Gaming keyboards.... Any good..?

iv-tecman

iv-tecman

iv-tecman

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Is this keyboard really any good -

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-187-LG&tool=3

Its a tad expensive but I'm currently using a MS Wireless 5000 keyboard and its really giving a lot of problems... It tends to lag with just about anything, even typing can be a chore with a wireless on my rig...

So going back to USB and considering a gaming keyboard - even though I don't play a lot of games with keyboard, mostly as my wireless keyboard is rubbish..

I've got Mass Effect 1 & 2 from a steam sale I never played as it doesn't support gamepad, yet when I tried to play Mass Effect it lagged badly so I quit..!! lol

Are these keyboards worth the extra or should i just go and buy a cheap old USB keyboard? Maybe if I got a decent keyboard I'd play more games with keyboard..
 
Going from wireless to wired will make a big difference, in my experience.

Not sure about gaming keyboards, I've always used a comfortable compact keyboard which does the job well.
 
If you dont play a lot of games with keyboard, why not go for the G11? I personally have the G11 and its been great too me. I use the macrokeys a lot and I find the keys themselves comfortable to use, even when typing a lot. Might be an idea.
 
Wow whats the chances?

I just bought a gaming keyboard yesterday, and used for hours last night (after years of standard logitech thing). I bought a 'steel series' stealth.

This : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-018-ST

Advantages:

Illuminates in the dark so you can see your keys
Has quicker 'pickup' and stuff although I can't really see the difference.
The 'movement arrow thingies on the left'

Disadvantages:

Takes up more desk space.
Actually WORSE for typing documents I'm afraid (!!!) - no dedicated 'delete' key (can you believe), instead it shares a 'number pad' number .. so either have number pad OR have delete OR keep flipping between them -- hopeless for Microsoft excel work ..

Takes significant getting used to.


So the -BIG- thing is getting used to it. When your hands are on the left-hand-side movement keys the 'R' key (normally reload in FPS) is a LOT further to your right as the 'E' key is so big. On a normal keyboard it is about the equivelent of where the 'T' is. Takes a bit of explanation!


hand on heart, I can't really tell the difference between my super duper gaming keyboard and what I had :( If I was you I'd borrow a mates wired £7 keyboard for a couple of days as that will probably suit you OK ..
 
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In my experience, i've only found gaming equipment (mice/keyboards) useful if you play genres like MMO's or RPG's in which you can use the macro buttons for loads of different things.

Never really tested it with FPS, i imagine that the mouse makes more difference in FPS though..

RTS, i find that that keyboard needs to be more comfortable to use than anything, For me its more about the key layout etc.
for example, I have a G15 Keyboard, used that for Starcraft for a while but couldn't get on with it, switched back to a crappy HP standard wired keyboard and it feels much better. Saying that, i am thnking about upgrading to one of the new Razor BlackWidow's.. again though, its more for layout than the macro buttons etc...
 
Can't find a G11 - most outlets are out of stock or say its been discontinued.

Seems a gaming keyboard isn't being recommended, might be better off going for a USB keyboard that has a wrist support etc..

Either way, I’m ditching wireless as its near on useless – even for basic typing.
 
Yea wireless is only good for 1 thing - looking pretty on a clean minimalistic desk.
 
I have never used gaming keyboards personally, still got a ps2 one in fact, works just find on all games never had a problem hitting macros,
I would suggest getting any wired keyboard over wireless for games however.
Also buy one just to play mass effect 1 and 2 awesome games.
I would spend money on a decent gaming mouse before keyboard any day.
 
LiE said:
Yea wireless is only good for 1 thing - looking pretty on a clean minimalistic desk.
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Have to agree with this... Been struggling for nearly two years with this wireless keyboard, and quite frankly I'm shocked I've put it with it for so long.

Its never been any good, but problem is I've just had a bit of a shift around in the computer room and now where the wireless keyboard sits the signal is even worse and I can't even type without lag.. How bad is that?

Being thrown in the bin once I get a new keyboard. found a MS sidewinder X4 for less then £30... Looks decent, and its wired..

Can't believe how many wireless keyboards out there.. Like you say, its just to look pretty with less clutter and cables... Shame they don't work.

Might be able to finally play mass effect.. lol
 
For £80 it would have to be a mechanical keyboard for me. I recently got a Filco mechanical keyboard with cherry brown switches and it is so nice to type on it's ridiculous. It's pretty basic, doesn't have any macro keys or anything but it has solid build quality and the keys are amazing. I didn't think it would feel this nice to type on a keyboard. :p

They're pretty expensive but I imagine it's the only keyboard you'll ever need to buy since mechanical ones last so long.
 
Going to maybe go with the £30 MS Sidewinder X4 TBH. Its cheap, has backlit keys to see in the dark lol and its wired and has a rest etc....

A bog standard USB keyboard can be had for as little as £10 but I don't mind paying £30 as to be fair, the MS wireless keyboard keys are fine, its the signal..


