G-Series Gaming Keyboards

[JeremyH82]

I have been on the phone with a Logitech Customer Support Specialist for 30 minutes, for her to tell me that you don't make an Ergonomically Designed Gaming Keyboard.

Matter of fact, NOBODY DOES... Not Microsoft, Not Mad Catz, Not Merc, Not Steelseries, Not Saitek, Not OCZ... Did I miss one?

What I am looking for is a Wave Designed Gaming Keyboard... not one that touts it's ergonomics and has no form or function of ergonomic enhancements other than a "dimple" in where your hand would sit if using that portion of the keyboard... GREAT START! now let's make it FULLY ERGONOMIC, not just one portion.

After speaking with the rep, who was very informative, forgot her name though... She basically said that due to the pressure a "Gaming Keyboard" receives, and because of the Power a "Gaming Keyboard" must use to function properly, it was difficult to come up with a Mesh of Ergonomics and Gaming.

Granted, I am rough on my keyboard, especially when I'm getting my butt handed to me by some n00b.. man that's enough to throw the keyboard through the monitor!! So all gaming keyboards from Logitech are built to withstand the vigors of today's gamers, however, can't that same durability be built within an ergonomic shape? I'm certain it can be with some mild tweaks in the thickness of the plastic that the keyboard is made from.

Also, I can see the power being an issue, but not that much of an issue. Due to the fact that serious gamers have adequate power supplies built into their rigs... But maybe that's not what she was talking about, maybe the port that the Keyboard would plug into, can't supply enough power. Which then makes me question, what needs that much power to operate effectively? The lights that are included with most gaming keyboards? If so, Take them out, no biggie... or just use less. OR make Batteries power the lights... that way it would be optional depending on the individual user to use them or not. I personally don't care if my keyboard lights up or not, I'm proficient with a keyboard and can type upwards of 80wpm so I personally know where all the keys are, some others however, praise the lights and need the lights for their "Dark Room Gaming" which can transform a gaming experience! Try it, at least once!

Based on the two problems suggested as to why there is no Ergonomically designed Gaming Keyboard available to the mass's, and to my suggestions, I can't see why someone can't come up with an Ergonomic Wave Designed Gaming Keyboard.

 Any other problems that anyone can think of that would delay, or deny the manufacturing of such an item? I'm not an engineer, nor designer. By day I work on a computer in an office, by Night, I transform into my gaming alter ego. Necessity is the mother of invention!

[kgober Logi Guru III]

ergonomically speaking, the G13 isn't half bad.  if you use a G13 for gaming, then you can get an ergonomic keyboard for keyboarding.

-ken

[CharlesB]

We already make a egronomic-friendly G-Keyboard: The G13.

Use that in conjunction with a ergo keyboard. That'd be my recommendation.

[JeremyH82]

I was looking at that one, however...

I play a myriad of games, ranging from fps to mmorpg. The G13, you are correct on the ergonomics of it, would not work with some of the games I play.

One of those games would be DDO. There are hot keys within the UI of DDO, and even though you would setup keys on the G13, there isn't enough keys to be sufficient for how many hot keys are within the UI of DDO with multiple customizations.

If the G13 had the capability of having 1key combination of the 25 keys, and having an option of changing the entire 25 key combination to an already set 25 key combination with a button press... I don't think I'm explaining myself very well on this.

Let me try again, Let's do this by Layout. This is an example only:

Layout 1:

Button1=Strife Right

Button2=Forward

etc. for all 25 buttons

Layout 2:

Button1=Select Closest Target

Button2=Change to pre-selected weapon

etc for all 25 buttons

Layout 3:

Button1=Select Player1

Button2=Select Player2

etc for all 25 buttons

Layout 4:

Button1=UseHotkey1

Button2=UseHotkey2

etc for all 25 buttons

Now having the option to switch between layouts with a button press all while within the game. And of course, I would not expect Logitech to designate what button does what, that's my job as a gamer.

I hope that explains it better. But I am overly impressed with it's ergonomic enhancements!

Also the mouse on it, would be useless for me. It may take some getting used to and maybe i can learn to game with it, but ultimately, i need my right hand on my mouse to make targetting my next victim easier, along with easier movement.

thanks for the suggestion though.

[kgober Logi Guru III · Accepted solution]

actually, yes, the G13 can do that.  there are 3 M-pages that are the 'easy' way to do it (M1, M2, M3) but if you need more you can simulate as many pages as you like using Lua scripting.  using Lua scripts, you can also do other things like chording, or supporting double-taps.

I don't recommend using the G13 thumbstick as a mouse.  but in digital D-pad mode it's an excellent substitute for WASD, however.  it takes a few hours of training to get used to it, but it now works better for me than WASD ever did.

-ken

[JeremyH82]

It doesn't say anything about doing that... all it says is 25 programmable keys...

Ahh, Lua... I wish I knew you!

[Modi]

I agree about a gaming ergonomic keyboard. I've been using a Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite for 12 years gaming now. I end up wearing out a certain keys while gaming and just get a new one. I'm not a fan of the G13 either. I am seeing a trend right now with mechanical keyboards being all the rage for gaming. I'd be happy as heck if Logitech made an ergonomic gaming keyboard. I'd be super duper happy if they made a mechanical ergonomic gaming keyboard.

[JeremyH82]

I have to agree.

http://www.amazon.com/Cyborg-Gaming-Keyboard-Tri-Color-Backlighting/dp/B000VOE466

Would be a very good gaming keyboard, except it's missing the ergonomic design.

[evil_mike]

And here I thought I was the only one who felt this way.

That's a good point about the G13 Charles, but it doesn't quite solve the problem.  It's a workaround, not a solution.  The problem is that people want to use ONE keyboard, not two.  I could add a G13 (I own one that I use for LAN parties), but it takes up a lot of desk space and that means switching back and forth between the G13 and the keyboard to chat.

Like I said, the G13 is a workaround, not a solution.  Fortunately, no one else has a solution either, so it's better than nothing, but still...wouldn't it be nice if Logitech took their killer G-series tech and combined it with their Wave form-factor?  I tried the G510 and had to return it because my wrists cramped too much from daily use (I guess I've used an ergo keyboard for FAR too long or something).  I REALLY wanted to like that keyboard, but I just couldn't get past the layout, so I had to revert back to my MS Natural keyboard.

I'm a fan of Logitech's products.  I've own quite a few over the years (mice, remotes, headphones, etc) and they've all been impressive.  If you guys announced a G-series ergo keyboard...man, I'd be the first one to sign up for it.

Just some feedback from a random consumer.

Thank you for your time.

[Bohi2_OGU]

I'm using which I like the best sofar, full split ergonomic of all hardware, seriously I can work and gaming lot of hours w/o getting tired or having pain in the limbs.

* A logitech g13 like more people in here its true its a nice piece of hardware.

Only assign the the tumbstick to joystick can be improved more to compatibility to games, if you using a other software it can be forced to games that not supporting joysticks.

So aslong i using this keyboard for years there is still no force option developed yet and that is pitty.

Like a said before other software can manage it so why not the software of logitech.

* but I like also a ergonomic keyboard but wired and not lot of developers provide those, but I bought a nice piece from a other brand;

http://www.google.nl/images?hl=nl&q=Natural+Ergonomic+Keyboard+4000&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=9Tk...

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=043&active_tab=systemRequ...

It can be customise alot with the software and I using also the >Microsoft sidewinder X8< all those together lot of money but its IMO unbeatable.

Yes I think lochitech guys and girls don't like other brands and that is understandable but I was also using mice and keyboards from lochitech over the years.

Yes i saw its solved but I would like this info sharing with you.