Review: Razer Tournament 2014 Edition Stealth Mechanical Keyboard

It has been ages since I last posted a keyboard review. Today I will be adding one additional review to this very blog. It will be about the Razer Tournament 2014 Edition Stealth Mechanical Keyboard. So let's just jump right into it.

This is the keyboard I have been using since the later part of last year (around four months now). It is still working perfectly well for me. I know that there are some reviews and discussions out in the web raging about the quality issue on Razer products. However, I think it is rather irrelevant considering that I have used a product which just stop functioning within a few months. Perhaps, I am lucky? I don't really know.

http://www.razerzone.com/sg-en/store/razer-blackwidow-tournament-stealth-edition

Now, the above is how this keyboard looks. It is a ten key-less keyboard, this means that it does not include the NUM pad section. This allows your hands to closer to each other when you are using your mouse and keyboard at the same time. Most gamers seem to prefer this layout of keyboard as it reduces the strain you may feel when gaming for long hours. That's the one thing I like about this keyboard as well, since I can reach out to my mouse easily.

In addition, the keyboard uses a detachable USB cable. Since different people tend to require different length for their keyboard cable, this allows you to change the detachable cable if you find that they are too long and short for you. A good feature for me, nothing bad to say about this.

http://www.razerzone.com/sg-en/store/razer-blackwidow-tournament-stealth-edition

 

Basically, this keyboard is not back lit. Hence, if you are someone who likes the back lights that most mechanical keyboard has, this might not be the keyboard for you. Perhaps you can take a look at the Razer Blackwidow Ultimate or the latest RGB version of the keyboard for back-lighting. Do note that those keyboards do not have the ten key-less layout. However, this keyboard does have some lighting on the razer logo, caps lock, scroll lock, macro and game mode keys. My opinion on this? It will be great if they made one with back lights, however, without them do not make a difference to me as well. It just gives a greater aesthetic look with back light. (Partly because I got a table light for myself when I am working or studying at night.)

http://www.razerzone.com/sg-en/store/razer-blackwidow-tournament-stealth-edition

One major thing about this version of keyboard is that it uses Razer switches instead of cherry MX switches which most mechanical keyboard would have. Hence, you are really used to using a different brand of mechanical keyboard, you might find some differences in the feel of the key presses. For me, as I am using rubber-dome keyboard most of the time at work, I feel just great back at home typing on my Razer keyboard. This version of the keyboard has 10-key rollover and anti-ghosting which are important for gamers. Also, the actuation point of the keys are slightly higher so that you can register your keys faster. I have used red, brown cherry MX switches and I find little or negligible differences in this keyboard. That's the reason why I am still using this.

Last, but not least, this keyboard has macro-recording function. I think it works with the Razer synapse software if I am not wrong. Since I have not installed the software after four months of using this keyboard blindly. I can't comment how well they work. However, I would like to try this soon and see if it is any useful in programming or gaming.

Let me remind you, when buying mechanical keyboard, remember you will have to like the product presented to you and if possible try typing on them and make sure that you feel comfortable and satisfied with the keys. For this keyboard, it is available in green switches (which are clicky) and orange switches (which are slightly quieter). Get a feel of both of them and choose the one you prefer. I personally prefer the orange one, and since it was affordable to me at that point in time. I just had to get it.

Hope this post helps you in your decision making on whether to buy this particular mechanical keyboard in the market. I guess I will end this post here. If I remember anything, I will come back later and give it an update.

Have a good day shopping. Enjoy and remember your smile always.