Various keyboards and gamepads... I'm addicted.

[Vyndree]

I stumbled across this nice list of keyboards of various types -- from "Gaming Macro Keyboards" to "Hybrid" to "Gamepads" -- it seems like a well put together (though not totally conclusive) list.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2337585,00.asp

I really like taking a look at all the devices out there -- even though I'm a hardware 'boxer I have been known to noodle with USB devices every now and then. I really like keeping my eyes open to things like the FrogPad ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002229QY?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0002229QY'), Steelseries WoW Mouse ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001H31B2A?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001H31B2A'), Reclusa ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MR1XWK?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000MR1XWK'), XKeys ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000051462?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000051462'), and all those sorts of things. Anything to give me more physical button real estate. I want to try it all, pretty much. ;)

Anyway, thought other people who are equally interested in the different types of hardware might like taking a look. Of course, G15's and N52's are listed in there as well as some lesser-known stuff like the Sidewinder X6 ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DWI4FM?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001DWI4FM') (macro-able numpad like an additional XKeys? Yes, please!), but it misses some gems like the WolfKing XXtreme ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YIZ4DG?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000YIZ4DG') which also seems interesting...

In any case, I've purchased a few toys to play with and if I see anything particularly interesting I'll try and throw a review up. Thus far I've tried out the Microsoft Reclusa ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MR1XWK?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000MR1XWK'), Steelseries WoW Mouse ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001H31B2A?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001H31B2A), some non-gaming Ergonomic Mice and Keyboards ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q6UZBM?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Q6UZBM') (my favorite mouse EVAR -- someone needs to start putting gaming & ergonomics together), Nostromo N52 ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DC643?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0000DC643'), Saitek GameCom ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BU0F5Y?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000BU0F5Y'), XKeys Pro ('http://xkeys.com') (another favorite for buff space and low-risk situational abilities -- make sure you get the PS2 version if you want full hardware compatability), Sidewinder Mouse ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TTQFIS?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000TTQFIS') (too big/uncomfortable for me), and I'll be moving on to the AlphaGrip ('http://alphagrips.com/') this weekend -- seems pretty interesting.

Some devices on my "try out later" list:
Logitech G15 ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UHE8YM?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000UHE8YM') keyboard (the more popular macro-capable keyboard... I'm not a huge fan of the LCD screen and size, but I might skip to the newest version when it comes out ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NXDBI6?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001NXDBI6') and try it for a spin)
Microsoft Sidewinder X6 ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DWI4FM?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001DWI4FM') keyboard (potentially just the numpad, heh. MOAR MACRO SPACE)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41NksWjt22L._SL500_AA280_.jpg ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DWI4FM?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001DWI4FM')
Logitech MX Revolution ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HCT12O?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000HCT12O') mouse
Belkin Nostromo N52te ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WMEHYG?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000WMEHYG') gamepad (I like the 4-way pad and thumb button better, from in-store fiddling. Seems smoother, but I don't normally use my standard N52 as it is)
Logitech G13 ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NEK2GE?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001NEK2GE') gamepad (like the Nostromo, I'll probably play with it but never use it)
WolfKing XXtreme ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YIZ4DG?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000YIZ4DG') (non-macro capable buttons, so I can't "rebind" them to ctrl/shift combinations... Another fun toy, but not too serious about it. Not very ergonomic looking either)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Qhb61zhtL._SL500_AA280_.jpg ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YIZ4DG?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000YIZ4DG')
Genius ErgoMedia 500 ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NK74TC?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NK74TC') gamepad (a Nostromo knock-off?)
Some Ideazon Fang product or another ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FRW8KS?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FRW8KS')... (I'm not thrilled with this device but I ought to try at least one before passing judgement... Just doesn't feel comfy.)
Kinesis Advantage ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C4CTBG?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001C4CTBG) keyboard (pricey, and dvorak... but looks comfortable, no? Less expensive than the Maltrons anyway)


Some things I look for in devices:
PS2 support (not likely, but I can hope)
At least a nod towards ergonomics (N52's do a great job with this), particularly for smaller hands
Enough macro-capability to provide "keybinds" (i.e. SHIFT+1, CTRL+ALT+A, etc) so as to preserve my normal "wasd", "1-0" gaming when I'm not using the device


http://www.alphagrips.com/Keyboard_features_front.jpghttp://www.alphagrips.com/Keyboard_features_back.jpg ('http://alphagrips.com/')

