best fps keyboard

[wammy_bar]

okay, i have a mouse that is my favourite i've ever used for fps, and now all i need is the perfect keyboard, anyone know of any great keyboards for fps style games? price dosen't matter.

[TwoRails]

I've heard good things about the Zboard. It's a kybrd "frame" that takes interchangeable keybrd sets. They have specific sets, like for DooM 3, but generic ones, too. I had one for a while and it was pretty nice but kinda got bored with having to switch key sets in and out all the time. If you play for long periods of time, it's worth a look.

[Cricket]

I'm not a gamer but isn't Saitek (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010290063+50002000&name=Saitek) input devices designed for gamers?

:) Cricket

[shadowpr]

Don't know if it's a gaming keyboard, but I like the Saitek Eclipse II.

[dalenorth]

I'm planning on buying the G15 keyboard soon, here's a link.
Logitech G15 (http://overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-077-LG)

[Devastator]

They've released a newer one than that, price is high but i'd buy it :)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126034

[The Village Idiot]

Logitech are considered the king of gaming peripherals. The Logitech G15 is the primary choice for most people as it has an LED screen which can display Kills/Deaths general stats mostly on your games, or anything else you want it to do. For example I currently have mine showing my RAM/CPU usage which can be helpful.

Another Keyboard I would consider trading in my G15 for is this:

http://www.razerzone.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_21&products_id=40

Looks superb, not sure about how well it performs though.

[TwoRails]

I'm not a gamer but isn't Saitek (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010290063+50002000&name=Saitek) input devices designed for gamers?

:) CricketI've thought about those, as some are lighted keyboards, but I don't think they are really "gamer" keyboards though... I've looked at them at Best Buy and their keys are the same as a standard keyboard. For comparison, with the Zboard, at least they have specialized keys and layout just for gaming. But ya, lots of folks call them a gamers kybrd...

[The Village Idiot]

I think the trouble with the zboard is that it really is only for gaming. As you could never write anything with it. So if you wanted to send an email, you'd have to keep switching the covers around, which would never work with me.

[TwoRails]

Yes and no. They do have a standard kybrd key set, and changing it is only a matter of seconds.

Here's a look:

http://www.ideazon.com/global/products/zboardgamingkeyboard.asp

[The Village Idiot]

Looks a bit cheaply made if you ask me.

[TwoRails]

It's pretty sturdy, actually. Like I mentioned above, I had one, and it worked pretty good. I'm just so use to a standard keyboard that I didn't really give it a good tryout. A friend of mine wanted to try it about a year or so ago and I haven't seen it since :eek: :)

[Shadar Logoth]

The problem with the G15 is that it's... just ugly. Theres more to hardware than just functionality.

Check these out:
Razer Lycosa (http://www.razerzone.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_21&products_id=76)

NEK 4000 (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=043)

These both look great. The Razer Lycosa is of course ideal for gaming and I would bet the Microsoft NEK would also be more than acceptable. It's also cheaper than some of the alternatives. Not sure what the Lycosa costs though.

[Ahura]

Wow, some of these keyboards are just Insano.

[wammy_bar]

except instead of insano they wreak of awesomeness

thanx guys

[Jester]

I use the MEK 4000. Love it. It really is great for those long frag sessions. my hand doesnt get tired and its just a good all around keyboard as well. The problem with all the others is they are "gaming" keyboards. The MEK 4000 is just a well designed programmable keyboard.

[aarathi]

I heard about Zboard. It is good for games

[TwoRails]

I use the MEK 4000. Love it. ....got a link? :)

[wammy_bar]

guys why aren't any of these wireless i wonder, i forgot to mention that i need wireless

[Alaron]

Gamers will generally say that the lack of a wire will lead to lag in games. There will be a slight delay between your keyboard button press and the reaction on the screen. I use a wireless keyboard from Logitech and can't say I've noticed that, but thats why the vast majority of "gaming" keyboards are wired.

[Staren]

You also have to take into account that batteries die, and usually at the worst possible time. If you need wireless then you need wireless, but most true "gamers" aren't going to deal with it so most good wireless keyboards are designed more for business or multimedia use.

