Corsair Raptor Series - where to buy

[LinusTech]

Corsair's Raptor line of peripherals is positioned as "gaming essentials". While it's easy for someone in my position to completely forget about membrane keyboards and value oriented mice and headsets, there are folks out there that are just looking for "what I need without spending a bunch of money" and want something that delivers solid build quality at a fair price.

 

That's where Raptor comes in. I'll list the products in order of the ones I think are most interesting.

 

M40 Gaming Mouse

This mouse offers tremendous bang for the buck. It features the same ergonomic shape as the higher end M65 and M95, but with fewer buttons, a plastic skeleton (making it lighter out of the box, but don't worry you can adjust the weights), and an excellent optical sensor. I can't think of a reason to not consider the M40 when shopping for a gaming mouse.

 

NCIX: http://bit.ly/18qDaDo

Amazon: http://geni.us/ZjoC

 

 

 

HS30/HS40 Gaming Headsets

Gaming headsets in this price range are all about comfort per dollar to me. You're not going to be getting the best sounding headphones in the world for $70USD, but if you can get decent sounding headphone and a noise-canceling mic with good build quality and good comfort you're doing alright. These were surprisingly comfortable, so they definitely win brownie points for that!

 

The only difference between the HS30 and the HS40 is the connector at the end The HS30 uses 3.5mm analog and the HS40 uses USB with the same surround implementation that Corsair used to have on the Vengeance 2000 (which has now been upgraded to Dolby Headphone), so it's not the highest end solution, but it's functional, comfortable and affordable.

 

NCIX: http://bit.ly/HLZBwb

Amazon: http://geni.us/QheX

 

 

 

K30 Gaming Keyboard

This one embraces the "Essentials" concept pretty well in my opinion. It doesn't have mechanical keyswitches, but the price already told you that... What it does have is programmable macro keys with 3 layers of functionality, onboard memory, single colour backlighting, anti-ghosting, and a conventional layout. It's not terrible for a membrane keyboard, and since not everyone has an extra $40-50 to spend on a backlit mech keyboard, it's a compelling option for those folks.

 

NCIX: http://bit.ly/1aDObRw

Amazon: http://geni.us/Cnws

 

 

 

K50 Gaming Keyboard

This is a natural step-up from the K30. It offers 16M colour backlighting that can be configured in software and more macro keys. At this price I would suggest going with a mechanical keyboard like the Vengeance K70 if you want a better typing experience, metal construction, and basically just an awesome keyboard, but if you really want multi-coloured backlighting, then only membrane keyboards can do that right now, and the K50 is positioned pretty well.

 

NCIX: http://bit.ly/18qF6vx

Amazon: http://geni.us/MKm6n

 

 

 

M30 Gaming Mouse

The only reason this one falls to the bottom of the list is that frankly I haven't tried it... Without being able to test out the ergonomics of a gaming mouse I wouldn't feel comfortable talking about how great the specifications are. It's probably fine... It's Corsair, it couldn't be that bad (trying to sell them on using this as their new company slogan) but with no hands-on experience like I have with all this other stuff I just can't give it a glowing recommendation.

 

NCIX: http://bit.ly/1hEAMlY

Amazon: http://geni.us/xVOJyU

 

[Hirad123]

I like what they did with the angled bottom row of keys on the K30. 

[AnotherTechGuy]

.

[sonarctica]

Man that M30 is ugly

[N00B_person]

The M30 looks like something you could buy form the 99p store.

[Arshdeep]

Gave up on the deathadder 2013/m65.

Azza $5 mouse works for me now... never though it would.

[madscientist56]

I love corsair products, but the m30 is ugly 

[Yuval]

Linus, any chance on a review for the M40? it looks great but the only thing i am worried about is the build quality.

[LinusTech]

Linus, any chance on a review for the M40? it looks great but the only thing i am worried about is the build quality.

 

I've actually had one since before the mouse came out (no unboxing on account of I don't have a box for it...) and it's an EXCELLENT option. Highly recommended.