Wanted: new keyboard and mouse

[MarcLister]

Hi all. I'm getting fed up with my Logitech MX1000. The charging base is getting hard to work with now. I will place the mouse in the charging base and I have to wiggle the mouse around for ages to get the charging process to start. It is also suffering from a very annoying dodgy clicking error. So I would like a WIRED mouse. I'm thinking the Razer Deathadder looks very nice but if I get this will it be OK on my wooden desk or should I get a mouse mat for it? If so, which one? A normal one or a specific Razer gaming one?

I also have a wireless (Bluetooth) Apple keyboard, 1st generation and it sometimes just blanks out on me and I'm waiting 30+ seconds for key presses to be registered. When it comes to the keyboard I have absolutely no idea what to get. I don't want a gaming one but again I would like a WIRED keyboard. I'm getting quite disillusioned with wireless keyboards and mice.

It would be nice, but not essential, to have a keyboard with backlit keys for when I'm on my PC in the early hours. As I understand it the Microsoft/Razer keyboard does this as well as the Saitek Eclipse model. Which one is best? And are these ergonomic keyboards any good or not worth it? Is the 1st gen Saitek Eclipse better than the 2nd gen or not?

From the pics the Microsoft/Razer keyboard looks huge. Is it? Are there any other better wired keyboards out there?

I will get the Razer Deathadder so I can spend about £20 on a mouse mat and £35-40 tops on a keyboard. Hope you can give me some ideas.

[Buzzsaw]

I've read some reviews of the Eclipse that said it had some faults, my Eclipse 2 does not have these. Its also a very nice feel, and the backlighting is very good (also has sidelights to see your mouse!).

[MarcLister]

Yeah I have seen some reviews about the Eclipse keyboard about the letters on the keys coming off after a while. Normally I'd be one to for the latest generation but this seems to have more problems? However the Eclipse keyboards look to be a decent size unlike the Microsoft Razer one which is bigger than Rwanda it seems.

[Buzzsaw]

You might also want to try some keyboards IRL, not just looking online.
For something that your going to be touching everyday, 5 mins in PC World or somewhere is a small price to pay. I spent some time looking at the displays, and trying out keyboards and mice for size (I have big hands, and like a reasonable large mouse). If you can find an Eclipse I'll have a heartattack, but you can check sizes with what they do have.

[MarcLister]

A good idea Buzzsaw. Thanks.

[Prismatic]

I've got an Eclipse 1 and the only trouble I've noticed in a year's use is that the volume up and down buttons open the esc menu in Bioshock, but then I usually use the speaker controls anyway. Otherwise a pretty nice keyboard.

[kalniel]

I've recently purchased an eclipse II, size is great - it's basically a normal keyboard size which was very much welcome compared to the other 'gaming' keyboards. Key presses are a little bit light for me, but they are dampened so it's a very quiet keyboard. My gf likes changing the light colour while I'm playing.

Wired mice-wise.. there's an unbelieveable amount of choice. I've never seen any optical mouse struggle on wood.

[MarcLister]

Wired mice-wise.. there's an unbelieveable amount of choice. I've never seen any optical mouse struggle on wood.

I haven't either. It was another review on the Razer Deathadder saying that the pads the mouse moves on wore away after a while.

[kalniel]

I haven't either. It was another review on the Razer Deathadder saying that the pads the mouse moves on wore away after a while.

*nods* I can see that happening, but teflon pads are dirt cheap if that ever happened in normal use.

[MarcLister]

Ah OK so wasn't complete nonsense? Where would I buy teflon pads from and how easy it to replace them?

Course I could just get a mouse pad for the Deathadder.

[kalniel]

Ah OK so wasn't complete nonsense? Where would I buy teflon pads from and how easy it to replace them?

Well I don't know any specifics about the mouse in question - I have a logitech mx518 on wood an the pads are wearing a little bit but nothing to be alarmed about.

They're about £2-5 a very quick google came up with :
KustomPCs.co.uk

or

Teflon Mouse Skates w/peel off liner [Teflon Mouse Skates w/peel off] - £1.99 : MouseGear!, Gameing Mouse Accessories

[dakini]

I have a deathadder, but not noticed the pads wearing yet.

[k0nigen]

Deathadder + Exactmat = awesome

[McPhee]

There's a bit of a difference in size between the MX1000 and a Deathadder. Are you sure you'll like the Deathadder?

I've got an Eclipse here, great keyboard! Can't see the letters wearing off tbh, they're transparent.

[MarcLister]

MX1000 is bigger?

[donkiddik]

Try the MX518, wired and a good mouse