Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard (Black/Silver)
by Logitech
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List Price: Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard (Black/Silver)
Customer Review: Dependable (One Year After Review)
Summary: 5 Stars
I have owned this keyboard for a year now and love it to death. I have fiddled with many differant keyboards throughout the years and this is by far the best I have ever worked with. It has proven to me to be dependable and rugged as I have dragged it to lan parties, work, an even now to Afghanistan.
The first and foremost thing one should note about this keyboard is its huge size, this keyboard will consume a sizable amount of desktop real estate, and may or may not fit in many desk's keyboard trays. But with its cable management, which are little groves under the keyboard you are able to hide many wires such as speakers and mouse to make a more presentable desktop appearance.
The second thing one will notice is the plethora of programable G buttons on the left side of the keyboard, and like the rest of the keyboard they are backlit with blueish lighting that is easy on the eyes in dim light. Each key is able to be programed with the included software to perform any number of custom created macros which is pretty usefull in allot of strategy and MMO games. You also havethe ability to create on the fly macros so you don't have to leave your game to do so. With three differant sets you can program up to 54 macros that can be executed at the push of a button.
The third thing you will notice about this keyboard is the backlit LCD display that in its simplest form acts as a clock, cpu monitor, and email checker. But when linked with a supported game such as WoW can be so much more displaying in game stats such as health, ammo, lives, time played, ect. Coupled with the LCD is a very functional media control that includes a nicely done volume circle, pause, play, forward, backwards.
This keyboard also solves a common gaming issue which is the windows key. If pressed during gameplay the windows key can abruptly interrupt you play session by minamizing your game. However with the flick of a switch the G11 transforms it's self into game mode which disables this key temporarily to prevent minimization.
I have used this keyboard daily for about a year now, and one problem that is noted with backlit keyboards is the buttons eventually fade and wear iut ti the point where you can no longer see the keys. I have not had this issue with this board as all my keys remain visable and useable.
All in all if you can afford the desktop space this keyboard consumes and require an enormous amount of programable keys this is the keyboard for you. However if you would prefere a small keyboard with less programable keys check out the Logitech G15 or a keyboard from Razer.
Customer Review: Shiny! Buttons!
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this keyboard as a present for a someone who likes to game. I liked it so much that I wound up buying one for myself.
The Good:
1) The feel and layout of the keyboard for typing.
This was a big selling point for me.
2) Each key is lit by a blue light. The light level is adjustable to high / low and can be turned off.
3) 18 macro buttons. With three selector buttons, a total possible of 54 possible.
4) Two USB ports. I use one to plug-in my wireless mouse dongle.
5) Keyboard normal buttons work fine in Linux without doing anything.
Setup is possible for the macro buttons to be recognized.
The following link gives instructions for the G11 / G15 keyboards on Ubuntu.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LogitechG15
The Bad:
1) It is not wireless!!. I suspect power is the design issue in not being wireless. This keyboard with its lighting and USB ports would likely go through batteries pretty quick.
2) Cord length. Given that it is not wireless, I would like the cord to be much longer. This is a major drawback of the keyboard for my use. It is barley long enough for my setup. I think the cord is normal length, but I would like longer.
3) I read where the USB ports are not 2.0, so expect slow speeds if using the ports for a memory stick.
4) No manual! No pdf file is on the disk. Nor does the Logitech site have a manual. If you install the included software on Windows, instrunctions will be part of the keyboard help system. But there is no separate written manual, nor is there a source to download a manual.
The Ugly:
The keyboard is a monster. It weights quite a bit and is huge.
You may have read where another reviewer mentions that the lighting is uneven. I think this perception is more a result of the size of the board creating different viewing angles. Did I mention the keyboard is huge! If you move you head around the keyboard, you will see the keys that looked dimmer before become brighter. I think the lighting is evenly lit, but the keys that are at a winder angle from your eyes may appear dimmer.
The G15 is the newer brother of this keyboard.
A mini LCD screen is not important to me. I like blue over orange lighting. These along with 18 macro buttons as opposed to 6 are the reasons I chose this board over its brother the G15.
Customer Review: Mixed feelings
Summary: 3 Stars
My favourite brand but not my favourite product. Don't get me wrong, i like it alot but... i was expecting more. i almost gave it a 4 because it is Logitech but they weren't as impressive as usual with the G11. Let me start with what i like. The backlit keys are to die for...especially with the option to turn it off if you want the room completely dark to watch a DVD or something. The 2 'extra' USB ports it gives seem kool as well but i haven't gotten around to using them since my DELL UltraSharp 2007WFP 20.1-inch Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor with Height Adjustable Stand provides 4 USB for the price of 1. It aloso looks really good and the media keys come in handy.
