Unicomp, for gaming?

[supamesican]

I know their buckling spring keyboards are amazing for typing, and being a coder that is something I have a lot of value for, but I haven't heard much about them being used for gaming.  I mostly play fps and rpgs, and the occasional match of planetary annihilation(rts) no mmos as of now but I suppose its possible for that to change.

Would a unicomp be good enough for gaming, or should I get a DAS s pro or Topre Type Heaven instead? And would it matter if I got a ps/2 or usb one? I've really only uses PS/2 before, some how those were always the ones on sale when I got a keyboard.

[Puddsy]

Nope. MX is the clear winner in all manners of gaming. Topre is manageable in an ARTS scenario, but not much else.

That said, if Unicomps are 6KRO or more it might be tolerable.

[user 18]

I use a 2KRO Model M for gaming occasionally. In FPS, I have occasionally experienced keys failing to register. In RPGs, I actually haven't had much trouble, but I am a RPG lightweight, and I don't actually press more than 2 non-modifier keys at once anyway.

[dante]

ps/2 or usb doesn't matter.  I've somewhat side stepped the 2kro limit with additional buttons on the mouse.  You might drop a keystroke here or there but overall if you like the feel of the Unicomp it would be a good choice.

[supamesican]

I've somewhat side stepped the 2kro limit with additional buttons on the mouse. 

You mean like how some mice have extra buttons beyond the right, left, and middle click buttons?

[dante]

I've somewhat side stepped the 2kro limit with additional buttons on the mouse. 

You mean like how some mice have extra buttons beyond the right, left, and middle click buttons?

yes sir

[supamesican]

I've somewhat side stepped the 2kro limit with additional buttons on the mouse. 

You mean like how some mice have extra buttons beyond the right, left, and middle click buttons?

yes sir

Huh, well I may need to get a DAS then... While I'd love a unicomp for typing(and very likely will get one next summer anyway and just switch them out) I do need something that can do both right now.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate it.

[Melvang]

My recommendation would be a unicomp and an orbweaver.  From what I remember of the prices that combo shouldn't be to much more than a Das. 

[fanpeople]

I have a Model M hooked up to my computer. I use it for gaming (mostly play BF4 and occasionally CS/GMod) and haven't really had any problems. I might get the occasional missed keystroke but no where as near as bad when I was using the $30 wireless Logitech. That thing ruined Far Cry 3 for me. many of what could have been awesome moments were turned into desk thumping why nows. Just remember I am pretty light hearted when it comes to games. For me its not a big concern when I get the occasional fail, whereas some people take their games very seriously. In that case it would probably be one of those situations where you would look at an alternative.

[E TwentyNine]

Huh, well I may need to get a DAS then... While I'd love a unicomp for typing(and very likely will get one next summer anyway and just switch them out) I do need something that can do both right now.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate it.

This topic comes up often:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=61606.0

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=14852.0

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=59349.0

A Unicomp will be fine for gaming.  If you have any problems with 2KRO you can change your keyboard preferences in game easily enough.  I've hit it rarely on an M (and never now on an capacitive BS).

The only thing you really need to worry about is the key action/feel, and that comes down to personal preference.

[Parak]

Another BS full timer (and thusly gamer) here, though on a capacitive board (so nkro). I like knowing that my key registers, and don't care about spamming (I have a G600 if I need that). My lack of skill hurts more than having any kind of a 'gaming' switch, if there's even such a thing.

[supamesican]

though on a capacitive board (so nkro).

What all keyboards had captive buckling spring? I thought it was just the model F. That may be one area I could look in.

Ether way I think i'm probably just gonna get the unicomp, since you last 3 pretty much convinced me, and if its that bad, when I get out of uni next year and get a job get the DAS s ultimate.

[rowdy]

Huh, well I may need to get a DAS then... While I'd love a unicomp for typing(and very likely will get one next summer anyway and just switch them out) I do need something that can do both right now.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate it.

This topic comes up often:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=61606.0

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=14852.0

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=59349.0

A Unicomp will be fine for gaming.  If you have any problems with 2KRO you can change your keyboard preferences in game easily enough.  I've hit it rarely on an M (and never now on an capacitive BS).

The only thing you really need to worry about is the key action/feel, and that comes down to personal preference.

