Logitech G13 Gameboard

[Fef]

Check this out : Logitech G13 Gameboard ('http://www.techradar.com/reviews/computing/peripherals/input-devices/keyboards/logitech-g13-492708/review'). It looks like a super-enhanced N52. Looking forward to trying it !

[Kaynin]

Oh my.

I'm so getting that. :P

[Xzin]

Bah beat me to it.

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2008/12/logitechg13.jpg

[Kaynin]

I kinda miss like, 2-3 buttons on my nostromo. The G-13 seems pretty much perfect for me! :)

[blbjtb]

WHY????

why is this better then a G-15? sell me on it =)

[Fef]

WHY????

why is this better then a G-15? sell me on it =)


The thumb stick thingy !
You can steer you character with that, saving you 4 to 6 keys for more interesting use. The thumb is much too good to use it only for a space bar press once in a while.

Position is more natural than moving a regular keyboard to the left.

Also, once finished gaming, you can stuff this thing away (together with the ugly gaming mouse) and get you desk looking nice again with only minimalistic aluminum and white Mac keyboard and mouse (I know, superficial ...;) ).

[Kaynin]

The steer thingy is great for alt character movement, that's what I use it for. Alt turning in pvp, mainly.

I have a G-15 and I'm currently prefering my nostromo over it already.

The G-13 seems to be like a Maybach, compared to the hatchback that is nostromo.

[Harem]

I definitely would like to try it out.

"The keyboard can be flicked into three separate modes – essentially meaning that you can programme each key with three separate tasks and you can flit in and out of whichever mode suits – so a different colour can be assigned to each different function set."


Most of this seems like it was modeled after the n52. One would think they would improve on it.

just from the picture, I have 3 complaints :
Lack of ergonomic key placement.
The thumbstick does not appear to be angled right for proper usage.
What happened to the mouse wheel? (ok - I've often thought the extra key would be nice but I've gotten used to it)


If I do buy, it will be local purchase with a 30 day return policy in case it sucks. But my fears are probably based on how much of a fan I am of the n52.

[Harem]

why is this better then a G-15? sell me on it =) "The keyboard can be flicked into three separate modes – essentially meaning that you can programme each key with three separate tasks and you can flit in and out of whichever mode suits – so a different colour can be assigned to each different function set."

What this means is that your 23 keys can become 23 different keys without moving your fingers!

I use this right now on the nostromo and coupled with my mouse wheel tilt I have access to over 90 onscreen buttons without moving my hands ( I don't use all of them).

Because I use alt+shift on left tilt and ctrl+shift on the right tilt, I still have ctrl+KEY for bindings to game functions. (I have bound ctrl to mouse button 7 i think on the g5 logitech) So really I can access over 120 button combos without moving my fingers. - and that is only using 1 shift state!!!(there are two more available).

I only touch my keyboard when messaging, talking in channels.

Again - your hand never moves and you have access to all those functions. I originally got the n52 because I need the twitch factor for playing a rogue.

I've looked seriously at using a Datahand as a game controller (if it wasn't so expensive - been watching for deals on ebay). It eliminates 78% of finger travel (if memory serves). http://www.datahand.com/

This is serious twitch factor.

[Freddie]

Have you tried a Datahand? I love the idea of a glove-like fit for the hand with switches permanently located at the fingertips, but I wonder if the Datahand feels awkward to use because three of the five switches at each fingertip require the user to move the fingers either sideways or away from the body. I wonder if it's possible to develop control over those movements to such a degree that they feel precise and quick and easy.

The sideways motions in particular might always feel awkward because given the design of the Datahand, it appears that the entire finger, not only the fingertip, would need to move sideways. So even though the sideways motions are short in distance, they will always require a big mass of stuff (the entire finger) to move.

Usually when we want to move our fingertips sideways very rapidly and accurately, we assist the motion by flexing the palm laterally. We do this for example when we fret a guitar. But that doesn't appear to be possible with this device since the palms rest against a support.

I'm experimenting by holding one palm in a locked state with the opposite hand while trying to flick sideways or upwards with my pinky. It's slow and very awkward.

[jettzypher]

hmmm....i got a saitek pro-gamer command unit. i love it. had an n52, that was ok until i got the pgcu. only thing i can see this being better than the pgcu is the display, also has a few more keys, but only about 4-5 more. ill have to find one and try it out.

[Knytestorme]

WHY????

why is this better then a G-15? sell me on it =)Original G15's aren't made any more while this is. I know if my G15 ever breaks I'll be getting one of these to replace my n52....hell, I may do that now anyway.

