New Logitech G15 keyboard $79.99 @ FS

[Limech]

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10094422&catid=25611

Our price: $138.99
Discount: -$59.00
Sale Price: $79.99

Sale Ends:
1/3/2008
Online Availability: In Stock: Usually ships next business day.
Quantity Remaining: 3

I know, some of you prefer the old model and I know, FS's price for the G15 was always really high so that brings it down to normal prices but at least shipping shows up has $0 (ground) for me and you get price protection for next 30 days.

Next lowest price I found for the 2nd gen G15 was $75.92 but with $10 shipping.


http://www.shopbot.ca/p-17153.html

[bob the builder]

The price is pretty good for that keyboard, but honestly... for that price I'd expect my keyboard to be able to get up and make me coffee.

[Limech]

I think Logitech released an API for it so you could always write code that tells it to do that. ;)

[leehoyuen]

Isn't dell.ca (http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?s=dhs&c=ca&l=en&cs=cadhs1&category_id=2999&k=G15&cat=snp) cheaper? $69.99 and free shipping.

[Aznsilvrboy]

Isn't dell.ca (http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?s=dhs&c=ca&l=en&cs=cadhs1&category_id=2999&k=G15&cat=snp) cheaper? $69.99 and free shipping.

That's the first generation G15.

[BinaryJay]

Oooh, gaudy.

[TruE SkiLLS]

pm with bb?

[felix]

Finally we get it here in Canada.

I'm waiting for the price of this one to drop :
http://www.razerzone.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_21&products_id=76

It's much better for those who prefer a nice looking backlit keyboard with a smaller footprint and don't need the LCD. I like the colour better too.

[belowzeros]

thats a really nice price

is it just me or does the size of the qwerty keyboard look much smaller tho

[g0blez]

The new G15 falls short when compared to the original G15.

[gsrce]

Good deal. PM with BB to save even more. BB has it for $125.

[belowzeros]

The new G15 falls short when compared to the original G15.

how? please explain or link a review or something :)

[g0blez]

how? please explain or link a review or something :)

- 6 macro keys vs 18
- LCD harder to read
- LCD no longer flips

[tempeste]

extremetech gave a very good review - look for it on google.

[redplanet]

i've read some ppl's reviews saying the letters on the 1st gen keyboard wear off after a short period of time. is there anyone that can shed some light on this?

[killoverme]

i've read some ppl's reviews saying the letters on the 1st gen keyboard wear off after a short period of time. is there anyone that can shed some light on this?

i heard it was a manufactoring problem and logitech replaced the keyboards for anyone with this problem

[belowzeros]

i've read some ppl's reviews saying the letters on the 1st gen keyboard wear off after a short period of time. is there anyone that can shed some light on this?


it definitely does, you can't read half of my keys anymore

[Mgz]

stick with your current keyboard and get a nostromo N52 (not the overpriced N52TE) if u want to run macro.

[daftfunk]

- 6 macro keys vs 18
- LCD harder to read
- LCD no longer flips

Spent half an hour yesterday at FS looking at all the new Logitech gear....I'm not impressed. Seems like they're trying to cut costs and cut corners where they can. Some of the keyboards looked and felt so cheap.

[Speedbeaver]

It's cheaper on directCanada: http://www.directcanada.com/search/?kw=Logitech%20G15

and also on ShopRBC:
http://www.shoprbc.com/ca/shop/product_details.php?pid=12200

[mrhector]

it definitely does, you can't read half of my keys anymore

not sure when you picked yours up but if you give them a call, they'll ship you a new one for free.

[redplanet]

i heard it was a manufactoring problem and logitech replaced the keyboards for anyone with this problem

it definitely does, you can't read half of my keys anymore

not sure when you picked yours up but if you give them a call, they'll ship you a new one for free.

thx for the input guys...so should i jump at the 1st gen bandwagon instead?

[el_fono]

- 6 macro keys vs 18
- LCD harder to read
- LCD no longer flips

Cons:
The built-in USB hub supports only USB 1.1

Pros:
The keyboard is shorter

[Usuyami]

I have a 1st gen G15 and I'm still loving it. I'm a gamer so mine has gone through many hours of gameplay. I never turn my computer off so my backlit has been on for about 2 years straight now. None of the lights have broken, and none of the keys have worn out. To be honest, I don't use the macros much, except for text macros that require multiple lines. It's extremely easy to make a new macro on the fly. Press MR, the key you want to record to, what you want recorded, and then press MR to finish. The best part is the LCD panel. I use it mainly to control iTunes while I'm in a game, and I can also view Ventrilo info (ie. who's in the channel, who just left or entered). Highly recommended. The first gen, at least.

[FilipK]

i've read some ppl's reviews saying the letters on the 1st gen keyboard wear off after a short period of time. is there anyone that can shed some light on this?

my brother has had the first generation since it came out and uses it every day...the keys are absolutely fine and the keyboard has more keys (is a little wider).

