G15 Keyboard

sarlen · Post by **sarlen** » September 28, 2006, 6:15 pm

I am on the verge of buying the Logitech G15 keyboard and was hoping to get some opinions from the VV crew. I did read a few posts that came up in the search about the G15 but no one has gone into much detail.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 28, 2006, 6:36 pm

There was a long review thread that covered Logitech mice and keyboards but it was a victim of the VV database conversion awhile back.

Some comments

-early G15s key letters wore off. I think this has been fixed

-typing on the G15 takes a little getting used to as the macro keys on the left throw you off for awhile

-the LCD screen is cool but has limited functionality

-USB ports in back of keyboard work great (that's where my G7 mouse transmitter is plugged in)

-fairly quiet keyboard (especially compared to squeeky ergo Microsoft keyboard I had previously)

-backlighting on keys is better than original Saitek keyboard but not super bright

-macro keys have been useful for me but I only use them in Second Life and to blank/blacken my monitor(s) from time to time.

Overall, it's a nice first effort from Logitech on this kind of keyboard but I'm looking forward to the 2nd generation of G15 for some improvements here and there.

I think the consensus from other users is that it's a pretty nice keyboard, could use some improvment, and up in the air if they would buy again.

It's been over a year now and Newegg has the G15 on sale so a new Logitech keyboard may be just around the corner. You may want to wait a few weeks and see as this is the new product intro season.

Syenye · Post by **Syenye** » September 28, 2006, 9:35 pm

i've always been a logitech fan when it comes to keyboard/mice. i bought my dad the G15 for christmas last year, and he loves it. i switched over to microsoft for keyboards though, because i really like the ergo 4000 and my carpal tunnel syndrome is getting worse. and the guys at work love it, because the ergo 4000 is a lot quieter, and apparently i'm a loud, fast typer.

for a backlit keyboard, i'm waiting for this:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/29/micr ... -keyboard/

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 28, 2006, 9:54 pm

Speaking of Logitech, I've been waiting for a decent pair of portable Bluetooth headphones. Hopefully this Spec 2 version of Bluetooth performs well:

Logitech FreePulse Bluetooth 2.0 Headphones Shipping Soon

We told you about how Logitech's FreePulse Wireless Headphones flew through the FCC approval process with their improved Bluetooth 2.0 specs (3x faster, lower power consumption, simplified multi-link), and now they're officially out in the open for all to see.

We're just hoping this Bluetooth 2.0 spec performs better than most of the Bluetooth 1.x gear we've been testing lately, which can undoubtedly be temperamental. Try your luck for a hundred bucks, available next month. – Charlie White

There's also a G11 keyboard which is the G15 q/out the LCD:

http://techgage.com/article/logitech_g1 ... g_keyboard

sarlen · Post by **sarlen** » September 28, 2006, 10:59 pm

Winnow wrote:
There's also a G11 keyboard which is the G15 q/out the LCD:

Ya I saw that but I'm kinda all about the cool toys..

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » September 29, 2006, 2:44 am

Personal preference but I probably wouldn't get a G15 again. Mainly because I still haven't gotten used to the layout with the macro keys on the side. And I find that I don't really use them much. I find myself always looking to make sure my hands are in the right place. I haven't had a problem with the paint wearing off but the backlight I feel is lacking. With a large bright monitor it basically get drowned out unless you're right over it. But if you can adjust to the layout and are a touch-typer this probably wont be an issue. The LCD is also of limited use as Logitech basically threw it out there and then didn't do anything with it. There's third party but even then I haven't found anything that I just had to use.

Just give me a basic $10 rectangular 110 key and I'm happy. All these keyboards in weird shapes with all sorts of other crap on them I could do without. This is actually the second Logitech keyboard I've bought. I also have the Logitech keyboard which I don't use. It's creaky and the F-Lock thing is stupid. So not sure I'll get Logitech's next keyboard offering.

miir · Post by **miir** » September 29, 2006, 11:34 am

-early G15s key letters wore off. I think this has been fixed

I haven't had this problem with mine.

typing on the G15 takes a little getting used to as the macro keys on the left throw you off for awhile

A while for me was almost a month....
I made so many bloody typos until I got used to the key positions. I'm not a touch typer but I can type pretty fast just glancing occasionally at the keyboard. With the G15, I had to look at it constantly to make sure my hands weren't shifting.

the LCD screen is cool but has limited functionality

I really like the screen. It doesn't work for a lot of games but I like the clock and the CPU/RAM monitor. I also have the app for my damage parser in EQ2.

