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Looking to get new Keyboard/Mouse for Gaming

zerocool84

zerocool84

Lifer
I'm tired of my old PS/2 Microsoft with Media Keys keyboard and my mx510 is on it's last leg. I've searched for some options but nothing really tickled my fancy for keyboards but the OCZ Equalizer Laser Gaming Mouse looks really good especially with the "Triple Threat Button" on it since I play a lot of fps's. Keyboards on the other hand, I don't want something with 1,000+ different keys on it but a couple extra keys are nice since I do play some Guild Wars. I want something that looks good and feels good. I don't game in the dark so I don't need something with Illuminated keys. $50 does seem kinda steep for a keyboard so I'm looking for something in the $20-$40 range. Any thoughts???
 
A Saitek Eclipse - $10 Google Checkout = $30

(or 40 for a Saitek Eclipse 2)

Both a good keyboards even without illuminated keys, more minimalistic than the G15 etc.
 
El Cheapo keyboard- $4
Razer Copperhead/ Microsoft Habu/ Razer DeathAdder- $50-80
That's the best combo that you should get right now, unless you need to use the keyboard for heavy typing.
 
Have you looked into trying to get your MX510 replaced by Logitech? If it is still under warranty you could end up with an MX518 for free...

Originally posted by: potato28
El Cheapo keyboard- $4
Razer Copperhead/ Microsoft Habu/ Razer DeathAdder- $50-80
That's the best combo that you should get right now, unless you need to use the keyboard for heavy typing.
Click to expand...

agreed

unless you want special functions such as macros on your keyboard just about any keyboard will do, there really aren't many "gaming" keyboards on the market, the Saitek ones certainly are not, they're just illuminated, but I guess that makes them gaming keyboards according to some. The only other function that would set a true gaming keyboard apart from others would be antighosting (if you need to press more than 6 keys at once) and such keyboards are just as rare as ones that support macros if not more so (I can only think of 2 and they're both well above your budget)

You could always consider adding on a game pad such as a Belkin Nostromo n52 either to replace the keyboard when gaming or use it strictly for macros along side your keyboard of choice.

And unless its really outside of your budget I'd also recommend the DeathAdder instead of the OCZ Equalizer.

$50 @ Best Buy
 
Originally posted by: zerocool84
Maybe I should at least get a USB keyboard cus I have read that PS/2's have trouble with multiple keys pressed
Click to expand...

Of course its all up to you, if you don't have issues with key presses there isn't much need to seek out a newer keyboard specifically for that purpose, I know there was an old keyboard I had that I really really loved for typing and even gaming but it would struggle with 3+ keys pressed which often conflicted with the way I played several of my games.
 
i currently use a Ben-Q x805 keyboard, its wireless and is possibily the best keyboard ive ever used for gameing and for office work, it was cheap like 30$ and has not has an issue in almost 2 years, and there is no lag in games,

 
Originally posted by: zerocool84
Maybe I should at least get a USB keyboard cus I have read that PS/2's have trouble with multiple keys pressed
Click to expand...

If you read which PS/2 controllers have this bug, you can avoid it. I know this keyboard can press 6 keys at once, and it's PS/2 based.
 
I am yet to find a good set of inexpensive keyboard with half-decent rollover properties and responsiveness. Though I resigned from FPS games for years now, my limited experience with HL2/CS:S suggests you dont need THAT many keys being pressed simulataneously, so n-key rollover is an area of less concer for the gamers in this genre. Whereas, trying to do a low-air-dash-shielding in MBR proves very challenging on keyboards. The keyboard I am using now is generarlly satsifactory in that regard, but I definitely could appreciate some improvement.

As for the mice, I did some reading on subjective impressions on the DeathAdder and somewhat convinced to go for it. The only thing thats holding me back is the size and the contour. Is DA more like a "hand-mouse" or a "finger-mouse"? Ever since using the first logitech mouse back in the nineties, I find hand-mice very clumsy, if not disturbingly uncomfortable; I just cant bare with the feeling of having some thing stuck to the bottom of my palm the entire time :disgust: Kinda hard to judge the actual feel of the mice from pictures alone, so I would like to see some comments from DA users. Should I consider a Diamondback instead?
 
I know the Razer Tarantula keyboard is awesome when it comes to simultaneous key presses, it can do something like 8-10 whereas the average USB keyboard is something around 6. It also has 10 keys for macros but I wouldn't get the keyboard for the macros, if I were a heavy macro user I would get a G15 or simply add a gamepad such as the Nostromo n52 to an existing keyboard and use it strictly for macro use. Of course neither the Tarantula or G15 are inexpensive, although an n52 add-on wouldn't be too bad (might even give it a shot for 100% of the work, although I don't really care toggling through shift states to access all the basic controls on top of any macros...)

As far as the Death Adder I will say that the design does naturally cater to right handed palm use but I can and do use it primarily with finger control and I would say my hands are on the small side. I would suggest going and looking at one at a store if possible, if there is a Habu available instead you could try that instead as the bodies of the two mice are almost identical.

And as far as other consideration, unless you're a lower sensitivty player I would say the Copperhead might be up your ally if you're considering the Diamondback, I really think the onboard memory is enough to justify any cost increase even before considering the 2000dpi laser sensor which works perfectly fine for higher sensitivity players.
 
bunnyfubbles, I appreciate your input.