[killoverme]

if ur getting first gen pm it from BB
FS - is selling for 79.99 and BB is 125.99

[cipher]

The paint on my gen1 G15 is just starting to wear off. I will be contacting Logitech to see what they will do.

[Bordak]

it definitely does, you can't read half of my keys anymore

That only happened to the first batch produced when the product launched. They replaced the keyboards if you called them, and the next runs did not have this problem. it's a non issue if you are looking to buy one in the past 1 + year.

[Scottie]

wow that price for a keyboard, will it spank my monkey for me whilke I watch Porn? :o

[7-Endless]

Cons:
The built-in USB hub supports only USB 1.1

Pros:
The keyboard is shorter

Yeah, I think I would have gone for this if it was USB 2.0. The Enermax Aurora and Crystal keyboards have USB 2.0, but they are not really gaming keyboards.

[wushudrew]

hope this helps.

Logitech G15 V2 Review

I bought this keyboard from FS after PMing it with directcanada at $69.99. DC raised their prices as of last check, but check infonec as well. The prices for this keyboard fluctuate daily.

First impressions:

The box is significantly smaller than Logitech's boxes for other products. I used their MX Duo before buying the G15 and the new G5, and that box was monstrous. The contents of this keyboard were well-protected, though. No bubble wrap, but things are snug and covered. Keyboard comes with a plastic wrist wrest that attaches to the keyboard and driver cd/manual. The wrist wrest is useful, but I have a gel pad that is much more squishy.

The keyboard build is sturdy (not as heavy as the Saitek Eclipse) and stable. There are rubber rests on the bottom of the keyboard that prevent it from sliding around. The keys themselves are slightly rubbery for grip, and the transparent letters are etched into the keys. The orange lighting shines through every key on the keyboard, as well as the media control buttons. The LCD is lit with the same colour. Underneath the keyboard are small channels that can be used to reroute cords to the side or bottom of the keyboard. Strangely, the G15 cord itself does not fit, so I assume that the channels are for mice or other devices.

Complaints about the previous generation G15 keyboard was that it was extremely wide and did not fit on most desktop trays. Logitech solved this by reducing the number of G-keys from 18 to 6. I feel that this is a good idea, since there still exist a possible 18 combinations with this new G15 due to the mode buttons for the G-keys. The previous G15 had the mode buttons as well, but 54 (18x3) custom recorded buttons seems ridiculous to me.

The layout is quite standard, although the G-key location is unfamiliar at first. Whenever I want to push Ctrl or Shift, I sometimes end up pushing a G-key instead. However, this isn't much of a problem and can be easily adjusted to. The gaming mode key (turns off windows key when activated) and mute button are located on either side of the LCD screen. The screen itself is well-sized and isn't that hard to read. Font size isn't adjustable though, so that may be a problem. The media control buttons directly surround the LCD screen, and closer still are 5 rubber buttons that can be used to control and switch through the LCD programs. My biggest problem with the G15 so far is that there's no volume control wheel - there are buttons instead. I had a wheel on my Logitech elite keyboard and it was the most convenient feature ever.

There are two USB ports on the rear of the keyboard, which are quite convenient for memory keys and low-draw devices. The ports are not USB 2.0, and so cannot run most high-draw devices. I was not able to charge my iPod using these ports.

Installation and setup

Installation was easy - plug in the USB and go. The keyboard lights up upon windows startup and has basic functionality without drivers installed: light intensity adjust, mute, and game mode. I haven't tested whether the media controls work without drivers.

Logitech has newer versions of the keyboard drivers on their website, and I downloaded these before buying the keyboard. I skipped the included cd and installed the Logitech website drivers instead. Drivers are quite bloated (right now theyre taking up a good 30mb of memory), but are useful. The config programs allow you to configure the stock LCD programs (timer, system info, clock/calendar, media info, POP3 email checker) and set up keyboard macros/functions.

The included LCD programs are pretty useful, but better custom ones can be found online. The system info program displays CPU and memory usage on progress bars. The clock displays the time, a clock face, and the date. The media info displays song info and time elapsed/remaining when a supported media player is open (itunes, wmp, winamp). The timer acts as a stopwatch and has two seperate timers. Config is done through the driver software, and each program can be disabled.

The G-buttons allow you to map macros or functions to them, and for the most part theyre totally customizable. The driver software includes a seperate program for G-key configuration. There are 6 G-keys on the left side of the keyboard, but there are three 'modes' that can be selected that allow for a total of 18 (6x3) G-keys. G-keys can be assigned through software to run programs, shortcuts, keystrokes, macros, scripts, or text blocks. You can also record macros manually using the MR (macro record) button on the keyboard and assign it to one of the G-keys.