-USB ports in back of keyboard work great (that's where my G7 mouse transmitter is plugged in)

The positioning on them is odd. I usually have to flip the keyboard up to plug anything into them because I keep missing the hole... but they are uberhandy. One downside is that my ipod shuffle won't work with them... needs a powered port.

fairly quiet keyboard (especially compared to squeeky ergo Microsoft keyboard I had previously)

I'm a pretty loud typer so I like how quiet the G15 is.

-macro keys have been useful for me but I only use them in Second Life and to blank/blacken my monitor(s) from time to time.

I have oodles of macros that I use in games all the time. It's probably my favorite feature of the G15. Super easy to use as well.

With a large bright monitor it basically get drowned out unless you're right over it.

A non-issue with an LCD.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » September 29, 2006, 12:13 pm

miir wrote:
With a large bright monitor it basically get drowned out unless you're right over it.
A non-issue with an LCD.

Is it? Last time I checked I have an LCD and it is an issue for me. I don't know about smaller monitors but the lighted keys are no match for a 24" Dell especially with the room lights out.

miir · Post by **miir** » September 29, 2006, 12:32 pm

Aslanna wrote:
miir wrote:
With a large bright monitor it basically get drowned out unless you're right over it.
A non-issue with an LCD.
Is it? Last time I checked I have an LCD and it is an issue for me. I don't know about smaller monitors but the lighted keys are no match for a 24" Dell especially with the room lights out.

When you said 'monitor' I assumed you meant a CRT.

I've used it with both a 20" widescreen and regular 19" and have not noticed any problems.

noel · Post by **noel** » September 29, 2006, 12:35 pm

I like my G15... especially for the media control app and it's integration with Itunes. I like the backlight and I like the sound (or lack thereof) of the keystrokes. What I do not like is the footprint of they keyboard. I personally find the macro keys useless and because of them, the keyboard is WAY too big. Logitech has a new keyboard out that's high on my list of keyboards to buy in the future.

Psyloche · Post by **Psyloche** » September 29, 2006, 12:45 pm

Keytronic basic black usb keyboard, best keyboard ever.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » September 29, 2006, 12:54 pm

miir wrote:
With a large bright monitor it basically get drowned out unless you're right over it.
A non-issue with an LCD.

I'm not sure how you came up with this but my LCD lights up my entire room. The lighted keys are useless with a 24" LCD even with the brightness turned down.

Now with two 24" LCDs, I've been using sunblock.

The keyboard LCD screen has been most useful to me for monitoring CPU, RAM usage, and for displaying MP3 info.

I liked the tactile feel of the Saitek boards better myself.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 29, 2006, 12:59 pm

Winnow wrote:
miir wrote:
With a large bright monitor it basically get drowned out unless you're right over it.
A non-issue with an LCD.
I'm not sure how you came up with this but my LCD lights up my entire room. The lighted keys are useless with a 24" LCD even with the brightness turned down.

Now with two 24" LCDs, I've been using sunblock.

The keyboard LCD screen has been most useful to me for monitoring CPU, RAM usage, and for displaying MP3 info.

I liked the tactile feel of the Saitek boards better myself.

It's because EQ2 is sooooo dark OOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOo

I have not really done anything with the Macro keys at all. I used them for a bit, but the macro's kept breaking for some reason.

sarlen · Post by **sarlen** » October 1, 2006, 3:16 am

So I ended up getting it from newegg. My first impressions are mixed.

pros:

1. G Keys are on the left side, being left handed its a very natural feel.
2. Pretty easy to record macro's for WoW including movement
3. The LCD is a nice looking toy (wish it did more)
4. super big into doing everything in game with the keyboard so all the extra buttons are a god send
5. I like the way the display shows what song im listening to and able to skip thru my play list with out alt+tab'n out of WoW

cons:

1. My typing skills have regressed 10 years, all the keys feel about an inch off of where they should be. All the keys are also undersized from a standard keyboard
2. I sit far back and low in my seat when gaming making the back lit keys hard to read.
3. My LCD washes the keys out sitting far back at an angle.
4. The profiles seem to reset them selfs (or I havnt figured out what Im doing to mess them up)