- Microsoft Reclusa Gaming Keyboard Free
- Microsoft Reclusa Gaming Keyboard Software
- Microsoft Reclusa Gaming Keyboard Download
Introduction
Having a quick look at the 'powered by Razer' Microsoft Reclusa gaming keyboard. I had a look at the X6 recently, and while it's hard to say which I like more, the Reclusa does have some cool. Microsoft really for the most part has stayed away from prospect of a gaming keyboard and left competitors like Logitech take the market by storm. Well Microsoft has now teamed up with Razer one of the leaders in gaming peripherals to bring the Microsoft Reclusa Gaming Keyboard to the market to try and get Microsoft there foot in the door.
I would like to thank the Austrian branch of Microsoft for supplying the sample.Microsoft and Razer are both very well known when it comes to input devices. Microsoft has a full range of keyboards and mice, while Razer offers all the input devices 'From Gamers, For Gamers'. While Microsoft has a few very successful mice and keyboards, there is nothing that is geared specifically at the gaming community. The devices developed with Razer are in fact a perfect combination of both their respective fields of expertise. The Microsoft Razer Habu which we reviewed here is proof of this. Today we take a look at another product of this collaboration - the Microsoft Razer Reclusa.
Packaging & Contents
The outer packaging is kept in the same theme as all other Microsoft keyboards and mice. With a red color and big image of the keyboard, giving the potential buyer a good look. The fact that the keyboard was developed with Razer is pointed out as well. The back of the packaging lists all the features and a larger image of the keyboard with all the different functions pointed out.
The inner box is made of plain cardboard and the user's manual can be seen from the outside. Once opened up, the keyboard, wrist pad and manuals/CD can be seen.
The afore mentioned manuals and the software CD do not look out of the ordinary. The CD features the Razer logo as well.
Recently Microsoft made a number of headlines by teaming up with Razer on Habu gaming mouse. The two combined efforts in order to bring some of Razer’s gaming expertise to Microsoft’s hardware line and the result was a very solid product. Free polar bowler online. The Habu put together the best elements of each company and we ended up
with a mouse with Razer’s style and focus on gaming, something that was a bit softer around the edges and easier for less dedicated gamers (and people who normally don’t like Razer mice) to adjust to.
with a mouse with Razer’s style and focus on gaming, something that was a bit softer around the edges and easier for less dedicated gamers (and people who normally don’t like Razer mice) to adjust to.
As an encore to the Habu the two companies teamed up again, this time to make a keyboard. Rather than build off of Razer’s successful Tarantula keyboard, as the company did with its Pro|Type the team decided to put together something very different from it. The Reclusa is a gaming keyboard that, according to today’s standards, does not look like a gaming keyboard. In fact it looks more like a media keyboard from 1998, that is at least before you turn it on. This low-key approach to gamer gear is probably a result of Microsoft’s influence on the product- an attempt to broaden its appeal- so it will be interesting to see how its performance is affected by this approach.
The Reclusa’s rounded edges and lack of gaming-specific functions make is a far cry from something like Logitech’s G15 so it will be interesting to see just what makes it a gaming product instead of a glorified media keyboard. Coloring something black and adding backlighting it not enough any more so the Reclusa is going to need a few good selling points before it attracts gamer away from keyboards, like the G15, the Tarantula, or Ideazon’s Merc.
At first glance I was not nearly as enthusiast about the Reclusa as I thought I would be. The prospect of another joint venture between Razer and Microsoft is a big deal, especially after the impressive Habu,
but initially the Reclusa is underwhelming. The large size, rounded edges, and focus on media keys simple does not scream out “gamer keyboard”. This is not to say that I judged it prematurely, just that I don’t think anyone will be buying this keyboard for it’s looks alone.
but initially the Reclusa is underwhelming. The large size, rounded edges, and focus on media keys simple does not scream out “gamer keyboard”. This is not to say that I judged it prematurely, just that I don’t think anyone will be buying this keyboard for it’s looks alone.
Once the keyboard is plugged it looks a bit better because there is a faint blue backlighting which glows from behind the keys. Backlighting has lost much of it’s novelty since first being introduced and though it is
not adjustable this one does a good job of illuminating the keys and characters without being overpowering. During the day the glow is evident, but is much less noticeable.
not adjustable this one does a good job of illuminating the keys and characters without being overpowering. During the day the glow is evident, but is much less noticeable.
At over twenty inches across the size of the keyboard is something to consider, especially if you need a lot of room for your mouse. The upside here is that it has a full number pad and a few extra features. The extras that relate directly to gaming include six programmable hot keys, four “bumper” buttons, and two dials. The six hot keys (L1-L3 and R1-R3) are split up with three on each side of the keyboard while the four bumper keys are placed on the edges of the keyboard. The bumper keys are used for popular commands like forward, back, cut and paste while the six hot keys have less popular default functions, but all ten are programmable and can store macros.
