Keyboard for a gamer

[caleb]

Hi.

Recently my Benq A800 (which was a brilliant keyboard) died of coffe "addiction".
I got kinda pissed of not because I killed it but that you cant buy any of those anymore. Without any delay I went to a PC hardware shop and the salesman quickly narrowed my choices to one due to my preferences : medium or flat keys and key mechanism similar to those in keyboards (benq had both).
And tada I got myself a shiny new Logitech UltraX Premium http://www.x-kom.pl/index.php?show_prod=22029.

The adventure was dramaticly short I started up RainbowSix Raven Shield to test for multiple button combination and ..... It sux ! I cannot press Shift + W + E + D. (Which ingame means FORWARD + PEEK RIGHT + STRAFE RIGHT + ZOOM(shift).It will only accept three commands and I believe even 3 buttons were dodgy and not fluent.
Man I thought we have 2009 and these kinda issues are long long past of computers specially when this keyboard isnt cheap or even medium priced IMHO (about 20-25e).

RIP my old benq It totally owned with multiple button combinations. It never locked up. I was super proof for cigarretes and beer but not so much for coffee.

Can you guys please point me to a NORMAL keyboard with flat keys that will not get stuck on playing games? Lets skip the part with Shiny PRO GAMER stuff for asian boys. I just want the good old WSAD+Shift and flat keys.

 

[Solaris17]

Hi.

Recently my Benq A800 (which was a brilliant keyboard) died of coffe "addiction".
I got kinda pissed of not because I killed it but that you cant buy any of those anymore. Without any delay I went to a PC hardware shop and the salesman quickly narrowed my choices to one due to my preferences : medium or flat keys and key mechanism similar to those in keyboards (benq had both).
And tada I got myself a shiny new Logitech UltraX Premium http://www.x-kom.pl/index.php?show_prod=22029.

The adventure was dramaticly short I started up RainbowSix Raven Shield to test for multiple button combination and ..... It sux ! I cannot press Shift + W + E + D. (Which ingame means FORWARD + PEEK RIGHT + STRAFE RIGHT + ZOOM(shift).It will only accept three commands and I believe even 3 buttons were dodgy and not fluent.
Man I thought we have 2009 and these kinda issues are long long past of computers specially when this keyboard isnt cheap or even medium priced IMHO (about 20-25e).

RIP my old benq It totally owned with multiple button combinations. It never locked up. I was super proof for cigarretes and beer but not so much for coffee.

Can you guys please point me to a NORMAL keyboard with flat keys that will not get stuck on playing games? Lets skip the part with Shiny PRO GAMER stuff for asian boys. I just want the good old WSAD+Shift and flat keys.

maybe the razer lycosa would perk your intrest?

 

[t77snapshot]

I have this keyboard > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126180 the keys are somewhat low profile and works great for games. It also has all the hot-keys for quick internet and media access.

 

[Snipe343]

I own the lycosa and I highly recommend it.

 

[Hybrid_theory]

Agreed. Razor Lycosa isnt much more thick than a laptop keyboard. Has the different lighting schemes and media keys. Not too many other features with it, but good keyboard.

 

[caleb]

That is a lot of money for a keyboard

 

[Solaris17]

whats your budget bud?

 

[caleb]

Razor is 300PLN (about 65e) so I would be willing to pay about 30-40e. I see there is some cut out razer without glowing etc Anyone got that ?

