Logitech G-13

[QueBert]

Saw the Belkin N52te at Best Buy, loved how it looked and have wanted one for awhile now. I came home to google some reviews and people don't seem to like it much at all. I saw a G-13 while I was poking around online. It costs more then most keyboards, which kind of confuses me because it looks like a Mini-Me G-15 so $80 seems kind of steep. I want something different that might possibly help my CS:S game improve. I know nothing will make my skills world class but I'm sure there's some sort of gaming device that can give me a slight improvement.

 

[mpilchfamily]

You just gotta pick one that fits your hand and has the key in a configuration you think you can work with. No matter which one you choose there will be a learning curve to it. You'll have to get use to where each button is and adapt your playing style to it.

 

[chizow]

I had high hopes for the G13, as I love Logitech products. They also put a toggle stick for the thumb, something I've been lobbying for quite awhile. I still want to see one on their gaming mice, but here's to hoping.

Anyways, I was really disappointed with the G13's final design. There is no row of keys above the home WASD keys (indented). Such failure, really. That means no 1-6 for weapon switches...no default map for 1-6 in MMOs etc. Also I've heard the thumbstick is set too far down so that its uncomfortable.

Personally waiting for Rev.2 now. Also, I'm not sure how a movement controller would help you dramatically in CS. I'd look to a better mouse/mousepad or gpu/monitor first for better performance potential, personally.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

IMO the N52te is a solid improvement over the classic N52. If there is any significant negative its that I think they might have reduced the number of shift states from 4 to 3, and the pricing... Regular N52s were going for under $20 towards the end of their production and can still be found for ~$30, and ultimately the N52te is almost physically identical and almost functionally identical as well save for a few differences, yet they go for ~$70

However my biggest complaint with the N52 was the responsiveness of the inputs. The keys and buttons/d-pad and scroll wheel are all excessively stiff and clunky feeling, not something you want in a gaming device when the only resistance you want is just enough to keep you from making an unintended input. The N52te solves this and keys are like butter in comparison and the product feels pretty damn near perfect, but like you said, its pretty expensive considering you can buy an actual keyboard for less, or get a good gaming keyboard for the same price (Razer Lycosa comes to mind)...

I think the magic mark is somewhere around $50 for either the N52te or G13 before I consider either one of them. Combine the fact that you'll still need a keyboard to properly function and you start running into issues of space and arm spread. What I would like to see is some of these companies produce a pad that can be quickly toggled between a gaming state and a number pad state (yes, I realize you could program it in yourself, but I'm talking about the layout specifically designed to keep that in mind) so that we could use such a game pad along with a compact 88 key keyboard

 

[TidusZ]

My little brother was really excited about the n52te, he waited 6 months to get it on backorder, and after trying his best to use it for a couple weeks, it now collects dust in his closet. He told me it gave no advantage to using the keyboard and the drivers/software were awful.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Review - http://hardwarelogic.com/news/...E/6134/2009-04-15.html