By far the strangest feature on the Reclusa is the piece of black plastic that runs across the top. This serves no purpose and though it looks like it can be removed or flipped open, it cannot. It just sits there and partially obscures the lights from the LED status indicators. From afar it looks kind of interesting, but I am still not sure why it’s there. Another unusually inclusion is a detachable palm rest. These used to be very popular but have lost favor, especially with gaming equipment. The Reclusa’s palm rest is a plastic piece
that is topped with faux leather and clips into the keyboard. I don’t know why it is deemed necessary on a gaming keyboard that has no other ergonomic-friendly features, but, as you have probably already noticed, this is a quirky keyboard.
that is topped with faux leather and clips into the keyboard. I don’t know why it is deemed necessary on a gaming keyboard that has no other ergonomic-friendly features, but, as you have probably already noticed, this is a quirky keyboard.
The two dials on the top are also strange. At default the act a scroll wheel and a volume control, but their action is slow and after using them for a few minutes I just gave up. The dials are an interesting concept, but the implementation is not great so they are no where near use usable as the one on the Logitech di Novo Edge. The dials do not acts a buttons so they have no secondary functions. Finally, what good is a volume control with no mute button? In the end the keyboard looks like a media keyboard, but only has half of the
functions you would expect from one.
functions you would expect from one.
If you flip the keyboard over there is a cool feature that we don’t see very often, cable management. This can be used to wrap up the cables when not in use, when traveling, or when you don’t need their entire length to be exposed. Nothing revolutionary, but definitely good thinking. Windows preinstallation environment download.
The Reclusa uses a standard layout with a full number pad, a uniform key
style (F keys are shaped the same as the others), and a generous spacing. The
layout is predictable and very easy to become accustomed to, though it will take
some time to integrate the bumper keys into your normal usage as they are a bit
unusual.
style (F keys are shaped the same as the others), and a generous spacing. The
layout is predictable and very easy to become accustomed to, though it will take
some time to integrate the bumper keys into your normal usage as they are a bit
unusual.
During testing I had mixed emotions about the Reclusa. Its strengths were
that it was easy and predicable to type on and had a good action to the keys.
The keystrokes are smooth, responsive, accurate, nice and quick. They are quiet
and do not have a “click” to them, which some people will see as a downside but
keeps the keyboard quiet. The four arrow keys and W, A, S, and D (the primary
gaming keys) seem to be slightly stiffer and springier than the others which is
a smart thinking on the part of the designer because the change helps with
gaming but does not interrupt normal typing. Other high points include easy to
access hot keys and USB ports at the top corners.
that it was easy and predicable to type on and had a good action to the keys.
The keystrokes are smooth, responsive, accurate, nice and quick. They are quiet
and do not have a “click” to them, which some people will see as a downside but
keeps the keyboard quiet. The four arrow keys and W, A, S, and D (the primary
gaming keys) seem to be slightly stiffer and springier than the others which is
a smart thinking on the part of the designer because the change helps with
gaming but does not interrupt normal typing. Other high points include easy to
access hot keys and USB ports at the top corners.
Unfortunate the Reclusa has a number of points which I found to be
problematic, the first of which is the palm rest. This is not a big deal because
it’s removable, but it seems reflective of larger problems. The palm rest tapers
on both sides, and while this does not matter on the right, on the left it makes
it so that when your hand is resting on WASD keys it is half on and half
off the rest. Also when trying to remove the palm rest the two plastic
stabilizer pieces (not the ones that actually clip into the keyboard) broke
offer. This was not a problem because I could still clip it in place just as
well as before (not that I would) but it was annoying. Another minor design
issue was that when trying to hit the number pad’s Enter key quickly I often hit
the R3 shortcut key because it has usurped the position of the bottom-right key
on the keyboard. Also the clear plastic piece on the top is a major dust magnet
and the F keys are barely illuminated so they are tough to use in the dark
despite the backlighting.
problematic, the first of which is the palm rest. This is not a big deal because
it’s removable, but it seems reflective of larger problems. The palm rest tapers
on both sides, and while this does not matter on the right, on the left it makes
it so that when your hand is resting on WASD keys it is half on and half
off the rest. Also when trying to remove the palm rest the two plastic
stabilizer pieces (not the ones that actually clip into the keyboard) broke
offer. This was not a problem because I could still clip it in place just as
well as before (not that I would) but it was annoying. Another minor design
issue was that when trying to hit the number pad’s Enter key quickly I often hit
the R3 shortcut key because it has usurped the position of the bottom-right key
on the keyboard. Also the clear plastic piece on the top is a major dust magnet
and the F keys are barely illuminated so they are tough to use in the dark
despite the backlighting.
