39 replies to this topic

[shib13]

Curious about the input device people use for gaming. Personally I still use a crappy Dell rubber dome keyboard that came with my old computer. Looking to perhaps buy a Cooler Master QuickFire Rapid: http://www.amazon.co...S/dp/B0068INSUM.

Mechanical seems to be the way to go with keyboards. Anyone else use a mechanical keyboard? I've found there is a whole world out there involving keyboards: http://www.reddit.co...nicalKeyboards/

[billybob476]

Holding on to my first gen Logitech G15 as long as I can, love this thing.

[Fred]

I have the second generation G15 from Logitech. It's nice and has never given me an issue, however I have to admit I don't use the macro keys or LCD at all. When it's time for a new keyboard I will probably buy a mechanical one with a few less bells and whistles.

[Blamrob]

No fancy game keys or LCD screen. But it's a great keyboard. I hate to say it, but "gamer keyboards" just look ridiculous. Way too big and plasticy.

But to make up for any lost functionality, I do use a Naga mouse.

[billybob476]

I have the second generation G15 from Logitech. It's nice and has never given me an issue, however I have to admit I don't use the macro keys or LCD at all. When it's time for a new keyboard I will probably buy a mechanical one with a few less bells and whistles.

I really only used the macro keys for WoW and the LCD is great for seeing who is talking on Vent.

[paradyme]

I have been using the Merc Stealth for 4ish years now. Mine is still and old Zboard brand from before they got taken over by SteelSeries. Never had any problems with it except I can't go back to regular keyboards for gaming now, my fingers feel too claustrophobic using the regular WASD.

[Corath]

Holding on to my first gen Logitech G15 as long as I can, love this thing.

I also use that, and I absolutely love it. I tried the Merc Stealth that paradyme has, but I really didn't like it. I was just too used to the old setup, and I had my gaming built around it. It's a great keyboard, just not for me. I'll stick with my G15 for as long as I can.

[Delthan]

I use a Saitek Eclipse II

No fancy game keys or LCD screen. But it's a great keyboard. I hate to say it, but "gamer keyboards" just look ridiculous. Way too big and plasticy.

I use an Apple Wireless KB with my iPad, and it's ok for that I guess. But every time I use one or see one I think of how blogger/podcaster/internet curmudgeon Merlin Mann, upon having to switch to one temporarily after his Das Keyboard broke, described the experience of using as feeling like "fingerbanging stale Mentos".

Which...pretty much sums it up.

[Quasigriz]

I'm not as interested in actual keyboards as I am about key-bindings. I use a plain old $15 keyboard that works great. The real trick is a good, efficient, key binding. I bind most of my stuff, for wow, to 1-4, q,e,r,f,z,x add alt. Shift+ and Ctrl+ are tough to me. And my first customization of any keyboard (I'm on windows) is to take a pen or screwdriver and pop-out the windows key. Nothing sucks more than being on a CoD 10+ streak and accidentally hitting the windows key.

Anyone use a good gaming mouse? I have a 5 button Logitech, from a number of years back, that the laser it twitchy and needs to be replaced.

[billybob476]

Nothing sucks more than being on a CoD 10+ streak and accidentally hitting the windows key.

That's why I love the G15, there's a switch to turn off the Windows key.

[Delthan]

I'm not as interested in actual keyboards as I am about key-bindings. I use a plain old $15 keyboard that works great. The real trick is a good, efficient, key binding. I bind most of my stuff, for wow, to 1-4, q,e,r,f,z,x add alt. Shift+ and Ctrl+ are tough to me. And my first customization of any keyboard (I'm on windows) is to take a pen or screwdriver and pop-out the windows key. Nothing sucks more than being on a CoD 10+ streak and accidentally hitting the windows key.

Anyone use a good gaming mouse? I have a 5 button Logitech, from a number of years back, that the laser it twitchy and needs to be replaced.

