Saitek Sucks, Recommend me a replacement Keyboard

[BlitzPuppet]

I've had my Saitek/Madcatz Cyborg for a little over 3 years, had to get a replacement because the one I used before it failed due to me spilling a drink on it. I liked it so I just bought a the same thing, but the second one had MadCatz Branding on it.

During the time I used it I always thought it was supposed to have good rollover specs, but I found I couldn't hold a certain number of keys down before no other input was accepted. It wasn't until I was playing GTAV with a friend and saw him doing a spinning in place burnout that I tried to do this to no avail. I looked up online and saw it rated as a good keyboard with no ghosting yet found this video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbTTtjcVlk4. Doing the same test I found that if I hold down the following combinations at the same time (Q and A. W and S, E and D, or R and F) these keys do not work: Q,A,E,D,R,F,J,K,L,:,U,I,O,P.

I contacted support and was basically told after a few back and forth ticket updates (Spanning 2 freaking weeks) that I was out of warranty and on my own. I understand being out of warranty but kinda hoped they'd fix/replace it under good faith if they did have a bad batch. I have several of their products, with multiple breaking over the coarse of owning them *cough*CyborgEvoCheapButtons*cough* and will be phasing them out.

In short what is a good replacement keyboard to the Cyborg V7 that is NOT Madcatz/Saitek. I'd like some form of backlighting, programmable keys aren't a necessity as I NEVER used them. No mechanicals as those tend to not be quiet and would most likely drive my Fiancee insane.

TL;DR
Madcatz products tend to be cheap quality and I do not want to give them any more of my money after dealing with their support.
Recommend me a good gaming keyboard.

 

[RampantAndroid]

Any of the mech keyboards should be free of rollover issues. I use a normal Das Keyboard...and I honestly have no problem gaming with Cherry MX Blues (some don't like them for gaming, I'm fine.) Anything that's nkro over PS2 should be 8kro (I think) over USB - ANY 8 keys as I understand it. AKA, no key blocking.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

Having trouble finding a keyboard that meets these criteria:

• LED Backlit
• USB interface + Additional USB port on back of keyboard
• Audio/Mic Jacks on the back of keyboard
• Not mechanical, Membrane only
• Not Saitek/Madcatz

 

[RampantAndroid]

Having trouble finding a keyboard that meets these criteria:

• LED Backlit
• USB interface + Additional USB port on back of keyboard
• Audio/Mic Jacks on the back of keyboard
• Not mechanical, Membrane only
• Not Saitek/Madcatz

I think I'll point at mech again; you can make them quieter with little o-rings that'll stop you from bottoming them out, and also get the brown switches which will be quieter. (I know you have said no twice, but it's honestly the best when it comes to rollover.)

Also, I suspect that audio on the keyboard won't be simple to find at all. Can you just run an audio extension cable?

 

[BlitzPuppet]

This is proving to be more frustrating than I thought...

This mechanical keyboard fad is making it really hard to find a keyboard that meets my criteria. Generally it used to be considered gaming if it had Macro Keys, USB passthrough, Audio ports, and backlighting and would run around $100 bucks...now it's a gaming keyboard if it is mechanical and you're going to pay $100-150+.

Boo

 

[IGemini]

I think you're gonna have to pick your battles; either sacrifice one or two things or spend more money.

I got a Logitech G710+ about a month ago. The experience is very close to my old G105, which is a membrane keyboard. MX Browns are more clicky than the membrane but not significantly so, and are actually lighter. Adjustable white LED backlighting, 6 macro keys. Has the rear USB port as well, but not audio jacks. Currently going for $82 on Newegg as I type this.

Beyond that I think your best option is the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate, which I'm finding for around $115. These include both USB and audio jacks.

I don't think you're sacrificing anything by going mechanical over membrane. I'm actually starting to like MX Browns more than my old membrane keyboard.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

I think you're gonna have to pick your battles; either sacrifice one or two things or spend more money.

I got a Logitech G710+ about a month ago. The experience is very close to my old G105, which is a membrane keyboard. MX Browns are more clicky than the membrane but not significantly so, and are actually lighter. Adjustable white LED backlighting, 6 macro keys. Has the rear USB port as well, but not audio jacks. Currently going for $82 on Newegg as I type this.

