Razer rolls out Lycosa Mirror, Arctosa gaming keyboards

It's been almost exactly a year since Razer introduced its Lycosa gaming keyboard and it looks like the company's decided to celebrate by rolling out a new, slightly updated model. From the looks of it, the Lycosa Mirror (pictured above) is identical in most respects to its predecessor, with the exception of a new high-gloss mirror finish on the keys (as opposed to rubber), and some "enhanced backlighting." Those looking to head in the opposite direction can also now opt for Razer's new Arctosa keyboard (check it after the break), which does away with the backlighting and non-slip rubber finish altogether but hangs on to the usual programmable macro and media keys. You can look for it to be available in both silver on black and black on black versions for $50 next month, while the Lycosa Mirror will set you back $80 when it lands in December.

[kali4 @ Oct 7th 2008 4:13PM]

yyyyeeeeAAAHHHH SMUDGES!!!!!! I love dealing with them on my cell phone and wiping them off my TV and monitor. I can't wait to wash my windows again! I love the fact that I can now look forward to actually polishing my keyboard instead of using that as a witty euphamism! heh heh heh, "polishing my keyboard." Nope, gonna keep that one!

[Josh @ Oct 7th 2008 10:08PM]

I am still happy with my old Saitek keyboard. It is sturdy and minimalist, it has great response, and it is practically unbreakable (but not as much as the mechanical keyboards of yor)

[E71 @ Oct 8th 2008 2:15AM]

I hate how they label anything made for gamers if it LOOKS COOL instead of actually designing a product that comes in handy when gaming.

A truely awesome keyboard would be something like the design of a typical Dell slimline keyboard (compact, no additional 'hey look at me' keys), with backlighting on the keys and most importantly FULL N-KEY ROLLOVER.

Come on! Is it really that difficult?!

[tyler @ Apr 3rd 2009 12:15PM]

Keyboards are so yesterday.. I'm getting a MacBook Wheel..

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/apple_introduces_revolutionary

[who? @ Oct 7th 2008 4:16PM]

Disregarding the gray piece in the front and the Windows symbol, this is one of the coolest keyboards ever.

[Hugh @ Oct 7th 2008 5:16PM]

Its a gaming keyboard, im assuming you want it on mac or linux, why not get a diNovo edge or some other great keyboard not aimed at gamers (thus windows)

[who? @ Oct 8th 2008 12:14AM]

Or I could be a free thinker and not accept every product as perfect. As customers, don't we all have the right to suggest changes?

[Kenjis9965 @ Oct 7th 2008 4:23PM]

I love my Tarantula to death, seriously one of the best keyboards i've ever had the pleasure of using...my only complaint is lack of backlighting on all keys..

Maybe I'll pick one of these up if its as nice to type on [If only certain stores would have them setup better to try out..

[kojo87 @ Oct 7th 2008 5:50PM]

i have an original Lycosa and it is fantastic. build quality is superb. my only complaint it that the LED freak out when i first boot up my system. simply reconnecting the USB fixes this. a strange issue that developed a couple months after i bought it so i think its just me.

[Peter Zich @ Oct 7th 2008 4:43PM]

I take it the macro keys are PC only?

[sotec_productions @ Oct 7th 2008 4:52PM]

I love the design concepts RAZR comes out with, even the Eclipse keyboard, but with no split key's or natural/ergonomics, you can bet I'll never own one of these self proclaimed "gaming keyboards".

Sorry, but keyboards aren't meant to be torture devices, and as much time as I spend on them, straight-edge keyboards are archaic.

In my opinion, I own the best midrange keyboard on the planet. Microsoft's Natural Ergonomic Keyboard v4000
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=043

I think hardware is really their forte, not OS's. This is the second iteration of this keyboard I've owned, and I might just stick with this line. It's proved to be flawless. The last keyboard lasted me years, and I see this one lasting me even longer than its predecessor.

[Hooterman @ Oct 7th 2008 5:08PM]

Please don't refer to Razer as RAZR ever again.

As a long time Razer supporter I've wanted to get one of their keyboards since they first came out. But I refuse to buy one until they support the ergonomic market. I bought the ergo 4000 right when it came out and absolutely love it. I've got another one at work too. It's a wonderful keyboard, but I'd love to have the flash and features that the enthusiast keyboards come with too.

