Need Advice For A Gaming Keyboard

Calza

Calza

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2006

My keyboard at the moment is pretty disgusting and with the amount of stuff i've split over it the keys have become stuck in places. I was thinking about buying just a standard keyboard but i've seen the Saitek Eclispe and the Zboards. The lights behind the keys on the Saitek look kinda cool but I was more intrestered in the keysets for the Zboard and obviously the Guild Wars one. I can find the newest Eclispe II for about £29.99 off Amazon and the Zboard Starter Kit for £31.99 with the Guild Wars keyset at £12.99. I was wondering if it's worth to pay all that for the Zboard and if it's even worth buying a gaming keyboard at all?

isamu kurosawa

isamu kurosawa

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2005

United Kingdom

Me/

I will also be getting a new keyboard soon and am torn between the zboard and the logitech G15...

Stemnin

Stemnin

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2005

Mo/Me

G15 logitech I heard is nice, I got the mx3200 wireless keyboard and mouse recently, they're good.

The f1-fx keys are so small (mx3200), I need to use em when solo flying chopper in bf2 and keep hitting f3 instead of f2, i'll prob get the hang of it soon enough.

I saw the Zboard at futureshop outside of the box.. way too small for me (long fingers).

Nickhimself

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2006

Your face

True Gods Of War [True]

W/Mo

Logitech's G15. You'll never need another keyboard.

c_ras

c_ras

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Eternal Deliverance

R/

The Logitech G15 is really nice. i have thought about getting one myself, but according to what I have read, Anet hasn't incorporated a patch that will allow LCD support for the keyboard. I think there is a petition thread floating here on the forums about it to hopefully get it supported. I'd love for it to display my health/energy, Faction mission time, or maybe even a list of enemies in a mob so I don't have to hold CTRL down anc cycle through them with TAB. Maybe the patch will happen one day.

Calza

Calza

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2006

The G15 is kinda too expensive but if there is any good deals for it could somebody post them?

I thought they were some Zboard users here yet nobody has said anything

Phaedra Firesoul

Phaedra Firesoul

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2006

Under a rock.

Silencing To Avert Brutality

R/

I have the zboard and factions keyboard. i personally like it, but i'm not a computer junky. i basically only play guild wars so it works for me, and i have short fingers. lol

Myria

Banned

Join Date: Aug 2005

For what it's worth, might I suggest another route? Get a regular keyboard and a Nostromo n52. I've been extremely pleased with mine (and I had an n50 previously), frankly I can't imagine playing GW without it. I have the d-pad set up for movement, the thumb button for c-space, the wheel set up for changing targets, and various combinations of buttons and shifts set up for everything else. The only time I touch the regular keyboard whilst playing GW is to type in the chat window, otherwise everything is mapped to the n52.

Granted, they're not for everyone (for reasons that wholly escape me, my husband really hates the thing), but I expect the ergonomic design and configurability -- any button can be mapped to any key or combination of keys -- would be a big improvement over a regular keyboard for most people.

There's also the Fang and a couple of other variants, which may be more to some people's liking.

Hollerith

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2005

I was going to recommend the n52 as well, but not sure if the OP wanted a replacement keyboard to game with, or a gaming keyboard/keypad.

But ya, n52 is awesome.

edit: You can (still) use code 12345 to get 40% most Belkin items on their website. The n52 for $24 + shipping.

Darcy

Darcy

Never Too Old

Join Date: Jul 2006

Rhode Island where there are no GW contests

Order of First

W/R

I have the Zboard for GW. I also have small hands (size 6 ring). And yet I find the Zboard too small and uncomfortable to use for typing chat. I actually use the standard keyboard insert more often the the GW one for that reason.

There was another thread on this subject and a poster mentioned the Ergodex control/keypad http://www.ergodex.com/mainpage.htm
While this costs $149.00, I've asked my kids to get me one for Christmas and I will pass the Zboard on to a guildmate.

Next month I will come back and let you know what I think of it.

Titan Chrae

Titan Chrae

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2005

Frozen Lake

Illustrious Chromatic Enigmas (ICE)

Mo/

I purchased the Factions Zboard and while it looks nice I was not impressed with it's functionality. I ended up giving it to my brother who needed a keyboard and happens to play GW.

lakatz

lakatz

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2006

I'm off of Belkin. I have a Belkin now and I've had $10 kbs that were better constructed. Soooooo disappointed.

shaolin mind trick

shaolin mind trick

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2006

Canada

Aequitas Deis [AD]

Mo/Me

I just bought a Logitech G11 recently, basically its the G15 w/o the screen.

A lot cheaper, and couldn't be more satisfied with it.

Rakeris

Rakeris

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2006

Illinois

Feners Reve

Yeah, I have a Saitek gamers keyboard atm. The extra pad that comes with it is very nice. Had it for a few years though, and a some of the keys are starting to wear. I was thinking about getting G11, as the screen seems quite pointless to me.

MegaMouse

MegaMouse

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2006

south mississippi

Warriors Of Melos WOM

E/N

I have the Saitek Eclipse and I love it. The way it backlights the keys is perfect for those late night lights out gaming sessions. The feel of the keys is very tactile and they have a good range of movement. I have had mine since they came out and have had no problems with it at all.

Mega Mouse