Beyond that I think your best option is the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate, which I'm finding for around $115. These include both USB and audio jacks.

I don't think you're sacrificing anything by going mechanical over membrane. I'm actually starting to like MX Browns more than my old membrane keyboard.

I'm prepared to give up the audio port option and just buying 3.5 extensions, but the USB passthrough is a must. I may go with the 710+ and return it if I can't (or fiancee can't) stand the sound.

 

[IGemini]

I'm not sure about louder, but mech keyboards are a different kind of noise. Blues are the only ones that are plain obnoxious. Reds weren't tactile enough for me, Browns sound the quietest that I've tried but I'm also a light typer. Blacks are supposed to be even less noisy but Roccat is the only company I know of that seems reputable with your requirements. Specifically the Ryos MK Pro (even has 2 USB ports) but you're looking at $150 for those.

The Cyborg is a tough act to follow; my brother had one of the real Saitek ones before the buy. Easily one of the most versatile keyboards I've seen. Alas, Madcatz is not a name associated with quality.

 

[WT]

I tried to contact Saitek just last week for a broken spacebar on my Saitek Eclipse II and got an email bounceback from their USA contact email. Do they even exist as a company or were they bought out by Madcatz ?

 

[BlitzPuppet]

I tried to contact Saitek just last week for a broken spacebar on my Saitek Eclipse II and got an email bounceback from their USA contact email. Do they even exist as a company or were they bought out by Madcatz ?

I think it was a full buyout, but this is how I contacted them:

http://support.madcatz.com/US

Don't expect much in terms of a response time. They took a few business days for each response to my replies. Funny, I used to have the same keyboard but I think a key either broke or a spilled a drink on it...

 

[LOUISSSSS]

didn't read the thread, but have u considered the Razer Blackwidow series? I have the Ultimate Stealth and i love the backlighting, fast and consistent key response, and the 5 customizable keys to the left

 

[DigDog]

budget?

do you play shooters (or other frantic action games)?
or, do you type a lot?

around $100 (maybe a bit less) you can get a fully mechanical tenkeyless. other optional features depend on your idea of a perfect keyboard.

 

[Jumpem]

I would also prefer a non-mechanical gaming keyboard. I really don't like the feel of them of them. The noise is also a big negative. I tried and returned a couple of them.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

Hey Guys,

As an update I ended up getting the Corsair K70 Blue LED with MX reds. I had to get two shielded 3.5mm cables to extend my headset, but didn't have to worry about the USB situation as this keyboard had a USB passthrough in it.

As soon as I started typing I remember all that I didn't like with mechanical keyboards (but hey, at least I can press w and s at the same time and still be able to press other keys).

I ordered some Elitekeyboards landing pads in order to tone down the awful clacking noise the keys make when the bottom out. I'll let everyone know what I think once they are installed.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

I ended up getting a Cyborg K70 with red switches. As expected I don't like the bottoming out sound so I ordered some EK landing pads that will be here tomorrow.

 

[i7Baby]

Try SteelSeries Apex - http://steelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex

 

[bononos]

I ended up getting a Cyborg K70 with red switches. As expected I don't like the bottoming out sound so I ordered some EK landing pads that will be here tomorrow.

The landing pads won't do anything about the switch rebound noise. But it might be enough to solve your problem.

For membrane keyboards, have you check out brands like Roccat, Coolermaster, Gigabyte?

 

[BlitzPuppet]

The landing pads won't do anything about the switch rebound noise. But it might be enough to solve your problem

There really is no rebound noise, just the sound of the key bottoming out.

No joke, I've been gaming on PC since I was 6 or so so that gives me 24 years on the PC...I hope that's long enough to figure out what I like and what I don't . I started out with the mechanical switches and couldn't tell you how happy I was when the dome switches came out.

Unfortunately the landing pads haven't arrived yet...USPS is taking their sweet time and/or the package keeps getting lost. It's scheduled for delivery today so we'll definitely see!

 

[corkyg]

OP bought a Cyborg K70 with red switches. The thread has degenerated into excessive trolling and personal insults of no technical value. The thread is now locked.