Introduction:

We turn away many companies who offer keyboards for review primarily because most of them are rubbish, I have a nice collection right now mainly from eastern makers which have ended up as bookends. However many of you reading this will already have heard of the Wolf Claw Keyboard as it proves to be a little better thought out than most. Today I'm going to be looking at V2 of this board and putting it through its paces with a selection of First person shooter games.

"Developed together with the thinking caps of FPS gaming enthusiasts WOLF CLAW, the ultimate gaming keyboard for FPS gamers makes for fast, accurate and deadly moves in order to help you get ahead of your counterparts. Engineered to give you the ultimate experience, its one palm size fits all keys concept makes your movement even more professional and precise as opposed to a standard keyboard. Experts can now play more professionally and beginners will be able to adapt to FPS games much faster and easier!"

Firstly lets have a look at the specification list:
*Interface: USB, Plug and Play
*OS Requirements: Windows 98/ME, 2000, and XP
*85 Standard Keys
*40 Ergonomic Gaming Keys
*8 Internet Hot Keys
*2 USB Ports (total operating electric current should not exceed 200mA)
*Total Key Travel: 3.5 +/- 0.3mm
*Peak Tactile Force: 55 +/- 12.5 g
*Operating Temp: 10 C to 50C
*Storage Temp: -30C to 60C
*Operating Humidity: 20% to 90%
*Includes: Wolf Claw II keyboard, Driver Mini-Disc, Instruction Manual
*Dimensions (average): 20.75” (L) X 7.5” (D) X 1.25” (H) – Key Circle Diameter: 7”
*Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year, limited

So what's the big deal?

The WolfClaw keyboard is the creation of PD Scientific Pte, their goal with this product was to produce a high quality gaming keyboard offering a serious alternative for those users who find a traditional style keyboard cumbersome when gaming. The board we have today is a Revision 2, if you look at the pictures below you can see the original version compared with the updated board.

Type I (original)

Type 2

The first thing the more observant among you will notice is the refinement of the keys on the left hand side of the board, it is quite revoluntary in the fact it offers a vertically designed space bar. Compared to a standard keyboard the wolfclaw has removed the numeric pad section normally on the right side and "shifted" the main board to allow for the "FPS" section on the left. The keys on the left are the primary keys associated with FPS gaming, that being the WSAD movement keys with handy placement of R (normally reload), E,F (examine or talk), Z/X/C, crouching etc. The numeric keys 0-9 are positioned at the top in an "arc" shape to make in game weapon selection easier.

Most of us know the problems with most gaming keyboards is that under normal everyday conditions they are awkward to use and certainly not an ideal solution, in fact you are frequently compromising your comfort for slightly improved positions within games. In theory it is quite possible to use the Wolf Claw in a USB port alongside a traditional style keyboard, however not everyone will be overjoyed at the prospect of two keyboards on their desk.