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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: zeus on Fri, 12 June 2009, 04:28:45
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Hi
Im looking for a keyboard that will let me press 5-6 numpad and surrounding keys (. + / * -) simultaneously and that has volume up/down/mute keys either PS/2 or USB.
I am a disabled gamer and use my only hand to press a lot of keys and have found the numpad area to be most convenient, I have tried a few Microsoft/Logitech keyboards that are easily found over here (Australia) with no success. I had no such issues very old but now dead AT Honeywell keyboard (connected via PS/2 adapter). For example my current keyboard blocks on among others:
+ and <.> not detected
++ not detected
+ <*> not detected
So does anybody have any recommendations? Am I going to have to get a keyboard with full n-key rollover (all of which seem to lack multimedia keys)?
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It does seem likely you'll end up with a full n-key rollover keyboard. From your requirements it sounds like you really only need a numpad with n-key rollover but unless anyone knows of one you may have trouble finding one as it's unlikely to be advertised.
Would you be prepared to use a macro program for the media keys? So three keys you don't use or three one handed combinations of keys would act as the volume buttons. It's easy to set up and while I don't use it very often It's worked in the couple of games I've tried it in.
Are the gamepads an option? The N52, Saitek commander etc. Or are they for the wrong hand?
There is the Gigabyte GK-K8000 which is both n-key rollover and has volume controls, but I don't know if it's availible in Austrialia, it certainly hasn't been released in the UK. Although as Gigabyte are claiming it as the 'World's First Worldwide Mechanical Gaming Keyboard' they seem to be intending to release it in more places then the previous mechanical gaming keyboard, the Steelseries 6g/7g.
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You could use something like Autohotkey to emulate volume controls. That would eliminate the need to find keyboards with dedicated volume keys (which are hard to find, as most mechanical boards are pretty frugal)
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I'd recommend a gaming pad like the Nostromo N52 (full N-key) but I have a feeling you're right handed.
I've just tested my N52te, it seems to handle any combination of up to 6 keys - the USB connection being the limiting factor.
The software allows you to map media functions to the keys - the scroll wheel might be appropriate for volume up/down/mute.
Although it is designed for the left hand it might be usable by the right hand. If you turn it 180 degrees you could definitely use it, but only 14 buttons plus the scroll wheel would be in easy reach.
P.S. I also tested my Cherry ML4700 numpad, sometimes it can only cope with 2 keys at once.
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(which are hard to find, as most mechanical boards are pretty frugal)
I could be wrong, but as he didn't mention it I'd imagine he's not bothered about what type of keyswitches the keyboard uses.
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Hi and thanks for the overwhelming responses.
I am not concerned about what type of keyswitches the keyboard uses. I am not a heavy typer, nor as you can imagine a fast one. In that regard I've always been happy with my rubber dome based keyboards in the past, but of course I have nothing to compare them to.
Using a macro to control multimedia functions would be fine, thanks for the autohotkey script.
I had not heard of gaming pads, looking online they all seem to be designed for left handed users whilst I am right handed. The Logitech G13 seems like it would be useable, minus the joystick and is around $120AUD.
The Gigabyte GK-K8000 is available here for around $200AUD however the later posts in this thread lead me to believe that even though its n-key rollover this may be limited to the regular typewriter keys and not the numpad.
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I had not heard of gaming pads, looking online they all seem to be designed for left handed users whilst I am right handed. The Logitech G13 seems like it would be useable, minus the joystick and is around $120AUD.
Left-handed/Right-handed isn't that straightforward with keyboards since it depends on where the mouse is. Most gaming pads are certainly designed to be used with the left hand though. The Idealzon/Zboard/Steelseries Fang claims to be amidextrous (and incidentally comes with media buttons) so that may suit you if it has enough buttons.
The Gigabyte GK-K8000 is available here for around $200AUD however the later posts in this thread lead me to believe that even though its n-key rollover this may be limited to the regular typewriter keys and not the numpad.
Oh, which thread are you refering to? That's rather cheap of them if it's true.
You will need a keyboard with n-key rollover and I'm sure one of the expensive options will have it on the entire keyboard. Maybe someone here who has the Das/Steelseries 7g can check (I'd check my K1, but I don't think it's availible there).
For cheaper options there are the gamepads which typically ship with it and you could also look at heavy duty/luxury seperate numpads and see if any of them claim to have it.
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The Steelseries 7G and Das definitely have N-key problems.
Another problem with the Das? With the key transposition and USB power problems as well metadot must be working on the Das IV pretty hard by now. Do you have a link to a description of the blocking problems the Das and 7G suffer?
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If you could get a Cherry MX8100 they are full n-key everywhere on the board. I got mine used for about $30 shipped. I have no idea if they are available in .au though.