Best gaming keyboard

First night of using Steelseries 6gv2...I hope it gets better. While it feels nice typing this comment when playing games its not as..(how do I describe it)..easy as the Microsoft Sidewinder X6 it replaced. It takes more pressure to control the game using the 6gv2 which has so far caused me to die more in FPS games.

Also my man cave is dark. I miss my backlit keys. After one night this keyboard is on the chopping block. I'm sure I can like mechanical keyboards but this one may not be the one for me.
 
First night of using Steelseries 6gv2...I hope it gets better. While it feels nice typing this comment when playing games its not as..(how do I describe it)..easy as the Microsoft Sidewinder X6 it replaced. It takes more pressure to control the game using the 6gv2 which has so far caused me to die more in FPS games.

Also my man cave is dark. I miss my backlit keys. After one night this keyboard is on the chopping block. I'm sure I can like mechanical keyboards but this one may not be the one for me.

It shouldn't take more pressure to actuate the key, but it does take more pressure to bottom the key out. The first point is more important than the second when thinking about mechanical keys versus membrane keys. With membranes it is more important to bottom them out since they key needs to complete the contact on the PCB underneath it, while the mechanical key triggers a switch partway through the keypress.

Don't focus so much on bottoming your mechanical keyboard out, that is part of the acclimation period. Test it out in notepad and see how lightly you can press the key in order to type a letter out.

If you still think that black switches require too much pressure, and some people definitely do, then you may want to consider a keyboard with blue or brown switches if you want to stick with a mechanical. I also have a Filco with brown switches and for me it is far too sensitive (gonna sell mine soon), but I can easily see how someone would prefer the complete opposite. Switch selection is one of the nice things about mechanical keyboards.

As for the backlighting situation, not much to say there except to get a backlit keyboard. It must be pitch fricking dark in your man cave if you can't read the keyboard. :) Its pretty dark in my office at night and I can still read both of my non-backlit keyboards fine.
 
I've never tried Cherry Blacks before, but I'm sure they do take getting used to coming out of a membrane keyboard. When I first received my Cherry Blue Filco I would accidentally walk off ledges while waiting to spawn. I'd give it a few days before you write it off.
 
I love the cherry black switches on the deck linear. I have medium sized hands and I have no problem with actuating them whatsoever. I also love the fact that I can rest my fingers on the keys without depressing them at all.
 
Anyone still use the original Nostromo n52? Was my favorite game pad back in the day.
 
i think ocz makes a "brain keyboard" - your thoughts will always be faster than your fingers! :)
 
Im having good luck with my K800, havent run into any nkey troubles, only my right shift key is a little stiff at times. but love the not fully laptop keys!
 
I just picked up the K800 yesterday to replace my soaked Enermax Aurora. I'm not sure I'll keep the K800 as I don't really like the feel of the keys; they're a bit spongy and unsatisfying to type on. I'm hoping that the Aurora dries out and comes back to life but will probably just order a Filco/SteelSeries 6g/Deck and return the K800 when it gets in.
 
I just picked up the K800 yesterday to replace my soaked Enermax Aurora. I'm not sure I'll keep the K800 as I don't really like the feel of the keys; they're a bit spongy and unsatisfying to type on. I'm hoping that the Aurora dries out and comes back to life but will probably just order a Filco/SteelSeries 6g/Deck and return the K800 when it gets in.

I won't sway you from going to a mechanical keyboard, but if you wanted another keyboard like your Aurora I've read good things about the Siig Aluminum keyboard.

There's also the Logitech Illuminated keyboard with laptop-style keys, and it looks awesome with the white backlighting.

But that's only if you want to spend <$70. If you're willing to shell out for a good mechanical board, you won't regret it.
 
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There's also the Logitech Illuminated keyboard with laptop-style keys, and it looks awesome with the white backlighting.

The K800 is very similar to the Logitech Illuminated but wireless and Shift+W+Space has been fixed.

Thanks for the suggestion of the Siig. I'll look into it.
 
It shouldn't take more pressure to actuate the key, but it does take more pressure to bottom the key out. The first point is more important than the second when thinking about mechanical keys versus membrane keys. With membranes it is more important to bottom them out since they key needs to complete the contact on the PCB underneath it, while the mechanical key triggers a switch partway through the keypress.

Don't focus so much on bottoming your mechanical keyboard out, that is part of the acclimation period. Test it out in notepad and see how lightly you can press the key in order to type a letter out.

If you still think that black switches require too much pressure, and some people definitely do, then you may want to consider a keyboard with blue or brown switches if you want to stick with a mechanical. I also have a Filco with brown switches and for me it is far too sensitive (gonna sell mine soon), but I can easily see how someone would prefer the complete opposite. Switch selection is one of the nice things about mechanical keyboards.

As for the backlighting situation, not much to say there except to get a backlit keyboard. It must be pitch fricking dark in your man cave if you can't read the keyboard. :) Its pretty dark in my office at night and I can still read both of my non-backlit keyboards fine.

Update, after a few days I have become more accustom but I'm still not sold on the how much pressure it takes to use this keyboard. Now I'm very curious what others keys feel like such as the blues and browns you mentioned.

My cave is pretty dark. I was playing Day of Defeat last night ($2.50 on steam ;) ) and I found myself fumbling for keys a few times. I definitely need to replace it with a backlit keyboard.

So it looks like my options are the Deck, Razer Black Widow or Xarmor U9BL or just turn on a light and keep using the Steelseries. :D
 
I'd just turn on a light. The only time I care for gaming in darkness is when I'm playing any of the Silent Hill games or other horror games.
 
