Product test
The Azoth X is cool, but it lacks a vital feature in 2025
by Kevin Hofer
Ornata V2: The actually okay keyboard without a purchase recommendation
19.8.2020
Translation: machine translated
Razer's mecha membrane keyboard enters its second round with the Ornata V2. Despite a few new features, I'm not convinced by the actually-okay keyboard. A membrane keyboard remains a membrane keyboard - even if it "clicks" when you type.
Clack, clack, clack. It sounds like a mechanical keyboard. Similar to the Huntsman from Razer, which I use at work - minus the metallic reverberation caused by the aluminium casing. Logically, the Ornata V2 has a plastic casing.
A little keyboard basics
Under the keycaps on membrane keyboards - also known as "rubber domes" - is a rubber dome. When you press the key, you also press the rubber dome together. When you release it, the rubber springs back into its original position and so does the key.
Under the rubber are several foils - or membrane layers - hence the name "membrane keyboard". These ensure that your keystrokes are converted into electronic signals. Membrane keyboards are the most widely used keyboards. Your office keyboard is most likely a membrane keyboard.
With the Mecha Membrane Switch, Razer combines the membrane switch with a mechanical switch. This keyboard is not triggered by a mechanical signal, but by the membrane. The only mechanical part of the Ornata V2 is a wire that is pushed to the side when the key is pressed down, producing a clicking sound and providing haptic feedback.
How well does it work
As I described at the beginning, the typing feel on the Ornata is disconcerting. I say that as a mechanical switch snob. I need the feel of a Cherry MX Blue. That definitive click that tells me: "Congratulations! You pushed me!" If you like typing on a membrane keyboard, the Ornata might be for you. If not, you'll feel as uncomfortable as I do.
In fact, the Ornata does not always trigger when you hear and feel the click and snap of the wire, but only shortly afterwards. At least with some buttons. For some it works quite well. Membrane keyboards are not an exact science. As a trained humanities scholar, this shouldn't bother me, but it does.
The low-profile keycaps are beyond reproach. They are made of ABS and offer good grip in heated battles or when writing passive-aggressive Microsoft Teams messages. Less good is the fact that the keys have a relatively large amount of play and therefore rock back and forth. This is due to the relatively long stem of the switches.
What else the device can do
Although I'm not a fan of RGB, I really like the Chroma RGB backlighting on the Ornata. The entire membrane is evenly illuminated. It looks as if the keys have underbody lighting. Incidentally, you can also change the lighting with the Synapse software.
The textile-covered USB cable can be routed away from the keyboard in three ways - left, centre, right - on the back of the keyboard. However, you cannot remove it. At two metres long, the cable is probably long enough for most setups. In my case even too long. It would be nice if Razer had found a way to hide excess cable on the back.
Conclusion
Personally, I only see a small market for keyboards with hybrid keys like this. Either you like mechanical switches or membrane. However, the manufacturers seem to sell them, otherwise the Ornata V2 wouldn't exist. If the keyboard were for sale for 80 cent, I would give it a conditional recommendation. Conditionally, because as a mechanical switch snob, nothing but the right clack, clack, clack comes into question for me.
Kevin Hofer
Senior Editor
kevin.hofer@digitecgalaxus.chFrom big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.
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