The G510 is set to replace Logitech’s highly popular G15 gaming keyboard. Can the G510 live up to its expectations?
Product on Review : Logitech Gaming keyboard G510
Manufacturer and Sponsor : Logitech
MSRP : £99
Street Price : £62.98
The G510 will be very familiar to those who have previously experienced Logitech’s G series gaming keyboards. It shares the same functionality as the G15 V1, has the sleeker looks of the V2 and the added substance of the flagship G19. So we can expect to see programmable G keys (54 of them!), customisable backlighting (any colour you can dream of), media keys (the volume scroll wheel is back!), and of course the GamePanel LCD. Logitech did not want to just rehash the same features we have seen before and thought it appropriate to integrate USB audio so gamers can simply plug in their headset or microphones. From the initial impressions, it is clear that Logitech have listened to gamers and have delivered the quality they are famed for. But let’s see the keyboard itself in the flesh.
A bit about Logitech:
Focused on innovation and quality, Logitech designs personal peripherals to help people enjoy a better experience with the digital world. We started in 1981 with mice, which (new at the time) provided a more intuitive way of interacting with a personal computer. We became the worldwide leader in computer mice, and have reinvented the mouse in dozens of ways to match the evolving needs of PC and laptop users.
Since those early days, we have expanded our expertise in product design beyond the computer mouse, with a broad portfolio of interface devices that are the “last inch” between you and your computer or your console game, digital music or home-entertainment system.
With products sold in almost every country in the world, Logitech’s leadership in innovation now encompasses a wide variety of personal peripherals (both cordless and corded), with special emphasis on products for PC navigation, gaming, Internet communications, digital music and home-entertainment control.
For each of our product categories, we study how our customers use their digital devices, and then our designers and engineers set their sights on how we can create a better experience with those devices – richer, more comfortable, more fun, more productive, more convenient, more delightful.
Focused on innovation and quality, Logitech designs personal peripherals to help people enjoy a better experience with the digital world. We started in 1981 with mice, which (new at the time) provided a more intuitive way of interacting with a personal computer. We became the worldwide leader in computer mice, and have reinvented the mouse in dozens of ways to match the evolving needs of PC and laptop users.
Since those early days, we have expanded our expertise in product design beyond the computer mouse, with a broad portfolio of interface devices that are the “last inch” between you and your computer or your console game, digital music or home-entertainment system.
With products sold in almost every country in the world, Logitech’s leadership in innovation now encompasses a wide variety of personal peripherals (both cordless and corded), with special emphasis on products for PC navigation, gaming, Internet communications, digital music and home-entertainment control.
For each of our product categories, we study how our customers use their digital devices, and then our designers and engineers set their sights on how we can create a better experience with those devices – richer, more comfortable, more fun, more productive, more convenient, more delightful.
Next page please.
Features & Specifications
With a GamePanel LCD and 18 programmable G-keys, this keyboard gives you instant access to the tools and intel you need to win.
Features
GamePanel LCD – Keep informed
The GamePanel LCD includes apps for RSS, e-mail, system resources, media players, clock timers and more. Plus it can show info from over 75 games and apps including World Of Warcraft, Ventrilo, TeamSpeak, and Windows SlideShow. For more info on supported games and applications, visit Logitech’s dedicated page.
Custom-colour backlighting – choose your colour
RGB LEDs mean you can select a full spectrum of backlight colours – from bright red to deep purple and everything in between, even white. Set up three colours so you know your mode state at a glance. Choose your hue using the included Logitech Profiler Software.
18 Programmable G-keys – Hordes of macros
You’ve got 18 programmable G-keys with three modes each for up to 54 macros per game. Set single keypresses, intricate macros, text blocks, mouse events or Lua scripts. Tocreate more macros on the fly; hit the MR key, choose a G-key, enter your keystrokes, and hit the MR key again to finish recording.
Integrated USB Audio – on-board audio
Separate 3.5mm mic and headphone jacks let you use any analog headset as a USB audio device. You’ll get VOIP audio through your headset and game audio through your speakers. There’s also separate mute buttons for headphones, the mic, and your system, so can kill the com channel without masking game sound.
