• Review: Logitech G110

    Review: Logitech G110

    Nachiket 'therapist' Mhatre, Jul 07, 2011 1147 hrs IST

    Overpriced.

    Customisable backlighting; Dedicated macro keys; Onboard USB audio device; Convenient media keys

    Overpriced; Cheap polydome switches; Hard wristpad; Mediocre build quality; Has the tactile feel of an entry-level keyboard

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Logitech G110
Type: Polydome switch
Backlit: Yes
MRP: Rs 4245
Street Price: ~Rs 3310


Whenever I look at an expensive keyboard, the first thing I check for is if it uses high-quality mechanical switches, and not dome switches. Manufacturers do not choose the latter for their quality or ergonomics. In reality, cost-cutting is the sole driving force behind their ubiquity. It is pointless to pay big money for what is essentially a cheap keyboard with a few macro keys thrown in. However, there are some exceptions to the rule. The Razer Tarantula, for example, features variable resistance keys for different keyboard zones. It may not employ mechanical switches, but the keys still feel and perform significantly better than a regular keyboard. The Logitech G110 similarly adopts polydome switches, despite a sticker price of Rs 4,245. Can it pull a Tarantula and justify its steep price, or is it just a sheep in wolf's clothing? Well, there's only one way to find out.


Review: Logitech G110


The bundled software makes assigning macros easy.



Macro Function
The G110 is backlit with red and blue LEDs, which can be dimmed and mixed in varying amounts to produce new hues. There's a button to toggle the lighting on and off as well. It features a full-sized layout, with 12 programmable G-keys. These keys reside on the left hand side and can be programmed to include simple shortcuts, as well as full-fledged macros. Each key can be assigned three different macros, which are selected by using the [M1], [M2], and [M3] keys situated on top of the G-key cluster. A customisable colour can be assigned to each macro selection key, which then lights up the whole keyboard in that colour, so that you can keep track of the currently selected macro set.

The [MR] key makes small work of setting macros on the fly without trifling with the software. All you need to do is first press the [MR] key, then the desired G-key you want to assign the macro to, then execute the macro sequence, and finally confirm it with another press of the [MR] key.

If you prefer to use the bundled software, Logitech's Gaming Software is simple to use and makes assigning macros a breeze. It scans the computer for installed games and automatically pre-populates the G-keys with macros from its sizeable database.

Although the G-keys come handy in RPG and RTS titles, their proximity to the column of modifier keys at the extreme left takes getting used to. For the first few days, I would invariably hit a G-key whenever I intended to press [CTRL].


Review: Logitech G110


The media keys - the best part of the keyboard.



Media Keys
The cluster of media keys at the top right-hand corner feels spongy and vague, but makes life quite easy. These keys let you access the Play, Pause, Stop, Skip, and Mute functions across most media players. The chunky jog dial controls the volume, and is a pleasure to use, unlike unwieldy digital + \ - buttons. The Windows keys can be disabled by the means of a slider switch, which saves you the agony of staring at the desktop as your videogame persona is slaughtered in the background - all thanks to an inadvertent keystroke. The keyboard also includes an awkwardly placed USB 2.0 port and an integrated USB audio device that kicks in only when you plug something into the headphone or mic jacks. Both the headphone and mic leads have dedicated mute buttons.


Review: Logitech G110


The on-board USB audio device works well.



Gaming
To put it bluntly, the G110 is no Tarantula. The dome switches used on the G110 seem lifted straight off an entry-level keyboard, so there's nothing much to speak about its gaming performance. I found the anti-ghosting safeguards kick in the moment I pressed the fourth simultaneous key. This shouldn't really be a problem for any control combination I can think of.

On the plus side, the extra G-keys are a godsend for RPG and RTS titles. Binding spells, utility belt shortcuts, group formations, and myriad macros to these keys will give you an edge in these genres. However, for any other genre, this is just a regular keyboard with fancy macro keys.


Review: Logitech G110


The wrist pad should have been softer.



Conclusion
The G110 doesn't look expensive. At this price, I expected better quality materials, but the keyboard disappoints with its hard plastics. It's not as cheaply made as your average entry-level keyboard though. Even then, the quality doesn't compare to other gaming keyboards in the same price range. A detachable wristpad makes life easier, but Logitech should have added some padding to this large hunk of uncomfortable plastic.

