Razer Tartarus Pro: The Best Gaming Keyboard Isn't Actually a Keyboard

If you're serious about gaming, you don't want to just use any keyboard. That said, you may have different preferences for gaming than you do for typing. It's tough to find a single keyboard that is perfect for everything. That's where a gaming keypad like the Razer Tartarus comes in. While the previous model had a membrane keyboard, Razer stepped up the quality with the Tartarus Pro, which uses analog optical switches for ultra-precise inputs. Is it worth the $130 asking price or should you stick with a standard keyboard?
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[@pearce8015]

"Won't shine in FPS" *Doom Eternal releases* *quick switch intensifies*

[@ShamansMystery]

i bought the belkin n52, then the n52te for quake2 & diablo... LOVED the older ones with quake.

[@Bottlecap]

Solid review, but I'd have to say that you missed the mark about it not being good for FPS games. I switched from 20 years of console to PC in January. I play mostly shooters and have always used a controller. I tried using a regular keyboard but couldn't do it. I got the Tartarus V2 and using the pad for movement and then having a palm size array of keys has made it much easier to acclimate. Most shooters nowadays anyways aren't just about WASD and spacebar, it's super useful to be able to move with just your thumb and map abilities/crouch/etc to the keys. If you do another profile on the Tartarus or One handed keypads, you might consider pointing out how they can be great for the transition from controller to keyboard and mouse. : )

[@kevinwright2016]

The V2 is 10x better than this piece of garbage. I used the Tartarus Chroma V1 for 4 years and the Tartarus pro is a huge step down. If the actuation points for the analog keys or the key recording actually worked it would be great. BUT THEY DONT.

[@mercwiffamouff7301]

It sucks for modern warfare

[@0rtizjjay]

I think you are not considering the immense advantage that brings the thumb dpad for switching weapons or abilities, and using wasd for movement. So either way using the dpad for movement or for weapons or ability, it's a much comfortable and quick way to press them IMO that using the keyboard (number row). I own the Tartarus V2. And combining the hypershift on synapse 3 with this, doubles the amount of keys available which is great. Cheers mate.

[@kane8441]

How do you use thumbsitck for wasd

[@yosfpv3439]

I actually use the dpad for a replacement for space bar, for jumping as my thumb it rests naturally on it. I also use the other d pad keys for various other commands in fps.

[@flamepygmy]

I play Destiny 2 with Orbweaver and the thumb area top button (the profile button) is my jump key, 'up' on the 4-way is sprint toggle, 'down' on the 4-way is air move ('Icarus dash'), and the big separate bottom key is my crouch. This section is basically all controlled with thumb for 'alternate movement'. WASD is on the regular keys. The reason for using gaming keypad like this is so that I can have huge area for my mouse movement (I prefer low sens so that I can get accurate aiming especially when doing quickscope snipes and having a large area allows also for quick 180 turns while having that low sens).

[@paulgrant5740]

Using the Up on the Dpad for jump and the big button button for crouch is a really good idea, I might have to try that

[@dbot1018]

I have the V2 but plan to get the pro soon. A really good use for the D-pad on the side (joystick part removable) is for leaning left and right in siege and having up/down for crouch and prone. Its very useful and can be used like that in many other games too.

[@jktwice8235]

FPS player here who uses the Tartarus Pro. Got roughly 10-20 hours on it so far, so here's what my thoughts are: Adapting wasn't much of a hassle. By day three I had my binds down in my main game, Halo MCC. I also use a Browsing keybind set for KZbin playback and general web browsing Rebinding mostly took place around the d-pad. It's the single best feature of this design, having a d pad that not only feels good but can be rebound in many ways. I use D Pad Left for Jumping and D Pad Down for crouching so I can crouch spam in the air rapidly instead of tiring out my pinky finger. For the most part now my fingers never travel very far from my movement keys I never use the top row of keys unless for a very specific bind I don't care to have on the other three rows. Nice to have for menu stuff. Chroma is awesome but limited due to the amount of real estate on the Tartarus. There's just not many keys to make interesting designs. It's comfortable. Very comfortable. And portable, which is a huge win in my book for taking it places.

