Need opinions

[SXRguyinMA]

On the logitech g15 keyboard and x-540 surround sound system anyone have either? what do you like about it? what don't you like?

I want the g15 for the backlit keys, but I love my MS ergo keyboard - it's VERY comfy. and do I really need the LCD? all I really play ATM is flight sim x, sim city, and MW2

The x540 I'm thinking of because my current setup has a blown speaker. it's fine at low volume, but when I crank it up and start blowin stuff up it's cracklin like crazy

Any ideas?

[BuzzKillington]

I have the older G15 with the pop up LCD. It's easy to type on but I don't like the media buttons. It's more comfy with the ramp on it but it takes up a lot of space, especially with the 15 hot keys. There are a few other nice backlit keyboards out there if that's all you're interested in. Saitek makes some nice looking backlit keyboards.

[SXRguyinMA]

I love the idea of the backlighting, but TBH I love the feel and comfort of my MS ergo (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=043)one. I did add some LED's under my desk above the keyboard tray to light it up, but it's not the same :think:

I don't know if I want to trade the comfort for backlighting. maybe I can make my own keys :?

[SXRguyinMA]

actually I just came across this...not ergo but still pretty sweet....hmmm....

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=53_85_233&products_id=28224

[ownaginatious]

I have the revision 2 G15 (a.k.a. the only one you can buy today), and it's pretty decent. The LCD is nice for time or for monitoring CPU/RAM usage during the game.

The only thing I don't really like for it is the G15 software. It feels really convoluted. Like seriously, who's willing to set up and remember the macros for every single game they play?

[d_stilgar]

I have the current G15. I like it. I feel like it's pretty standard as far as gamers go. I haven't gotten into the whole custom widgets for the screen or setting up macros on the game keys, so so far I haven't used it up to its potential. Some games have it programmed in to use the screen and display FPS and stuff. I like it for the time while in game.

If you want a really awesome backlit keyboard I would go with the Tron keyboard (http://www2.razerzone.com/tron/keyboard.php) by Razer. It just looks so awesome.

[SXRguyinMA]

ehh that Tron kb is alright. I'm still leaning towards that Saitek Cyborg MW2 one. it's sweet :up:

[slaveofconvention]

I need a new keyboard myself - been limping along with a (admittedly very good) Logitech MX3000 - how old is it - I got it as soon as it was released... Must be the thick end of 6 or 7 years now lol.....

Showed the wife the Tron keyboard, she just said "No" and walked away.... So I should have one when they're available :p

[SXRguyinMA]

lol

[PauL]

I have the G15 v2 (orange one) and love it. There are quite a few apps that you can get for the LCD, but personally I have no use for any of them. LCD is pretty awesome when games support it, like BFBC2, otherwise I just like knowing the clock and date is right in front of me :) or iTunes displays current songs playing. I used to use my G keys for WoW but since I dont play anymore I have them binded for internet, calculator, My Computer.

You wont be dissapointed.

[Spawn-Inc]

i was/am very happy with my G15 (original one) and really like the lcd it has. i made my own setup mainly to display temps, cpu and ram usage, etc. i have my G keys setup to open various overclocking programs, temp programs, calc, etc. i never use them in games though.

here is a screen shot of the setup,

http://thumb3.webshots.net/t/59/459/3/35/54/2191335540100511463WdKGOA_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2191335540100511463WdKGOA)


i've had it for 3-4 years maybe even more now. and the LCD is dead :( stupid ribbon cable broke and i haven't bothered to replace it with some HDD ribbon cable.

and a another screen shot of when i got it i think, also a nice memory of what TBCS used to look like.

http://thumb3.webshots.net/t/16/16/6/27/76/2496627760100511463iaUjBK_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2496627760100511463iaUjBK)

as for computer speakers, check out the Z-5500's :) great stuff, i think they still sell them.

[Konrad]

If backlighting is what you're most interested in, then the Logitech G110 or G510 are better choices than the G15 and G19. If you want ridiculous backlighting, then the Deck Legend or Razer Marauder are also worth checking. Best backlighting effects I've ever seen so far are on the Merc Stealth. Yeah, I like the Tron board too, but all I've seen so far is photoshop, not the actual product.

[x88x]

I've never used either, but if it's just backlighting you're after, you could try an EL mod to your existing keyboard, kinda like the first thing here:
http://hackaday.com/2010/08/22/hackaday-links-august-22-2010/

I completely understand about the keyboard, btw. There aren't many good ergonomic keyboards on the market that cost under $100, and none of them have fun features like that.

...of course, there's always the option of learning your keyboard so well that you don't need the the backlighting. ;)

[Konrad]

Blank keycaps will force you to learn your keyboard.

Even so, backlighting is useful during bad lighting (ie, LAN events). And it just looks cool. Really cool.

I've seen plenty of mods like your link x88x ... LEDs or EL wire are both electrically easy to implement if using a pass-through approach (giving yet another bit of sheathing to show off). Low power requirements can even draw 5V/100mA from the USB hub without requiring proper USB enumeration, or perhaps 5V/50mA from either/both of the PS/2 hubs (through USB-to-PS/2 adapters if you like), though anything else would have to be connected directly into a PSU output or adapter slot. Laptops usually offer less power per port, but I doubt many people will consistently plug high-powered keyboards into them.

[Konrad]

Another comment for the OP, since audio is mentioned.

Keyboards with audio (headphone, mic) jacks either use pass-through connectors or an integrated audio chip. The pass-through is a bit of extra wiring but it allows you to plug directly into your kickass audio system. The integrated audio will usually be a basic 16-bit AC'97-styled part which is an entirely discrete audio system; chances are it won't sound that great at all, worse, it consumes a fair amount of USB bandwidth. Signal noise isn't much of a problem but does sometimes occur; it can affect either type of audio signalling, but will generally be far more noticeable on (digital) USB lines than on (analog) audio lines.

I believe all the Logitech gaming keyboards use C-Media AC'97 chips.

[SXRguyinMA]

well the audio isn't an issue, as my headset is USB. I was thinking the embedded EL wire route, but that'd only light up around the keys. I'm seriously considering the Saitek Cyborg, but I may just stick with what I've got because I love the ergo so much

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/images/products/CMBT-KYE_02.jpg

VS

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/images/products/nek4k/mk_largerview_nek4k.jpg

[Konrad]

You might like the excessive "APM Lighting System" on the Razer Marauder (http://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/en_US/pd/productID.199817100/categoryId.35156900). The newer Logitech keyboards (G19, G110, G510) all offer a huge spectrum of user-configurable backlighting. Saitek releases all sorts of variants of their Cyborg but doesn't seem to advertise them on their site; their StarCraft2 and Tron keyboards for example, so if you're already leaning towards a Cyborg then a little digging might find a version that fits your preferences more closely. Most other backlit keyboards I've seen are only a few colours; typically blue, red, and various intermediate purples. Microsoft's SideWinder X6 is backlit, and though not truly ergo it's somewhat reconfigurable. If you look beyond gaming keyboards then your ergo options increase drastically, many models are backlit.

It might be worth your effort to select a good ergo model to pimp it out with your own backlighting. As a fussy typist I can understand the importance of your keyboard preference. Of course you can always run multiple keyboards on your machine and use whichever one is most suited for any given task.

[SXRguyinMA]

that cyborg pic I posted is their MW2 version. go here (http://store.gameshark.com/viewItem.asp?idProduct=3232&idCategory=262) and on the right you can see all the different branded products :up: