why are gaming keypad/boards so underrated?

[TRIPTEX_CAN]

I like using a gamin keypad because it simplifies the button layout in a way I find more effective. Since my desk is 2 levels I just move my regular keyboard to the top level and its still accessible while being out of my way. As for typing... I don't type while I'm playing unless I'm dead so the point is moot.

With the smaller gaming pad I have much more room for my mouse on the desk so I never run out of room while gaming.

I use this one. Have had for 5 years now.

Spoiler

 

[digibucc]

From a Starcraft 2 nut:

Take a look at the wolfking, the one with the most button:
F1-F12 is there, along with 0-9. Good sign
you need 4keys over 3 rows to remap all of the "activities" you can do: its not there.
You get G button, allowing you to gg out of the game, but no "l" or "h" or "f", so you must always start your game bad mannered because you cannot "glhf" your opponent. Minor issue, but extremely rude especially in tournaments.
Backspace is not there: people using the backspace larva inject technique will cry.

you chose the one board that doesn't have programmable keys, and then proceed to highlight that the available keys ruin it for you. so get one with programmable keys, then you can have everything you need. n52te and g13 switch loadouts so you can have 3x as many keys as are physically available.

I use this one. Have had for 5 years now.

Spoiler

http://ak.buy.com/PI/0/500/203357354.jpg

before i got my g13 i looked at that quite a few times. ultimately i just decided for more logitech

 

[Fourstaff]

you chose the one board that doesn't have programmable keys, and then proceed to highlight that the available keys ruin it for you. so get one with programmable keys, then you can have everything you need. n52te and g13 switch loadouts so you can have 3x as many keys as are physically available.

I pick the Wolfking because it has the most keys, with n52te and g13 you dont have enough keys to satisfy all the keys you will be needing. Sure, you can use a thumb button to double/triple the keycount, but as I pointed in the previous thread you will need multiple keystrokes for each action, something which is hardly ideal as you are effectively increasing your input lag by needing to guarantee the thumb is depressed first before using the second set of keystrokes. It is also the only touchpad I have came across (and used enough to comment on).

It just doesn't feel natural playing RTS on a keypad, FPS games work beautifully on keypads though (again as far as my experience goes). The way you game RTS, MMO and FPS are different. My MMO playing buddy cannot play without his G keys in his G15, My FPS buddy cannot play without on the fly switching mouse sensitivity, but I can play my RTS with an absolute crap mouse, but I need a full sized keyboard. My RTS buddy absolutely refuses to touch my G11 because the Escape key is slightly offset, that has caused him to lose a few games (from my eyes, I like to laugh at him when my keyboard trolls him). I would gladly spend that extra few milliseconds to reach across my keyboard than to accidentally fail to depress the thumb button enough to activate the second keyset.

 

[digibucc]

The way you game RTS, MMO and FPS are different.

i recognize that, and to me that's really the only justifiable argument. i still think it's a lot more useful and flexible than you are giving it credit, but i can see in mmos and rtss that 30 keys may not be enough when you get 30 levels into it.

 

[Fourstaff]

i recognize that, and to me that's really the only justifiable argument. i still think it's a lot more useful and flexible than you are giving it credit, but i can see in mmos and rtss that 30 keys may not be enough when you get 30 levels into it.

I gave them a try and it didn't impress me enough for me to get one, I don't think I can give them anymore credit

 

[Frederik S]

Because a normal quality keyboard has better and more keys. I only play FPS games and a keyboard with a odd layout is just crap once you are used to playing on a normal keyboard.

 

[Cold Storm]

To me.. I grabbed a G13 due to wanting to try it out... And I was amazed at how it was. It took some time, like most things non Keyboard, to set up and get to the way you want it. But, once you have it set for the game you want, if it's not all ready done up by Logitech, or a third party, it's bliss. You get all the keys that you want in a cluster for yourself.. Don't have to go across a board in order to hit a button. It's right then and there... You have the possability to make every key to the micros that you want it to be, or even a single button. Set it to sec's and so forth.


Now, it's to each their own. There are reasons against it and for it. We all have are likes and dislikes

 

[digibucc]

Because a normal quality keyboard has better and more keys. I only play FPS games and a keyboard with a odd layout is just crap once you are used to playing on a normal keyboard.

i'm sorry but that's not good enough. it's not normal so it's crap, that's hardly an explanation. to each their own of course but i think your argument is lacking. still, thanks for making one

 

[Frederik S]

i'm sorry but that's not good enough. it's not normal so it's crap, that's hardly an explanation. to each their own of course but i think your argument is lacking. still, thanks for making one

How is it a bad explanation? Not one of the keypads on the market today features quality key mechanisms, and almost non of them bring any features that make your FPS gaming experience better. And no matter how you put it they have less keys than a regular keyboard.

In my opinion keypads serve a niche market of single game enthusiast and MMORPG players with the need for an absurd amount of macro enabled keys.