 

[kurosagi01]

i reconmend getting the arctosa silver:
http://www.x-kom.pl/index.php?show_prod=40093
Its just a tiny bit over your budget,amazing keyboard and its 189PLN

 

[Hayder_Master]

if you look for the best visit "razer"

 

[Binge]

To the OP. The problem you had with your replacement keyboard is that there is no N-Key rollover function. It means that the manufacturer skimped out on installing diodes into the KB. What this does is cause malfunctions when more than 2 keys are pressed simultaniously or close to simultaniously. First understanding the problem allows you to go and look for a keyboard with true N-Key rollover.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollover_(key)

There are fewer and fewer keyboards that will support rollover because of USB. USB limits companies to 6 keys at most, and so that encourages them to use no diodes and simply program blockers into the keyboard's firmware. For example... if the company were to install diodes all over the board it would cost them $.06 per key in the keyboard. They can cut $6+ on a 104-107 key standard layout keyboard simply by skipping the diodes. Companies that give a sh*t about gaming are even worse... you will get a dome membrane keyboard, it will only have 6 key rollover because it's USB. They'll install the diodes, and the keyboard that costs $18 to make will cost you over $70.

All things considered I would try to get an Enermax Aurora. The Lycosa is "good" and all with respect to rollover, but the keyboard as a keyboard (the thing that you use to type daily, and surf the web) is freaking terrible.

::EDIT:: I run the TPU peripherals club. It would be the perfect place for you to ask a bunch of good people about keyboards, mice, and other computer peripherals.

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=98617

 

[Kantastic]

if you look for the best visit "razor"

'Razer'

 

[Hayder_Master]

'Razer'

ohh , thanx dude
http://www.razerzone.com/

 

[caleb]

Thanks Bingie for explaining it more clearly for me.
I have always known about these zones I just never needed to know how these work in electronics.
For me pressing 3+ is a MUST and Im surprised how much the marked changed since I bought that BENQ keyboard. I mean it was like 10 euro for it and now I need to pay 4x the price of it to satisfy my sticky fingers?

Sorry guys Im not considering any of those Razer's. After reading some review's I will still stay away from Razor stuff. Never liked their design anyways.

Bingie What can you tell me on MS sidewinder X6 ? Or G15 ?
Logitech is really overpriced when compared to that X6 but I know they have ownage RMA and thats why Im considering it.

PS. Can I join teh club ?

 

[jagass]

Whoa...Sad to know that...Good luck in searching for a new one...

 

[Binge]

Thanks Bingie for explaining it more clearly for me.
I have always known about these zones I just never needed to know how these work in electronics.
For me pressing 3+ is a MUST and Im surprised how much the marked changed since I bought that BENQ keyboard. I mean it was like 10 euro for it and now I need to pay 4x the price of it to satisfy my sticky fingers?

Sorry guys Im not considering any of those Razer's. After reading some review's I will still stay away from Razor stuff. Never liked their design anyways.

Bingie What can you tell me on MS sidewinder X6 ? Or G15 ?
Logitech is really overpriced when compared to that X6 but I know they have ownage RMA and thats why Im considering it.

PS. Can I join teh club ?

Yes by all means you can join the club. There's a small guide on how to join on the front page. It's open to all TPU members to discuss their keyboards, mice, speakers, SATA drives/disc drives, USB devices, and more.

The Sidewinder X6 and G15 are good for people who want to macro, but neither have rollover. For the situation you described you would have to program a single button with a macro, or use key bindings.

It's a common problem these days that keyboards just aren't being made with rollover. A lot of apple keyboards have rollover but they are in a different key config than standard windows keyboards. I'll compile a list of KB that I KNOW have rollover.

Razer Tarantula (Terrible build quality. Too expensive for a non-mechanical keyboard)
Apple Pro Keyboards (Not a standard windows KB)
i-rocks KR-6230 (Funny placement of the "?" key)
Steelseries 7G (not recommended, as it is the worst mechanical keyboard on this planet)
Filco Majestouch (The ones with n-key rollover are specified. All keys on the keyboard can be pressed at once and they will all register. only available at www.elitekeyboards.com otherwise order directly from japan )
Das Keyboard III (16 key rollover. Best price on the net is at www.sidewindercomputers.com for US citizens otherwise order from Germany)
Cherry MX8100 (No longer made)
Happy Hacker 2 Pro (Way too expensive and small)
Matius Tactile 2 PRo (Expensive but in the same category as the Filco and Das. Good quality)
Raptor-Gaming K1 & K2 (No personal experiance, but people are OK with these keyboards)
Zboard (also not recommended because they break easily)

There are a few more but this should give you an idea of what kind of keyboards have it and how newer keyboards with n-key are becoming more and a more rare.

