Shurikey Gear Hanzo EC V2 001 Mechanical Keyboard Review

The Shurikey Gear Hanzo EC V2 001 is a mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX Blue switches. It has a full key rollover and anti-ghosting capability, allowing for quick and precise typing. This model also includes RGB backlighting and a USB 2.0 pass-through port for connecting other devices to the keyboard.

The cheap mechanical keyboard is a review of the Shurikey Gear Hanzo EC V2 001. It has a sleek design and features RGB backlighting.

The Shurikey Gear Hanzo EC V2 001 has been put to the test. Shurikey is an untested new manufacturer financed through IndieGoGo, however after conducting some research, it seems that Shurikey is a sister business of Varmillo, a well-known Key Switch manufacturer. Will the Shurikey Gear Hanzo be a worthy competitor in an already crowded market, or a crowdfunded disaster?

Specifications

• 65 percent US ANSI layout
• Full N-Key rollover anti-ghosting
• 6ft/1.8m cable length
• Varmilo EC V2 is the kind of key switch. Ivy, Sakura, Rose, or Daisy are your options.
• USB Type-C/Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
• Only white light is used for backlighting. The brightness may be adjusted using the control knob on the keyboard.

What’s in the package, exactly?

The Shurikey Hanzo EC V2 001 comes with a complete bundle. Everything is well-protected and wrapped in plastic bags. Even if the keyboard is being sent from another country, you won’t have to worry about it being damaged in transportation. The following items are included in the Shurikey Hanzo EC V2 001 box:

• Mechanical Keyboard Shurikey Hanzo EC V2
• Puller for keycaps
• Type-C USB cable
• Warranty Card for a Year
• Various extra keycaps to replace the branded ones that come standard.
• Faceplate (spare)
• Stickers of Shurikey

Setup

The Shurikey Hanzo EC V2 001 is ready to use right out of the box. This keyboard, unlike many mechanical keyboards from major brands like Corsair or Razer, lacks a software package. This is a welcome change from proprietary software packages, which may be confusing and poorly designed, with some even affecting your system’s performance.

It’s nearly as simple to pair the keyboard with your phone through Bluetooth. Simply press the function key and “W” to bring up the keyboard on your device of choice, then type in the code that appears on the keyboard and press enter. When Windows cooperates, everything runs well. For maximum multi-device productivity, the Shurikey Hanzo EC V2 001 may be connected to three Bluetooth devices at once, with each device tied to “Q,” “W,” or “E” for quick switching.

Design

In terms of design, the Shurikey Hanzo EC V2 001 is mainly simple and practical. It is, nevertheless, created with individuality. Shurikey makes no apologies in its aesthetics, with additional colorways also available in intriguing and bold combinations. As much as I love neutrally designed PC peripherals, such as WASD keyboards or the legendary Ducky brand, Shurikey makes no apologies in its aesthetics. Despite the fact that the 001 model’s color palette is called “Vintage Computer,” it seems more like a monotone nerf gun or a JCB excavator with a Yellow and Grey color scheme. There are two additional color schemes available: 002 “Western Desert” and 003 “Arcade Game,” both of which are just as strange and amazing as the one we got.

It features a conventional 65 percent layout with thin bezels and, fortunately, no inescapable gaudy branding. Some of the keycaps include the Shurikey logo, but there are also blank caps included for those who want to be brand-neutral. Although, owing to its unique modular housing and kickstand-style height adjustment, keyboard specialists will immediately identify this board. If you want to see more of the design, go over to Shurikey Gear’s Instagram page.

Create a high-quality product

The Shurikey Hanzo EC V2 001 keyboard is surprisingly robust, considering that every external surface on the keyboard is plastic, with the exception of the height adjuster on the sides and bottom of the chassis. It’s also a satisfyingly hefty piece of gaming hardware, with rubberized gripping feet that keep it rock-solid on any desk surface. Surprisingly, the faceplates have a fragile feel about them. When the keyboard is fully tightened, however, everything comes into place, and each component supports the others, resulting in a very durable keyboard. The double-shot ABS keycaps provide a quality feel for ABS, which is typically a cheap choice compared to PBT.

There are just two settings on the kickstand-style height adjuster: totally flat and slightly higher than fully flat. There is a way to achieve a happy medium, but it necessitates turning the handle style stand up against the USB Type-C connection. We wouldn’t suggest it since it seems that prolonged use may stretch the cable and cause harm to the port. This is a bit of a letdown, since it simply serves to restrict an otherwise well-built keyboard. If you want to be more adventurous, you may remove the whole handle.