[Kenjis9965 @ Oct 7th 2008 5:38PM]

Razer, not RAZR, they are not Motorola

Anyways, thats a matter of opinion and personal choice, I personally do not like those ergonomic keyboards very much, and for me, backlit keys are really nice [I have a dark room]

I personally dont find straight keyboards to be that bad, I've never owned an ergo board, but from trying them out in the stores i just never liked the feel very much, even if they are "better" supposedly, Not to mention for gaming i can see a few keys being placed over all the way on the other side, or clustering them all on one side of the board very tightly..not something id like...

[Dinjaga @ Oct 7th 2008 5:41PM]

RAZR = Phone line by Motorola
Razer = Amazing gaming peripheral company

Also, Eclipse keyboards are made by Saitek, not Razer...

As for wanting ergonomic keyboards, Razer isn't your company. They make stuff for gaming, gaming well, and looking good while you do it. For the longest time, I never understood why girls always wore those terrible heels that hurt their ankles and feet like crazy. Then I got a a Razer tarantula. It may not be comfortable to type on for 8 hours in an office, but for gaming, it's the absolute BEST in every possible way you can rate a keyboard, with the exception of comfort, which still only kicks in after multiple hours of straight up typing. And it doesn't even feel all that bad, just makes your wrist a touch sore. Add to this the fact that, when gaming, your right hand is usually on the mouse, and ergonomics don't detract a point from Razers keyboards.

Though, if you really like their designs, send them an email... their Pro-Series isn't to terribly popular, but, wouldn't surprise me to see an ergonomic keyboard pop up there...

[Lowest Ranked @ Oct 7th 2008 6:57PM]

Wait. So the Razer Tarantula actually explains why girls wear high heels?

Man, keyboards have become so advanced, its amazing what they can do now.

[Ito @ Oct 7th 2008 5:05PM]

The non slip rubber ont he old version was TERRIBLE. It felt great on the fingers, but it was terrible for typing because they were opposite of what the are advertised. They are slippery as hell. Although I'm not sure glossy is a much better choice for something your fingers are gunna be all over. Hopefully the backlight is brighter this time, the brightness was way too weak on the previous model. Unfortuntly, looks like they haven't done away with the touchpad media buttons, which were a pain in the ass. They are responsive enough, but it's impossible to differentiate between what you are pressing, not to mention that gone if the gratification of having the button press down to reassure you that you did in fact hit the button. That and the notch in the wrist rest is uncomfortable. I returned mine after about a week of use and got a logitech G15, which is pretty in almost every way (except maybe a bit in the looks department, I'm a blue fan). I think Razer is going to have to do some major redesigning before they get a keyboard on par with the G15 (which is worth the extra money).

[Cybergypsy @ Oct 7th 2008 5:19PM]

Nothing worth talking about.....

[kojo87 @ Oct 7th 2008 5:50PM]

then why bother commenting?

[noyp @ Oct 7th 2008 9:54PM]

What else do you expect him to do in his mom's basement?

[Surfaced @ Oct 7th 2008 5:39PM]

Strangely, a keyboard with a myriad of microscratches appeals to me. I'll wait for reviews but I'm liking this so far.

But in the end, the biggest selling point for a gaming keyboard should be the tactility of the keys. They should not be like notebook keys; they should be clicky like those of an IBM model M.

[jason @ Oct 7th 2008 7:04PM]

daskeyboard.com is what you want then.

[loof @ Oct 7th 2008 10:08PM]

Clicky-keys are not for gaming. I'd take a notebook style keyboard over a clicky-keyboard anyday.

[Osnix*-geek @ Oct 7th 2008 6:49PM]

You know Apple has this backlight ish on their MBP, and I find it quite useful, it's a shame they themselves haven't done this for their own desktop keyboard, which I dig the design of, but I am almost willing to use a pc keyboard like this to satisfy my backlight fix on my desktop hackintosh. I still rock a g4 keyboard, and love the feel of it. My recent (generation before) mac pro at work keyboard is a but clunky for my taste however.

[solu @ Oct 7th 2008 6:52PM]

I've only owned 1 Razer product ever and i can say it was the worst product i have owned in my entire life. not to mention customer support is non existent unless you count automated email responses support. Added ontop of all this, they scam their owne consumers with "beta key" give aways where you supposedly get a beta key for being a razer customer, you just have to fill out a "survey" (document they sell to ad targeting services who will spam you) once you complete their online survey they then redirect you to a page saying "sorry all beta keys are gone" THANKS FOR FREAKING TELLING ME AFTER I SPENT 30 MINUTES FILLING OUT YOUR S@%TY SURVEY RAZER.

