Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard (Black/Silver)
by Logitech
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List Price: Buy Used: from $94.99 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard (Black/Silver)
Customer Review: Excellent gaming and general keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
Logitech products are never mediocre. They're either awful or great. The G11, fortunately, falls on the "great" side.
If you're in the market for a nice keyboard (whether you're a gamer, a heavy computer user, or someone who enjoys aesthetic and tactile perfection, the G11 is a sound investment.
I bought the G11 after deciding that I wanted a really well made, wired, back-lit keyboard. There are far to many cheapo keyboards, stocked with useless media buttons and silly ergonomic designs. I decided, as I'm a heavy gamer, that a gaming keyboard was the way to go. The nice thing about computers is that, usually, what's designed for a gamer works REALLY well for any other user.
The G11 is no exception.
The back-lighting displays very nicely, whether seen straight on or at an angle. I have NO trouble with the brightness, and the keys don't look at all blurry. The blue lighting is quite sleek looking, and serves its purpose really well.
The G keys (G1-G18), in coordination with the M1-M3 keys give you 54 macro keys. This is a feature I didn't think I would use, but have grown to love. I'm able to do everything from saving username and password combos (thus able to them inserted at the click of a button), to binding spell set-ups and weapon choices (Oblivion, CS:S, etc.). I also have most of my oft-used programs set to a key, so all I have to do is a hit a button to load my favorite game, firefox, etc.
The media keys work for me, although I almost never use them. Same goes for most of the top row of keys. I keep the keyboard in "gaming mode", thus preventing the Windows key from working, and I only adjust the back-lighting when watching a movie. I've found the ability to record macros to be very useful.
The action on these keys is very satisfying. Typing on it feels great. It's immediately apparent that this is a quality keyboard. Not too clicky, not mushy or overly soft, the G11 hits the sweet spot. It's styled as a desktop keyboard, rather than a laptop (full layout, full sized keys with full action). I prefer this, as it gives a more tactile and concrete response.
The keyboard fits well on my desk. It doesn't seem overly large, but it may be tight on some setups. The included wrist-rest is actually useful ( I initially didn't plan on using it).
Downsides? The software isn't the best in the world. It takes a little playing around to figure it out, as it's not entirely intuitive. Also, the USB hubs should be 2.0, but they're not. I never use them as a result, but I'm not upset about this. Finally, when resting flat, the keys seem to face back away from the typer. In order to even this out, you have to use the little feet on the bottom/back of the keyboard. They are very short, and if you like your keyboard at an incline facing you, you will be disappointed. Other than that, I have NO complaints with this keyboard. It's truly amazing and well worth the price.
Absolutely grab one if you're in the market for a gaming keyboard, a back-lit keyboard, a programmable keyboard, or just a nice keyboard in general.
Customer Review: Simply GREAT
Summary: 5 Stars
I own a lap-top, but i love gaming. I picked up a mmo game a few months ago, and i got hooked on it.
Since i don't have a big place (Studio in downtown Long Beach) my space is limited. So i decided to have all my entertainment in one spot. Bought a 24" tv that was compatible to use as my dual screen and a nice home theater set that i can use for my tv and lap-top. But the more i played the game, the more frustrated i got with the generic keyboard on my lap-top, so i started looking around. I'm not sure where i 1st read, saw or heard about the Logitech G11, but i saw the advantage of the macro keys instantly. So i looked online for more info on it, youtube as a few great clips about this keyboard. If your thinking about buying this keyboard, but think the price is a little high, i recommended you check the videos out.
Anyways...
I ordered it for $45,- (s&h incl.) and got it in today. I felt like a kid on x-mas.
The first thing i noticed was how big the package was, i saw the size online, and read that people said it was big, but it really is big! If u have a 24" LCD monitor/TV, it's as wide as your monitor/TV. I have limited space on my desk, so made a few adjustments, and we're good to go.
Plugged the G11 into a usb port, installed the software that came with it, and presto, less than 2 minutes it's all set-up.
But now comes the tricky part...the macros.
I knew how i wanted to set up my buttons while playing, so i did that, but i noticed that i had to make a few adjustments because i was used to a compact keyboard, not this friendly giant.
Setting up the macros is at first a tricky thing to figure out, but as soon as u set up your 3rd macro, you've gotten the hang of it. The software is easy to use, direct and straight to the point, just how i like it.
Setting the extra macros with the software is pretty simple, u can see the buttons you setup for the macro, but even better is setting macros on the fly with the record button. Just press the MR button, the button you want the macro under, and then just do what u normally need to do, when done just press the MR button again to store it, and instead of pressing 2, 3, 4 or more buttons, all that will be done with just one press of one button.
The back-light is great, not much difference between dimmed and bright, but both are very clear to see.
The windows button was pesky on my lap-top. Because it was so compact i pressed it several times during game-play. With this baby i don't have to worry, just slide the knob from CPU to game mode, and no matter how many times i press the window button, nothing happens..nothing! Why didn't anyone think of this before?
To make a long story short....
It's user friendly, well built (plus size won't matter after a few, i know.) great features and goodbye any other keyboard, they're nothing compared to the Logitech G11 Gaming keyboard.
Even if u'r not a gamer, you'll like this keyboard, i promise!