The Shurikey Hanzo EC V2 001 is very good for a retail price of $129. If you missed the previous tier, you can purchase this board for $99 or $109 on their IndieGoGo page.

Typing Proficiency

The Shurikey Hanzo EC V2 001 is a joy to type on, thanks to the Varmilo Ivy EC V2 switches. It’s also smoother and more solid than the standard Cherry MX Blue as a clicky, tactile switch. To be honest, we’ve grown to like this keyboard to the point that we’ll be sorry to see it leave.

It’s worth mentioning that, unlike other popular 65 percent choices, the Shurikey Gear Hanzo’s switches are not hot-swappable. Because of the common “+” stem, you may modify the keycaps as much as you like. If you want to personalize your keyboard any further, go elsewhere or pick carefully since you’ll be stuck with the switches regardless of whatever choice you choose.

Furthermore, the stabilizers are pre-lubed right out of the box. Wider keys, such as the spacebar and enter, move smoothly and with minimal wobbling as a result of this. Apart from the rather basic kickstand, there were no problems with the comfort of the Shurikey Hanzo EC V2 001 when evaluating it.

Gaming Capabilities

The Shurikey Hanzo EC V2 001 was put through its paces in Apex Legends, dying over and over again. The Varmilo Ivy EC Switch V2s were the particular Key Switch in our evaluation sample. Even for First Person Shooters, these keys are quick and easy to use, with a 50g actuation force. However, they only need a little amount of force to activate, which is a plus since you’d have to be very clumsy to hit a key and do anything stupid in front of the whole lobby with this keyboard.

Overall, the keyboard offered an excellent gaming experience. Despite hours of continuous and frantic typing, the keycaps felt sturdy and smooth, and the board itself remained rooted and firm. The volume control knob on the top right of the keyboard also came in useful, as we all know how unreliable game volume mixing can be, so having volume control only a few millimeters away from the right hand is a big plus.

Switches for keys

The Shurikey Hanzo EC V2 001 comes with EC V2 Key Switches from Varmilo, Shurikey’s sister business. You may choose from the Ivy, Sakura, Rose, or Daisy subtypes for this keyboard. Each one provides a unique typing experience. The clicky and tactile Ivy was included in the marketing sample we received.

The EC V2 switches feature an unusual design: they’re electro capacitive, as opposed to conventional MX-style switches, which use two conductive metal plates or “leaves” to complete a circuit at the actuation point. The electrical signal between two plates that never make contact is measured by the EC V2 switch type. As they get closer, the signal intensifies until it reaches a preset threshold, at which point the keyboard registers the keystroke. The primary advantage is that the plates are well protected from wear and strain. As a consequence, the switch has a much longer lifetime than a conventional leaf construction. Check out ThereminGoat’s in-depth analysis of the EC-V2 switches if you’re interested in key switch engineering and design.

The switches have a great feel to them; the previous two keyboards we tested were Cherry MX Browns and Razer Greens. It outperforms both the Cherry MX Brown and Razer Green switches. The tactileity is more definite and pleasant in your hands than the very popular Cherry MX Browns, and the auditory click is much crisper than the Razer Green.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Shurikey has a small but growing community that you may join on their Discord server.

The Final Word

Shurikey’s Hanzo EC V2 001 is a full-featured keyboard. It excels at both games and everyday office tasks. The switches are fantastic. The feedback and tactility are superior than any prior Key Switches we’ve tried. The keyboard is well-engineered and constructed, and the plastic shell adds to the overall stiffness and durability. The setup procedure is straightforward and practical; it contains just what you need and eliminates any superfluous frills.

The gaming performance is outstanding, with a fast reaction time. The ergonomics are good, however the kickstand isn’t really adjustable in height. In this instance, a more conventional foot type approach would have been preferable. The USB Type-C cable that comes with the device is standard. It’s completely functional, but it’s not as high-end as other options, with braided and coiled cables increasingly becoming the standard for PC peripherals.

If this review has piqued your interest, you can find out more about the Shurikey Hanzo EC V2 001 on Indiegogo.

Pros

• Key Switches with a Satisfying Feel
• The structure is very durable.
• Gaming performance that is responsive
• Setup is simple and quick.

Cons

• There isn’t much room for adjustment.
• The USB Type-C cord that comes with the device seems cheap.

5/5

Related Tags

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