Gaming Mice/Keyboards: Are They Worth It?

[FalconxxxPunch]

Well, are they?

I'm looking at buying a RAZER Lycosa and a Logitech G5 for this gaming rig I'm building, which add up to about $130. Now, I could definitely use that money somewhere else and buy a cheap mouse/keyboard combo, but am I sacrificing performance? I do plan on playing a lot of games on this computer, but will a normal keyboard and mouse serve me well without the bells and whistles?

Just wondering.

 

[hoope11]

A highly skilled gamer using "mediocre," non-gaming equipment will easily trump a mediocre gamer using generally overpriced gaming equipment.

Focus on what is most comfortable in your hands, not on what has the best or newest (i.e. overpriced) tech.

 

[MTDEW]

Keyboard - I wouldnt.
It doesnt matter, any good $20 logitech keyboard will do just as well.
If you really MUST have a lighted keyboard, id grab the Saitek Eclipse.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16823175103

Mouse - Yes, once you use a good mouse, you'll wonder how you ever got by with a generic one.
Even for everday desktop use.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Depends on what game or type of game you are playing.

 

[eyi526]

in my opinion, the mouse is the most important peripheral. i got the illuminated logitech keyboard for free (hook ups!!!) and it is just fine for gaming. those keyboards just have extra buttons for macros/micros (whatever they are). a good (but not crazily overpriced) mousepad is also good too.

 

[RaTaSuM]

as other have said, keyboard makes no difference whatsoever. just look at quake, cs, and starcraft players - they all have generic keyboards. the only factor that can affect a keyboard's functionality is the number of keys you can hold down at once.

as for mice, just get whatever feels nice in your hand. and make it optical. SOME lasers are good, like the ikari laser (it uses a non traditional laser engine and works much better than other lasers). and like eyi526 said, get a good mousepad also.

my recommendation is to keep whatever keyboard you have now and buy a microsoft intellimouse 3.0, which is in the $40 neighborhood.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Nostromo N52 FTW!!!

 

[Maximilian]

No, i said it before and ill say it again, i would wipe the floor with most people using this and any old keyboard.

 

[paperfist]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Nostromo N52 FTW!!!

Sorry but there's a new king in town, the Logitech G13

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: paperfist

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Nostromo N52 FTW!!!

Sorry but there's a new king in town, the Logitech G13

Yeah, I've seen it but have not tried it out. The Nostromo has more thumb buttons and a scroll wheel which I find useful.

 

[paperfist]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: paperfist

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Nostromo N52 FTW!!!

Sorry but there's a new king in town, the Logitech G13

Yeah, I've seen it but have not tried it out. The Nostromo has more thumb buttons and a scroll wheel which I find useful.

I'm going to order one this week because my n50 is worn out. I never could get used to the n52's keys, for some reason mine has rather stiff keys.

The scroll wheel & thumb button I never really found a use for (or got accustom to), it seemed like it never worked no matter how I set it up.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: paperfist

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: paperfist

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Nostromo N52 FTW!!!

Sorry but there's a new king in town, the Logitech G13

Yeah, I've seen it but have not tried it out. The Nostromo has more thumb buttons and a scroll wheel which I find useful.

I'm going to order one this week because my n50 is worn out. I never could get used to the n52's keys, for some reason mine has rather stiff keys.

The scroll wheel & thumb button I never really found a use for (or got accustom to), it seemed like it never worked no matter how I set it up.

Cool. Let us know how you like it.

 

[AmberClad]

I'm curious to hear some impressions of that G13 too. The main reason I use my n52 exclusively instead of my Eclipse II when I'm not typing is for the ergonomics/comfort/wrist support for extended use. My main gripe with it is the loud/stiff keys and lack of a number row.

 

[matas]

For css gaming mouse is critical. My skill improved like 20%.

 

[bigstrickler]

i play a lot of FPS games a lot. Namely css and the mouse is def way more important than the keyboard. I personally prefer logitech mice. Right now I have the G7 which is the exact same as the G5 except wireless. I know most ppl say wireless is bad especially for gaming but I have had no problems at all. It comes with an extra battery so you're always charging one as you use the other and it only really takes like 10 sec to change batteries. Just need to change low batteries to full ones before matches or tournaments. Hope this helps

 

[potato28]

Mouse is a yes, keyboards are a placebo. They all work the same, and the clicky switch ones are worth paying if your going to do a lot of typing too.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: potato28
Mouse is a yes, keyboards are a placebo. They all work the same, and the clicky switch ones are worth paying if your going to do a lot of typing too.