[TwoRails]

Not pushing the Zboard, but here's a full keyboard, and just the keypad section on sale at Newegg (both were on the "promo" newsletter they send out)

The keypad is a better deal, price wise, but not as slick looking as the full keyboard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823161023

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823161028&CMP=EMC-IGNEFL110907&ATT=N82E16823161028&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL110907-_-Motherboards-_-E4M-_-23161028

[Speedster92]

You also have to take into account that batteries die, and usually at the worst possible time. If you need wireless then you need wireless, but most true "gamers" aren't going to deal with it so most good wireless keyboards are designed more for business or multimedia use.

So true. Just imagine playin CSS in the heat of battle and suddenly keyboard dies cuz the batteries run out.

[hitchface]

I'm sorry guys, I have to speak against the ZBoard. Here is my review: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=173779&highlight=Ideazon

It will say it all in there, but I felt that the quality was lackluster, despite the cool idea. The worst part? Got it as a Christmas present from my wife.

Never tried Saitek boards, but I have a joystick of theirs (Cyborg Evo)...quite impressed with the product.

[shadowpr]

Like I said, I have the Saitek Eclipse II, and I really like it. Seems to be well built. Simple controls, and backlit keys in 3 colors. Good rubber feet so it doesn't slide either.

[Ahura]

I heard that Saitek keys fade a short period of time. Well, for the Eclipse l that is.

[Cricket]

How about the Optimus Maximus Keyboard (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/optimus/video-optimus-maximus-changing-layouts-321834.php)?

:) Cricket

[Ahura]

How about one of those infrared motion detector keyboard. The best space-saving available keyboard.

[Marke522]

After reading all these mentions of Saitek, I think I'm going to get one for myself, the Eclipse with the blue light. I've noticed it has nearly 1,000 reviews, and still has 5 Eggs. I was thinking of getting it for myself a few months ago, but for one reason or another forgot. I play games at night when I get home from work, around 1 am, and I like the lights off for a number of reasons. At a few times, it can be rather frustrating if I have to press "V" for a quick reply, or "B" to get my binoculars out right away. I play lots of CoD, both 2 and 4, and lots of MoH, all varieties.

Thanks for starting the thread wammy_bar.

BTW, I've noticed the same thing while trying to find a gaming mouse. All wired. But that didn't bother me, because I wanted a wire anyway. Two main reasons: Batteries, and small children. I was afraid the kids would grab it and who knows where it would end up. So far they've been real good about leaving my desk alone, but my wife has a lot of trouble find stuff. Sometimes I think it's her fault and she just likes to blame the kids. :D She says she has "pregnant brain", but our last was born 4 years ago. :p She's actually looked for her keys while holding them. :eek:

[Ahura]

Some of the review of the Eclipse one said that the key fade after liek a year or so of usage. Can anyone clarify this? I think I leik the Eclipse l moar.

[shadowpr]

I've had my Eclipse II since August and not a single key has faded so far. And I use it everyday.

[Cricket]

How about a Wolfking Warrior Xxtreme? (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gaming/wolfking-dual-hockey-puck-gaming-keyboard-gets-a-name-and-its-hardcore-warrior-xxtreme-322895.php)

:) Cricket

[shadowpr]

That actually looks interesting. Wouldn't mind trying one of those.

[TwoRails]

Looks kind of narrow, but it's hard to tell for sure... I guess you'd still just use one hand on the keyboard, and one on the mouse anyway. It is intriguing, though :)

[wammy_bar]

that would take soooooooooo long to get used to, ude have to learn how to type again

[Staren]

I actually have one of the older Wolfking gaming pads. It's basicaly the left side of that one above without the full keyboard on the other side. I usually game on that and have a good logitech multimedia keyboard that I do my typing on.

I'm thinking about scrapping that set-up for a Logitech G11 or G15 though. Those look like nice keyboards.

[Leageth]

Razer keyboards.

Extremely responsive keys. And each key has its own circuit, so more more "BEEP BEEP" when you try to press to many keys. That's very useful in FPS games since there are alot of simultaneous key press (crouching, sprint/walk modifer, score screen, jump etc etc)