What keyboard and mouse should I get?

[ChorniyVolk]

I need a recommendation for a good keyboard and mouse. Wired or wireless, don't care anymore.

For the keyboard, I need stuff like volume control, maybe some media player stuff, and definitely plenty of shortcuts. Extras are kind of cool too (glowing keys, etc.)

For the mouse I need precision for gaming and especially for photoshop to be able to edit at the pixel level without zooming in a whole lot. I use a palm grip.

Right now I'm looking at the
G11 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16823126009
and the
mx518 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16826104178

I've also seen these mice recommended elsewhere:

G5
G9
G9x
mx518
Razer Lachesis
Razer Deathadder
Cyborg (?)
NZXT AVATAR
Saitek GM-3200
Microsoft's Sidewinder

So can I go cheaper on the keyboard? Should I spend more?
Which mice should I consider for a palm gripper like myself, from both that list and whatever you can think of? I was hoping to spend $100-$120 or less on the set, but hey, I can go a bit more if you think it's necessary (you know, standard noob procedure).

I checked out that other thread, but I got the impression that the dude was a claw gripper and figured I should ask specifically for palm grippers like myself. I'm also right handed if it matters.

Thanks.

 

[greenbean]

I'm guessing you're a Windows user, you might try Autohotkey, then your options for keyboards would be greatly increased since you don't need to have all those extra shortcut buttons; volume control is a perfect example of what Autohotkey was designed for.

Here: http://www.autohotkey.com/

I'm a trackball zealot, so not much to say about mice

 

[ChorniyVolk]

Ah, trackball, using one right now myself (mostly due to lack of alternatives). Decent, but not my thing for real usage.

and I don't know, I kind of prefer my actual keyboard keys untouched to avoid any problems.

Also, as far as alternatives, how does this Cyber Snipa Stinger mouse compare?

 

[ChaiBabbaChai]

slightly off topic, but WHY CAN'T LOGITECH MAKE THE DAMN MX510 ANYMORE? Cheap bastards!!!

I have my MX510 right now, but when it goes I'll be like Patrick Swayze's wife.

 

[wonSR4]

Originally posted by: ChaiBabbaChai
slightly off topic, but WHY CAN'T LOGITECH MAKE THE DAMN MX510 ANYMORE? Cheap bastards!!!

I have my MX510 right now, but when it goes I'll be like Patrick Swayze's wife.

Loved that mouse so much but the right click was bugging out way too much. Using MX518 right now.

 

[ChorniyVolk]

The mx518 looks good, but some of theo ther mice on my list beat it in terms of stuff like DPI, and they're only $10-$15 more.

I needs me somes mice experts with theirs knowledge and theirs experience, ya hear? Because I have no idea which to go with, they're all great (well other than the claw grip ones, whichever they are, PALM GRIP 4 LYFE!).

Plus, keyboard stuff, I've been told that there's no need to spend too much extra on a keyboard, but other than that G11, I can't find anything that's perfect for me.

 

[ChaiBabbaChai]

I bought my Microsoft Black keyboard at CompUSA for like $15 years ago, and... it has shortcuts for play/pause, volume, calculator, home, email, favorites, music, my computer. Only thing I hate is that the media player has to be the selected window for the volume and play/pause to work. I really see no need for anything else unless it's one of those OLED customizable things for playing games / professional programs. Creating your own icon for each shortcut key would be cool. Personally, I'd never use it... but what about you?

 

[Statius]

I bought a Razer Deathadder about a week ago because I am also a palm gripper. Got it for 45$ shipped on ebay. It's slightly too big for my small hands, but still feels natural in my hand. The mouse buttons seem to be a perfect sensitivity for me as well. The driver makes it easy to change DPI (450, 900, or 1000), Polling rate (125Hz, 500Hz, or 1000Hz), and sensitivity( x and y axes can be adjusted independently) on the fly. You can make profiles to save certain configurations as well. Drivers and firmware are regularly updated. Overall, this is easily the best mouse I have ever used. Razer impressed me so much with this mouse that I am going to buy a Razer keyboard at my next paycheck. Good luck with your search!

 

[ChorniyVolk]

Originally posted by: Statius
I bought a Razer Deathadder about a week ago because I am also a palm gripper. Got it for 45$ shipped on ebay. It's slightly too big for my small hands, but still feels natural in my hand. The mouse buttons seem to be a perfect sensitivity for me as well. The driver makes it easy to change DPI (450, 900, or 1000), Polling rate (125Hz, 500Hz, or 1000Hz), and sensitivity( x and y axes can be adjusted independently) on the fly. You can make profiles to save certain configurations as well. Drivers and firmware are regularly updated. Overall, this is easily the best mouse I have ever used. Razer impressed me so much with this mouse that I am going to buy a Razer keyboard at my next paycheck. Good luck with your search!

