Razer Orbweaver

[Skylark]

Does anyone have any experience with the Orbweaver and can comment on the comfort, build quality and overall usefullness of this product?

 

Did a quick search, only 2 people have mentioned having this @TheProfosist @Blkdragon112

 

http://www.razerzone.com/ca-en/store/razer-orbweaver-stealth

[nsyedhasan]

What will you really use it for? i'd say get something like a G700s.

[Skylark]

What will you really use it for? i'd say get something like a G700s.

Im looking for a gamepad not a mouse

[Leonick]

I haven't used the orbweaver so I can't comment on its comfort or build quality.

 

I can however two things that might help you as someone considering a gamepad.

 

1. If you can deal with the "trouble" of setting up profiles for your games (Razer might be way better at providing profiles than Logitech, not sure) the button layout (i.e, buttons are in a straight grid, not slanted diagonally) is way more comfortable than a regular keyboard.

2. I have a Logitech G13 and as I suspected before getting it I'd say it has one row too few. The buttons that is designed to be used as WASD is placed with W at the top row, in other words there is no numerical row. This is an issue with all the big gamepads EXCEPT the Orbweaver so on that point I'd recommend it.

[s3ns3]

i don`t have any experience but its the best made judging from Linus video. you can adjust it ,it has mechanical switches and a great build quality

 

 

 

 

Did a quick search, only 2 people have mentioned having this @TheProfosist @Blkdragon112

PM them

[jmohamed]

From the perspective of an MMO (WoW) gamer with some credibility. Keep in mind this guy is sponsored by Razer so expect bias.

 

[tbc]

it's nice.  not much more to say.  build quality is reasonable; it's customizable, so by definition, it's much weaker than a single piece equivalent (but still more than strong enough for realistic usage).  the only bad thing I can think of is that it's a dust magnet.

 

it's my personal belief that gamepads excel when you like typing with a heavier switch (such as a green) that is too heavy for gaming.  That was my exact setup when I got my orbweaver and it really 'synergized' everything.

 

when you're not gaming, it makes a great macrokeys pad. 

 

as well, if you're a fan of 60% boards, just convert the pad into your function keys and you'll still have some keys to spare as macros.  what more could you ask for?

[TheProfosist]

Yaho! So what do you want to know i have two of them.

What will you really use it for? i'd say get something like a G700s.

I run something like a G700s or G602 with the orbweaver.

I haven't used the orbweaver so I can't comment on its comfort or build quality.

 

I can however two things that might help you as someone considering a gamepad.

 

1. If you can deal with the "trouble" of setting up profiles for your games (Razer might be way better at providing profiles than Logitech, not sure) the button layout (i.e, buttons are in a straight grid, not slanted diagonally) is way more comfortable than a regular keyboard.

2. I have a Logitech G13 and as I suspected before getting it I'd say it has one row too few. The buttons that is designed to be used as WASD is placed with W at the top row, in other words there is no numerical row. This is an issue with all the big gamepads EXCEPT the Orbweaver so on that point I'd recommend it.

Nope I didnt get any pre setup profiles from them which is alright. It took me a few games to figure out have I wanted things then I went from there. I was playing Farcry 3, Borderlands 2, and Fallout New Vegas. What I end up doing is map the same actions in the same locations whenever possible and never remap the game but do everything on the orbweaver and my mouse.

I agree with it being way more comfortable. I also find the grid much easier for gaming. I imagine it would be easier to type on as well but I kinda have ANSI layout mostly engrained in my brain for the QWERTY section if you know what I mean.

Yes I really like the fact that they added one more row over say their older ones based on belkin's original design. I dont use WASD usually though I use the joystick thing. This is because I have played a good bit of console as well as PC so I actually prefer moving like that (I would prefer a actual joystick even more but I understand the complications). The other thing is your thumb can easily handle movement with that while normally with WASD youd have to dedicate 3 fingers. This leave your fingers one that hand ready to do at least 4 commands which I find way nice. With my hand like that I can easy hit ~10 of the keys without really moving. My fingers rest on 15, 14, 13, 12 and I can easy hit 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, and 20 without much movement. i actually use the top row for things like 01: Esc, 02: Steam or other game software (Shift+Tab or other), 03: EVGA Precision (Shift+F5), 04: Chat client or other needed thing, and lastly Screenshot (F12=Steam or Shift+F12=EVGA).

i don`t have any experience but its the best made judging from Linus video. you can adjust it ,it has mechanical switches and a great build quality

 

 

PM them

yes it is the best built and the best thought out from what I can tell.

No need as I am now here!

it's nice.  not much more to say.  build quality is reasonable; it's customizable, so by definition, it's much weaker than a single piece equivalent (but still more than strong enough for realistic usage).  the only bad thing I can think of is that it's a dust magnet.

 

it's my personal belief that gamepads excel when you like typing with a heavier switch (such as a green) that is too heavy for gaming.  That was my exact setup when I got my orbweaver and it really 'synergized' everything.

 

when you're not gaming, it makes a great macrokeys pad. 

 

as well, if you're a fan of 60% boards, just convert the pad into your function keys and you'll still have some keys to spare as macros.  what more could you ask for?

i think thats because of the softtouch plastic and rubber, just get a microfiber cloth or something and it cleans up in a jiffy.

yep I have munches of macros on mine the most use in the media shorcuts and volume keys but I do have othe macros setup some rather extensive.

The one thing I would say is that using it with anything wider than a TKL is uncomfortable unless you move the keyboard, at least for me.

[exyia]

I got one of these a few months ago and I can't go back to a keyboard for most games

 

wondering if I should make a video review for it (too long to type) - the orbweaver is probably one of the most underappreciated peripherals out there

[Skylark]

Solid thanks for the info guys!  Ill pick one up this weekend!