I'm really excited about the AlphaGrip ('http://alphagrips.com/') Keyboard/Mouse/Gamepad -- it's the closest I could get to an ergonomic gaming device (it does give a nod to gaming, but instructs users to utilize AHK to remap keys to more comfortable gaming profiles, bleh). I work 9-5 in front of a computer, I come home to a computer and I regularly do small detail work with my hands (crafting, knitting, that sort of thing) so anything that gets me further away from carpal tunnel... it's only a matter of time...

[Vyndree]

I'm a foot-sitter.

I generally sit on one (or both) of my feet, even if I'm in a chair. Maybe it's because I'm short, maybe it's just comfortable, but after a long gaming session I usually end up limping off of my chair because one or both of my feet have fallen asleep.

I'm terrible, I know.

I used to use one of those "kneeling chairs" that was supposed to help with posture, but it ended up being too low to the ground and not high enough to reach my desk properly.

[Sajuuk]

I wonder if you can take the keypad from another Sidewinder X6 and have two gamepads? =P

[Vyndree]

I wonder if you can take the keypad from another Sidewinder X6 and have two gamepads? =P

Not sure, I never looked at the connectivity of the keyboard itself.

I'd imagine the macros are software-side, in which case it's not likely you can run multiple devices on the same machine. The hope is, though, that the keypad is on a seperate USB tether from the keyboard and can be plugged in on its own (minus the full keyboard) to use just the macro-capable keypad. Again, not likely considering that the main keyboard has the switch for "gaming mode" (keypad functions as macro pad) and "normal mode" (keypad functions as a numpad)

It does say it has 90 "macro capable" buttons, but I don't really see where they get a full 90 buttons from...



EDIT:
I found another good list of devices on this ('http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/Keyboards-Mice') website. Includes alot of single handed and adaptive hardware, so not gaming-specific but still certainly useful for 'boxers to browse through.

There's a few gems like the orbiTouch...
http://www.enablemart.com/site/images/OrbiTouchAlpha.gif ('http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/Alternative-Keyboards/orbiTouch-Keyless-Keyboard')

And the behemoth one-handed Maltron... ('http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/One-Handed-Keyboards/Maltron-One-Handed-Keyboard') Oh, and a foot mouse ('http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/Ergonomic-Mice/Footime-Foot-Mouse') for Fursphere. :)

[Poetry]

I'm a foot-sitter.

I generally sit on one (or both) of my feet, even if I'm in a chair. Maybe it's because I'm short, maybe it's just comfortable, but after a long gaming session I usually end up limping off of my chair because one or both of my feet have fallen asleep.


HAHA me too! I thought about foot peddles but that would have meant actually sitting in my chair properly and that just isn't ever going to happen.

[Khatovar]

I'm a foot-sitter.

I generally sit on one (or both) of my feet, even if I'm in a chair. Maybe it's because I'm short, maybe it's just comfortable, but after a long gaming session I usually end up limping off of my chair because one or both of my feet have fallen asleep.


HAHA me too! I thought about foot peddles but that would have meant actually sitting in my chair properly and that just isn't ever going to happen.

Let's start a club...and share podiatrists! I swear, I have a constant bruise on my left knee from whacking it on the side of the desk while "settling in" at least once a week! ;(

[mrmcgee21]

I feel pretty sure that wolfking's line of keyboards are simply the very best keyboard's you can find for any kind of gaming. Their round design makes hitting any key extremely fast, and y ou won't hardly ever have to lift your palm's up, eleminating almost any kind of keylag I suppose. If you watch ellay's video where he's constantly moving from one keyboard to the other, well a wolfking eliminates that. Over 60 keys right at your finger tips, not including modifier combo's. Only down side is it takes a bit of time to get used to it, and depending on which one you get you might need a regular keyboard behind it to chat on, but the wolfking will take care of any char control while actually playing. Personally I have a wolfking warrior, it was only 30 dollars and its the best keyboard I've ever had.

