Logitech G710+ Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with Tactile High-Speed Keys - Black..
Special Price Logitech G710+ Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with Tactile High-Speed Keys - Black By LogitechMost helpful customer reviews
37 of 41 people found the following review helpful.
Outstanding full featured mechanical keyboard
By DN
Unless you're looking for strictly a typist's keyboard, I think this is one of the best all-around mechanical keyboards. After spending considerable time researching mechanical keyboards, I purchased the Logitech G710+ because it was the only one which satisfied all of my criteria. After using the keyboard for four months, I maintain my initial 5 star rating.
PROS:
1) ALL full size keys use mechanical switches mechanical. If I'm spending $100, $120 or more on a keyboard, I don't want one with shortcuts (ex. some rubber dome switches for full size keys). Not every "mechanical" keyboard uses mechanical key switches, and those that do typically have a higher price because of the added expense. For me, it's worth the added cost in the long run.
2) DEDICATED medial controls (i.e. keys solely for volume control, etc.). This is an important feature for me. I use my volume controls daily. There's always some website that has an auto-play video at blaring volume. If I'm gaming and need to adjust the volume, I want to do so easily and instantly without distraction. Some mechanical keyboards use a combination keystroke (function key + other key or "FN+" for short) for media controls rather than dedicated keys. Better than nothing, but not nearly as good IMO. That fact alone was a major reason I chose this keyboard over others such as the Nighthawk X8.
3) Gaming/Macro keys ("G" Keys). These are very useful even if you don't game. Rather than have multiple rows, I prefer the 710+ "banks" since it's easier for me to remember which keys apply to what game/software. I can have a game on bank 1, an image editing program on bank 2 and so on.
4) Back-lighting. Backlighting is even for all keys, and every key is illuminated - even media keys. Lighting is VERY bright at the highest setting, but there are four levels of brightness (I use the third brightest) and an option to turn off lighting completely. FYI - because of the way the key caps attach to the MX mechanical key posts, only the top "symbol" of each key illuminates. For example, the "7" key on the numpad has the number 7 illuminates, but not "home" underneath. This isn't a product defect or design flaw per se, but rather a concession of using Cherry MX mechanical switches.
5) Cherry MX Brown key switches. Since I'm not a hard core gamer and do type quite a bit, I wanted mechanical switches which were good for typing as well as gaming. I wasn't able to test them prior to purchase, but figured that as a "hybrid" switch, MX Brown switches were a safe choice. They have about the same actuation force as MX Red switches, but feature an inaudible, soft (barely noticeable IMO) tactile bump. After extended use I find the Cherry MX Brown switches an excellent "all around" switch good for both gaming and typing.
6) 26 key rollover ability. I definitely want at least 6 key rollover ability, and the G710+ goes far beyond that. More than I'll ever need.
7) Sound dampening "O"-rings. While the switches are far from silent, the level of volume is noticeably reduced to a "reasonable" level (IMO). Had they not been installed, I am certain I would have purchased them promptly. So in that regard, it's like getting a $15-$20+ price cut. Good attention to detail by Logitech.
8) Excellent build quality. While some may have had problems with their G710+, mine arrived in flawless condition - not one scratch. I've had ZERO problems so far. The board is very solid, with a strong metal frame inside. Even non-mechanical keys/controls have a nice, solid feeling when used. Cherry MX mechanical switches are rated to last 50,000,000 keystrokes, and I'm quite confident this keyboard will last me for years.
9) Well designed layout and controls. The keys and other controls are arranged in a compact, but not crowded design. I honestly can't think of a better overall layout. I find the spacing to be "just right." Close enough to where everything is in easy reach, but not so close that I routinely hit the wrong key or control. I've read user complaints that the G Keys being too close to the ESC key, but there's at least a full key width of space between them. Certainly the same issue is present with similar keyboards like the Corsair K90 & K95. Maybe because I don't' use ESC that often, but I have yet to hit "G1" by mistake.
CONS:
1) The markings on top row number keys (e.g. "1/!," "2/@," "3/#," etc.) are reversed. So "1" is on top of "!", "2" on top of "@", etc. The same is true for other dual function keys such as question mark, comma, period and quote keys. The reason is the way LED lighting works for the Cherry MX switches. Logitech reversed the positions so that the default/non-shift symbol is backlight rather than the shift function. I'm still not completely used to it, but to be fair, I not sure I'd prefer the standard markings unless I turned off the backlighting. Worst case scenario, if it bothers me enough, I'll just replace the key caps.
2) Originally, my biggest complaint was the orange colored border for the G Keys. I still find the color garish and Logitech's decision to use that color unfathomable, but it doesn't bother as much as I thought it would. Once the warranty expires I may paint it black.
