Finally Found A Gaming Keyboard

syntax42

Consoles have one advantage over PCs.  Their controller is designed to play games and the games are designed to work with the controller.  The harmony of the two results in an efficient and intuitive playing experience.

PC games tend to be more complex, which requires more buttons.  MMOs are especially demanding of control setups due to their massive amounts of abilities some of them grant the player.  How do I activate over 20 abilities if I can only comfortably reach 1-6 on my keyboard and F1-F4?  I use the other keys around my movement keys for doing other things, like opening interface elements.

The problem with most keyboards is their lack of efficient key layout for gaming.  The keyboard was designed for typing, after all.  The function keys are typically spaced a bit away from the number keys.  That wasted space could be used for more keys.  Even if you added more keys there, what would they be?  Gaming keyboard companies don't know, so they go with a traditional keyboard layout.

I've been using a Fang gamepad for a while.  I like how I can easily reach 1-11 ability buttons and have other buttons within easy and comfortable reach for doing other things.  I can even use my thumb to press more than just the space bar reliably.  Unfortunately, the Fang was discontinued around the time when Steelseries bought out Ideazon.  The Merc (combines a keyboard with the Fang) just doesn't satisfy me.

 

A friend recently showed me his ErgoDox.  I thought it was great that someone was trying to redesign the keyboard for a more ergonomical layout and have something that might work better for gaming.  However, I was spoiled by my thumb buttons being on the side of my keyboard, in a more natural position for my thumb to press.  

Eventually, I learned of the Axios. (link:  https://www.crowdsupply.com/multiplxd/axios-keyboard )  I'm waiting for it to come out.  From what I know about it, the project is an evolution of the ErgoDox.  The keyboard is programmable and is independent of the OS.  That means your OS only sees input from the keyboard and doesn't need any special software to translate it, unlike most gaming keyboards.  Want a DVORAK layout?  Just program it in the keyboard and the OS will never know.

Danbacca

http://www.gopixpic.com/1200/saitek-cyborg-command-unit/http:||www*vshopu*com|item|2086-0501|2086-0501_05*jpg/

Acidon

The modular keyboard is an interesting idea, though I'm not personally interested in something like that.  Maybe I'm getting too old.

 

I use this gamepad:

http://gaming.logitech.com/en-us/product/g13-advanced-gameboard

I have the LCD screen displaying relevant temperatures, frame-rate and fan speeds (via MSI Afterburner).

 

With this mechanical keyboard:

http://gaming.logitech.com/en-us/product/g710plus-mechanical-gaming-keyboard

 

And this mouse:

http://gaming.logitech.com/en-us/product/g502-proteus-core-tunable-gaming-mouse

 

 

For me, this is an excellent setup.  I love it.

Aberius

I use one of these and I absolutely love it:

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

I use the thumb stick for movement, so it's very console-like.  Then I have 20 hotkeys that I can reach with my 4 fingers.  Best of all, I can move while firing abilities without having to do weird finger contortions since movement is thumb and abilities are fingers.  Use the button above the stick for alt+ and that gives me another 20 hotkeys that I can use at times when movement isn't necessary (like UI elements).

Seelinnikoi

Forget all gaming keyboards you think are good. They are almost all the same with the same layout of keys. What you want is a keyboard where you can FEEL and SEE the difference in keytouch and is ergonomic for long gameplay sessions.

And in all my life as a gamer I have never been with a better keyboard than this:

This keyboard is so good I had to buy 3 brand new in box just in case the one I am using goes kaput! I cant live without this keyboard, the keys are so damn good for ALL GAMES, it makes it soooo much easier to play because they are different than all your WASD gaming keyboards with their same boring layout.

THE ONLY PROBLEM IS, THIS KEYBOARD IS OUT OF STOCK EVERYWHERE!

People are selling them for almost 300 dollars on Amazon and ebay it is going in the 200s... The original price was 59 dollars.

Yep, that is why I bought 3 of them before they gone out of stock as I know from other users that once you go Merc, you dont go back!

Price and reviews on Amazon

serialMMOist

I've been using http://steelseries.com/products/keyboards/steelseries-merc-stealth

 for years. It is discontinued so I am looking for something with left hand movement keys that are not WSAD.

Maybe this modular KB is the answer. I'm a tad confused by it. Are they peripherals that attach to a main keyboard or is that all of it?

 

However I do like that Razr. Can anyone offer suggestions for me for a replacement?

Seelinnikoi

Originally posted by serialMMOist

I've been using http://steelseries.com/products/keyboards/steelseries-merc-stealth

 for years. It is discontinued so I am looking for something with left hand movement keys that are not WSAD.

Maybe this modular KB is the answer. I'm a tad confused by it. Are they peripherals that attach to a main keyboard or is that all of it?

 

However I do like that Razr. Can anyone offer suggestions for me for a replacement?

Glad you also love the Merc Stealth, I too cant use anything else BUT I have also bought this and it is also very good and mimics the layout of keys we came to love on the Merc.

The only problem, you guessed it... out of stock! The best gaming tools are

Cyber Snipa Game Pad V2 Black

syntax42

Originally posted by Seelinnikoi

Forget all gaming keyboards you think are good. They are almost all the same with the same layout of keys. What you want is a keyboard where you can FEEL and SEE the difference in keytouch and is ergonomic for long gameplay sessions.

 

The Fang gamepad is basically just the left part of the Merc.  As I mentioned, I used it for years.

 

The Saitek Cyborg looks very short on buttons.  It might be ok for FPS games, but not for MMOs.  The Logitech G13 and Razer Orbweaver are slightly better, but not by much.

MMOredfalcon

Originally posted by Seelinnikoi

 By far the best gaming keyboard I have ever used. Gone threw some of the top 'gaming' keyboards and usually toss them over to my son..lol. And have gone right back to the Merc. Works pretty much flawless with any game with usually little or no set-up.

serialMMOist

Originally posted by Seelinnikoi

Originally posted by serialMMOist

I've been using http://steelseries.com/products/keyboards/steelseries-merc-stealth

 for years. It is discontinued so I am looking for something with left hand movement keys that are not WSAD.

Maybe this modular KB is the answer. I'm a tad confused by it. Are they peripherals that attach to a main keyboard or is that all of it?

 

However I do like that Razr. Can anyone offer suggestions for me for a replacement?

Glad you also love the Merc Stealth, I too cant use anything else BUT I have also bought this and it is also very good and mimics the layout of keys we came to love on the Merc.

The only problem, you guessed it... out of stock! The best gaming tools are

Cyber Snipa Game Pad V2 Black

Thanks for the share! I am hoping deep down that Steelseries revamps the Merc eventually. I'll look into it! And others mentioned

Seelinnikoi

Originally posted by MMOredfalcon

 By far the best gaming keyboard I have ever used. Gone threw some of the top 'gaming' keyboards and usually toss them over to my son..lol. And have gone right back to the Merc. Works pretty much flawless with any game with usually little or no set-up.

Same feeling here! Too bad the Merc is out of stock everywhere and some people bought loads of it knowing too well that users would not want to use anything else, and then put on ebay for triple profit!

Lucky I got 3 in the box for myself for when some apocalypse start or something :P