Logitech G15 Keyboard

[Griffinhart]

They're out! I was in Best Buy today and saw them in stock, so I picked one up.

It's a damn nice keyboard. The feel is very good for a non "clicky" keyboard. It's also one very attractive keyboard.

What I really love about it is:
1. backlit keys with three settings. 2 levels of brightness and off. Great for low light computer usage.
2. A toggle to disable/enable the "windows" key.
3. No useless "F-lock" functions that tend to get in the way.
4. No useless buttons that open e-mail or other apps.
5. Two USB ports on the keyboard.
6. the LCD display can show CPU and RAM usage.

Now I just need to start programming these extra keys for different games.

I highly recommend taking a look at this keyboard.

 

[Cobalt]

How much was it?

 

[Unkno]

probably costed like $80

 

[blurredvision]

I'd also like to know how much. I would love to pick one of these up, plus a G5 mouse.

EDIT: Also, any built-in programs to customize the LCD, or will it take a little more finese (sp?) to get the info you want to show on it?

Any pics of it in action?

 

[Stretchman]

Hmm, definitely has an interesting look to it. I like the idea of the backlit keys.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/produ...etails/US/EN,CRID=2166,CONTENTID=10717

 

[Tu13erhead]

Originally posted by: Stretchman
Hmm, definitely has an interesting look to it. I like the idea of the backlit keys.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/produ...etails/US/EN,CRID=2166,CONTENTID=10717

Backlit keys aren't exactly a new or innovative feature.

 

[Stretchman]

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead

Originally posted by: Stretchman
Hmm, definitely has an interesting look to it. I like the idea of the backlit keys.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/produ...etails/US/EN,CRID=2166,CONTENTID=10717

Backlit keys aren't exactly a new or innovative feature.

no?

 

[Tu13erhead]

Originally posted by: Stretchman

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead

Originally posted by: Stretchman
Hmm, definitely has an interesting look to it. I like the idea of the backlit keys.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/produ...etails/US/EN,CRID=2166,CONTENTID=10717

Backlit keys aren't exactly a new or innovative feature.

no?

http://xoxide.com/keyboards.html

 

[QuantumPion]

how does it compare to the saitek eclipse?

 

[Griffinhart]

To answer a couple of the questions.

At Best Buy, it was $79.99. That was also the price given at the logitech web site.

The LCD is the only "problem" I'm having, and it seems to be a software issue. People can't seem to get the in game info like ammo and health, to be displayed. It really looks like it wasn't included in the software yet. I have asked logitech about this and I will post when I get an answer.

But, what the LCD does do is:
-Displays date and time.
-Has a performance monitor that shows CPU usage including individual core usage of the X2 and it displays how much RAM is in use.
-When your media player is on (and it supports many players) it will display track info.

I'm hoping that they release a patch to get the in game info working asap.


Comparing it to the saitek keyboard.:
-The G15 is a wider keyboard to accomodate the 18 programable keys on the left side. It's slightly bigger than most logitech and MS keyboards.
-The LCD Display, obviously.
-The ability to turn off the "Windows" key
-The two USB ports on the keyboard
-Media player controls.

Once they get the game info working properly, the keyboard will simply rock. But, even before then, it's simply an awesome keyboard.

 

[Tu13erhead]

How wide exactly is it?

 

[everman]

What they should do is integrate a calculator app into that thing, that would be very useful (although not much gamer appeal). Might pick one up, my current keyboard is old and this looks pretty cool.

 

[cheapherk]

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead




Backlit keys aren't exactly a new or innovative feature.

Yes, but they are a lot easier to read then on the Saitek Eclipse. I sold my Eclipse when I heard about this one a while back. I too was at Best Buy buying a gift card when I saw it. I was still waiting for Logitech to "Notify Me" when it became available. I had even checked online two days before to see if anyone had it for sale. I love it! Best looking keyboard around. Will be nice when there are more games that will support the LCD other than the two there are now.

 

[Capt Caveman]

fyi - $60 at TigerDirect
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=1719507&enterthread=y

 

[pulsedrive]

Anyone had any problems with the software for the keyboard crashing on you?

 

[Banzai042]

How is the feel of the keyboard? I'm interested in this, because i've still got a Logitech PS2 keyboard, but it has the best feel of any keyboard i've used (for me), it's pretty much like a really good thin laptop keyboard, low profile keys, good weighting, stuff like that.

 

[sgleo87]

I got one because of the backlit keys and it is sweet to type on. I does not have thin laptop keys but the keys are pretty quiet and don't feel like cheap plastic but have a nice texture. Just check it out at a Bestbuy and you'll see what I mean. It is awesome!

 

[Schadenfroh]

Does it feel well built and sturdy or just cheap like all the other mushboards?

 

[Griffinhart]

It feels pretty solid to me. I've been using mine for a few weeks now and am enjoying it.

