General Discussion

Today, Carolyn Koh takes a look at The Microsoft Reclusa, the keyboard child of Razer and Microsoft.

The Microsoft Reclusa is the offspring of a Razer / Microsoft collaboration. A follow-up to their successful first collaboration on a gaming mouse, the Habu. At first glance, the keyboard doesn't look any different from a typical media keyboard, and has the jog dials that Microsoft seems to like.

Features

Like any keyboard aspiring towards the gaming arena, it has to have additional keys for macros. The Reclusa is no different, measuring in at 21" at its widest; about the same size as the Logitech gaming keyboards.

Design & Layout - The design is a little different, to stand it out from the crowd perhaps. The keyboard has rounded edges, a detachable wrist rest with a padded leatherette covering which does not snap on very securely, nor fit seamlessly - it folded then slipped off when I moved it from my desk to the keyboard drawer, and it wobbles. That being said, it does add a large degree of comfort.

Read the rest of the review here.

From the review:

" blue-lit number 1 in a box can be seen through it on the right, and there are two others that never did light up for me. "

A keyboard reviewer that doesn't understand the num-lock identifier? I'd bet the other two would be a letter A in a box for caps lock, and a down arror for scroll lock. That doesn't instill confidence in the rest of the review.

"Head phone / Microphone jacks in place of one of the USB ports - come on... Gaming?"

I thought most people used USB headphones these days?  I don't know of a single friend that uses the old plug style.

Alot of people use the normal headphone jack type headsets. The USB ones still have problems with some games and programs.

I really wish that the review covered more of the 'feel' of the keyboard. There's one paragraph on it, and the rest of the article is a rundown of the features which can be found by poking through the listing at Amazon.com (or any other major site).

Anyone reading this actually have used the keyboard and can give a useful recommendation beyond 'I don't know what the dial is for?' and 'what's this glowing 1 next to the unlit A and arrow?'

Originally posted by Kostika

Alot of people use the normal headphone jack type headsets. The USB ones still have problems with some games and programs.

There was a survey  done recently that 95% of gamers use USB headsets reason why is because the headphone jack ones cause alot of static. Another note is I just love it on how PC accessories makers are still trying to beat logitech, theres only one keyboard thats still out ranks all keyboards and thats the Logitech G15 gaming keyboard.

I'll stick to the G15...

Originally posted by Dremvek

From the review:

" blue-lit number 1 in a box can be seen through it on the right, and there are two others that never did light up for me. "

A keyboard reviewer that doesn't understand the num-lock identifier? I'd bet the other two would be a letter A in a box for caps lock, and a down arror for scroll lock. That doesn't instill confidence in the rest of the review.

D-uh... how counter-intuitive for the keys to be lit and duplicate tiny lights to be under a decorative piece so far away from the rest of the action - IMHO - but you're right, I totally spaced on those.  Like most reviewers here, I'm a gamer first, a reviewer 2nd.  No excuses I have to improve.

*looks surreptitiously around... note to self*

Next time, don't mention a thing.  People will think ur smrat. 

*nods*

i have one and i love it. i actually replaced a completely functional saitek eclipse 2 with it.

a few things tho..

no backlight control and the top bezel on the face of the board is abnormally large, it seems to make the keyboard larger than it really needs to be just to have a place for microsoft to put their logo. the jog dials feel a little weak, but i like their placement and functionality  the keys feel great and have very nice.. uhh.. action.

the eclipse 2 is my all time favorite keyboard and i'd rank this one, in terms of feel just one step below that.

Bought the G15 on a whim and apparently it's the best keyboard around!