Logitech G13 vs Razer Orbweaver

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RedJaron

RedJaron

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I'm looking to get a gaming keypad. It seems like right now the best choices are either the G13 or Orbweaver ( and I know the price difference between them is pretty big. ) I'm leaning toward the Orbweaver but I have some questions/concerns about each that I'd rather have answered before I buy one. I've searched the forum, but nothing has answered the specific questions I have. The biggest problem is that I can't find any in local stores to get a physical feel for them.

Concerns about the G13:
  • ■ Default Hand position. - I'm not sure I like the idea of having the "home row" at the top. It seems it would be better to have your fingers on the two middle rows so that I can reach up and down for the extra keys. I'm not sure how you're supposed to get to the bottom row of keys, unless they're intended for your thumb.
    ■ Analog Stick - From the look of this, it would appear that it hits the side of your thumb rather than the pad. Does anyone find that placement/angle awkward to use?
    ■ Non-Adjustable - Pretty self-explanatory.
Concerns about Orbweaver:
  • ■ Cost - I'm not keen on spending $130 if I don't have to. And If I get one I want the Stealth model, because MX Blue switches are far too noisy, and right now that's only available direct from Razer, meaning no sale prices.
    ■ How Adjustable Is It - I've looked at a Tartarus, but the palm rest can only be fully extended or retracted. There's no halfway distance. Is this the same case on the Orbweaver?
    ■ Synapse - I've read a few horror stories about Synapse being online only and about having to log in every time you want to use it. How bad is it? Also I've read that Logitech Game Software conflicts with Synapse. I've got a Logitech MX Revolution mouse that uses the older SetPoint software. Will Synapse cause problems with it?
As I said, right now I'm leaning for the Orbweaver ( the Tartarus is ok, but I really want that fourth row of keys. ) I've tried a Tartarus at a store and I like the placement and angle of the thumbpad ( compared to the flatter look of the G13, ) and I like the space bar paddle ( just flick your thumb down without worries of hunting for a button. ) The Orbweaver also looks more adjustable to fit my hand. And finally I like that the "home row" is in the middle of the pad, not at the very top ( I'm not sure how Logitech figures is the best way to use that bottom row of keys on the G13. )

However, if the Orbweaver messes up my mouse, I'll go for the G13 and hope for the best.
 
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ssddx
g13:
-i found the positioning of the buttons to be a bit awkward as well. it is too hard to use all of the buttons in that orientation.
-the analog stick is pointy and not comfortable at all. it can however be modded by putting a ps3 analog stick on it
-my problem wasnt with the non adjustable nature but just the worse ergonomics of the g13
-the nice thing is that this has a real analog stick (not a dpad like the razer products).

orbweaver:
-its definitely not worth the cost.
-cant say how adjustable it is sorry..
-i can say that the analog stick (its actually not an analog stick.. its a 4 way d pad) blows. its way too stiff
-synapse blows as well. you need to sign up with an account to use the software. its pretty invasive and wants...
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ssddx

ssddx

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g13:
-i found the positioning of the buttons to be a bit awkward as well. it is too hard to use all of the buttons in that orientation.
-the analog stick is pointy and not comfortable at all. it can however be modded by putting a ps3 analog stick on it
-my problem wasnt with the non adjustable nature but just the worse ergonomics of the g13
-the nice thing is that this has a real analog stick (not a dpad like the razer products).

orbweaver:
-its definitely not worth the cost.
-cant say how adjustable it is sorry..
-i can say that the analog stick (its actually not an analog stick.. its a 4 way d pad) blows. its way too stiff
-synapse blows as well. you need to sign up with an account to use the software. its pretty invasive and wants to connect to the internet when you start your pc. there is a way to use it in offline mode (or so i've heard).

there is another option.

nostromo:
-much better ergonomics than g13
-comfortable to use stick (but its still just a dpad)
-nice mechanical keys
-only about $50-60

when i was looking for a gaming pad the nostromo was what i ended up buying and trying out at home. honestly it worked out pretty good however i really wanted an analog stick (not a dpad). this worked fine for movement in a RPG i bought it for though i ended up returning it since i decided using my ps3 controller worked much better. if i had need of one the nostromo would be my first pick (though if it had an analog stick it would have been perfect). the new razer product (orbweaver) is a very poor product in comparison.
 