The max DPI on it is 1000? That's a bit low for a $45 mouse, no?

 

[ChorniyVolk]

Originally posted by: ChaiBabbaChai
I bought my Microsoft Black keyboard at CompUSA for like $15 years ago, and... it has shortcuts for play/pause, volume, calculator, home, email, favorites, music, my computer. Only thing I hate is that the media player has to be the selected window for the volume and play/pause to work. I really see no need for anything else unless it's one of those OLED customizable things for playing games / professional programs. Creating your own icon for each shortcut key would be cool. Personally, I'd never use it... but what about you?

Creating my own icon? Like, on the keyboard? WTF?

Anyway, all of that sounds perfect, the volume control I just need for system volume, not for individual media players, and only real shortcut for media that I need on the keyboard would be pause, and space works just fine.

I'd just like some unmarked/unprogramed shortcuts and great for gaming (ie being able to press a bunch of keys at the same time and have them all respond).

 

[ChaiBabbaChai]

Originally posted by: ChorniyVolk
Creating my own icon? Like, on the keyboard? WTF?

Yup! http://www.ocztechnology.com/p...e_oled_gaming_keyboard

 

[Statius]

Originally posted by: ChorniyVolk
The max DPI on it is 1000? That's a bit low for a $45 mouse, no?

Perhaps, but I think there is a point where the DPI is so high that you can't tell the difference. I used my roommate's G5 (2000 DPI if I remember right) for a few weeks in June when I didn't have my computer, but I can't recall it being at all more precise than my deathadder. It also depends on what monitor you are using. Although I can't tell the difference between 1000 and 2000 dpi at 1680x1050, you may be able to tell at 1920x1200.

There are times when a lower dpi is more useful as well, so make sure whatever mouse you decide on has options to change the dpi on the fly.

 

[konakona]

I think the most important thing with mice is ergonomics - how it fits your and all. Huge YMMV since some like to grip it, others like to palm it. I am a gripper have only used MX518 and G9. MX518 was large but surprisingly snug for me, though preferred razer db3 to it. Logitech G9 has perfect shape, size, texture and everything i have ever wanted in a mouse. Best so far, bar none. I could have lived happily with any of the three mice, but if there can be only one (out of the three), it would have to be G9.

 

[Clinkster]

Originally posted by: ChorniyVolk

Originally posted by: Statius
I bought a Razer Deathadder about a week ago because I am also a palm gripper. Got it for 45$ shipped on ebay. It's slightly too big for my small hands, but still feels natural in my hand. The mouse buttons seem to be a perfect sensitivity for me as well. The driver makes it easy to change DPI (450, 900, or 1000), Polling rate (125Hz, 500Hz, or 1000Hz), and sensitivity( x and y axes can be adjusted independently) on the fly. You can make profiles to save certain configurations as well. Drivers and firmware are regularly updated. Overall, this is easily the best mouse I have ever used. Razer impressed me so much with this mouse that I am going to buy a Razer keyboard at my next paycheck. Good luck with your search!

The max DPI on it is 1000? That's a bit low for a $45 mouse, no?

You do know that DPI beyond 1000-1500 hardly means anything, right?

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: konakona
I think the most important thing with mice is ergonomics - how it fits your and all. Huge YMMV since some like to grip it, others like to palm it. I am a gripper have only used MX518 and G9. MX518 was large but surprisingly snug for me, though preferred razer db3 to it. Logitech G9 has perfect shape, size, texture and everything i have ever wanted in a mouse. Best so far, bar none. I could have lived happily with any of the three mice, but if there can be only one (out of the three), it would have to be G9.

Yep, how it feels to my hand is what matters most for me. I use CG and CAD apps all day and the mouse has to feel right. Right now I am using a low cost MX310 and love it.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: Statius

Originally posted by: ChorniyVolk
The max DPI on it is 1000? That's a bit low for a $45 mouse, no?

Perhaps, but I think there is a point where the DPI is so high that you can't tell the difference. I used my roommate's G5 (2000 DPI if I remember right) for a few weeks in June when I didn't have my computer, but I can't recall it being at all more precise than my deathadder. It also depends on what monitor you are using. Although I can't tell the difference between 1000 and 2000 dpi at 1680x1050, you may be able to tell at 1920x1200.