It shouldn't take more pressure to actuate the key, but it does take more pressure to bottom the key out. The first point is more important than the second when thinking about mechanical keys versus membrane keys. With membranes it is more important to bottom them out since they key needs to complete the contact on the PCB underneath it, while the mechanical key triggers a switch partway through the keypress.

Don't focus so much on bottoming your mechanical keyboard out, that is part of the acclimation period. Test it out in notepad and see how lightly you can press the key in order to type a letter out.

If you still think that black switches require too much pressure, and some people definitely do, then you may want to consider a keyboard with blue or brown switches if you want to stick with a mechanical. I also have a Filco with brown switches and for me it is far too sensitive (gonna sell mine soon), but I can easily see how someone would prefer the complete opposite. Switch selection is one of the nice things about mechanical keyboards.

As for the backlighting situation, not much to say there except to get a backlit keyboard. It must be pitch fricking dark in your man cave if you can't read the keyboard. :) Its pretty dark in my office at night and I can still read both of my non-backlit keyboards fine.
You are the man. A couple weeks ago I asked you about good mechanical keyboards and you recommended me the Steelseries 6gv2. I've been playing games and doing work on it for around a week so far and I LOVE it. Thanks!
 
I have had an Alienware TactX for a couple weeks now and really like it. It is pretty much a logitech rebrand so they are good too.
 
I love my Deck Linear, its awesome and provides some light at night for that late night urge.....or that over night session.
 
I really like my filco brown for gaming.

I don't think I'd want a keyboard that's noisier or stiffer than that.
 
I had my G15 first generation since like 2004/2005. Getting the temptation to get a new keyboard. Hmm mechanical or G19..
 
G19 is great, but the LCD screen is completely superfluous and it's overpriced because of it (I think there is a more recent version without the LCD). I've tried the Razer Tarantula and the Wolfking and wasn't a fan of the key action on either. Surprisingly, your G15 is still one of the best out there.

I'm not a big fan of the mechanical keyboards for gaming due to the noise.
 
The TactX I have is the exact same keyboard as the G19 just less G keys. It also does not have the LCD keeping things simpler (and cheaper)

I have been very happy with it so far
 
The G19 is extremely overpriced in my opinion. I don't need macros so my Filco works just fine for me.
 
Another vote for the Logitech backlit keyboard. Typing on it is pure bliss.
 
I love my G15 but I rarely use the screen for anything more than time. I just have an itch for a new toy lol
 
You are the man. A couple weeks ago I asked you about good mechanical keyboards and you recommended me the Steelseries 6gv2. I've been playing games and doing work on it for around a week so far and I LOVE it. Thanks!

No problem, glad I could help. :)

Which reminds me, I still need to put my tenkeyless brown Filco for sale, maybe after Thanksgiving...
 
I'm not a big fan of the mechanical keyboards for gaming due to the noise.

Not all mechanical keyboards make audible clicks. Anything with a Cherry brown or black switch does not click. The only big noise you'll hear is if you bottom the key out, same as with any membrane keyboard.

The ones that will click on actuation are buckling spring switches and Cherry blues.
 
the mechanical activation of any mech switch is still louder than a basic membrane keyboard. and yes i am not talking about "clicky" browns and blacks are still louder than membrane and no i am not talking about bottoming out either, it's the actually mechanical act of having the spring press down then depress and activating the leaf spring, that is louder than a membrane.
 
I returned the Logitech Illuminated Wireless to Best Buy and picked up a G510 since it was on sale for the same price. It's not too bad so far. It has a decent key feel and doesn't have any issues with Shift+Space+W so I think I'll keep it. There is some "uneven" backlighting but it doesn't bother me enough to return it.

I really wanted to try a mechanical but the Steelseries 6GV2 seems to be OOS nearly everywhere and the Filco/Deck keyboards are at least 30% more expensive. It's not easy to get the wife to approve $100 for a keyboard let alone $150.
 
The G510 is very similar to my Alienware TactX Keyboard, my main requirements were backlit and wired.
 
My favorite:

dsc-0098custom.jpg


Such an underrated keyboard. It's elegant, quiet, and the backlight is fantastic (very little bleed). The keys feel quite unique...they're like oversized laptop keys, but with a longer throw. Not only that, but the action provides a lot of tactile feedback (unlike laptop keys), while being almost completely inaudible. The keyboard is far better than the Razer Lycosa, except for one fact: it doesn't prevent ghost keys completely (though I haven't had any meaningful combination blocked).
 
My favorite:
The keyboard is far better than the Razer Lycosa, except for one fact: it doesn't prevent ghost keys completely (though I haven't had any meaningful combination blocked).

The Lycosa is 2KRO.
 
My favorite:

Such an underrated keyboard. It's elegant, quiet, and the backlight is fantastic (very little bleed). The keys feel quite unique...they're like oversized laptop keys, but with a longer throw. Not only that, but the action provides a lot of tactile feedback (unlike laptop keys), while being almost completely inaudible. The keyboard is far better than the Razer Lycosa, except for one fact: it doesn't prevent ghost keys completely (though I haven't had any meaningful combination blocked).

It IS an awesome looking keyboard, though many around here don't like it due to reported keyblocking issues. I don't think all of them were affected, though (I haven't had any trouble with mine, though it's sitting unused right now due to my affair with mechanicals). Does yours allow Shift+W+Space? That seems to be one of the most commonly mentioned issues with this board; I'll have to dig mine out and test sometime.
 
It IS an awesome looking keyboard, though many around here don't like it due to reported keyblocking issues. I don't think all of them were affected, though (I haven't had any trouble with mine, though it's sitting unused right now due to my affair with mechanicals). Does yours allow Shift+W+Space? That seems to be one of the most commonly mentioned issues with this board; I'll have to dig mine out and test sometime.

I'll have to test it out tonight.
 
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