Another Keyboard thread - Looking for experience/comparison

[Boyiee]

So I've been using the logitech G series for years and recommend it to everybody. I have a G15v1, v2, and my sister has a G11.

The feet on my v2 broke and It's getting old, still love the thing though, getting tired of propping it on books/whatnot - so I was looking around to see what else is out there for the hell of it.

Has anyone used both a G15 and higher end G (110, 510, 19), or both a G15 and lycosa or blackwidow from razer?

One friend recommends the razer alllllllllll the time, but I'm just so stuck on the Gseries cause of how good it's been to me.

I'll be ordering from amazon, so I can return something if I don't like it. I have no use for the color LCD screen of the G19, however I am interested in the backlighting. From what I've read, the G110's backlighting is mediocre, I love how visible the orange on the 15v2 is and I've read only the red really is visible on the 110. Not finding too much with the 510 but since it's such a similar keyboard (the same keyboard? lol) I'm not too sure I trust it's backlighting. I know the G19 is great however, as I have a G13 that I don't use that is bright as fuck. Not sure how good the razer's backlights are either, since they are blue and I would assume is duller than orange/red.

I've never used a mechanical keyboard before, kind of afraid of the clicking and noise I hear about and the stiffness they can develop - but if I can return it without hurting my pocket doing so I'd be willing to go that route.

As far as multifunction keys etc. I have NEVER made a macro on the fly. I typically go into the software, make my keystroke assignments, and that's it. I pretty much only use 2 Gkeys currently, down from a bunch, used to use 6-7, but it's not important to have 60extra keys programmable on the fly. In fact, it's pointless. I actually moved most of my keystroke assignments to my mouse (g500) so I pretty much only use G4/G3 on my v2 for ventPTT and mount macro in wow lol.

Thanks for any input. Really looking for anyone that has personally used both logitech and razers and can give their comparison, as well as people who went from g11/15 and upgraded to a newer model. Not looking for "I have a g110 it's great" or "I have a razer get it". Instead I am interested in "I had a g15, moved to a blackwidow, will never go back" or a different model w/e. I think it's kind of rare for people to leave G15's though which is why I'm here.

As a note, media keys that actually work with itunes would be a huge fucking plus. So sick of the conflicts between my software/hardware that occurs every few months. Yeah I could use a different media player, but I share with 3-4 computers on my network and have an iphone so yeah.

[JigglyJam]

I used a plain logitech media keyboard for the longest time.

I got a razer tarantula a couple years back and I felt it didn't perform well. I think the keys weren't being registered. Anyways, I was at my parents house and was messing with an old computer and I used that keyboard and the keys weren't being registered again so I went and googled about and found some sort of key sequence to use to switch modes on it (not given in the manual) and after that it worked like a charm. So i took it back home with me and I use it now instead of the media keyboard. I haven't yet played with the macro buttons yet but the media controls work perfect (there's no pause button, but I'm living with it). So there's my experience with a razer product. I don't think they make tarantulas anymore but I assume their newer ones probably work better.

[Slott]

I have a razer blackwidow ultimate. It's AMAZING. I wouldn't recommend it for typing out documents or anything, but for playing games it's pretty badass.

[shaddix]

I got a brown cherry mx das keyboard ultimate silent s and it didn't feel any different to me really. I didn't get to use it much though because when it arrived it was all scratched to hell and I sent it back for refund.

[jinkazama]

I had a G15 that the LCD went out in it so I replaced it with the Lycosa and I ended up giving it to my brother in law and bought another G15, just upgraded to G19 when it came out and dont plan on getting rid of it anytime soon, i love that thing.

I LOVE Razer gaming mice but I dont really like the keyboards. The Lycosa was a good keyboard, dont get me wrong but it just seemed like a downgrade, never knew how much I used the LCD until I didnt have it.

The razer Anansi does look promising tho, the modifier keys right below the spacebar seem like they could be useful, especially when combined with the naga

http://store.razerzone.com/store/raz...oryId.35156900

[Kurp]

I have a razer blackwidow ultimate. It's AMAZING. I wouldn't recommend it for typing out documents or anything, but for playing games it's pretty badass.

That's the first time I've heard someone say that they don't like typing documents or whatever using cherry blue switches.

[Boyiee]

It looks like my upgrade would be either to a G510 or mechanical. The problem with most mechanicals in the 510's price range is they don't have media keys, programmable keys, and aren't backlit.

The Blackwidow Ultimate does. Looking around Hardforum, they said you pretty much have all the features of a G110 (or 510 without the lcd) but with mechanical keys. I can get a Das ultimate silent for around 100 after student discount, but it lacks a couple features - so I'll probably grab the blackwidow and return it to amazon if I just plain don't like it and grab a 510.

[Kurp]

Das calling that keyboard 'silent' is a misnomer. It won't be silent, especially while gaming when you'll be bottoming out the keys frequently. It uses brown switches that are similar to blues but without the audible click.

