Keyboards & Mice III : Corsair

Hello everyone!

It will be a short post today as I will be reviewing the gaming peripherals Corsair (www.corsair.com) has to offer. Corsair is new in the gaming peripherals market but they have come out with some interesting options for you to consider. So without further ado...

Mice:

Vengeance M60:

Featuring a 5700DPI laser sensor, the M60 is Corsair's envisioning of an FPS Mouse. Ergonomic design and a dedicated sniper button means you can play longer and lower your DPI at the touch of the button. Also features weight adjust-ability and lift detection. The blue LED also looks cool without being too bright. You can adjust DPI in increments of 100

Type: Wired
Interface: USB
Tracking Method: Laser
Buttons: 8
Maximum DPI: 5700
Price: US$ 69.99 (On Corsair's website)



Vengeance M90:

The MMO/RTS brother of the M60, the M90 also sports the same 5700 DPI laser sensor. It boasts 15 programmable buttons and enough memory to store six profiles (50 profiles through software.) Button placing might be an issue for some and the software isn't exactly the most intuitive one ever created.

Type: Wired
Interface: USB
Tracking Method: Laser
Buttons: 15
Maximum DPI: 5700
Price: US$ 79.99


 Keyboards:

Vengeance K60:

The Keyboard counterpart to the M60 mouse, the K60 is a mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX Red  switches (for more about mechanical keyboards, please visit this post.) Contoured, textured WASD and 1-6 Keycaps with the option of replacing them with regular keys for general usage, it also features 20-key rollover, brushed aluminium chassis and ergonomic wrist rest. Multimedia controls and a USB port in the back for added convenience. Price US$ 109.99





 Vengeance K90:

Designed with MMO/RTS gaming in mind, the K90 features 18 customizable G-Keys, 20KRO, laser etched backlit keys, software for creating up to 50 profiles and 36Kb of memory to store profiles and customizations. Easy access multimedia controls, USB-pass through and soft-touch wrist rest make this a well rounded keyboard. Price: US$ 129.99







As Corsair is still relatively new to gaming peripherals, these four are the choices you have. Personally I would take the M60 and K90 combination as I feel having that many buttons (both on keyboard and on mouse) would be too confusing for me. I would get the comfort of the M60 with extra buttons of the K90. Also M90 has a claw grip so for those who are comfortable with that, go for it. The downside is that the software provided by Corsair is not as user-friendly as you would hope, however the quality and finish of these products do make up for that shortcoming somewhat.

That is all for this post.
Kiyoshi Out!
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Keyboards & Mice II : Cooler Master

Hello everyone. I have updated the site a bit and included two new features. The ability to follow the blog by email and a quick list of popular posts in the last month. If you like what you have read so far and if you would prefer, kindly follow me by email.

Today I will be talking about Cooler Master(www.coolermaster.com) gaming peripherals. Cooler Master are more famous for their cases but they also have a few peripherals to offer.

Keyboards:

Mechanical Keyboards:

All of CM keyboards are mechanical so I thought it would be good to introduce people to mechanical keyboards. Mechanical keyboards use an actual physical switch underneath each key as opposed to common plastic membrane (with rubber domes) keyboards you find everywhere. The rubber domed ones are cheaper to manufacture and resist spills better but a mechanical keyboard will give you better tactile feedback when you press a key. Good mechanical keyboards also offer you N-Key Rollover which is basically a fancy way of saying that it can detect each keypress interdependently. Almost all switches used in mechanical keyboards come from a company called ZF Electronics (used to be known as Cherry Corporation.) They keys are color-coded with each having a slightly different feel and usage.

Cherry MX Blue: When you press this key, you will feel a bump and hear a click. The switch is actuated when you press the key halfway and with practice it can let you type faster using less effort since you do not have to press the key all the way down to register a keystroke. Great for typing but rather loud.

Cherry MX Brown: The tactile bump of the MX Blue minus the sound (unless you press the key all the way down, then it's loud.) Due to the switch design, you need slightly less force for actuation.

Cherry MX Black: No tactile or audio feedback, plus you need to press the key all the way down to actuate. Also require more force to actuate than the other keys. Great to prevent accidental keystrokes and marketed for high-end PC gaming. Less crisp and responsive than with the blue or brown switches for prolonged typing.

Cherry MX Red: A special variation on the MX Black. They have a low compression point and requires lower force to actuate. May increase typing errors.

