I have never liked spending alot of money on anything and I always look for the bargain when it comes to technology I use, but this is one of the few times I decided not to skimp and im so happy I did.
The Razer Orbweaver!
The Razer Orbweaver is a "Gaming Keypad", essentially its a keyboard with keys and ergonomic design that allows for comformtable and efficent, fast PC gaming.
I can testify that the Orbweaver and the Razer keypads that came before it have revolutionised my gaming.
Take the screenshot below, these are my characters abilities in Final Fantasy XIV. Instead of having to constantly move my wrist and arm to reach across a traditional keyboard to use my myriad abilities, the Orbweaver allows me to use them all and the best part is, I never even have to move my arm or wrist, everything is at my fingertips!
This is where Gaming Keypads shine, they reduce fatigue from movement and you have everything in fingers reach.
Use it like a Pro!
For me, I use every key on my Orbweaver, not just the keyboard keys but also the side buttons. Add on the fact that I use a gaming mouse side buttons for CTRL and Alt keys, combined with hotkey changes in-game and using the razer synapse software, I gain access to all manner of keys!
Example:
Look at the screenshot again, all the abilities on the bottom bar from 1 to = I use the keys on the Orbweaver, for the 2nd hotbar above I hold CTRL on the mouse and use all the Orbweaver keys, for the 3rd I hold the ALT key on the mouse and use all the keys again.
Weather im playing MMO's or shooters or whatever, the Orbweaver gives me an advantage in gaming performance which is why I recommend it to everyone.
Any Downsides?
One downside and a some words of advice/warning.
Palmrest rubber warps after us:
This was something that drove me mad not long after I got it, the heat of your hand can cause the rubber pad on the palmrest to warm and expandmmaking it feel like your hands resting on an air bubble, doesnt sound like much but it droe me crackers!
But dont worry, there is a simple solution!
I peeled the rubber off the palmrest, then with a stanley blade trimmed small pieces of excess rubber off the two bottom corners. I then cleaned the glue off the rubber. (If im honest I think the glue is to blame for it)
After it was fully clean I used simple doublesided tape and shaed it to cover most of the rubber then applied it back to the palmrest.
This happened a month after I got the Orbweaver, two years down the line that palmrest has not moved or warped a millimetre and is solid as a rock thanks to the doublesided tape that I bought from a eurostore!
Words of Advice/Warning:
A gaming keypad is very different from a keyboard when it comes to use. You will have to develop muscle memory to use all the keys properly, which can take weeks!
I will be honest I stopped using my first keypad twice out of frustration but kept at it, you honestly feel like throwing it out a window because the mustle memory takes so long.
STICK WITH IT!
You will be thankful and after a couple weeks as your muscle memory will develop and you notice how much faster you are than using a keyboard to game.
Conclusion:
The Orbweaver and keypads like it are amazing devices, for that reason I have bought 3 in my gaming career, I put them though so many hours of gaming use and none ever broke or slowed down, I only replaced them because I wanted to step up my game with even more keys!
Below I have included some links about the robweaver and places to purchase.
Best of luck and thanks for reading!
Razer Orbweaver page -
https://www.razer.com/eu-en/gaming-keyboards-keypads/razer-orbweaver-chroma
Places to buy:
Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2Iu9ClF
Amazon.co.uk - https://amzn.to/2ItXLA3