That's my trick

Anyway, I use my Model M for gaming sometimes.  Basically I just game on whatever keyboard happens to be connected to the computer at the time.

[Melvang]

If you are going to get a second board just for gaming might I suggest either an orbweaver or half an ergo dox as a gaming keypad.

[supamesican]

If you are going to get a second board just for gaming might I suggest either an orbweaver or half an ergo dox as a gaming keypad.

I'm probably getting an orbweaver regardless, dat thumb stick I want it.

[Melvang]

If you are going to get a second board just for gaming might I suggest either an orbweaver or half an ergo dox as a gaming keypad.

I'm probably getting an orbweaver regardless, dat thumb stick I want it.

I actually prefered the hat switch on the Nostromo more than the orbweaver.  Though I am getting used to the Orbweaver, I still have a lot of miss clicks in a couple directions.

[supamesican]

If you are going to get a second board just for gaming might I suggest either an orbweaver or half an ergo dox as a gaming keypad.

I'm probably getting an orbweaver regardless, dat thumb stick I want it.

I actually prefered the hat switch on the Nostromo more than the orbweaver.  Though I am getting used to the Orbweaver, I still have a lot of miss clicks in a couple directions.

The nostromo does look nicer, but also costs quite a bit more.

[Melvang]

If you are going to get a second board just for gaming might I suggest either an orbweaver or half an ergo dox as a gaming keypad.

I'm probably getting an orbweaver regardless, dat thumb stick I want it.

I actually prefered the hat switch on the Nostromo more than the orbweaver.  Though I am getting used to the Orbweaver, I still have a lot of miss clicks in a couple directions.

The nostromo does look nicer, but also costs quite a bit more.

Probably due to availability.  It is an older model that was rubber dome with the new Orbweaver being MX blues and apparently they had a different version with browns.  I have since swapped out the LED's for blue ones, and the WASD for reds with the rest being clears.

[Parak]

though on a capacitive board (so nkro).

What all keyboards had captive buckling spring? I thought it was just the model F. That may be one area I could look in.

Ether way I think i'm probably just gonna get the unicomp, since you last 3 pretty much convinced me, and if its that bad, when I get out of uni next year and get a job get the DAS s ultimate.

Nope, just the various Fs. If you don't mind the layout, XT is the cheapest, but 122 Fs can sometimes be obtained at relatively reasonable prices too. All Fs but AT need some work to convert them to USB though, and even on the AT I still suggest that conversion to get full remapping via the Soarer's adapter (or replacement controller). But yeah, if you want usb plug and play, Unicomp is the only option unless you buy a premodded board from somewhere (doesn't come up often).

[supamesican]

though on a capacitive board (so nkro).

What all keyboards had captive buckling spring? I thought it was just the model F. That may be one area I could look in.

Ether way I think i'm probably just gonna get the unicomp, since you last 3 pretty much convinced me, and if its that bad, when I get out of uni next year and get a job get the DAS s ultimate.

Nope, just the various Fs. If you don't mind the layout, XT is the cheapest, but 122 Fs can sometimes be obtained at relatively reasonable prices too. All Fs but AT need some work to convert them to USB though, and even on the AT I still suggest that conversion to get full remapping via the Soarer's adapter (or replacement controller). But yeah, if you want usb plug and play, Unicomp is the only option unless you buy a premodded board from somewhere (doesn't come up often).

I'll probably just get the unicomp( ps/2 most likely now because I wanna be that nerd) then, I'd rather not have to go through the hassle of doing the mods.

[dante]

Good choice.  I'm probably going to buy another Unicomp this year but I'm waiting until December to get one manufactured on my birthday.

[E TwentyNine]

Keep in mind Unicomp has said that this winter will be when they're releasing their new tenkeyless board.

(Stop laughing!)

[johndavis33]

How can you guys all game with a BS board? My M13 always fails to register when I'm playing any sort of game. I've tried a few times to play FPS games with it and every time it's unplayable. It's NBD for me, though, because I can always just switch to another keyboard.

[Premonition]

Just my 2 cents, I'm totally fine on a Topre for MOBA/RTS (mid-platinum league player using HHKB and, before, an FC660C), but for RPGs I think there would definitely be better choices. Good luck trying to play Maplestory on an HHKB, haha.

[supamesican]

Keep in mind Unicomp has said that this winter will be when they're releasing their new tenkeyless board.

