Need new gaming keyboard and mouse

[Xerapis]

I'll just jump in here instead of making a new thread and all...

I'm looking to upgrade my keyboard and mouse...something more gaming speedy quality...

What's the best stuff out there these days?

Split by Trippy

[schild]

Find an original model M.

Big Hands = Microsoft Sidewinder (new one).
Little Hands = any Razer.

Final result = Win.

[TripleDES]

Microsoft Habu <3

[Lucas]

I have a Razer Tarantula Keyboard + Razer Copperhead(my retailer couldn't find the blue version for the mouse, so I have a green one :P). Great key customization, but the keyboard itself is quite large.

Copperhead isn't the latest Razer's mouse out there, but it's good enough. The later iterations (DeathAdder and Lachesis) doesn't seem to add that much, to me. Anyways, here is their product line:

Mouse:
http://www.razerzone.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2_17

Keyboard:
http://www.razerzone.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2_21

[Signe]

I have the Razer stuff, too.  I really like the keyboard but not crazy about the DeathAdder mouse... it's weird and the scrolling thingy bugs me.  They're both blue and they sort of pulse and sometimes I forget to play or do whatever it is I intend to do because I get mesmerised.  Sometimes they make me die. 

[Calantus]

Microsoft Habu <3

Seconded, the Habu is love.

[schild]

Habu is just a rebranded Razer. I think the Lachesis is the new shit if you like the Habu.

That said, I've used the Habu. I prefer the Sidewinder if you're going for something in that form factor.

[Morfiend]

I really wanted to like that Razer keyboard, but IMO it sucks. I had major problems with it missing letters unless I hit the keys really hard. Playing WoW for an hour and my fingers where very sore from having to press the keys so hard. Also its fucking huge, you need a lot of desk space for that thing.

Every time I end up wanting a new keyboard I just cant move away from Seitek, they are nice, compact, and work well. No frills, just a good keyboard.

As for mouse, Logitech MX518, best mouse ever if you play MMOGs.

Dont get sucked in by the Razer marketing, sure they make sexy looking stuff, but for me, the performance just isnt there.

[schild]

I don't use the Razer keyboard because the keys are a TINY bit smaller in form factor.

The Saiteks Keyboards feel too mushy. Might as well use a Dell Quiet Key Media Keyboard. Also they look like some guy 80s cartoon brought to life. Fucking ugly.

As for the mice, well, Everyone I know that takes gaming seriously even one bit (meaning everyone in and outside of this house in AZ switched from Logitechs to Razers or the Habu. The performance IS there, especially if you play FPS games. DannyB has gotten sick with his Razer.

Also, once again, IBM MODEL M OR DIE. As far as I'm concerned, buckle keyswitches are the only way to do ANYTHING. I will defend that keyboard style until death. They can be gotten on Ebay for BIN prices from $15-$45. But really, you need to make sure it's of the buckle switch variety. So, I think you have to stick with the 1993 Lexmarks, easiest way to identify (though there were 40+ different kinds made).

[SnakeCharmer]

My Razer DeathAdder did nothing for my less than l33t FPS skills.

I still suck 

I am, however, ready to toss my older style G15 to the heap though.  Too frakin' big, and lots of wasted utility I'll never need (macros, LCD screen).  If I could find a responsive backlit keyboard with short keystrokes, I'd be happy.  Does the Saitek fit that mold?

[Rasix]

My Razer DeathAdder did nothing for my less than l33t FPS skills.

Did decent stuff for mine.  I love the mouse.  I don't use the optional thumb buttons, but the feel and form factor are just perfect for my hands. 

Of course, it's the first non-POS mouse I've ever used.

[SnakeCharmer]

It actually made me worse for a while, due to the speed and accuracy of it (overcompensating).  Once I adjusted (myself, and the mouse), I got better.

I still suck though.  Me against machine?  Not too bad.  But me against other players?  Heh.  I'm nothing but target practice. 

