The keyboard’s “Rapid Trigger” function is attracting attention, mainly among FPS players. This is a cutting-edge feature for gaming keyboards that allows for faster key response than regular keyboards.
In order to understand what Rapid Trigger is, it’s easy to understand by learning the history of the evolution of gaming keyboards. Let’s explain step by step.
Development of a key switch that can recognize detailed keystrokes
Description of Rapid Trigger (high-speed trigger) on Razer keyboards
Products considered to be gaming keyboards have existed for a long time, but not all of them are compatible with Rapid Trigger. The hardware required to realize rapid triggering is a type of key switch that can precisely recognize the depth of keystrokes.
With a typical keyboard key switch, if you press the key to a certain point, it will be judged as an input, and if you push it back to a certain point, it will be judged as an input. This is normal behavior for a switch.
A new switch for gaming has emerged: a key switch that can recognize how deep a key has been pressed. A conventional key switch that can be used as a digital input that only turns on and off, and can recognize the depth of the stroke, is sometimes called an analog input. The nuance is that the on/off button on the gamepad has become multi-level recognition, such as an analog stick.
The mechanism for recognizing the depth of a keystroke varies depending on the product, such as optical or magnetic. Naturally, there are differences in key press pressure, but there is no big difference in the usability, and there is no discomfort when using it for character input like a regular keyboard.
So, what you can do with this is that you can set the key input judgment to any position you like. For general key switches, for example, if the input judgment position is at a depth of 2 mm, no other changes can be made. However, if it is capable of recognizing the depth of keystrokes, the position can be as shallow as 1mm or as deep as 3mm. As long as recognition accuracy and stroke range allow, the depth of the input judgment position can be adjusted freely.
This input determination position is called an “actuation point.” In gaming applications, it is often used to increase the response speed of key inputs by setting the actuation point at a shallow position. Although the distance to press the key is only shortened by mm, the actual feeling of use is quite different, and you can feel that the key responds the moment you press it. This difference is significant in games that are fought in a world of several milliseconds.
Actuation point setting screen. For example, if it is 3mm, pressing the key 3mm will determine the input.For general key switches, this is a fixed value.If you set the actuation point to a shallower 1.5mm, the input timing when pressing the key will be faster than when it is 3mm.
It is also possible to separately set the point at which the input turns off, which is called a “reset point.” It is generally set just above the actuation point, but depending on the product it is possible to set it further away.
Gaming keyboards that enable the setting of actuation points can be said to be products at the cutting edge of hardware evolution.
Rapid trigger for fastest input on/off
From there, the software was further evolved to create the Rapid Trigger.
Conventionally, even if the actuation point was made shallow to its limit, the reset point had to be above it. In this case, especially when a key is pressed deeply, key input can be made faster, but turning off the key input becomes slower. When you press a key, it responds immediately, but when you release it it’s delayed, which can make it less advantageous in some games and change the feel of the controls.
What was invented was a behavior that turned on input while the key was pressed, and turned off input when the key began to return. In this way, input will turn on almost at the same time as the key is pressed, and input will turn off at almost the same time as you start to raise your finger, allowing both to respond quickly. It is possible to achieve behavior that is as close as possible to the timing when the user wants to turn input on and off. This is Rapid Trigger.
To achieve Rapid Trigger behavior, a key switch that can recognize the depth of a keystroke is required, rather than a traditional key switch that turns on and off at a single point. Products that have traditionally been able to set actuation points may now support Rapid Trigger behavior through software updates. In the future, more and more products will be compatible with Rapid Trigger from the beginning.
Image diagram of a common key switch. Input and off decisions are made at each point. (Source: Razer) An image of the key switch when Rapid Trigger is enabled. As soon as you start pressing a key, input is turned on, and as soon as you release it, input is turned off. (Courtesy of Razer)
What happens when you use Rapid Trigger?
So what kind of benefits does Rapid Trigger have in the game? The FPS game “VALORANT” has become a hot topic among players, especially as it benefits greatly from rapid triggers. Let’s compare what kind of behavior is actually possible in the play video.