I would not say they are underrated or useless, they just are what they are.

 

[Fourstaff]

To me.. I grabbed a G13 due to wanting to try it out... And I was amazed at how it was. It took some time, like most things non Keyboard, to set up and get to the way you want it. But, once you have it set for the game you want, if it's not all ready done up by Logitech, or a third party, it's bliss. You get all the keys that you want in a cluster for yourself.. Don't have to go across a board in order to hit a button. It's right then and there... You have the possability to make every key to the micros that you want it to be, or even a single button. Set it to sec's and so forth.


Now, it's to each their own. There are reasons against it and for it. We all have are likes and dislikes

Would be nice if you tell me what game you play

 

[digibucc]

as i said, it is lacking. you say it crap because it's got an abnormal layout, that is ridiculous - especially considering the keys are programmable. the only thing i am reading is that you don't want to bother learning to use one, and that's fine - but it doesn't make the device sub-par, or niche.

again, hardware - for the 15th time, i understand no palm-sized devices yet use cherry switches and all that jazz, but i am specifically not talking about that. it is a non-argument i conceded in the very first post that started this thread. i will say i think the hardware is overrated in many cases. unless you are a top tier competitive player - $140 for an ibm replica with different switches is simply insane for normal gamers to buy.

the measured increase in efficiency is nowhere near worth it - the same can't be said for programmable keys on an ergonomic palm-sized keyboard. simply reducing arm/wrist movement and programming macros (easily) decreases time.

i believe it is simply the fact that it looks weird, coupled with the price and needing an "extra" keyboard, that turns people off from the start. however if you took the time to learn the device i am confident you would find it is much less niche than you claim.

 

[Cold Storm]

Would be nice if you tell me what game you play

That's all ready made
COD: MW
WOW
L4D

I made my own for

BF: BC2
Dead Island
WOW
Shank

Working on:
Dead Space (1&2)
Deus Ex: HR


Only thing I haven't really played it on is a 3rd person game.. I haven't had a want to go back and play any of them.. Maybe I'll throw on Dead Raising to see how it goes.

 

[Fourstaff]

Most of them are shooters, WoW surprised me.

 

[Cold Storm]

Most of them are shooters, WoW surprised me.

I also played about the hour of my 1.3h with it on Shank. That's side scrolling.

Hey, I got my Shaman to 85 using the G13... Good old Barklight..


I would love to do more and try it out. Been wanting to do a "personal review" on the G13 because if you spend at lease an hour playing around with it.. Your golden. IMHO

Unless it's like Shank, Trine, Booster Tooper, where it's just a few keys that is almost the staple to the G13

 

[MT Alex]

I've always been intrigued by the G13 and would love to try one for a bit. I dislocated my pinky finger playing football in college, and years of carpentry have made it a little retarded. Getting to the Z key is a real pain, and since I'm a homerow typer (in my day you had to take a year of typing before you could take any computer classes) I can't seem to retrain my ring finger to do the work.

Do you use the analog stick for movement?

 

[digibucc]

I've always been intrigued by the G13 and would love to try one for a bit. I dislocated my pinky finger playing football in college, and years of carpentry have made it a little retarded. Getting to the Z key is a real pain, and since I'm a homerow typer (in my day you had to take a year of typing before you could take any computer classes) I can't seem to retrain my ring finger to do the work.

Do you use the analog stick for movement?

i don't, but that's just because i prefer keys for movement. i use the analog stick for run and crouch, with both upward-ish axis being run and both downward-ish being crouch.

i do want to say i am sorry if my last post was a bit over the top, i really want to understand how it's not considered better and the answers were not really giving any explanation.

non shooters? it's great for:
company of heroes,
trine, braid, meatboy, cortex commander, terraria
i also love using it with total war games, including:
empire napolean & shogun 2.
works great with 4x, like x3 etc.
all rpgs (oblivion, witcher, risen, gothic, last remnant etc)
civilization & tropico, etc.
as well as over the head shooters, like the alien breed series.

i could go on and on. the only game sit is not better for imo is racing, and any game where you need more than 30 keys in any given second.

 

[Cold Storm]

i don't, but that's just because i prefer keys for movement. i use the analog stick for run and crouch, with both upward-ish axis being run and both downward-ish being crouch.

i do want to say i am sorry if my last post was a bit over the top, i really want to understand how it's not considered better and the answers were not really giving any explanation.

non shooters? it's great for:
company of heroes,
trine, braid, meatboy, cortex commander, terraria
i also love using it with total war games, including:
empire napolean & shogun 2.
works great with 4x, like x3 etc.
all rpgs (oblivion, witcher, risen, gothic, last remnant etc)
civilization & tropico, etc.
as well as over the head shooters, like the alien breed series.

i could go on and on. the only game sit is not better for imo is racing, and any game where you need more than 30 keys in any given second.

Ever since Blizzard "banned" my account because my wow account got hacked, Way before I got their app for android, I stopped playing Star Craft II... It took an act of GOD, and a friend that had SS of my playing Star Craft II to get a GM to unban me... I'm unbanned, but I might have to go and try Star Craft and do a 1on1 with if it's a good thing or not.. I get where everyone is going with RTS and it's not.. But, I've never backed down to a thing like that.. I'll test it..

What I got to lose? to say "Your right"? I've been engaged twice... I'm a master at saying it without a twitch.

 

[digibucc]

But, I've never backed down to a thing like that.. I'll test it.

exactly. any game i have tried it with has at most taken a few hours to get used to, once i did and i knew all the keys i needed where and how, there is simply no comparison.

i will admit there is a set up time for every game. but once you've figured out the right setup a full keyboard just seems large and unnecessary.

 

[lyndonguitar]

I prefer normal Keyboards, everything is in there. You have all the controls just at your handspan.

there are games that have so many key controls(arma, bf, some strategy games). games that have fun to use consoles(source games). games that require excessive typing and chat.(dota type games)

If you only plan to game at home and only at home its okay

for FPS games its okay to use too but I still prefer keyboards for the fact that you can use consoles more easier, type faster, and of course. not become a shit gamer when you play at other computers

I did this once, I was so good playing at home and then we had a bet match in heroes of newerth at some internet cafe near school and I sucked big time(always pressing wrong buttons)

My optimal gaming inputs would be:

FULL gaming keyboard with gaming mouse + Gamepad(xbox 360 like)
If you love "maneuvering" games then also add a Steering Wheel, Joystick, etc.

 

[digibucc]

(always pressing wrong buttons)

see my setup with the g13 has wasd as well as q,e,z,x,c & ctrl & space in regular locations i often find myself starting a game and using the left side of my g110(full kb) , only to switch to the g13 as it's less cumbersome. the key placement however is natural.

i might buy a wheel in the future, but i don't race enough to be worth it now. i use a 360 controller for pretty much any driving, though in rage i stay with the g13, even though they recommend a gamepad.

also, i regularly play battlefield as well as arma (semi regularly) and both work great with the g13. there are enough keys for those games.

the only real time i can see having to switch out is when you play rts or mmos, and you need fast access to 10 or more hotkeys to do spells. even that though, i use mouse left+right to walk so i don't need wasd or q/e in most mmos/rts, so there's an extra 6 hotkeys.

i'm not trying to discredit your opinion, it's yours and it's right for you. but i am trying to understand if there are any arguments i'm missing - for the most part everything everyone is saying could really be cleared up by trying one for a few hours with an open mind. not saying everyone will like it but most mentioned applications don't lend themselves to NEEDING a full size keyboard. and since a palm sized keypad is different and new(ish) , i am left to assume they haven't taken the time or been willing to try something new.

that being said, i still thank everyone for responding at all and hope to get some more answers

 

[mrsemi]

I agree, I can't live without my g13 and more recently my naga. I know people get accustomed to using their keyboards for movement and have mastered where to put their keybinds but I just can't imagine not being able to move without a thumbpad.

I owned the Saitek pro gamer & the one after which was identical but red called the cyborg. Found a review to it in the techpowerup database.
http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/saitek_pro_gamer_command_unit/

That unit's thumb joystick felt like an after thought and after you used it for a while the spring wore out so you'd have to adjust the software so you didn't run in circles.

The G13 is solid and I will buy another when a deal comes up just in case this one breaks. I literally can't game without it.

The only thing the g13 is missing that the Saitek unit had was a button where your palm rested with a shift option that I really wish the g13 would integrate. Simply putting pressure on it doubled your key options. I know that can be programmed into the mouse but we all know Ctrl alt & shift have unintended functions in a lot of games when combined with the arrow keys or the tab key.

The downside to the game pads is you really do have to spend time to set up every game, most of logitech's default profiles still have wasd programmed on the "G" keys which to me is redundant.

When I talk to fellow gamers they balk at paying for a gamepad when they have a working keyboard but I love them.

Btw, thanks to the person who posted that deck keyboard, time to retire the logitech illuminated.

 

[Cold Storm]

Lol.. I thought I was the only one that had the G13 and Naga Combo...


If you can't map that combo out..

 

[GoodManUK]

Logitech G13 it's the best keypad I ever had. It increase my WoW skills in 5x. I am pleased that I bought it. I recommend this keypad for all who want have a good game!

 

[Toothless]

Since we're necroing a 4 year old thread..

I don't recommend the Steelseries game pad as it feel like a small, cheap xbox controller knockoff when horrid turning in racing games. I don't think cars go "slight left, left, more left, SWERVE."

 

[Caring1]

Since we're necroing a 4 year old thread..

I don't recommend the Steelseries game pad as it feel like a small, cheap xbox controller knockoff when horrid turning in racing games. I don't think cars go "slight left, left, more left, SWERVE."

You haven't been in a car with my Ex.