Game/Desktop mode – stay focused
Don’t let desktop menus break up your game. The Game/Desktop mode switch disables the Windows/Context Menu keys so you won’t get kicked to the Windows desktop accidentally.
Multi-key input – Issue commands
Multi-key input. Anti-ghosting capabilities. No matter what you call it, you can press, at a minimum, five keys at the same time and they’ll all get recongnised.
Full-speed USB
A 500MHz (2ms) report rate makes the G510 four times faster than other gaming keyboards. For the performance you need when every millisecond counts.
Your game, your profile
Logitech Profiler detects active game, so you G-keys have a different configuration profile for each game. You can also create multiple profiles per game with scripting for advanced macro functionality, backlighting control, and more.
Instant media access
Convenient one-touch controls give you instant access to volume control and media play-back.
Straight keyboard layout
A familiar layout features full-height keys with standard placement for the Enter key, Page Up/Page Down six-pack and arrow keys.
GamePanel LCD – Keep informed
The GamePanel LCD includes apps for RSS, e-mail, system resources, media players, clock timers and more. Plus it can show info from over 75 games and apps including World Of Warcraft, Ventrilo, TeamSpeak, and Windows SlideShow. For more info on supported games and applications, visit Logitech’s dedicated page.
Custom-colour backlighting – choose your colour
RGB LEDs mean you can select a full spectrum of backlight colours – from bright red to deep purple and everything in between, even white. Set up three colours so you know your mode state at a glance. Choose your hue using the included Logitech Profiler Software.
18 Programmable G-keys – Hordes of macros
You’ve got 18 programmable G-keys with three modes each for up to 54 macros per game. Set single keypresses, intricate macros, text blocks, mouse events or Lua scripts. Tocreate more macros on the fly; hit the MR key, choose a G-key, enter your keystrokes, and hit the MR key again to finish recording.
Integrated USB Audio – on-board audio
Separate 3.5mm mic and headphone jacks let you use any analog headset as a USB audio device. You’ll get VOIP audio through your headset and game audio through your speakers. There’s also separate mute buttons for headphones, the mic, and your system, so can kill the com channel without masking game sound.
Game/Desktop mode – stay focused
Don’t let desktop menus break up your game. The Game/Desktop mode switch disables the Windows/Context Menu keys so you won’t get kicked to the Windows desktop accidentally.
Multi-key input – Issue commands
Multi-key input. Anti-ghosting capabilities. No matter what you call it, you can press, at a minimum, five keys at the same time and they’ll all get recongnised.
Full-speed USB
A 500MHz (2ms) report rate makes the G510 four times faster than other gaming keyboards. For the performance you need when every millisecond counts.
Your game, your profile
Logitech Profiler detects active game, so you G-keys have a different configuration profile for each game. You can also create multiple profiles per game with scripting for advanced macro functionality, backlighting control, and more.
Instant media access
Convenient one-touch controls give you instant access to volume control and media play-back.
Straight keyboard layout
A familiar layout features full-height keys with standard placement for the Enter key, Page Up/Page Down six-pack and arrow keys.
Packaging and Content
The front of the box
The Logitech Gaming Keyboard G510 comes packaged in a fairly standard cardboard box covered in Logitech’s traditional green theme and black theme. A picture of the keyboard itself dominates the front to entice buyers by showing off the brightly lit keyboard. The blue ribbon describes the purpose of the keyboard as the tool and intelligence you need to win, which is achieved through the GamePanel LCD. This is written in 9 languages, demonstrating the brand’s worldwide appeal. There is also a small illustration of the custom backlight in the corner of the box.
The back of the box
Turning to the back, Logitech make excellent use of the space to list all the features in 6 languages, accompanied by small illustrations. Buyers will know exactly what to expect simply by reading through. As well as a picture of the keyboard, this time with blue backlighting, Logitech describes their G-Series of gaming peripherals.
The features
Here, we can see Logitech describing the benefits of their G-Series peripherals to gamers needing the practicality of accuracy and customisability.
Opening the box
Opening the box, we are greeted by the keyboard straight away wrapped in a plastic bag. This is enclosed in a white box and below the keyboard are the documentations. The keyboard also comes with a detachable wrist rest.