The equipment I tried this time was Razer’s “Huntsman Mini Analog.” It originally appeared as a keyboard that could set actuation points, but later added support for rapid triggers through a software update.
You can also set the distance at which the rapid trigger responds.This time, select the minimum width of 0.1mm both when pressed and when released.
First, I played without setting the rapid trigger and setting the actuation point to the shallowest 1.5mm on the “Huntsman Mini Analog”. If you press the A/D key all the way to the bottom and immediately release it, like tapping a key, you can make small movements left and right, and it will look like this. There is nothing strange about this.
When rapid trigger is disabled
If you then use Rapid Trigger. I set it to recognize both when it is pressed and when it is released in 0.1 mm, and tried moving it finely to the left and right using the same operation. Although the author operates by hand, there is some blurring with each operation, but the time it takes for the input to turn off is shorter when using the Rapid Trigger, so the distance traveled is obviously shorter and more delicate operation is possible. Become.
When rapid trigger is enabled
How much of an advantage this behavior will have in the game will vary depending on the game title. For example, in VALORANT, shooting accuracy is high when stationary, so it is advantageous to stop and shoot, but the rapid trigger works effectively because it stops and shoots as soon as it spots an enemy.
However, in the sense that turning input on and off can be made closer to the player’s sensations, this is probably an advantage for many action games. It moves when you want to move and stops when you want to stop, making it more responsive and moving closer to what the player envisioned.
By the way, when I tried inputting text with Rapid Trigger on, there were no particular problems and I was able to input normally. It feels a little strange because the keys respond faster than usual, but there is no need to consciously change the key input method.
If you don’t like this behavior outside of games, you can use the settings software provided by each manufacturer to switch profiles (device settings) between when playing games and outside of games.
You can prepare two keyboards, one for gaming and one for general use, but many gaming keyboards that support Rapid Trigger have highly durable switches and excellent key touch. I think it’s better to use one product to cover all your needs, even in the sense that it doesn’t take up too much space.
Rapid Trigger compatible products
From here, we will introduce products that claim to be compatible with Rapid Trigger at the time of writing this article. We will list as many products as possible that are available in Japan, including those that will be released soon, but there are also other products that we have announced that will be supported in future updates. The number of compatible products, including new products and updates, will likely increase in the future, so please pay attention to the latest information from each manufacturer.
Keyboards can now be updated with firmware, and more and more products are becoming compatible after release.
Rapid Trigger compatible products are attracting a lot of attention, and many products are out of stock. If there’s a product you want, it’s a good idea to carefully check the store’s stock status. With some exceptions, prices are posted on Amazon as of October 4th, but please note that prices are also unstable, possibly due to stock availability.
Razer「Huntsman Mini Analog」
Product Info
●Key layout: English layout ●Interface: Wired (USB) ●Body size: 293.3 x 103.3 x 36.8mm ●Weight: 446.5g ●Sale price: Around 19,800 yen
The one used in this explanation is a compact product called a 60% keyboard. It uses Razer analog optical switches and can use two-stage actuation, which allows one key to have two functions depending on the depth of the stroke. To use Rapid Trigger, you need to install the configuration software “Razer Synapse”.
Razer「Huntsman V2 Analog」
Product Info
●Key layout: Japanese layout/English layout ●Interface: Wired (USB) ●Body size: 446 x 141 x 45mm ●Weight: 1,240g ●Sale price: Around 42,900 yen
Full size version of “Huntsman Mini Analog”. This site has not only an English layout but also a Japanese layout. Comes with a magnetic leatherette wrist rest. There is a USB 3.0 port on the side that allows you to connect other USB devices. To use Rapid Trigger, you need to install the configuration software “Razer Synapse”.
Razer is scheduled to release a new version of this machine, the “Huntsman V3” series, this winter. Rapid triggers are now standard and can be adjusted on the keyboard, and the press pressure has been changed to a lighter 40g. In addition to full size and 60% size, a tenkeyless version is also available.
