Logitech updates their G-series line

Brian Ambrozy 5 Aug, 2010 at 2:37pm ET Article published in Tech

Today Logitech announced a refresh of their venerable G-series performance line of peripherals—the G930 wireless gaming headset, G700 wireless gaming mouse, and G510 gaming keyboard.

Our review of the original G15 keyboard called it “the Cadillac of keyboards”, and it looks like the G510 retains the family DNA. I’m excited to see that they brought back the 18 G-keys, because with the refresh (the “new” G15) and the G19, they reduced the number of G keys.

The G700 wireless mouse is “designed for MMO players”, but the killer feature here is on-the-fly quick-connect wireless-to-wired cable. If you are worried about lag or interference, you can plug in and turn the G700 into a wired mouse (and it charges while plugged in).

The G930 wireless headset has three keys on the headset as well as a neat feature that mutes the mic when the boom is raised.

Here’s a video highlighting the changes to the line, from senior manager of product marketing for gaming, Elliott Chin:

Comments

5 Aug 2010 ~ 2:54pm MAGIC Do want it all.
5 Aug 2010 ~ 4:43pm Cliff_Forster Oh, I'll stir the pot.

That keyboard, I know people love it because its feature laden for gamers, but at the end of the day its still a cheaply made soft membrane keyset.

Quality keyboards start with mechanical keys that offer really nice tactile feedback and feel, but they are expensive to manufacture. If you have never tried a good heavy mechanical keyboard, you don't know what you are missing.

I really like logitech, don't get me wrong, but I'd encourage anyone to spend that money on a good quality mechanical key set instead of the gamer gimmicks on their G series keyboard. An LCD screen and macro function can't cover up the fact that the keys themselves just don't feel that great. Once you type and game on something that either uses the Cherry MX Brown switches (less clicky but a nice medium tactile feel) or my personal favorite personal the Cherry MX Blue (that satisfying click does it for me, and they are a bit tight in comparison to the browns).

I'm just saying, if your going to spend $100 on a keyboard, why on earth would you want a cheap rubber membrane balanced keys?
5 Aug 2010 ~ 5:13pm primesuspect What on earth are you talking about? I've had a G15 on my desk since 2006 and I am in love with it. It's not even remotely a "cheaply made soft membrane keyset". It's clicky and highly tactile. Did you read my original review?

I'm typing this on a G15 and it remains, to this day, my favorite keyboard of all time. CLICK CLICK CLICK go the angry keys as I type this
5 Aug 2010 ~ 5:17pm shwaip If you're going to spend $100 on a keyboard, why on earth would you want to spend money on a noisy, outdated mechanical technology.
5 Aug 2010 ~ 5:38pm Cliff_Forster

shwaip wrote:

If you're going to spend $100 on a keyboard, why on earth would you want to spend money on a noisy, outdated mechanical technology.

I'm sorry, the G15, its a gimmick keyboard with a glossy exterior to hide its cheap innards. Its feature rich, no doubt, but at the end of the day, if something else feels better, thats the most important feature of a keyboard, its how it feels. Plus macros are for cheaters

Now THIS, is a keyboard worth the premium. I'm telling ya, once you type on a Filco Japanese manufactured keyboard with cherry MX switches, your not going to want to touch the G15 again. I prefer the blue switches, they have more feedback, but the browns are great if you want a typing experience that is not going to drive your buddy nuts.

Seriously, this is just one of those things for me. Its like you know some old guys that swear a tube amplifier beats solid state, well, I'm in the camp that says a good set of mechanical switches is the proper way to manufacture a keyboard. Logitech makes brilliant mice, webcams, love their harmony remote line, and yeah, their keyboards are serviceable, but they are not premium past their marketing.
5 Aug 2010 ~ 5:40pm Thrax ITT: Subjective keyboard snobbery.

//EDIT: Also this.
5 Aug 2010 ~ 5:42pm shwaip scissor keys > *
5 Aug 2010 ~ 5:45pm Cliff_Forster

Thrax wrote:

ITT: Subjective keyboard snobbery.

//EDIT: Also this.

I love it, thats about right.

But seriously, welcome to all things mechanical, if its not mechanical, its CRAP!
5 Aug 2010 ~ 5:47pm shwaip

Cliff_Forster wrote:

I love it, thats about right.

But seriously, welcome to all things mechanical, if its not mechanical, its CRAP!

I think cliff just admitted that amd processors are crap.
5 Aug 2010 ~ 5:48pm fatcat I've typed on the G15 and it clickety-clacks way to much. I much prefer

or my current keyboard

both with comfortable, fluid, and whisper-quiet PerfectStrokeâ„¢ key system.

