best illuminated(/gaming) keyboards?

skanky

skanky

skanky

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21 Jul 2005
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my microsoft reclusa is slowing dying (..DYING!) and its time for me to consider an upgrade. i'm after an illuminated keyboard however i don't particularly need or care for extras like macro keys or the little lcd displays on specific logitech keyboards.

narrowing my options from reading around:

logitech illuminated keyboard
pros:
-the almighty logitech customer support
-soft wrist rest
-thin profile, but will it handle gaming abuse?
-can use setpoint as i need it for my g5 so no extra program to install
cons:
-white backlighting
-double height delete key
-most expensive option
-laptop style flatter keys, i have the logitech dinovo for my htpc (which i think uses the same type of keys) but don't know how it would hold up in gaming!
-reports are that it has no anti-ghost tech and is quite awful in this respect

microsoft x6
pros:
-red backlighting which aesthetically matches the drum kit and feature wall in my room :)
-standard keyboard layout, single height delete key etc
-anti ghosting tech
-detachable keypad, i hardly use the keypad at all tbh = space saving
cons:
-would have to install seperate app for macro control
-hard plastic wrist rest
-no legs to tilt keyboard (potentially a deal breaker, this)

microsoft x4
pros:
-red backlighting which aesthetically matches the drum kit and feature wall in my room :)
-cheapest option
-rubbery(?) wrist rest
-standard keyboard layout, single height delete key etc
-anti ghosting tech
cons:
-would have to install seperate app for macro control
-smaller "F" keys and apparently cramped layout?
-shiny dust catching glossly finish

..any opinions on those 3? am leaning towards the x4. the x6's lack of legs is a big no-no for me and reports that the logitech can't handle multiple keypresses comfortably is quite discouraging for a keyboard to be used for gaming..
 
why not the g510? its on offer this week i think and its a lovely keyboard - ive been using it for a month or so now and it is great for gaming and typing :)
 
did consider logitech gaming keyboard, the g510 is too big, bulky and quite expensive, moreso than the logitech illuminated which was the absolute limit i was looking at for a keyboard, which would also rule out pretty much all of the razer products :)

i have no need for the display or mountains of extra macro keys the logitech offers.
 
skanky said:
did consider logitech gaming keyboard, the g510 is too big, bulky and quite expensive, moreso than the logitech illuminated which was the absolute limit i was looking at for a keyboard, which would also rule out pretty much all of the razer products :)

i have no need for the display or mountains of extra macro keys the logitech offers.
Click to expand...

i see your point as i dont ever use the macro keys but as a gaming keyboard i love it.

nice keys and the lights at night ad a nice touch,you can have 100's of different light combinations to suit your mood.

dont discard this g510 as it is a lot better than the old g15 keyboards in my eyes.
 
I'd love to know where you heard that the LIK can't do gaming, because I use one and I play FPS games almost exclusively and have no problems. I even wrote a little app for key ghosting detection, so I can give you some feedback on what works and what not. And it has a gaming-optimised WSAD area to avoid key conflicts.

As far as the keyboard is concerned, I love it. it's main flaw however is how flat it rests on the desk, even with the feet down. I got used to it eventually, and I love its quietness and typing feel (like a firm laptop keyboard). And of course back light.

It's not obviously aimed at gaming, but it can do gaming, at least I have no issues with it. I'm also pretty ham fisted (especially in TF2), do about 10 hours gaming a week, and it's been solid as a rock (about 2 years). It's pretty stiff and heavier than it looks. One of the rubber feet glue gave up about two weeks ago, after an intense cleaning session. As for the key layout (del key and whatnot), meh, I just don't even notice it.

It's expensive, and it's not a full fat gaming keyboard but I can't fault it.
 
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I'll try that key combination when I get home. This is a pretty common combo in Mdeal Of Honour MW2. I don't recall having problems but we'll see :)

I know my Logitech Ultra X Premium has some annoying key ghosting.

EDIT : nope. Ultra X can do shift + W + space + ctrl :) I'll see the LIK later.
 
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Personally I like the Razer keyboards. They light up nicely and aren't cluttered with LCD displays, macro keys and all that other dross that is generally added to gaming keyboards.
 
been reading that the x4 can do red/blue, is it possible to change to a different colour when going into games for example?
 
do just want flashing lights? or an actual good keyboard?
if its the later look at the steelseries 6g or 7g - a lot of progamers use those, as good a recommendation as your ever get
 
i really like the X4, small criticism but the wrist rest is uselessly too small if the legs at the back are propped up to tilt the thing forward.

its not as heavy as the reclusa and i need to train myself that the key at the bottom left, isnt CTRL anymore!

compared to the reclusa, i think thats the better keyboard (for me as the wrist rest actually does it's job) but i probably need to get used to this one is all.. really digging the red though :)
 
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