DailyTech - ROCCAT Introduces Gaming Mouse and Keyboard

Submit News

Hardware ROCCAT Introduces Gaming Mouse and Keyboard
Wolfgang Hansson (Blog) - December 10, 2007 3:59 PM

E-mail

del.icio.us

47 comment(s) - last by skyyspam.. on Dec 16 at 3:15 PM

ROCCAT Valo Gaming Keyboard (Source: ROCCAT)

ROCCAT Kone Gaming Mouse (Source: ROCCAT)

ROCCAT enters the gaming peripheral war for gamers' dollars

New gaming peripherals pop up frequently with the promise of making your ability to play games better. We all know that a better mouse won’t make a bad gamer play like Fatal1ty. However, a better mouse and keyboard can help a decent gamer play better by providing better accuracy.

The typical peripheral makers that gamers look to are Logitech and Razer. Logitech recently launched its latest gaming mouse called the Logitech G9 and recently updated its perennial favorite gaming keyboard the G15. Razer also rolled out its latest gaming mouse called the Lachesis with a whopping 4000 dpi sensitivity and launched the new Lycosa keyboard with backlighting, a first for a Razer branded gaming keyboard.

A new gaming peripheral company is on the scene now called ROCCAT and has a pair of gaming peripherals looking to snag market share from the established brands. The first product is the ROCCAT Kone gaming mouse. The Kone claims to end the problem of cursor movement when you pick the mouse up from the desk surface thanks to the first Distance control Unit, which interrupts cursor movement when it senses the distance of the sensor to the desktop change. The mouse also boasts 96kb of onboard memory.

Five different LED lights in the mouse allow you to choose from over 1000 colors of lighting. Adjustable weight for the mouse allows custom tailoring of the feel and the mouse can be changed into a joystick for flight control. ROCCAT doesn’t specify the sensitivity of the mouse.

ROCCAT is also introducing the Valo gaming keyboard. Features for the keyboard include backlit keys and a G15 style display above the number pad. The keyboard has 2MB of onboard memory for storing macros and profiles. Gamers who like lots of macros will appreciate the 41 available macro keys and the external gaming mic. There is no word on the pricing for either of these peripherals and the ROCCAT site only lists the items as coming soon.

Comments

Threshold

Username
Password
remember me

This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled

mouse

By Etern205 on 12/10/2007 5:51:37 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
Five different LED lights in the mouse allow you to choose from over 1000 colors of lighting.

Does the mouse color change really fast? It yes then this would be the best mouse for those who wants to know how taking drugs feels like. :P

RE: mouse

By retrospooty on 12/10/2007 6:00:00 PM , Rating: 2

"Does the mouse color change really fast? It yes then this would be the best mouse for those who wants to know how taking drugs feels like. :P"

Not really - its chicken and egg. The colors look so cool on certain drugs because of the drugs. Take away the drugs and you just have colors.

In other words a light show while not on hallucinogens is just s light show. ;)

Parent

RE: mouse

By Dactyl on 12/10/2007 6:30:00 PM , Rating: 2

They should put frog DNA into the mouse, so you can pick it up and lick it whenever you need a psychotropic boost. Then you could enjoy all sorts of pretty colors.

They've put human DNA into mice, so why not frog DNA?

Parent

RE: mouse

By retrospooty on 12/10/2007 7:33:55 PM , Rating: 2

I'd lick it O_o

Parent

RE: mouse

By GeorgeOrwell on 12/10/2007 11:40:05 PM , Rating: 4

If it is made in China, maybe it already comes with a coating of date rape drug.

"You wake up and Russian mobsters have come to your house and stolen your fancy game computer. Worse yet, you are in a bath tub filled with ice. There is a note It mentions that lack of certain bodily organs. And there is a phone. Unfortunately it uses Skype. You wonder how your life came to this point."

Parent

RE: mouse

By qwertyz on 12/11/07, Rating: 0

RE: mouse

By Spivonious on 12/11/2007 8:50:55 AM , Rating: 3

Umm...