PerfectStrokeâ„¢
5 Aug 2010 ~ 5:49pm shwaip Yeah, I'd love to get a diNovo, but it's just too far outside my price range.
5 Aug 2010 ~ 5:54pm Cliff_Forster

shwaip wrote:

I think cliff just admitted that amd processors are crap.

See, I go all fanboy on a completely different subject and it still comes back to AMD. :bigggrin:

Seriously though, I'm a big advocate for good old school heavy mechanical keyboards. Been back on them for a couple years now and I just think they are fantastic. I don't think enough people know about them, I don't think they get proper exposure in the big box stores, its a shame because its the best typing experience you can buy, and, if you get one with good N-Key rollover, they are fantastic to game on as well.

If your at your desktop PC as much as well all are, you owe it to yourself to at least try it. I wonder if Filco would flip Icrontic a review sample. I mean, I could review mine, but I'm obviously pretty biased.

It just bothers me that Logitech mars a brilliant product design with cheap keys. Give me the G series with Cherry MX Blues, I'd pay $200 for that.
5 Aug 2010 ~ 5:55pm fatcat where did the $100 come from?

the G19 is $199...
5 Aug 2010 ~ 5:58pm fatcat

shwaip wrote:

Yeah, I'd love to get a diNovo, but it's just too far outside my price range.

the Illuminated keyboard is only $69

newegg
5 Aug 2010 ~ 6:00pm Cliff_Forster

fatcat wrote:

where did the $100 come from?

the G19 is $199...

$199, thats just nuts.
5 Aug 2010 ~ 6:00pm shwaip I've been around long enough to have used mechanical keys (IBM model M, hello). I also have gone through enough different kinds of keyboards to know what I like.

I've been programming for 8 years, and my preference in keyboards is definitely the scissor keys (laptop-style keys).

Cliff_Forster wrote:

See, I go all fanboy on a completely different subject and it still comes back to AMD. :bigggrin:

Seriously though, I'm a big advocate for good old school heavy mechanical keyboards. Been back on them for a couple years now and I just think they are fantastic. I don't think enough people know about them, I don't think they get proper exposure in the big box stores, its a shame because its the best typing experience you can buy, and, if you get one with good N-Key rollover, they are fantastic to game on as well.

If your at your desktop PC as much as well all are, you owe it to yourself to at least try it. I wonder if Filco would flip Icrontic a review sample. I mean, I could review mine, but I'm obviously pretty biased.

It just bothers me that Logitech mars a brilliant product design with cheap keys. Give me the G series with Cherry MX Blues, I'd pay $200 for that.
5 Aug 2010 ~ 6:02pm fatcat

Cliff_Forster wrote:

$199, thats just nuts.

inorite, you can buy like 3 AMDâ„¢ cpus for that huh? :bigggrin:
5 Aug 2010 ~ 6:11pm Cliff_Forster Scissor keys are too soft, and they lack the proper amount of key travel. They do beat the hell out of the cheapest membrane based boards, but its hard for me to see how someone would prefer it over something like the old IBM model M. And as venerable as the springs in the Model M were, the current flock of Japanese manufactured switches are even better.
5 Aug 2010 ~ 6:13pm fatcat Cliff, did you read this?

With a typical notebook keyboard, your fingers have to travel 2.2 mm to activate a key. Most desktop keyboards, on the other hand, have a much more comfortable key travel of 3.5 mm to 4 mm. We gave our PerfectStroke keyboards a 3.2 mm key travel - so you can enjoy silent, responsive typing thatâ€™s comfortable too.

PerfectStrokeâ„¢
5 Aug 2010 ~ 6:16pm Cliff_Forster

fatcat wrote:

Cliff, did you read this?

PerfectStrokeâ„¢

I will admit, that is intriguing.
5 Aug 2010 ~ 8:11pm troll Sweet Keyboard Lovins!

http://www.apple.com/keyboard/
5 Aug 2010 ~ 9:02pm shwaip

Cliff_Forster wrote:

Scissor keys are too soft*, and they lack the proper amount of key travel*. They do beat the hell out of the cheapest membrane based boards*, but its hard for me to see how someone would prefer it over something like the old IBM model M. And as venerable as the springs in the Model M were, the current flock of Japanese manufactured switches are even better*.

* denotes statements that are opinions, presented as facts.
5 Aug 2010 ~ 9:58pm Garg Need more ergo keyboards with swank features.
5 Aug 2010 ~ 10:06pm Ryder

Gargoyle wrote:

Need more ergo keyboards with swank features.

This.
6 Oct 2010 ~ 4:17pm balvan64 Cliff_Forster is right.
mechanical keyboards are the best.
I switched from mechanical to the G15 and I'm looking to replace it with a good mechanical keyboard. it's just crappy mush keys.
I hate giving up the LCD, but it's just not worth it.