Hipershift as that is definitely to much to think about in a game.
I actually want to switch from controller to this. Just started playing on PC. Can the thumb stick be used for movement and a mouse used for aiming and shooting?
@@georged5420 Maybe you can get used to it, but IMO, that stick is only suitable as a 4 way hat... The sticks on PS/Xbox controllers are 100 times better for movement. It is however very comfortable to use the WASD for movement though. My gaming keyboard really sucks in comparison. And i really started to like the soft keys too. Way more comfortable to use than clicky/tactical/"whatever they call it" buttons.
This is exeptional if playing on laptops and dont wat to ware out your laptop keybord, also im much confi then
tactical feedback (03:11) ... does that mean you get shot in the fingers? i'd prefer tactile feedback then.
Had to watch it again - nice catch!
Dude took 30 seconds explaing pressure sensitive buttons
All i know is that whoever can make a Logitech G13 clone they will get my money.
great review thanks
I’m fairly new to MNK gaming and I’ve been using the Tartarus V2 for about a year and I love it. Although I can now play on a standard keyboard, this was great for $60 at times on Amazon to transition from a controller to beginners on MNK.
I'm going the opposite route haha, i need a separate keybaord for gaming because I'm tired of having to move my keyboard for typing/gaming
can you use the "joystick" on the thumb side as a joystick of a gamepad?
Yep you can but it feels weird compared to the usual controller stick behavior. I tried it on some games but didn't do much for me (more like a DPad )
Yup Ive been using movement on my Dpad all the time, I took a few weeks to get the feel of it, I can never go back to WSAD
@@sprutorgel5190 a few weeks huh, is it better once your use to. It?
neither. They don't have analog sticks.
Thank you, I had no idea the V2 was so noisy.
I love the v2, it’s so many ways to use it differently, I use the joystick for shift, Ctrl, and space, I’ve gotten so much better with it
is there a way i could connect the razer tartarus v2 to a mackbook pro? when tried the synapse app is not detecting the device, I bought this for only to use It for design purpose. is there any experts in here who can help on this?
How did you get specific keys to flash different colors? I can't find the setting in the Razer Synapse software.
Within the Chroma module, use the Ctrl key and at the same time select the individual keys. You can choose the colors from at that point then hit Save
Hi there, back again. I've been looking into some of the reviews for the Tartarus Pro and a lot of people have been saying they've been running into problems where keys will stick when they're playing a game due to the Pro's dual actuation feature. Have you by any chance run into anything like this in your time spent with the Pro?
No, nothing like that. I didn't use the dual function feature though as I really have very little control force-wise in the middle of gaming.
@@HabitualCraving ahhh okay worries, just thought i'd as. Thank you for your help
I had both and they both had the issue. However, I only have the pro now and some while ago an updated fixed the issue for me. So no more keys which get "stuck". Btw, I didn't like the membrame switched so switched to the pro. It perfect!
@@dennishaller6578 thanks for the input, i was genuinely curious to hear if they had fixed that issue or not. also i agree, the membrane feel wouldnt sit right with me, especially after using mechanical for so long
Am I the only heathen who uses the dpad on the tartarus to move in all games? (I jump with my index finger on 15)
Doesn't hurt... if it works, it works
after owning both for a while, the worst thing about these is the Dpad switches fail consistently, (generally just after warranty has expired) otherwise they have been good to use
hmm, I still have my old Nostromo N52 Speedpad and its D pad is still going strong. This gives rise to concern...
Ierotj
Does the Mouse Scroll Wheel have a Button on it? I have lived and loved using my Razer Orbweaver which in my opinion is far better than the Tartarus for the simple reason of having an extra button over the stupid wheel. Anyway about the wheel button? Please
You can click the scroll wheel and assign it in Synapse
@@HabitualCraving Awesome thank you for the reply!
I need 32 keys for dota
Thank you so much!!!