Open mailbox

Parent

RE: mouse

By 3kliksphilip on 12/11/2007 12:28:21 PM , Rating: 2

I do believe that a Chinese factory manager committed suicide after this happened (after paying all of his staff). That's dedication to doing a good job. If they'd have known about the paint they certainly wouldn't have used it. There are some decent people in China, despite what people here believe. Please don't make fun of them like this just for a few points from Daily Tech.

I don't know how people will respond to this, I'll probably be ridiculed or have my words twisted against me. But I'm fine with that. I know what I mean and I mean what I say.

Parent

RE: mouse

By rcc on 12/11/2007 1:11:00 PM , Rating: 2

How insulting. So you're saying they are not sophisticated enough in manufacturing to know what type of paint they are using?

Alrighty then.

Parent

RE: mouse

By 3kliksphilip on 12/11/2007 2:18:34 PM , Rating: 2

Do you honestly think that every company every where in the world can/will track the resources they use back to their sources? This isn't just something which happens in China. Just because this one was shown to the world, doesn't make it the only case. For example, if you were to see how some of the animals classed as 'free range' are treated in England (I don't know about America, I don't live there) you'd think twice when considering buying their produce. Either way, further along the line they'll cover it up, either innocently and unknowningly, or hoping that people will never find out. I do believe, from the manager's reactions (suicide), it was the former reason in China's case. Humans are humans where ever they are in the world, classing some as inferior to others is simply ignorance. That's all I was implying. Still, a clash in view points is always interesting to read. Just don't twist my words.

Parent

RE: mouse

By GeorgeOrwell on 12/11/2007 10:08:33 PM , Rating: 1

Okay, a bit of serious treatment first:

I doubt the manager committed suicide. He was likely instructed to do so by the government. They probably gave him a deal where they let his family live if he took the blame and then killed himself. Anything that causes a loss of money is a serious problem in China.

You do know that China is a brutally repressive Communist controlled military dictatorship, right? You make money for the right people and all is good. You will get rewarded with some money of your own and things to buy. Never mind the pollution and ecological crises all around you. You stray outside of these boundaries are you are killed/imprisoned/tortured/etc.

The likelihood of date rate drug getting into the paint by accident is just a bit far fetched. And then it is unclear whether or not the beads were painted whatever color they were and then "clear coated" with date rape drug.

Thus when you look a little deeper into the facts, you can see something was in play. I would suggest:

"Open mindbox".

Now to look at responding to your words in the way that you expected:

So we have date rape drug on some Catholic prayer beads that was put there by "some decent people".

I think you're off to a good start. No need for me to chime in. Why don't you take this a little further? ;-)

Parent

RE: mouse

By AstroCreep on 12/10/2007 7:22:41 PM , Rating: 2

Either that or it's a mouse you give to a bad kid that has epilepsy.

Parent

these guys are ridiculous

By JoshuaBuss on 12/10/2007 7:06:38 PM , Rating: 1

read the fairy tales pages. swearing and smearing of all the other manufacturers of "gaming gear".. wow.

quote:

This is an appeal to all manufacturers using gold plated USB plugs: leave the shit and use what is best for your customers, and not what’s best for your image or marketing strategy!

taken from the third page of the fairy tales section.. wow.

RE: these guys are ridiculous

By Parhel on 12/10/2007 9:31:49 PM , Rating: 3

I've never seen a peripheral manufacturer, nor any respectable company, curse like that on their website. Who cares if a gaming mouse has $0.15 worth of gold electroplating on the connector? Is the mouse less functional because of the added bling? Is it really all that dissimilar to adding color changing lights to the back of the mouse?

The way gaming companies try to appeal to the "X-TREME BADASS" mindset never ceases to amaze me. Do kids really respond to that kind of crap marketing?

These guys are sitting in a cubicle somewhere reading gaming forums asking themselves "How do we market towards these illiterate idiots," and this is what they came up with.