true gaming keyboards have reprogrammable keys and macros...which can be huge for certain games. Most simpleton FPSers won't find any direct benefit but there can still be ways to take advantage of it (for one I program keybinds for teamspeak functions to macros and use them quite often)

whether or not the ultrapolling for the keyboard actually makes a difference requires too much work for me to test out, and the data probably wouldn't be reliable anyway

 

[khangaming]

mice : steelseries ikari and razer deathadder, diamondback

mouse pad : khan gaming series and razer mantis www.khangaming.com

 

[smackababy]

I have a G15 and a G7. I find the G15 doesn't have the extra keys I need in the right places. I sit really weird on the keyboard. I turn it about 45 degrees and lay my hand just below the enter key. This isn't effective for typing but gives me all the range and keys I need. Besides the LCD for vent and back lit keys, it is just another keyboard to me.

The G7, on the other hand, is wonderful. I have to use a generic mouse at work and it is completely lame. The adjustable DPI is great, the mouse is responsive, and the wireless is a plus. It has a great feel to it as well. The only bad thing is the battery doesn't last very long. It seems I switch at least every two days, sometimes everday depending on how much I game. I feel it was well worth what I paid for it.

 

[ivan2]

Originally posted by: khangaming
mice : steelseries ikari and razer deathadder, diamondback

mouse pad : khan gaming series and razer mantis www.khangaming.com

ban!

 

[evident]

mouse is critical. mousepad too

what makes that razer keyboard a "gamer" keyboard? I just use an ergo kb for gaming =\

 

[CurseTheSky]

As many others have said: yes to the mouse, no to the keyboard. Gaming mice generally have better precision and much better "feet."

It was a world of difference going from a generic optical mouse to a MX1000, and still a great improvement going from MX1000 to G7. Now I've replaced the G7 with a G9; it took some time to get used to the shape, but the extra DPI is extremely welcome for someone like me. I use just the tips of my fingers for normal motion, and a small flick of the wrist for quick spins or to get the cursor across the screen. The excellent Teflon feet, combined with my SteelSeries SP mousepad (which I use only a corner of), give an excellent fluid motion that never leaves me swearing at the equipment.

I also use a G15 keyboard, and there are only a few perks that I actually use. The switch to disable the Windows key is an excellent feature, and the macro keys come in handy once in a while. I find that I only use the LCD to check the time while I'm in a full screen game or movie, or to see who's talking in Ventrilo. Other than that, I'd be just fine with a "normal" keyboard.

 

[konakona]

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
Depends on what game or type of game you are playing.

This. For FPS mouse/pad matters most and foremost, as you wouldn't be needing frame-conscious sequence of inputs in a very controlled and precise manner. If you play 2d fighters and likes of djmax its a WHOLE different story, basically the opposite.

Since I do a bit of both, I think keyboard is more important. Not only you will do better in games, you will appreciate it in everyday typing as well. Remember, MMORPG = some killing and trading and LOTS of typing I am not talking about bling bling macro this macro that types. Just something that has n-key rollover and good tactile feel (this mostly depends on personal preference - cherry black, brown, blue, alps, or capacitive switches) and fast response. I have four different, actually five including the laptop, keyboards at my house. The laptop one is so bad I can barely game at all. Logitech Classic 200 is ok but somewhat hindering. Old keytronic one is better than the first two, except there is a huge insurmountable gap between that and the filco.

As for mice (or mouses?), I feel its important to get a pad that you like, there is no absolute best. Mice, on the other hand, are more about ergonomics (e.g. grip vs palm) than anything unless there is some well documented issue with tracking and such. Especially true with razer releasing gazillion different rehashes of the same thing and hyping it to be x20000 better than the previous generation. Oh, and I love my dimondback 3G so don't call me a razer hater

 

[RallyMaster]

I play all games on both of my computers on a Logitech MX518, a Rocketfish dual sided mousepad and a Microsoft Natu Ergo 4000 keyboard. Pretty much the only setup that I'm willing to use now.

 

[R3DruM]

At the moment i am at i36 in Stoneleigh and its the biggest LAN in the UK and i got my self a Razor mouse mat and a Razor Deathadder ( 15 quid off the multiplay forums) And i have to say that my aim has improved ingame and that it takes very little movment to get from one side of the screen to the other than my old mouse, which was old Microsoft infared mouse! so yes mate i would advice to get a gamingmouse and or mouse mat!