Reclusa gaming keyboard: Microsoft and Razer's latest collabo

Microsoft already teamed up with Razer on the Habu, that gaming mouse they introduced back in August, now their partnership is back in effect with the Reclusa, a new gaming keyboard (a note to Microsoft and Razer: we know you were probably thinking of the Reclusa spider when you named this, but you should probably avoid names that evoke the well-worn stereotype of gamers as reclusive, isolated loners). Anyway, features they're touting include ambient blue LED backlighting, "Hyperesponse Gaming Key Action" for "minimal latency", 12 programmable buttons (including two jog-dials and four bumper buttons), and not one, but two gold-plated USB ports. Should hit this spring with a retail price of $69.99.

[MearWolf @ Jan 8th 2007 1:07PM]

NICE!!!

[Ayle @ Jan 8th 2007 1:10PM]

Indeed....

[Andir3.0 @ Jan 8th 2007 1:35PM]

I'm not one to nitpick here (oh, who am I kidding. Of course I am.) but what makes any keyboard low latency? I mean, I've been using the same old 104-key keyboard I bought in 1996 and it's not lost a tick, a letter, it still responds instantly to every press of the key and has those nice big chunky keys instead of "laptop like" keys you see in the new keyboards.

While I admit the backlight adds a coolness feature, it's not nearly as cool as the G15 programmable LCD. And what would you use jog dials for in game?

Oh, and where'd you snag the pic? I want to go look at some closer images. It's not like I'm going to buy it [this just seems like a way to jip money out of gamers to me], but I always like to look. ;)

[disciple83 @ Jan 8th 2007 5:27PM]

I am not entirely certain I see a point in the programmable LCD on the G15 to begin with...I mean, all of the things you can program into the screen are usually in a HUD system on the monitor anyway, just a glance away from the middle of the action. I can't think of a serious gamer who spends all day looking at the keyboard and would need to be updated so frequently that it warrants moving game stats to the keyboard.

As for this keyboard, I bet it's huge. It's a very nice looking keyboard, I'll give it that. That hyper-response or whatever makes it seem like the key counts a half-press, because I can't see how a USB keyboard can get any faster. Also, unless those keys are silent, and not just "quiet" (I'm looking at you Satek Eclipse), I'm not interested.

[SteveZ @ Jan 8th 2007 5:59PM]

why do they always feel that gamers are a die-hard demographic with plenty of cash for their hobbies?

I dont want a $70 keyboard that only works marginally better than my $5 version that already works very well

[Noshino @ Jan 8th 2007 6:01PM]

I stick to my eclipse :)

http://www.saitekusa.com/USA/prod/eclipse.htm

[Fritzz @ Feb 15th 2007 1:23AM]

@ Noshino

I like my Eclipse, it's really just too bad the paint on the keys is wearing off. I find it very annoying that the paint is starting to come off in less that 9 months of owning my keyboard.

So I am looking for another backlit type keyboard, that won't do this. Anyone know of any?

I have looked at Deck, Saitek Eclipse II, and all the Razer boards.

[Spencer @ Jan 8th 2007 6:08PM]

Maybe you guys have never seen many gaming forums, but there are lots of idiots out there who will be proud to own hyper-response low latency bsboards =)

[Martin Rasmussen @ Jan 26th 2007 2:04AM]

Is This Keyboard Comming With Danish Keys?

[Tickleonthetum @ Mar 15th 2007 11:50AM]

The Microsoft Product page for this keyboard is here:
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=093

Razor have added a section to their site for this keyboard:
http://www.razerzone.com/Products/Gaming-Keyboard/Microsoft-Reclusa-Ga ming-Keyboard/

The low latency is probably when compared to wireless keyboards like my Logitech DX3000 which is dreadful.

I'm going back to wired peripherals steadily and am finding a huge improvement...