(Stop laughing!)

I personally hate tekkeyless keyboards, but thats good news for both people who do like them and all of us cause it means they're willing to make new stuff.

Hopefully some day they make a back lit one.

[Premonition]

Keep in mind Unicomp has said that this winter will be when they're releasing their new tenkeyless board.

(Stop laughing!)

I personally hate tekkeyless keyboards, but thats good news for both people who do like them and all of us cause it means they're willing to make new stuff.

Hopefully some day they make a back lit one.

Hrm, I think it was a joke since Unicomp is known for BSing in their announcements (traditional April Fool's is to post about an 'incoming' SSK model from them), but I guess we'll see. There are plenty of reasons why it's really expensive to change their production mold, though.

[supamesican]

Not trying to bump a finished topic but I thought this may help some people.
I sent in a support ticket with unicomp, about what kind of n key roll over they have, before I made this topic. Anyway this is the response I got:

"Given the way we connect our switch matrix, I guess our statement about phantom keys and rollover is, unfortunately, complicated. Our keyboards will support any one to four modifier key combination ( Shift, Control, Alt or GUI keys) plus a fifth key as long as 1) no Left+Right modifier keys(Left+Right Shift, Left+Right Control, etc. ) are involved in the combination and 2) neither the Pause key nor the Caps Lock key are the fifth key. Our original intent was to support multikey sequences required by any Microsoft OS or Application and to the best of my knowledge, that's still true. Of course our keyboards will support other key combinations larger than five key sequences without generating a phantom key situation and there are some 3 key sequences which will generate a phantom so it's difficult to a generic statement beyond the one above.
As for rollover, the HID and boot protocol standards limit our USB keyboards to six key rollover. The buffer sizes and key processing in our PS/2 controller limit those keyboards to 7 or 8 key rollover.
"

[demik]

dude you can game on whatever the hell switch you want.

there is no gaming switch, and whomever tells you there is is full of ****.

[Melvang]

dude you can game on whatever the hell switch you want.

there is no gaming switch, and whomever tells you there is is full of ****.

Or a Razer fanboi

[demik]

dude you can game on whatever the hell switch you want.

there is no gaming switch, and whomever tells you there is is full of ****.

Or a Razer fanboi

but muh oranges

[Oobly]

Not trying to bump a finished topic but I thought this may help some people.
I sent in a support ticket with unicomp, about what kind of n key roll over they have, before I made this topic. Anyway this is the response I got:

"Given the way we connect our switch matrix, I guess our statement about phantom keys and rollover is, unfortunately, complicated. Our keyboards will support any one to four modifier key combination ( Shift, Control, Alt or GUI keys) plus a fifth key as long as 1) no Left+Right modifier keys(Left+Right Shift, Left+Right Control, etc. ) are involved in the combination and 2) neither the Pause key nor the Caps Lock key are the fifth key. Our original intent was to support multikey sequences required by any Microsoft OS or Application and to the best of my knowledge, that's still true. Of course our keyboards will support other key combinations larger than five key sequences without generating a phantom key situation and there are some 3 key sequences which will generate a phantom so it's difficult to a generic statement beyond the one above.
As for rollover, the HID and boot protocol standards limit our USB keyboards to six key rollover. The buffer sizes and key processing in our PS/2 controller limit those keyboards to 7 or 8 key rollover.
"

Key rollover is determined firstly by the matrix layout of the membranes (since you can't fit diodes in there you can only have one key per column / row registered at a time, they get around this by splitting up the rows and columns and combining keys that have less likelihood of being pressed at the same time) and then by the controller and protocol used. I like having a full NKRO matrix with diodes, but only need a 6KRO controller / protocol combination.

Unicomp membranes would be classified as 2KRO, like most Model M's. This is the lowest number of keys you can press simultaneously without them interfering with each other. It's possible to press the same number of keys as the number of row lines without interference (different row and column for each press) which in many membrane boards is 8, but the number used for key rollover is the minimum, not the maximum. Model F's use capacitive sensing, so technically have NKRO matrix. When used with USB, however, many of the converters will have only implemented the USB keyboard boot protocol which is 6KRO.

You can check your commonly used gaming keys for interference using AquaKeyTest.

