Jump to content
The Dark Mod Forums

gaming keyboard/mouse shopping


ungoliant

Recommended Posts

So, unbelievably, I've never purchased a dedicated gaming keyboard or mouse, or furthermore any keyboard/mouse that costs above $10 each. The ones i have now i've been using since i dunno 2010, 2009? feet grips rubbed off, when I play any game, every 5 minutes i need to slide the keyboard back to the edge of the tray every 5 minutes or so, and its not backlit, so i end up fumbling a lot with the less-used keys while playing in the dark. and playing in the dark is what we do. cuz its dark mod. Also no extra function keys on the mouse, its m1, m2, m3+wheel. and the wheel button is completely jackshit worthless, I always end up scrolling forward or back once or twice trying to press it.

 

I don't have a terrible lot of money, so i was thinking i dunno, maybe a $50 mouse right now, and then 2 weeks later maybe a $50 keyboard, and I was getting all prepped for the specs to research, and the pricepoints to expect, and I browsed through the entire Razer product line as a starting point, just to see what ridiculously overpriced stuff looks like.

 

And then this happened: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823129030

I mean, I'm used to giving my mouse a few technical taps when it doesn't move properly, and having a coefficient of friction problem where I have to put a bit much force just to get the thing going, and by then its far too late for small precision movements, I usually end up using the momentum I've built up to run in little circular movements to get pinpoint accuracy. So, basically, even really mediocre starter gear is going to be a huge improvement for me.

 

$30 combo with back lighting, and adjustable DPI mouse with extra function keys. I can't even... how is this beatable? Is there really a point to shopping any more?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would go for your cheaper option. I did try splashing out $350 on a mechanical backlit Cherry keyboard and a cyborg RAT mouse a year ago, but those are gathering dust on the shelf now and I'm back to budget models. The keyboard worked well for gaming but made ordinary typing slower and more awkward, and after a year the keys started to stick and the lights started to go out, so it needed replacing anyway. The mouse was horrible to use from day 1. Too heavy and it was so sensitive it absolutely required a special mouse mat or the pointer skipped all over the screen. I'm back with £20 models from Amazon. The only extra I want on the keyboard is back lighting, and on the mouse, a good scroll wheel and buttons for dpi adjust and page forward/back. All the rest of the gizmos are a hindrance.

Edited by SteveL
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just bought a pack of two keyboards and two wheel mice for 19.95 from Tigerdirect in canada [probably 5 bucks less in US]

the keyboards are glow-in-the-dark keys with big letters and symbols - like some sort of fisher price kiddy keyboard .. BUT..

The board and keys feel great to use and the mouse beats the MS mouse or the Logitech ones that I have. No, there are not any "extra" keys or buttons, but I prefer it that way.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@SteveL -- $350 for a mouse and keyboard, holy crap! :o It is generally true with electronics you get what you pay for but holy shit that's a lot of money.

 

@ungoliant -- at that price, give them a try. Not much to lose and maybe in a year or two you'll want to change it up...or not!

 

As with any purchase I would recommend review searching prior to purchase and not just reviews on Newegg.

 

Not too long ago I took a chance on a new mouse that came out from Func (MS-3) and though its their first mouse ever and was initially a pain (this is my 2nd one in 6mo. (a bit of back and forth with them getting it replaced) and they're now offering a V2 of it that fixes all the initial issues) it is the most comfortable mouse I've ever laid my large hands on and when I switched back to my old mouse all I did was miss the comfort.

 

I'm a claw grip person and this is a palm mouse but it allows both styles and using palm while browsing/editing/DR is so comfortable. I can't not recommend this mouse for shear comfort if you have medium to large hands and with the v2 out now and they dropped the price $20, its hard not to.

 

Also, you can set up the mouse how you like and then completely remove any installed software as the mouse keeps everything internally stored.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm currently using a Max Keyboard fully mechanical with cherry mx brown switches. Paired with a Steelseries Senei mouse it's been amazing. It also does NKRO over USB2.0 or higher.

 

Keyboard: http://www.maxkeyboa...l-keyboard.html

Mouse: http://steelseries.c...elseries-sensei

 

Oh god the clicks!!! The clicks are so nice!