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RedJaron

RedJaron

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As I've read, it seems the newer Nostromos are much worse than the originals, and it only has three rows of keys like the Tartarus. I'm really hoping to get four rows. And so far as my research goes, there are no mech Nostromos ( but I'm fine with membrane keys. ) The major difference here is that the Nostromo has legacy drivers that don't require Synapse ( which again, I have no experience with so I can't say if I'd hate the software or not. ) I suppose one option would be to buy a Tartarus locally, install the software, and see if it messes up my mouse. If it does, I can take it back, order a G13, and just make do. If it doesn't, I can order the Orbweaver and then return the Tartarus.

I know the Razer products have hat-switches instead of analog sticks. It doesn't bother me either way. An analog stick gives me the option to remap movement and free up my fingers for more buttons ( I'd just need to remap the space bar jump since I couldn't hit that and move at the same time. ) An 8-way hat ( 4 on the Tartarus/Nostromo, ) means my thumb suddenly has 10 buttons immediately available, so that can be useful as well.

I know that I'd have to pay for the Razer name for the Orbweaver. As I said, I'm not happy about that premium, but if that's the only option that meets all my feature requests . . .
 
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ssddx

ssddx

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well the big difference here is this...

the razer nostromo is basically the belkin n52 speedpad. razer bought the design rights and started producing it on their own. the design is not razers at all (probably why its better!)

the orbweaver however is razers attempt to improve the design (its actually a setback except for the nice addition of mechanical)

legacy razer software is actually half decent. i personally had the software installed for the nostromo and had no real issues. i've also owned a razer deathadder which has legacy drivers for over 5 years. the drivers simply work and do not require silly connections to the internet or razer accounts.

honestly i would highly suggest trying out a nostromo first even though as you said it doesnt have as many keys as you like. thats still 16 buttons, a scroll wheel and a 4way hat switch. it also feels somewhat natural to use and pressing all of the buttons is fairly easy. you can think of the nostromo as a tarterus design (well its actually what the tarterus was based on) but instead of the 2nd version (tarterus) being better theoriginal (nostromo) is actually the nicer product to use. again, only my opinion from using a nostromo and being able to see the others and play with them in person.

since i live in the usa and have a best buy slash microcenter nearby i've been able to place my hands on all of them. the nostromo design with 3 key rows was the most comfortable. the orbweaver wasnt bad but felt a little too large. the g13 felt too big and the buttons felt like they were in the wrong place as well as the analog stick being uncomfortable to use. both the orbweaver and tarterus felt like they had very stiff hat switches in relation to the one on the nostromo which felt about right.

hmm... the razer software does show 8way for the orbweaver but i'm not sure if its really an 8way hat switch or if its just the software calculating diagonals on a 4 way hat. in any case its not a true analog stick unfortunately.

in any case... thats my personal opinion on the matter anyways. you can make your own decision i'm sure but hopefully that at least gave you a second opinion.
 
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RedJaron

RedJaron

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I'm aware of the history of the N52, having read the review of the original N50 in PC Gamer over 10 years ago. Razer didn't enter the mix until the N52te.
belkins.jpg
 
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RedJaron

RedJaron

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Well, I got a Razer Tartarus last night from Best Buy and I started messing around with it. It will take a little brain reprogramming, but I like the results so far. Synapse hasn't caused any problems with SetPoint and other than another process running in the background I haven't noticed anything bad about it. It's not the fastest software to set up, but it seems pretty robust. You can even have a normal Windows profile and map things like Windows shortcuts, application launchers, even Windows 8 Charm bar tasks.

My one complaint about it so far is it's almost impossible to hit the hat-switch corners without going through the adjacent positions first. My old Sidewinder 3D Pro joystick also had an 8-way hat and I never had this problem. I think it just has a longer throw than the Tartarus. But considering I thought it was only 4-way, I'm not too bummed about it.

This encourages me about the Orbweaver, and I could definitely use the five extra keys. I see a few of the normal ones on eBay for about $80. I might get one of the loud ones then swap the MX Blues for Browns to get it quiet. Now I just need to price out MX switch singletons and where to get them.
 
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Il Cobra

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I would like to know if it s possible to use the front keys of the Orbweaver with the thumb. I know it s possible with the g13.
I m used to spam a lot with my thumb using X,C and V keys on my keyboard.
Any1 can help me with this?
 
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RedJaron

RedJaron

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The Orbweaver ( I now have one, ) is more rounded than the G13 and more sculpted to your hand. Since i'ts not so flat, you have to move your thumb up and over the thumbpad section to reach the bottom row of keys. In short, you can reach those buttons with your thumb, but the product wasn't designed to accommodate it since you have to shift your hand around. Mapping the X, C, V, and B keys to the Orbweaver's thumbpad would give you faster access to those keys.
 
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