Parent

RE: these guys are ridiculous

By JoshuaBuss on 12/11/07, Rating: -1

RE: these guys are ridiculous

By Oobu on 12/11/2007 7:25:47 AM , Rating: 3

If you enjoy their website, go look at Razer's website. -shivers- Read their "book" they've written up for "noobs"... About halfway through you'll feel sad inside. I can't imagine why a company would release this garbage and be proud of it. It appears to have been written by a random member of the forums or something.

http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-guide/

Parent

RE: these guys are ridiculous

By mmntech on 12/11/2007 9:36:09 AM , Rating: 2

Jonathan "Fatal1ty" Wendell started all that crap. Zalman's "Fatal1ty" line of fans comes to mind, which were just regular 7700-Cu coolers painted red.
Yes, people do really respond to that marketing. It's the same attitude that has these kids put the mufflers on their Honda Civic to make it sound like a tractor.

There doesn't seem to be much useful information on this mouse on their website. 40mhz "TurboCore for enhanced processing power". What's that supposed to do? They don't even state whether it's laser or optical. No word on price either but I bet it will be expensive.

Parent

RE: these guys are ridiculous

By clovell on 12/11/2007 11:50:27 AM , Rating: 3

> It's the same attitude that has these kids put the mufflers on their Honda Civic to make it sound like a tractor.

I always though they sound more likee a pissed-off weedeater.

Parent

RE: these guys are ridiculous

By tedrodai on 12/11/2007 10:11:29 AM , Rating: 2

Are you kidding!? This is just what I've been waiting for!

The 1000's of ambient light choices and TurboCore are exactly what I need in a mouse to take my online RPG skillz to the next level!

Parent

RE: these guys are ridiculous

By someguy123 on 12/12/2007 12:02:38 AM , Rating: 2

holy crap that post about gold plating is the most retarded attempt at bashing something I've ever seen.

as someone said before the actual cost to the consumer is literally PENNIES, and gold plating can decrease the likelihood of your mouse malfunctioning as gold will never rust and isn't very reactive to anything you'd normally find in a household, making it a VERY good choice to use as a coating over the steel(?, or whatever metal) usb connector.

Parent

Transformers...

By Captain Orgazmo on 12/10/2007 6:44:48 PM , Rating: 2

This is kinda confusing: "...the mouse can be changed into a joystick for flight control."

RE: Transformers...

By GeorgeOrwell on 12/10/2007 11:21:00 PM , Rating: 5

Both the keyboard and the mouse contain the all-powerful 'TurboCore'.

This amazing technology is a spin-off from the billions in R&D spent on designing the Joint Strike Fighter which as you know can be a fighter, a bomber, or both at the same time.

Like the JSF, the Roccat line of peripherals is adaptable to different mission profiles. For example, you can also use the keyboard as a ping pong paddle.

Really, there are no limits to the technology. It is the most advanced on the planet. Do not compare it to products from lesser companies that have merely spent millions on product development. What Roccat offers is state of the art mil-spec technology for advanced gamers. Accept nothing less.

Parent

RE: Transformers...

By grath on 12/11/2007 2:14:53 AM , Rating: 2

I wont be happy until my kb/mouse combo includes a built in foot massager, cappuccino maker, and single-stage-to-orbit capability.

Parent

RE: Transformers...

By Captain Orgazmo on 12/11/2007 3:55:24 AM , Rating: 3

Ah, you must be the guy who comes up with the descriptions for those "Xtremememe / Republic-of-Gamerzzz/ Fartal1ty / Coronary-artery / hyperbole" type parts lineups from Antec and Asus or whoever :)

I once almost bought a case that was claimed to be made of "the same grade of aerospace aluminum as the SUX-27 (or whatever) jet fighter!!!11!!!" Probably made of melted down coke cans.

Parent

RE: Transformers...

By GeorgeOrwell on 12/11/2007 10:21:52 PM , Rating: 1

:-)

Hey, I actually bought that case. I think it was true because when loaded up with drives, you would indeed swear that there was a full on Mig-25 on afterburner right by your desk.