3) It requires two USB connections (one for the keyboard and one for the USB port). While I was able to rearrange USB connections to my I/O panel to accommodate the G710+, I now have no free USB I/O ports. Other mechanical gaming keyboards offer all-key rollover plus a built in USB port, yet require only ONE USB cable. I'll never use the keyboard's USB port anyway (3 USB front panel ports sufficient). Making the 2nd USB cable connection detachable (and USB 3.0) would have been a much better design.
4) Mechanical switch keys typically have more space between compared to rubber domed keyboards. Not a fault of the G710+ per se, but the fact remains I was surprised how easy dust/dirt/etc. accumulated under the keycaps. Dust isn't so bad to clear out with compressed air, but anything larger (crumbs, etc.) frequently requires removing one or more keycaps before cleaning. This is not a snack friendly keyboard.
5) No keycap puller included. Some, if not most, higher priced mechanical keyboards include a keycap puller, albeit usually the cheaper "o" ring with two prongs type). I highly recommend anyone owning a mechanical keyboard to buy a keycap puller like this one (http://www.amazon.com/Generic-KEYCAP-PULLER/dp/B0036UQSJ8/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1359068321&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=meckanical+keycap+puller). It's a couple dollars more than the cheaper type, but worth the extra money. It's very easy to use with less risk of damage since you can pull directly up rather than level out a keycap.
6) The included palm/wrist rest is worthless. Completely non-ergonomic (you want your wrists parallel when typing, not angled upwards) and cheap looking compared the keyboard. It is optional (not installed by default) so not a "con" unless you plan on using it.
RATING: 5/5. After four months of use, I still like this keyboard a lot and maintain my 5 star rating. It's not perfect (what is?), but the "pros" easily outweigh the cons. I definitely recommend the Logitech G710+ to anyone interested in a mechanical keyboard - even non gamers unless they simply do not want MX Brown switches. For those who insist upon a linear mechanical switch such as Cherry MX Red or Black switches, I strongly suggest they consider the Corsair K95. It's quite similar to the G710+ in terms of features and layout, but uses Cherry MX Red instead of Brown Switches.
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful.
Great keyboard after backlight drama
By Chris Chalmers
After backlight failures on two of these keyboards consecutively I just about gave up on it. Apparently Logitech has fixed the problem, however, and Amazon now sells the updated product (same model, different part number). I bought a third one and it's been working fine for two weeks. If this problem is really fixed then the one substantial con for this keyboard is gone - make sure you consult the most recent reviews for this keyboard because many of the negative reviews refer to the backlight problem in the old version.
Conclusion after all the complications: great keyboard.
Pros:
-Browns feel great.
-Dedicated, unobtrusive media controls.
-Programmable keys (I use them primarily to launch common applications like Pandora).
-Adjustable backlight with a very bright maximum setting.
-Gorgeous, plenty of eye candy (orange flare around G-keys, grey/silver WASD and arrow keys, adjust the backlight independently for WASD and arrow keys).
-Generous surface area on the rubber feet.
Cons:
-The center plate has a glossy finish, advertising prints and dust.
-The caps lock etc lights do not have adjustable brightness and stay at the level of the maximum backlight setting all the time.
-The backlight doesn't diffuse well in the keycaps, leaving the edges of long-named keys dark
-If you look straight down at the keyboard (not something most people will ever do) you'll notice that some of the keycaps are rotated slightly. A quick glance at the keycaps reveals that it's the plastic '+' socket in the key that is twisted. This has been true on all three keyboards I've receive; it was always about five keys, but different keys each time.
Other thoughts:
All keys come fitted with rubber O-rings. I didn't like them so I removed them - took a couple minutes, no big deal.
The keyboard is remarkably thick so the keys end up pretty high off the surface you're working on. I normally don't use wrist rests but I have to with this keyboard.
Update:
I contacted Logitech and a representative over there said that a new version of this keyboard is in production that does not have the backlight problem. I then contacted Amazon and a representative there did an inventory check and told me they are now selling the fixed version of the keyboard, so I bought a third one. This one has been working fine for the last two weeks.
The fix appeared to involve changing the LEDs behind the keys to be slightly dimmer and a slightly different shade of white (a little more yellow). Unfortunately the light from the new LEDs doesn't diffuse well in the keycaps so keys with long names like enter and caps lock are only lit in the center and the light fades away near the edges. I compared the old (dysfunctional) keyboard to the new one and this problem is much more pronounced on the new one.
61 of 74 people found the following review helpful.
Excellent mechanical keyboard with useful gaming features
By A. H.
