Yeah without the LCD it'll never replace my G15. I like having my system performance stats and things like ventrilo activity right there above the keyboard no matter what I'm doing.

Back ... Lit ... AWSD Keys. What is the matter with you people!?

Haven't you ever heard of perfmon?

Good Lord man; if you're really running Crysis, do you need an LCD to tell you that your proc is at a 100%? Really?

The G15 is really handy for out-of-band information, things that are un- or tangentially-related to the current application. The cable on mine failed though, and I ended up switching to a Das Keyboard 2, an old-style clicky keyboard with mechanical keysprings. It's also entirely blank, which has a moderate cool factor as well. Only real typists need apply!

Well, the DK2 is a pretty close approximation of a Model M for feel. It's not quite as firm, and the click isn't as loud, but it's nice. The housing isn't like the Ms though... it's just the normal flexy plastic like you see with every other keyboard, not the solid steel Model M enclosure.

I'd like to be able to extract the G15 screen and use it near the monitor or something. That'd be an interesting gadget.

The performance thingie on the G15 shows four seperate little bars in the CPU one and Crysis only pegs one of them 90% of the time. Occasionally a second one shoots up there for whatever reason, but I can't be sure that's the game without a lot more research that I'm not willing to do.

But yeah, it's useful. Especially when game overlays for things like Vent and Teamspeak get you booted from servers by punkbuster. I can just fire up the plugin for the G15, tap a button on the keyboard.. and hey, I can see who's talking

No. People actually use those?

Weirdos.

USB Makes entirely more sense. The G15 has two USB ports, one on either side of the little LCD display.

Come on now. I have an old fashion Headset/Mic combo with audio and mic jacks. Eventually, my kids will fight over said headset and break the damn thing. Until then, I have to manage the old school inputs.

Don't have a USB headset myself, but was under the impression that the machine sees them as a separate audio device, thus bypassing your fancy soundcard. In fact a lot of models allow you to disconnect the "USB adapter" and just go with the straight 1/8 mini plugs. In this case I assume the keyboard would be performing the "USB adapter" function.

Hehe I have a soft spot for things like this too. But I am very happy with my Merc Stealth right now (I have G15, Lycosa, other Saitek back lit boards, Wolfking keyboards, and Merc Stealth is the best one by far IMO).

From the look of it, the special back lighting is only for WASD keys right? You can't customize that can you?

On a somewhat related note. Have you checked out the Cyborg Mouse CEJ? I can't wait to try it myself! (Though it will have to be beyond amazing to get me to switch from my Logitech G9)

boogle: I have to preface my impression with the fact that I have rather small hands, so your experience may vary.

Of all the logitech, razer, MS mice that I have owned, G9 is by far the best.

My reasons:
1. Setpoint Pro V5.0 is just awesome. You can finally bind every single one of your mouse buttons (including side scroll) to anything you want. And you no longer need to create a profile for every game/application. You can just add game/app to the profile you want.

2. The mouse is much more customizable thanks in part by the new setpoint software. Everything from the color of the LEDs to separate x, y axis sensitivity can be set.

3. The mouse allows you to store up to 5 (I think) profiles on the mouse itself. You don't even have to have setpoint running on the system that you are using the mouse on. There is a gotcha here that I have to mention though, if you want to use the profile on your mouse on a system other then your main system. You are better off not installing the Setpoint Sw on that system.
The reason for that is, if you install the SW on "that other system" the first time you fire up the setpoint sw on "that other system" you will get a prompt telling you that if you want to customize the mouse, the profile on the mouse will be erased! So yeah, don't let that happen to you!

4. I love the button placement. Esp. the 2 thumb buttons, I no longer have to stretch to hit the "forward" button. The sensitivity button placement takes a little to get used to, since they are now right under the left mouse button.
But after using the mouse for a bit you will be able to train your fingers to press those two buttons w/o ever lifting your finger from the LMB! (just apply pressure in the middle of your finger)

5. I liked the two different grip styles. Personally I prefer the bulkier version.

6. The "micro-scrollwheel" feature of the MX revolution (which I also have) is also featured on the G9. It makes scrolling through documents much easier, just don't use it in gaming

7. BONUS: if you get the mouse, be sure to pop out the two very strong magnet that they use to secure the mouse. Those little buggers very strong magnets, which make them that much more fun to play around with just keep them away from your electronics