Keyboard and mouse advice

stevetuk

stevetuk

stevetuk

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Joined
24 May 2012
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78
I'm looking at getting my hands on a top end keyboard and mouse for my rig.

Keyboard

I'm reading a lot about the benefits of mechanical keyboards so I've explored that quite a bit and understand the Cherry MX differences.

I will be using my PC for a balance of typing and gaming. Gaming is split between RTS/MMO and FPS. I like games in each genre.

I think Cherry MX Brown is the way to go for a balance between typing and gaming. Does this sound right?

I've heard exceptional things about Das Keyboard, but also about Filco. So the two I'm looking at closest are:

1. Das Keyboard Professional S (soft - with brown mx)
2. Filco Majestouch N Key Rollover Tactile (again with brown mx)

Wondered what people thought of these? It's a lot of money to spend on a keyboard :O No more drinking/eating over it if I do get one :p

What are people's experiences with mechanical keyboards? Do they make a massive difference from the standard membrane keyboards?

Mouse

I am possibly the world's most OCD person when it comes to a mouse I'm comfortable using. I will keep a mouse even if I've changed my system several times, it's like an old childhood toy or something. If I find one that's right I will use it until it breaks pretty much.

I actually really like the Dell standard optical mice. Never had problems with them.

But I'm looking at something with a bit more functionality and read about the Sensei - seems to get strong reviews, I like the profile functionality and the design suits me as people are saying it works with a 'claw grip' which is pretty much how I grip the mouse.

Has anyone got one or used one? Was it worth the $$$?
 
Mechanical keyboards are definitely worth it if you're willing the put the money into it. They just feel better overall than membrane boards.
A lot of people also feel like they type quicker and more accurately than on membrane boards. Plus, they last a lot longer. A Cherry MX Switch has a lifetime of around 50 million keystrokes.

As for a mouse, I haven't ever used a Sensei, but from what I've heard about them, I think it'll be my next mouse. They have very good reviews and also look the part.
 
Thanks for the replies - good to know that mechanical keyboards get a positive reception :) Reassuring.

I think I'm caught between the Filco Majestic and the Das Keyboard Professional Silent. I'd like the DK Prof Silent with Media controls but the only reseller in the UK doesn't seem to stock them and the one without media controls isn't due in stock until mid-November. Long time to wait.

Has anyone compared the Filco Majestic to the DK Professional - they're both brown MX which is what I'm after (good balance I think between feedback and smoothness, and therefore typing and gaming)?

Are Filco a respectable brand? As good as DK or not?


I think the RAW mouse is the rubberised version of the Sensei with no profile illuminations but otherwise the same - I'm justifying the expense of the Pro given I stick with a mouse until it dies usually so it's a real investment and something I use for hours every day :) Razer, I've not heard so much good about the quality of their products. Is that a myth?

One final question (sorry!): what sort of mouse mat is best for the Sensei? I'm reading it needs to be a hard surface not cloth. I currently use a very small mouse pad with wrist rest combined which is cloth. It'll be a big difference moving to a hard surface with no rest...will it matter much?

Thanks for all the help :)
 
Filco are the most reputable brand. :p

Known for their very high quality. Not sure about Das, don't read much about them.

If you want a cloth pad don't buy a Sensei. Also don't buy a Sensei if you're sensitive to positive acceleration.
 
Just thought I'd follow up this in case it's helpful for people.

I got hold of a Filco Majestouch-2 (with number keys) on Saturday, with brown MX switches. Wow. It's fantastic, light touch and I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to a domed keyboard now I've seen the light. It's solid and weights quite a lot more than my previous keyboard which was surprising but reassuring at the same time. I've used the keyb for MMO gaming and typing so far so haven't put it through FPS paces. It's an unforgiving keyboard but for touch typing it seems a lot more accurate and a lot faster. More accurate during gaming as well. I like the feedback. It's a lot louder than a domed keyb so having said that I'm glad I didn't go all out with a blue MX setup as I think I'd have driven everyone mad by now. I am still bottoming out the keys a lot while I get used to it, so fatigue feels worse than on a domed keyboard but I know this will improve.

Mouse-wise I purchased the Sensei Pro. I had real problems installing the Steelseries Engine and checking Google for solutions I realised I wasn't the only one and it's a fairly common issue. For anyone who is thinking about this mouse be prepared to spend a good couple of hours installing, uninstalling and reinstalling the software. It seemed like no specific 'fix' actually works and for some reason the software just eventually decided to play ball. Now that it's up and running though: the mouse itself is a brushed metal effect so it's a bit different to a rubberised mouse. There are negative reviews about it getting slippy and so on as a result but I haven't noticed it at all and actually the mouse grips really well and feels solid. It's a looker with the LED effects which are useful for profiling. Highly accurate although it seems a lot more sensitive than my previous Dell optical but I appreciate it's a case of getting used to a more advanced device and in MMO I can't say it's made any difference. FPS might be a different story but after a lengthy break from BF and COD I think it won't matter as I'll be learning from scratch again anyway. The mouse is really designed for FPS I think: the customisations are really likely to prove themselves there rather than in any low-key MMO.

For general use both the keyboard and the mouse are excellent and I'd highly recommend them :)
 
I have a mech keyboard with black switches, but I could not recommend for a lot of typing. Only really good for FPS gaming.

I do however, have a Sensei Pro which I love. It is beautiful to use and you also get the Steelseries RMA service, which is very good in case it breaks.

It is simple and functional and looks incredible though if I was buying now, I would likely get a RAW version and save a few quid.
 
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