[@FreddyBoBeddy]

I appreciate your take on this; I was specifically looking for information on using this for fps and other online-type games. One reason I was considering it is for Dragon Ball The Breakers. I have no idea how people switch between abilities on the fly using the numbers at the top of the keyboard, so I've been trying to find an alternative.

[@checkmate058]

I want one of these but with a controler analong stick.

[@deusmortis3932]

Check Mate orb weaver

[@nismojukerich2994]

The orbweaver doesn't have an actual analog stick either its just an 8 way hat switch. There is a guy that has a full walkthrough here on KZbin of how to modify it with an actual analog stick or he'll do it for you.

[@LorcanSansNom]

Same, without analog stick it doesn't worth it ( I prefer to try to build my own game pad by myself )

[@jaku3005]

Same...

[@NotAFanMan88]

The only thing like this that has an actual analog stick is the Logitech g13, but that's discontinued.

[@shooterbornptatoe-5763]

Respect to you for this simply straight forward review

[@indstagram]

That piece of tech looks really nice, I really like how customizable it is and really as you said, with enough imagination we could find so many uses to this unique keyboard.

[@twinightshifter239]

It looks like this one has a more stable space bar , I have the older Tartarus and i didn’t have problem until I noticed while playing destiny 2 and me being a hunter main realized the space over reacts and use’s all of your jump at once if you press to hard. But it could be broken idk , but this thing looks really nice little weirded out by the scroll wheel other than that I’m going to look further into this

[@kapturebenoit8173]

Funny that you mentioned Excel Spreadsheet, because I do use it for that. and it's crazy what you can do, with excel macro, shortcut, etc... It's faster and limitless. what's even crazier it's to use it with Adobe creative suite, like Photoshop, Illustrator....

[@timothyvalle2614]

I use the razer epic chroma for 3D mechanical systems design (plumbing fire protection fire alarm) and I love the programable buttons. Definitely speeds things up but I’m still going to the keyboard for some commands. So I just bought the Tartarus pro. My hope is to completely eliminate the need for a traditional keyboard for navigation and the actual 3D drafting. I will still need a traditional keyboard typing but that’s about it. I appreciate your straightforward review. You had said you could not think of another use other than gaming and I hope this helps you think of other uses for gaming products. I have found gaming products Work well with 3-D architectural and engineering design.

[@MakeUseOf]

Thanks for the input Timmy - obviously a niche use case, but fascinating none the less!

[@MakeUseOf]

Thanks for the input Timmy - obviously a niche use case, but fascinating none the less!

[@twentykeys]

i’m loving mine....BUT am I the only user who is having keys “stay actuvated” and have to hit the key for it to stop ? sorry if that doesn’t make sense. my key needs to be rehit for it to stop activating. hate the optical switches because of that!

[@shatteredsky01]

wow thanks man, i was looking at this and im probably gonna get one now

[@abysmaltyrant6]

This thing helps me dominate in Doom Eternal, WoW, SC2, Dark Souls 1/3 invasions, pretty much every pvp scene on any pc game i play this little beasty holds up beautifully.

[@danielgates5128]

Was just wondering about sc2 i have small hands and all the ctr+f1 is far away from my hands i barely use the hot keys for screen locations. How well does it work with sc2? and diablo2

[@dreamteam2940]

Could you use this to use like a Strem Deck with its programmable keys so that you can designate the keys to computer shortcuts, opening browser windows, start programs etc etc or do I have it mistaken

[@Josivis]

I'm using an orbweaver to type numbers as I see a time waste to move between mouse and numpad. My orbweaver is old and looking for a replacement.

