Gaming Keyboards.....

[SMiles]

I am just curious about what you guys think about gaming keyboards. I have been thinking about getting one lately, but I still haven't completely convinced myself that they are worth it.

The few I have been looking at are:

Razer: Lycosa/tarrantula

logitech: G-series keyboards

Saitek: Ecclipse/cyborg

Deck: Legend/82

If you guys have any comments/opinions/experience with any of the above keyboards, and or keyboards in general then feel free to throw in your 2 cents, use correct change please...

-SMiles

 

[Plork]

I just got a Saitek Eclipse II yesterday at Circuit City. My only complaint is that the space bar seems to sit a little high but I'm sure I'll get used to it. Previously I had a Z-board but I never liked the inserts for them. The thing broke on me after a year too which kind of sucked. I wanted a Razer Lycosa, but for the deal I got on the Saitek, I'm happy. Plus, it's all lit up. Yay led's.

 

[blackhawksniper]

I have a cyborg keyboard. I like the metal plated WASD and space bar. Also, i like how it disables the windows key in gaming mode and has 12 programmable keys.


*moved to tech talk*

 

[Ducttape]

I have the Saitek Cyborg muself. No real complaints after about, what? 7 months of use.

Pros: very sturdy, solid construction, multi-lighting/brightness configurations (I love the TF2 Orange color scheme), built-in usb ports

Cons: it's big, macros can be a little hard to program (poor user documentation), kids LOVE to play with the lighting options on this thing (every time I walk out of the room and come back it's different)

 

[Munkypoo7]

Logitech G-15 here

Best part about it, is that is actually somewhat small compared to the other "gaming" keyboards ^^

 

[Evil-Jester]

g15 FTW or the g19 but the g15 is only like 85-90$ and the g19 is 200

 

[SMiles]

Thanks for the help everybody!, unfortunately the logitech series wont work for me. I just looked at the specs and figured out the display thing wouldnt fit under my desk(i have one of those keyboard drawer things....I would love to get one of the saitek's but I am looking for something with a blue backlight....so that leaves me with the razer or the deck....hmmmm lol.

The deck has a 30 day no questions asked full money back guarantee. SO I think I am going to try one out and see if it is really worth the huge price tag. If it isn't I will send it back and go for the razer.....

Thanks again for all the help!

P.S. when the deck gets here I will post and let you guys know what I think

 

[Evil-Jester]

as a uber gamer if i get a new keyboard and its NOT the g15 i would go with the Razer Lycosa™ Gaming Keyboard

 

[SMiles]

I have a feeling that's what I will end up doing unless the deck knocks my socks off....

 

[pillar]

well i myself have a saitek eclipse II & I LOVE it!!! ive been using this keyboard for almost 2 years now & only the D, C, V, & Enter key have faded a little, but nothing major. thats why I LOVE this keyboard. not to mention that I got it for $40 w/ free shipping, so that always helps.

 

[spooky]

Had a Saitek Eclipse keyboard and ever since I switched to a Logitech S520 (regular slim wireless keyboard) I have wondered why I even bothered buying a "gaming" keyboard. The Saitek's buttons were harder to push down compared to the Logitech and looks hideous, IMO.

end rant.

So if I were you I would just buy a keyboard that fits your needs. Let me add that I paid around $70 for the Eclipse which was bought years ago and I bought the Logitech for $40 and it came with a mouse!

 

[Stinky Wizzleteats]

I used a g15v1 for yrs until it finally gave out & I moved to the razer lycosa which has a fantastic feel to it, however if you can manage to find one & have room for it, the g15v1 is an awesome kb

 

[SMiles]

I have wondered why I even bothered buying a "gaming" keyboard

That was one of my concerns at first, whether or not gaming keyboard was really necessary?...

I used a g15v1 for yrs until it finally gave out & I moved to the razer lycosa which has a fantastic feel to it, however if you can manage to find one & have room for it, the g15v1 is an awesome kb

I would like to get a original blue g15, but it wouldnt work with my desk.....
I have one of those under desk keyboard trays

 

[HeavenKiller]

I opted for the other route... to keep my current keyboard and snagged a G13 game board to game with... it is a good size and functional, and if I need anything off my keyboard while gamin, it is still there... very sleek and easy to use...

 

[Evil-Jester]

0O0O0O0O0O0O get this one its the g15v1 without a screen its the ........ G11 ----> http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/285&cl=us,en

 

[SMiles]

0O0O0O0O0O0O get this one its the g15v1 without a screen its the ........ G11 ----> http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/285&cl=us,en

that is definitely a possibility, i didn't even know they made one without a screen. I already ordered the deck, so if it turns out I don't like it I think that is probly the one I will get. Does anybody know if you have to install any software or drivers to get the back lighting to work on the logitech models?

I ask that because I read that in order to use the backlights on the razer keyboards you have to turn it on through their software, which isnt very appealing to me.

Here is the deck I ordered, if I don't like it I plan on sending it back:

http://deckkeyboards.com/catalog/product_deck_ice_legend.php?cPath=0_21&products_id=52


The main thing that gets me all hot and bothered about the deck is that they encourage users to mod their boards. They even tell you how to take it apart
The best part is that as long as you dont make a hack job of it, they will still honor the warranty even though you modded it.....

 

[I-Die-Often]

I have the G15... very nice... I don't like the red or blue illuminated keyboards as they are harsh to the eyes.... I like the soft amber glow of the new G15s... I would have bought this keyboard without the screen just because the color is so much better in the dark...

 

[I-Die-Often]

Had a Saitek Eclipse keyboard and ever since I switched to a Logitech S520 (regular slim wireless keyboard) I have wondered why I even bothered buying a "gaming" keyboard. The Saitek's buttons were harder to push down compared to the Logitech and looks hideous, IMO.

end rant.

So if I were you I would just buy a keyboard that fits your needs. Let me add that I paid around $70 for the Eclipse which was bought years ago and I bought the Logitech for $40 and it came with a mouse!

Having played with both of Saitek's boards.... ummm.... they are crap compared to the offerings from Logitech.... the Cyborg breaks very easily and the keys are sticky as all get out.

 

[Sn1PeR]

I use a Razer Lycosa mirrored edition, and love it! I was already used to the low profile keys, and wouldn't ever go back.

 

[Sn1PeR]

Some pics of my all razer fanboy setup