With the computer off, it was kinda like this:

http://www.bushcat.com/mpics/m25ipes.jpg

And it definitely, definitely, definitely melts coke cans.

Parent

a poor choice of names

By GeorgeOrwell on 12/10/2007 11:03:45 PM , Rating: 2

The word 'roccat' comes across like a French colloquialism for a hardened lump of shit in a litter box.

I can't say the products are any more inspiring either. Key cap quantity and mouse bling. And trying too hard to do too much. Odds are that they end up doing nothing well.

RE: a poor choice of names

By fk49 on 12/10/2007 11:08:15 PM , Rating: 2

Perhaps they meant to name it "lolcatz"

Parent

RE: a poor choice of names

By GeorgeOrwell on 12/10/2007 11:25:40 PM , Rating: 5

I think you're on the right track.

How about BLNGBOYZ instead?

"We'z in yer periferalz, blingin yer inputz"

Parent

RE: a poor choice of names

By jtemplin on 12/11/2007 9:59:19 AM , Rating: 2

New age madcatz but for computer peripherals targeted to l33t gamz0rz??

Parent

Might try the mouse, but not the keyboard

By Hakuryu on 12/10/2007 7:46:53 PM , Rating: 2

I'm a long time Logitech user which just replaced an old G7 cordless with a G9 corded. The newest wireless version looks like a gimmick fest with thumb scroll wheels and junk I don't want. If there is one thing (besides the cord) I dont like about the G9 is the thumb buttons placement - they are flush against each other which can lead to hitting the wrong one. This Roccat mouse looks to have good placement for thumb buttons.

Their keyboard I'll pass on though, as I really dislike non-standard layouts. I do own a G15 and prefer added buttons off to the left rather than where F keys normally go.

RE: Might try the mouse, but not the keyboard

By EglsFly on 12/10/2007 10:24:05 PM , Rating: 2

Also a long time Logitech user, still using a MX700 wireless mouse since it came out. This Roccat mouse looks very similar (although its corded) to the MX700. Button layout is identical, shape is very close. I would give it a try but I'm not sure I would go back to a corded mouse anymore.

I do like most of the keyboard design with the exception of the excessive (IMHO) number of macro keys. 28 across the top and more on the side?

Parent

RE: Might try the mouse, but not the keyboard

By Etsp on 12/11/2007 7:17:24 PM , Rating: 2

I also still use my beloved MX700...unfortunately the wear and tear on it is getting excessive... the charging station doesn't even work anymore...so I have been looking for a decent cordless replacement. Sadly, all I could find as far as cordless is concerned either doesn't have enough buttons, or is way too expensive...I would have probably bought a new MX700 if they hadn't discontinued it...

Parent

RE: Might try the mouse, but not the keyboard

By The Jedi on 12/11/2007 4:34:05 PM , Rating: 2

The keyboard is a little mixed up. They have a Windows Key on-off toggle at the top of the keyboard (Way cool). But they have a small Backspace which is a trademark of very cheap keyboards here in the USA. I know it's common with keyboards in different international markets, but eh, big turn off to me.

But I also find the mouse very interesting.

Parent

RE: Might try the mouse, but not the keyboard

By skyyspam on 12/16/2007 3:15:41 PM , Rating: 2

I hate the keyboard. They went with the wrong enter key!

Everyone knows that Enter keys are supposed to be bar-shaped, not L-shaped!

Gah. :D

The mouse, on the other hand, will be mine.

Parent

Nice

By Quiksilver on 12/10/2007 7:52:23 PM , Rating: 3

I really like the keyboard due to the extra keys being placed on top instead of the sides like the Logitech G15 (which I can't use due to the limited width area on my desk). The mouse itself looks like a modified Logitech G5 with a few extra features tossed in and if it is anything like the G5(which I am using now) I know the next mouse I'm purchasing.

