Gaming Keyboard G105 for COD: MW3
Score: 70% Developer: Logitech Device Type: Controller
Function: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is out and stands a good shot at game of the year and gamers who are fans of MW3 have no shortage of licensed gaming gear to show their affinity for the game. Case in point, there's the Gaming Keyboard G105 for Modern Warfare 3; a keyboard designed with gaming in mind, and licensed, logoed and themed for Call of Duty MW3.
Performance: There are some features about the G105 that are definitely nice ideas for a gaming keyboard: the gaming button that allows you to disable the Windows key when you're playing a game to prevent accidental triggering of Windows shortcuts during the game. There's also the addition of six programmable "G" macro buttons to let you add easy-to-access custom actions, from simple key presses or key combinations to series of keystrokes. Further, there are three "M" keys (M1, M2 and M3) that serve as game or usage profiles, allowing the 6 G keys to be able to serve up to 18 different purposes. There is also a button marked MR, which allows you to quickly program a G key on-the-fly. Simply press the (MR) key, then the G key you wish to program, then hit the sequence of keystrokes you want to assign to the G key and then, finally, hit the (MR) key again to stop recording. Simple. There's also the green back-lit keys, with two brightness levels and a button for quickly and easily rotating through the three settings (off, dim and bright). These do a good job of showing which keys are where, but the symbols on the front side of the function keys for the media controls don't light up, so you'll have to remember which function key to use if you're going to be using it in the dark. Also, the (MR) key is only lit up when in recording mode, and only one of the "M" keys is lit up at a time. It's strange that they didn't light all the time, with one color indicating which one is active... and the same active/inactive color scheme could have been used on the (MR) key, as well. However, this shouldn't be a big issue unless you're switching back and for between setups a lot... or attempting to record macros while playing in the dark. The G105 also features media controls which might not necessarily be a gaming feature, but the volume controls come in handy, even during games. Rather than adding extra buttons for the media controls, however, the G105 uses a (FN) button, similar to what laptops typically do. To use the media features, you use the (FN) key, which is just to the left of the (Right Alt) key in conjunction with functions keys (F6) through (F12). This is actually not a bad way to handle the media controls on a gaming keyboard; you shouldn't need them often when playing a game and they're not likely to accidentally get hit during gameplay.
Features: Call of Duty: MW3 Themed and Branded Green Backlit Keys with 3 Settings (Dim/Bright/Off) 6 Programmable "G" Keys Game Mode Switch Disables Windows/Context Keys Multi-Key Input (Up to 5 Keys at Once) Media Control Keys Highlighted WASD and Arrow Keys
Drawbacks & Problems:: While the idea of additional control is always a good one, and the addition of programmable macro buttons on a keyboard are welcome, the placement of the "G" keys on the Gaming Keyboard G105 were a bit problematic at first. (G3), (G4), (G5) and (G6) are just to the left of the Tab key, the Caps Lock key, the Left Shift key and the Left Control key, respectively, to the point that I would often either hit the "G" key in addition to the normal key, or instead of actually hitting the intended normal key, since these keys are typically found on the left-most side of the keyboard. This became less of an issue with practice, but it's definitely something to be aware of, as it makes these four normal keys more difficult to hit quickly without looking. In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, I ended up putting frag grenades on (G1) and melee on (G2)... basically since these were both acceptable last ditch efforts... if I'm about to get capped, I can flail my hand to the upper right hand corner of the keyboard and I might stab at someone, but I'm guaranteed to throw a grenade (well, if I have one - and if I have enough time to finish the action). Things you want to be able to quickly and frequently hit might best be placed on (G3) or (G4), as these are more easily accessible with the left pinky by just reaching over the (Tab) and Caps Lock keys. The Gaming Keyboard G105 for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has a lot of good aspects, including the Modern Warfare 3 branding and lighting color scheme, but the placement of the "G" keys keeps coming back to haunt me. I'm just so used to the fact that (Escape), (`), (Tab), (Caps Lock) , (Left Shift) and (Left Ctrl) are the left-most keys on the keyboard, that I often find myself hitting the "G" keys instead of them. If you're looking to put together a sweet gaming rig for playing MW3 at a LAN party, the G105 for MW3 could definitely help complete your desired look. However, if you find that you have to use that same PC for working on documents later, you might want to have a normal keyboard standing by.
-Geck0, GameVortex Communications AKA Robert Perkins
Related Links: Gaming Keyboard G105 for Call of Duty: MW3 on Logitech's Website Buy the Gaming Keyboard G105 Call of Duty: MW3 Edition on Amazon
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