The bundle
The bundle includes:
-The keyboard
-The palm rest
-The software CD
-The user documentation.
The documentations are fairly extensive. The guide is fairly thick and describes installation and how to use the features in 28 languages! There is also a fold out piece of paper showing off the actual features in more detail than provided on the box. If those weren’t enough reading material, there is also an “Important information” leaflet advising users about ergonomics and how to best set up the workspace to avoid straining yourself, and other warnings. It also details the 2 year warranty period, the remedies for any breach of contracts (broken keyboards), and warranty support.
The Logitech Gaming Keyboard G510
And finally, we have the keyboard and palm rest out of its packaging. What is immediately clear is the sheer size of the keyboard due to the additional G-keys. Without the palm rest and raised clips at the back, the keyboard measures 510x207x35mm, and with the additional palm rest and raised profile it measures 510x261x47mm. For comparison the G15 V2 is 482x216x42mm without the palm rest and 482x252x54mm when raised and with the palm rest. At 1.1kg, the keyboard feels very robust.
Attaching the palm rest
With the palm rest, the G510 looks fairly large but it’s not annoyingly so. The palm rest is ideally sized and makes typing more comfortable. The length is largely due to the keys being well separated meaning it’s harder for users to accidentally press the wrong one or several nearby ones when typing. This particular keyboard uses the UK layout hence the larger Return key. The button placement is also very well thought out. The keyboard uses the standard QWERTY layout and all the different groups are ideally placed. As with most keyboards, the F keys are separated above the main ones but are not too distant to require people stretching their fingers. On the right are the 6 pack of keys and arrow keys and then we have the number pad. The straight layout may not be the most ergonomic design but it feels very comfortable. Still, Logitech do advise regular breaks during continuous use. What set the G510 apart are the extra G-keys and media keys. The former are situated to the left of the standard keyboard keys whereas the media keys are at the top right corner.
Closer Look
The keyboard angled
The Logitech G510 uses a plastic construction which is finished in black and silver. The keyboard is built in several parts; the bottom casing is the largest part and clipped onto is the narrow black band that surrounds the keys. The inner silver coloured casing is screwed to the lower casing and houses the media and M keys. Within the silver housing is a separate keyboard tray which is a unique feature compared to previous G-Series keyboards where the buttons are installed within the inner casing. The keyboard feels well-built and very secure. The screen on the other hand is housed within another plastic casing, this time with a glossy finish. The keyboard has been designed to be spill proof so any spilt liquids will drain out without coming into contact with the circuitry or mechanism.
The G510 keyboard
The Logitech emblem can be seen at the base of the keyboard and the palm rest. The glass like finish adds a sense of quality and really showcases Logitech’s attention to detail. My main complaint however is that the palm rest picks up finger prints very easily although it is only noticeable under lighting.
The side profile
From the side, the keyboard appears very thick. The keys are full-height ones so each press gives more feedback which is essential when gaming or typing. It also means you don’t accidentally press several keys at the same time. The soft nature of the key presses means that little effort is needed but at the same time the feedback lets you know that each press is successfully executed. The keyboard is slightly angled whereas the keys themselves are flat so each row is raised slightly above the other, making it more ergonomic is design. Another interesting observation is the raised palm rest compared to the old G15s. Rather than the more streamlined nature in the latter’s case; this palm rest is more angular meaning your wrist actually sits on it rather than on the desk. This design works very well to provide additional comfort and reduced strain during movement.
The G-Keys
On the left side of the keyboard are the G-keys and M-keys. Through the software, each key can be assigned to a single or multi keystrokes, text blocks, mouse functions, media keys, hotkeys or shortcuts, functions or macros. Logitech have gone back to employing 18 G-key like the original G15. Three modes, represented by the M-keys, means that each of the 18 G-keys can have 3 functions for a total of 54 additional keys. On top of that, profiles can be created for all games to make full use of those 54 extra G-keys, making the keyboard very versatile. Although the majority of gamers may not find use for it, macros can prove useful in RTS or MMO games. The MR key allows users to record a macro on the fly by simply pressing it, selecting the G-key to be programmed, typing the keys to be recorded, and pressing the MR key again.
