Logitech G13 Gameboard

[Fef]

Check this out : Logitech G13 Gameboard. It looks like a super-enhanced N52. Looking forward to trying it !

[Kaynin]

Oh my.

I'm so getting that. :P

[Xzin]

Bah beat me to it.

[Kaynin]

I kinda miss like, 2-3 buttons on my nostromo. The G-13 seems pretty much perfect for me!

[blbjtb]

WHY????

why is this better then a G-15? sell me on it =)

[Fef]

WHY????

why is this better then a G-15? sell me on it =)

The thumb stick thingy !
You can steer you character with that, saving you 4 to 6 keys for more interesting use. The thumb is much too good to use it only for a space bar press once in a while.

Position is more natural than moving a regular keyboard to the left.

Also, once finished gaming, you can stuff this thing away (together with the ugly gaming mouse) and get you desk looking nice again with only minimalistic aluminum and white Mac keyboard and mouse (I know, superficial ... ).

[Kaynin]

The steer thingy is great for alt character movement, that's what I use it for. Alt turning in pvp, mainly.

I have a G-15 and I'm currently prefering my nostromo over it already.

The G-13 seems to be like a Maybach, compared to the hatchback that is nostromo.

[Harem]

I definitely would like to try it out.

"The keyboard can be flicked into three separate modes – essentially meaning that you can programme each key with three separate tasks and you can flit in and out of whichever mode suits – so a different colour can be assigned to each different function set."


Most of this seems like it was modeled after the n52. One would think they would improve on it.

just from the picture, I have 3 complaints :
Lack of ergonomic key placement.
The thumbstick does not appear to be angled right for proper usage.
What happened to the mouse wheel? (ok - I've often thought the extra key would be nice but I've gotten used to it)


If I do buy, it will be local purchase with a 30 day return policy in case it sucks. But my fears are probably based on how much of a fan I am of the n52.

[Harem]

why is this better then a G-15? sell me on it =)

"The keyboard can be flicked into three separate modes – essentially meaning that you can programme each key with three separate tasks and you can flit in and out of whichever mode suits – so a different colour can be assigned to each different function set."

What this means is that your 23 keys can become 23 different keys without moving your fingers!

I use this right now on the nostromo and coupled with my mouse wheel tilt I have access to over 90 onscreen buttons without moving my hands ( I don't use all of them).

Because I use alt+shift on left tilt and ctrl+shift on the right tilt, I still have ctrl+KEY for bindings to game functions. (I have bound ctrl to mouse button 7 i think on the g5 logitech) So really I can access over 120 button combos without moving my fingers. - and that is only using 1 shift state!!!(there are two more available).

I only touch my keyboard when messaging, talking in channels.

Again - your hand never moves and you have access to all those functions. I originally got the n52 because I need the twitch factor for playing a rogue.

I've looked seriously at using a Datahand as a game controller (if it wasn't so expensive - been watching for deals on ebay). It eliminates 78% of finger travel (if memory serves). http://www.datahand.com/

This is serious twitch factor.

[Freddie]

Have you tried a Datahand? I love the idea of a glove-like fit for the hand with switches permanently located at the fingertips, but I wonder if the Datahand feels awkward to use because three of the five switches at each fingertip require the user to move the fingers either sideways or away from the body. I wonder if it's possible to develop control over those movements to such a degree that they feel precise and quick and easy.

The sideways motions in particular might always feel awkward because given the design of the Datahand, it appears that the entire finger, not only the fingertip, would need to move sideways. So even though the sideways motions are short in distance, they will always require a big mass of stuff (the entire finger) to move.

Usually when we want to move our fingertips sideways very rapidly and accurately, we assist the motion by flexing the palm laterally. We do this for example when we fret a guitar. But that doesn't appear to be possible with this device since the palms rest against a support.

I'm experimenting by holding one palm in a locked state with the opposite hand while trying to flick sideways or upwards with my pinky. It's slow and very awkward.