Multi Profile Keyboard?

[Fakum]

I had a thought,, here I am trying to find a second keyboard so I can use it to typ letters and numbers direct into the scratch pad. I only use a few keys on keyboard as it is while im flying. Is there a nice, backlit, programable (macro capable) multi profile keyboard on the market? I would prefer to just have 1 keyboard, and flip a switch or something to switch to a gaming profile in the keyboard just before I launched the A-10c,,, does one exist?

[Total]

Logitech GS510 may fit your needs: http://www.logitech.com/gaming/mice-keyboard-combos/devices/7246

 

I just picked one up at Best Buy last week for $89. My old, first generation Eclipse finally started dying on me. This has proved to be a really good replacement. haven't played around with the macro's, but read the instructions on it. Seems pretty straight forward :)

[Fakum]

Thanks for the feedback,, I actually did some research today,, found this:

http://www.gamingreviewguide.com/best-keyboards-for-gaming/

 

I am trying to sift through the specs,,, one of the key features im looking for is the ability to be able to create a profile where as if I typed in the letter "a" for example, I want it to execute "LShft + a" as an example,,, I dont think the one you just purchased has that ability does it?

[cichlidfan]

The Logitech Full Keyboards have a set of programmable keys but the standard keys cannot be reprogrammed (A is always just A). The G13 has a full set of programmable keys but does not emulate a full keyboard.

 

@Fakum, The one you are looking at is just the latest version of the 510 and actually has less programmable keys, 12 instead of the 18 that the 510 has, IIRC, for nearly twice the price. The display is pretty though.

 

I have a G510 and a G13 connected to my game machine BTW.

Edited October 27, 2011 by cichlidfan

[Fakum]

Thanks,,, that Razer appears to be fully functional,,, but mixed reviews about keys sticky and logevity,,,, I havnt found another yet except for the mechanical keyboards that all the keys are fully programmable,,,,

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YDIA78/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=amazonaz-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B000YDIA78&adid=1PBQG3ZM9T4AAG57J6NW&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gamingreviewguide.com%2Fbest-keyboards-for-gaming%2F

[Total]

Most keyboards made for POS (Point Of Sale) systems are fully programmable.

 

There's a ton of those on the market. Try looking in that direction :)

 

Also, you can look at X-Keys. I know some guys who have one to two of these and swear by them: http://www.piengineering.com/xkeys/xkpro.php

 

When not flying, they simply unplug 'em and set them off to the side. Will not conflict with your current keyboard either :)

[ivanwfr]

AutoHotkey would help you to reprogram any keyboard hardware you find to your liking. Any physical key would do anything you need at the price of having to learn how to use it - or get help to start with. It's now a few years I use it and nothing compares to this most advanced open source scripting tool.

[Fakum]

Good stuff guys ,, thanks,,

 

ivanwfr, I read the features of that software, but i didnt see anything about having more than 1 profile? Does that software feature the capability to switch profile quick and easy? Thanks

[ivanwfr]

Exactly, it can detect which program has focus -- and much more reliably than Logitech Setpoint mind you!

 

You can do layers (in the way TARGET has them) to swich between generated event for any single key... And we're not talking In/Out Up/Middle/Down! You can do thousands of those if you're crazy enough ;)

 

Below is a short sample of my thousands of line of script. In fact you can do whatever you can conceive that makes some sense.

 

 

*F1::  handleKey("F1","Stroke")
*F2::  handleKey("F2","Stroke")
*F3::  handleKey("F3","Stroke")

; .../...

*MButton::      handleKey("MButton"  ,"Down") ; G700[Mouse wheel       - KEY=G3 - BUTTON=3 ]
*MButton Up::   handleKey("MButton"  ,  "Up")

*XButton1::      handleKey("XButton1","Down") ; G700[Thumb top back	- KEY=G6 - BUTTON=4 ]
*XButton1 Up::   handleKey("XButton1",  "Up")

*XButton2::      handleKey("XButton2","Down") ; G700[Thumb top front	- KEY=G7 - BUTTON=5 ]
*XButton2 Up::   handleKey("XButton2",  "Up")

#include util.ahk
#include wow.ahk
#include dcs.ahk
#include tdu.ahk

handleKey(key,event) ; {{{
{
   global

   WinGet, process_name ,ProcessName, A

   Modifiers := getModifiers()

   if     (process_name = "wow.exe") ; {{{
handle_WOW(key,event)

   else if(process_name = "EventTester.exe") { ; {{{
 handle_GVIM(key,event)
   }

   else if(((process_name = "Launcher.exe") or (process_name = "notepad.exe")) and isAltDown() and (event = "Down") ) { ; {{{ DCS_ME
Send, {Alt Up}
handle_DCD_ME(key,event)
   }
   else if(process_name = "TestDrive2.exe") ; {{{
handle_TDU(key,event)
   else if((process_name = "DCS.exe") or (process_name = "EventTester.exe") or (process_name = "TARGETScriptEditor.exe")) { ; {{{
if(event = "Down") {
    Send, %Modifiers%{%key% Down}
    SoundPlay, %SoundDir%/st_com1.wav
}
else if(event = "Up") {
    Send, %Modifiers%{%key% Up}
    SoundPlay, %SoundDir%/st_com1.wav
}
else {        ; "Stroke"
    Send, %Modifiers%{%key%}
    SoundPlay, %SoundDir%/st_com1.wav
}
   }
}

; example of a handle function (possibly included from another file
handle_stamina(key,event) {
   global
   if(key = "F17") and (event = "Up") {            ; button Edge Back
       Run, %local%/USR/vim/vim73/gvim.exe -s %USR%/ivan/VIM/SCRIPTS/redrill.vim
   }
   else {
       if(event = "Down")
           Send, %Modifiers%{%key% Down}
       else if(event = "Up")
           Send, %Modifiers%{%key% Up}
       else
           Send, %Modifiers%{%key%}
   }
}

 

Edited October 28, 2011 by ivanwfr

[Fleshpiston]

@OP

I use the Razer Tarantula with Profiles for that.

[Fakum]

ivanwfr, thanks for the sample,, I will admit ,, that scares me lol,,, im not a script writer, and the spare time that I have,, I try and learn the Hog,,, I dont think I have the time to start leaning how to do that,, but I appreciate the input.

[ivanwfr]

I know, that's why I don't open my cars engine myself anymore, we have to choose with only one lifetime...

[Fakum]

Anyone else using anything? I'm just trying to enter characters in the scratch pad a bit easier instead of clicking the alpha/numeric buttins in the cockpit with the mouse,,, The X-pad mentioned here looks great, but a little more $ then the wife would care to see me spend,,, the funny programmable keyboard Im interested in is just the thing it seems,, but the reviews are not good at all http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YDIA78/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=amazonaz-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B000YDIA78&adid=1PBQG3ZM9T4AAG57J6NW&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gamingreviewguide.com%2Fbest-keyboards-for-gaming%2F