Usage

When typing, the keys activate very softly - almost like a laptop keyboard. Tactile response is soft as well - this isn't your old IBM Model M we're talking about here. This feel is up to your personal preference. I find the Shift key is a bit insensitive, as I have to push it harder to get some caps going. The rubbery coating on the keys is comfortable, and makes sweaty hands less of a disadvantage when using this keyboard. I'm not sure how well the coating wears, because I've only had this thing for a week or so.

The LCD is (as opposed to what's been said in this thread) quite easy to read. It is covered by a thick piece of translucent plastic to avoid scratching or damaging the screen. The contrast is good, but cannot be adjusted. However, the colours can be inverted. Although the angle of the LCD cannot be adjusted, it rests at one that can be read and seen from any reasonable sitting position. I actually like the set LCD screen much better from a practical point of view. A hinge can loosen over time (floppy LCD screens are no fun) and can break off far easier. True, you can flip down the screen for easy transport and protection, but I think the plastic cover takes care of that quite well.

The G-keys are very well-positioned for quick access during gaming, assuming you use standard WSAD positioning. It's almost second nature for me to reach an inch to the left and hit a key during games. The keys are grouped in vertical pairs, and are fairly hard to miss. I also find the game mode key very useful, since it disables that painful windows key.

Conclusion
This keyboard is great - it has great functionality and customizability, and isnt big enough to dominate your entire desk space. Plus, it lights up! The LCD screen (its main selling point) is easy to see, and supports third party programs. Logitech did a good job in releasing the SDK for the LCD, since it allows for so much more customization. The layout of the media controls and G-keys is intuitive and the learning curve is not a bad one at all. Despite bloated drivers and no volume knob, this keyboard is certainly a winner and a definite improvement over the previous G15.

9.5/10!

Any questions, feel free to ask them in this thread or PM me.

[7-Endless]

hope this helps.

Logitech G15 V2 Review

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.
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Conclusion
This keyboard is great - it has great functionality and customizability, and isnt big enough to dominate your entire desk space. Plus, it lights up! The LCD screen (its main selling point) is easy to see, and supports third party programs. Logitech did a good job in releasing the SDK for the LCD, since it allows for so much more customization. The layout of the media controls and G-keys is intuitive and the learning curve is not a bad one at all. Despite bloated drivers and no volume knob, this keyboard is certainly a winner and a definite improvement over the previous G15.

9.5/10!

Any questions, feel free to ask them in this thread or PM me.


Thanks for the review - you've confirmed what I've heard from other users I've talked to.

Just have one question - for typing usage, would you consider this a "quiet" keyboard? I know a lot of gamers liked the first Saitek Eclipse because it as a quiet keyboard.

[wushudrew]

the keyboard is fairly quiet when typing - i suspect that theres a good deal of rubber underneath the keys. an issue that ive noticed is that some of the keys are a touch 'rattle-y' when tapped lightly but not pressed down - similar again to a laptop keyboard. it could just be a problem with my particular board, though. my backspace key in particular suffers from this, but unless youre typing in a monastery, this shouldnt dissuade you from getting the keyboard.

future shops ive been to have the old G15 on display, but hopefully you can find one that has the new one out for demo-ing.

[porksoda]

g11 is on sale at Staples. for 69.99 or 79.99 i forget... :S

[zerocool24]

i've read some ppl's reviews saying the letters on the 1st gen keyboard wear off after a short period of time. is there anyone that can shed some light on this?

ive been using one since march of 06 and none of the keys have worn off, i think it was with some of the early ones that had that issue. I love my g15 its a great keyboard, i much prefer the blue backlight to (imo) the ugly orange backlight.

[Dethredic]

I picked up one of these this afternoon. Too bad I have to wait until Christmas before I can use it. :(

I would prefer the blue backlight, but imo I think that second version will just be better and more solid, as they can learn from the first one. Besides, who need 54 custom keys. 18 is more than plenty.

[g0blez]

hope this helps.
Despite bloated drivers and no volume knob, this keyboard is certainly a winner and a definite improvement over the previous G15.

9.5/10!

Any questions, feel free to ask them in this thread or PM me.

How can you say that it's an improvement over the previous G15?
What makes it an improvement? Shorter keyboard...?
I don't agree with your conclusion at all.

[InFeXiOn]

How can you say that it's an improvement over the previous G15?
What makes it an improvement? Shorter keyboard...?
I don't agree with your conclusion at all.

That's funny because nowhere in his post/review did he mention anything about whether or you would agree with his conclusion. He's simply supplying his input to the members here at RFD to make a more educated decision in whether or not they should purchase the keyboard.

Until you are sparing us your time to provide a pretty in-depth review of the keyboard in question, it's kind of pointless to throw out "I don't agree at all."

Well that may be true, it would be certainly helpful if you would explain yourself, much like he took the liberty of doing.

Happy Holidays. :)