[@danielclay1378]

I have a ducky keyboard with Kali box made switches for coding. And a gaming keyboard with red switches. Just bought a Tartarus pro just waiting for it to come in

[@intruderthegrimreapers6664]

I went through you video, and thank you for the explanation, but if you can also demonstrate how the keypad actually fits our palm that would be even better. Your video is more on textbook explanation but didn't cover the part that how it can fits the users. keep on mate.... I like you vids

[@rvs55]

I have the original Belkin N52 Nostromo. Good stuff. This thing is next on my list once the N52 goes kaput.

[@rpghamster]

Check out Azeron keypad ;)

[@qibcentricsplayground2043]

honestly i tried the tartarus v2 and like i can say that it's such a huge downgrade from the nostromo. it's pretty much a revised nostromo with 5 more keys. it was super tacky and totally ew to use. QC issues an the mecha membrane was just so cheap feeling that it definitely ain't worth 80bux when it launched im hoping to see how the tartarus pro is once i can afford it lmao. till then imma stick to my nostromo n52. it's been going strong even after 16 years (it was a hand me down from my late cousin).

[@PaNQoQS]

and what about sticky keys ??? razer synapse 3 sucks and they still dont fix the problem a lot users razer tartarus pro have this problem like me

[@fridgewarlock7499]

Considering the Razer Tartarus is mainly aimed towards MMO's, I have an original V.1 and I find it so much more comfortable to use than a regular keyboard for my FPS games.

[@chickenpasta7359]

I feel like these types of devices are much better used for productivity. I edit videos and photos for my job and this thing is invaluable considering how much customization there is and how many shortcuts you can have. I also love this in combination with a 60% keyboard. It seems like these two are meant to go hand in hand.

[@dionblankenship4437]

Are any of the tarturus models compatible with the new gen consoles?

[@Ghostdoge]

Orbweaver is the investment to make. Tartaras is good for beginners. Use Kontrol freek thumb stick covers for better grips too. Ps4 grips work fine. I play all games including Starcraft 2 on an orbweaver.

[@luisfernandoromero8311]

Do you use the thumbstick for movement?

[@Ghostdoge]

@@luisfernandoromero8311 Yep, on all games except Starcraft obviously :)

[@Ghostdoge]

@@luisfernandoromero8311 It frees up WASD for ability keys etc.

[@luisfernandoromero8311]

@@Ghostdoge nice. I use the Hori Tac Pro on PC and I Move with analog stick. But is nice to know there are other options

[@Ghostdoge]

@@luisfernandoromero8311 Cool. I just looked up the Hori, as I had no idea it even existed! Nice! The next upgrade I'm going for is the Azeron Compact Gaming keypad, which is 3d made and super expensive. Check it out :)

[@davehaag8175]

Great for vr games..like dcs where you need alot of extra buttons you cant be looking for

[@yessir7004]

It says ambidextrous but can you move the stick to use for rt hand?

[@jaku3005]

This could be great for video editing...

[@tubulartuber]

thanks for the review! will the tartarurs pro remember key actuation depth settings if you uninstall synapse?

[@mrx2586]

I have an old razr nostromo. the biggest difference is it has 1 fewer rows of keys is it worth upgradeing to the tartarus pro

[@robertman369]

Love it for my MMOs and making macros for my video editing work!

[@dustincriddle]

I just got one but can’t bind the joystick for movement on battlefield 5

[@albanyrebelion]

Great and fair review!

[@spookykid666]

I went from n52te to an orbweaver but have gone through multiple ones because the quality sucks. I tried a tartarus v2 but returned it pretty much right away the thumbpad was too clicky and i didn't like the mecha membrane. I use thumbpad for movement, would this version be worth trying as as per usual my 3rd orbweaver is crapping out. I don't know if I would use the incremental buttons but how are these keys for just regular use? Also how loud is the thumb pad clickyness?

[@avenewconsulting1118]

hi is it only usefull for gaming or should i be able to work faster with it?

[@system450]

I have it and the sensitivity with synapse 3 has a bad issue ! I set the travel of the keys at 3,6 mm and actually the keys work at 2mm and about half of ther travel is wasted ! The dual function is useless because you have to set two activation points and in 2 mm of travel how can one human being find the difference between 0,5 mm and 2 ? I contacted razer support and they continue to ask me logs and versions of all things in my pc, but they dont know what to do ! I know what they should do... stop selling crappy devices !!!

