Gaming is a huge part of computing. In fact, gaming is one of the best possible methods to put the computer setup to test and determine its limits. The trend of gaming too, is very popular and is rightly so because the sheer beauty of the games make the activity of gaming such an important part of computing.
With gaming, comes a plethora of side activities. One of them is gaming hardware. Gaming hardware deals with a lot of specifications including a good quality motherboard, keyboard, gaming mouse, joystick if needed, graphics card, sound card etc.
Gaming hardware is increasingly becoming a very big market in its own right with many reputed companies joining in the race to make the best of hardware that any gamer can avail. Of the many popular and trusted companies, one is Logitech, which has been delivering top quality products at an amazing price point with great performance.
The legacy of Logitech and its products:
Logitech is no new name when it comes to gaming hardware and in fact any computer hardware market in general. Logitech began their journey in 1980s with computer mice. This was a huge hit and the company began to expand its wings into manufacturing other computer peripherals. Keyboards, webcams and PC speaker systems soon followed the cue and also began a huge hit with the users. Logitech had already made a good name for itself.
Gaming peripherals and Logitech:
As games began to grow in popularity, so did the essential gaming hardware. Logitech entered the market with gaming keyboards, which has now evolved into the brand new Logitech G510s keyboard. Perhaps the most attractive and eye catching feature of this superb keyboard is the back lights. With a palette of colours comprising of purple, grey, orange, green and blue, the Logitech G510s attempts to bring out the glow of the most suitable colour that either goes well with the game that is being played or the overall accent colour of the desktop PC.
An update to G510 – was it really necessary?
With the G510 keyboard being a benchmark product in the Logitech gaming hardware line up, the newly updated G510s has some really big catching up to do. The G510 was a huge hit without any doubt. But it did have its own share of areas where improvements were very much possible.
With the advent of the new Logitech G510s, the RGB backlighting system has received a big boost. This backlighting feature adds up to the actual colour of the peripheral by matching it. Whatever be the colour of the peripheral the RGB backlight feature matches it.
The improvements are quite noticeable as the colours of the lights are much more vibrant and responsive. Along with the small improvements in the RGB lighting, the design and built has also been given ample amount of refinement. This can be easily seen in eager eyes and is a successful implementation in its own respect. The overall improvement in the quality of the product makes its predecessor look a tad bit outdated, which is all very good.
Improvement in gaming specific features:
The Logitech G510s is not just any looks and feel overhaul over its predecessor. The overall usability and user experience with the keyboard has gained a big boost. Apart from its backlight feature additional specifications make it a must have accessory for every gamer. The latest update gives the keyboard a sturdy and handsome look with smoother performance. It can make any other keyboard look dull on its way. A blue plate behind the keys WASD gives it a more spectacular appearance.
Along with it the arrow keys have been made to look silver that is easily differentiable from the rest black ones. This keyboard has much rolled up in its sleeves for the new generation gamers. The wrist rest comes with an oleo phobic coating that keeps of all sorts of dust, sweat and dirt. Besides a double UV coatings on all the keys add up to extra durability and protection.
Since the G510 is made with care exclusively for the gamers, hence all the listed features make the gaming experience out of this world. The keyboard has three profiles which can be switched from one another using a set of dedicated M keys and eighteen macro keys. The macro keys also provide fifty four macro functions along with on the go customisable functions which come in quite handy.
Internally, the response time has been brought down to 2ms with the refresh rate going up to 500 Hz thanks to 6 key rollover. This new Logitech G510s is a big keyboard but the fact that it has plug and play ability, makes up for the size as it can be placed anywhere suitable. This keyboard shows off its best feature when runs on its own Logitech’s gaming software.
Unboxing the G510s- a beauty with power of beast
The front of the box comes with an image of the Logitech G510 with a half x-rayed part showing the PCBs. The back of the box shows off all the special features and the key points and functions of the beast.
Once unboxed the surprise doesn’t let us down, as one finds the keyboard in a smooth plastic sleeve that protects it from any scratches or dents during shipment. The keyboard boasts a shiny metallic look with the silvery arrow keys giving an extra point to its beauty. The back of the G510 is not as gorgeous as the front. It has rather a more matte finish. There are built in corner stands along with wrist rest mounts and the whole back part has been covered with thick rubber pads which ensure the keyboard to stay in its place in times of intense gaming. Apart from the original keyboard, a few add Ons are there, which in general are the wrist rest and few leaflets that have directions of use, precautions and general information.
Specifications of Logitech G510
As previously said, this keyboard has a lots of new and spectacular specifications, few of them has been given below.