RE: Nice

By wushuktl on 12/11/2007 7:17:55 AM , Rating: 2

i think it's a poor design decision to have the macro keys in between the F and number keys. People who heavily use their keyboard are accustomed to having the F keys right there for renaming (F2), refreshing (F5), closing (Alt F4) there's no reason to make them any further to the point where Alt+F4 is almost impossible with the same hand. They should have just put the macro keys above the function keys.

Parent

RE: Nice

By Blight AC on 12/11/2007 9:11:10 AM , Rating: 2

Yeah, but a lot of Keyboard manufacturers are changing the F-keys to do other things like a one button save, etc. I'm one of the folks who use my F-keys for their original functionality (well F5 and Alt-F4, and F11). But a lot of computer users aren't even aware of those keys, or aware of their functionality.

The mouse design for me looks nice, the big and squareish side buttons, the design itself, the only problem for me is it's not wireless. But for me, the perfect mouse is Logitech's MX1000. The rocker side buttons are just perfect, with the 3 LED battery indicator and a comfortable grip. Not only that, the other thing I really like about the MX1000 is the rocker scroll up/down switch around the mouse wheel which is really awesome for long documents (none of that frantic mouse wheel scrolling, and I think better overall then the free wheel thing that Logitech was offering).

Either way, all they are doing is redesigning the Logitech parts, so it comes down to personal preference.

Parent

RE: Nice

By serajadeyn on 12/13/2007 3:57:31 PM , Rating: 2

That's exactly what i was thinking. The Mouse imo doesnt seem like anything special, however if they had it linked to your Health in a game with the color representing what level you're at, that would be bad as hell.

As for the Keyboard, I think that is now one of my favorite designs, very straight-forward and it looks like it's well-built.

Parent

Razer backlighting...

By Oobu on 12/11/2007 7:18:37 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
Razer also rolled out its latest gaming mouse called the Lachesis with a whopping 4000 dpi sensitivity and launched the new Lycosa keyboard with backlighting , a first for a Razer branded gaming keyboard.

Are you saying a backlighted keyboard is a first for Razer? I beg to differ if that is the case. I think every single Razer keyboard has had backlighting. My Reclusa does.

RE: Razer backlighting...

By cluong on 12/11/2007 2:36:13 PM , Rating: 2

Oh wow... look at your keyboard before you post.

Your Reclusa is made by Microsoft, COME ON - THE MS LOGO AT THE TOP OF THE KEYBOARD. But it is "powered" by Razer therefore it isn't officially a Razer keyboard. And the other Razer keyboard known Tarantula does not have backlit keys.

The Lycosa looks promising, but the price is a bit on the overly expensive side.

Parent

RE: Razer backlighting...

By cluong on 12/11/2007 2:37:44 PM , Rating: 2

known as the*

Parent

RE: Razer backlighting...

By Oobu on 12/12/2007 5:47:44 AM , Rating: 2

Don't try to be such a prick dude, you're not good at it.

http://www.razerzone.com/index.php?main_page=index...

What's that I see? THE RECLUSA.

The Razer Tarantula is backlit too.

Parent

10 buttons sounds good.

By retrospooty on 12/10/2007 5:57:45 PM , Rating: 2

My Razer copperhead has 7 but the darn thing is ambidextrous and I am right handed, so the 2 on the left side are useless while gaming cuz they are not where I can touch them.

Most newer games have so many functions, it would really be nice if all 10 are useable while playing.

RE: 10 buttons sounds good.

By RogueSpear on 12/10/2007 7:31:58 PM , Rating: 3

Add a few more buttons and just call it a keyboard with an integrated pointing device already.

Parent

RE: 10 buttons sounds good.

By retrospooty on 12/10/2007 9:13:07 PM , Rating: 2

LOL - it sounds like overkill, but when your gaming, and the game has alot of functions that need buttons assigned, (like Crysis, or UT3 online in a team game, the less you have to hunt on your keyboard for the right command, the better and faster you can react.

Parent