Razer Lycosa Gaming Keyboard Hands-On

Razer’s Tarantula gaming keyboard is easily one of the PC gamer’s favorite gaming peripherals, and Razer has built on this success with the new Lycossa Gaming Keyboard.

The previous Tarantula was unique in that it offered backlighting on the keys that gamers use most: the standard WASD keys used for movement.  This new keyboard has a nice blue backlight on every single one of its keys, making gaming (or computing) in the dark much easier.  In addition, Lycosa’s keytops have a rubberized coating, which not only gives the keyboard a more comforable feel, but helps keep your sweaty fingertips securely on the buttons.

Further assisting gamers are the included headphone, microphone, and USB port integrated into the keyboard.  I am extremely happy to see the return of a USB port on a keyboard, as this was one of the best features of Microsoft’s ergonimic keyboards from several years ago.  Since that time there haven’t been many keyboards with an integrated USB hub, perhaps because of the problems Microsoft ran into when connecting high-power devices like USB cameras.

The solitary USB port on the Lycosa is meant to be used with a gaming mouse, so it is uncertain if there will be issues when using USB cameras or other peripherals that require the USB port’s full five volts (like CoolIT’s beverage chiller).  Even if you use a wireless gaming mouse (such as Logitech’s MX Revolution), you will certainly get less interferance by having the receiver close by.

The Lycosa keyboard and Lachesis mouse use the same 1000Hz Ultrapolling technology to help reduce lag.  From my experience there really isn’t any lag on a wired keyboard or mouse, but then again I’m not a world-renowned gaming champion, either.  The wriest rest is very comfortable, and reduced strain on my hands, compared to using a standard keyboard.