Now for the not so great. The keys are not clicky at all. i preferred the feel of the Logitech Media Keyboard Elite- Black ( 967559-0403 )that i owned once. Although it is a gaming keybaord i do type so Logitech needs to take that into consideration. Maybe they can develop adjustable "clicky-ness" in a keyboard to satisfy the various tastes. Next up is the volume knob at the top. On numerous occasions my finger is just going around in circles and the wheel aint spinning. What's up with that? It seems the surface is a little too smooth...more grip Logitech..more grip. The G-keys...hmmm. i can't really make a honest review on those because i haven't quite used them yet. I read the reviews and realised they were not suitable for first person shooter games...which i mostly play, but i bought it anyway. i tried configuring them to avoid the WASD keys and the surrounding ones to use with FARCRY but nope. The G-keys are closer together than i expected and discerning each one may take a while. there is also a little switch that turns on or off "game mode" but what it really does is disable the windows-logo key to prevent you from accidentally jumping to windows in the middle of a game. That was very useful..i keep it on.
This score of 3 might have been a 4 if i did not unwrap this keyboard the same time i unwrapped my 'lion' the Logitech NEW G5 Laser Mouse which over-shadowed everything around it. Buy or not to buy? I would buy it again.
Customer Review: Excellent Keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
This keyboard is great for gamers. But apart from games I use this keyboard for everyday use - this is my main keyboard. I hook it up to my laptop and I use it instead of the laptop keyboard. Even though I have a 17-inch laptop, I just had to have a true full-sized keyboard. I've had it since November 2008 and 6 months later it's still going strong - even though it fell a couple of times. Here are the pros and cons:
PROS:
It comes with 18 'G' keys (G1 - G18) where you can store macros of any length, including mouse clicks. It has 3 memory banks. This means that you can store 3*18=54 macros.
It comes with easy to install and easy to use software.
It has a macro record button that will record your keystrokes and store it to a button of your choice on-the-fly. So if you're in the middle of a game, you don't have to open up the Keyboard software to create a new macro.
You can use the G keys to store any useful information, such as passwords or text that you type frequently, even if you are not a gamer.
The backlight is bright even in the daytime. You probably won't be able to see the characters on the keys if you turn it off. The backlight has two levels of brightness.
It plays well with my logitech gaming mouse. It picks up some of the extra buttons on the mouse so that I can use them in macros.
Comes with very handy media control buttons.
Comes with a switch that disables the 'windows' key (or 'Start' key if you call it that) so that you don't accidentally switch to Windows when playing your game.
Comes with two USB ports.
Strong and sturdy.
No batteries required
CONS:
It's huge, but that can't be helped.
The volume control nob may take some getting used to because it provides very little friction on the surface.
The USB ports are on the back of the keyboard. I forgot they were there after the first day I got it and put the keyboard on my desk. If I'm ever desperate for free USB ports I might remember they are there. Nevertheless, the USB ports are still added value, and considering the size of the keyboard, I can hardly think of a better place they could have put these ports.
Customer Review: Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
I was looking for a replacement for my $12 keyboard and wanted one that would both feel right when typing and was responsive for other tasks. I am a not hard core gamer. I have a few, but that's not the primary purpose of the keyboard for me. The G11 is exactly the same as the pricier G15 except for the LCD screen which I thought would be distracting. Besides, I build computers and have other programs to monitor the functions I need to watch.
THE GOOD: Easy and painless set up. Responsive touch and the keys are where my fingers think they ought to be. I have big hands and long fingers and this keyboard feels great. 54 macros keys (I won't say "programmable macros" because that's what a macro is!). Enter your name, your e-mail address or addresses, passwords, repeated phrases... anything. You have 54 keys. Macros are easy to enter and store. Logitech--this is a great idea! The keyboard comes with profiles for gamers, but just ignore if you're not a gamer. Blue background lights on keys are very nice. At first I thought I would not like them, but they are very nice to look at and add ambiance. I don't type or play games in the dark so at first the blue illuminated keys did not have any appeal to me. But now I really like them. They tell me when my OS has detected the keyboard or if there is a general failure to initiate. Key letters are etched in so they don't wear over time. Amazon had the best price I could find and I received my keyboard two days BEFORE expected delivery! Amazon's service is excellent!
THE BAD: How to remember which of the 54 keys has what! I've seen shorter NFL play books. I still like the idea and use the keys. If you are a hard core gamer, then look at the G15 or G19. The G11 lacks LCD for game support.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Great keyboard for typing, playing games and surfing the web. Use the macro keys for logins and passwords. With the macro keys this board is fun as well as highly functional. You will like the blue illuminated keys. Highly recommended