I actually have a much easier time with Shift than with Alt or Ctrl, but other than that I use a very similar set up. My main bar in WoW (and any MMO I can change it in) is qefr12345ct` with shift-mod macros set-up for most of those keys. And I even try to keep things bound similarly across toons and MMOs; so ` is always a mount, q is generally an opener, c is an interrupt or something similar, and so on.

As far as a mouse goes, I like to keep is simple with a Razer Lachesis. No frills, but well built with solid performance.

[Cellenee]

I use a cheap mini usb keyboard but gaming wise I use a Razer Nostromo. After maybe six months with it I am kind of hooked on using it.

[Blastbeats]

I bought one of these years ago, its held up really well. I also use a Razer Lachesis for my mouse.

[Vitalogy]

I have been using the Merc Stealth for 4ish years now. Mine is still and old Zboard brand from before they got taken over by SteelSeries. Never had any problems with it except I can't go back to regular keyboards for gaming now, my fingers feel too claustrophobic using the regular WASD.

This is the best right here! I've tried them all and this is my favorite. I even have one still in the box in the closet just incase they ever go out of production (almost happened) and I can't buy one again.
The only complaint I have is the same you have, once you use it you can't go back to an original keyboard for gaming ever again.

The big WASD is a huge bonus but the real payoff is having 1-11(+) right above your keyboard hand, being able to get to 7-11 with ease and almost no stretching something I can't imagine living without when it comes to MMO pvp. I use all 1-11 keys and a ctr modifier with every MMO I play, which frees up my extra mouse buttons for many other hotkey options.

[Finch]

Mechanical keyboards are fantastic. I am currently still using the Starcraft 2 Razer keyboard and still loving it. At the time it was the first Mac supported keyboard so I really didn't have many other options. I plan on using it until it dies then I will probably pick up a Razer Blackwidow to replace it. Razer hasn't done me wrong in the past, so I will be sticking with their products.

[billybob476]

Sadly, my original G15 is starting to go one me, the "L", semicolon and single quote keys are becoming unresponsive.

[Cellenee]

That merc stealth looks nice I had something similar a while back it might have been an earlier model.

I have problems using wasd to move while having to access the number keys so that is why I probably got hooked on the Nostromo. I use the thumb stick to move forward, backward and strafe left and right. It frees up the other four fingers to access all the other keys. I was a horrible clicker but this works for me.

[shib13]

Mechanical keyboards are fantastic. I am currently still using the Starcraft 2 Razer keyboard and still loving it. At the time it was the first Mac supported keyboard so I really didn't have many other options. I plan on using it until it dies then I will probably pick up a Razer Blackwidow to replace it. Razer hasn't done me wrong in the past, so I will be sticking with their products.

The Blackwidow seems to have a bad reputation for poor build quality compared to other mechanical keyboards. People also say it has 2-key rollover which is worse than most $10 keyboards. Although this might not be an issue in Starcraft 2. If you want a "gaming keyboard" look but still has good build quality, the Cooler Master Quickfire series and Ducky keyboards are said to be good quality. Cooler Masters will also be cheaper than Razer.

However, Razer might be improving with their new line of Blackwidows: http://www.razerzone...ical-domination
They at least addressed the rollover issue.

[RealityIntern]

I still use a durable, cheap, and comfortable Microsoft Natural Keyboard. I never thought I'd get an ergonomic keyboard, but here I am. 'Normal' keyboards are far too cramped for typing comfortably, imo. I wish there was some mechanical keyboards that had a split design. Still, this thing has lasted over a decade (had a previous owner), and in almost perfect condition.



For gaming, I wish I could drop the keypad so I had more room for the mouse, but that's a fault in almost all full-sized keyboards. Otherwise, it does the job wonderfully. However, if you use the directional arrows, it's not for you. I'm a WASD man, though.

Now if only I could find the perfect mouse. Most are way too big and designed for palm comfort instead of agility.

[Blastbeats]

I use a Microsoft Ergo keyboard at work. I'm a fan.

Whenever my G15 goes @ home I will most likely just replace it with one of these.