keypads

To start with, the main 3 models that are around now are the Razer Orbweaver, Razer Tartarus, and Logitech G13.



    Logitech G13

    The g13 is the cheapest, when I was doing this, it was only around 50$,. though it's 60$ now. It also has the most features, having a programmable LCD display which you can use to display in game info, as well as an actual analog stick.

    The thing is, I felt the ergonomics weren't really all that great, and the stick itself wasn't well designed, with the part your finger rests on being pointy.

    Additionally, a lot of games couldn't actually detect analog input from it, since apparently most games only support analog input if it's using a gamepad controller setting, and if you set it up as that, the game then couldn't read the keys. So I ended up having to just set it up so the stick acted as a D-pad, which is still nicer then WASD, but defeated the point compared to other keypads.

    In the end, I ended up returning the G13: it wasn't as comfortable as the Orbweaver, and the one advantage I cared about that it had over the Orbweaver it still dropped the ball on (the analog stick being a shit stick and most games not even having the drivers to make it read actual analog signals)



    Razer Orbweaver

    The more expensive model (being around 130$), the Orbweaver also is a lot more barebones. It doesn't have a LCD display or an analog stick, but it does have a Dpad on it, that as I explained above, basically worked just as well as the stick for most games, since very few could support the analog input from the g13 anyways.

    The reason this isn't a clear inferior choice to the G13 is that, at least for me, it was WAY more comfortable to hold and use, pretty much being exactly what I wanted out of this sort of device in terms of form. As such, this is what I ended up buying, and I have no regrets. I haven't had any issues with it, though the keys don't seem to be removable so if stuff happens to fall between the gaps and that creates an issue I have no clue how'd you resolve that; though the gaps between keyes are so small I can't imagine that ever being an issue.

    There's also "Stealth" and "Chroma" models that have multicolored lights and make less clickty-clackty noises on the keys if you care about those, and are the same price as the base model, so there's really no reason to not get the dual Stealth Chroma one if you decide to do this.



    Razer Tartarus

    This didn't exist back when I was doing my research, so it wasn't an option, but it's essentially just a budget Orbweaver, being only 70$, but being near identical in terms of form factor and functionality. The only thing is that it has less keys then the orbweaver does and not having all the ways the orbweaver can adjust to fit larger/smaller hands.

    If you end up going with one of the 3 (the third i'll get to in a bit) razer keypads, this one is probably the best bang for your buck.



    Other Models

    The Razer Nostromo is an earlier precursor to the orbweaver that another company made before razer bought them out. The orbweaver is pretty much a straight upgrade to it, having a similar shape but more adjuistability and having a nicer d-pad. Only thing worth noting about it is that it has a scroll wheel on it, which no other key pad does, but you have one on your mouse anyways so...

    There's the Deluxe t9 46 key and DEEBOL 46 key keypads. I never actually saw either of them before typing this up while making sure I remembered the prices of the others right, but they seem identical to each other and as far as I can tell lack any sort of d-pad or analog stick. They are very cheap, though, only being around 30$

    The HORI Tactical Assault Commander Pro hasn't come out yet, but i'd keep an eye on it. It's by far the most expensive, being 160$, but it essentially seems to be a streamlined Orbweaver/tartarus, with similar ergonomics, but with an actual analog stick. Furthermore, Sony says it'll work on PS4's and PS3's, (though I don't know the details on this), and it comes with a mouse. I'm planning on picking this up if the reviews end up being good.



    Bottom line

    I'd recommend waiting to see how good the Hori tactical assault one ends up being, perhaps buying it, and the tartarus/orbweaver if you can find a place that sells them all with a return policy, trying each out, then keeping the best one.