Customer Review: Dependable (One Year After Review)
Summary: 5 Stars
I have owned this keyboard for a year now and love it to death. I have fiddled with many differant keyboards throughout the years and this is by far the best I have ever worked with. It has proven to me to be dependable and rugged as I have dragged it to lan parties, work, an even now to Afghanistan.
The first and foremost thing one should note about this keyboard is its huge size, this keyboard will consume a sizable amount of desktop real estate, and may or may not fit in many desk's keyboard trays. But with its cable management, which are little groves under the keyboard you are able to hide many wires such as speakers and mouse to make a more presentable desktop appearance.
The second thing one will notice is the plethora of programable G buttons on the left side of the keyboard, and like the rest of the keyboard they are backlit with blueish lighting that is easy on the eyes in dim light. Each key is able to be programed with the included software to perform any number of custom created macros which is pretty usefull in allot of strategy and MMO games. You also havethe ability to create on the fly macros so you don't have to leave your game to do so. With three differant sets you can program up to 54 macros that can be executed at the push of a button.
The third thing you will notice about this keyboard is the backlit LCD display that in its simplest form acts as a clock, cpu monitor, and email checker. But when linked with a supported game such as WoW can be so much more displaying in game stats such as health, ammo, lives, time played, ect. Coupled with the LCD is a very functional media control that includes a nicely done volume circle, pause, play, forward, backwards.
This keyboard also solves a common gaming issue which is the windows key. If pressed during gameplay the windows key can abruptly interrupt you play session by minamizing your game. However with the flick of a switch the G11 transforms it's self into game mode which disables this key temporarily to prevent minimization.
I have used this keyboard daily for about a year now, and one problem that is noted with backlit keyboards is the buttons eventually fade and wear iut ti the point where you can no longer see the keys. I have not had this issue with this board as all my keys remain visable and useable.
All in all if you can afford the desktop space this keyboard consumes and require an enormous amount of programable keys this is the keyboard for you. However if you would prefere a small keyboard with less programable keys check out the Logitech G15 or a keyboard from Razer.
Customer Review: Excellent Keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
This keyboard is great for gamers. But apart from games I use this keyboard for everyday use - this is my main keyboard. I hook it up to my laptop and I use it instead of the laptop keyboard. Even though I have a 17-inch laptop, I just had to have a true full-sized keyboard. I've had it since November 2008 and 6 months later it's still going strong - even though it fell a couple of times. Here are the pros and cons:
PROS:
It comes with 18 'G' keys (G1 - G18) where you can store macros of any length, including mouse clicks. It has 3 memory banks. This means that you can store 3*18=54 macros.
It comes with easy to install and easy to use software.
It has a macro record button that will record your keystrokes and store it to a button of your choice on-the-fly. So if you're in the middle of a game, you don't have to open up the Keyboard software to create a new macro.
You can use the G keys to store any useful information, such as passwords or text that you type frequently, even if you are not a gamer.
The backlight is bright even in the daytime. You probably won't be able to see the characters on the keys if you turn it off. The backlight has two levels of brightness.
It plays well with my logitech gaming mouse. It picks up some of the extra buttons on the mouse so that I can use them in macros.
Comes with very handy media control buttons.
Comes with a switch that disables the 'windows' key (or 'Start' key if you call it that) so that you don't accidentally switch to Windows when playing your game.
Comes with two USB ports.
Strong and sturdy.
No batteries required
CONS:
It's huge, but that can't be helped.
The volume control nob may take some getting used to because it provides very little friction on the surface.
The USB ports are on the back of the keyboard. I forgot they were there after the first day I got it and put the keyboard on my desk. If I'm ever desperate for free USB ports I might remember they are there. Nevertheless, the USB ports are still added value, and considering the size of the keyboard, I can hardly think of a better place they could have put these ports.
Customer Review: Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
I was looking for a replacement for my $12 keyboard and wanted one that would both feel right when typing and was responsive for other tasks. I am a not hard core gamer. I have a few, but that's not the primary purpose of the keyboard for me. The G11 is exactly the same as the pricier G15 except for the LCD screen which I thought would be distracting. Besides, I build computers and have other programs to monitor the functions I need to watch.
THE GOOD: Easy and painless set up. Responsive touch and the keys are where my fingers think they ought to be. I have big hands and long fingers and this keyboard feels great. 54 macros keys (I won't say "programmable macros" because that's what a macro is!). Enter your name, your e-mail address or addresses, passwords, repeated phrases... anything. You have 54 keys. Macros are easy to enter and store. Logitech--this is a great idea! The keyboard comes with profiles for gamers, but just ignore if you're not a gamer. Blue background lights on keys are very nice. At first I thought I would not like them, but they are very nice to look at and add ambiance. I don't type or play games in the dark so at first the blue illuminated keys did not have any appeal to me. But now I really like them. They tell me when my OS has detected the keyboard or if there is a general failure to initiate. Key letters are etched in so they don't wear over time. Amazon had the best price I could find and I received my keyboard two days BEFORE expected delivery! Amazon's service is excellent!
THE BAD: How to remember which of the 54 keys has what! I've seen shorter NFL play books. I still like the idea and use the keys. If you are a hard core gamer, then look at the G15 or G19. The G11 lacks LCD for game support.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Great keyboard for typing, playing games and surfing the web. Use the macro keys for logins and passwords. With the macro keys this board is fun as well as highly functional. You will like the blue illuminated keys. Highly recommended