SteelSeries「Apex Pro」
Product Info
●Key layout: Japanese layout/English layout ●Interface: Wired (USB) ●Body size: 436.7 x 139.2 x 40.3mm ●Weight: 971g ●Sale price: Around 25,200 yen
Equipped with OmniPoint 2.0 HyperMagnetic switch using magnetic sensor. A 2-in-1 action key that has two functions in one key can be used. Equipped with a small organic EL display, settings can be changed only with this unit. It also has a USB port.
Although “Apex Pro” is full-sized, there are also series products that also support Rapid Trigger, such as “Apex Pro TKL” which does not have a numeric keypad, “Apex Pro Mini” which has a 60% keyboard, and “Apex Pro Mini Wireless” which has a 60% keyboard and is wireless. There is. Furthermore, there are products in each English layout, and the appeal of this machine is that you can choose the size and layout of your choice.
SteelSeries「Apex Pro TKL(2023)」
Product Info
●Key layout: Japanese layout/English layout ●Interface: Wired (USB) ●Body size: 355 x 128 x 42mm ●Weight: 960g ●Sales price: Around 29,700 yen
As the product name says 2023, it is a renewed version of “Apex Pro TKL”, and currently only the tenkeyless size is available. The OmniPoint 2.0 HyperMagnetic switch and rapid trigger support remain the same, but the housing is new and the size of some keys has been changed.
The wireless version “Apex Pro TKL Wireless (2023)” is also available in the lineup, and you can also choose an English layout.
Topre “REALFORCE GX1”
Product Info
●Key layout: Japanese layout/English layout ●Interface: Wired (USB) ●Body size: 365 x 143.1 x 38.2mm ●Weight: 1,300g ●Price: 33,000 yen
This is a numeric keypadless product from Topre’s “REALFORCE” series, which is known for its high-quality keyboards that use capacitive non-contact switches, and claims to be suitable for gaming. The keys are silent, and there are two types of pressing pressure: 45g and 30g for all keys, and you can choose between Japanese and English layouts. Equipped with a Kill Switch function that disables pressing the A and D keys at the same time.
Perhaps due to the original popularity of the “REALFORCE” series, all models of this machine are out of stock at the time of writing. They are currently planning to ship previous orders by mid-October, and are preparing to resume sales after that.
Wooting「Wooting 60HE」
Product Info
●Key layout: English layout ●Interface: Wired (USB) ●Body size: 302 x 116 x 38mm ●Weight: 605g ●Direct sales price: From 25,100 yen
A product developed by a Dutch venture company and said to be the pioneer of rapid triggers. 60% keyboard with English layout only. The layout is simple, but the yellow strap on the left side is unique.
Basically, it is purchased from a direct sales site, and the price starts from 25,100 yen. We can also ship to Japan, but shipping costs range from 3,200 to 6,300 yen depending on the shipping method.
DrunkDeer「DrunkDeer A75」
Product Info
●Key layout: English layout ●Interface: Wired (USB) ●Body size: 335 x 140 x 29mm ●Weight: 715g ●Sales price: Around 19,300 yen
A product that uses a magnetic switch. A 75% keyboard with an English layout and slightly smaller than a numeric keypad. Compatible with IP66 waterproof and dustproof. Although it seems to be a Hong Kong company, it is also sold on Amazon, and it is also attractive that it can be purchased at a low price from within Japan.
ELECOM “V_custom VK600A”
Product Info
●Key layout: Japanese layout/English layout ●Interface: Wired (USB) ●Body size: 322.4 x 124.7 x 36.2mm ●Weight: 662g ●Price: 22,980 yen
A new product scheduled to be released on October 18th, a 65% keyboard that uses magnetic analog switches. The pressing pressure is designed to gradually increase from 30g to 60g. Equipped with a 2nd action function that assigns two functions to one key. It also has a USB 2.0 port for connecting other devices. Available in two colors: white and black.
