Are Z-boards worth it?

Lydon

Lydon

New member
As the title suggest.

I've always been interested in getting one...mainly for the convenience they provide for some MMO's like Guild Wars and World of Warcraft.

I did, however, see a friend's once briefly, and it looked rather strange. At least I think it was the default layout.
 
In my opinion, not worth it.

The Z-Board is an item made for people who WANT to have a strange looking keyboard either to boast, or just be different. The whole "Buy a new Z-Board cover for every single game." does not appeal to me and I dont like the idea of having to re-learn key combinations for all the games you plan to buy a Z-Board for.

Look I'm not trying to discourage you but from where I stand it doesn't look appealing and I believe you should consider what you'd be getting yourself into by buying one.

;)
 
I used the first edition zboard, with the interchangable keysets. I find the "gaming keys" (the butterfly setup) much more comfortable than a normal key layout. I have since changed to the Merc Stealth, wich incorporates normal and gaming keys on one board, and is backlit. I have no problems with it whatsoever, and is really comfy and keys are easy to reach !
 
weakest_link said:
i think the is refering to the zboard that allows you to change the keyset or key layout ...
Click to expand...

Which is why I'm saying: "All I need for gaming is a backlit keyboard. Anything more is just overkill." :rolleyes:

Don't need the fancy layout... just give me backlit keys and I'm happy. Of course it's just opinion.
 
Maplassie said:
I used the first edition zboard, with the interchangable keysets. I find the "gaming keys" (the butterfly setup) much more comfortable than a normal key layout. I have since changed to the Merc Stealth, wich incorporates normal and gaming keys on one board, and is backlit. I have no problems with it whatsoever, and is really comfy and keys are easy to reach !
Click to expand...

I totally agree with you on that one mappy i just recently got a Z-board and I find it soooo much better when playing COD and CSS and all that... it helps you to move alot quicker around your games :)
 
I had the zboard merc, what a dog show, typing on it was a MISSION not to mention the num pad and del, home etc are bunched into one. Swopped it out for a G15, much better.
 
Grimspoon said:
I had the zboard merc, what a dog show, typing on it was a MISSION not to mention the num pad and del, home etc are bunched into one. Swopped it out for a G15, much better.
Click to expand...

Why not just get something like:
fangfull.jpg


Best of both worlds.

http://www.take2.co.za/games-zboard-fang-gaming-keypad-1839720.html
 
Thanks for the info guys.

Grimspoon said:
I had the zboard merc, what a dog show, typing on it was a MISSION not to mention the num pad and del, home etc are bunched into one. Swopped it out for a G15, much better.
Click to expand...

That's been my other option...looking at a G15. Would be nice for macro keys.
 
Farmers / Bots swear by the z-board macro functionalities ;)

Make sure devs of the game you are playing allows it too, since it may violate some EULA. Most allow it though, only when you start getting unfair advantages do they frown upon it.
 
Grimspoon said:
G15 is the business! ;)
Click to expand...
IMO, G15 is just a cool keyboard with additional functionality, where as these gaming pads give you more function keys to use.

In your normal qwerty config, you have the following easy to reach keys;

Normal fingers = ring, middle and index:
(tab)qwert
asdf (g)
xzcv

Then numbers:
12345 (6)

(can be awkward for some)

Pinky:
shift
ctrl
caps
(z)

Thumb:
space
(b)

---------------------------
Now lets look at the Fang:


Normal fingers = ring, middle and index:
(tab)qwert
asdf (g)


Then numbers:
7,8,9,10,11
(tilde),1,2,3,4,5,6

(can be awkward for some)

Pinky:
alt
shift
ctrl
caps
(z)

Thumb:
space
small button
c
v
(b)

I have a merc, which is very much the same, but I find that majority of its buttons are much easier to use.

You get a lot more keys at the tip of your fingers, without having to move your hand. This is great for all kinds of games, like WoW, any fps and even RTS (Wc3 or dota).

I guess I just don't understand why the G15 is so expensive for the benefits you get. Instead, why not get a K300 Compact KBD (backlit and all) for R360 with one of these for ~R320.
 
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