Razer Tartarus V2 Review

Every day we see new and incredible peripherals in the gaming niche. All peripherals have a basic theme to provide a comfortable and enhanced gaming experience. Razer Tartarus V2 gaming keypad follows the same theme of designing excellence that we see in all Razer products.

Razer Tartarus V2 offers full RGB lighting with an enhanced programmable keypad. It is intended for pro gamers for the best gaming experience. The Razer Tartarus V2 offers a 25-key keypad setup and directional stick for professional gaming. The layout ensures high-quality gaming as compared to the full keyboard setup.

Tartarus V2 offers almost the same gaming experience as we see in Razer Orbweaver with a lower price tag. However, gaming on Orbweaver is much smoother. We observed in Tartarus V2 Keypad that they are not much versatile as a fully mechanical keyboard. However, they offer more hardcore gaming in competitive games for those who don’t need 104-key keyboards.

Razer Tartarus V2 - Image 2

Razer Tartarus V2

Muhammad Kashif

Design
Price
Features

Summary

Razer Tartarus V2 offers mecha-mechanical keys for an enhanced gaming experience with a comfortable layout and a surprisingly good thumb pad for precise gameplay.

4.5

Specifications

ManufacturerRazer
ModelTartarus V2
Switch TypeRazer Hybrid Mecha-Membrane Switch
KeycapsMid-height
Synapse EnabledYes
BacklightingRazer Chroma Customizable Backlighting
Anti-ghostingFull
Analog FunctionalityNo
Game profilesUnlimited
Macro Key LengthsUnlimited
Programmable KeysYes
Dimensions2.36 x 7.98 x 6.02 inches
Weight0.77 Pounds
ConnectivityWired
Connection TypeUSB
OS SupportWindows, macOS

Design

The Razer Tartarus 2 is one of the best chroma keypads that comes with 32 programmable keys. Out of these, the primary 15 keys are categorized into multi-touch membrane Keys. Besides the main layout, there is a programmable D-Pad that has eight positions. Each of the positions is very easy to control using the thumbs. The design offers easy access of the thumbs to the D-Pad.

Razer Tartarus V2 - Image 6

The entire build of the keyboard is plastic-made with a regular plastic matte finish. However, the plastic does not feel cheap and has a premium build. In the Tartarus chroma keypad, there is software managed profile setup. It can manage eight different profiles, and each button is programmable through the software.

The entire design of this keypad is ergonomic that feels comfortable for long hours of gaming. Razer did a great job in molding the shape of this chroma gaming keypad. It resembles the human palm anatomy, which gives comfort without any discomfort and fatigue. If you feel any discomfort, the design supports the handle well and provides a comforting experience.

The retractable legs on the lower side of the keypad help stabilize the keypad’s stable placement to the table surface. Wrist rests on the keypad are perfect for swift gaming and are adjustable according to your needs. With a proper setting, the keypad ends up as perfect gaming peripheral and provides pleasurable gameplay in shooter games like Overwatch and PUBG.

A completely customizable RGB backlighting makes Tartarus V2 a perfect RGB keypad. It offers a selection of color patterns and saving it to the new profile. You can choose from the different pre-set modes that come as default. Overall it looks very cool to watch.

Tartarus 2 is not a comfortable option for a replacement of a regular full-sized keyboard in the long run. However, it has a compact and clean design. It definitely saves a space that can be utilized beneficially. Saving the space can be suitable for use in a competitive tournament, but you have to use it alongside the regular keyboard but not as a replacement for using it in-house.

Performance

Razer v2 Chroma Keypad offers a faster gaming input as compared to the 104-key keyboards. However, the positives and downsides of this 32 key setup are debatable. For some games, it gives a real advantage compared to the keyboards, and for some instances, keyboards still win the race. We are going to discuss these in detail in the following few lines.

Razer Tartarus V2 - Image 5

When using the Razer Tartarus V2 chroma keypad, the first thing you observe is that you will have to leave your years worth of keyboard habits. When you first switch to the 32 key setups, you need a brief time before mastering your keys and getting smooth on using the keypad for your favorite games. For example, when we tried it for Call of Duty: Warzone, we programmed our frequently used commands in a 32 ky setup. Once the setup was in place, we tried practicing the new layout. It took us a few tries to get familiar with the programmed keys.

While trying our luck on the Overwatch settings, we observed a mix of improvements. We got some perks like assigning the unique skills to a specific key on the keypad. But we observed no unique benefits from the macros. Another thing that looked odd was the scroll wheel. They might be helpful in the shooter games, but for other games, they have little to no use if you want to improve your skills with the less key setup then you need to master the key setup.

Comparing the Razer V2 keypad with a traditional mouse and keyboard setup provides a functional utility to the players. At the same time, it has some limitations of getting fluent on it and remembering your key setup. Then it’s easy for you to play the game.

Razer Tartarus Synapse 2.0

Razer offers its signature Synapse software to program Tartarus V2 according to the custom mapping needs. Synapse is the default software by Razer that manages the profile setup and controls the backlighting. Several exclusive options make the Synapse a need for your backlighting customization. Once you save the stings to the profile, the settings get uploaded to the cloud storage.

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In cloud storage, the backlighting settings remain saved. And you can access these settings from anywhere in the world without any difficulty. It saves your time in making a new record of macros and lighting options on a new PC.

Other opportunities that Razer Synapse provides in setting up the keypads include creating profiles of your convenience. You can make several profiles for each family member for their use when they play on your device. The eight different pre-set modes are also present that may not be enough for your needs, so a complete profiling system is organized. Apart from using Razer Tartarus V2 in gaming, there are some other uses. It can be programmed to use in a variety of software. It gives a straightforward usage in Adobe Photoshop for an enhanced photo editing.

We have discussed all the fancy and luxury that this chroma keypad offers, but there are some downsides.  When talking about operating, it has some issues. There are notable bugs in online profile saving. It lags in the games, and for some, more frequent lags are seen. Razer is known for its high-quality products, and we hope it will address these issues soon.

Reasons to Buy

  • Ergonomic and comfortable design
  • Programmable RGB lighting
  • Best for MMORPG gameplay
  • Affordable keypad under $100

Reasons to Avoid

  • Lags in Synapse software
  • Takes time to master

Testing Results

The Razer Tartarus V2 offers competitive gaming requirements with a higher price and slightly less utility. After testing it in several games, one thing gets clear that it is best for the shooting games. For other games, you may feel a little less functionality. However, you cannot ignore it without giving it a try on your favorite games.

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Muhammad Kashif

M. Kashif is a published author at Gaming Expert.net. He is a tech enthusiast, a passionate gamer and loves to try new gadgets and writing about games and technology events.