The headset and microphone mute buttons
Moving along the top, we first see the Game/Desktop toggle key, which when set to gaming (right position) disables the Windows context menu key. It proves useful when the last thing you want is to accidentally press the Windows key, only for your game to minimise in the heat of battle. Next to those are the labelled mute buttons which disables any headset or microphone plugged into the keyboard. A small orange light indicates whether they are muted or not.
The GamePanel LCD
The screen is the highlight of the G510 and has features on all high-end G-Series gaming keyboards. The backlit monochrome display measures 60x16mm spanning 160×43 pixels, and can provide a wealth of information in supported games or applications. The button on the left toggles through different applications, whereas the 4 buttons below the screen have different functions based on the applications. They are generally set to browsing menus. Compared to the G15 V1, the screen is in-built into the keyboard similar to the V2 revision. The main difference to the latter is the lack of media keys that previously populated the area.
The backlight on/off button
To the right of the GamePanel LCD is a brightness button although on the G510, it merely switches the backlighting on or off. It would have been preferable if the brightness could be adjusted to various degrees. We also see the Caps Lock, Scroll Lock and Num Lock lights.
The media keys
The media keys have been shifted to the far right hand corner. They are composed of play/pause, stop, previous and next buttons. There is also a mute button for convenience. Making a welcomed comeback is the volume scroller, which I personally missed on the G15 V2. The scroll wheel was a brilliant feature on the original G15 and Logitech’s decision to replace it with buttons on the V2 revision is questionable. Thankfully, they have been listening to our prayers and re-introduced the concept through this cylindrical wheel. Unlike the old scroll wheel, this one isn’t notchy, instead scrolling more smoothly. I personally preferred the old design but it still works very well on the G510. The wheel can be rotated infinitely and yet switching to the other direction will immediately change the volume.
Close up of the keys
A close up of the standard keys, we see that they are all black with translucent ‘windows’ denoting the symbol and through which the backlight can also seep through. It also means that the keys can still be distinguished with the lights off.
Closer Look (Continued)
The 3.5mm audio input ports
Behind the keyboard are two 3.5mm input ports for headphones (green) and a microphone (pink). The keyboard boasts an on-board USB audio device so the single USB cable is able to power the keyboard as well as sound devices. The ports allow users to simply plug their headsets or microphones without having to go to the back of their computers. The USB drivers automatically install themselves as soon as a device is plugged in. Although it does bypass any installed sound cards, the practicality overcomes the shortcoming. The way it is implemented is such that the headset and microphone become the default communication device over VOIP while the main speakers still output music and in-game sounds. It is an excellent way at separating TeamSpeak or Ventrilo chatter from the game ambiance. Logitech have had to sacrifice USB ports to implement this feature.
The back of the keyboard
Turning to the back of the keyboard, we see the main casing that holds the internal components. Logitech have placed a warning message advising users how to use the keyboard more ergonomically by sitting upright and taking regular breaks when working.
The palm rest clips
The palm rest is installed using two clips that lock into grooves on the keyboard. My complaint here is that the palm rest does not stay in place if the keyboard is lifted which it did on the previous G15.
Rubber grips
There are rubber pads dotted on each corner and below the palm rest to prevent the keyboard from slipping. They have excellent grip so users don’t have to worry about their keyboard moving about when typing.
Height adjustable clips
At the top are two height adjustable clips to raise the keyboard a further 12mm to make it slanted for greater comfort during use.
The USB cable
The USB cable can carry audio thanks to the on-board audio device but apart from that it is fairly standard with no gimmicky golden tip.
G510 VS G15
Comparing the new against the not too old G15, we see that the G510 looks significantly bigger. The latter is 1.8cm wider and 0.9cm deeper, but slightly shallower. The main aesthetic differences are the fewer G-keys on the G15 and media keys that surround the display.
Let there be backlight!
Lit up in blue, the G510 looks very appealing. The backlighting is not too intrusive thanks to the translucent keys diffusing the light but they are still visible during day time. The screen is also backlit and makes it more legible. The M-keys are orange to contrast with the rest of the backlight.