[@ambiven10]

Nice review! Would you recommend orb weaver or tartarus pro? I am coming from red switches steel series keyboard. I am in the market looking for a gaming keypad. Please advise!

[@Bottlecap]

Get the Tartarus V2. The optical keys on the Tartarus Pro are very unreliable/not easy to consistently use as it was intended. The Orb Weaver's smaller thumb pad isn't as good as the Tartarus's. And the scroll wheel on the Tartarus can be useful, it's removed in place of a single key on the Orb Weaver.

[@florianmuller9598]

I tried to use the dual action. It was impossible. Primary and secondary action way too close together no matter what you set in the settings. And guess what: To go back from secondary to primary you have to RELEASE the button, or it will stay secondary. No comments in Razer forums. This 150€ product will be returned and was my last Razer product ever. 😡

[@arkantos4822]

Anyone know when this product will be released in Latin America?

[@lukejackman3802]

There are other products on the market similar to this but maybe not as good quality but they are out there

[@Tacticalpanda757]

Anyone know if you can make the dpad the WASD movement buttons?

[@JaretChoquette]

Yes you can map them to anything you want to.

[@ShamansMystery]

i can't believe how much nicer it is then my old n52 te.

[@gabriellcaballero5302]

Omg does anyone ever show gameplay!

[@ubtri]

I wish they would release a version for use with the opposite hand. I'm weird and mouse left handed.

[@MakeUseOf]

We're testing an Azeron keypad soon, its entirely custom so it has both hand sizes and very adjustable keyset, highly ergonomic. Review will be out in a few weeks, stay tuned!

[@ubtri]

@@MakeUseOf Forgot about that one, it does look interesting. Thanks for the reply!

[@avrtours3658]

-scroll wheel- I use a trackball. No scroll wheel. Having a scroll wheel on my game controller is a worthy addition.

[@_519_]

I was hoping it would have an analog stick so I could have full 360 degree movement and not have to hold down buttons to modulate my speed while still aiming with a mouse. Oh well.

[@MakeUseOf]

Check out the Azeron: www.makeuseof.com/tag/azeron-review/

[@UtkarshPatelUT]

Is it possible to use it with Blender 2.8 for speed up modelling?

[@markclark6978]

Yes, I use mine for MAYA

[@pearce8015]

Yep. Exactly the reason I'm getting mine.

[@UtkarshPatelUT]

@@pearce8015 Great ! Let me know how you're gonna use it. I mean the custom shortcuts that you'll be creating for yourself.

[@kevinwright2016]

Don’t bother asking this guy. He has no idea what he is talking about. Probably hasn’t even used it lmfao

[@NightLord01X]

While I love the hand pad as a replacement to an older Nostromo, the "Analog" is an unusable joke that shouldn't be allowed to be a part of it's marketing

[@shadowalk]

I play WoW and I'm very happy with my Naga Trinity Mouse. Do you think this is a good companion to the Trinity?

[@Squashcwb]

do you have any wrist problems? if you dont, stick to the regular keyboard and save some money

[@shadowalk]

@@Squashcwb Cool! Thanks for the advice!

[@tivnator]

