Are Gaming Keyboards and Mice a Scam?

[Nick]

As readers of the haul thread know, I have a new PC on the way. I decided I should have it cut its teeth on Crysis, so I ordered that, too. I have played mostly Guild Wars and Hellgate: London with my current (wireless) keyboard and mouse, so not much twitch gaming and precision targeting there, but I do love a good workout for the reflexes. And I insist on winning.

I'm looking at either the Microsoft Reclusa and Habu or the Logitech G11 and G5 combinations, but either path is pretty expensive. What do sleeve, Yoshi, Frogacuda, and the rest of you recommend? Stick with my wireless Logitechs, go with the default wired keyboard and mouse, or spend on a gaming set for my gaming rig? Which keyboard/mouse do you recommend?

[Rumpy]

I've heard that trackballs are dope for games, but I've never felt it necessary to stray away from my logitech M and KB. And when the need arises for a pad, the 360 controller rules.

[Aurora]

If you do buy one, sell me your wireless KB and mouse.

[George]

I have the Logitech G15 Keyboard and the MX518 Logitech mouse, and together they cost around 80 dollars. But they're so good. Tons of macro keys on the keyboard with a mini LCD for clocks, system resource management etc. THe MX518 is just a damn good mouse. Buttons for instant DPI change and nice feel, and it's wide which is good for someone with big hands like me.

[ChaoofNee]

Gaming mice are good for two reasons: Macro Buttons and high DPI. If you're one of those guys that can control a mouse so well that there's a difference in millimeters when you move, it's worth it.

It's kinda nice having a jump button on the mouse during TF2 when one's spacebar sucks, though. I'll at least admit that.

Gaming keyboards are silly. TrialSword and his LCD monitor keyboard that gives him backrubs will tell you differently, though.
See? I KNEW IT!

[Chux]

I have the G15 I got it for $50 though. My mouse of choice is the MX518, which I got for about $30. Amazon is super fucked @ those prices imo.

[Jason]

go with the default until you feel you need otherwise.

[Chux]

OMG TRIAL ALSO HAS THE JESUS KEYBOARD.

We can be BFF's. Fuck we have the same mouse too, wanna make out?

[George]

Chux and I are KB+M twins.

[Frogacuda]

Gaming keyboards do what they say, but they aren't a big deal. I have one from a russian company called Cyber Snipa that I like just because I can disable the windows keys, which drive me fucking nuts when I play old DOS games that use Ctrl and Alt for their action buttons. And macros can be handy, but it's largely solving a problem that most people have. I've also used the G15, and that's good board that I'd happily recommend, but how much the luxury is worth is debatable.

As for a mouse, I cannot stress enough the extent to which a good trackball is ideal for gaming. I prefer the basic Logitech Trackman Marble model (the one with the thumb-oriented ball). I've been swearing by this line for over a decade and I simply will not tolerate anything else.