New Keyboard / Mouse

[phreekopath]

Hey guys... I'm looking to get a new keyboard and mouse...

Is it just me or has PC Gaming equipment exploded into a random pile of useless buttons, blinky multicolored lights, and horrible product designs that look both retarded and hinder the functionality at the same time?

I'm far from hardcore when it comes to PC, or gaming in general, but I do enjoy using above-average quality equipment. There seems to be a huge gap between equipment choices... it's either a standard out-of-the-box 3-button dell $2 optical mouse, or a 25 button, adjustible weight, led backlit air conditioned 35 mile per gallon $150 Razer mouse. I love my Logitech MX1000, but the charging base is crapping out on it, the battery life isn't what it used to be, and the button on the scroll wheel only clicks about 30% of the time.

I also will sorely miss my Saitek Eclipse. I absolutely love having a backlit keyboard... too bad the LED's are so worn out after 8+ years of being on that you can't see the glow through the keys any longer. Not to mention the letters have worn away on about 10 of the letters. Good thing I'm a fairly decent typist. I'm looking to go mechanical for an upgrade and longevity, but at the same time I don't want to drop $200 on a "gaming keyboard" that I'll only "game" on about 20% of the time...

So I need something that's not flashy, not fancy, doesn't make me coffee, and doesn't cost my first born, but is still good quality and highly functional. Suggestions?

[Araneatrox]

Well i recently invested in a new Keyboard myself, i have never used Razer before but it is the best keybaord i have ever bought. I bought the Razer Black Widow, which is �70 but if you dont want to spend that much i would suggest this.
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/8116176/Razer-Arctosa-Gaming-Keyboard/Product.html?searchtype=allproducts&searchsource=0&searchstring=gaming+keyboard&urlrefer=search&ops=1

As for mouse, it is all personal preferences. I really love larger flatter mice. Which is why i have had my SteelSeries Ikari for 6 years now. But you need to understand which mouse you like most and then get one similar. But SteelSeries do have some pretty decently priced peripherals.

[-ironman]

I love this mouse, I have been gaming with it for 3 years
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826105168&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Mouse-_-Microsoft-_-26105168

[phreekopath]

I was considering the black widow ultimate, since it's both mechanical and backlit, but the reviews i read were less then stellar...

I like the simplicity of Deck Keyboards, but they're not cheap... seems like no frills performance though and probably worth every penny if you're that hardcore

I've personally never been a fan of M$ hardware, but that mouse does look nice, but it's only 3 button... i'd like to have 6 or 8... but not 123890572095799 ... like some mice have ... haha

[phreekopath]

I did say i was looking for mechanical keyboards, people...

Here's some light reading:
http://www.ergocanada.com/ergo/keyboards/mechanical_vs_membrane_keyswitches.html
http://www.cravingtech.com/mechanical-keyboard-different-cherry-switches.html
http://www.overclock.net/keyboards/491752-mechanical-keyboard-guide.html

:)

and the rat mice are the epitome of what i was referring to:

http://cyborggaming.com/imgs/gallery/r9_4.jpg

this thing looks like a rejected transformers extra, whether it's a good mouse or not, this is a joke to look at. the tweaks and adjustments and fine tuning are nice, but 99.99% of the users who bought one won't adjust it, and those that do will adjust it once and never touch it again... it's meant for you to change settings from fps to mmo to rts games, but who wants to go through that trouble to switch games... not me

[phreekopath]

I bought the Razer Black Widow.


I just tried one of these out at best buy, and it feels great, though i think i would much prefer linear switches over the tactile ones razer used :( also the gloss black finish is a turn-off, it'll just get dusty and fingerprint-y ... i bought a 4GB xbox and a 250GB hdd separately just to avoid having anything gloss black, so why would i turn around and get a keyboard like that lol...