Gaming keyboards

[DEEJAYKEG]

My gaming keyboard has bit the dust.  It would occasionally suffer

sticking keys, usually the W and S, and, on Friday, it obviously had others

as it effectively locked me out of my PC.

 

I have a cheap replacement now plugged in but am looking to buy a proper

gaming keyboard.  I am baffled by the huge number of available options.

 

I would prefer a backlit keyboard for use in a darkened room but wonder whether

to aim for a mechanical one also.  I am not so sure about programmable game

keys as I have done very well without them for years.

 

My budget would probably be up to £75 so US$120.

 

Any thoughts/suggestions gratefully received.

[Mazdarati]

Keg here is the one I bought not long ago and I really like it ..

 

http://www.cyborggaming.com/prod/v7keyboard.htm

[LaRSin]

I use this  with a mouse for gaming , It also saves my keyboard,

 

http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-keyboards-keypads/razer-nostromo

 

But there's also there new ones

http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-keyboards-keypads/razer-orbweaver

 

http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-keyboards-keypads/razer-tartarus

[JohnnyQuest]

http://www.razerzone.com/ca-en/gaming-keyboards-keypads/razer-blackwidow-ultimate/

 

 

had this one now for about three years...love the clicky noise the keys make...i got the one model before this one..but a great keyboard just the same...go mechanical...sounds like the old ibm keyboards clickity clicking

[Sammy]

Unless I am mistaken Razor keyboards these days, or maybe its just mice, require installing a service that must be connected to the internet at all times if you want to customize anything.

[comfort]

i have gotten many keyboards last few years hands down best keyboards are mechanical keyboards with the brown or blue keys corsair makes really goed ones or other brand as long as it is mechanical keyboards the normal ones are all the same no difrends just xstra option on them like keybinds and stuff but mechanical keyboards have those 2

[baldie]

@DEEJAYKEG this is what I use mate and its brilliant there is loads of presets so no programing and you choose what colour you want the back light to be I have had this 18 months never a problem...

 

http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Merc-Stealth-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B00292OW1U

 

here is a link to cheaper site to get one http://shop.picknshop.co.uk/?kwi=cHNwaWQ9NjAmY2xpY2tpZD0xNTE2MjMwMSZrd2lkPTM2ODU2NCZjcGM9MC4wMDA%3D&query=steelseries+merc+stealth&pspid=1

Edited October 19, 2013 by baldie

[Astronomer]

I've been using a Corsair Vengeance K-90 for over a year now. It has blue backlighting, has "clicky" Cherry "red" mechanical switches for most keys (except the programmable keys, function keys, and the Insert, Home, etc. keys), a Windows key lock, volume wheel and more. I love it. I bought another when a glass of wine ruined my first one....

 

I highly recommend it.

 

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/keyboard-mouse-combos/1295269/corsair-vengeance-k90

Edited October 20, 2013 by Astronomer

[Logan]

 I have a Merc Stealth  from Steelseries.(next generation ZBoard) It has 3 different background colors (red, blue and purple) and 3 different brightness settings, also its USB, with a mike and earphone outlet and 2 USB outlets. It is easily programmable  and has a normal keypad with a directional pad  on the left side. It has default settings for a lot of games and will detect what your playing automatically. I like it a lot. Price is about  $ 79.95  CDN at Future Shop. Its worth having a look at.  3 yrs. old and never any stuck keys. Also, as with any board sometimes the key layout is not suitable for your style, such as mine was, so I popped out the windows key that I kept hitting accidentally, and  found out you can take them out and put them in with no problems. This is my second Zboard as I wore the face off the older style one and have never had any problems with either.

Edited October 21, 2013 by Logan

[djMot]

I made the decision that I really wanted mechanical keys for their durability and responsive feel.  I have not been disappointed in that respect.  WAY better than membrane keyboards in my opinion.  I looked at the Corsair K90, but some of its keys are not mechanical, but the main keyboard (the QWERTY part) is all mechanical.  The K95 is supposed to be entirely mechanical, but is in all other respects just a better K90.  Same exact layout, though.

 

Because I already have a Logitech G13 Game Pad, and a Logitech Performance MX cordless mouse, I decided to stay with Logitech just to keep from layering up a bunch of different vendors' custom input software.  I figured all Logitech software for all input devices ought to play well with each other.  So that meant I had to go with the G710+ keyboard with its Cherry Brown MX key switches.  Love them!  But it's not a perfect keyboard.  Logitech stupidly put the shifted characters on the top row of number keys BELOW the numbers.  And, although the keys are backlit, they did not backlight the shifted characters on that row of keys, nor any other key that has a shifted character printed on the key -  [/ ?] for instance.  I have no clue what possessed them to do such a bone-headed thing, and it's not something you notice when you look at the layout before you get one in your hands.

