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Most players who box or automate aspect of their gameplay eventually stumble onto programmable keyboards, keypads and to a lesser extent, programmable mice, to indulge their laziness.
Many people here are familiar with the X-Keys from P.I. Engineering. I use them and they're not bad, although I didn't like it when they moved away from a self-contained programming method built into each unit to one dependent on software on the PC. Last time I checked their software doesn't run under Vista so to program an X-Keys you have to connect it to an XP system to download your keystrokes to the X-Keys before using it on a Vista PC. That's lame.
I recently discovered Genovation's line of programmable keypads, specifically the 24-key Controlpad 683 and the 35-key Controlpad 682. The 24-key pad is cheaper (by $30) and smaller than X-Keys' comparable 20-key unit. The 35-key unit is amazingly smaller (11 more keys for just an extra inch of width compared to the 24-key) but it's pricey at $160. I do like it's rectangular shape, though, it fits nicely in front or next to a keyboard. X-Keys has a 50-key monster unit which is pug-ugly, in a big boxy square unit and it doesn't fit anywhere in most desk setups. Genovation seems have been successful at miniaturizing the guts to the point where the top of their units contains just keys, no wasted blank surface space.
Here's a link to the Genovation 24-key unit:
http://www.genovation.com/683.htm
I just started playing with this unit and the only problem I've run into is, once again, I can't seem to download a configuration file for gameplay keystrokes under Vista! It downloads fine under XP. I installed Genovation's configuration software into both systems and didn't get any error messages during installation. Both PC's will "see" the 683's keystrokes; I just can't download non-default commands under Vista.
Anyone run into this? Of course, it's the weekend so I can't call their tech support, which I plan to do tomorrow.
Generally, also, anyone have any other programmable keyboards to recommend? I love trying out new and interesting hardware but there aren't really a lot of good programmable KB's out there. First of all, what is sometimes called "programmable" just allow you to program a small handful of Windows system commands and no macros. When a KB is fully programmable, it's usually HUGE and clutters up the desktop. I'm still using a MCK142-Pro from Ortek, made over 15 years ago. It's a great keyboard, with old-style clickety-clack keys and 24 fully programmable extra function keys, no software required. But they don't make 'em anymore and when this one dies I won't be able to replace it. Plus I can only use one for boxing since if I used the same KB for my other PC's there'd be no room on my desktop for the beer!
The best thing about programmable keyboards and keypads is that they're entirely legal under the EULA!
Many people here are familiar with the X-Keys from P.I. Engineering. I use them and they're not bad, although I didn't like it when they moved away from a self-contained programming method built into each unit to one dependent on software on the PC. Last time I checked their software doesn't run under Vista so to program an X-Keys you have to connect it to an XP system to download your keystrokes to the X-Keys before using it on a Vista PC. That's lame.
I recently discovered Genovation's line of programmable keypads, specifically the 24-key Controlpad 683 and the 35-key Controlpad 682. The 24-key pad is cheaper (by $30) and smaller than X-Keys' comparable 20-key unit. The 35-key unit is amazingly smaller (11 more keys for just an extra inch of width compared to the 24-key) but it's pricey at $160. I do like it's rectangular shape, though, it fits nicely in front or next to a keyboard. X-Keys has a 50-key monster unit which is pug-ugly, in a big boxy square unit and it doesn't fit anywhere in most desk setups. Genovation seems have been successful at miniaturizing the guts to the point where the top of their units contains just keys, no wasted blank surface space.
Here's a link to the Genovation 24-key unit:
http://www.genovation.com/683.htm
I just started playing with this unit and the only problem I've run into is, once again, I can't seem to download a configuration file for gameplay keystrokes under Vista! It downloads fine under XP. I installed Genovation's configuration software into both systems and didn't get any error messages during installation. Both PC's will "see" the 683's keystrokes; I just can't download non-default commands under Vista.
Anyone run into this? Of course, it's the weekend so I can't call their tech support, which I plan to do tomorrow.
Generally, also, anyone have any other programmable keyboards to recommend? I love trying out new and interesting hardware but there aren't really a lot of good programmable KB's out there. First of all, what is sometimes called "programmable" just allow you to program a small handful of Windows system commands and no macros. When a KB is fully programmable, it's usually HUGE and clutters up the desktop. I'm still using a MCK142-Pro from Ortek, made over 15 years ago. It's a great keyboard, with old-style clickety-clack keys and 24 fully programmable extra function keys, no software required. But they don't make 'em anymore and when this one dies I won't be able to replace it. Plus I can only use one for boxing since if I used the same KB for my other PC's there'd be no room on my desktop for the beer!
The best thing about programmable keyboards and keypads is that they're entirely legal under the EULA!
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