Logitech or mechanical keyboard?

gcaster

gcaster

gcaster

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Hi guys.

I've been looking into getting a new keyboard as my MS Wireless Laser Keyboard 7000 is getting on a bit and is getting on my nerves.

I like the idea of a full mechanical keyboard that'll last a long time and has faster response rates but they all seem a bit basic. I understand the main benefit of a mechanical keyboard is the ability to press 'strange' combinations of buttons all at once with no obstruction. Now I've never noticed this being a problem on a regular keyboard so am I really going to see the benefit of going mechanical?

If I don't go for a mechanical keyboard I'll be going down the Logitech route this time. The newer G110 and G510 seem to offer quite good value for their spec, the in-built soundcard would be a massive bonus to me in order to use mumble whilst gaming and the customisable backlight would also be a bonus. I don't like the old G15, a couple of my friends have it and I think it's ugly so that's out.

I want a keyboard with macro keys which pretty much means it's either one of the Logitechs or the Razer Black Widow. What I want to know is is it worth compromising on additional features in order to go mechanical as someone who's never had a problem with a regular keyboard?

Cheers
G

EDIT: As I side note I am a gamer and am currently playing a lot of RIFT (mmo) but do play fps on here as well.
 
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I'm going to preach sidewinder x6 like i usually do. I used to have a g15 prior to my x6 and it was the best move i've made in terms of periphrials in a long time
 
I'm not too keen on the Sidewinder keyboards.
I don't quite know what it is but they just don't appeal to me. It could be the red backlight as everything else I have lit on/in/around my PC is blue!
Sorry to put you down but I'm definitely going to go Logitech for a normal keyboard.
 
gcaster said:
Hi guys.

I've been looking into getting a new keyboard as my MS Wireless Laser Keyboard 7000 is getting on a bit and is getting on my nerves.

I like the idea of a full mechanical keyboard that'll last a long time and has faster response rates but they all seem a bit basic. I understand the main benefit of a mechanical keyboard is the ability to press 'strange' combinations of buttons all at once with no obstruction (only if you use ps2 connection, only 5 at once with USB). Now I've never noticed this being a problem on a regular keyboard so am I really going to see the benefit of going mechanical? (Think about it, you've got 5 fingers on your left hand and right hand, I hope lol, so you really only need a 5 button press at the very most, you're not going to stop for a 6+ button press with both hands, more than 5 is just silly)

If I don't go for a mechanical keyboard I'll be going down the Logitech route this time. The newer G110 and G510 seem to offer quite good value for their spec, the in-built soundcard would be a massive bonus to me in order to use mumble whilst gaming and the customisable backlight would also be a bonus. I don't like the old G15, a couple of my friends have it and I think it's ugly so that's out.

I want a keyboard with macro keys which pretty much means it's either one of the Logitechs or the Razer Black Widow. What I want to know is is it worth compromising on additional features in order to go mechanical as someone who's never had a problem with a regular keyboard?

Cheers
G

EDIT: As I side note I am a gamer and am currently playing a lot of RIFT (mmo) but do play fps on here as well.
Click to expand...

Some answers in bold. If you want one with all the bells and whistles and fancy disco lights, plus mechanical, why not look at the Razer Blackwidow.
 
I have had the razor Lycos for over a year now and love it. It is cheaper than the black widow and can also use macros with it. Just don't get gloss one its a pain in rear to keep clean shows up every spec of dirt/dust.

Also if game MMORPG anti-cheat system find you using delay macros = chance of ban.
 
I have been using a mechanical keyboard (Noppoo Choc Mini) for about a month and absolutely love it.
There main benefit isnt really how many keys you can press at once, or how sturdy they are; it is that the typing experience is much nicer. This is especially the case if you go for a keyboard with tactile switches like the Cherry MX Brown or Cherry MX Blue switches. I have found that I am typing a lot quicker. I am finally learning to touch type properly rather than my own made up system) and using a good mechanical keyboard makes it a lot easier.

I would say that gaming is also a lot nicer. The same principle applies, it is nice to know when you have pressed a key.

I imagine the Black widow is a nice keyboard. There is a couple of things you should be aware of. Firstly it does not support full n-key rollover. I think it only allows 6 at once, so if that is important to you you may want to look elsewhere.

The second point is that i believe it use the Cherry MX Blue switches. These switches make an audible click each time you press a key. Some people like the audible response to let them know that they have pressed a key, however it can be fairly noisy! I would suggest you look up a few videos on youtube to decide if you would be happy with it. I went for MX browns, they are essentially the same as the Blues but without the click, I really like them.
 
I switched from a fairly decent Logitech keyboard with a screen, media keys etc to a Filco with cherry MX brown switches and I've never looked back.

When i got the keyboard the build quality was noticeably better than that of the Logitech however the feel of the keys didn't blow me away, sure it was nice but it didn't quite live up to the hype.

What really makes me appreciate the mechanical switches is when I use a membrane keyboard away from home, then I realize just how nice the keyboard is to type on. The keys feel more precise, I can feel exactly when they've been activated and they all take the same amount of minimal force to activate (this is the part I like most), my typing speed and accuracy have no doubt improved because of this.

As for games in L4D2 and the battlefield series I'm not feeling the benefit, sure it feels nice and it has NKRO but when mashing WASD on the Logitech it didn't feel too bad either and I never got into situations where I needed NKRO.

In my opinion it is worth compromising on additional features to get a mechanical switch but purely for the advantages to be had outside of a game, the only worth while feature it offers in a game is NKRO and I doubt you really need it.

As for the Razer itself I don't know too much about it other than it uses cherry MX blue switches so will be rather loud. A detailed review of it can be found here, check out the rest of the site too.
 
Cheers for the advice guys.

In the end (after reading god knows how many reviews and watching even more videos) I settled on the Razer Black Widow. My budget didn't quite stretch to the backlit version and paying £50 for the privilege seems outrageous. I really like the font used and the Cherry MX Blue switches don't seem as loud as on other keyboards that use them and I actually quite like that click. The only thing I don't like is the glossy surround but I'll just have to try and keep it clean.

I'm very surprised that more 'gaming' manufacturers don't offer mechanical keyboards with macro keys, backlighting etc. What I thought was really odd was that Steelseries didn't go with macro keys, if they had I think I'd have splashed on their 7G.

Anyway it should be coming to me on Thursday (from an OcUK competitor), I paid £66 with free next day delivery so can't grumble at all. Fingers crossed I'll be back in 2 days time thanking you all for the persuasion. I feel like I've been let off the hook by not going for another membrane keyboard!

Thanks again,
Greg
 
i have the G510 and i must say its a great keyboard! awesome macro keys/display media keys, not used a mechanical keyboard so i cant say anything about them but the g510 is awesome!
 
Keyboard arrived today and I have to say it's very nice to type on indeed. Feels like no effort at all and touch typing seems a lot easier and this is having only used it for about 15 minutes.
I'm going to need a little time to get used to the macro keys as it's making me feel like the whole keyboard has shifted right slightly.
Thanks for the advice fellas, really happy with my decision (the clicking of the Blue Cherry switches is so satisfying too!).
 
gcaster said:
Keyboard arrived today and I have to say it's very nice to type on indeed. Feels like no effort at all and touch typing seems a lot easier and this is having only used it for about 15 minutes.
Click to expand...

thats basicalyl the main advantage of mechanical keyboards
the key press is triggered as u push the key, not when the key is fully down like on standard ones.

the pressing multiple keys isn't really a feature of mechanical keyboards, as that works on standard ones as well, depending on the n-key rollover

mechanicals are just nicer to type on really, well work the extra money
 
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