[Mortriden]

I'm going to ask again about mice as well.  When I was talking about a "ring finger" button earlier, this is more what I meant...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826105002

See how that's got a button on the right side?  Right about where your ring finger sits?  This is the mouse I've been using for bloody ever (I think I've got a first production run version).  I love that button over there.  That's what I'm looking for in a newer high-ish (1600+) dpi mouse.

I haven't been able to find a Razor that has that button, and Microsoft's newest Sidewinder is the closest with stacked buttons on the thumbside.  Does anyone know of one that will fit that bill?

[Ookii]

I would have to disagree with the Model M as a serious gaming keyboard, I would go with keys that are easier to press down if you wanted something specifically for gaming.

That said, you shall not type on a keyboard other than a Model M, those are the rules.

[Morfiend]

I would say the main difference between the Razer mice and Logitech is your grip preference. I like a finger grip, so the Razer shape doesnt work for me. Whereas the logitech does. Also, I like having more buttons than the Razer offers.

[Signe]

I have the Razer mouse because it was a deal with the keyboard.  I haven't had any problems with the keyboard, no sticking or missing or anything like that.  They key size feels pretty normal to me, too.  I can't really remember the last time (til now) that I didn't have a Logitech mouse and I'll probably go back to it.  I do miss all the buttons!

[TripleDES]

Habu is just a rebranded Razer.

I know. It's about the look. And apparently the only Razer with an ergonomic form.

[schild]

Habu is just a rebranded Razer.

I know. It's about the look. And apparently the only Razer with an ergonomic form.

Both the Deathadder and Lachesis are ergonomic as well. The Lachesis is actually much better shaped for smaller handed folk. Doesn't really matter (on the Habu front), Razer is playing catchup with the new Sidewinder for folks with larger hands. Having used a Razer for years, and having messed with a Habu, I'm glad I made the switch.

[murdoc]

I've got a Razer Copperhead and I've been pretty happy with it.

[Phred]

Also, once again, IBM MODEL M OR DIE. As far as I'm concerned, buckle keyswitches are the only way to do ANYTHING. I will defend that keyboard style until death. They can be gotten on Ebay for BIN prices from $15-$45. But really, you need to make sure it's of the buckle switch variety. So, I think you have to stick with the 1993 Lexmarks, easiest way to identify (though there were 40+ different kinds made).

I love the model M's but my last one died due to an overdose of liquid spilled on it. I managed to track down the company that bought Lexmark/IBM's production equipment and bought one of their keyboards and I love it. The company is Unicomp and they make a great product.

 http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/cus101usenon.html

For those looking for a smaller keyboard they have a space saving model as well.

http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/en104bl.html

I went with the 101 key model because I can't stand the windows key.

[schild]

By Overdose, do you mean a gallon? I've never seen a Model M break. Surely it was submerged. In plastic corrosive acid.

[Phred]

By Overdose, do you mean a gallon? I've never seen a Model M break. Surely it was submerged. In plastic corrosive acid.

No, just a drinking glass size spillage. I've lost a couple that way. I think it fucks with the capacitance bacause in all cases the result was random keys stopping working. I've been tempted to soak a few in water and try drying them out. Guess it can't hurt what with them being dead wieght at this point.

 I had 3 or 4 at one time as the local school board dumped all theirs onto the used market a few years  back.

 If I was smart I would have ordered the plastic cover the new one.

[cmlancas]

I'm feeling lazy, so I didn't read the whole thread, so if this was already posted, sorry:

I like the Logitech Gs. I own a G11 and I love it. Eighteen programmable keys, 13 functions, convenient location for gaming, windows key can be turned off... I love it.

:D

[Koyasha]

I recently got a G15 when I heard they were discontinuing the original line with the blue glow and the 18 G-Keys.  I like it.  One downside - at least on my computer - is that it doesn't activate during the startup phase.  Possibly a motherboard thing where it's not configured to load USB attachments that early in the startup.  So if I have to get into bios config or windows startup I have to attach a keyboard with a PS/2 connector.

If you just want a good keyboard without fancy macro buttons and stuff though, then I agree with the Model M suggestions.