Actually, tarantula is rather on affordable side compared to some of Topre or Cherry offerings I vaguely considered at one point. Just that I am not so sure about trantula's performance as my requirments are stricter than those of FPS gamers. I dont do any macros however; there is not enough time to reach for those keys in the heat of battle anyway.

Did you happen to know any nationwide retailer that might carry either/both habu/DA? I think I tend to lean toward lower sensitivity settings, though not so radical. Copperhead did sound somewhat uninviting with those rants about being too fast and finicky.
 
I've seen them in Best Buy, Circuit City, Comp USA, Micro Center...

I would say that the Copperhead has come a long way in terms of driver/firmware development since it first debuted and it is pretty awesome as it is right now, I like it better than the Habu despite the Habu's superior button placement (of course this is all my opionion, the symmetrical design of the Copperhead allows for two thumb buttons whether you use the mouse with your left or right hand, the problem is that using those "thumb" buttons opposite your thumb, it isn't practical and thus the 7 button mouse in practical use is only a 5 button mouse in the heat of action) Of course the biggest thing going against the Habu for me is that I still get some noticeable negative acceleration/skipping when swiping at high speeds with the Habu, although I never really achieve such speeds in game as I'm not really a low sensitivity player, but my point is that I think the Copperhead is much better in this regard.

For me it basically goes like this - DeathAdder > Copperhead > Habu > G5 (it gets kind of hazy when considering more mice into the equation such as the MX510/518 and the Daimondback, but price becomes a pretty big factor once you get to this point, and I'll be honost in saying that I haven't had any in depth experience with the Daimondback, only knew one guy who had one and never really got to use it enough to get a good impression) DeathAdder has the best control (most important feature of the mouse), Habu has the best buttons (the two mini buttons under the mouse wheel as well as the changeable side thumb buttons can't really be beat, the only thing that comes close is the MX5xx or the new G5), Copperhead is probably the best ambidextrous/finger only mouse that I've ever used.

Keep in mind that I've only ever been expressing my own opinion based on my own play style as I use my mouse with higher sensitivity settings (takes me less than my 10x12 mouse pad to do a full 360 rotation) and finger control.
 
Saitek Eclipse

I just killed my old black PS/2 board and had to go and find something I liked. After going from Walmart, Office Depot, Best Buy, and Circuit City I found that it was the best for the price board I could find. Circuit City and Best Buy had the Eclipse 2 for $70, while Walmart had just a couple of the Saitek Eclipse for $30.

I got it because it had roughly the same size of my old black PS/2 keyboard along with an attachable and extend able palm rest that matched that of what was on my old keyboard. I can't stand palm rests you buy and I can't stand a keyboard without one. Also the Black, Silver, and Blue fit my whole setups color scheme perfectly.

I looked at every other setup and they all had some con that out weighed all the pros. Like the ergonomics were over exaggerated, like the MS 4000 keyboard. They were way to freaking huge, like the Logitech G15. They didn't have the right response to a key press almost like a laptop keyboard or they required to much force. Also they would force you to buy a combo set with both mouse and keyboard and the keyboard had fixed function keys which I would never use. Then the last thing is that the ones worth getting were so over priced that it wasn't even funny. I could get a top of the line complete racing, or joystick setup with pedals and all for less then what they wanted for a so so combo.

For a mouse I would say go to the stores and actually get a feel for what you are probably going to buy. Like the MX Revolution is so exaggerated it just doesn't feel right at all. Also to me personally the MX518 and the G7 felt to long.

Also if your going to go for one of the way overpriced gaming mice that offer super high DPI you might as well go wireless. Before laser mice and all this hype about DPI I never felt there was ever an issue with accuracy even with ball mice. The step from a ball to a LED mouse was a significant increase in movement and control because there was no need for a rough surface and the ball causing undo friction. Same thing going from wired to wireless. When I had my wired mouse the biggest issue I had with it was the stupid wire getting stuck or have it snag. Even with something to hold the cord it still is a burden on movement and control.

I have had a MX1000 for a long time and the only issue I have had with it is the lens got dirty and small movements were all screwed up. Some windex and a quitip fixed that though. The built in battery life is about 30 hours of casual use or 20-25 of constant gaming use.
 
Saitek looks really cool, but it won't last. A few months after I got it I had to replace the damn thing because the modifier keys would get stuck. I would say, hit a Ctrl-combo, and the Ctrl key wouldn't press (I'd jab my finger on it instead). Needless to say, that got old really fast. I also use the CapsLock key as a Ctrl key, and that got stuck too. I suppose if you're a gamer who doesn't use the modifier keys it's ok. My most often hit keys did wear out really fast too, the label scraping off, though it still pressed down alright.

I also am a programmer, and in that mode, I use the keyboard solely for all purposes (mice suck for coding tasks). So I tend to put a lot of use into my keyboards...

I replaced it with a Keytronics which is nice and clicky.
 
Tarantula is the best of the best. I don't like how it gets dirty really easy with the glossy black finish. But as far as usability, nothing can touch it. I own one, and honestly I'd pay $150 for it, it's that damn good. The macro capibility is actually kind of cool since it saves them in the KB itself so if I ever take my board with me to a Lanparty all my mappings come right up. I almost never take my box to a lan event but I refuse to play with another KB unless for some reason I can't bring mine.

 
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