There are times when a lower dpi is more useful as well, so make sure whatever mouse you decide on has options to change the dpi on the fly.

The Deathadder has an 1800 dpi sensor.

 

[konakona]

Originally posted by: Modelworks

Originally posted by: konakona
I think the most important thing with mice is ergonomics - how it fits your and all. Huge YMMV since some like to grip it, others like to palm it. I am a gripper have only used MX518 and G9. MX518 was large but surprisingly snug for me, though preferred razer db3 to it. Logitech G9 has perfect shape, size, texture and everything i have ever wanted in a mouse. Best so far, bar none. I could have lived happily with any of the three mice, but if there can be only one (out of the three), it would have to be G9.

Yep, how it feels to my hand is what matters most for me. I use CG and CAD apps all day and the mouse has to feel right. Right now I am using a low cost MX310 and love it.

Isn't mx310 just a sensor update to mx300 with the exact same shape? If so, I can see myself liking that one a lot, too. MX300 is what I have been using before moving onto MX518.

 

[ChorniyVolk]

Alright, so as I've said I'm a palm gripper. Give me (if you would be so kind, of course) a list of which mice to look at, and I'll make a decision based on personal preference instead of badgering you guys to do it for me. Thanks.

 

[WelshBloke]

I've got one of these.

Its got volume control, media buttons, lots of short cuts and glow in the dark keys so it hits all your buttons.

Its also by microsoft and is as good as the rest of their keyboard range.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: ChorniyVolk

Originally posted by: Statius
I bought a Razer Deathadder about a week ago because I am also a palm gripper. Got it for 45$ shipped on ebay. It's slightly too big for my small hands, but still feels natural in my hand. The mouse buttons seem to be a perfect sensitivity for me as well. The driver makes it easy to change DPI (450, 900, or 1000), Polling rate (125Hz, 500Hz, or 1000Hz), and sensitivity( x and y axes can be adjusted independently) on the fly. You can make profiles to save certain configurations as well. Drivers and firmware are regularly updated. Overall, this is easily the best mouse I have ever used. Razer impressed me so much with this mouse that I am going to buy a Razer keyboard at my next paycheck. Good luck with your search!

The max DPI on it is 1000? That's a bit low for a $45 mouse, no?

he meant 1800. Also, Razer just recently updated the DA with a newer sensor that goes up to 3500 dpi (and also gave it a braided cord), although I don't know it has made it to retail channels just yet, however it is available from them direct.

http://www.razerzone.com/gamin...adder/razer-deathadder

I would also wager that most gamers use a sensitivity setting more along the lines of 800 dpi or even less when considering in game sensitivity (some gamers will drastically lower the sensitivity with software settings to nullify/waste the high dpi of the mouse)

Settings much beyond 1600dpi really are more marketing material than useful utility.

 

[smackababy]

Does the DeathAdder scroll wheel click when you scroll? I am looking for a new mouse because my G7 is plagued with connection issues (I am sad because I love that mouse) and I can't stand a mouse whose scroll wheel doesn't click.

 

[ChorniyVolk]

Welsh, for those prices I'd rather get a G11, no offense. Thanks though.

As far as the DeathAdder, $60 and only two shortcut buttons? God damn!

Well I'll consider it. What other good palm grip mice are there for me to look at, including the ones from my list (which of them are palm gripper mice?)?

Oh, and anything wrong with getting a keyboard and mouse off of ebay? I can see myself saving a small chunk of dough just by getting them on ebay instead of through newegg or some other retailer.

 

[Statius]

Originally posted by: smackababy
Does the DeathAdder scroll wheel click when you scroll? I am looking for a new mouse because my G7 is plagued with connection issues (I am sad because I love that mouse) and I can't stand a mouse whose scroll wheel doesn't click.

Yes, it clicks.

 

[ChorniyVolk]

So yeah, just need a list of good palm grip mice from you guys if that's alright, and I'll look through them and see which fits my needs best. Thanks to anyone who can help me out.

 

[aequasi]

the g9 is hands down the greatest mouse i have EVER used. it fits soo perfectly into my hand, it feels like it was made just for me. plus the variable speeds are great for gamers who need to switch sensitivign in the heat of the moment. i also love being able to customise the mouse and set profiles. another pro to it is the weights, and the frictionless mouse wheel. i would recomend the G9 to anyone and everyone

as far as keyboards, im currently using a saitek cyborg, and i love it. its a great keyboard, the macro stuff is kind of unintuitive tho. id say either that or the old g11 keyboard, or the g19 keyboard lol