Gaming Keyboard Opinions

[Vlambo]

   Howdy folks, Vlambo here. I recently got my first gaming computer, and am looking at upgrading my Keyboard and Mouse. Since, Xmas is right around the corner, I figured I wait 2 months and ask for it. I have already picked out my G5 for gaming mouse, but I'm still looking for a gaming keyboard.

   I've been trying to narrow down what to what i want, and I've pretty much figured out that It must not exceed $110, have LED backlight keys, volume controls, and some programmable keys. I've found of decent ones, but would like your opinions on these, or any others you recommend! (Also, I'm Canadian, so our prices a tad higher)

Logitech G15

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...34&Tpk=G15

Logitech G11

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...09&Tpk=G11

Saitek PK17U

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.asp...6823175005

Thanks for any recommendations or advice!

[KarthXLR]

I honestly don't see the difference between a gaming keyboard/mouse and a regular pair.

[Luca Shoal]

Saitek Eclipse II and a Logitech G5 are awesome.

Also. WHITE WHALE

[Fail Medic]

I have a G15.  It's serving me well.  I bought it for the macro keys and the display.

The display does have its uses.  I've downloaded a few applets for it and it works pretty well.  I think the media keys around the display are a little stiff but they're okay.  The macro keys are few but you can put them to work.  Sometimes you'll accidentally hit the G1 macro key instead of ESC, but whatever.

If you want garishly bright light coming from your keys, the G15 will NOT cut it there.. they just barely illuminated through the letter marks, even on max brightness.

[JoKeRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR]

I never understood gaming keyboards. Whenever I watch Starcraft players they always have 'shitty' keyboards, and Starcraft players play the keyboard like a fucking piano. Check it.



Microsoft Basic Keyboard 1.0A. Best keyboard evar.

[Versus]

I have loved and still love both of my Logitech G15s, both version one and two.

[Trace]

That's my keyboard Joker  :-*

[Honest]

I never understood gaming keyboards. Whenever I watch Starcraft players they always have 'shitty' keyboards, and Starcraft players play the keyboard like a fucking piano. Check it.



Microsoft Basic Keyboard 1.0A. Best keyboard evar.

That's missing at least 20 buttons to be a totally pro keyboard.

Honestly though keyboard doesn't matter anywhere near as much as mouse, so just get something functional and you'll be good to go.

[ScottyGrayskull]

Honestly though keyboard doesn't matter anywhere near as much as mouse, so just get something functional and you'll be good to go.

qft.

I have a MS Media keyboard as I really like the hotkeys for media player functionality and volume control. Plus it feels comfortable. The other shortcut keys look useful as well, but I've just never bothered with them.

I'd like to get those natural keyboards, but never bothered because it'd be a pain to have to switch back for every other computer I use.

[KarthXLR]

[quote author=Honest link=topic=1745.msg48857#msg48857 date=1226302362]
Honestly though keyboard doesn't matter anywhere near as much as mouse, so just get something functional and you'll be good to go.

qft.

I have a MS Media keyboard as I really like the hotkeys for media player functionality and volume control. Plus it feels comfortable. The other shortcut keys look useful as well, but I've just never bothered with them.

I'd like to get those natural keyboards, but never bothered because it'd be a pain to have to switch back for every other computer I use.
[/quote]

I never even bought a new keyboard. It's the same one I've been using since Christmas and it works just fine. I just needed a lazer mouse because the old one didn't work so well.

[Squishy3]

I just use an old fashioned Dell keyboard. Best keyboard ever, keys have great springs in them and it's nice and clacky to annoy my family members with

[CaffeinePowered]

I have a saitek, its alright, the command pad with programmable macro buttons is pretty slick, but I rarely use it

[x]

I'm also in the market for a new keyboard. Only feature I'm bothered about is illumination. Ain mocks me but when I'm playing at night, I can never find the keys. Muscle memory kicks in if I've located WASD but I need the light for when I take my hand off the board. Anyway, I masturbate to Logitech peripherals, so I'll definitely be getting one of theirs but I hate redundancy. I don't want to get one of these flashy gaming models with extra knobs and whistles, none of which I'll use. Are they actually useful at all? And, if not, is this one any good?

[HeK]

I have loved and still love both of my Logitech G15s, both version one and two.

x2, however the keys are spaced further apart then most, and take a while to get used to.

[ainmosni]

As a programmer I care a lot about my keyboard... My priorities are a bit different though... I don't care about knobs, backlights or extra buttons... I just want a keyboard that feels well... The best one I've had so far is Das Keyboard. Very high quality, types very well. I chose the blank keys just to be cool...

[Aerox]

As a programmer I care a lot about my keyboard... My priorities are a bit different though... I don't care about knobs, backlights or extra buttons... I just want a keyboard that feels well... The best one I've had so far is Das Keyboard. Very high quality, types very well. I chose the blank keys just to be cool...

Well, that looks cool and all, but $130?  For a basic keyboard?  That seems...extreme.

[ainmosni]

[quote author=ainmosni link=topic=1745.msg49151#msg49151 date=1226432679]
As a programmer I care a lot about my keyboard... My priorities are a bit different though... I don't care about knobs, backlights or extra buttons... I just want a keyboard that feels well... The best one I've had so far is Das Keyboard. Very high quality, types very well. I chose the blank keys just to be cool...

Well, that looks cool and all, but $130?  For a basic keyboard?  That seems...extreme.
[/quote]

It's everything but basic... It's built to last, it's heavy, has very responsive keys built with high quality parts. It might not look very flashy but I can guarantee you it will be typing as if it's new long after all those 'gaming keyboard' with their low grade squishy plastic parts have died and gone to heaven. It's like a modern version of the IBM model M keyboard... More than worth the money and types like a dream...

[copulatingduck]

[quote author=Aerox link=topic=1745.msg49168#msg49168 date=1226439352]
[quote author=ainmosni link=topic=1745.msg49151#msg49151 date=1226432679]
As a programmer I care a lot about my keyboard... My priorities are a bit different though... I don't care about knobs, backlights or extra buttons... I just want a keyboard that feels well... The best one I've had so far is Das Keyboard. Very high quality, types very well. I chose the blank keys just to be cool...

Well, that looks cool and all, but $130?  For a basic keyboard?  That seems...extreme.
[/quote]

It's everything but basic... It's built to last, it's heavy, has very responsive keys built with high quality parts. It might not look very flashy but I can guarantee you it will be typing as if it's new long after all those 'gaming keyboard' with their low grade squishy plastic parts have died and gone to heaven. It's like a modern version of the IBM model M keyboard... More than worth the money and types like a dream...
[/quote]

Given my track record with keyboards (PBR's trackrecord??) I think I'd rather stick with the $5 disposable keyboards, but if I had monies to burn I'd definitely get something like that.

[ScottyGrayskull]

[quote author=ainmosni link=topic=1745.msg49151#msg49151 date=1226432679]
As a programmer I care a lot about my keyboard... My priorities are a bit different though... I don't care about knobs, backlights or extra buttons... I just want a keyboard that feels well... The best one I've had so far is Das Keyboard. Very high quality, types very well. I chose the blank keys just to be cool...

Well, that looks cool and all, but $130?  For a basic keyboard?  That seems...extreme.
[/quote]

I take it you'll pass on the $999 alternate model?

So ain, how does it hold up to the everyday dirt and grime that's bound to get in it? Does it clean easily/well?

[Wedge]

If you're gonna use a blank keyboard, shouldn't you be learning an optimized key layout? ;P

Also I would never buy anything that touts having "gold" parts as a feature.