Personally for gaming, I absolutely love black switches. I mostly use the Steelseries 6gv2 now. I also have a Filco with blues, but rarely bother with it now although it's probably better for typing. The black switches have grown on me and I use it for pretty much everything now.

You seem to value macro keys and backlighting though, which I tend to avoid. So, I probably wouldn't recommend it for you as the 6gv2 doesn't have any of that. I like my PC equipment to have minimal lighting and small footprints.

The Blackwidow is probably the best keyboard you will find if you want mechanical keys, macro keys, and backlighting.

[Slott]

That's the first time I've heard someone say that they don't like typing documents or whatever using cherry blue switches.

This keyboard is almost...too easy to type on. If you're typing really fast, I find it a lot easier to miss a key...if that makes sense. That being said now that I've gotten used to it, it's pretty much the same. Just feels weird...these keys are meant for spamming, not typing IMO.

[shaddix]

This keyboard is almost...too easy to type on. If you're typing really fast, I find it a lot easier to miss a key...if that makes sense. That being said now that I've gotten used to it, it's pretty much the same. Just feels weird...these keys are meant for spamming, not typing IMO.

That was my impression as well, the keys don't have enough force. I am going to try one of those model M clones eventually. I forget who makes them though

[Kurp]

This keyboard is almost...too easy to type on. If you're typing really fast, I find it a lot easier to miss a key...if that makes sense. That being said now that I've gotten used to it, it's pretty much the same. Just feels weird...these keys are meant for spamming, not typing IMO.

Cherry blues are actually regarded as one of the best switches to type with. They do take a bit of time to get used to if you're coming from normal membrane keyboards.

[Kurp]

That was my impression as well, the keys don't have enough force. I am going to try one of those model M clones eventually. I forget who makes them though

IBM Model Ms are fairly close in feel to the cherry blues that the Blackwidow has. They use a different mechanism, but blues come close in feel.

[Boyiee]

The only problem with the blackwidow, even though most of hardforum praise it over the g110/510/g15v2/g19, is that there are maybe 5-6 negative reviews out there between newegg/amazon out of maybe a hundred that say the alt key sometimes gets pressed down with the spacebar.

This wouldn't effect me at all for the most part, I unbind alt in fps/mmo usually, but I do press space-tab once in a while so I guess I could potentially be alt tabbed (not too bad on a multi-mon but meh). The other negative reviews I've read are pretty STUPID really.. the macro keys on the side are too close (they are the same as g keys, don't get the keyboard if you dont want macro keys idiots) - the rest are bad leds in the back lighting meaning an RMA - shit happens.

If I could get away from the need to game with macro keys I would, and get that XARMOR-U9BL which is backlit. The blackwidow will have to do for now, and really if I don't like it I just hope the g510 is a good replacement for my g15.

[Kurp]

I'm just curious, but what do you actually use the macro keys for?

[shaddix]

I used a G11 for XI. I had g1-g12 set to target ally members, g13-g18 were set to cure V each member of my party.

I used them for songs on brd

[Slott]

I'm just curious, but what do you actually use the macro keys for?

You can hotkey them to other buttons (like lets say =, since that button is really far away, and have it reachable with your pinky. You can also have multiple things occur simultaneously (like in WoW, I can use an ability off the gcd with a gcd ability at the same time) It can record macros, switch any button to function as another button etc. Can also macro it to lets say ctrl+alt+1, and hit 1 button instead of 3 simultaneously.

[Boyiee]

I use most of them for keypresses usually. Like Alt+num /

I have a couple bound to far keys as mentioned, like ctrl+Fkeys for my warriors stance swapping and shield equip macros, some bound to ; ' []\ and insert, but as mentioned, at my pinky.

Used to use them for marking targets in wow too but I've since made my numpad that. I remember using them for something in battlefield 2142 years ago, but I can not remember what the fuck it was. I have also used them for actual macros, but have found key combinations to be slightly superior and easier to set up and change for me.

My hand doesn't migrate off of wasd or have to go farther than 6, t, h, or b. It basically gives me extension to my left instead of having to go further right, along with not giving up keys like I have to do now. I mean, alt+numpad buttons is way better than giving up my f key. I also have a G13 that I could be using, but I do not like it really, it just sits there. I should sell it or something. Think ksandra convinced me to buy it since it looked so promising seeing how she had hers set up. I failed at it for my rogue, but it might work for my caster if I could figure out how to get WASD comfortable on it.

[jinkazama]

only time I remember using my Gkeys on my G15 was for FFXI and converting gold pieces to bronze pieces in whitegate. lol

[Gredival]

I had a G15v1 that started dying from overuse and when I started looking for a replacement I borrowed my friend's Lycosa to test it out. Didn't like it. Bought a G11 to replace the G15, so I can't tell you about the higher end Keyboards.

But I also make much more use out of the macro keys than most people as all my XI macros are bound through Windower to macro keys. So take my criticism with a grain of salt.

[Coren]

MS Natural keyboard 4000 all the way. Not programmable, but the only thing I've found that doesn't give me fucking carpal tunnel.

Also, it's only like $25 when on sale, and since I'm a cheapass, there you go.