CM Storm QuickFire Pro:

Interface: USB 2.0
You can buy this with either Cherry MX Black, Blue , Brown or a special Cherry MX Red Edition. Claims N key Rollover over USB Interface. Partial red colored back-lighting and the option to disable that pesky windows key. Also has multimedia shortcuts and a removable 1.8m braided USB cable with cable routing. Selling around the US$ 99.99 mark.





CM Storm QuickFire Rapid:

Interface: USB or PS/2
I prefer my keyboards on PS/2 so it is great that this board offers that. Plus it offers NKRO in PS/2 mode, Windows key disabling in game mode, multimedia shortcuts rubber coated surface with a minimalist design. Also has extra key-caps bundled with a key puller. Available in Cherry MX Black, Blue, Brown and a special Cherry MX Red Edition. Removable braided USB cable with cable routing. Hovering around US$ 79.99.





CM Storm Trigger:

Interface: USB
Comes in high durability gold-plated Cherry MX Black, Blue, Brown or Red switches. It also has five macro keys with profile management and 64kb on-board memory to store profiles. The ability to deactivate the windows keys, two USB 2.0 ports, detachable wrist rest, braided cable and non-slip rubber coating, the storm trigger is the ultimate offering from Cooler Master. Selling around the US$ 109.99 mark.





Mice:

CM Storm Xornet:

A budget friendly minimalist, lightweight mouse. Equipped with a precision anti-drift control 2000 DPI sensor. Features a rubberized anti-slip design. Has a very extended lifespan thanks to the Omron Micro Switches which are rated at 5 million + clicks. DPI on the fly! (500, 1000 and 2000)

Type: Wired
Interface: USB
Tracking Method: Optical
Buttons: 7
Maximum DPI: 2000
Price: US$ 29.99


CM Storm Spawn:

Xornet's bigger brother complete with 32kb on board memory to store button assignments, macros and other customization. Meant more for FPS gaming and those who prefer a claw grip. DPI settings can be changed via the buttons below the scroll wheel between 800, 1800 and 3500.

Type: Wired
Interface: USB
Tracking Method: Optical
Buttons: 7
Maximum DPI: 3500
Price: US$ 39.99


CM Storm Inferno:

A 4000 DPI twin laser sensor mouse meant for MMO gaming. Comes with 128kb on board memory that can store up to 3 different game profiles.

Type: Wired
Interface: USB
Tracking Method: Laser
Buttons: 11
Maximum DPI: 4000
Price: US$ 44.99




CM Storm Sentiner Advance II:

Capable of tracking from 200 - 8200 DPI (200 increments,) 128KB on board memory, 5 profiles with 4 DPI settings each. CM's ultimate mouse offering. Complete with lighting effects!

Type: Wired
Interface: USB
Tracking Method: Laser
Buttons: 9
Maximum DPI: 8200
Price: US$ 59.99




That is what Cooler Master is offering as of this moment. They are not a famous brand when it comes to peripherals but they have a good budget friendly collection that you can choose from. Seeing as how the most expensive mouse they have is around the 60 dollar mark, you could give them a chance if you so choose.
Personally I would pick the QuickFire Rapid keyboard with the Storm Inferno mouse. Both I feel are really good buys. Spawn is a very good mouse as well that you could choose if you prefer a claw grip.

As it is 3 in the morning, I shall now head off to sleep. See ya around guys!

Kiyoshi Out!
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Keyboards & Mice I : Logitech

Hello everybody!
It has been quite a while since I have been able to sit down and write a new entry. I have been quite busy in other things and I have also recently started a new training regiment which is all but keeping me out of the house. Things have finally slowed down so I thought it would be a good time to start a new post.

Today I will be talking about Keyboards and Mice, the two most important things you should have in your arsenal when it comes to gaming. A good keyboard and mouse combo will ensure that you can game at ease for hours and that your reactions will be faster. I will be going company by company in this case so look forward to a lot of future posts in this regard.

LOGITECH: (www.logitech.com)

Co-founded in Apples Vaud, Switzerland in 1981, Logitech has expanded to become a giant in the field of PC accessories. These days you cannot enter any mass-retailer or specialty shops without spotting at least one Logitech product. Their gaming products are top notch as are their mainstream devices.

Mice:

G300:

Sporting an ambidextrous design, nine buttons and three onboard profiles, the G300 is an excellent choice for those who do not want to spend too much on a mouse. It also sports user-configurable lighting which you can use to assign colors to specific profiles. Designed with longevity in mind, the G300 will be your most dependable weapon in the future.