Closer Look (In the dark)
The backlighting
In the dark, the backlighting works well. By default, it is white and we can see all the keys being individually lit. The lighting have a sharp glow that means usage at night is perfectly fine. Thankfully, they are not intrusive as to be distracting. The majority of the keys are perfectly and evenly lit but a few are only partially so. These are the Caps Lock, Tab and bracket keys.
And looking at an angle
The GamePanel LCD stands out the most on the keyboard. The backlighting is fairly even although on closer inspections, longitudinal stripes of varying thicknesses are present.
The GamePanel LCD
The G510 comes with a number of supported applications straight out of the box; G-series profiler to load up programmed game profiles, Logitech LCD clock, Countdown Timer and Stopwatch, POP3 Monitor, RSS Feeder, Media Display, Performance Monitor, and Windows Slide Show. The above screens show the Media and Performance displays. They are fairly basic in nature but there are many third party applications that can be downloaded.
In-built Battlefield Bad Company 2 support
The Logitech software detects supported games automatically and one good example is Battlefield Bad Company 2. The introduction screen shows the Battlefield emblem and gives you the option to flick through other screens using the buttons below. Going into the in-game menu, the user stats immediately loads up with all the relevant user info kept up-to-date. The final screen displays information in game such as KDR ratios and kills/deaths during the round. There are two more screens that can be toggled to show more information such as weapons and ammo.
Customisable backlighting
One of the highlights of the G510 is the ability to customise the backlight to be any colour using the RGB panel provided in the software.
G510 VS G15 backlighting
The quality of the backlight has remained vastly unchanged from the G15 V2 in orange. The main advantage of the G510 is that it is customisable.
Installation and Software
Installation is fairly straight forward process. All it requires is for the keyboard to be plugged in and the software to be installed from the CD. Logitech have the latest software for download on their site for added convenience. Once installed, users are open to a plethora of customisable options but Logitech have to be commended for making it very intuitive. The G15 software actually works with the G510 and the software even allows you to customise both individually but it is advisable to get the latest download as the updated software (Logitech Gaming Software 8.0) is far more intuitive. So let’s have a look.
Main screen
The start-up window
On the main screen, we are presented with the keyboard layout and a number of selectable icons at the bottom. The Logitech logo in the corner links to their site while the question mark provides an in-depth tutorial on the various features of G-Series peripherals. There are 4 features that can be configured; the G-Keys, the GamePanel LCD, the M-Keys and backlight, and profiles. These can be selected in two ways; either by clicking on the respective icons at the bottom of the screen or the highlighted areas on the keyboard. Clicking on one is followed with a smooth transition animation to the next screen. Let’s start with the G-Keys.
G-keys
The G-Keys window
At the top of the screen are icons depicting games that are installed on the system and that have native G510 support. What it means is that Logitech have already programmed keys and functions that can simply be assigned to the G-keys. Clicking on the game icons loads up their respective profile. These icons can be changed manually. The M-Keys switch between 3 modes and each mode allow 18 G-keys to be programmed so each profile can have 54 programmed G-keys.
Creating a new profile
Under the Profiles heading, users can search for games or manually add executable files for custom game profiles that are not supported by default. There are a number of options that let you name the profile and choose how it should behave. In the example above, the profile will load automatically as the game is loaded. It is also possible to use the screen buttons to manually select profiles.
Programming the functions
If the pre-programmed keys for supported games are not what you want or you are assigning functions for your own profile, then you can simply click the Commands + sign or edit the keys on the list. This brings up the command editor where you can assign any command to that key. All the options are as described; ‘Keystroke’ allows users to assign any regular key to the G-Key; ‘Text Block’ is to assign a block of text to a specific G-key; ‘Mouse Functions’ lets users use the G-keys as mouse button including right/left/middle/double clicking and scrolling; ‘Media’ can be used to emulate the media keys; ‘Hotkeys’ are for Windows, Zoom and Editing commands; ‘Shortcut’ can be programmed to open applications, files or folders; ‘Function’ is to open emails, browsers, media players, the calculator or My Computer.
The most notable option is ‘Multi Key’ which is useful for programming macros. Delays can be specified between each keystroke, a useful feature when you want keystrokes that are faster than your own reaction. Once done, the command will appear named on the list.
