Looking for a cool setup...

[Deflex]

Hey guys, I have been wondering lately what I want to get for my birthday coming up at the end of March and for several years I've been playing PC first person shooters such as bf2 and hl2 and I have just a basic setup: Keyboard, mouse, and joystick. I've been wanting to upgrade for a while and I think it's about time for me to get a good mic and probably a better gaming mouse so if you got any suggestions for me, that would be great. I've been doing a little searching on the net myself but personal feedback from other gamers would be the best kind of help... THANKS A TON!

Please feel free to post screenshots, prices, and make sure to tell me what kind of mic/mouse you own and why YOU think it is the best regarding its features and characteristics.

Thanks! (btw, I honestly don't think this is the right place to post this thread but I didn't know any place that would be better - so if an admin moves it, that would actually be better. thx)

[jesus]

I don't really like headsets for mics. I just find that they're really uncomfortable, even when spending $80+. Also, the sound just didn't seem as good as my $100 headphones.

So instead of buying a headset, or a seperate mic, I just use the mic on my webcam for BF2 voip, and ventrilo. It works great and the sound quality is better than my brother's headset. Plus, I still get to wear my favourite headphones.

I'm not advising you to not get a headset. I'm just giving you an opinion of another option :)

[=98=]

Budget?

I use Saitek Eclipse keyboard, Logitech G5 mouse with a Steelpad S&S mousepad, and a £5 desktop mic.

The keyboard isn't the best. It just does it's job well, and the keys have a nice feel to them. No extra gimmicks or anything.

The G5 has a proper laser engine, not optical. It has 5 on the fly DPI modes. I only use two, one for full sensitivity, and one for minimum. It also has interchangeable weights to get the feel right. I just wish there was another thumb button like the MX518

The mousepad is the best. A lot people think it doesn't make a difference, but, it really makes movement smooth and precise. Once you use a proper pad, you simply cant go back.

I bought a £50 gaming headset, and luckily the speakers didn't work properly so i could refund it. That's good because i absolutely hated it. It made my skull sore, it made my ears sweat and hurt, it gave me a stupid ring around the top of my hair, it was too big, it had too many wires, it cost too much, the sound quality was awful, the mic got in the way, the controller was flimsy and had too many options and it took so much setting up and fidgeting in options to get right, i wanted to self harm.

I went back to using the £5 mic and a £5 set of Sennheiser earbuds which completely outdoes the headset in terms of comfort and quality of sound.

[Deflex]

Well thanks for the quick reply!

Tomeis: Thanks for your opinion but I don't have a webcam and I don't think I really need one so I'll probably stick to either a desktop mic or a headset.

[MyIS]Alex: I would say my budget ranges around $20-50(ish) although I wouldn't hesitate too much if it was a little over, say around $60. Thanks for the information and I'll look up that logitech G5 mouse and desktop mic. Also, it sounds like you didn't care much for the headset. (lol), so do you prefer/suggest a desktop mic as a better option? Speaking of the mx518, as a matter of fact before I started this thread I googled 'gaming mouse' and one that really appealed to me wat the mx518 mouse and I do absolutely love the fact that it has buttons on the side. Would it be a good choice, you think?

Thanks again!

[=98=]

Go for a MX518 and a $10 desktop mic (Max!). You'll get that for about $50.

If you can, get a nice mousepad, but they can be expensive.

EDIT: This will do: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2003&Tpk=Trust

[Deflex]

Alright, well I looked at cnet.com's review on 'mice' in general and guess what?! the mx518 mouse showed up at the top according to what people rated it! It turns out that the mx518 seems to be the top gaming mouse out now and apparently it's pretty popular, plus all the reviews I read were great! Even better, I can get the mouse at Best Buy for $47.99 which is within my budget!! Well it seems that I've found the perfect mouse but I still need some help looking for the right microphone.

If you still have suggestions for a gaming mouse, still feel free to let me know, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the mx518 logitech!

Party! Party! Party! :)

[=98=]

The MX518 is $39.99 here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826104178

Buy it online, seriously.

And, if the only reasons for your mic is VOIP, Teamspeak etc... that mic will do.

Mine is same brand, but cheaper model, and i use it fine to ring people on skype.

[Deflex]

If you can, get a nice mousepad, but they can be expensive.

Any specific reccomandations? Right now, I actually don't even use a mouse pad... lol :laugh:

Also, that link you gave me, the mic is nice - but could I see what your mic looks like?

Buy it online, seriously.

Ok, yeah - that's a great price.

And, if the only reasons for your mic is VOIP, Teamspeak etc... that mic will do.

Sorry if I sound like a noob but what is VOIP and TS?? I never quite figured it out. btw, thanks for all your help so far - you're making this easy!

[=98=]

This is what i have:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16800996401&Tpk=Steelpad

Expensive :|:

My setup:

[Deflex]

Expensive :|:

Yeah, I'll bet!

But I also bet it's all worth the money.

Nice setup! btw, how does the dual-screen setup work out in-game?

[=98=]

Um, it's worth something, £20 ($40) im not so sure about, but meh.

The game opens on my main 22" screen, and on the other i just maximise Teamspeak so i can see who is talking. Or, if i'm commanding in BF2, i'll maximise Windows Media Player with South Park on :yay:

[Deflex]

lol, awsome dude. I only have a few more questions. Sorry, but could you explain what VOIP and Teamspeak are? I never bothered finding out because I didn't have a mic but I suppose I need to figure it out sooner or later.

[=98=]

They all allow you to talk over the Internet. Teamspeak and Ventrillo allow gamers to talk in game.

[Kreepy Kitteh =^o.O^=]

im going to get some decent speakers and i already have a good mic headset.. it was only $75 aus dollers but it does the job:)



this is the headset i have:) its fine for online gaming and talking..

P.S. i always like to go for logitech! i have yet to buy somthing from them that doesnt work perfectly first go... although i could just be lucky:)

[reynolddog]

Jesus, Alex. A 40 buck mouse pad :o ?