Have you tried to set a standard for button layout? You should have the option to do it automatically or manually if one wishes. It's amazing how boring, frustrating, and useless it is to configure what each key does per game or software (and you could even use it to work if you could only change those keycaps), that's why people stop using them. The Hori Tactical Assault Commander Pro did it, but the Razer gaming keyboard is more comfortable. I think the worst thing is wasting time programming and configuring everything for each game and software. If you make a "standard like controller" for the button layout, then you just have to copy and paste what the Xbox controller or PS controller does. For example, if the Razer 05 is X/A, then the Razer 04 is the circle/B and I don't know, maybe paint the symbol on the keycap with liquid paper, then it shouldn't be so bad to be able to use it regularly. I don't know when Razer will think more and make an Excel layout or better use standard Cherry MX keycaps just by making a inclined circuit board with a simple flex connector to maintain the inclined shape of the keys. In that way you could have A, B, X, Y and M1, M2 for macros. That please add real sticks like the ones on the Xbox/PS or do a 4-way arrows, 8-ways arrow interchangeable module or a "push button analog stick" like Thrustmaster ESWP Pro Controller did. I mean that Razer finally made analog buttons with the Razer Tartarus Pro (but they don't work well either because it doesn't recognize the height at which it is pressed well) it could even make the second function be with a little bump. I don't know why any company hasn't made it yet, no one has done a good job yet. Razer Tartarus has a good palm rest, but some prefer the Orbweaver palm rest, so you better stop making two types of products, just make one interchangeable. The same goes for the wheel that some love and some hate. Just a button above the arrows? Put two as start and select like controllers. Someone must do it more logically. The only reason why the gaming keypad or gamepad is useful is to reduce hand movements and to be faster by giving you the ability to use a real mouse to be more precise and faster. And if you want to keep the analog pedals that the controllers have for firing, maybe think of an analog click mouse. That's all it takes to create an awesome, useful, and necessary gaming keyboard or gaming controller (it doesn't even have a name of its own). If anyone reads this, please submit these ideas to Razer, Corsair, Logitech, Thrustmaster, or Hori.

[@jeho369]

You used to work for sound guys right!?

[@MakeUseOf]

Yes! ;)

[@lukejackman3802]

These are very cool, I've wanted one for awhile now

[@RDKetch2201]

Got this in the mail the other day without buying it so not sure if I want to keep it or sell it

[@RDKetch2201]

@D L lol turns out someone hacked my credit card info and ordered $500 worth of items, but didnt change the billing address thats associated with my card and everything ended up getting shipped to me. So, unfortunately i have to send everything back now D:

[@Balithazzarr]

@@RDKetch2201 hahahaha

[@Balithazzarr]

Sorry that was me

[@alessandroesposito2994]

Is good for lol?

[@omni_0101]

Still not enough to get me off of my G13.

[@En3ka_]

WASD on d-pad is working good ?

[@rpghamster]

nop, better check out Azeron keypad, it has thumbstick for WASD movement

[@ferret1252]

@@rpghamster it works fine, you just have to program the dpad for wasd

[@dwarfkingkili698]

discord.gg/6GGRHNR This is a full complete tutorial, with pictures. step by step. This mod lets you put an analog joystick into the tartarus v2. Take gaming to the next level.

[@florianmuller9598]

Its interesting that you did not review on the "analog" function of the switches as well as dual mode which both *absolutely suck*. I am sure you did not test that "killer feature" for wasd in a single game. You simply can not use it correctly. Way overpriced and promises Razer made are simply not true

[@mundolaguna]

La palanca se rompio

[@sethz2504]

Does this work on ps4?

[@MakeUseOf]

No. Needs custom software .

[@havikreckemroman3352]

What software is it Do you know?

[@mercwiffamouff7301]

This keyboard sucks for modern warfare. Not enough keys and everything needs its own keybind for some stupid fucking reason. Including my FUCKING LOADOUTS. which just used up 10 of my fucking keys....

[@dwarfkingkili698]

discord.gg/6GGRHNR This is a full complete tutorial, with pictures. step by step. This mod lets you put an analog joystick into the tartarus v2. Take gaming to the next level.

[@kevinwright2016]

The Tartarus pro is a piece of garbage. You are better off with the old Tartarus or the Orbweaver. I have the old Tartarus and this “Pro” and the analog switches do not work. Actuation points don’t work. No matter what your setting and how slight you press to you WILL activate the secondary function. This renders the analog switches COMPLETELY useless. I’m completely disappointed with this piece of crap. Trust me stay away! Go with the old Tartarus or the Orbweaver (I’m returning this POS right now for a new Orbweaver)