Logitech G710+ Mechanical Keyboard and G600 MMO Mouse Review
by Dustin Sklavos on October 9, 2012 12:01 AM ESTIn Practice: The Software
Logitech has condensed their software into a single suite, the Logitech Gaming Software. As with any peripheral, this is the weakest link in the experience. I think this is cleaner than SetPoint or the software used for my G500 mouse, and it's easy to switch between the supported peripherals, but it still suffers from classic Logitech bloat. Being pestered for registration is aggravating, and while the keyboard side of the software seems to work smoothly, the mouse side is still buggy with the G600. I did speak to a rep on the phone and explained the issues I saw (button lighting not consistently working correctly in the software, DPI adjustments getting reversed), so hopefully those will be covered.
Thankfully both the G710+ and G600 can be programmed and have profiles stored in their on-board memory so you really only have to bother with the software once. Unfortunately, in the case of both pieces of hardware, that does mean losing features. You lose context switching (where the hardware switches modes and configurations depending on the software running), which is expected, but the G600 actually operates at irritatingly reduced functionality in on-board mode. My ancient-by-technology-standards G500 can have its buttons assigned to media playback keys and that configuration is stored on board; with the G600 that feature is conspicuously absent and I received conflicting reports as to why.
The Logitech Gaming Software suite ultimately isn't quite as frustrating or bloated as it used to be, but it still needs to be pared down and I feel like aesthetically it could be more functional and direct and less ostentatious. The dirty secret is that enthusiast/gamer class hardware is oftentimes worth looking at for productivity purposes; replacement keypads are routinely used by graphic artists for Photoshop shortcuts, and the increased precision and feedback of both quality gaming mice and keyboards is undoubtedly going to be useful to power users from any stripe.
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Impulses - Tuesday, October 9, 2012 - link
Yeah, that's what I'm saying, the brown switches on my Rosewill RK-9000 just don't feel very different from my K90... If I sit there and poke the key slowly (or stab it repeatedly, i.e. gaming) then I'll be much more aware of the feedback... During fast typing I don't really notice it much though.I'm sure if I spent some time with it maybe I could get accustomed to feeling it out, but I'm not really alone in this, I've seen lots of people express the same sentiment over at the keyboard & mouse sub forum at Hardforums. Other people swear by their brown boards though, maybe they're more sensitive to the subtle feedback. It's a very subjective thing. Amazon has a good return policy if you don't have any local options and you wanna order different keyboards to try out.
The Rosewill board I have should be fairly representative of other keyboards with browns too (perhaps unlike the Logitech in the review, the comments about dampening and pressure required make it sound weird), AFAIK they're actually Filco rebrands.
ol1bit - Tuesday, October 9, 2012 - link
I like the rubber kind of key feedback. No clicky stuff for me. Never liked the old IBM keyboards. Modern/lite feel is for me.2kfire - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - link
Just thought I'd mention for others reading these posts, mechanical switches are actually quite "lite" compared to most membrane switches.I went from a standard Dell to a keyboard with blues. I had never noticed until I made the switch (pun intended), but with the Dell I had to mash the keys, whereas with the blues, I just need to softly, EVER so lightly tap them :)
Old_Fogie_Late_Bloomer - Tuesday, October 9, 2012 - link
Thanks for responding. I've been a little reluctant to commit to a purchase and your input certainly isn't making me feel more confident. :-P I tend to hit the keyboard pretty hard; something tells me I'd plow right past the "tactile bump" without even noticing. Maybe I should just get a Unicomp for day-to-day typing and see how I feel about it for gaming. I mean, I can circle-strafe just fine with this worn-out old Dell, so...Impulses - Tuesday, October 9, 2012 - link
Do note that reds (and any Cherry key switch) will exhibit the same bottom out feedback tho, so if you tend to bottom out you'll still get that sharp clack that's signature of mechanical boards (those with plate mounted switches anyway)...What's missing (and less accentuated on browns) is that mid travel click that lets you know the switch has been depressed.
If you get used to not bottoming out you get nothing, and technically that mid way click is there to let you know when you've pressed far enough... Some people get used to it even without that feedback, others never do and always bottom out. That's part of what makes switch types a personal choice.
When gaming oost
Impulses - Tuesday, October 9, 2012 - link
Blah, pressed post too soon...When gaming you'll invariably bottom out. Either way a Cherry switch still feels very different from a rubber dome. Some people don't seem to get that, all Cherry switches provide mostly even pressure all thru their travel. Rubber domes never give you that. Rubber domes always end in a mushy bottom and always require bottoming out.
MrSpadge - Tuesday, October 9, 2012 - link
I do. In fact, I already have a "brownie" keyboard. Feels much better to me than blacks (couldn't lay my hands on reds yet, though).karasaj - Tuesday, October 9, 2012 - link
I like Browns and Blues a lot more actually for RTS games. I'm a fan.Old_Fogie_Late_Bloomer - Tuesday, October 9, 2012 - link
From everything I've read, I'm looking to get a brown keyboard, too...still rocking a crappy Dell I got free from my last job. At this price, though, I'd rather get a fully customized WASD with preinstalled O-rings. Maybe I can type on this a little in a Best Buy somewhere to get a better sense of the brown feel.piroroadkill - Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - link
Me, definitely. I paid a lot of money for a fully custom WASD with browns.