[E TwentyNine]

Unicomp membranes would be classified as 2KRO, like most Model M's. This is the lowest number of keys you can press simultaneously without them interfering with each other. It's possible to press the same number of keys as the number of row lines without interference (different row and column for each press) which in many membrane boards is 8, but the number used for key rollover is the minimum, not the maximum. Model F's use capacitive sensing, so technically have NKRO matrix. When used with USB, however, many of the converters will have only implemented the USB keyboard boot protocol which is 6KRO.

Barring controller limitations, on a matrix membrane keyboard it's possible to press [num rows]+[num cols]-2 simultaneously, which for an M is 8+16-2=22.

I've gotten 16 at once on an M with a PS/2 port, but should be able to get 22 if I figured out which keys fall where and didn't hit a controller limit.

[JunkFace]

dude you can game on whatever the hell switch you want.

there is no gaming switch, and whomever tells you there is is full of ****.

Or a Razer fanboi

but muh oranges

xD

[VesperSAINT]

I have an issue when playing CSGO with my Model M where I'll be pressing W to move forward and sometimes it'll just stop, so I have to repress. This is when I'm only pressing the W key, so KRO doesn't seem to be the issue.

Another note: Using AquaKey Test, I seem to have 6KRO with my Model M. I'm using a PS2/USB adapter.

[Oobly]

I have an issue when playing CSGO with my Model M where I'll be pressing W to move forward and sometimes it'll just stop, so I have to repress. This is when I'm only pressing the W key, so KRO doesn't seem to be the issue.

Another note: Using AquaKey Test, I seem to have 6KRO with my Model M. I'm using a PS2/USB adapter.

Try hitting W, A and S at the same time. Do they all register? AFAIK all the Model M membranes have 2KRO.

[VesperSAINT]

I have an issue when playing CSGO with my Model M where I'll be pressing W to move forward and sometimes it'll just stop, so I have to repress. This is when I'm only pressing the W key, so KRO doesn't seem to be the issue.

Another note: Using AquaKey Test, I seem to have 6KRO with my Model M. I'm using a PS2/USB adapter.

Try hitting W, A and S at the same time. Do they all register? AFAIK all the Model M membranes have 2KRO.

Oh, I have no issue pressing W+A, W+D, Shift+W+A, Shift+W+D, CTRL+W+A, CTRL+W+D, W+A+Space, W+D+Space, etc. They all work. It's just sometimes when I'm holding down W, it'll randomly stop going forward, so I'll have to lift off and press down again.

[E TwentyNine]

Another note: Using AquaKey Test, I seem to have 6KRO with my Model M. I'm using a PS2/USB adapter.

KRO refers to the minimum guaranteed combination of keys (not usually including modifier keys).  You can almost always get higher combinations.

All M's are 2KRO.

[VesperSAINT]

Another note: Using AquaKey Test, I seem to have 6KRO with my Model M. I'm using a PS2/USB adapter.

KRO refers to the minimum guaranteed combination of keys (not usually including modifier keys).  You can almost always get higher combinations.

All M's are 2KRO.

Ooooo, minimum! Cool Thank you for this info


Screenshot of my holding down asdfjk with one hand (asdf with fingers and jk together with thumb). I pressed Print Screen with my other hand on my Realforce, which is also hooked up. Pressing Print Screen on my Model M while holding down the other 6 cancels it all out, and also doesn't register the Print Screen.



If one can deal with the stiffness, I'd say it ain't too bad for gaming. I like it for RPG games!

[esoomenona]

.

[VesperSAINT]

The key word is MINIMUM. As he said, a higher combination of keys is possible, but you are guaranteed at least any combination of two. From what I've heard when having this discussion, pressing them on the same column for a buckling spring is the limitation. Try going vertically and see what happens.

Yeah, I realized that before you posted Oops. Silly me.

I shall give it a shot now and post another screen shot

You guys are awesome for all this info!


Update:

Not sure if doing it right but~

[user 18]

Again, we're looking for the minimum number of keys possible. For example, I cannot get Q, W and S to register at the same time on my Model M.

A more important combo for me is W,R,F or W,E,D. None of those work either. I can hit any two keys, but I cannot hit any third key. Some third keys would work, others would not. Because the minimum number of keys I am guaranteed to be able to hit at any time is two, the board is 2KRO.

No screenshots because Linux (no aquakt), and because it doesn't illustrate anything -- I can't show what isn't happening, right?