Need a good gaming keyboard/mouse

[plmbob]

It will take all of your budget, but microsoft teamed up with razer for a keyboard (reclusa) and mouse (habu) that are pretty sweet and don't have all the gimmicky crap nobody ever uses anyway.

[JazzyJake]

I use a G5, (replaced my tired mx518,) and a Logitech Media Elite.
The keyboard is a $25 deal that has awesome feeling keys, some nice media controls, and none of the extra BS you'll never use.
Both are my favorite peripherals.

[Boy'nBlack]

I've had both the old G15 and the new orange G15. I prefer, and highly praise the newer model.

The old one had just too many macros. With 18x3, it was overkill and took up too much space and made it the mongo beast it was. I also had the early issues of the paint wearing off the keys, so they were blue dots on the home row and not letters. The new model shrinks down by only having 6 macro keys with 3 toggles...the perfect amount IMO. I use them more for group assignments than actions. The tactile feel of the keys are better and no paint issue (yet), and the media section is arranged and thought out better.

The fact that the apps are written by users is good IMO. You can make your own and not rely on what other minds think is useful. I really like it because I can pull down huds in games and have selected info down there on the board.

The G5 mouse is still really good, the G7 if you hate cords.

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by Boy'nBlack

I've had both the old G15 and the new orange G15. I prefer, and highly praise the newer model.

The old one had just too many macros. With 18x3, it was overkill and took up too much space and made it the mongo beast it was. I also had the early issues of the paint wearing off the keys, so they were blue dots on the home row and not letters. The new model shrinks down by only having 6 macro keys with 3 toggles...the perfect amount IMO. I use them more for group assignments than actions. The tactile feel of the keys are better and no paint issue (yet), and the media section is arranged and thought out better.

The fact that the apps are written by users is good IMO. You can make your own and not rely on what other minds think is useful. I really like it because I can pull down huds in games and have selected info down there on the board.

The G5 mouse is still really good, the G7 if you hate cords.

I agree with you the 18 functions keys x 3 is way too much. I frankly never use them, so I would be happy with only the 6 the new model has.

Downside to new model: orange glow (rest of my desktop is blue glowing), fixed LCD angle, some older applications apparently not compatible.

[screwballl]

my usage/opinion:
I use a plain keyboard and mouse. I myself wouldn't use all the extra buttons so really have no use. but thats just me

[Badluck Inc]

I use the Wave keyboard , its a great but i dont like the wrist rest it has on it.

[Boy'nBlack]

Ya polo, I could see that. Orange is just not a popular color in all reality. I'd think blue or green would be more widely accepted. I got lucky by having an orange box. The red and green box looks forward for another color some day.

The old G15 was build like a fortress. I had to take it apart to get some "water" out of it (after it moved to the garage). I'd say I would change the LED's in the new one, but if it's anything like the old one...that'd be a pretty large chore.

Originally Posted by Badluck Inc

I use the Wave keyboard , its a great but i dont like the wrist rest it has on it.

Is that the Logitech Wave? I've been wanting to get that one for the GF. Her keyboard and mouse is constantly having to change batteries, which is a pain.

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by Boy'nBlack

Ya polo, I could see that. Orange is just not a popular color in all reality. I'd think blue or green would be more widely accepted. I got lucky by having an orange box. The red and green box looks forward for another color some day.

The old G15 was build like a fortress. I had to take it apart to get some "water" out of it (after it moved to the garage). I'd say I would change the LED's in the new one, but if it's anything like the old one...that'd be a pretty large chore.Is that the Logitech Wave? I've been wanting to get that one for the GF. Her keyboard and mouse is constantly having to change batteries, which is a pain.

Yeah frankly I'd love to see more red for lighting/back lighting in PC components. Red and black is just a lovely and manly combo. :P

A cool but never used function of the G15 is the "gaming" mode switch, which saves you from accidentally pressing the winkey or any combo that usually takes you out of a game. I just never think about it.

Edit: Nevermind, doesn't stop you from pressing any combo. This feature is almost useless.
Edit 2: I forgot I also use my G15 LCD for monitoring temps using RivaTuner when benching. :)

[Boy'nBlack]

The gaming switch on the new one is more sharp around the edges, a bit of pressure to push over, and low profile. Picky, but it's not comfortable to use. Mine just stays on game mode. I only use the winkey for shortcuts anyway, like win+pause for system properties, and that's it. Sticky keys can still kick in, which is a pain. Disable, and all better.

I guess it's worth noting the USB ports on the back of both versions as well. I keep the G7's radio in one and use the other for joysticks and wheels. It's really nice if you think about it and start using them. I had been bound to the box forgetting they were there, and it's much nicer IMO to now hook controllers to the keyboard's ports.

They're still $80 keyboard though. Kind of a stretch for non-gamers. Still feel it worth it for gamers into various genres. I find it really worth it in flying/simulators and RTS games. Prepping for landing is a one key affair, sub manuvers in SHII/III as well, and love calling up groups and choirs in Rise of Nations and such. In newer FPS games, I haven't found a whole lot to do but prone and disarm. Still trying to get macros to do Conc jumps accurately in TF2.

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by Boy'nBlack

The gaming switch on the new one is more sharp around the edges, a bit of pressure to push over, and low profile. Picky, but it's not comfortable to use. Mine just stays on game mode. I only use the winkey for shortcuts anyway, like win+pause for system properties, and that's it. Sticky keys can still kick in, which is a pain. Disable, and all better.

I guess it's worth noting the USB ports on the back of both versions as well. I keep the G7's radio in one and use the other for joysticks and wheels. It's really nice if you think about it and start using them. I had been bound to the box forgetting they were there, and it's much nicer IMO to now hook controllers to the keyboard's ports.

They're still $80 keyboard though. Kind of a stretch for non-gamers. Still feel it worth it for gamers into various genres. I find it really worth it in flying/simulators and RTS games. Prepping for landing is a one key affair, sub manuvers in SHII/III as well, and love calling up groups and choirs in Rise of Nations and such. In newer FPS games, I haven't found a whole lot to do but prone and disarm. Still trying to get macros to do Conc jumps accurately in TF2.

Yeah, it's a good keyboard all around, if size isn't a problem. WVS (winamp visual system) alone makes the LCD worth it in my opinion, that thing is just too cool. All your geek friends will love it.

A bit of coincidence but earlier after typing a post about the G15 I thought of the USB ports that I never use. I know my G15 would overload the USB if I had a G5 on it and a webcam open on my other rig, haven't tried with the new rig to be honest.
At any rate, I got used to unplugging both guitar hero and Xbox 360 controllers from my PC front ports when I wanted to plug a USB stick. Now I'll think about using the G15 ports. :)
Location is a tad awkward though, but I have no doubt I'll get used to it. :P