[Sir Fodder]

I've got a Razer Copperhead mouse and I like it a lot, especially in that it has a symmetric shape, I'm non-dextrous and tend to switch it between my large ham-hands. The lights on it were retina scortchingly bright though and one even pulsed obnoxiously. I decided to do surgery even though I thought I would break it, removed the pulsing light and another ridiculously bright one and now it's great.

I've got a Logitech G15 keyboard and it's great except for the huge size and bright LCD clock, I put some window film on the clock to dim it. I cannot go back to using a non-lighted key keyboard now.

Does anyone have experience with the Deck keyboards? I'm tempted to try out their small form factor model.

[schild]

If I got a small formfactor keyboard, it would be the Happy Hacking. There's a cheap knockoff of it at Fry's that I bought for $14 just to use with my UMPC though. Is not badddddddd.

[Phred]

Does anyone have experience with the Deck keyboards? I'm tempted to try out their small form factor model.

That looks pretty decent. A friend dropped me off some crumby m$ keyboard while I was waiting for my Unicomp to show up and it drove me nuts because all the keys were mounted flush with the top panel of the keyboard. For some reason my hands lost touch with where they were on that keyboard quite easily and I was typing a lot of gibberish.

That dock looks like the keys are raised up a bit so I doubt I'd have the same problem. Has anyone else had the problem I had. I think laptops use a similar style keyboard.

[SnakeCharmer]

I recently got a G15 when I heard they were discontinuing the original line with the blue glow and the 18 G-Keys.  I like it.  One downside - at least on my computer - is that it doesn't activate during the startup phase.  Possibly a motherboard thing where it's not configured to load USB attachments that early in the startup.  So if I have to get into bios config or windows startup I have to attach a keyboard with a PS/2 connector.

If you just want a good keyboard without fancy macro buttons and stuff though, then I agree with the Model M suggestions.

It's weird, my G15 starts up, then quits on POST.  Then when it gets to the Windows splash screen with the progress bar that goes back and forth, my system *always* hangs a bit while the USB drivers spool back up.  It's done that with EVERY driver, on two different computers with two different operating systems.

I regret buying the G15, honestly.  I've not used the LCD screen beyond a clock, and never used the macro buttons.  And it's frakin' HUGE.  I keep trying to break it without it being too obvious, but the fucker won't die.  I might unplug it then dump a big glass of tea on it or something.  The boss (wife) won't let me spend any more money on 'puter parts for a bit.

[Mortriden]

My G15 follows the same Procedure as Snake's.  I always tie my "G" keys to shortcuts.  It's the ultimate in laziness to starting my games and I love it.

[Strazos]

I love my Razer Diamondback. So fucking smooth and precise.

[Belle Elegant]

My husband uses a Deathadder, but I refuse to give up my Razer Diamondback.  It fits my hand perfectly and, as Strazos said, very smooth and precise.  For a while we both used the G15 keyboards, but he switched to Deck Legend and loves it.  Me, I will keep the G15 for a while.

[cmlancas]

I like the G11 because it is smaller, personally. I don't need that bigass clock. Also, I got it as a gift, which makes it even sweeter. 

[Furiously]

I love the lcd on my G15, it's great for Vent.

[Xerapis]

Yeah, I managed to snag G15.  I bought the only one that that shop had, and I hadn't seen it anywhere else.  Weird.  Also picked up the MX518 gaming mouse while I was at it.  Love the keyboard, the mouse is just "ok".  I actually prefer a bigger (taller?) heavier mouse.

[JWIV]

Yeah, I managed to snag G15.  I bought the only one that that shop had, and I hadn't seen it anywhere else.  Weird.  Also picked up the MX518 gaming mouse while I was at it.  Love the keyboard, the mouse is just "ok".  I actually prefer a bigger (taller?) heavier mouse.

I had a MX518 until this week when both mine and my wife's both died in different ways (Mine kept disconnecting from the computer, my wife lost the ability to use the scrollwheel).   I went ahead and snagged a Razer Lachesis (the local store was out of stock on the Diamondbacks), and so far I really like it, but it definitely takes some time to get used to it.