Logitech G710+ Mechanical Keyboard and G600 MMO Mouse Review
by Dustin Sklavos on October 9, 2012 12:01 AM ESTConclusion: Both Recommendable for the Right Users
The essential problem with any peripheral review is that peripherals are very subjective; the key places to win are going to wind up being fit, finish, and features. You want to make the product the best you conceivably can while making it as comfortable as possible for the broadest set of users. You're not going to be able to hit everyone, and my experiences with the Logitech G710+ keyboard and G600 mouse are a testament to that. So I want to be clear: I'm trying to evaluate these products based on how well they might serve the needs of the individuals who they'll be best suited for, outside of the fact that ultimately they're clearly not for me. Because Logitech is one of the biggest names in peripherals for users across all markets, it's not going to be too hard to evaluate the feel of the G710+ and G600 on your own in retail.
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The G710+ keyboard hardware has, in my opinion, only one major flaw: the glossy finish surrounding the keyboard. Outside of that, I can't help but feel like Logitech has essentially thought of pretty much everything you're going to want or need. The keyboard layout is traditional for American markets, so no learning curve there. The white LED backlighting with configurable brightness and zones is pleasing to the eye and can be adjusted to suit the individual's needs, and I'm always happy to see a wrist rest included (one of the primary reasons I stuck with a Corsair K90 for my personal keyboard). Beyond that, the G710+ experience is going to be up to how you feel about the switches themselves. I think the $149 MSRP is a bit onerous, but the K90 was selling for roughly as much when it released; at around $129 the G710+ should at least be competitive, though I personally would give the slight nod to the K90.
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As for the G600 mouse, the hardware itself has no real weaknesses in my opinion other than a paucity of the accoutrements typically afforded higher end Logitech mice. With the G600, it really does just come down to whether or not the mouse feels comfortable to you, but the design is incredibly smart and I can see a lot of people getting fantastic mileage out of it. The G600 can be found hovering between $60 and $80 in retail online, but that should surprise no one; good mice usually command high prices, and they're usually worth it. I'd easily recommend the G600 over the Corsair M90 or Razer Naga, though.
I think the primary battles the G710+ and G600 are going to fight in the market will be based on comfort and price. Comfort-wise, the G710+ is going to have a tougher time than the G600, whose market is essentially self-selecting by virtue of how big these mice generally have to be. Corsair made a mouse that was definitely smaller, but at the cost of intuitive button design on the sides. Meanwhile, the good Logitech products have often commanded moderate to premium prices, so bargain hunters shouldn't be surprised to see these two on the high end of the scale. Whether or not they're worth the cost is going to be the result of a combination of factors; I don't think they're priced out of competition, they're just not bargains either.
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Impulses - Tuesday, October 9, 2012 - link
Yeah, a review of MP's boards along with the newer backlit Rosewills would be nice, they're some of the best values around... Though the deal I caught for my K90 at $85 was also pretty sweet, and Newegg seems to run it every 3-4 months so it's worth keeping an eye out for, if you can forgive it's one flaw anyway (the subset of keys with rubber dome switches).Azethoth - Thursday, October 11, 2012 - link
That's not the flaw. The one true flaw is the sticky keys. Once a day or so a key just goes bananas. It would be amusing, but what if it undoes all your code changes in a file, or kills your hardcore character. No bueno.antef - Tuesday, October 9, 2012 - link
Compare this to say the MS Natural 4000 or Comfort Curve 3000. They're both "softer" typing keyboards but of course there is still plenty of "feedback." I'm not sure what extra "feedback" above and beyond that you could want, or why you'd want it. It's only going to make things louder and less pleasant. And what about speed? Less key-travel (shallower) and less resistance should lead to faster typing. What is good about tall, clackety keys?Impulses - Tuesday, October 9, 2012 - link
It's a personal preference thing, mechanical keys actuate halfway thru their travel tho, unlike rubber domes which require you to bottom out (more stress) every single time in order for the key press to register. Neither's technically a deeper travel key tho, unlike you're comparing it to slimmer rubber dome boards or scissor boards with laptop style keys.If you're not bottoming out on a mechanical keyboard you actually produce very little noise, particularly with browns or reds... It's actually quieter than a membrane keyboard. I used various iterations of MS Natural keyboards for about fifteen years before going with a mechanical and tbh I haven't looked back. Took me maybe a week to adjust and as a side benefit I also don't experience as much of an abrupt switch when I type on my laptop more.
It's not for everyone, but I wouldn't dismiss it without trying one.
antef - Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - link
Thanks, maybe I should try one sometime, but I'm not sure where to find one. How are they on wrist fatigue? "Ergo" options are dwindling so it would be nice to know of good straight keyboards that still provide comfort. It seems impossible to use straight keyboards at a good wrist angle, but as others have said, maybe other factors end up mattering more.Impulses - Tuesday, October 9, 2012 - link
Why is everyone making such a big deal about the G600's size btw? Dustin seems to indicate it's too big for him but his own G500 looks bigger... At least from what I can gather while trying the G600 out thru the awful box cutout Logitech made for it, the thing is cut almost like they don't want people to know about the third button (mouse is tilted in/back on the right side)...I went to the store explicitly because I liked that third button design, I'm not sure I like the general/smaller shape tho. Gonna have to try it out elsewhere once it's out for display, or buy it to try out at some point (Best Buy here has it at $88 tho, ouch).
shin0bi272 - Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - link
not every one uses the default WASD controls there logitech. Plus the winning answer is cherry mx blacks not brown.Inteli - Thursday, November 29, 2012 - link
Ignorant Much? I personally use a Cherry MX Brown keyboard for gaming and i find it just fine. I've heard Cherry MX Blacks vary in quality a lot as well. And, if you knew anything about mechanical keyboards, you would know that the keys are replaceable. Just petition Logitech to release keycaps more oriented to ESDF. However, WASD is the industry standard, and it make more sense that if you're gonna cater to a certain way of moving your character to use the industry standard. If you like Cherry MX Blacks, that's cool, nobody minds, but there are already plenty of MX Black keyboards out there, most suited to gaming, and honestly, I've heard that most people really like Reds or Browns for gaming rather than Blacks. I know I certainly prefer them. Don't say something just based on what you like/what caters to you. Likely (unless you like Cherry MX Greens or Clears) there are keyboards that cater to you, so get someone else's keyboard. Logitech's not gonna be weeping because not everyone buys a Logitech Mechanical Keyboard.Peanutsrevenge - Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - link
Please tell me the keyboard comes with replaceable black WSAD / Arrow keys and that the god awful orange strip is removable/replaceable!Might work with an OC Gigabyte based system I guess :D
Hrel - Thursday, October 11, 2012 - link
I know you can't review everything; but I really wish you had a review for the G700. Wired/wireless mouse. I really like that it can be either, but I'm hesitant about the type of plastic they used on it, soft touch or gtfo. I don't like that hard plastic either.On another note I've been seeing a lot of NAS boxes using ARM processors now, can we get some reviews on those? I mean, how can it be fully functional running on ARM?