[Darm]

How about a mouse with not one, not two, but three D-pads?

http://sandiotech.com/sandio_3d.html

[Poetry]

How about a mouse with not one, not two, but three D-pads?

http://sandiotech.com/sandio_3d.html

I thought the AlphaGrip was intriguing, but this! I currently use the Saitek Pro Gamer Command Unit, mostly because I like driving with the hat switch, but a mouse with a d-pad. Make that three d-pads. The possibilities! The peripheral junky in me might need this!

[Vyndree]

How about a mouse with not one, not two, but three D-pads?

http://sandiotech.com/sandio_3d.html

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Z24WUa4yL._SL500_AA280_.jpg ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MR1TWY?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000MR1TWY')
I did a search for "Sandio" and found the Visiontek XG6 gaming mouse ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MR1TWY?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000MR1TWY'), which seems to be similar (3 joystick/d-pads ('http://www.driverheaven.net/reviews/VisionTekperipherals/index.php') for about $30 ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MR1TWY?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000MR1TWY')). If you ignore the directional movement of the pads (you can macro/bind the buttons) you get a total of 14(?) buttons -- very competitive when compared to the Steelseries MMO WoW Mouse (which I've already reviewed) ('http://www.wemultibox.com/blogs/vyndree/steelseries-world-warcraft-mmo-mouse').

http://www.alphagrips.com/Keyboard_features_front.jpg ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O8AOO0?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000O8AOO0')
I got my AlphaGrip ('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O8AOO0?ie=UTF8&tag=wemultibox-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000O8AOO0') this weekend and was only able to noodle with it for a short while since we spent much of the weekend remodeling our house. Overall it's relatively comfortable (keeping in mind that I have small girly hands) but some of the keys (namely the "CKYL/JV/XZ" keys on the front of the device) do not map well to the standard Qwerty keyboard. Plus, my name IRL is "Jennifer" and I have a hard time reaching the "J" key with my thumb without adjusting my entire hand. Shortcuts are somewhat tricky (CTRL+V and CTRL+C placement could be improved upon -- namely putting CTRL on the left hand side rather than the right), but I feel it has a bit of potential once I increase my speed... Right now I'm at a measly 5-10 WPM after about an hour or two of on-and-off practice, whereas normally I'm upwards of 100 WPM on a standard QWERTY. The tactile feedback of the keypresses could definitely be improved -- they are way too "soft" and are easily depressed by accident... though I'm told I like the excessively "clicky" keyboards so take that with a grain of salt if you will.

It's also wired (with an included 6ft USB cable), which is both good and bad... Good because I can't stand changing/charging batteries, bad because it would be nice to have more freedom of movement with a mouse+keyboard handheld device like this. There's a USB expansion port (standard USB) in the back that is intended for upgrade to a wireless version, but I'm still not disappointed.

[Tonyx]

Hum.. that AlphaGrip thing looks interesting. Will probably need a lot to adapt, but looks like it has a lot of potential.

I would also like to read more in depth on the logitech g13, however it looks very similar to the n52.

[RobinGBrown]

Okay here's a challange for the 'Mistress of Keyboards':

I need a footswitch to press and hold for vent/voice comms, must be USB and cheap, not the damn expensive 3 way footswitch thing that you can buy from xkeys.

I tried a stealthswitch but it only clicks a key, it can't hold down a key

Thoughts?

[Caspian]

Great post, thanks!

I have the Sidewinder and I generally like it but it is not "perfect for me"

Pros:
W key has 'bumps' so you can easily feel it.
6 game keys, even keys (2,4,6) have bumps also.
Num pad on left is cool
Macro'ing is very straight forward and easy to set up and/or change.
Ability to disable keys (caps lock - no more!)

Cons:
Very flat, I like to elevate my keyboard on the little legs, SW does not have this. They way I sit, if my hands get out of place from moving around it is harder to get them back in the right spot.
Keys are very flat, almost lpatop like in their profile, I don't care for that personally.
I am a WSAD'er. I can get to the 1-6 OK. hitting the num pad is harder for me.
It advertises more macro keys then it has because the column of 6 has a switch so you can assign 2 macros to the keys but have access to only one or the other based on the toggle.
The light for the toggle is at the bottom, hidden by my hands/wrists. So I have to lift my hand to check the state, it would be better on top of the column.
Would like to be able to assign other functions to disabled keys (i.e. make caps lock a macro or another modifier)

Over all it a decent keyboard. I really would like to try out an original G15 with the 18 G-Keys though, it seems like it would be perfect for me.