£80 for a keyboard is a lot, even £30 isn't cheap as chips, but thats £50 cheaper and I'm sure it'll be a decent keyboard - its had fairly decent reviews. I really do want something with a rest though, my existing keyboard has this and I would miss it. The Sidewinder X4 looks to be fitting the bill in both price, features and its wired.

So, maybe I can finally play Mass Effect eh? Never now, I might even play some fps with it eh? lol
 
H2F Scott said:
For £80 it would have to be a mechanical keyboard for me. I recently got a Filco mechanical keyboard with cherry brown switches and it is so nice to type on it's ridiculous. It's pretty basic, doesn't have any macro keys or anything but it has solid build quality and the keys are amazing. I didn't think it would feel this nice to type on a keyboard. :p

They're pretty expensive but I imagine it's the only keyboard you'll ever need to buy since mechanical ones last so long.
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Yeah looking at getting the enw Blackwidow when its released, the cheaper version though :)... which is still £80 ! lol

iv-tecman said:
Going to maybe go with the £30 MS Sidewinder X4 TBH. Its cheap, has backlit keys to see in the dark lol and its wired and has a rest etc....

A bog standard USB keyboard can be had for as little as £10 but I don't mind paying £30 as to be fair, the MS wireless keyboard keys are fine, its the signal..


£80 for a keyboard is a lot, even £30 isn't cheap as chips, but thats £50 cheaper and I'm sure it'll be a decent keyboard - its had fairly decent reviews. I really do want something with a rest though, my existing keyboard has this and I would miss it. The Sidewinder X4 looks to be fitting the bill in both price, features and its wired.

So, maybe I can finally play Mass Effect eh? Never now, I might even play some fps with it eh? lol
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If its just for Mass Effect then any keyboard will do.. the MSx4 is nice and solid, you won't need another one for a long time! :)
 
Indie said:
If its just for Mass Effect then any keyboard will do.. the MSx4 is nice and solid, you won't need another one for a long time! :)
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not just for Mass Effect, I need a keyboard where I can, erm type without a delay or lag.. lol. and I've got Mass Effect 2 as well don't forget. Bloody steam sales. A few quid for a game sounds great, until you then notice that you need new kit to play it... lol

I really do from now onwards hate wireless keyboards. Nice to hear the X4 is a solid keyboard, that'll do me. I'll get the order in for one. Then, I'm going to take pleasure in throwing the wireless keyboard right out the window.

Honestly, its being launched.. !! Sodding thing.. Truly horrid bit of kit.
 
Thought of trying a gamepad like the Zboard fang or Belkin n52e? I have a Saitek Eclipse v1 and a Zboard fang and I only really use the keyboard for actual typing.
 
im thinking of a gaming keyboard to tecman, been looking at the G15 it looks great but just not sure wheather to depart £60 for it :D. Im using an apple mac keyboard at the mo and it feels great to type, dont no wat to do!
 
liamcrane said:
im thinking of a gaming keyboard to tecman, been looking at the G15 it looks great but just not sure wheather to depart £60 for it :D. Im using an apple mac keyboard at the mo and it feels great to type, dont no wat to do!
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On the G15, it depends on what you're using it for. Probably great for WoW with all of its function keys. But after playing with it last week, imho it's terrible for FPS/RTS gameplay.

Was playing CoD:MW and Starcraft 2, and honestly my bog-standard Dell keyboard is so much nicer. :(
 
Had my G11 for a few months now and dont think I ever want to change. Can be found for around £40. Also MX518 is a great mouse, glides so smoothly. Hate when I go back into work and actually have to use the office equipment
 
So are wireless mice no good either, as i've had zero issues with the mouse from the MS 5000 wireless set, its the keyboard I find truly woeful..

I've got a Sidewinder X4 on order, should I consider a new mouse as well?

I know when I tried to play mass effect the problem I had was the constant pausing when I tried to walk.. Pressing the keys to move around was jerky, it was clearly not registering quick enough... but using the mouse was perfectly fine..

I'll be honest, when I'm not PS3 gaming the gaming I do on PC is with a PS3 DS3 gamepad emulated as a 360 gamepad. Sadly not all PC games have native gamepad support..

I got COD MW in a steam sale as well, I tried to create a gamepad key mapping to enable me to play the game without keyboard... doesn't work, not enough aim assist... I got well and truly owned by the games AI - on easy mode.. Laughable really..!!
 
Alex74 said:
On the G15, it depends on what you're using it for. Probably great for WoW with all of its function keys. But after playing with it last week, imho it's terrible for FPS/RTS gameplay.

Was playing CoD:MW and Starcraft 2, and honestly my bog-standard Dell keyboard is so much nicer. :(
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Hi matey what did you not like about it? What is the main purpose of the G keys on these boards? can you programme any combo into them like for example i am playing stalker at the mo and "to crouch" you have to press ctrl & shift would i be able to programme the G key to do this?
 
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