Gaming keyboards with wrist-pad and low tactile feedback & actuation force

P

Pada

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Hi guys,

I'm looking for a gaming keyboard with:
1) wrist pad
2) and low tactile feedback
3) and low actuation force (hence I picked Cherry MX Red)

I don't really need backlighting or macro keys, since I'm only playing FPS (eg. CoD:BO/BF3).

Currently I'm looking at the Corsair Vengence K90 keyboard @ R1250: http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=2412

Lastly, try to keep the suggestions limited to keyboards available in SA, because I'm not that keen on waiting for imports.

Off topic, but do you guys reckon I should upgrade my Logitech MX500 mouse too? It is ancient, but still going strong, although its click action isn't as sensitive as what I've felt with like the Logitech G9 or some of the Razer mice.
If you guys reckon the responsiveness and accuracy of these new mice are much better and would actually improve my K:D, then I'm open to suggestions :D
 
Whats your BF3 tag? Then we'll let you know if a new mouse will help or not :p
 
Nah, new mouse wouldnt help you, you just spray and pray anyway, amiright? :p
I guess if you're feeling like you dont always know if you actually clicked, then its time to replace it. Everything else is just a bonus

edit: though moving from optical to laser is sure to help as well. That on its own might actually push me to upgrade.
 
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Archer said:
I did too :D Though I'm only playing BF3 for the next 8 days ;)
Click to expand...
Why only for the next 8 days? I rarely get time to play BF3.
I played over the super long weekend (previous Friday - Tuesday) and last weekend (Friday - Sunday since I was ill).

As for my mouse clicking: I never have the feeling that I clicked but yet my gun didn't shoot.

In BF3 however, I regular get the situation where I feel that I aimed precisely on the guy, yet he still survives with 100% hp. I've played around with the network setting, but it didn't change it for the better.

@NomNom:
That CM Storm Trigger really looks like an awesome keyboard. It is just a shame that it is marked as "Sold Out" at Rebeltech and that Wootware doesn't have it on their website either.
I think I'm going to query Wootware about it just now.
 
Hmm. I think I've changed my mind and I'm gonna go with the Corsair Vengence K90 instead, even though the letters aren't laser etched into the keys like with the CM Storm Trigger.
The Vengence K90 in blue just looks better + it has dedicated multimedia keys, which I use very often + its palm rest looks better/softer than that of the CM Storm Trigger.
 
Pada, seeing as you type a lot, I would not recommend Red for you. Unless this kb is for gaming only and little typing?

I would go with CM Trigger Brown. I cannot imagine how sketchy it would be typing a lot on Reds. Loads of mistakes due to the low force.

The Corsair is nice, pity about some of the keys being rubber membrane. :(

I have experience with Black and Blue switches which help me understand the others.
 
I actually rarely type on stuff on my gaming PC.

I either type stuff on my laptop (forum posts) or on my office PC.

I'd assume that the Cherry MX Red would feel close to the laptop keyboard and that the Brown/Blue switches would be closer to a non-mechanical keyboard / ancient (before PS/2) kind of mechanical keyboard?
 
Pada said:
I actually rarely type on stuff on my gaming PC.

I either type stuff on my laptop (forum posts) or on my office PC.

I'd assume that the Cherry MX Red would feel close to the laptop keyboard and that the Brown/Blue switches would be closer to a non-mechanical keyboard / ancient (before PS/2) kind of mechanical keyboard?
Click to expand...

Ah, right. What laptop is it, and have you measured the force required? I forgot the weight of a Xc coin, you can stack them up to check. I tested my Logitech Illuminated which uses Logitech Perfectstroke AKA scissor-switch switch type and it was 60g or so. Modern laptops use a similar design.

They are all excellent to type and game on, so I think the reason people tend to suggest x colour for y tasks is out of their interpretation of the technical differences which differentiate the switches, which may suggest they are better for certain tasks, mainly typing vs gaming.

Fair enough, Blues are indeed probably the best for typing due to their mechanism where one gets a click and slight tactile bump at 2mm actuation point letting one know the key has activated without the need to bottom out and add more strain to fingers in bottoming out; and yes, Blacks and Reds probably are better for gaming due to its multi tapping and those colour switches' tending to make the user bottom out the key to confirm it's been actuated (as there is no audible click or tactile bump).