 

The mouse is really cool it has on board profiles and an LCD panel on the bottom so you can change all the profile settings on the fly. If you don't want to use a mouse pad you can adjust the lift height on the fly. Just so many cool things about it.

I always assumed I'd taste like boot leather.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I might give the Sensei a go. That's a very sexy mouse and I do like ribbing on my mousewheel :) + it doesn't look overdone with extra buttons. The keyboard looks identical to the Cherry's own version I just got rid of. Yes the clicks were very satisfying for gaming where you typically complete every keypress, but I found that the deep press *halved* my typing speed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I might give the Sensei a go. That's a very sexy mouse and I do like ribbing on my mousewheel :) + it doesn't look overdone with extra buttons.

 

The only weird thing about the mouse is that it is an ambidextrous mouse so the 2 side buttons also appear on the right side of the mouse.

The nice thing about that, is when you set up your profile, you can turn them off. Otherwise your pinky finger will activate them.

I always assumed I'd taste like boot leather.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Reading that article I linked, looks like the activation point for a keypress to register is only 2mm. The key will continue on for another few mm though so maybe it felt like you needed to press them all the way down?

 

Good article you linked. I did try to find out which type of key mechanism I had after reading it by searching my amazon orders, but then remembered I bought it in person so there's no online record. I didn't get on with the keypress. It had almost no resistance so even if it needed a shallow press to activate, there was nothing to rebound off without a deep press. My favourite typing keyboard of all time, the one I use for work, is a Cherry that I've had for 6 years and still works perfectly so I don't diss their brand. Just the one time I bought a specialised gaming keyboard from them, I found it good for gaming but nothing else. I guess that doesn't amount to a complaint!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you don't expect too much support or fancy features you can try out the Logitech series. Although they got more expensive last year together with their new product design.

"Einen giftigen Trank aus Kräutern und Wurzeln für die närrischen Städter wollen wir brauen." - Text aus einem verlassenen Heidenlager

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Having a laptop, I don't get to choose keyboard, but did invest in a Logitech G13 USB game keypad (22 keys plus joystick and stuff) which has been tremendously useful.

 

In other environments I use the bottom three keys as modifiers to chord it, which unfortunately DarkMod doesn't do.

 

I'm mouse picky given my video graphics background (laser), and hate ones that die readily (a case where Logitech is horrid), but finally found Evoluent's VerticalMouse, which is wonderful, albeit well beyond the budget given above. It doesn't twist your wrist, and is programmable beyond previous mice I had, including a modifier button for chording.

"The measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he never would be found out."

- Baron Thomas Babington Macauley

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Evoluent's VerticalMouse

 

Now that looks comfy. How hand-size dependent do you think they are? Is it easy to use without being lodged in to your palm? Another problem I had with the RAT mouse was that it was too heavy for fingertip use but too small for me to palm even with the sticky-out-bits cranked out to their fullest extent. I'm 6'3, 18 stone, and built like the proverbial brick shithouse, so I go to specialist shops for clothes, but there's no equivalent for electronics. Could that mouse be used with a hand the size of a modest spade do you think?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes.

 

But check their "hand size info": http://evoluent.com/

 

There is that equivalent for electronics, as they do sell a small size version for people without our bigger grips.

 

I've always finger moved mice for precision (pointers set to high acceleration) with minimal movement. Many use that mouse by forearm movement instead of wrist bending, I rest my lower hand on desk and use fingers.

"The measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he never would be found out."

- Baron Thomas Babington Macauley

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm a big fan of Steelseries for a gaming mouse. I have the Kana (~ $40 at amazon) and it's already lasted twice as long as my previous two Razer Diamondbacks. It's also really light, which is nice. On the keyboard front, I've semi-recently switched to the tenkeyless CM Quickfire Rapid with Cherry MX Blue switches (~ $75 at amazon - other switch types are more expensive). Loving it and hating the non-mechanical keyboards I have to use everywhere else. It has no backlight, but I prefer using a separate light strip to illuminate the keyboard.