Assigning functions to G-keys
Once all the commands have been programmed, they can be assigned to the desired G-Key by simply clicking the command and dragging it over the key. The command name will then hover above the assigned G-Key. Alternatively, users can just click on the G-Keys and edit them, rather than creating commands and then assigning them to the G-Key. As implied, the bin is to delete commands.
Lua scripting window
The software also allows intricate Lua scripting for each profile.
GamePanel LCD
Configuring the GamePanel LCD and supported applicaations
The next customisable option is the GamePanel LCD. Several applications are already included as previously discussed. These can be configured individually such as the Media Display that can be set to work with any media players. Applications that have native G15 or G510 support will also be automatically added to the list, Core Temp being an example demonstrated above. More applications can be found on the Logitechusers forums .
Backlighting
Customising the backlight
Next up is the backlight customisation window. Here each M-Key can be assigned any colour from the RBG palette. The functionality is two-fold. The first is for aesthetic reasons; a keyboard that can be any colour you want will no doubt be the centre-piece of any gaming set up… The second reason is to let users know which M-mode they have their profiles set to. The colours are not profile specific when assigned to the M-keys. Adjusting the backlight using the software changes it on the keyboard on-the-fly to show users exactly what it looks like.
Profiles
Saving profiles to the keyboard
Profiles can be saved to the keyboard memory so they can still be used on a different computer. It makes the keyboard less software reliant. Based on the memory usage, a fair few profiles can be saved before it runs out of space.
The brand new G510 gaming interface has to be one of the most intuitive and easy to use software I have ever used. It is well presented, provides a vast number of options to be configured, and yet it manages to not to overwhelm users. For more updates and info, Logitech’s blog is very useful.
Testing
All those features would mean absolutely nothing if the G510 gaming keyboard didn’t perform and live up to its name. Thankfully, albeit not surprising, Logitech have successfully delivered a first-class peripheral. Having spent all day typing out this review thus far, I can happily say that I can continue doing so comfortably. The keyboard is an absolute joy to type on. The key presses are soft and fairly quiet but the feedback gives you the impression that the keyboard is well built and durable. Hardly any travel is needed before the buttons are pressed and instead there is a bit of resistance so you know exactly when each key is pressed. The keyboard layout is also very good. At first, the sheer size of the keyboard due to the G-Keys may disorient your natural hand placement but give it an hour and it feels very natural. The G-Keys are separated just enough to the left to avoid accidentally pressing them but not far enough to make you stretch out. The media keys are also worked very well, doing what they are programmed to do without fuss and the scroll wheel is excellent. I would have preferred a slightly notchy feel like on the original G15 but it still feels very natural and I’m already getting used to it. The grip of the rubberised finish means you can make precise volume adjustments.
Gaming
The G510 certainly lives up to its gaming pedigree. Key presses are responsive and at no time when playing Bad Company 2 did I feel that the keyboard was letting me down. Despite the fast paced movements, running around as a medic reviving team mates and shooting down the enemy force simultaneously, the G510 did not struggle and I ended up topping the leader board. As advertised, the Logitech has anti-ghosting technology meaning you can press several keys simultaneously.
Audio
The G510’s unique additions are the 3.5mm ports for a headset and microphone. It is set up so that when plugged in they are set as the ‘Default Communication Device’, meaning you can use the headset and microphone for voice communication via VOIP while the computer speakers still output the main audio play-back. This is a very good concept but some might not like the idea of relying on both the speakers and headset, especially if the headset blocks out external noise. However, it is ideal for those who just want a convenient way to plug a sole microphone. After trying it for myself, I found that the combination of speakers and a separate headset worked brilliantly. I could still experience games in all their glory via my Aego Ms and speak to teammates in private using the headset and microphone. The sound quality from the USB drivers was perfectly fine for in-game communications and even when setup to play music, the quality was more than acceptable. It might lack the acoustical refinement of a sound card (Xonar D2X) during music play-back, or the thunderous sound of artillery and sharp, punchy whizzing of sniper bullets zooming past your head, but it was still comparable to generic motherboard sounds quality. After all, the USB audio was designed for voice communication so we can’t complain too much. This brings me to my next point.
