[floppybootstomp]

In my bedroom I have two computers sharing a monitor via vga/dvi inputs. They each have their own keyboard & mouse. Audio from both is plugged into a hi-fi system centred around a Pioneer A400 amplifier.

One of the machines is an old socket A machine which I use mostly to play old games on in Win 98 like Quake, Hexen II, Nocturne, Shadowman and other games from that era.

I'm using a Logitech cheapie wireless mouse/keyboard combo with it atm but they really aren't very good at all for fps's so I figure I'll upgrade them.

I've done a lot of browsing and decided to try something different from my usual Logitech choices and would apreciate anybody's opinion on these two:

Roccat Arvo Gaming Keyboard

Steel Series Kinzu Gaming Mouse

These peripherals don't have to be state of the art as I don't game online with this machine and all the games are old games. In fact the keyboard for the price is probably something of an extravagence but I'm curious and the compact size is a bonus.

I have a couple of Logi G5's and a Logi G5 keyboard on other machines atm and I like Logitech a lot but would like to try something different.

I've tried a couple of Razer mice in the past and din't get on with them at all.

I don't like Microsoft keyboards much compared to Logitech but I've no idea what their gaming mice are like.

So, any comments and opinions apreciated

PS: I have two ofThese mousemats, one in each room which will be used with the new mouse.

[Ian]

Not my cup of tea for the keyboard, I think it just looks too compact for me - although if that's a bonus for you then it may do the trick .

Logitech keyboards are my normal choice, but this Razor keyboard looked interesting : http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Razer...acklit-Keys-UK. I'm not sure if it's any better than their mice though. I love my G11 Mutt's nuts and all that .

I really like the look of the mouse though, and if the lack of buttons isn't a problem then it looks like a good choice. I only really use the left/right click plus the scroll wheel - even though my mouse has a few extras. Perhaps one day I'll map the buttons to do something clever in game, but I need to get used to them.

Is there a reason you're not using a KVM switch so you can share keyboards too? I seem to remember there was, so forgive me if you've already mentioned this

[floppybootstomp]

Thanks for the feedback Ian

I'm not using a KVM switch as for some reason the Socket A machine made the KVM switch I'm using in my living room (for monitor only and the one I done the review on) go faulty. I had to rma it (in fact I actually drove to the warehouse in Surrey and exchanged it).

I've posted this at Hexus and Icrontic as well and I'm getting a distinctly mixed feedback, interesting.

[V_R]

Love Logi stuff myself, cant beat it.

Rocatt do seem to make good stuff, though the Kone mouse had a massive issue with the wheel falling out after a while!

[muckshifter]

Cherry Keyboards

I used to go out of my way to buy Cherry keyboards ... they used to have a metal backplate which gave them a nice weighty "I ain't gonna move" feel.

[floppybootstomp]

This is interesting, over 3 forums, so far, I haven't had one really positive thing said about my choices.

Mucks, I was actually considering a Cherry keyboard, they're good.

Also had Filco keyboards recommended to me but they're very expensive for what is just a basic keyboard.

Ok, let's look at Logitech again.

Far as I can see with mice I have two choices, the G500 at £47.00 or the MX518 at £27.00.

I could either buy the G500 to replace a G5 on my main setup and use the G5 on the Win 98 setup or buy an MX518.

With the keyboard, a G11 is only £26.00.

Trouble is, Scan don't stock the G11 and OCUK - who stock the G11, MX518 and G500 - want a whopping £8.75 minimum postage which imo is bang out of order. I get free postage at Scan.

I'm leaning towards the G11 & MX518 and also strongly considering a Cherry keyboard.

Might just see what they have down at PC World, lol

Bit of an eye-opener, this one, the Roccat keyboard has not been spoken of unfavourably but it seems there's a universal thumbs-down for the Steel Series mice.

[Abarbarian]

Me Ocz Dominatrix mouse suits me pretty well and their Behemoth is nearly the same. It may be of interest and is not expensive.

http://tech-reviews.co.uk/reviews/oc...aming-mouse/6/

[floppybootstomp]

Originally Posted by Abarbarian

Me Ocz Dominatrix mouse suits me pretty well and their Behemoth is nearly the same. It may be of interest and is not expensive.

http://tech-reviews.co.uk/reviews/oc...aming-mouse/6/

I was going to ask you about that mouse as I remember you speaking well of it but it seems it's no longer manufactured as I can't find it in stock at any UK suppliers.

I've just noticed the Logi G500 is available collect-in-store from PC World for £43.00.

Excellent mouse and no postage, looks like a contender

PC World also do the Saitek gaming keyboard for £30.00, that's also a contender I think.

[V_R]

The G500 is the muts nuts Flops, i love it. 100% recommended here.

[floppybootstomp]

In the end went with the Logi G500 and a Saitek Eclipse II keyboard which I collected instore from PC World for £72.80.

I've put the G500 on my main machine and it's fantastic

The G5 mouse that came off of main machine will now go to old Socket A machine for mostly Win 98 games.

Haven't tried the keyboard yet but it's a nice compact size, seems well built and weighs very heavy, probably has a steel plate in it to stop it moving about. Also has large solid rubber feet.

I hope the Win 98 OS sees the USB peripherals without the need for PS2 adapters as the old wireless keyboard/mouse combo was connected to PS2 ports.

V_R: Do you use the Setpoint software for your G500 within Win 7 or just let Win 7 use it's own drivers? In fact, I'm not sure whether there is a Setpoint software setup for Win 7 as at one time there wasn't for my G5.