[ixiboneheadixi]

Yaho! So what do you want to know i have two of them.

I run something like a G700s or G602 with the orbweaver.

Nope I didnt get any pre setup profiles from them which is alright. It took me a few games to figure out have I wanted things then I went from there. I was playing Farcry 3, Borderlands 2, and Fallout New Vegas. What I end up doing is map the same actions in the same locations whenever possible and never remap the game but do everything on the orbweaver and my mouse.

I agree with it being way more comfortable. I also find the grid much easier for gaming. I imagine it would be easier to type on as well but I kinda have ANSI layout mostly engrained in my brain for the QWERTY section if you know what I mean.

Yes I really like the fact that they added one more row over say their older ones based on belkin's original design. I dont use WASD usually though I use the joystick thing. This is because I have played a good bit of console as well as PC so I actually prefer moving like that (I would prefer a actual joystick even more but I understand the complications). The other thing is your thumb can easily handle movement with that while normally with WASD youd have to dedicate 3 fingers. This leave your fingers one that hand ready to do at least 4 commands which I find way nice. With my hand like that I can easy hit ~10 of the keys without really moving. My fingers rest on 15, 14, 13, 12 and I can easy hit 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, and 20 without much movement. i actually use the top row for things like 01: Esc, 02: Steam or other game software (Shift+Tab or other), 03: EVGA Precision (Shift+F5), 04: Chat client or other needed thing, and lastly Screenshot (F12=Steam or Shift+F12=EVGA).

yes it is the best built and the best thought out from what I can tell.

No need as I am now here!

i think thats because of the softtouch plastic and rubber, just get a microfiber cloth or something and it cleans up in a jiffy.

yep I have munches of macros on mine the most use in the media shorcuts and volume keys but I do have othe macros setup some rather extensive.

The one thing I would say is that using it with anything wider than a TKL is uncomfortable unless you move the keyboard, at least for me.

I disagree with the comfort I can use a full keyboard with macros and mediakeys and eeverything and comfortably use a the orb weaver without moving the keyboard I guess it just depends on your arm span

[BernardoSLR]

I have one, Stealth edition. One word: amazing! Just useful for gaming though, and don't rely all that much on the "joystick", at least for me it is a bit confusing to use. Other than that, really good, but also expensive. I've only got a 2 weeks experience though, but since I game quite a lot...

[pas008]

had one, leds flickered while I was first testing it out, after couple hours I felt as if keys werent registering, and noticed leds were off, sent back

 

went with genovation 682, havent looked back

[TheProfosist]

I disagree with the comfort I can use a full keyboard with macros and mediakeys and eeverything and comfortably use a the orb weaver without moving the keyboard I guess it just depends on your arm span

Yep and im just near on US average

I have one, Stealth edition. One word: amazing! Just useful for gaming though, and don't rely all that much on the "joystick", at least for me it is a bit confusing to use. Other than that, really good, but also expensive. I've only got a 2 weeks experience though, but since I game quite a lot...

can I ask how its confusing? yep quite expensive at one point last year newegg had them for $67 though which is when I picked up a second one and a friedn got one after using mine for a while. If you need any advise on layouts or anything let me know, id be glad to help.

had one, leds flickered while I was first testing it out, after couple hours I felt as if keys werent registering, and noticed leds were off, sent back

 

went with genovation 682, havent looked back

I think you just had a bad one as I have personally used 4 and own two without any issue.

thats more of a macro pad for professionals but whatever works for ya.

[BernardoSLR]

Yep and im just near on US average

can I ask how its confusing? yep quite expensive at one point last year newegg had them for $67 though which is when I picked up a second one and a friedn got one after using mine for a while. If you need any advise on layouts or anything let me know, id be glad to help.

I think you just had a bad one as I have personally used 4 and own two without any issue.

thats more of a macro pad for professionals but whatever works for ya.

 

IDK I found the directional pad a bit confusing. I was thinking about using it on moba games like LoL or DotA but I just couldn't coordinate myself. Nothing I can't get used to though!

[TheProfosist]

IDK I found the directional pad a bit confusing. I was thinking about using it on moba games like LoL or DotA but I just couldn't coordinate myself. Nothing I can't get used to though!

Th only use I would see for it in that is to control the camera/view. I have another friend that has the logitech G13 and uses it for that quite successfully.

[exyia]

IDK I found the directional pad a bit confusing. I was thinking about using it on moba games like LoL or DotA but I just couldn't coordinate myself. Nothing I can't get used to though!

 

it's just muscle memory - we've been (at least I have) using WASD for YEARS. I was delusional in expecting to just pick it up right away - I gave up 3 times and boxed the thing back up to return it. 

 

and then there's the realization that the thumbstick isn't an analogue stick like a console controller, so that's another hurdle

 

but now that I've gotten used to it (it took a LONG time), I can't go back to a keyboard. Having to use 3 keys for movement compared to one thumb (that would be mostly idle otherwise on a keyboard) drives me insane. it just feels so un-ergonomic

[TheProfosist]

it's just muscle memory - we've been (at least I have) using WASD for YEARS. I was delusional in expecting to just pick it up right away - I gave up 3 times and boxed the thing back up to return it. 

 

and then there's the realization that the thumbstick isn't an analogue stick like a console controller, so that's another hurdle

 

but now that I've gotten used to it (it took a LONG time), I can't go back to a keyboard. Having to use 3 keys for movement compared to one thumb (that would be mostly idle otherwise on a keyboard) drives me insane. it just feels so un-ergonomic

"but now that I've gotten used to it (it took a LONG time), I can't go back to a keyboard. Having to use 3 keys for movement compared to one thumb (that would be mostly idle otherwise on a keyboard) drives me insane. it just feels so un-ergonomic"

Like, like, like, and like. I totally agree!