While I'm not loathe to paying a premium for quality, that isn't the case with the G110. This polydome keyboard feels just like any old polydome keyboard. This sucks big time, because the average polydome keyboard doesn't cost four grand. Even the street price of around Rs 3500 doesn't sound appetising when you can get a mechanical gaming keyboard for a few hundred bucks more. The Razer Black Widow (~Rs 3800) or the SteelSeries 6Gv2 are two better mechanical alternatives for a little more money, although the latter is quite hard to find.


Performance: 2.5/5
Design & Build Quality: 3/5
Features: 3.5/5
Value: 2/5
Mojo: 2.5/5

Overall Rating: 3/5

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Discussion Board
(8) Comments
Anuj Karkare
,Pune, on Jul 07, 2011 01:48 PM
Im planning to buy a Logitech G510, elder brother of this keyboard. Will it have a better gaming performance with the keys? Please advise...
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Nachiket
, TechTree, on Jul 07, 2011 04:56 PM
None of the Logitech G series keyboards include mechanical keys. I haven't tried the G510, but even the high end keyboards in this series have a tactile feedback that isn't much better than an average keyboard. If you like the idea of pressing a key all they way down to register an input with the polydome switches, as opposed to the 2 mm travel of an average mechanical key, then the G510 shouldn't be a problem. I personally would never spend that kind of money on a polydome keyboard, unless it delivers a significant improvement in tactile feedback over a regular keyboard.
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Anuj Karkare
,Pune, on Jul 07, 2011 07:32 PM
So please suggest a mechanical kayboard from 3k to 5k. They say the polydome is very well optimized on the G510. Unfortunately the Black Widow does not have illuminated keys. I need illuminated keys. And is there a lot of difference between the response time of mechanical and polydome keys?
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Nachiket
, TechTree, on Jul 08, 2011 01:35 AM
I have tried out the Razer Black Widow, and it's completely worth its (street) price of Rs 3800 (Prime ABGB at Lamington Rd.) In fact, I'm going to buy it for myself today, so you know I'm putting my money where my mouth is. However, it doesn't have backlit keys and audio ports. If you want it, you will have to spend Rs 2000 more for the Ultimate Edition of the Black Widow, which is the exact same keyboard with backlighting, audio jacks, and a USB port thrown in. I believe it's ridiculous to pay that much for a light show. As for the audio ports - the secret to good sound is to keep the signal loop short, so I'll skip those as well.
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Nachiket
, TechTree, on Jul 08, 2011 01:56 AM
Yes, there is a tremendous difference between the response time of membrane based dome switches and their mechanical cousins. Like I have already said, the latter requires only 2 mm of travel to send a signal. Dome switches, however, need to be bottomed out to short their conductive traces. So, yes, dome switches take significantly longer and more effort to register input. Moreover, mechanical switches are spring loaded, so they are more responsive than the spongy rubber membranes of their polydome counterparts. To put it in a nutshell, once you use a mechanical keyboard, there is no way in hell that you will ever go back to using a regular one.
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Anuj Karkare
,Pune, on Jul 08, 2011 12:21 PM
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Even i'l mostly buy the Black Widow soon. Also could you tell me about cleanliness. I have a Razer Lycosa currently and it had a lot of problems. Which keyboards are easier to clean, Mechanical or polydome? There's a lot of dust in my area. Also could you post a 'procedure' to clean keyboards. I'm sure many users will find it useful.
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Nachiket
, TechTree, on Jul 08, 2011 02:29 PM
Welcome to Bombay. Dust is one cast iron bitch here. However, a blast from compressed air cans (available at Staples and Prime ABGB) is the best, albeit a costly option. You can alternatively blow the dust and lint away using a vacuum cleaner. Unfortunately, none of that will not make your polydome keyboard as smooth as new. The problem isn't dust. These keyboards have plastic sliding parts, which become coarse and harder to press over time. Ideally, these type of keyboards should ideally employ self lubricating plastics such as Delrin, but the cost is a prohibiting factor. Mechanical switches have spring based actuation, so they age much better. In fact, my TVS mechanical keyboard was working like new till the day I decided to chuck it out.
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Anuj Karkare
,Pune, on Jul 08, 2011 02:49 PM
Thanks Nachiket, im going ahead with the Black Widow. I hope it serves me better than the Lycosa.
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