racketboy.com

Original Post:
Back story: I may get slapped around for this but, after almost 5 years, I switched out my gaming centered mouse and keyboard for a "consumer grade" set.

The slapped around part: the gaming stuff, I feel, is total bullshit!

Strike me down!

I had the Logitech G510 and the G500 laser mouse. The keyboard: the backlights were dim as dim can be. The keys felt odd and the cord is too short. The software for The LED display doesn't work properly, even with reinstall. I also had a hard time using it for normal typing, word docs, excel stuff. The Mouse: Laser is not very good. It does not track on a cloth mouse pad. Doesn't track on many surfaces and I don't truly know why. This alone is not good. The extra button on the side doesn't register with most games. So that extra button is useless to me.

So what did I switch to? I switched to the Logitech K750 Wireless Solar Keyboard and the new MX Master Mouse. The keyboard has those chicklet keys which feel better to me and the mouse feels great!

Everyone is different when it comes to this stuff but this is my insight with the switch.

Does the gaming hardware really make the difference? How about to a true hardcore gamer compared to a light weekend gamer?

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Edit: I want to change the topic and just have it where we can discuss peripherals such as nice and keyboards. Because why not.

On two of my main PCs (gaming rig and gaming laptop) I use the Logitech K750 Solar keyboard and the MX Master. Laptop has the MX Anywhere2 mouse. All are great.

it's all preference. I used to think "gaming accessories" were bullshit too. But isiolia hooked me up w/ a mechanical keyboard. Once I put dampeners in the keys to get the right throw for my comfort level, I could never go back to a non-mechanical. In fact, once I got used to this keyboard, I pretty much stopped using a controller in any game that didn't require one.

Same with the mouse. I had a cheapo CM mouse for a while. I got a Logitech G502 for my birthday. It is the greatest mouse I've ever used. The weight alone makes me adore it.

But the bottom line is just comfort. You're going to "game" the best when you're at your most comfortable. That could be something expensive or cheap. Something branded or no-name. Whatevs.

Well, I suppose a good mouse is a good mouse no matter how they are marketed.

But getting a good mouse and a metallic mousepad has been one of the best hardware-related purcharses I've ever made. And the difference between, say, a bad fighting stick and a good one is also huge.

Interesting stuff. I just put in an order for a metallic mouse pad. $14 so that will come in 2 days.

After some time with my purchases I can say that I love them a lot. The keyboard feels great. I typed some stuff with it and played a large portion of STALKER. Same goes for the mouse. The MX Master is a great, comfortable mouse. Fits nicely with the hand and the buttons are well placed. I haven't used it yet but the second thumb scroll wheel is nice to have.

I also purchased the MX Anywhere2 which is designed like the MX Master for my laptop. That is a great mobile mouse!

Gaming gear isn't bullshit. But just like everything, you have bad and good. Some make cheap shit, market it as gaming but it is still shit. So a higher end non-gaming mouse is better than a shitty gaming one. Gaming gear doesn't mean quality, it just means they are designed for gaming use and styled as such.

I have a Logitech G600 mouse and it is amazing. It is made to be a mouse for MMO play, but I find it is great for almost all games. Macroing hotkeys and having them as a thumb button is useful for any wasd game.

Many gaming keyboards aren't as good for heavy typing. They attempt to optimize gaming control schemes.

Wireles is also typically bad for gaming, especially online competitive gaming or fast-paced games. You introduce some control lag and have to worry about your battery getting low or dying mid-session.

Ready to hear this bullshit?

That aluminium mouse pad actually blocks the receiver frequency. When I have it on the wooden desk surface (beech wood) it works but when I place it on the mouse pad the signal cuts out.

*heavy sigh*

Erik_Twice wrote:But getting a good mouse and a metallic mousepad has been one of the best hardware-related purcharses I've ever made.

casterofdreams wrote:Ready to hear this bullshit?

That aluminium mouse pad actually blocks the receiver frequency. When I have it on the wooden desk surface (beech wood) it works but when I place it on the mouse pad the signal cuts out.

*heavy sigh*

How ironic! Your mouse pad prohibits your mouse from functioning.

By the way, if you have an optical mouse (most computer mice made after 2000) why do you need a mouse pad? I understand why a mechanical mouse works better with a mouse pad, but I fail to see why an optical mouse needs one at all - no pun intended.

In doing a little research last night the pad is a carryover from back in the day.

And I don't want to ruin a new wooden desk.

samsonlonghair wrote:By the way, if you have an optical mouse (most computer mice made after 2000) why do you need a mouse pad? I understand why a mechanical mouse works better with a mouse pad, but I fail to see why an optical mouse needs one at all - no pun intended.

Because you still drag it over a surface and it's easier to do that on a mousepad than over wood. And it's better for both your desk and your mouse

Still, I'm not fond of wireless mouses. The latence drives me mad.

Erik_Twice wrote:

samsonlonghair wrote:By the way, if you have an optical mouse (most computer mice made after 2000) why do you need a mouse pad? I understand why a mechanical mouse works better with a mouse pad, but I fail to see why an optical mouse needs one at all - no pun intended.

Because you still drag it over a surface and it's easier to do that on a mousepad than over wood. And it's better for both your desk and your mouse

Still, I'm not fond of wireless mouses. The latence drives me mad.

No issues for me using the desk, a mouse pad just gets in the way with its catch edge. Agree on the wireless, give me a wired optical any day. The desk surface is bigger then the mouse pad which means less picking up for another bite. I do have the sensitivity maxed out and use a Microsoft Mouse for its rapid tracking. I can see only using a mouse pad on a shiny glass desk where the laser would have issues.