Gaming keyboad: Logitech G19s or Steelseries Apex?

[kiddingguy]

I am looking for a new (gaming) keyboard.

Two options are the Logitech G19s or Steelseries Apex Gaming keyboard.

Which keyboard should I get and why? Which one is more - keywise - customizable?

I have a coupon from Logitech which give me a discount on the G19s, so I guess in the end the price is more or less alike on both keyboards...

[The Evil Overlord]

I haven't used the apex, so the only recommendation I can give is for the g19.

It is very customisable on the 'g' programmable keys, and has a slider switch to disable the winkey if you need to do so.

The display on it can be used to disllay specific information, like recount or stats or conversations when playing wow etc...

Otherwise it is just a qwerty keyboard (and I mean that in a good way)

Oh, nearly forgot, it lights up so you can play in low light as nearly all the keys barring the space bar are lit, which you can change the colour of if you so wish. The software for it on an old dual core pc isn't a resource hog for me.

[LaP]

The screen is mostly useless. Few programs support it. I use it for TeamSpeak to know who is joining or leaving. I use it to track temp while overcloking too. I also had a task manager app i downloaded from a blog. It was cool cause if a 3d game crashed i could close it from this task manager even if Windows was not displaying anything else than the crashed game. Can't find it anymore though and these days few programs crash this bad anyway.

The g keys are fine. But i mostly never use them now that i don't play wow anymore.

Still a nice keybord. Like Dush said you can disable to windows key which is cool if you play with your kid here and there. All keys are lit which is cool (can be turned off of course).

[kiddingguy]

Thx.

Since the Apex isn't out (yet).... any experiences with the Apex [RAW]? And how does that one compare to the G17 of G17s?

[kiddingguy]

The Steelseries Apex will be released this month I guess... my coupon from Logitech is expiring soon...

So which keyboard shall I get? How's the Steelseries Apex [RAW] or any other similar Steelseries keyboard compared to Logitech?

[kiddingguy]

... or maybe the even more expensive Razer DeathStalker Ultimate?

[kiddingguy]

any suggestions/recommendations on:

G19s, Apex or DSU ?

[LaP]

You'll not find lot of people who tried the Apex. I would like to help you but i never used it. I would not get Razer. Don't get me wrong i love Razer i have a Mamba and the hardware is awesome and very well designed. By their drivers are really crap (way more than ATI, way way more).

 

I don't know about the g19 but the g17 rev 2 is a fine keyboard as long as you don't expect the best thing since sliced bread. I would not pay the full price for it (paid my g17 60$). If you can find it under 100$ then go for it. But i personally would not pay over 100$ for it. The screen is okay. The g keys are nice and the drivers good. But i don't really like the feel of the soft keys to be honest.

 

If you don't need the g keys you mgiht want to buy a cheaper illuminated keyboards.

[kiddingguy]

Thx LaP,

I do have a 50% off coupon from Logitech on their products, the Apex keyboards are kinda new (that's true). The Razer DSU had (some) good reviews (even on driver-keyboard part as well).

Although I don't think the price difference is justified here (100 euro for the 19s vs 249 euro).

[carson2255]

You should have a look at the g710 keyboard, it is a Logitech keyboard but is mechanical and has a great feel. I bought a g19 almost a year back but have found a well known issue with it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3I2uxYNaJs or google flashing screen issue g19) and it is a huge design defect in my opinion. The screen adds little value to my games, but the macro keys are nice. Besides the g710 has much better feedback then the g19.

[kiddingguy]

Unfortunately the 710+ doesn't have a screen. It's kinda handy though (I now own a MX5500 with limited functionality, but for time display, number of emails etc it's useful)

[carson2255]

Hmm there is a tradeoff, but if you ask me, the g710 is a much better (and more durable) keyboard in my opinion. Try it out and compare.

 

[Circaflex]

I have never used a SS keyboard before, but my brother has and swears by it. I do like the differnet colors for the keys and it seems less flashy than the Logitech.

Myself, I have a logitech g10 (i think?) and I love it, its been great to me, easy to clean, always works, durable.

 

After reading some reviews on the Apex and reading more about the product it seems like a win whichever way you go. The Apex has some pretty darn sweet features, I like the adjustable feet, the extra keys, and a few of the reviews mentioned the software for the macros being pretty darn good. I guess if you are into games which you can utilize macros thats a huge benefit.

 

I did read some reviews on the Logitech as well and there seems to be a common screen problem across the forums; but maybe that has been fixed.

 

I personally have to feel a keyboard before I can buy it, to me its very much a personal item that fits differently between people, what I might like and feel is comfortable you might disagree with.

[HellboundIRL]

I vote for the Apex.

 

I really wanted one of those but couldn't wait for it, looks great and has a really nice layout. I ended up going mechanical in the end but I might eventually go for one of those.

[richter2]

I have the G19, G15 and the G710.  I would pick the G19s as my experience has been nothing short of positive.  You get 36 g-keys which are easily programmable plus a whole range of control functions for your computer such as media playback controls.  The screen is a big selling point for me as I have several programs which port info over to it not to mention the ever growing number of mini-programs that Logitech throws in.  It's all in keeping the gaming software that comes with the keyboard up-to-date.

I have the G19, G15 and the G710.  I would pick the G19s as my experience has been nothing short of positive.  You get 36 g-keys which are easily programmable plus a whole range of control functions for your computer such as media playback controls.  The screen is a big selling point for me as I have several programs which port info over to it not to mention the ever growing number of mini-programs that Logitech throws in.  It's all in keeping the gaming software that comes with the keyboard up-to-date.

[LaP]

Unfortunately the 710+ doesn't have a screen. It's kinda handy though (I now own a MX5500 with limited functionality, but for time display, number of emails etc it's useful)

 

The only time i really use the screen is when i speak on TS or vent. I don't have dual sreen and it's fun to know who join and quit the channel using the keyboard screen. It's good to monitor temp while running full screen games too.

[kiddingguy]

Thx for the replies. I ended up ordering the G19s :woot:

[The Evil Overlord]

Good to know

Hope you enjoy it, :)