Part Number
- 920-004967
Warranty details
- 3 year limited warranty on hardware issues
System Requirements
- Windows 8, Windows 7 or Vista along with high speed connectivity for downloading actual software
In the box
- Logitech G510 keyboard
- Wrist rest
- User manual
A closer experience-what’s in it actually?
As the specifications and its outer beauty have already been discussed it is also important to focus on the minute details that have made this beast absolutely stunning. Like normal keyboards, it has USB connectivity. The support stands at the corner are just perfect which can be flipped up or down. They have smooth hinges that does not feel clumsy at all. The keyboard comes with outer silicone membrane which gives another important feature.
The silicone membrane attracts less dust and dirt and if at all there is dirt, it can be simply cleaned with a cloth. Thus maintenance of a gaming keyboard like this has never been so easier. The keyboard does not make much noise like older ones due to this membrane feature and with the new 6 key rollover feature no key press will however be recorded.
- Function keys and LCD
There are multiple functions of the keyboard keys with an associated LCD. The keyboard has the LCD with input keys at the centre. The windows key which disables or switches the headphone or mic comes to the left of the panel while the right side is owned by brightness control keys.
- Side panel
The side panel has a dual tone colour feature which changes from the viewer’s angle. From the front view the keys appear speckled blue. While at an inclination to the side they appear normal black.
The right side is equipped with a volume control scroll wheel. Instead of primitive designs which had volume up/down keys, it has a more sophisticated roller that provides smoother experience during gameplay. Above the volume scroll wheel are the multimedia keys. The side panel of the keyboard has much of it to give in terms of function ability.
- Testing the software and associated features
The keyboard accessories don’t provide the software that helps in customizing and unlocking the true potential of this keyboard. However it can be downloaded from the website of Logitech under the G series customizing software. Once the software has been downloaded, it is now ready to use for customization.
The home screen of the software comes with macro section customization. Here any possible combination of keys can be included. Multiple key combos make functions and operations easier. During gameplay these multi key combinations can be the saviour in times of serious situations where any command can be input without changing the focus of the mouse.
There are dedicated 18 keys to work with different combinations. There are different profiles that can be switched when running different types of programs or games or any other software. This would save a lot of time and would provide an easier mode.
From the customization software, the game panel LCD can be customized accordingly. It allows us to change or choose between available programmes that are running on the keyboard directly. Few base programs that run are listed below:
- Clock
- Mail monitor
- RSS
- Countdown timer
- Performance monitor
- Profile selector
- Media display
These base programs can be switched in between functions from the LCD customization screen using dedicated keys. A few other associated apps available from the website for the customization of this keyboard include
- AMD LCD keyboard Applet
- Fire
- Ventrilo by Flagship Industries
- Fraps
These applets come with compatible games on this keyboard. Also many third party applets are available which are compatible with this keyboard that can be downloaded from their respective sites.
- Colour customization-a play of lights
The main attractive feature of this keyboard is the colour customization. It has a backlight RGB feature which can practically adjust to any colour on the colour panel. One can virtually imagine any colour and select it from the panel and the backlight feature will display it. The most top quality feature of this keyboard is highly appreciated.
It can display a wide range of colours from default red or blue or green to any combination of these three. The colour profiles are present in the associated software of the keyboard along with profiles loaded within the G510s itself. This helps to keep the customization colours on the go irrespective of the model of computer concerned.
- Settings-few handy tools
The settings page from the customization software allows more handy operations. The MR Button which is concerned with the functional abilities of the macros allows quick changes or combinations or any additions to the macros. This is one primary option that yields more to the keyboard. Other handy options are there which can be checked out too for further uses.
- Lighting
Since the keyboard has the attractive feature of colour combination, hence virtually any possible colour can be seen in its backlight feature. The Logitech G510s is a beauty in terms of looks and performance. In the dark, the backlight feature clearly helps identification of keys.
- Performance- is it really worth?
When it comes to performance, the G510s won’t let any gamer down. The appearance may look bold and difficult to use, however the performance is absolutely stunning and is easy to use. It doesn’t feel alienated. The soft rubber touch due to coated UVs give the softest and smoothest feeling one can expect from a hard-core gaming keyboard. The silicone membrane is equally satisfying.
The key response time has been extremely quick without any signs of delay or lagging. The G keys are highly sophisticated in terms of gaming and quick response. The rubber pads, stands, wrist rest all are very fantastic to use and provide the best gameplay experience. The G510s has a built in headset connector which is every gamers’ dream come true. Overall in terms of looks and performance and features it is a must have for every gamer.
Conclusion
The Logitech G510s is worth every cent spent on it. The dedicated G keys along with LCD customization display and RGB backlighting feature is absolutely a must buy. A hundred dollars at the most would be a perfect shot to buy.
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