Logitech G13 Gameboard Alternative

[VanGoghComplex]

I have and enjoy a Logitech G13. However, it's a discontinued product and will need to be replaced someday.

I've seen Razer's equivalents, but a few things put me off: the thumbstick is not analog, it has fewer keys than the G13, and the software is often maligned.

A search on Amazon reveals that there are a number of smaller companies that make gameboards, but they're not known brands to me. Thus, the tl;dr:

Anyone using an off-brand or lesser-known gameboard that they've been pleasantly surprised by?

 

[Aehs01]

This for the couch? Man that thing looks like it would be some getting used to. I will say I'm happy gaming in the living room with my Roccat Sova

 

[VanGoghComplex]

This for the couch? Man that thing looks like it would be some getting used to. I will say I'm happy gaming in the living room with my Roccat Sova

The... what? The Roccat Sova looks like a keyboard/mouse lap desk. Is the term "gameboard" confusing things?

 

[sharknice]

I've been following these for years and haven't seen one that has everything I want. I even considered building one but decided it was too much work.

I want mechanical keys. The only one I've seen with them is the razer. Which I almost bought butI want an analog joystick. The only one with that is the Logitech.
And I want more keys, at least as many as the Logitech.

I think I've seen some Kickstarter projects or something with mechanical switches but they didn't have an analog joystick or as many keys as the Logitech.

Also I like the romer g switches and concave keycaps a lot after using the Logitech g910 keyboard and don't want to sacrifice the shorter travel distance or concave keycaps.

I thought Logitech would come out with a new one like this after Razer released theirs but they haven't. I hope they do sometime.

Or maybe some other company will come out with one that let's you choose from some of the new shorter actuation cherry keys and will add an actual analog joystick.

 

[Rudde93]

It would be amazing with a gameboard that also had analogue keys, like the Adomax Flaretech

 

[RanceJustice]

Like Sharknice has said, I too have been checking out these devices for years now and there hasn't been a ton of progress. There have been a few crowdfunded projects many that did not come to fruition.

If you don't mind something a little different, I encourage you to check out - https://www.dygma.com/ . The Dygma Raise. It has ordered from Kickstarter + IndieGoGo and now is taking conventional pre-orders; they're refining the final prototype to start large scale fabrication.

While its a whole TLK keyboard, it can also be used as a gameboard if you wish since it separates (and tents if you wish, ergonomically) . If you don't thjink you need an analog stick, it has created some useful and space saving key layout changes by breaking the space bar into 4 mini buttons (keep as many as you wish for space or assign to others), as well as adding 3 low profile switched keys below them for modifiers or whatnot. The whole thing is mechanical with choice of switches (CherryMX + Kailh...7 or 8 types in total with hot swap no solder switching if you want something coompletely different), PBT doubleshot keys, RGB backlit and underbody-lit LEDs, open source firmware and sofware/configuration, removable wrist rests, etc... overall, seems to really be doing things right. Furthermore, one of the founding members of the company is a top rated EU League of Legends player, so the whole "Gameboard" style setup wasn't just an afterthought but an important feature.

This may be more than you're looking into but I've been let down by a lot of the "no name" gameboard/command center pads out there; the Logitech G13 was ahead of its time and Razer has seemingly taken the Nostromo-style setup as far as they wish. So, may be worth looking for something different especially if you're open to a new keyboard

 

[ZeqOBpf6]

Good Lord is Razer a trash company or what? They have a product called
"orbweaver chroma stealth"
and a cheaper one called
"Tartarus v2"

Punching either of those in to Newegg gets us no clear and obvious results, and the Tartarus is even out of stock on their own website. I just learned of this while searching for the Belkin N52 which I own. Apparently Razer bought this design from Belkin and sprinkled on their magic seasoning of obscurity and unavailability and kicked up the list price to a modest $80.

 

[VanGoghComplex]

Like Sharknice has said, I too have been checking out these devices for years now and there hasn't been a ton of progress. There have been a few crowdfunded projects many that did not come to fruition.

