At Razer, the evolution of esports gear is extremely important for competitive gaming. Central to any player’s setup is their keyboard, and with that in mind, our Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 are designed to unlock every competitive gamer’s full potential by providing unmatched performance, precision and reliability. 

Analog switches have become a staple for competitive gaming keyboards as it enables detection of when a switch is pressed or released at any point through the key travel. Analog Optical switches detect this by measuring the amount of infra-red light beamed to the phototransistor on the printed circuit board (PCB) and the switch’s stem acts as a gate to control the amount of light being passed through. Hall Effect switches on the other hand, use a magnet housed within the stem of the switch and a Hall sensor on the PCB, and measure the difference in output changes based on the distance between the two. 

Left: Illustration of an Analog Optical switch

Right: Illustration of a Hall Effect switch

Despite both offering a similar experience, there is clear evidence that when it comes to competitive gaming, many of the world’s top players turn to Razer. Light vs Magnetism: The Optical Advantage 

Razer’s Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 hold a distinct advantage over competing technologies like Hall Effect switches for 3 main reasons: 

1. Performance

Our Analog Optical Switches not only redefine switch technology but also offer significant advantages in latency. Rigorous testing on the Huntsman V3 Pro line armed with our Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 has shown an astounding average of just 1.7ms of response time. This precise responsiveness, crucial in gaming, ensures uninterrupted, fluid gameplay, even in the most intense gaming sessions.   

Graph illustrating Razer’s Analog Optical Gen-2 Switches on a Huntsman V3 Pro having the lowest average latency vs other keyboard models

This ensures that every keystroke is registered the moment you press it, which coupled with a high-refresh rate monitor, can be the deciding factor between a resounding loss or a complete victory.

Read more about our testing methodology in this post. 

2. Precision

For a Hall Effect switch to register an input, the hall sensor on the PCB detects the change in magnetic field strength from the magnet in the switch as it moves. The resulting analog-to-digital (ADC) value therefore determines the switch actuation point at any point throughout the range. But, due to the inherent properties of magnets, the resulting ADC value through the switch travel range vastly differs from point to point, producing a less than favorable consistency across.  

Razer Analog Optical Switch Gen-2 measures the amount of light that’s allowed through the housing of the switch, and that determines the actuation point. Every switch on every Huntsman V3 Pro keyboard is calibrated at the factory and the brightness of each switch’s infra-red light is adjusted for the tightest tolerance in ADC values through the switch travel range. Magnets cannot achieve such calibration as each magnet has its own unique magnetic field properties and differs in strength from one to the other. Moreover, the properties of light do not change, unlike magnets which inevitably lose their magnetism strength over time.   

For a simple analogy, take a ruler to represent both switch types. A Hall Effect switch will have wider and more inconsistent spacing between each millimeter, whereas an Analog Optical switch will have almost proper consistency between each millimeter through the range and are spaced apart as what a millimeter should be. Effectively with Analog Optical switches, gamers would have far more precise and accurate keystrokes. 

Graph illustrating linearity of Analog Optical switches (in green) vs Hall Effect switches (in orange)

3. Reliability

Since Hall Effect switches rely on magnets, they can be affected by external elements such as temperature and other nearby magnetic forces. In addition, each piece of magnet may differ in its magnetic strength and cannot be accurately calibrated at production. 

Analog Optical switches have none of those drawbacks since light is not susceptible to such external environmental conditions. On top of the calibration process mentioned above, the Razer’s Analog Optical Gen-2 switches are designed with stabilizing wires and box-style stems to ensure minimal switch and keycap wobble for further precision. 

Huntsman V3 Pro: The #1 Esports Keyboard  

The Huntsman V3 Pro line is testament to our dedication to leading the esports scene. These keyboards are equipped with Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 that feature adjustable actuation, Rapid Trigger Mode, and Razer™ Snap Tap technology.

This combination empowers professional gamers to elevate their potential in-game, with the Huntsman V3 Pro TKL recognized as the top choice and the #1 Esports Keyboard used by Esports Pros on ProSettings as of August 2024. 

Razer Remains Committed to Excellence  

In the ever-evolving arena of esports, the Huntsman V3 Pro represents the zenith of Razer’s commitment to pioneering gaming innovations. With Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 at its core, this keyboard transcends conventional capabilities, delivering the precision, performance, and reliability that professional gamers demand. Our switches provide the fastest response times, the most consistent actuation, and unparalleled durability—ensuring that every keystroke is a strategic advantage. This relentless pursuit of excellence is what sets Razer apart, cementing the Huntsman V3 Pro as the quintessential tool for champions and reaffirming our leadership in the competitive gaming landscape.  

Razer’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of gaming technology is unwavering. The Huntsman V3 Pro is an essential component of any serious gamer’s setup, ensuring every command is executed with intention and precision. We listen closely to the gaming community and adapt our technology to meet and exceed the high standards our users expect.  

Stay tuned for more innovations, as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming technology and redefine the gaming landscape.  

For more on the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro line of esports gaming keyboards, please visit Razer.com.