I am the bat. The night is mine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@RJFerret -- I've seen those mice before and they are very ergo for arm position but how are they in practice? I was very interested at one point in trying one out.

 

As far as mechanical keyboards go I guess I can throw my hat in the ring. I've got a Deck Legend w/cherry mx red and blue backlight and find it excellent for typing and gaming. I run the backlight on the lowest setting day and night and I've had it for ~6 years and not had a single issue with it. Love that the letters are translucent and cast in to the key so they don't wear off and they use a nice font on the keys.

 

I got it back when mech keyboards weren't "cool" so it was only $115 bucks at the time. They're significantly more now and come with cherry mx blacks instead. Absolutely love the smooth acctuation and key sound. Reminds me of the old IBM keyboards.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lux, it was too much money/too different for me to just buy unknowingly. Turns out an ex-girlfriend's brother had been using one for years. He is an electrical engineer, and is particular about things being designed to last, and had nothing but good things to say about it.

 

Although some reviewers mention it takes them some time to adjust to the vertical position, I'm rather adaptable, and didn't have to work too hard to get proficient with it (just a couple days for me, while many take a week or more apparently).

 

I've had tendinitis in my thumb years ago (from a pyrography project), shoulder (unsure of cause, badminton/mousing/who knows) such that I used a regular mouse with my left hand for almost a year. Any discomforts I've had from extended use of an old style mouse have not occurred with the VerticalMouse--and I've moused more working in DR with bad posture and no other accommodations for good form with this mouse happily.

 

I can be picky, and usually there's something I want to change about a product, but not really with this one. It does take just one AA battery instead of two (probably to try to compensate for weight?) which means tossing them in the charger requires cycling another through it too/more management than just tossing two batteries in the charger right away.

 

Some reviews complain of it showing dirtiness sooner, but I've found the opposite to be true, and the chrome part simply wipes clean very nicely.

 

I've never had a mouse before that I've replaced with the same device, whereas if something went wrong with this one, I would.

 

Not sure if that answers your "how are they in practice" query, but can babble more if there's something specific I missed?

"The measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he never would be found out."

- Baron Thomas Babington Macauley

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@SteveL -- $350 for a mouse and keyboard, holy crap! :o

Im using a Dell keyboard and Steel series mouse, the only issue I have are the shift key doesnt like to place nice with DR (but Im certain its a DR issue) and the steel series mice have week micro keys that wear out after 6-12months and need to be replaced (I have done this twice myself (simple soldering job) as SS support leaves a lot to be desired)

 

Total cost over 36 months £50, 2 keyboards (I tend be quite rough with my k/b's) and the the replacement micro switches for my SS mouse.

 

My ethos, is never spend more than £50 on a keyboard and £30 on a mouse. And at the end of the day you have to try them out to see if they are worth keeping.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not sure if that answers your "how are they in practice" query, but can babble more if there's something specific I missed?

 

Yes, appreciate the info.

 

@Biker, yeah that's about $84 bucks U.S. So I guess I didn't do bad for getting a mechanical kb early that works like the day it was new...6 years later (for not much more than that). <3

 

Hell for me, the hassles is worth the difference alone. Although paying more initially isn't always a hassle free experience.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Petike the Taffer

      I've finally managed to log in to The Dark Mod Wiki. I'm back in the saddle and before the holidays start in full, I'll be adding a few new FM articles and doing other updates. Written in Stone is already done.
      · 4 replies
    • nbohr1more

      TDM 15th Anniversary Contest is now active! Please declare your participation: https://forums.thedarkmod.com/index.php?/topic/22413-the-dark-mod-15th-anniversary-contest-entry-thread/
       
      · 0 replies
    • JackFarmer

      @TheUnbeholden
      You cannot receive PMs. Could you please be so kind and check your mailbox if it is full (or maybe you switched off the function)?
      · 1 reply
    • OrbWeaver

      I like the new frob highlight but it would nice if it was less "flickery" while moving over objects (especially barred metal doors).
      · 4 replies
    • nbohr1more

      Please vote in the 15th Anniversary Contest Theme Poll
       
      · 0 replies
×
×
  • Create New...