I suppose if you just like having tons of LED's all over your computer, and don't care about quality or performance, then razer might be ok.

[Lowest Ranked @ Oct 7th 2008 7:02PM]

Sounds like you may just need typing lessons.

[noyp @ Oct 7th 2008 9:56PM]

I thought it was safety survey for a second because of the @.

[loof @ Oct 7th 2008 10:12PM]

Was the product you had a Lycosa? and what was the problem you had with it?

[xValentine @ Oct 7th 2008 7:46PM]

I like to see some review or real-life photos of the Lycosa Mirror.

If it looks like what I'm thinking, then I'm ready to dump my current Lycosa.

For me Razer Lycosa is the best or one of the best keyboards out there.

PS: I hate Logitech G10 v2. The keys are very crappy and looks so low quality.

[Xlar @ Oct 8th 2008 8:02AM]

You should look at the Logitech G15. I have the first version and I like it a lot, plus it has an LCD screen which I find very useful.

And yes the Lycosa Mirror does look like it is going to be a very nice keyboard

[RX3115 @ Oct 7th 2008 11:00PM]

Damn it, i just got my Lycosa gaming keyboard less than a month ago.

[Zilch @ Oct 8th 2008 5:25AM]

Just got a Lycosa, and it is crap for a couple of different reasons.

1) They don't work at all via a KMV switch. Razer (bless 'em) simply say it's not supported and won't enter into any dialog about why. Mine supports Keyboard or generic USB switching and neither works. Not sure if it is a power issue or not, but the keyboard keeps disconnecting/reconnecting every few seconds.

2) The keys are sunk below the surrounding, making touch typing difficult.

3) The letters on the keys are very small to read so you have to squint at them even when the backlighting is on. The AWSD lighting combination isn't really useful as you can't read any of the other keys.

#2 & #3 combined are kind of annoying, but #1 is the major show-stopper for me :-(

Looks great though.

[Abbey @ Oct 8th 2008 11:27AM]

Been using Razer products for years and it offers quality stuff for gaming peripherals. Love their mice. My saitek eclipse gaming keyboard does me well, but when i need to upgrade, i'll look into razer.

[Crazy Toast @ Oct 8th 2008 1:20PM]

Personally, I wouldn't change my Saitek Ecipse II for something else.
It does anything most people need - backlighting, good feel to the keys, no weird key placement, the Caps and Num LEDs don't bother me, and the media control keys are out of the way.
The only problem I've had is a displacement of the metal bar inside the space key.
This one does look good, but I don't need 20K keys to program... High gloss mirror on the keys? Welcome fingerprints !!

[Sandstorm @ Nov 23rd 2008 8:48AM]

I have also had problems with trying to use this keyboard with a KVM switch. Really a bummer. Anyone have any other back lit keyboard recommendations?

[wgwhite @ Feb 9th 2009 1:55PM]

It's just cooooool!

[Jphoto75 @ Feb 9th 2009 12:30PM]

Sweet!!!! Gotta get one!

[clikmanjon @ Feb 9th 2009 1:47PM]

me mine, gimme.

[Michael Lipsen @ Feb 10th 2009 1:50AM]

Would want some, yes.

[rahul @ Feb 9th 2009 2:25PM]

thanks

[Brett Kellgren @ Feb 9th 2009 6:40PM]

I hope I win...

[waltzendless @ Feb 9th 2009 9:47PM]

must have antidote!

[Zhengqing Qi @ Feb 10th 2009 12:38AM]

I would like one of those!

[Chad @ Feb 10th 2009 9:16AM]

free is good

[ken @ Feb 10th 2009 1:52PM]

Great!

[seyism @ Feb 11th 2009 10:45PM]

Ok I need this!

[junk @ Feb 24th 2009 12:10PM]

looks neat.

[Yar @ Feb 24th 2009 2:02PM]

pick me

[Diego @ Feb 24th 2009 3:48PM]

i just watched a video on this keyboard on youtube, looks very sweet, count me in on this, thank you engadget!!!

[Anne Baskett @ Feb 24th 2009 7:07PM]

I won. Game over.

[Cajundweeb @ Feb 24th 2009 9:04PM]

It's always nice to have an extra keyboard on hand in case your primary one goes kaput for whatever reason. Love the sleek design!