I've used gaming mice for years and have consistently been impressed by Logitech's quality in that field. The G710+, Logitech's latest gaming keyboard, holds up that tradition of quality and offers several worthwhile features for gamers.
First off, this is not an inexpensive keyboard by any stretch. It uses mechanical switches, which are incredibly responsive and durable. Mechanical switch keyboards are favored by many people who do coding and gaming for their responsiveness and durability. This is an incredibly comfortable keyboard for typing. I find it preferable to my Logitech Illuminated Keyboard, my prior favorite. Although the G710+ is somewhat louder, it isn't as loud as some IBM-style mechanical keyboards I've used in the past.
The keyboard comes with a detachable plastic palm rest and includes the standard height-adjusting legs in the back for those who prefer their keyboards to sit at more of an angle.
The keyboard also features a USB 2.0 port on the back, just to the right of the keyboard's wire. Be forewarned, however, that this passthrough USB port requires that you use two USB ports on your computer when you're hooking up the keyboard. The keyboard's wire has two "male" USB connectors at its end, one for the keyboard input and the other serving essentially as a USB extension cord to the port on the back of the keyboard. I found the keyboard's additional USB port useful when hooking up my headset rather than hooking it up to the ports on the front of my Lian Li tower case. (I built my own PC.) Some might find it disappointing that the port doesn't support USB 3.0, but most peripherals you're likely to plug into a gaming keyboard, such as a headset, just don't require that much speed.
The layout of the keyboard is familiar with one minor quibble. The keys sometimes invert the characters. In other words, the key with the "=" sign on it shows the = sign above the + sign. This is the opposite of most keyboards. This is part of the keyboard's illumination scheme. The numbers and many of the punctuation marks are all illuminated but positioned above the characters that one usually accesses with the SHIFT key. It's not a huge deal for touch typists, but some might find it confusing. It throws me off if I look at the keyboard when I'm typing. (NOTE: More punctuation keys on the sample I received are inverted than are shown in the product pictures here. For example, on the sample I received, the period and comma are respectively above the "less than" and "greater than" signs. Double quotation marks are below the single quotation marks, etc. I do not know if the sample I received is typical in terms of that layout. The product pictures do show that the number keys invert the characters.)
As for the illumination, it is quite bright in its high setting. The keys are clearly etched and are easy to read, even when the lights are on. The illumination brightness is adjustable via a dedicated pair of keys above the F11 and F12 keys. One adjusts the brightness of the ASDW and cursor arrow keys, and the other adjusts the brightness of the remaining keys. This is a neat feature that people who play first person shooters might appreciate if they only want to light up the ASDW keys in a darkened room while playing an atmospheric game like Dead Space.
The keyboard features basic audio controls, including a volume wheel and a mute button.
There is a row of six dedicated macro "G" keys on the far left. Using Logitech's gaming keyboard software (available from their website), you can use several preexisting profiles for popular games to assign functions to those keys. For example, I play a lot of Team Fortress 2, which is in Logitech's profile database. The gaming software found that game on my PC and allowed me to map out various in-game functions to the macro keys.
You can also program macros directly into the keyboard by using the M keys on the top row on the left side. These keys allow you to program and assign up to three macros to each G key. You just hit the MR key, hit the relevant G key, and then type the keys to record to that macro. Hit the MR key again, and you've got your macro. If you hit the G key and then hit the M2 or M3 key, you can add the second and third macros to that key.
The keyboard features a dedicated key that will switch off the Windows key and Menu key when you're playing games. Although this can also be done via software, it's nice to be able to keep accidental keystrokes on those keys from bouncing you out of intense firefights, etc., and into the Windows menu, an incredibly frustrating situation. The key has an LED indicator near the top right of the keyboard to show when you've disabled the Windows key and Menu key.
The keyboard's aesthetics are fairly basic, with the G710+ logo printed in a few places on the side bevels and above the cursor arrow keys. There is an orange plastic frame around the G keys that I could live without, but your mileage may vary.
In gaming situations, the keyboard works really well, and it's a vast improvement over my Illuminated Keyboard, which was an excellent keyboard in its own right. I'm able to execute series of moves in TF2 and Crysis 2 without any input issues at all. No ghosting or anything.
In all, I'd say this is an excellent keyboard for people who enjoy gaming and have the money to spend. You can get comparably functional gaming keyboards for less, but the mechanical keys here make this an investment that's likely to last a long time.
My only quibble is that I wish they hadn't inverted so many of the depicted characters and their SHIFT alternate characters on the keys. It wouldn't be so bad if they'd permitted you to have the illumination shift when you hit the shift key so you didn't ever have to remember what character you were going to get.
In all, highly recommended.
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