A keyboard can give you plenty of keys, but when you’re gaming, you rarely use all of them. What matters is having the right controls exactly where your hand needs them. That is the idea behind Razer’s new Tartarus V2 Pro, a one-handed gaming keypad that packs 31 programmable controls into a much smaller footprint while adding a proper analog thumbstick, something most keypads don’t have.

The thumbstick is one of the more interesting bits of the accessory. It uses TMR technology with anti-drift positioning and sits alongside three dedicated thumb buttons, giving the left hand a combination of keyboard and controller-style controls. The stick can handle movement, but it can also be assigned to other commands, making it useful for games that rely heavily on shortcuts, radial menus, or multiple simultaneous inputs.

Designer: Razer

Razer has also moved beyond the usual mechanical-switch approach, as Tartarus V2 Pro uses second-generation Analog Optical Switches that can recognize how far a key is pressed. Their actuation point can be adjusted anywhere between 0.1 and 4.0 mm, allowing the keys to be tuned for either quick, light presses or a more deliberate response. Rapid Trigger goes further by detecting upward movement as small as 0.1 mm, which can make repeated inputs feel considerably more immediate. Razer rates the switches for up to 100 million keystrokes.

There is plenty of control over how those inputs behave as well. Razer’s Advanced Input Control features include Snap Tap, Snap Flex, Dual-Keypress Priority, and Dynamic Keystroke. These allow players to change the way directional inputs work, prioritize simultaneous key presses, or assign different actions depending on how far a key is pressed. The wrist rest can slide outward and rotate from side to side, so the position of the hand can be adjusted instead of forcing it into one fixed angle. The keypad uses textured doubleshot PBT keycaps and a 5052 aluminum alloy top plate, with Chroma RGB lighting adding the familiar Razer touch.

True 8000 Hz HyperPolling is built in, while Razer Synapse handles deeper customization. Players can create up to 24 keymaps across three onboard profiles, with actuation and Rapid Trigger settings adjustable to suit different games. An onboard LED array also provides visual feedback without needing the software open.

At 211 × 159 × 49 mm and 486 grams, Tartarus V2 Pro takes up far less desk space than a conventional keyboard. Priced at $199.99, the gaming accessory changes how the player’s hand interacts with a game. Instead of reaching across a keyboard for commands, movement, and shortcuts, the controls are gathered into one compact surface designed specifically around that hand.

The post Razer’s New Gaming Keypad Puts 31 Customizable Controls Right Under Your Hand first appeared on Yanko Design.

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