When talking about PC gaming, there are two primary interfaces that developers
design for — the classic mouse and keyboard, bastion of twitchy shooters
everywhere, and a console-style gamepad, which tends to be better for third-person
action and driving.
design for — the classic mouse and keyboard, bastion of twitchy shooters
everywhere, and a console-style gamepad, which tends to be better for third-person
action and driving.
But there is a middle ground — left-handed gamepads. These odd-looking gadgets
bridge the gap between a controller and a keyboard. For the right kind of gamer, they
make an excellent alternative to a conventional gaming keyboard. The modified
ergonomics are better since the designers don’t have to worry about typing, and they
typically include some kind of D-pad or thumb stick to free up even more controller
buttons. They’re especially good for shooters and first-person RPGs, as well as
tactical games and FPS titles. Below are a few of our favorite options.
bridge the gap between a controller and a keyboard. For the right kind of gamer, they
make an excellent alternative to a conventional gaming keyboard. The modified
ergonomics are better since the designers don’t have to worry about typing, and they
typically include some kind of D-pad or thumb stick to free up even more controller
buttons. They’re especially good for shooters and first-person RPGs, as well as
tactical games and FPS titles. Below are a few of our favorite options.
Logitech’s G13 design hasn’t changed in several years, but it doesn’t really need
to. Its key feature is the built-in screen. Yes, this is a tiny keyboard with its own
screen, plus a full selection of extra management buttons at the top. And since it also
retails for $80, the G13 is the left-hand gamepad to get if you want bang for your buck.
to. Its key feature is the built-in screen. Yes, this is a tiny keyboard with its own
screen, plus a full selection of extra management buttons at the top. And since it also
retails for $80, the G13 is the left-hand gamepad to get if you want bang for your buck.
The aforementioned screen can be used to manage the control profiles assigned to
the G13, set up macro combinations on the fly (though they’re still available in
Logitech’s gaming software), or even manage voice communication and media
playback. It’s all a bit extraneous to be honest, but those who love tweaking their
settings to perfection will probably get some solid entertainment from the screen
alone.
the G13, set up macro combinations on the fly (though they’re still available in
Logitech’s gaming software), or even manage voice communication and media
playback. It’s all a bit extraneous to be honest, but those who love tweaking their
settings to perfection will probably get some solid entertainment from the screen
alone.
Ergonomically, the G13 would be ambidextrous if it weren’t for the thumb cluster, and
the palm rest is fixed and can’t be adjusted. It may appeal more to gamers who prefer
WASD controls for movement over the joystick. The backlighting color on the screen
can also be customized.
the palm rest is fixed and can’t be adjusted. It may appeal more to gamers who prefer
WASD controls for movement over the joystick. The backlighting color on the screen
can also be customized.
The first entry on our list is also probably the most popular. The ergonomics on this
pad are excellent — far better than even the most accommodating gaming keyboard
— and successive iterations of the design have only made it better. The latest
models eschew a Genesis-style directional pad for a fast and thumb-friendly
miniature joystick, and the “Chroma” version will work with Razer’s multi-colored
lighting system.
pad are excellent — far better than even the most accommodating gaming keyboard
— and successive iterations of the design have only made it better. The latest
models eschew a Genesis-style directional pad for a fast and thumb-friendly
miniature joystick, and the “Chroma” version will work with Razer’s multi-colored
lighting system.
The Tartarus features 15 primary buttons for the index-through-pinky fingers,
a joystick for the thumb, and a miniature spacebar and alt-fire button that you can
easily hit with your thumb. These are great for modifiers or alt-fire modes, like
grenades. You can also slide the angled palm rest up and down to accommodate
larger or smaller hands. Most gamers will find that setting up a control scheme for
the controller works best from the game menu, but there’s also an option to assign
custom profiles and macros using Razer’s software.
a joystick for the thumb, and a miniature spacebar and alt-fire button that you can
easily hit with your thumb. These are great for modifiers or alt-fire modes, like
grenades. You can also slide the angled palm rest up and down to accommodate
larger or smaller hands. Most gamers will find that setting up a control scheme for
the controller works best from the game menu, but there’s also an option to assign
custom profiles and macros using Razer’s software.
Razer’s upgraded gamepad uses more or less the same one-handed design as the
Tartarus, but comes with an extra row of finger buttons, all of which use mechanical
switches. Fans of mechanical keyboards might be won over by this addition alone, as
the clicky, satisfying action of mechanical switchers is coveted by many. Razer Green
(tactile) and orange (linear) switch options are available, and the keys can be
customized. But the extra buttons and the gamepad’s complex construction make the
price jump to $130. Still, it does offer 20 individual buttons, along with two thumb
buttons.
Tartarus, but comes with an extra row of finger buttons, all of which use mechanical
switches. Fans of mechanical keyboards might be won over by this addition alone, as
the clicky, satisfying action of mechanical switchers is coveted by many. Razer Green
(tactile) and orange (linear) switch options are available, and the keys can be
customized. But the extra buttons and the gamepad’s complex construction make the
price jump to $130. Still, it does offer 20 individual buttons, along with two thumb
buttons.
The Orbweaver also offers three different axes for the palm rest, allowing for more
precise ergonomic customization, and you can individually adjust the Chroma
lighting for each column of buttons (unlike with the Tartarus). But unless you’re
really, really insistent on using mechanical keys for gaming, the Orbweaver’s higher
price tag probably isn’t worth the upgrade.
precise ergonomic customization, and you can individually adjust the Chroma
lighting for each column of buttons (unlike with the Tartarus). But unless you’re
really, really insistent on using mechanical keys for gaming, the Orbweaver’s higher
price tag probably isn’t worth the upgrade.
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