Budget gaming keyboard with backlight

Hey guys and gals,

I'm considering the following keyboards:
1. Razer Lycosa
2. Logitech G110
3. Microsoft SideWinder X6
4. Microsoft SideWinder X4
5. Logitech Illuminated Ultrathin keyboard with backlighting
6. Cyborg V.5 keyboard
7. Thermaltake Tt eSPORTS CHALLENGER Pro Gaming Keyboard.
Any other recommendations? I play only FPS and TPS games. Sometimes dirt3, nfs most wanted. Nothing else.
My budget is $75 maximum unless the keyboard is so good that it makes me spend $100.

Regards,
Vipin

 

The Logitech Illuminated is not that good for gaming as it has a problem registering the Shift + W + Space combination. The SideWinder X4 is better than the X6 based on many aggregated reviews. The G110 is really good for the money and I have heard some hit and misses with Lycosas.

I personally use the Cyborg V.5 and I like it a lot. When I got the V.5 it was on-sale for like $40 USD and it has a great tactile feel and the backlight is decent. It isn't the best backlight in the universe, but for the money, it is not something worth complaining.

However if you are going around $50-$75, I would go with the G110 personally.

 

I can't speak for the rest of them, but my g110 has been solid for about a year now. Great keyboard with good backlighting.

 

My vote goes to the Lycosa. Its keys have laptop-style keys with relatively short travel and a good solid click. It's no mechanical switch board, but it's a lot better at tactile response than many other rubber dome keyboards if you ask me. I used to own a Logitech G15 (2nd version, with orange lighting), and I got rid of it because the key action was so mushy and soft.

Ideally you'd want a mechanical keyboard, but those tend to be pretty expensive. Razer does make a relatively cheap mechanical board, the BlackWidow, for $80, which uses Cherry MX Blue switches.

 

Majority seems to be with Logitech. I know they make good stuff. But the Lycosa looks good. Still deciding between the two.
And i have one more question. Is it cheaper to buy these online or from stores? I'll be buying it in Kentucky.

 

I would go for the logitech. My opinion though.

 

I would buy online; many online stores (Amazon, Newegg, etc.) will have free shipping, and you don't pay tax unless you live in the state that the company is headquartered in. If you buy from a store you will pay tax.

 

Oh. Okay. I dint know that. So I'm hopefully getting a Logitech G110 from amazon.com. Thank you guys for the replies. And i have till December. So mebbe more suggestions to confuse me further?

 

Definitely the Logitech G110. You won't regret your purchase.

 

I just hope the keys aren't as mushy as the G15's were

 

dont waste your money on the lycosa, if you do, get the mirrored version, as the keys on standard lycosa has a rubberized coating and rubs off easily. My opinion would be the sidewinder x6, simply because you can remove the Number-pad so you can have a more comfortable gaming experince, its rubber-dome keys are really high quality too, much better feel than the 'clanky' lycosa.

 

I'd go for the X6 if the Ctrl-R issue doesn't bother you (That combo makes all other keys lock out). It's never bothered me - I remap if it looks like I'll come across it. The X4 doesn't have this issue but I think it's a less versatile keyboard, although it does have the same consistently sliding action of the X6.

All the others AFAIK have problems detecting more than two keys down in more common / frequent situations or have durability issues.

The Logitech Illuminated would easily be the best out of the bunch if you're a writer. For gaming? Not so much.

Don't bother with mechanicals especially if you're on a budget - although it's partially a geek-emotion decision. I have practically every major variant out there and I choose to use an X6 for gaming. While it's true you can replace the keycaps and have them looking decent for a lot longer than a rubber dome, decent RD's don't as a matter of rule go wrong that often and spare keycaps for mechanicals cost as much as a decent RD in any case.

 

The X4 does have that NKRO, but i havent had any issues with ghosting on my X6, as long as the gaming keys are anti-ghosted im fine. NKRO is an over-hyped aspect of the over-hyped mechanical keyboard spectrum.

 

Exactly. I have no problems as I pointed out above either, and I like the versatility of having a tenkeyless right hand side along with access to a macro-able number pad which I can trigger with my left. Sure, you can do that with a tenkeyless mech and a programmable numpad, but it's a better experience overall with the Sidewinder IMO.

Plus, with mechanicals it's kind of embarrassing watching those guys on geekhack dress up their keyboards. It's like watching boys playing with Barbie Dolls (not that I'm saying [insert anti gender-identity stereotyping disclaimer here] but you know, it's a little cringe-inducing).

 

I don't know, I have never actually had an issue with "NKRO" or the like. Sure I might be typing on a mechanical keyboard. But I don't have any of those fancy features. Never understood the fuss about NKRO. Typing on this keyboard (cost me about the same as the X4's retail price) only because of typing feel, and of course that's purely subjective.

Just to be clear, I have never had this so called "ghosting" issue with my laptop keyboard, or my previous membrane keyboards. The only time I have had weird issues with keys registering is actually when I was using a bad PS/2 to USB converter with my current mechanical keyboard. Perhaps I just don't use my keyboards in a way that would cause issues?

 

Typing wouldn't exhibit a situation where you'd need NKRO. In fact, I can't really see any situation where you'd actually need *N*KRO. 6KRO is more than fine in practically any gaming scenario. Unless you have three hands or something, or a very talented additional appendage.

 

Oh I meant I haven't experienced issues in gaming either. And I agree, I can't see any situation where you'll have a real need for NKRO. It's interesting that the X4 (cannot speak for the X6) have a Microsoft patented 6KRO technology.

 

The X4 has about 17KRO AFAIK. Unnecessary IMO, but some people feel they have super fingers. The X6 has 6KRO except for Ctrl-R, when that's all it accepts (i.e. if you try and press Ctrl-R-W, the W is not going to register).

(Jeez, how many word replacement filters has NBR got?)

 

Ah, thanks for the clarification.

And errrrrr I have no idea who implemented that (or when it was done), it does a lot of stupid replacements...

 

Yeah, NKRO is overrated, not having W+A+Ctrl (or Shift)+Space register on the keyboard is a PITA sometimes. I've come across only one keyboard where that particular combination didn't work and that was a while ago.

As far as mech vs RD goes, i'd say if you can try both, do so and then you can determine which feels better for you. Most RD don't feel good for me, kbs like the lycosa i do find acceptable. I still prefer the feeling of a mech, but again YMMV. On a budget, forget the mechs.

A lot, for better or worse depending on the circumstances. they could at least have made the filter for afai k cap sensitive so you don't end up with As instead of as in the middle of a sentence.

 

No probs.

If you want to know how KRO your keyboard is, Microsoft has a handy site (presumably created to showcase the X4) Microsoft Applied Sciences Group

 

Yeah I have had that bookmarked for a while, I get 3. (+/-1 depending on combinations)