 

[caleb]

Omg. This indeed is a drama. Im really begining to regret I didnt buy 100 of those Benq A800 when it was still available. I see one guy selling them on ebay in australia. Anybody in Poland intereseted ? It still would be cheaper to air mail it here than buying one of these here which are hard to get on Poland.

EDIT : What about PS2 does the problem affect these too or just USB ?

 

[douglatins]

Any quality one will do i use a microsoft confort curve, a gaming mice is what you need

 

[Binge]

Omg. This indeed is a drama. Im really begining to regret I didnt buy 100 of those Benq A800 when it was still available. I see one guy selling them on ebay in australia. Anybody in Poland intereseted ? It still would be cheaper to air mail it here than buying one of these here which are hard to get on Poland.

EDIT : What about PS2 does the problem affect these too or just USB ?

The problem with n-key rollover is the diodes. If they keyboard doesn't have diodes then it doesn't matter if it's PS/2 or USB. PS/2 with diodes can have infinite key presses. For USB there is a maximum of 6 key strokes that can be recognized because of USB's limited bandwidth. I think there are a couple cheaper keyboards in that list. I'll do some calling and ask a few companies if their keyboards support n-key rollover. If you do that as well it'll save me time

 

[caleb]

Hi. Im using G9 as a mouse this aint the way to go when it comes to buttons. I game for more than 5 years and mouse is ment for aim/shoot and perhaps change between run/walk.
Keyboard is a LOT faster when it comes to pressing stuff as your hand is basicly ready for keypress instead of movement. Its similar with trying to gently push the brake pedal with your right foot in a car when your totally used to handing throthile with it.
Really for me a keyboard is just a keybord that works when i spam 5 buttons at once in a game and is nice to type on when I chat/browse etc.

Ive looked around for those keyboards and it seems it will be a problem buying them here in Poland they arent as available as MS/Logitech/Razor. That second raport looks pretty nice. Its kinda flat as I would like it to be. Just where do I buy those here ?!

Bin. What is this with those mechanical switches ? Are these like a typing machine loud and heavy to press ?

 

[Binge]

Hi. Im using G9 as a mouse this aint the way to go when it comes to buttons. I game for more than 5 years and mouse is ment for aim/shoot and perhaps change between run/walk.
Keyboard is a LOT faster when it comes to pressing stuff as your hand is basicly ready for keypress instead of movement. Its similar with trying to gently push the brake pedal with your right foot in a car when your totally used to handing throthile with it.
Really for me a keyboard is just a keybord that works when i spam 5 buttons at once in a game and is nice to type on when I chat/browse etc.

Ive looked around for those keyboards and it seems it will be a problem buying them here in Poland they arent as available as MS/Logitech/Razor. That second raport looks pretty nice. Its kinda flat as I would like it to be. Just where do I buy those here ?!

Bin. What is this with those mechanical switches ? Are these like a typing machine loud and heavy to press ?

Mechanical switches? They have a more crisp feel than regular keyboards. A number of the keyboards like the Das III or Filco Majestouch actually have relatively light keys. I'm using an ABS M1 right now and they keys have a "heavy" feel to them. Some switches are heavier than others, some make noise, and some don't. You can tell what the keys are going to weigh or if they'll make noise by the color coding of the switch.

HEAVIEST: Black 55G
MIDDLE: Blue 50G
LIGHTEST: Brown 45G

Makes noise: Blue
Low/No noise: Black/Brown

I am going to own a Filco Majestouch by the end of the week. I like blue switches and the majestouch has browns. Maybe I'll become fond of the lighter touch.

Which keyboard are you trying to find in your country?

 

[v8ornot2v8]

I have a Logitech G15 and I love it.