Legit Reviews

Starting to play StarCraft again and will be getting StarCraft II at launch. Right now, my keyboard feels in need of replacement. The Logitech G19 looks perfect and seems to be pretty comfortable when I tried it at the local Best Buy. My question is how durable is it? If I'm going to be spending $150~200 on a keyboard, then it should darn well last me at least 5 years. If not the G19, what other model do you suggest?

Thanks!

The G19 is a fantastic gaming keyboard and will last you plenty on time no problem and it looks good to. However, if i was to get a keyboard i would want this beast http://www.cyborggaming.com/prod/v7keyboard.htm

I've never liked the Cyborg keyboard to be honest. I would suggest the Eclipse III by Saitek (http://www.saitek.com/usa/prod/eclipse3.htm). I've used it and it's very nice. I'm just broke and forget to get it when i do have money.

Other than those, Logitech makes damn good keyboards so I'd never say no to them. unless you beat the living hell out of them, it should last a long while

What is the main reason for the purchase, the LCD screen? If you're worried about it pick up a G15 and see if you like it. Cheaper board without the fancy color LCD screen.

Major_A wrote:What is the main reason for the purchase, the LCD screen? If you're worried about it pick up a G15 and see if you like it. Cheaper board without the fancy color LCD screen.

Macro keys (9 minimum) and LCD (for hardware monitoring). The G15 has the LCD but only 6 macro keys. The G110 has 12 macro keys but no LCD. I guess I can live without the LCD. The SteelSeries StarCraft II Limited Edition Zboard would have been perfect if only the hotkeys were on the left. I still might get it and just move the keyboard to the side when gaming.

I have a G15, but the stand on the back left broke, which I had to fix by stealing one off a dell keyboard and then slicing off some off it. Then the support attaching the palm rest broke; and I now have it taped together but it still slides around a bit and is quite annoying. I have been looking at the Razer keyboards lately, Lycosa looks nice.

I have also never once used the LCD screen. I never ever look at it.

Now that I think of it, I never really use the macro keys either. They are just too far to the left of WASD to be comfortable.

hnzw_rui wrote:

Major_A wrote:What is the main reason for the purchase, the LCD screen? If you're worried about it pick up a G15 and see if you like it. Cheaper board without the fancy color LCD screen.

Macro keys (9 minimum) and LCD (for hardware monitoring). The G15 has the LCD but only 6 macro keys. The G110 has 12 macro keys but no LCD. I guess I can live without the LCD. The SteelSeries StarCraft II Limited Edition Zboard would have been perfect if only the hotkeys were on the left. I still might get it and just move the keyboard to the side when gaming.

Sounds like you already have your mind made up. Pick it up and keep the rest of us informed how it holds up. I've wondered about this but the price tag always kept me away.

Major_A wrote:Sounds like you already have your mind made up. Pick it up and keep the rest of us informed how it holds up.

Nope, mind's not made up at all. The G15's been eliminated from the list but the G19, G110 and StarCraft ZBoard are still on the short-list. New recommendations will also be considered. Checked out the Saitek Eclipse III but didn't really like the layout all that much.

Major_A wrote:I've wondered about this but the price tag always kept me away.

I used to be that way about keyboards. The diNovo Edge kinda changed it, though. Hardware devalues all the time. The keyboard, at least, is something you'll keep and if it's durable, will stay with you for a long time. I'm actually still using Logitech and Microsoft wireless keyboards bought more than 5 years ago. If the keyboard stays functional for that long, then I consider the $175 (Amazon) money well spent.

Right now, though, I'm biased towards the Zboard. It just seems so noob-friendly. Given that the last time I played StarCraft was when I was twelve when my cousin let me play it on his PC and my strategy was more "black sheep wall" followed by "show me the money" (no internet so just played single-player), I really need all the help I can get.

Additional question, how much difference does a gaming mouse make when it comes to precision control? Right now, I'm just using regular wireless keyboard/mouse to play (Logitech EX-100) and I do get frustrated at times when the screen starts scrolling in StarCraft (original) because the pointer moves too close to the edge. I don't know if it's because the resolution is 640x480 or if the mouse just sucks.

Thanks!

After accidentally coming upon the article "Starcraft Competitive Keyboard" by Tasteless, plans for the G19 or G110 have been scrapped. Buying a cheapie wired USB Logitech Internet 350 and one of those large-print keyboard overlays instead (and maybe a cold cathode for illuminating the keyboard at night). I think I'll probably still get the StarCraft Zboard, though. I wonder which one would be easier for actual gameplay...

hnzw_rui wrote:Additional question, how much difference does a gaming mouse make when it comes to precision control? Right now, I'm just using regular wireless keyboard/mouse to play (Logitech EX-100) and I do get frustrated at times when the screen starts scrolling in StarCraft (original) because the pointer moves too close to the edge. I don't know if it's because the resolution is 640x480 or if the mouse just sucks.

Thanks!

I used the Logitech MX518 and now the Cooler Master Sentinel. I can say it does make a difference. Just be prepared for that difference until getting used to it. The MX518 wasn't bad to get used to since it only went up to 1600 DPI and the Sentinel goes up to 5600. Personally, anything higher than 1600 will take some getting used to no matter the resolution used. Probably even overkill for alot of people.