If you don't mind something a little different, I encourage you to check out - https://www.dygma.com/ . The Dygma Raise. It has ordered from Kickstarter + IndieGoGo and now is taking conventional pre-orders; they're refining the final prototype to start large scale fabrication.

While its a whole TLK keyboard, it can also be used as a gameboard if you wish since it separates (and tents if you wish, ergonomically) . If you don't thjink you need an analog stick, it has created some useful and space saving key layout changes by breaking the space bar into 4 mini buttons (keep as many as you wish for space or assign to others), as well as adding 3 low profile switched keys below them for modifiers or whatnot. The whole thing is mechanical with choice of switches (CherryMX + Kailh...7 or 8 types in total with hot swap no solder switching if you want something coompletely different), PBT doubleshot keys, RGB backlit and underbody-lit LEDs, open source firmware and sofware/configuration, removable wrist rests, etc... overall, seems to really be doing things right. Furthermore, one of the founding members of the company is a top rated EU League of Legends player, so the whole "Gameboard" style setup wasn't just an afterthought but an important feature.

This may be more than you're looking into but I've been let down by a lot of the "no name" gameboard/command center pads out there; the Logitech G13 was ahead of its time and Razer has seemingly taken the Nostromo-style setup as far as they wish. So, may be worth looking for something different especially if you're open to a new keyboard

That does look beautiful and well thought out, but the lack of a left-hand analogue takes it out of the running for me - if I'm gonna spend that kind of money, it will have to be exactly what I'm looking for first. Neat product though, thanks for sharing!

 

[RanceJustice]

That does look beautiful and well thought out, but the lack of a left-hand analogue takes it out of the running for me - if I'm gonna spend that kind of money, it will have to be exactly what I'm looking for first. Neat product though, thanks for sharing!

Thanks! I'm quite interested to see how it pans out on arrival. Oh I should also mention that they are currently looking into additional "add-ons" so the idea of a modular analog stick isn't impossible, post launch. During crowdfunding I suggested the use of USB-C connected "modules" that could do things like add an extra row of keys etc.. and one of the devs said they were considering something similar with Bluetooth as well. As they finalize the magnetic "teeth" that interlock both sides of the keyboard, I could very easily see them releasing extra buttons, joysticks, or something else able to be placed in various locations.

Out of curiosity, is there some function or use case for you that depends upon a left-hand analog stick in this situation? The vast majority of use I've seen for such things in the past have been digital in nature (ie the stick is actually used for button presses in 4 or 8 directions) with the G13 being the only one i'm aware of that really supported analog style use. Digital-style activation at the thumb could be handled by the additional space or under-row keys, so I have to wonder if there's a special use case that is analog specific for you?

 

[VanGoghComplex]

Thanks! I'm quite interested to see how it pans out on arrival. Oh I should also mention that they are currently looking into additional "add-ons" so the idea of a modular analog stick isn't impossible, post launch. During crowdfunding I suggested the use of USB-C connected "modules" that could do things like add an extra row of keys etc.. and one of the devs said they were considering something similar with Bluetooth as well. As they finalize the magnetic "teeth" that interlock both sides of the keyboard, I could very easily see them releasing extra buttons, joysticks, or something else able to be placed in various locations.

Out of curiosity, is there some function or use case for you that depends upon a left-hand analog stick in this situation? The vast majority of use I've seen for such things in the past have been digital in nature (ie the stick is actually used for button presses in 4 or 8 directions) with the G13 being the only one i'm aware of that really supported analog style use. Digital-style activation at the thumb could be handled by the additional space or under-row keys, so I have to wonder if there's a special use case that is analog specific for you?

My main use case for my G13 is MMOs, so I use the left hand analog stick for character movement instead of the mouse. As I play a tank class, movement is important, and this allows me to move with more precision than the regular mouse-movement scheme while also leaving my cursor free to swap targets and such. An 8-direction pad might suffice, but wouldn't give me intuitive walk/run control, which is important in some situations.