New "gaming" keyboard....

Zenbaas

Zenbaas

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Ok Im considering either a Zboard Merc Stealth gaming keyboard or a G11. I am particularly interested in the back lighting as the room that I sit in is quite dark a lot of the time I like the look of the Zboard as the G11 is quite Fugly IMHO despite the nice functionality. So what do you guys/gals think...?
g11.jpg

merc1.jpg
 
Well then the standard Z-Board with the clip in modules, I have one with WoW Module, standard FPs module, standard keyboard module, Photoshop module and an AVID module. Been rock solid for the past 4 years! and well worth the price!
 
EchoZA said:
Well then the standard Z-Board with the clip in modules, I have one with WoW Module, standard FPs module, standard keyboard module, Photoshop module and an AVID module. Been rock solid for the past 4 years! and well worth the price!
Click to expand...

Yes but Im particularly interested in the backlighting:)

Boomstomp said:
http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-keyboards/razer-lycosa-mirror/

just my 2 c

I just got the arctosa (just doesnt have the backlighting on the keys) and I'm very impressed. in terms of typing comfort this is way ahead of the rest IMHO
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But the price:(
 
Boomstomp said:
All I can say is that with the arctosa I got more than I payed for... Though I just couldnt justify the premium just for backlit keys to get the Lycosa :(

But if you want backlit keys then thats the way to go imo...
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Not so sure. They're nice but the premium you pay extra just for backlighting is a bit much IMO.
 
+1 to above. Go Zboard. I got Zboard Reaper Edge mouse, very happy with thier products and I was honestly thinking about getting the exact same keyboard. ;) Go for it.
 
Zenbaas said:
Ok Im considering either a Zboard Merc Stealth gaming keyboard or a G11. I am particularly interested in the back lighting as the room that I sit in is quite dark a lot of the time I like the look of the Zboard as the G11 is quite Fugly IMHO despite the nice functionality. So what do you guys/gals think...?
g11.jpg

merc1.jpg
Click to expand...

Just saw this and hopefully can give you some sound advice.

I bought the Zboard Merc Stealth a few weeks back and ended up taking it back and swapping it for a G15.

The merc is a nice KB, solid build and nice lighting, but a NIGHTMARE to use for anything other than gaming. Seriously if you plan on typing or using the num pad, forget it. Typing is a pain in the a$$ as the keys are close together and set to the right of the keyboard so it really feels uncomfortable. If you have big fingers then you are in for even more pain.

The NUM pad, or lack there of was the breaking point for me and this KB. The numbers and home, delete, pg dn etc buttons are grouped together so say you want to input some numbers you do so, but then when you say when to del something using the del key, you have to hit the num lock and then del.

I do a wide variety of things on my PC including graphic design and I just couldn't deal with having to hit the NUM lock key every 5 minutes. It truly drove me mad. At one point I was cutting images when I should have been deleting them, and inputting numbers when I should have been cutting. Just painful.

Another annoying thing I found was the USB cable was so dam thick its is like the thickness of an extension cable, this is because the have bunched the sound and USB cables into one, kinda k@k if you ask me.

This been said as I mentioned it is a solid keyboard, FLIPPING heavy and sturdy.

Bottom line I found that this KB is great for FPS gaming and the lights look nice, and that’s about where it ends. If you play games like DOTA or other strategy games, its going to be a real challenge. I tried a few games of DOTA and its just no go. So the gamepad section really only works well for FPS.

I think I decided that fancy keypads and fancy lights are just a gimmick and actually make life more challenging for gamers ;)

Anyways hope that helps a bit. :)

And on that note I would really recommend the G11, its pretty much exactly the same as the G15 just with no screen.
 
Hi Guys

What about the OCZ illuminati. It only costs R430 and you can switch between red and blue backlighting.

I have one and it is a great keyboard.
 
Grimspoon said:
Just saw this and hopefully can give you some sound advice.

I bought the Zboard Merc Stealth a few weeks back and ended up taking it back and swapping it for a G15.

The merc is a nice KB, solid build and nice lighting, but a NIGHTMARE to use for anything other than gaming. Seriously if you plan on typing or using the num pad, forget it. Typing is a pain in the a$$ as the keys are close together and set to the right of the keyboard so it really feels uncomfortable. If you have big fingers then you are in for even more pain.

The NUM pad, or lack there of was the breaking point for me and this KB. The numbers and home, delete, pg dn etc buttons are grouped together so say you want to input some numbers you do so, but then when you say when to del something using the del key, you have to hit the num lock and then del.

I do a wide variety of things on my PC including graphic design and I just couldn't deal with having to hit the NUM lock key every 5 minutes. It truly drove me mad. At one point I was cutting images when I should have been deleting them, and inputting numbers when I should have been cutting. Just painful.

Another annoying thing I found was the USB cable was so dam thick its is like the thickness of an extension cable, this is because the have bunched the sound and USB cables into one, kinda k@k if you ask me.

This been said as I mentioned it is a solid keyboard, FLIPPING heavy and sturdy.

Bottom line I found that this KB is great for FPS gaming and the lights look nice, and that’s about where it ends. If you play games like DOTA or other strategy games, its going to be a real challenge. I tried a few games of DOTA and its just no go. So the gamepad section really only works well for FPS.

I think I decided that fancy keypads and fancy lights are just a gimmick and actually make life more challenging for gamers ;)

Anyways hope that helps a bit. :)

And on that note I would really recommend the G11, its pretty much exactly the same as the G15 just with no screen.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input grim. I mostly use my keyboard for gaming and light work so i might just cope wth the merc. I had the original one and agree with the whole numlock thing. Very irritating although i dont use it much...its a tough choice for me :(
 
I have my Merc Stealth now for about 3 months, and yes the numlock on and off when using the num pad is a bit of an issue, but you get use to it...... eventually.

For FPS gaming this keyboard is one of the best, I am no longer able to play on a normal keyboard layout.

Was it worth the money?????

Yes
 
Zenbaas said:
Thanks for the input grim. I mostly use my keyboard for gaming and light work so i might just cope wth the merc. I had the original one and agree with the whole numlock thing. Very irritating although i dont use it much...its a tough choice for me :(
Click to expand...

No problem, there is no difference between the original and the stealth other than the backlit keys and USB ports. I have the original courtesy of a friend who hated it, its great for FPS but as I said that’s where it ends for me. ;)

Good luck man.
 
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