Gaming Hardware For Day Traders!? Sure!

We would like to preface this piece by saying that firstly, those who have followed our work even through the TOC/POC phase of our systems will know we do not often openly promote products of any variety. In fact, with the exception of Gunnar Optics (who were kind enough to send us some promotional items), we have not openly promoted any products or services. Reason? In order to avert conflict of interest in so far as the information we share vis a vis the Evolution 4.0 and Evolution Ultra forecasting systems.

When we do make a specific product or service recommendation, it is usually the result of us using a product or service and having a great experience. Such is the case with Razer Gaming. In addition to the Tartarus game pad pictured here, we do use a fairly wide range of Razer peripherals with the Evolution 4.0 / Evolution Ultra systems. We will be the first to say that the build quality and functionality of Razer products has been as we so often say, top shelf. Not surprisingly, they look very cool also.

Now then, perhaps in one of our moments of excessive creativity, we decided to see if it was in fact possible to configure the Razer Tartarus game pad (designed primarly for “WASD” keyboard/mouse PC gamers), for Interactive Brokers TWS (trader work station) functionality. For those that have been following along, the simulated paper trading component of IB’s TWS has been our weapon of choice for configuring / testing various intraday / day trading algos of Evolution 4.0 and Evolution Ultra.

Results:

Success! It is possible and ironically enough, very reminiscent of the “Quotron” order entry and trading machines circa the 1980s and 1990s. As pictured in this article, the Razer “Synapse 2.0” software (free to download), allows a user to configure a rather wide variety of functions to the Razer Tartarus (and any other gaming mouse / keyboard that Razer makes). Functions include lighting patterns / colors (for RGB Chroma devices), as well as various mouse, keyboard, and programmatic commands. Additionally programmable “macros” allow a customizable complex series of keystrokes / mouse inputs to be performed with one button press. Given the fact that Razer Synapse 2.0 software is cloud based, the profile (in our instance here, TWS_IB is the profile name assigned to the button layout we have set), can be downloaded and used on any machine (that has a Tartarus plugged into it obviously). Of course this requires registering with an email / password combination prior to using the Synapse 2.0 software. Additionally, a specific program can be “linked” to a specific profile. In our example instance, the TWS_IB profile is activated when Interactive Brokers Trader Work Station is opened. (Note the TWS.exe program link in our Synapse 2.0 screen-cap).

The very customizable nature of Interactive Brokers TWS hot-key functionality combined with the Synapse 2.0 software means that layout-combinations / button functionality are effectively limitless.

For those that do enjoy a bit of PC gaming along with trading, it is possible to store several different profiles for one device. The three lights (and various combinations thereof) to the right of the keypad denote which profile is active at any given time. Synapse 2.0 allows the cloud-based storage of up to eight profiles per user account. Additionally, the version of the Tartarus we have is the “classic” or “original”, which means only green back-lighting. More recently Razer has introduced a “Chroma RGB” version which sports 16 million color, fully customizable static / animated / reactive lighting profiles. Those that watch our market update videos will often see various animated keyboard lighting in the background. Yep, that’s Razer stuff and we will say that the look of the RGB Chroma stuff is beyond cool.

Overall we have to say for those that day / swing trade, a game pad style entry system is not a “must have” by any means. However, when adding up the often difficult to quantify factors of convenience, functionality and outright cool factor… it may as well be in the must have category.

Once again, we have used Interactive Brokers Trader WorkStation, though depending on the hot-key / keystroke functionality / flexibility of platforms such as Thinkorswim, Options Express, E-Trade Elite, amongst many others, largely the same results can be achieved. For those thinking “what about the dreaded fat finger / erroneous trade” vis a vis one button click (or mis-click for that matter), our configuration is as such:

Despite there being the option to “one click prepare / transmit” orders in TWS, we have gone with the lower left space-bar like button as “enter/transmit”. This means that at minimum two key-strokes are required to transmit or alter an order. Opening websites, charts, and non-order specific functionality is however are “one click” commands. Finally, the “pre-set” order buttons can be programmed from within TWS for a specific product / specific size for those that frequently trade the same equities, FOREX, options, etc. In our configuration we have set ours for $NUGT and $JNUG (not surprisingly).

That said, again, we do not often promote products but we do like to share interesting discoveries that we make along the way in the land of technology. At the time this piece was produced we have no affiliation with Interactive Brokers or Razer Gaming other than being very satisfied / happy customers. As a side note, we are surprised more day / swing traders (who often have custom built computers) do not have top shelf peripherals to match.

Note: We will be making the profile we set up for IB available for download to get those that either have a Tartarus or who are considering purchasing one a place to start. As one might imagine, there the option to import / export profiles by way of the Synapse 2.0 software.

(PS their audio gear is phenomenal as well. In fact, nearly all the radio interviews I’ve done thusfar in addition to our more recent “market update” pieces were done using a Razer Blackshark gaming headset).

For additional information please feel free to visit:

Razerzone.com