As already mentioned, some would ideally want both voice communication and audio playback through their headset. This can be achieved by setting the USB audio to ‘Default Device’ instead of ‘Default Communication Device’ in Windows Sound. It means that as soon as the headset is plugged in, all audio play-back will be through the keyboard as opposed to the speakers and sound card.
The headset and microphone mute buttons
The media keys
The keyboard USB audio was not without its flaws. The keyboard features two mute buttons, one specifically for the headset, and one for media play-back through the main speakers along with all the other media buttons. When the headset is plugged into the keyboard as the ‘Default Configuration Device’, it means that the headset mute button should control the headset while the media mute button should control audio through the speakers. However, this was not the case. When plugged in, all the media keys ended up controlling USB audio though the headset rather than control PC audio independently. As of yet, there are no solutions to this problem.
Conclusion
It’s been 6 years since the release of the original G15 that introduced many of the features seen here on the G510. The question is whether Logitech have really innovated their keyboard since then. Having used both previous G15s and now the G510, it is actually hard to answer the question. The alternative view is that the original G15 was ahead of its time in terms of features like macro keys, the GamePanel LCD, media keys, Windows/Game toggle switch and backlighting. For the most part, the G510 is the real successor to the original G15 whereas I personally view the V2 as a streamlined version of the original with its reduced number of G-keys and lack of volume scroll wheel. So is the G510 worthy of the title and more importantly, its price? I’d say so.
The original G15 can be imagined as a prototype that has been perfected in the form of the G510. Like all prototypes, it was extravagant with a tilt screen that dominated the façade. It was certainly appealing to gamers who wanted just that. But the G510 is appealing in a slightly different way. It is more refined, less in your face, and more subtle in its demeanour. The in-built rather than tilted GamePanel LCD contributes a lot towards that, and it also makes the keyboard more practical and less prone to damage. The G510 certainly feels very robust. Typing is also improved on the G510; the soft but responsive key presses take little time to get used to and comfort is assured for prolonged periods. Feature-wise, both are largely the same. Where the G510 loses two USB ports, it gains the 3.5mm ports which I am in favour of. The USB 1.1 ports on the G15 were never adequate to power other devices and ended up useless whereas the 3.5mm ports work very well despite some caveats. The G510 also features customisable backlighting. It might appear gimmicky but the novelty never really dies and it adds a sense of uniqueness. The overall construction of the keyboard also feels sturdier and rather than the casings being clipped on, they are all screwed to each other meaning less chance of breaking the keyboard. Perhaps the most important improvement is the software. Previously, there were two separate applications needed, one for the game profiles and one for the LCD. Now only the Logitech Gaming Software brings all the functionality into a single package that is intuitive and allows a wealth of customisation. The software also supports the original G15 but some of the functionality such as customisable backlight and profile saving will be lost.
With a RRP of £99, the Logitech G510 is by no means a cheap keyboard. It retails for double what the original G15 was priced at. Most won’t be able to justify the price but those who do buy one won’t feel short changed either. Not a lot of keyboards can deliver the same feature set as the G510 and on top of that, you will be backed by Logitech’s highly revered customer service which is second to none in the peripheral market. Looking at current street pricing, the G510 can be purchased for under £70 at popular e-tailors.
Pros
+Excellent feature set
+Solid construction/build quality
+Responsive
+Comfortable
+Customisable
+Feels very nice to type on
+Volume scroll wheel
+Headphone and microphone jacks
+Informative GamePanel LCD
+Logitech Customer Support
Cons
-Backlighting could be slightly brighter
-Media key functionality when headset is plugged in
-Steep RRP (although street pricing is more favourable)
+Excellent feature set
+Solid construction/build quality
+Responsive
+Comfortable
+Customisable
+Feels very nice to type on
+Volume scroll wheel
+Headphone and microphone jacks
+Informative GamePanel LCD
+Logitech Customer Support
Cons
-Backlighting could be slightly brighter
-Media key functionality when headset is plugged in
-Steep RRP (although street pricing is more favourable)
Logitech’s Gaming Keyboard G510 highly deserves our coveted Vortez Gold Award.
