[Tech Tips] HID (Human Interface Devices) Part 1

Foreword:

It's been awhile that I've actually write something here except expressing my recent angst moment. Actually, that happened a long time ago and that is the exact stuff that I wanna say to that certain person. Well, with that said, I just don't want to be reminded about it again and move on with my life with more exciting stuff for me.

Anyway, I'm gonna cover with some of the basic stuff (to me and most of my geeky friends especially those in my FB friend list) plus the importance and reasons why I choose certain peripherals that are more expensive than the ordinary ones. Though, most of my peripherals are expensive, but sound system is not really my forte so I usually just choose a simple 2.0 speaker. For sound system, I prefer going slow with it. I mean, what good is a sound system if you have a sucky computer system that can't run games with FPS above 100, right? Mostly, I'm into headsets.

I'm gonna divide this into 2 parts with the first part where I'm gonna do some cover about mice, mouse pads or mouse surfaces and keyboards while the second one will be headsets and monitor.

Before I go on, I just wanna state that what I've recommended are my preference of the products. As the wise would say, a man's meat is another man's poison. So, not everything I recommended, will offer you the same experience that I had with the devices. When you wanna buy your own peripherals, anything that you feel comfortable of in getting the stuff in terms of budget and the feel when using the product, should be applied in this situation.

Till then,

Enjoy.


Mouse

Like athlete, a shoe is not just a shoe. For a gamer, a mouse, is not just a mouse. It's their precision factor for the headshots and kills which leads his/her team to victory. And to accomplished that, a gamer must be comfortable with his/her mouse. Zero-acoustic skates attached to the mouse below for smooth glides on your mouse pad, and a good sensor to avoid skipping problem when aiming. USB connection for fast data transfer rate then the old P/S 2 connection. A good polling rate for short response time and a hyper response buttons for zero lag clicks when clicking for shooting opponents. Besides that, mouse designs for ergonomicity (not sure whether this is a word) whether it's for both left or right handed players plus what styles on how the players are gonna use the mouse when playing whether it's palm grip, claw grip or fingertip grip.

After more than 3 years and counting using the Razer Diamondback Plasma Limited Edition, you can't go wrong with this. The world's first mouse equipped with Infrared sensor. Due to it's ambidextrous design, this mouse is made for right handed and left handed players. It came with an additional driver for gamers to configure which main button they would choose to click. Well, bad news, you can't really find this particular mouse anymore.

But the good news is that Razer has come out with the improved version of the Diamondback line called the Diamondback 3G with the improved 3G Infrared sensor.

I've been a fan of Infrared sensor ever since my Diamondback and I feel that I can never go wrong with Infrared so I got myself this. The Razer DeathAdder. I like the design because it resembles the Microsoft Habu and the Microsoft Intelli 3.0



Mouse pads/Surfaces for mouse

A mouse pad does plays a role in gaming. A good mouse pad will improve the tracking performance of the mouse. Besides that a good quality surface would ensure a longer lasting life of a mouse pad. On top of that, there are mouse pads made with certain precision whether gamers want control or speed. On top of that, the size of the mouse pad matters for different sensitivity mouse user. For most Asian players, they'll go for high sensitivity mouse settings so they'll go for mid size to small size mouse pad. While as for me and the rest of the non-Asian mouse user, I go for low sensitivity setting and my size preference would go from medium to large.

I got the Razer eXactMat Duo precision together with my Diamondback. It's comes with Control and Speed surfaces. It's a really good and durable mouse pad. But I will really need to wear a wristband on my right wrist when playing with it.

After using the eXactMat for awhile, I got myself the SteelSeries QCK Mass cloth mouse pad to eliminate the need for wristband. Right now, I'm setting my eyes for the Razer Goliathus Cloth mouse pad.


Keyboard

Like the case for mouse, it's a little similar for keyboard. Hyper Response Technology keys for fast response movements and changing to suitable weapons. USB connection for fast data transfer rate. Fully programmable keys feature for macro capability, Anti-ghosting capability for multiple keys pressed simultaneously without any "Ghosting" effects meaning that no signal failure occurs when three to four keys are pressed simultaneously. Profile Switching for different game configurations high polling rate for short response time. Windows key deactivation feature for unwanted interruption when accidentally switched to desktop when pressing the windows key. Besides that, backlight feature for late night gaming session and detachable wrist rest is a plus.

A year and a 3 quarters ago, I purchased the Razer Lycosa having it replacing my Logitech Ultra Flat keyboard. The eye candy of this baby for me is the backlight keys on it. Though, it lacks some features from the famous Razer Tarantula, I like it's simplicity design and the feel of it. After almost 2 years of using it, I found of that the D button are wearing off. It happens with rubber coated buttons which is why I'm aiming for the Razer Lycosa Mirror Edition. Even with the wear-offs, the Lycosa is still a good quality build from Razer.

That's it for part one. Stay tuned for part 2.

-VIRUZXP-