New Gaming Keyboard? Which one???

Since i'll get a new Gaming Mouse tomorrow, i'm considering to buy a Gaming Keyboard as well. But which one?? Usually i would go for the same company of the Mouse. However i am very open up for any decent suggestion. Atm i'm just having a simple Microsoft Keyboard (which is still good), i have used that thing for 7 yrs now. I should finally send it to rest in peace after playing with it plenty of classic games, e.g. Crysis 1! It was delivered in white color, now it's something between yellow and brown.


My requirements:
- LED-Illuminated Keys
- USB-Connector = no wireless stuff
- Good Keypress-Feedback
- Configuration Software (macros)
- Ergonomic design (feels good)
- Not too expensive (yeah i'm cheap )

There are many cool keyboards out on the market, so the decision is difficult. Some of them are really impressive, e.g. the Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E.7. But i don't need that luxury bullshit. It should simply do it's job, and do it very well.

Maybe one of you have some good suggestions? What are you guys using for controlling your big nasty Stomper?

Blagg

​

 

I use the Logitch Slim Illuminated Keyboard at work and for office work at home. Have had zero problems with it. ~$69 at newegg. Not sure where you are located, but I have 2 of the wired and 1 of the wireless versions...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126043



or the G510 for $10 more

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126323

[img width=700 height=560]http://i.imgur.com/xsTB77Y.jpg[/img]

Also, if your current keyboard still works, and you are just looking for something useful for gaming, I would highly recommend either the Razer Nostromo, Razer Tartarus, and I believe Logitech has a version as well. I use the Nostromo and love it

[img width=700 height=525]http://i.imgur.com/aHQ5tdr.png[/img]
[img width=600 height=333]http://i.imgur.com/7yn5VLg.png[/img]

 

wow. that razer keyblock looks nice also! hmmm... maybe i should go for that thing.

 

It is pretty handy, because you can always fall-back to your regular keyboard if you have to. You can customize each button and set one of them to a "profile-switch" so you can easily change the layout for different games and/or different mechs depending on what you feel like doing.

 

This is what I have. Levitron Mech 4 keyboard. It cost me 65$ a year and a half ago. Those larger "function" like keys can be assigned as whatever you want or can be made into macros; as can any other of the keys with profiles and macro software.

Only the left side keys are backlit but the number pad section can be moved to either side of the keyboard physically.

 

Any mechanical keyboard with decent build quality. I had been looking into one for quite a while, and I recently received one as a Christmas gift, and although I knew they were nicer and had used them before, I was surprised by how large a difference it actually was. After using it for a month or so I would recommend a decent mechanical keyboard to anyone, and while they are far more expensive than a basic keyboard, they are only slightly pricier than their rubber dome gaming brethren.

 

This is mine...Cherry MX Switches (mechanical), macro keys, romantic lights (it has a Lava glow-mode, never used it though), robust, simple compared to other fully packed extra button Keyboards (multimedia keys combined with F-keys) and I only payed 50€ for it. I was so fed up with rubber dome keyboards, so it was time for a change and it was the best I could have made..


[img width=700 height=466]http://techgage.com/reviews/cooler_master/cm_storm_trigger/cm_trigger_08.jpg[/img]

 

That's a nice feature.

PS: I second Pyromatic, whatever you chose, go for mechanical.
I personally uses a Steelseries 6G, which is absolutely great (black cherry switches, good anti-ghosting,...) but does not meet your requirements (no illuminated keys, no macros) - though it meets mine (I wanted a sober and robust keyboard).

 

I'm a fan of Logitechs G series, currently have a G15 keyboard and I use that LCD screen a lot together with the macro's.

 

This is what I run, minus the number pad... I scrapped that to mod out My Nostromo with Mechanical keys. Maybe I'll post that Mod on here when I am finished with it.... Might be a while though since it has turned into more than just a mechanical key mod. I am also tricking it out with lighted keys, a leather hand rest, analog thumbstick, adding a few buttons and a new paint job. Figured I'd call the mod "Nostromo Cherry Black"

 

Don't bother with the Corsair K95! It has individually controlled backlit, mechanical keys which I liked, but Windows now does not recognize it after 3 months. The keyboard sort of flashes it's cap lock light a little and then sets a red light around the lighting control and profile buttons.

I have seen several posts of people with the same issue.

 

Choc Mini 84 LED (Red or black switches)
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Noppoo_Choc_Mini

Mechanical, compact, well-suited for gaming and everlasting.

 

Put me in the Mechanical switch camp. I have the fancy logitech one with all the Macro's and the LCD at home that I game on, its just fine, sort of big and the keys are a bit mushy, plus I find that I only end up using the Macro keys for Photoshop and not gaming. Now at work I have a Mechanical Switch Das Keyboard, its simple and elegant and absolutely feels great to type on, the perfect amount of feedback. The only reason I don't have one at home is my wife would kill me as the Computers are close to the bedroom and on my days off I'm usually up playing before she gets out of bed, and the clicking is a bit loud. I know there are some silent mechanical switch boards, but its just not the same, although that is the route I will go when the logitech finally fails me.

 

You are talking about change in pressure that coincides the actuation point of the key? Then there are several tactile, but non-clicky switches, Cherry MX Brown for instance. Also there are O-Rings to dampen the sound of keycap hitting the base of keyboard.

PS Excuse me, like 70% of my working hours are spent in vim, so i've become kinda obsessed with good keyboards

 

I will max. spend $60-70 for a Gaming Keyboard, so these are the ones i have selected from all my comparison:

- Roccat Arvo
- Sharkoon Nightwriter
- Perixx PX-2000
- Speedlink Parthica
- Ozone Blade
- Madcatz Cyborg V.7




[img width=700 height=438]http://i58.tinypic.com/15670k5.jpg[/img]

[img width=700 height=371]http://i61.tinypic.com/2luq3d0.jpg[/img]

[img width=700 height=700]http://i59.tinypic.com/35lclc7.jpg[/img]

[img width=700 height=340]http://i57.tinypic.com/r05ov5.jpg[/img]

[img width=700 height=455]http://i60.tinypic.com/28vbn94.jpg[/img]

 

Here are the two I'm looking at getting next week. (Well, one of the two) Click images for more info. Both about $50USD.


[img width=700 height=426]http://assets.razerzone.com/eeimages/products/59/razer-nostromo.png[/img]

 

Anyone else a scissor key nut and have a good recommendation?

I use a Logitech K750 at work and love it. However, its not a good gaming keyboard. It is wireless and it drains the battery more quickly than it can charge via solar when keys are held down for extended periods of time (ie during gaming).

 

The Logitech is a beast! Have loved mine since buying it a few months ago and the best keyboard I have ever owne

 

Just picked this up last week (on sale for $45 w/ free shipping) and I'm loving it! There's a bit of a learning curve and I'm still using a WASD setup as I haven't gotten used to the thumb controlled D-Pad, but, with a little time, I see a TON of potential. I'm diggin' it.