 

check out this site

http://www.g15forums.com/

 

[jeanphilippe]

Originally posted by: Griffinhart
To answer a couple of the questions.

At Best Buy, it was $79.99. That was also the price given at the logitech web site.

The LCD is the only "problem" I'm having, and it seems to be a software issue. People can't seem to get the in game info like ammo and health, to be displayed. It really looks like it wasn't included in the software yet. I have asked logitech about this and I will post when I get an answer.

But, what the LCD does do is:
-Displays date and time.
-Has a performance monitor that shows CPU usage including individual core usage of the X2 and it displays how much RAM is in use.
-When your media player is on (and it supports many players) it will display track info.

I'm hoping that they release a patch to get the in game info working asap.


Comparing it to the saitek keyboard.:
-The G15 is a wider keyboard to accomodate the 18 programable keys on the left side. It's slightly bigger than most logitech and MS keyboards.
-The LCD Display, obviously.
-The ability to turn off the "Windows" key
-The two USB ports on the keyboard
-Media player controls.

Once they get the game info working properly, the keyboard will simply rock. But, even before then, it's simply an awesome keyboard.

Logitech didnt put game display like ammo and health because they are waiting for us to do it, thats what I have read on different forum.

There is already a few web site and forums giving you access to the very few applet existing.
Like : http://www.hardforum.com/
http://www.g15mods.com/

 

[sgleo87]

Originally posted by: jeanphilippe

Originally posted by: Griffinhart
To answer a couple of the questions.

At Best Buy, it was $79.99. That was also the price given at the logitech web site.

The LCD is the only "problem" I'm having, and it seems to be a software issue. People can't seem to get the in game info like ammo and health, to be displayed. It really looks like it wasn't included in the software yet. I have asked logitech about this and I will post when I get an answer.

But, what the LCD does do is:
-Displays date and time.
-Has a performance monitor that shows CPU usage including individual core usage of the X2 and it displays how much RAM is in use.
-When your media player is on (and it supports many players) it will display track info.

I'm hoping that they release a patch to get the in game info working asap.


Comparing it to the saitek keyboard.:
-The G15 is a wider keyboard to accomodate the 18 programable keys on the left side. It's slightly bigger than most logitech and MS keyboards.
-The LCD Display, obviously.
-The ability to turn off the "Windows" key
-The two USB ports on the keyboard
-Media player controls.

Once they get the game info working properly, the keyboard will simply rock. But, even before then, it's simply an awesome keyboard.

Logitech didnt put game display like ammo and health because they are waiting for us to do it, thats what I have read on different forum.

There is already a few web site and forums giving you access to the very few applet existing.
Like : http://www.hardforum.com/
http://www.g15mods.com/

The ammo and health and other game stats have to be supported by the games so the LCD can display those stats. Since the G15 just came out a few weeks ago no game supports is yet those that's why it doesn't work yet. But in the future some games will support these stats and then they will be displayed on the LCD. So I don't think it's a matter of us figuring out how to make a plugin for the LCD to display the stats.

 

[Griffinhart]

Nifty...

I just got the latest version of FRAPS. G15 support now!

-------------------------
FRAPS 2.7.0 RELEASE NOTES
-------------------------

The latest Fraps release adds support for the new Logitech G15 gaming
keyboard. The G15 features an inbuilt LCD display and with Fraps you can now
see an FPS history graph during your gaming sessions. Reviewers will also like
the fact that there is a counter keeping track of timed benchmarks. For those
who prefer recording movies without the overlay on screen you will also find a
separate indicator for video capture.

We've also spent a lot of time optimizing the video capture routines with
big gains on many configurations (up to 20% faster on single core CPUs). Great
for capturing high resolutions with smooth frame rates.

---------
CHANGELOG
---------

- Added support for Logitech G15 keyboard LCD
- Improved video capture routines (up to 20% faster on single cores)
- Reduced codec memory consumption in Movie Maker and Premiere
- Added Alt key modifier support for hotkey selections
- Fixed extended hotkeys triggering with numpad equivalents
- Added video capture support for 1920x540 and 2160x480 resolutions
- Removed FRAPSSEC log option. Superseded by detailed FPS statistics
- Fixed What U Hear not being detected on some Creative cards

 

[Stangs55]

I posted this in the gen hardware forum, but i'll put it here too....A fraps update just came out that supports the G15.

Here's a pic of this beauty in action:

Fraps on a G15

It shows a dynamic graph and the current fps. Beautiful.

 

[FlasHBurN]

Originally posted by: Stangs55
I posted this in the gen hardware forum, but i'll put it here too....A fraps update just came out that supports the G15.

Here's a pic of this beauty in action:

Fraps on a G15

It shows a dynamic graph and the current fps. Beautiful.

With the FRAPS display, is there a way to switch back and forth from different displays (without having to use the Tray Icon)? Like a button on the keyboard? That would be sweet for switching back and forth from an MP3 display and Fraps.