I found that I liked the Reclusa for gaming and as long as my hand was on
WASD and the other was used for macros and the mouse things were OK. The
shortcut keys are easy to use, though I was not wild about the no-travel click
of the bumper keys. During general use and work, an area where I though the
Reclusa would do well, I found it to be rather uncomfortable as it was seeming
designed to be used with a palm rest (this helped) but when gaming the palm rest
was quite annoying. I never got much use out of the dials or the bumper keys,
but the other shortcuts were helpful.
WASD and the other was used for macros and the mouse things were OK. The
shortcut keys are easy to use, though I was not wild about the no-travel click
of the bumper keys. During general use and work, an area where I though the
Reclusa would do well, I found it to be rather uncomfortable as it was seeming
designed to be used with a palm rest (this helped) but when gaming the palm rest
was quite annoying. I never got much use out of the dials or the bumper keys,
but the other shortcuts were helpful.
The software used by the Reclusa is very similar to that used by Razer’s Tarantula and Pro|Type.
In the Tarantula review this was covered closely and unsurprisingly the functions on the Reclusa are about the same. Using the software it is possible to program the macros, set the hot keys, set up profiles, and do all the sorts of other things you would expect from a Razer keyboard. While Razer does a good job at this, the Reclusa suffers from the same basic flaws as Tarantula did, such as macros are limited to eight key strokes and the delays between commands are in set increments, not custom ones. It would also be great to make it possible to set macros without going through the drivers, but this is not something we have seen from Razer. The profile system works well enough if you want to invest the time in setting it up, but the keyboard has no default profile switching key so you should make sure to set one if you use more than
one profile in a specific game.
In the Tarantula review this was covered closely and unsurprisingly the functions on the Reclusa are about the same. Using the software it is possible to program the macros, set the hot keys, set up profiles, and do all the sorts of other things you would expect from a Razer keyboard. While Razer does a good job at this, the Reclusa suffers from the same basic flaws as Tarantula did, such as macros are limited to eight key strokes and the delays between commands are in set increments, not custom ones. It would also be great to make it possible to set macros without going through the drivers, but this is not something we have seen from Razer. The profile system works well enough if you want to invest the time in setting it up, but the keyboard has no default profile switching key so you should make sure to set one if you use more than
one profile in a specific game.
Conclusion
{ad}Over the course of time I spent with the Reclusa I often compared it to the
Habu mouse. Ultimately I noticed that while the Habu reflects the best things
that happen with two companies as dissimilar as Razer and Microsoft work
together, the Reclusa unfortunately represents the other side. This is to say
that the keyboard ended up being a mash-up of two philosophies that never melded
together. Razer’s and Microsoft’s input can both be seen, but instead of getting
a great hybrid of the two we have something that is neither a solid gaming
keyboard like the Tarantula or a great media keyboard like Microsoft’s Wireless
Desktop 7000.
Habu mouse. Ultimately I noticed that while the Habu reflects the best things
that happen with two companies as dissimilar as Razer and Microsoft work
together, the Reclusa unfortunately represents the other side. This is to say
that the keyboard ended up being a mash-up of two philosophies that never melded
together. Razer’s and Microsoft’s input can both be seen, but instead of getting
a great hybrid of the two we have something that is neither a solid gaming
keyboard like the Tarantula or a great media keyboard like Microsoft’s Wireless
Desktop 7000.
Microsoft Reclusa Gaming Keyboard Free
Overall the Reclusa was a disappointment and is not a keyboard that I would
recommend. There are a number of other very good gaming keyboard on the market
that do a better job of implementing the features that the Reclusa has, most of
which take things a step further and not only do them right but add in other
features, like a profile key. Considering the price tag the Reclusa seems like
it is a reasonable price, but you are better off spending more and getting a
better performing keyboard or saving some money and going with something from a
company like Ideazon.
recommend. There are a number of other very good gaming keyboard on the market
that do a better job of implementing the features that the Reclusa has, most of
which take things a step further and not only do them right but add in other
features, like a profile key. Considering the price tag the Reclusa seems like
it is a reasonable price, but you are better off spending more and getting a
better performing keyboard or saving some money and going with something from a
company like Ideazon.
(+)
– Blue backlighting looks great
– Good action to the keys
– Blue backlighting looks great
– Good action to the keys
Microsoft Reclusa Gaming Keyboard Software
(-)
Microsoft Reclusa Gaming Keyboard Download
– Not very comfortable
– You can spend a little more and get a great gaming keyboard
– You can spend a little more and get a great gaming keyboard