[Vyndree]

Okay here's a challange for the 'Mistress of Keyboards':

I need a footswitch to press and hold for vent/voice comms, must be USB and cheap, not the damn expensive 3 way footswitch thing that you can buy from xkeys.

I tried a stealthswitch but it only clicks a key, it can't hold down a key

Thoughts?

http://dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=5163

;)

[Turdle]

anyone know where u can get xkeys in australia, or something similar??

[alcapone]

I wonder if you can take the keypad from another Sidewinder X6 and have two gamepads? =P



Not sure, I never looked at the connectivity of the keyboard itself.

I'd imagine the macros are software-side, in which case it's not likely you can run multiple devices on the same machine. The hope is, though, that the keypad is on a seperate USB tether from the keyboard and can be plugged in on its own (minus the full keyboard) to use just the macro-capable keypad. Again, not likely considering that the main keyboard has the switch for "gaming mode" (keypad functions as macro pad) and "normal mode" (keypad functions as a numpad)




The way the X6 is designed, is that the keypad just snaps into the connectors on either side of the keyboard via magnets. Can't use it independently on it's own as far as i can see. :(

[PerzianPenguin]

Steel series mouse+ Xkeys
Is amazing.

[marina]

Like it so much. But it does not fit my HP Pavilion DV2804. Some one suggests me to get one from sunvalleytek ('http://www.sunvalleytek.com/laptop-keyboards-laptop-keyboards-for-hp-c-10_40.html?page=2&sort=20a'),it's really cheap, but seems that DV2000 serials are out of stock, I search the picture carefully, DV3000 looks the same, can i get it instead?

[Erron]

If I get more friends coming over to the house regularly, I am considering giving this a spin for Stylish seating/Data entry flexibility. Not sure if anyone has done a review of it yet.
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1092/numericchairkeyboard.jpg Numeric Keypad chairs.

[Sam DeathWalker]

This place is expensive but if you want footswitchs and all kinds of alternate input devices:

http://www.infogrip.com/default.asp

[Gomotron]

I have one of these on order:

http://www.nvnews.net/reviews/ergodex_dx1/final_attempt.jpg


It's a pretty cool device that basically lets you move keys about in any configuration that you choose. The "keys" stick to the top surface and can be moved around. The clear plastic also allows for custom "skins" to be placed underneath it.

The downsides are that it is software-only and USB, so I don't think that it will work through a switch. However, for you software boxers, this may be a cool device. Also, for those of you controlling your main separately (like me) it offers a huge potential. You can have up to 50 keys placed on the surface, although I think at 50 keys it would get pretty crowded.

Link to the website here ('http://www.ergodex.com/mainpage.htm') .


I'll post my review once I have a chance to play around with it.

[JamieW]

It's a pretty cool device that basically lets you move keys about in any configuration that you choose. The "keys" stick to the top surface and can be moved around. The clear plastic also allows for custom "skins" to be placed underneath it.

The downsides are that it is software-only and USB, so I don't think that it will work through a switch. However, for you software boxers, this may be a cool device. Also, for those of you controlling your main separately (like me) it offers a huge potential. You can have up to 50 keys placed on the surface, although I think at 50 keys it would get pretty crowded.

Link to the website here ('http://www.ergodex.com/mainpage.htm') .


I'll post my review once I have a chance to play around with it.I hope that you don't run Vista. A lefty friend of mine got one of these because most all of the setups out there were designed with a right-handed person in mind. She loved the thing until she upgraded her computer and went to Vista x64. The darn thing hasn't worked since. Ergodex has been in a perpetual "Beta" for Vista drivers for over a year now.

[triage]

I hope that you don't run Vista. A lefty friend of mine got one of these because most all of the setups out there were designed with a right-handed person in mind. She loved the thing until she upgraded her computer and went to Vista x64. The darn thing hasn't worked since. Ergodex has been in a perpetual "Beta" for Vista drivers for over a year now.

http://polygonalhell.blogspot.com/2008/07/ergodex-dx1-driver-vista.html