Type: Wired
Interface: USB
Tracking Method: Optical
Buttons: 9
Maximum dpi: 2500
Price: US$ 39.99 (on logitech's website)





G400:

A faster 3600 dpi than the G300, the G400 also supports in game sensitivity switching from 400 dpi to 3600 dpi. It also has a DPI shift button which can switch to a predefined DPI with a single click. It also has a consistent response ratio whereby physica mouse movements translate to the same amount of cursor movement with a less than 0.5% variance. Also has programmable thumb buttons.

Type: Wired
Interface: USB
Tracking Method: Optical
Buttons: 8
Maximum dpi: 3600
Price: US$ 49.99




G500:

Featuring gaming-grade laser tracking, the G500 also boasts onboard memory so you can save your settings to the mouse. It also has the option of weight tuning so you can make the mouse heavier if you prefer it that way (27 grams.) Ten programmable buttons gives you more room for your macro settings and sensitivity is adjustable from 200 dpi all the way up to 5700 dpi.

Type: Wired
Interface: USB
Tracking Method: Laser
Buttons: 10
Maximum dpi: 5700
Price: US$ 69.99





G9x:

Arguably the most popular Logitech gaming mouse at the moment. It features interchangeable grips : Precision grip which offers a DryGrip finish and a compact shape to give you the best fingertip control or the Wide Load grip which gives you a satin finish wider body for improved hand and wrist position giving you more comfortable gaming. Onboard memory lets you store up to five profiles. Weight tuning up to 28 grams is possible.

Type: Wired
Interface: USB
Tracking Method: Laser
Buttons: 9
Maximum dpi: 5700
Price: US$ 79.99




G600:

If you are in to MMO games, this is Logitech's idea of an MMO Gaming Mouse. It features 20 buttons, twelve of which are thumb buttons, a clickable, tilt able scroll wheel. Three onboard memory profiles means you can store button, tracking and ligthing color information and use on any computer, no software required.

Type: Wired
Interface: USB
Tracking Method: Laser
Buttons: 20
Maximum dpi: 8200
Price: US$ 79.99
Colors: White, Black





G700:

For those looking for a wireless option, Logitech has got you covered with the G700. It still has the option for wired gaming in case you do not want to take any chances, the G700 is also rechargeable eliminating the need for changing batteries. Five onboard profiles, the option of storing the wireless receiver in the mouse means you can take it anywhere.

Typre: RF Wireless
Interface: USB
Tracking Method: Laser
Buttons: 13
Maximum dpi: 5700
Price: US$ 99.99






Keyboard:

G110:

The G110 features custom-color back-lighting with the option to choose from red or blue colors to see better in the dark and to also create custom color mixes. Integrated USB audio which you can use to plug your headphone and mic in to the 3.5mm jacks. Twelve programmable keys with the option of up to three macros per key. A hi-speed USB 2.0 hub port to connect flash drives or even your mouse, a Game mode which thankfully disables the pesky windows key! Removable palm rest, Media keys and cable management means this keyboard is the ideal one for those on a budget.

Price: US$  79.99






G510:

The G510 boasts the GamePanel™ LCD display which can show you game stats (player rank, server IP, score, times, health status, ammo levels etc.) It also supports applets which can allow you to view YouTube videos, IM conversations and Tweets. Custom-color back-lighting  is also available as is Integrated USB audio, 18 programmable G-keys with up to three macros per key. Game mode to save you from the pesky windows key and instant media access.

Price: US$ 119.99







G19:

Logitech's highest offering when it comes to keyboards, the G19 features a tilt-able 320x240  GamePanel™ LCD, custom-color back-lighting, 12 programmable G-keys with three macros per key, two high speed USB 2.0 ports, Game/Desktop mode, Cable management and instant media access and onboard memory to save your profiles.

Price: US$ 199.99







Those my dear friends, are all the current offerings from Logitech. You can also find older Logitech products online and in stores but I have listed the most modern ones Logitech offers. 

Now comes the question which should you choose? Personally my opinion is if you are on a budget, you should go for the G300 mouse and the G110 keyboard. However my favorite combo from Logitech is the G9x, G510 mouse and keyboard combo. The G19 looks gorgeous but I cannot justify shelling out 200 dollars for lesser number of programmable keys and an additional USB 2.0 port. If you have the money by all means go for it. I really like the G700 mouse if only I felt I could afford the price tag. 

That is it for this edition folks. Be on the look out for another product profile soon from me. Until then,

Kiyoshi Out! 
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