[Basilikos]

Looks interesting. But I'm full up on those things right now. The PC that controls my healer has my old N52 on it while my main machine has my new N52te. But yeah, I'm going to have to give that thing a shot if I ever need to replace something that breaks on me.

[Ajuga]

I wonder if it's possible to use two or more at the same time - on a single PC of course.

[Meeo]

Unconfirmed as of right now, but there was a leaked image about the new G Keyboard coming out along side the G13, ie: So far they are calling it a G18, and its like G15 on steroids and same color and lightning as the G13..

http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/logitech-g18-gaming-keyboard-shows-its-not-so-ugly-face/

[blbjtb]

A while back I had a N52 for somereason or another I stopped using it and the reason I just couldnt tell you why. I like the idea of those buttons though like a poster said above me 23 different buttons is REALLY nice. How would you set this up though thats my only question that thumbstick to control the alts? or what Sorry I dont want to sound like a total idiot but i feel like im REALLY missing out on somthing here..

Not sure if it matters but for my Boxing needs Im currently using hotkeynet.. Would this thing still be ok or a total waste?

[Meeo]

When i used a N52 o had my thumb key for alft/shift/cntrl. i have see some people use it to maneuver their alts however, just depends on preference.

[elo]

I dig this a lot, but my Xkeys really meets my needs better. I'd consider it as my right hand keyboard but d*&mn them they didn't make that little joystick so that you could move it to the other side. QQ

[jettzypher]

d*&mn them they didn't make that little joystick so that you could move it to the other side im not south-paw myself but know plenty of people that are. and they have issues finding and using these crazy game pads and gaming mouses that come out. seems like stuff of this nature is only produced with right-handed people in mind. kinda sucks really.

[Basilikos]

Not sure if it matters but for my Boxing needs Im currently using hotkeynet.. Would this thing still be ok or a total waste?When I was using HotKeyNet, my N52 device was working just fine.

[Fef]

I received my G13 few days ago, and I am VERY happy with it.

Beautiful piece of hardware, it looks very well built and feels solid. It is quite heavy and does not move on the desk.

It is very comfortable. Keys action is good, the two thumb buttons next to the stick click nicely. Clicking on the stick itself is a bit too tough, it is hard to do it without actually moving the stick. I was afraid the stick would be less convenient/ergonomic than the D-pad on the N52, but that's not the case. It took me only a couple of minutes to get perfectly used to it, and it is in the end less straining. It could be difficult if not impossible for small hands to reach all the keys without moving at all, but I guess that's the price to pay for more available keys.

I use mainly one of the three profiles, with shift and control on the mouse side buttons to switch action bars in the WoW interface, just like I did with the N52. An other profile is simply used for actions that are not performed very often (keying in password, PiP switching, group forming, group disbanding, porting back to the inn, etc ...).

To me, the screen is fairly useless. I turned every program off but the one showing CPU and RAM occupation.

The extra keys really make a big difference compared to the N52. No more action bar switching during a fight.

At 89 euros, it was certainly not cheap, but I think it was well worth it.

[Kaynin]

I ordered one a few days ago, but have to wait a while for it it seems. :<

Can't wait to try it out, seems it has exactly what I miss with my NT52E

[ragawaga]

I've actually got the G15 keyboard and really like it. Although I have to admit, I rarely use it now. Previously I used it when I was levelling a priest and my gf was levelling a lock. I was discipline, but mostly healing her and her demon. It was great for having all the different healing spells, buffs etc set to be case on different targets. As I wasn't in the fight itself, it was easy to do it. However....on other classes and solo...I find it harder to move away from the wasd keys to press the G keys.

I'd be really interested to see how this keypad works.....so anyone that's got it.....how well does the directional thumbpad work. Someone pointed out earlier that it doesn't seem angled to suit the natural position of the thumb. Has this been a problem?

[Khatovar]

It could be difficult if not impossible for small hands to reach all the keys without moving at all, but I guess that's the price to pay for more available keys.


This right here is my concern. My husband is dying to buy me one, but being a girl, my hands are on the smaller side. On the other hand, I worry that the buttons my be too close together, causing "nail goofs" {you should see my poor keyboard, my W, A and D keys actually have gouges in them from my nails}. I really hate to let him waste all sorts of money on something I won't be able to use. : /

Any of our other lady gamers using this that can give me an idea of how this feels for them?

[Fef]

I am using the stick to move characters, that means my hand is contently off-centred towards the right side of the pad for my thumb to sit nicely on the stick. This makes the extreme left keys (first two rows) hard to reach.
If you move your characters using keys, then you hand is nicely centred on the pad already, so you should not have any problems.