 

I did try the Corsair M95 mouse.  Didn't like it.  If I had loved it, I probably would have waited for the K95 keyboard.  At the time I picked up my G710+, the K95 was still only announced and had an expected ship date kind close to when I bought my G710+.  But since the mouse failed to delight, I went back to my Logitech Performance MX mouse and ordered the G710+.  I am very satisfied with my decision, aside from the stupid number row keys.

 

Here's the G710+ for your consideration:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009C98NPY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009C98NPY&linkCode=as2&tag=girlsrockradi-20

 

 

 

.

Edited October 20, 2013 by djMot

[FlyingDutch]

Keg here is the one I bought not long ago and I really like it ..

 

http://www.cyborggaming.com/prod/v7keyboard.htm

I al use this keyboard - I think its bloody good.  I use a Cyborg Rat 9 Gaming Mouse

 

http://www.cyborggaming.com/prod/rat9.htm

[DEEJAYKEG]

Thank you, all, for your responses and suggestions.

 

They've given me food for thought! 

[eidolonFIRE]

Only thing I can say from actual experience is DON'T get this: Micrsoft x4 http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-JQD-00001-SideWinder-X4-Keyboard/dp/B002ZV51DI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382298048&sr=8-1&keywords=microsoft+x4

 

The keys start getting sticky after only a year... also my move-forward key has like a 5% fail rate (when it doesn't respond)

[ChknFngr]

I've been using a Corsair Vengeance K-90 for over a year now. It has blue backlighting, has "clicky" Cherry "red" mechanical switches for most keys (except the programmable keys, function keys, and the Insert, Home, etc. keys), a Windows key lock, volume wheel and more. I love it. I bought another when a glass of wine ruined my first one....

 

I highly recommend it.

 

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/keyboard-mouse-combos/1295269/corsair-vengeance-k90

 

nice i got the K70 here, and love it, best keyboard i ever got. and i got plenty of them.

from all others razor, microsoft, logitec and all, the cheapest logitec lasted the longest for me. but this corsair man, is solid like a tank, and i just love mechanical keys, compared to any razer its night and day.

[Astronomer]

I al use this keyboard - I think its bloody good.  I use a Cyborg Rat 9 Gaming Mouse

 

http://www.cyborggaming.com/prod/rat9.htm

 

I use a RAT as well. LOVE that fucker! Best mouse I've used. no question.

[J3st3r]

I've owned an Alienware TactX KG900 keyboard for about 2 years now and it's a solid performer.They are manufactured by Logitech for Dell/Alienware.If I had to choose another keyboard now it would be a Logitech keyboard with Backlight.Like the Logitech G510 or G19.

 

I've owned several Razer,Madkatz and Saitek keyboards that have all had problems with dead keys within 1 years time.I am very very hard on keyboards.I had a Razer BlackWidow Mechanical keyboard but I could not stand the heavy and rather loud click of the keys.After about a month of click click click click click click click............................... you get sick of hearing it.

[DEEJAYKEG]

I got the shortlist down to the Cyborg as recommended by @Mazdarati and @FlyingDutch

and the Merc as recommended by @baldie and @Logan

 

There was little to separate them but the Cyborg has wrist rests and is more easily obtainable.

 

So, I have ordered a Cyborg V7.

 

Thanks again.

[Mazdarati]

I believe Keg you will be pleased ,  I hope

[DEEJAYKEG]

I believe Keg you will be pleased ,  I hope

 

Thanks again for the pointer and I trust you will help me test its "5" key in COD5 DM...

[google]

the best   

[Morris]

Here you go mate, I have the Logitech G15 but these are just as good, and under £30 ..... cant get better than that.

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200976007690?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360747253202?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[BattlewolF]

Corsair vengeance K90  before i had logitech  g19  for 6 months sell it   and bought the corsair   bettert  than the logitech

[TheCheeseyCrusader]

in all honesty you dont really need one unless you bind keys to the extra buttons (more of an MMORPG option)

[TheCheeseyCrusader]

in all honesty you dont really need one unless you bind keys to the extra buttons (more of an MMORPG option)

[DEEJAYKEG]

in all honesty you dont really need one unless you bind keys to the extra buttons (more of an MMORPG option)

 

Does this mean I can have one that shouts, "FU Cheese!" in the chat box permanently programmed?