But this doesn't mean you couldn't fall in love with a switch type that originally wouldn't have been the "ideal suggestion". :D

Based on my use of Blacks, 60g, no audible click, no tactile bump with linear motion straight down until bottoming out at 80g; and Blues, 50g, audible click, tactile bump felt at actuation point, I got a good feeling for the difference in force required and feel of the switch types (tactile vs linear). I found the Blacks too heavy for lots of typing, but good for games, and they made fewer errors. Then after trying Blues I found that 50g was almost too light, but found their lightness to be much better for typing, and even though I still bottom out regardless, it's a much nicer feeling. For me, gaming isn't really too different since I bottom out, but my Starcraft 2 APM can go a bit higher for longer due to the lightness compared to Blacks.

I think your requirements do point to Red or Black. The only thing I can warn you of from my personal experience is the keys being too light. Shouldn't matter for gaming though and is probably better. Other important points are that all the switch types actuate at 2mm. Their travelling distance to bottoming out is further than laptop/scissor-switch designs.

One more thing, when bottoming out, most of the switches will have the same audibility. The Blue is obviously the louder with its distinctive click. The loudness will also depend on the plate the keys/switches are mounted to and such.
 
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Thanks for the in depth description PostmanPot.

The laptop that I have is an "old" Dell Inspiron 9400 with the scissor type keyboard.

I think I'll be fine with the Red. If not, then I'll just use it for gaming and my wireless keyboard for typing - although that would kind of sux.

The only gaming keyboard that I've tried recently was the Razer Arctosa, which has like a laptop kind of key press and also a rather low actuation force. It felt great, but I would've preferred a more sensitive one to be honest.
 
I've now already placed my order for the K90 keyboard, M60 mouse and a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick (which I'd like to compare with the Cyborg FLY 5).
I'll report back in the weekend on this when I have time to play games again.
 
Pada said:
I've now already placed my order for the K90 keyboard, M60 mouse and a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick (which I'd like to compare with the Cyborg FLY 5).
I'll report back in the weekend on this when I have time to play games again.
Click to expand...

Ive been looking at the K90, but the macros are pointless for me. If the K60 came with LED's I would snap it up. I've been on youtube for hours, literally, looking to update my periphials. I have settled for the steelseries sensei, pointless processor but hey, and maybe the K7. or the trigger.
 
Yeah, the macro keys are pointless for me too.

If only the K60 included a full palm rest, then I would've gone for it instead of the K90.
 
I'm now already using my Corsair K90 keyboard at the office and it is awesome, although I suppose it is disturbing my colleague that is sitting next to me. I really don't want to see how annoying the Cherry MX Blue would be went the MX Red is almost silent compared to the Blue :)

The K90 is by far the best built keyboard that I've had. I've never seen a palm rest that you have to secure with screws.

The Windows lock key does not require any software, so it is working even under OSX!

I actually thought that the Cherry MX Red keys would be more sensitive / that you don't have to press them in that deep.
Now I just have to get used to the the different key layout of it, since my Logitech K350/Wave keyboard had a very strange ergonomic layout.

So far I'm quite impressed with the keyboard, although it was very expensive to say the least ;)
 
I got my K90 last week - and its purely for work - no gaming.

I did a lot of research before eventually committing and the non mechanical keys (f keys etc) do not bother me at all.

The keys themselves are taking some adjustment as they are kinda narrow and i am still making many typos by hitting two keys next to each other - especially in the cold.

But it sure types better than my previous microsoft keyboard.

PROS:
Wristpad is nice
Mechanical keys great

CONS:
Media keys - they are in such a stupid position - practically unusable
Keys a bit small - gonna take some getting used to

Im sure in another week i will be used to the layout - as with any new keyboard there is an adjustment period.
 
Yeah tnero. I have to admit that the multimedia keys are in a very stupid position. I do love the volume scroller compared to volume up/down buttons though.

I found nothing wrong with the key size though.
 
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