Gen 2 switches have lower quality and cause some problems like double typing letters for example so it's more like huge downgrade from gen 1 to gen 2. Answer from Deleted User on reddit.com
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Razer
razer.com › home › unleashing precision: the razer analog optical switches gen-2
Razer Analog Optical Switches Gen 2: Precision Redefined
September 27, 2024 - Rigorous testing on the Huntsman V3 Pro line armed with our Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 has shown an astounding average of just 1.7ms ensuring your gameplay remains uninterrupted and responsive, even in the most intense gaming sessions.
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Razer
razer.com › ca-en › technology › razer-analog-optical-switch
Razer Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 for Keyboards | Razer Canada
At medium actuation heights, the switches are a well-rounded option for general gaming as they offer a good balance of speed and weight. At full actuation height, the switches require deeper keystrokes which can feel more solid and satisfying, ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/razer › difference between gen-1 and gen-2 optical analog switches?
r/razer on Reddit: Difference Between Gen-1 and Gen-2 Optical Analog Switches?
June 13, 2024 -

Hey everyone!

I’ve been looking to downsize my keyboard from the Huntsman Elite to a Huntsman Mini. I used prefer the clicky optical (purple) switches, but I am in love with my friend’s optical analog switches on his huntsman and I am ready to make the change! I noticed the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini comes standard with the Gen-2 switches and original Huntsman Mini has an “analog version” with the Gen-1 switches. Currently, the V3 Pro Mini is listed for $179.99 and the original Mini Analog is listed for $79.99 (on discount from $149.99).

My major questions before purchasing are…

  1. What are the differences between the Optical Analog Gen-1 Switches and the Optical Analog Gen-2 Switches?

  2. Is the difference large enough to justify the current $100 difference between the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini and the Huntsman Mini Analog?

  3. Are there any other notable differences between the two keyboards beyond the Gen-1 to Gen-2 switch upgrade?

I’ve looked around the internet and couldn’t find much help on this topic. Thank you for reading and replying! Have a good day :)

Top answer
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Gen 2 switches have lower quality and cause some problems like double typing letters for example so it's more like huge downgrade from gen 1 to gen 2.
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Razer
razer.com › home › the choice of pro players: razer’s analog optical switches vs hall effect switches
The Choice of Pro Players: Razer’s Analog Optical Switches vs Hall Effect Switches - Razer Newsroom Analog Optical Switches vs Hall Effect Switches
June 5, 2025 - Our Analog Optical Switches not ... V3 Pro line armed with our Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 has shown an astounding average of just 1.7ms of response time....
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RTINGS
rtings.com › home › keyboard › reviews › razer › huntsman v2 analog
Razer Huntsman V2 Analog Review - RTINGS.com
March 5, 2021 - The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog is an exceptional gaming keyboard that features Analog Optical switches. These switches allow you to adjust the pre-travel distance ...
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Razer
insider.razer.com › keyboards-8 › arerazer-analog-optical-switches-gen-2-hot-swappable-65984
AreRazer Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 hot-swappable? | Razer Insider
Top answer
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Not soldered, so they’re hot swappable… but there’s no clicky switch alternative (right now).
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Not soldered, so they’re hot swappable… but there’s no clicky switch alternative (right now).Thanks for the quick reply~ Would Razer purple optical switches be somehow compatible? I’m not sure if there is an optical version of purple switches on the market now as they are from some ten years ago.. To be able to take out the current switches, do I have to remove the top panel first or I can use the switch removal tool and go directly ahead pulling them up? Just don’t want to damage the pcb or the switches.. Thanks again!
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Razer
razer.com › home › technology › the definitive advantage: understanding razer analog optical switch technology
The Definitive Advantage: Understanding Razer Analog Optical Switch Technology - Blog
December 2, 2025 - Razer Analog Optical Switches deliver faster, more precise, and reliable control for competitive gaming.
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Vortez
vortez.net › news_story › razer_introduces_analog_optical_switches_gen_2.html
Razer Introduces Analog Optical Switches Gen-2
Hundreds and thousands of hours were poured in the prototyping phase, and it was only through countless feedback and constant improvements, that we were able to achieve the sweet spot with the Razer Analog Optical Switches Gen-2, capable of Rapid Trigger of up to 0.1mm sensitivity, and Adjustable Actuation through the full travel distance of 0.1mm – 4.0mm.
Find elsewhere
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/razer › razer huntsman v2 analog or linear optical?
r/razer on Reddit: Razer huntsman v2 analog or linear optical?
November 9, 2021 -

I’m trying to figure out if these 2; what one to get - the analog version or the newer linear optical red switch version? Thoughts?

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I was just at Micro Center and tried all of the display keyboards. I actually did NOT want it to be clicky, wanted it to be as quiet as possible and feel the best. Got the Huntsman V2 with Linear Optical Red Switches and it’s the best keyboard I’ve ever had. I love typing on it.
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razer huntsman analog v2 or linear optical switch The analog are normally 329 and on sale for 229$. The linear optical is 249$
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Guru3D
guru3d.com › home › archive › april 2024 › razer launches gen-2 analog optical switches with enhanced features for gaming keyboards
Razer Launches Gen-2 Analog Optical Switches with Enhanced Features for Gaming Keyboards
April 18, 2024 - These switches, first introduced ... Razer Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 offer a customizable actuation point ranging from 0.1 to 4.0 mm, an improvement over the previous generation....
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Razer
razer.com › ca-en › gaming-keyboards › razer-huntsman-v2-analog
Analog Optical Gaming Keyboard - Razer Huntsman V2 Analog | Razer Canada
Equipped with Razer's latest and most advanced switches, the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog redefines the limits of what a gaming keyboard can do.
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Razer
insider.razer.com › keyboards-8 › difference-between-analog-optical-gen-2-and-gen-1-64616
Difference between Analog optical Gen 2 and Gen 1 | Razer Insider
April 1, 2024 - Long story short, my Huntsman V2 Pro has water damage or something and I want to upgrade to an analog keyboard specifically for playing games like Rocket league and Forza Horizon 5. I saw that Razer released a new Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless and I was wondering what’s different about Gen 2? The descr...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/razer › red linear optical switches - 1st gen vs 2nd gen
r/razer on Reddit: Red Linear Optical Switches - 1st Gen vs 2nd Gen
August 14, 2020 -

I am currently trying to figure out two questions.

(1) Which Razer keyboards currently have the Gen 2 Red Linear Optical Switches?

(2) What are the specs of the Gen 2 Red Linear Optical Switches?

(3) If the Huntsman Mini is indeed the ONLY Razer keyboard with Gen 2 Red switches... why?

Here's why I've been a bit confused. I purchased a Huntsman Elite with the Red Linear switches last month "assuming" it would be Gen 2. However, it appears that I may have been mistaken and that perhaps the ONLY Razer Keyboards to have Gen 2 Red Switches are the Huntsman Mini.

There is a YouTube video by Chyrosan22 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2TTDzzzjNE&t=623s) and at the 5:12 mark he says that he had received some specs from Razer in which they claim the Huntsman Mini has 1.0m actuation distance and 45g force in the "New" switches vs 1.0m actuation distance and 37g force in the "Old" switches.

According to the Razer webpage, however, the Huntsman Mini Gen 2 switches should have 1.2mm actuation distance and 48g actuation force.

Top answer
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It is the only one with the red switches V2 which have the actual true actuation distance stated and are quite without pinging
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Well you are not the only one confused about the info out there. the youtube channel HardwareCanucks, they just released a video 31 . jan.21. Where they list the specs. Actuation force of 45g, and actuation point 1.0. I do not know if it is the same as actuation distance.
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Razer
insider.razer.com › keyboards-8 › razer-analog-switches-gen1-vs-gen2-51791
razer analog switches gen1 vs gen2 | Razer Insider
July 27, 2023 - Hi, I have bought the razer huntsman mini analog cause all the v3 ones are out of stock. Apparently the one I ordered has gen1. What is the difference b...