Keyboard and Mouse for Gaming

[abeth]

Hi, I'm upgrading my current K&M combo (MX700 wireless junk, and some OEM mouse for gaming), I would like to get a good quality gaming keyboard and mouse, on a budget around $150. Gaming wise they would be used for FPS, RPG and MMORPG. But really the quality is only needed for FPS, so FPS gaming will be the deciding factor.

Mouse: So far I've be looking at Logitech G500 and Razor Deathadder. There is a local retailer I can go to to try out the feel of both.

Keyboard: Here is where I'm really lost. Sounds like a mechanical keyboard is the way to go, maybe with some Cherry MX browns??? I don't think any of my local (Calgary, AB, CAN) retailers (Memoryexpress, Bestbuy, Futureshop) have any high quality keyboards to try :S

Any help or suggestion for both these items would be much appreciated. Only stipulation I have is that any retailer you suggest must ship to Canada.

Thanks!
Phil

 

[akugami]

Logitech G510 keyboard. Logitech Performance Mouse MX. It'll be a little over your budget. Shop around and you should be able to find the keyboard at roughly $100 USD and the mouse at about $80 USD.

 

[Cerb]

Keyboard: Here is where I'm really lost. Sounds like a mechanical keyboard is the way to go, maybe with some Cherry MX browns??? I don't think any of my local (Calgary, AB, CAN) retailers (Memoryexpress, Bestbuy, Futureshop) have any high quality keyboards to try :S

If you want quiet (generally the reason for brown--consider black, too, like the 6Gv2), you'll need to spend some money, as I'm pretty sure the ones with Cherry switches are the only way to get that...well, that don't cost 2x or more of your budget.

For a little less, though, there's an update on a classic:
http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/customizer.html

Or, you could actually find a used PS/2 Model (if new, choose PS/2, anyway--adapters to USB are cheap).

P.S. If quiet isn't a factor, and you like the Model M type, get a deep-well 7/32" socket for the occasional cleaning.

P.S.S. Before someone brings up the Cherry brand keyboards, do you really want to try to type and game with this tight of a layout?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823333070

P.S.S.S.
Not bad at all, but you may find yourself wanting to buy replacement key caps down the line:
http://www.tankguys.com/site-merchandise.html?dir=asc&order=price&p=2

 

[Costas Athan]

What about Microsoft SideWinder X6 keyboard? It is within your budget and leaves room for a good mouse.

I always used Microsoft Digital Media Pro keyboard which is not designed especially for gaming, but I am satisfied with it when playing FPS games. So I guess the X6 would be a good inexpensive choice.

As for a mouse Logitech Wireless Gaming Mouse G700 seems a good choice again within your budget.

 

[Cerb]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=27948318&postcount=17

That's a deal-breaker, and you can find Amazon and Newegg reviews corroborating it. MS can say what they want, but without decent rollover ability, it's a bad fit for gaming.

 

[abeth]

Got the Deathadder, it is working very well.
As for a keyboard I am still searching. I think my dream KB is a tenkeyless with MX cherry brown switches and some media buttons. Maybe even some macro buttons running up the e left side! Oh to dream...

 

[lehtv]

I would buy

$105 Steelseries 6Gv2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823239011
$38 Logitech G400 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826104577

And if you need a mousepad, this is the best cloth pad money can buy:
$30 Zowie G-TF Spawn http://www.amazon.com/Zowie-G-TF-Spa...6869424&sr=8-2

I have it. It is heavenly, my mouse almost purrs on it. Rounded edges, comfortable, huge, very low friction, water and dirt resistant.

Mouse: So far I've be looking at Logitech G500 and Razor Deathadder. There is a local retailer I can go to to try out the feel of both.

FWIW, here's why I don't like G500 http://forums.guru3d.com/showpost.php?p=3910697&postcount=15

The G400 is essentially an improved MX518 which I found great.

 

[Cerb]

Got the Deathadder, it is working very well.
As for a keyboard I am still searching. I think my dream KB is a tenkeyless with MX cherry brown switches and some media buttons. Maybe even some macro buttons running up the e left side! Oh to dream...

You could always get programs to make macros with key presses (worth researching to disable the left Windows key, IMO ). Whiz-bang features may at first look good, but real switches are what will give you the warm fuzzies, not multimedia keys. I have a small collection of IBMs, acquired before the affordable Cherry craze, so I'll stick with my buckling springs; but Cherry MX blacks (remind me of an old typewriter...that I need to work on restoring) and browns do feel pretty sweet (blues may be good for POS terminals and such, but I wouldn't want to type or game with them).

You could stay within your budget for now and get a PC-104 with Cherry switches, from either Overclock.net/Tankguys (brown or black w/ ABS caps, then get better caps later on), or Steelseries (black).

Oh, almost forgot, since it's a mouse thread:
http://donewmouseaccel.blogspot.com/2010/03/markc-windows-7-mouse-acceleration-fix.html

 

[HeXen]

i really like the Merc Stealth. $80. most comfortable hand position for gameing

 

[R4in]

I have been using the Steelseries Shift and Cata mouse since they came out.

For some the buttons on the Shift may be a lil "soft" or "squishy" feeling rather than the click click that other prefer.
Also the mouse may seem too big but i have pretty large hands so it feels very comfortable

They were $100 each but i know steelseries has done a couple of sales since they came out for half off.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

NCIX sells the Das Model S Silent (Cherry Browns). I bought one from them a few months ago and would not willingly return to a rubber dome keyboard.

I think they're a *little* over your budget, however... $120 +tax.

 

[abeth]

I think going Mechanical is gonna put me over budget no matter what :S

Thanks for the mouse fix link Cerb.

Anybody tried this? Corsair K60 Cherry MX Reds, media buttons, looks tougher than coffin nails. Little flashy with that wrist rest and textured orange WASD 1-6 keys, but its nice it does come with the normal keys and a puller.

Anybody using a board with Cherry Blacks or reds? What are they like? I really wish I could try out every switch before I buy...