New gaming keyboard (not mech)

dt97583

dt97583

dt97583

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Joined
26 Nov 2012
Posts
937
Hello,

So I currently have a Saitek / Mad Catz V5 keyboard which whilst it's okay I'm still thinking of changing it up. I've tried mechanical keyboards in the past and I didn't really get on with the clickety-clack of the keys, even after installing o-rings etc.

I'm currently considering:

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £41.01
(includes shipping: £6.02)



​
Or a wireless Microsoft Surface keyboard - can be had for £72.00 online.

Both keyboards have flat scissor switches. I suppose the Cougar is maybe more gaming orientated with more anti-ghosting rollover keys, although for simple FPS I'm not sure how much this'll really matter.

I'm not in need of RGB, I think at most I'd turn it down to a low brightness one colour setting.

I suppose a wireless / bluetooth keyboard would look tidier, but not work in the UEFI BIOS? I'd need an adaptor anyway, a quick google suggests maybe trying to find one "that supports HID Proxy mode"? Although the MS website says it's uses a "Wireless frequency 2.4GHz frequency range" so maybe this would work in the BIOS before switching to BT in the OS?

I'm a casual gamer, nothing serious so not overly bothered about uber response times from keys, but equally I don't want to buy a dud.

What do people think?

Thanks
 
While the Vantar is quiet and lights up like a Christmas tree (which is all controlled from the keyboard and not from software), but I've had some general use issues like two key presses registered instead of one light presses on the side if the number pad enter key not registering and you'd have to get used to the flat keys.

The Cougar 200K uses the same type of switches and has a more standard key cap type if you aren't interested in an RGB keyboard, but if you're willing to wait I've got a steelseries apex [RAW] (which is just a rebranded apex 300 keyboard) which should be turning up in a few days that I can give an opinion on.
 
Cheers @demonix my impression of the Cougar 200k was that it was the older model before the Vantar.

That steelseries looks to have an unremovable keyboard rest which I'm not a fan of. It's a pretty huge keyboard too. That's one of the things I like about the Cougar / MS ones, minimal no fuss layout.
 
That rest would be more akin to the normal gap all standard keyboards (and some gaming keyboards) have between the bottom row (or in the case of most of the steelseries keyboard the spacebar) of keys and the bottom of the unit and some of the extra 10cm length would be to accommodate the macro keys on the left side (the only steelseries keyboards that doesn't have that lip in are the M800 and M500 and both have mechanical switches while only the latter uses cherry MX switches as the former uses a steelseries branded switch that some have likened to the bridge between scissor and mechanical), however I won't know how long this lip is until I get it.

If you are looking to the higher price band and don't want much of a lip at the bottom then the apex M800 might be an option as well but you should look at some reviews on youtube before you commit since you would at least hear the sound the keys make when pressed, but if you're just looking for a keyboard that doesn't have macros for days and just works then the vantar will do what you want.
 
u should check out the steelseries k+m. great prices just now on ocuk as well. i got the apex keyboard and rival 100 mouse and really impressed with them
 
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