Reliability of Keyboard LEDs

[cbrunny]

I've heard a ton of chatter about the Corsair Vengeance line having terribly unreliable LEDs. Can anyone speak to whether or not they have made some QC improvements to whatever is causing these issues? I'm not interested in RMA-ing every two months.

It sounds like it could have been a bad run, or bad runs, shortly after launch of the newer models that have the issue specifically. I'm wondering about whether or not the newer runs are producing better products.

Specifically, I'm looking at the K95.

The Cherry MX RGB switches are coming too, which should completely eliminate this problem. But, there is still very little word on availability - the only thing I could find is this: http://akihabaranews.com/2014/02/03...ard-cherry-mx-red-will-be-out-japan-820395045 - which suggests some models are emerging in Japan this week.

I wish they'd just get on it already. Or tell us when they're releasing in NA...

 

[ithehappy]

Stay away from Corsair KB and Mice mate, just stay away.

Any keyboard's LED will fade away with time. My first G15 died at the brink of fourth year, LEDs were still glowing okay. My second G15 (orange) is still pretty strong after 2½ years, however I keep the intensity at mid level. So in short, yes they are pretty much reliable, as long as you stick with brands who actually knows how to make a keyboard.

 

[cbrunny]

I have a Corsair mouse - M95. It's awesome. A firmware update fixed issues that were noted in the past. I'm a fan of their peripheral style.

I'm less concerned with fade over time, and more concerned with them just dying quick - a sign of poor build quality rather than heavy usage.

 

[ithehappy]

Oh good for you then. My experience with Corsair mouse (M60) and keyboard (K60) is beyond words. Also I will stay away from a brand which's community site's first page is mostly about reporting problems, this died, that died, nah thanks.
But if they suit you, go on.

 

[cbrunny]

Also I will stay away from a brand which's community site's first page is mostly about reporting problems, this died, that died, nah thanks.
But if they suit you, go on.

http://forums.logitech.com/t5/G-Series-Gaming-Keyboards/bd-p/gserieskeyboards

looks like it suits you just fine.

 

[vbuggy]

Oh good for you then. My experience with Corsair mouse (M60) and keyboard (K60) is beyond words. Also I will stay away from a brand which's community site's first page is mostly about reporting problems, this died, that died, nah thanks.
But if they suit you, go on.

Isn't that the same for any other brand which has a community site that actually works?

I've had no more issues with Corsair gear - K-series keyboard wise - than with any other keyboard. In fact, I'd say I've had more (core - switch issues, build quality problems, etc) issues with those makers who've been hyped by the mech-is-best deludophiles, such as Topre, Filco and Leopold.

 

[ithehappy]

http://forums.logitech.com/t5/G-Series-Gaming-Keyboards/bd-p/gserieskeyboards

looks like it suits you just fine.

Well a bad failure of sarcasm

Just go through that page again, most of them are stupid software issues! Jeez!
As I said, if anyone likes Corsair, go on, who is stopping them? I just said, for me it's over, and I will never ever recommend a Corsair mouse/keyboard to anybody anymore.

 

[chihlidog]

As long as you're not set on mechanical, I cannot recommend the Logitech G-series strongly enough. I love my G-510, it has been rock solid under hard use for over 2 years now. And I still love the LEDS, they still look great.

 

[vbuggy]

I mourn the passing of the MS gaming keyboards

 

[tsupersonic]

I mourn the passing of the MS gaming keyboards

Love my Sidewinder x6. I've had it since 2009, and it still works. I did extensive gaming from 2009-2012, and play anywhere from 25-40 hours these days. It has taken a toll on my 'S' and D' keys. I contacted Microsoft Support a few months ago, and the guy was surprised the keyboard was still working to this day.

Here's a pic of the keys:

I've been secretly wanting for this keyboard to somehow die, so that I can replace it with a mechanical keyboard. However, the more I do research, I realize there is no mechanical keyboard that has ALL the features I want from the Sidewinder x6 - like volume dial or backlight dial or media keys or macro keys.

 

[vbuggy]

It's not just about the features. Nothing beats the effectiveness of the short-travel domes IMO for all-purpose use, though it doesn't have the vertical travel 'slickness' of mechs. Sadly though these do need replacing after extensive wear and I saw no other genuinely viable candidates in the same class.

 

[Canbacon]

I know people will knock MX Browns, but the keyboard I use at home is quite nice.

Logitech 710+
- Single Row of Macro Keys
- Media keys
- 2 zone light control (WSAD and Full keys)
- Volume Knob
- USB extender (2.0 spec)
- MX Brown with O-Rings for dampening

The MX Brown is the only gripe I have and maybe full retail price. It is not bad, but I prefer Blacks for gaming and the linear feel.

 

[Cerb]

If LEDs are given clean power, and are not over-driven, they should last many decades of constant use. You could, of course, keep enough ambient light so as to not need the keyboard to be backlit, which would solve the problem from the other end . A dim diffuse lamp behind the monitor can do wonders, allowing plenty of light to reposition your hands, and reduce eye strain, too.

 

[cbrunny]

If LEDs are given clean power, and are not over-driven, they should last many decades of constant use. You could, of course, keep enough ambient light so as to not need the keyboard to be backlit, which would solve the problem from the other end . A dim diffuse lamp behind the monitor can do wonders, allowing plenty of light to reposition your hands, and reduce eye strain, too.

haha yes, of course. That's (sort of) one of the things I'm wrestling with. I really like the K95 - it fits all the needs. But the LED issue... its just kind of frustrating. That is, even knowing full well that backlit keys are really not necessary, and that I do tend to play with lights on most of the time anyway, I still feel like if they put in a feature it should work properly. Especially at $150. If it doesn't function properly, all other features will still function properly, but it just should function properly & then I wouldn't need to worry. I'd just rather it wasn't a consideration I had to make.

That's incoherent I'm sure.

 

[vbuggy]

If LEDs are given clean power, and are not over-driven, they should last many decades of constant use. You could, of course, keep enough ambient light so as to not need the keyboard to be backlit, which would solve the problem from the other end . A dim diffuse lamp behind the monitor can do wonders, allowing plenty of light to reposition your hands, and reduce eye strain, too.

For those who have had failures, it's much less likely to be LED failure than PCB dodginess.

 

[Cerb]

For those who have had failures, it's much less likely to be LED failure than PCB dodginess.

And that should give one great faith in their choice of OEM(s)... :| Failure in power delivery would be much preferable to shoddy manufacture.

 

[bononos]

I have a Corsair mouse - M95. It's awesome. A firmware update fixed issues that were noted in the past. I'm a fan of their peripheral style.

I'm less concerned with fade over time, and more concerned with them just dying quick - a sign of poor build quality rather than heavy usage.

At least one model had a problem with it. Not sure if they fixed it or not. The official forum also had many complaints about the lights dying quick.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=35684746