Hi. TX for you're interesting review. Is it possible to use the joystick thumb as the joystick to move around the character? So I won't have to use 3 fingers to go forward backward or left/right... I'm from console controller user 😅
Yes you can use the sticks of either Tartarus for movement but it wont feel the same.
@@HabitualCraving Hi what do you mean it wont feel the same ? it should feel more natural to me because im from console and used to play with a controller and move around with left joystick ... i'm surprised that hardcore gamers dont use this, i think using one figer to move around instead of 3 is an advantage in games. and you can use your 3 other fingers to do diferent actions ...
Well, underneath the circle cover of the thumbstick is really just a DPad and so with that (and the clicks) it won't feel as smooth as the sticks for either console. But if that won't bother you, it's still useable for movement.
Could you share your key layout for CoD please? 🙏
I am waiting to receive my Pro version.
Thanks for the video!
For the pad, I just changed 5 to ESC and the rest I use the Tartarus default settings. In game, I changed a few things like Shift (16) is for jump, down key (thumbstick) to go prone, right key (thumbstick) to melee, up key (thumbstick) to toggle hybrid for some guns, etc. I really recommend experimenting (in game and with Synapse) as you might find certain configs or keybinds that are better for you.
Thanks!
the only thing different is the switches? for 2x the money?
Pretty much, yeah. Although it's worth noting optical switches have a considerably longer life than normal mechanical switches. Although the same can be said about membrane.
Yup!, I got the normal v2. Pull the keycaps off and on the switch there are little pieces of tin that have a nub sticking out. Use a dental pick, tooth pick something small and you can pull the little tin tabs out. And POOF!, you know have silent keys like the Pro.
does the analog can be use like a left analog on controller I mean u can get 360 degres movement ?
Yea you can but it doesn't feel the same as an Xbox or PS controller
why how does it feel? @@HabitualCraving
Not smooth or a true analog like conttollers
Thanks mate
thank you!
can you use the stick for actual movement?
Yup i tried it before but it doesn't have the same feel like a controller
@@HabitualCraving ok bummer. I feel like a joystick in the left hand and mouse in the right would be mega nice for shooters.
Thanks pal
Thanks for the review. Do you know if either keyboard works with the PS5?
I haven't really tried but I'll see this weekend if it works. From what I've seen for some people on reddit, 1 or 2 have made it work and others seem to have no luck.
Did you ever see more information about this curious as well
@@matthewameel1741 no I didn’t and instead opted for a micro keyboard that’s around 50% form factor.
Has the software been updated and issues fixed?
I haven't encountered any issues with the Pro version. Didn't have any as well when I used the V2 for about a month
So that's the Razer Keypads, I use the Logitech G13
How is the Logitech?
@@Daxxwabs710 I love it the "widgets" functions of the screen are identical as my G15 keyboard and setting up configurations is quite simple. The only thing I wish it had was a scrollwheel like the Razer one.
I can even setup configs up for DosBox games so I dont have to play using a full keyboard.
Fortunately that you still have it. I quit searching for one long ago.
@@dragosandrei31 It's a lucky FaceBook MarketPlace find actually. I'm hoping lighting well strike twice so I can get one for my other Retro gaming machine.
Does the Joystick still work? Mine shows up in settings and moves. But cannot work in games
No onboard memory makes it a hard pass. I guess razer cant afford the small amount of memory for onboard profiles to be a thing.
why does onboard memory matter? im curious because its isnt apparent to me
@@r4nowo because then you could use it on any device that supports just a keyboard. like you could connect it even to android, or raspberry pi. also its nicer to have everything saved on the device. if you have like multiple laptops and PC and you wish to switch
I see. Ended up returning this thing, it felt like ancient outdated tech to me. Getting a huntsman v3 pro mini when its released@@devalue7064
how do you move the cursor?
Pressure sensitivity could be something in Battlefront 2 where you have to press a button for the binocular, then another button to actually look/use it and a third button (fire button) to mark the enemies with the binocular. It'd be nice to use the same button to bring the binocular and use it.