Overview
This is simply a follow up to my recently (semi-)popularized “Gaming Mice Buyers Guide”.This is obviously not about Half-Life and I don’t have CS: GO nor have i played TF2 to put it there.I’ve chosen to give more of an in-depth-analysis of the keypads whilst still explaining the benefits and factors that make up keypads.
Saitek
Keypads are mostly overlooked when it comes to… well anything really but what people fail to see just how good a ergonomically compressed keypad actually is.
A keypad such as something from Saitek’s Command Unit range are simple with no bells or whistles they do this to minimize the amount of hand movement you have to do just to say… cast a spell or open your inventory however the Saitek ones are very low-end but easily affordable, they do lack a fair amount of customization and that is a fairly big drawback for alot of people (especially when using a keypad) but if you need the room and you have a inconveniently small budget this may be a fair option (I couldn’t find an official page for these or anything like that, I just needed a reference):
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21 Keys + A 4-Way Analog Stick*
2-Zone Blue Backlighting (Wrist-Pad + Keypad)
3 Profilles W/ Up To 144 Commands*
*Customized By Mad Catz Configurator Software
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21 Keys + A 4-Way Analog Stick*
2-Zone RGB Backlighting (Wrist-Pad + Keypad)*
3 Profilles W/ Up To 144 Commands*
$70 USD
*Customized By Mad Catz Configurator Software
Logitech
Now after seeing the first keypads you probably don’t think that this one could be any better and you could never be more wrong.
With a keypad there isn’t too much space but it’s not about how big it is, it’s how you use it because Logitech prove that with the Logitech G13 which has an LCD panel which displays all your stats in several games, single-zone-RGB-backlighting (full keypad coloured lighting) and alot of customization from Logitech’s barely popular but still great Logitch SetPoint.
All this demonstrates that something as small as what is below can have more gimmicks I… uh mean innovations than an average gaming keyboard.
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22 Programmable Keys*
LCD Display Unit W/ Built In Game Support
8-Way Programmable Miniature Joystick*
Single-Zone RGB Backlighting*
$80 USD
*Configurable Via Logitech SetPoint
Razer
We all know Razer they are that one group who make money off of those expensive gimmicky machines Razer’s keypads have a similar issue but as far as I am concerned they have the very pinnacle of the PC gaming keypad; the Razer Orbweaver has so many things only Razer have stacked into an enormity like the Orbweaver such as 60 million keyspan mechanical keys, per-key RGB lighting (on the 2016 version) and finally adjustable thumbpad, adjustable wrist pad and a hand wrest (its actually just an elevated extenstion of the wrist pad (also I’m not sponsored)).
While the Orbweaver remains my choice for the pinnacle of keypads Razer have got the little brother for sale for a little more than half the price: The Razer Tartarus containing all the Orbweaver can offer minus mechanical keys and 5 of the Orbweaver’s keys
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20 Clicky/Silent Programmable Mechanical Keys*
8-Way Programmable Thumbpad*
Braided Fire Cable (Rubber Is Very Destructable)
Per-Key Fully Programmable RGB Backlighting*
Unlimited Macros (For Information See Here)*
Adjustable Thumb, Wrist And Palm Rest
$130 USD
*Customizable Via Razer Synapse
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15 Programmable Keys*
8-Way Programmable Thumbpad*
Single-Zone Programmable RGB Backlighting
Unlimited Macros*
Adjustable Wrist Rest
$80 USD
*Customizable Via Razer Synapse