BEWARE: Logitech Illuminated Keyboard
"Those keys are disabled because you didn't buy a gaming keyboard."
-Logitech employee (in reference to W + Shift + Space combination being disabled)
Good gravy, where do I start? Should I begin with the English as a Second Language Tech who told me "at the same time" and "simultaneously" don't mean the same thing? The same tech who, when I called back, immediately hung up on me? The same one who I told what W + Shift + Space does 3 times in a row?
I'll begin post-ESL Tech and start with how I received considerably greater help from a Tech in the "Gaming" Department. I spoke with a very, very, lively character in the Gaming Department who was quite perplexed and all the same helpful with my key blocking issue.
After exhausting his own knowledge, he went and spoke with his supervisor. The message his supervisor gave him can be read at the beginning of this post. His supervisor also told him that a replacement was out of the question.
That Logitech would arrange the matrix so that a VERY, VERY commonly used key combination is ghosted is obscence. I just replaced a $5 Microsoft keyboard with an invaluable $80 Logitech keyboard. You disable keys 95% of gamers make use of simply because it isn't a gaming product? What kind of shoddy business practice is that?
I found this all very unfortunate because my prior experience with Logitech Tech Support has been quite pleasant. I'm actually using my 3rd G9 because every time I used Setpoint with a G9 the laser failed quite quickly. Yet Logitech was very happy to replace it, even without having to send back the original mouse.
I told Amazon (the place I ordered from) to update their product page to let people know if they game, especially FPS, they should beware the ghosted keys.
I don't believe I've left anything out and I hope to hear from Logitech on this matter.
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I've just talked to our product folks about this. This is actually a design limitation of the keyboard matrix design (for none gaming keyboards), and it is not something that has been purposely disabled in the firmware. Non-gaming keyboards form other manufactures may also exhibit the same behavior when certain multiple keys are pressed at the same time. Regards, -
My mistake, now that I've read through your post, I see that you did refer to the matrix arrangement. I was under the impression that you thought this was intentionally disabled. I will forward your feedback to our product folks. Please understand that since this keyboard is not part of the gaming product line, I am unable to comment on the possibility future design changes. If you are not satisfied with this product, I can arrange for a refund with our customer care team. Please PM me your case number. Also, for us to continue this discussion professionally, I do want to ask you to please be respectful and refrain from additional personal attacks against Logitech employees per our terms of use document[http://logitech-en-amr.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3915]. Those of us on the forums here are your advocates within the company, and we are on your side. Regards, -
My mistake, now that I've read through your post, I see that you did refer to the matrix arrangement. I was under the impression that you thought this was intentionally disabled. I will forward your feedback to our product folks. Please understand that since this keyboard is not part of the gaming product line, I am unable to comment on the possibility future design changes. If you are not satisfied with this product, I can arrange for a refund with our customer care team. Please PM me your case number. Also, for us to continue this discussion professionally, I do want to ask you to please be respectful and refrain from additional personal attacks against Logitech employees per our terms of use document[http://logitech-en-amr.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3915]. Those of us on the forums here are your advocates within the company, and we are on your side. Regards, -
Thank you for your speedy reply, Anton! Unfortunately, said keyboard has long since been sent back to Amazon. \r\nI tried getting a refund when I called Logitech, but that was fruitless. You'll also have to excuse my "personal attacks", those come only as a result of dealing with support technicians who feel it's their place to be correcting my English, when they have zero right to do so. That all said, if you're inclined to give me a refund for a phantom keyboard, I think that would be a top-of-the-line business practice! -
Thank you for your understanding. Some of our employees are here helping folks on their own time, and I wanted to make sure that we do not discourage them. I am sorry to hear about your negative experience with this particular support specialist. In the future, please feel free to PM me directly. It's my goal to make sure our community members receive excellent customer service. I can escalate your case for you if you are not satisfied with the resolution. Unfortunately, I am unable to refund you for a phantom keyboard . Please do check your PM though Regards, -
Came to this thread from Consumerist; I own an IK myself, less than a year old. I don't experience this issue at all in games so I'm surprised that so many other owners are experiencing it. Could it be isolated to certain production runs or OS specific? Disclaimer I love my IK dearly and you can pry it yada yada. -
"Those keys are disabled because you didn't buy a gaming keyboard." -Logitech employee (in reference to W + Shift + Space combination being disabled) I'm one of the lucky few to get an illuminated keyboard in which the W+Shift+Space combination works. However, one of my key broke and i got it exchange 1 for 1 with a new illuminated keyboard. And this "NEW" keyboard has the W + Shift + Space disabled! I can't help but think that the disabling this combination of keys is a business practice to force ANY ONE who plays a FPS game to buy a logitech GAMING keyboard since it worked with the earlier batches of IK. I hope Logitech realise that not all CASUAL gamers would want to buy a GAMING keyboard just to play a game properly. This is an expensive keyboard! Not some low end $5 basic keyboard, Logitech should revert back to their old keyboard matrix for all their illuminated keyboard. Or they should just stick a sticker on their keyboard to let buyers know that the most basic FPS key combination (W+Shift+Space) doesn't work on any of their keyboards except their GAMING range. This would save the buyers their time and frustration when choosing your product. I will be wary of buying any Logitech product from now on. -
So has anybody heard an update about this is there going to be a fix or way to get a keyboard that works. I was introduced to this keyboard from a friend and he let me borrow it and I tested every aspect of it and I thought it was great.... his even let me press w+shift+space together, thus i went and bought one from newegg.com thinking I would get the EXACT same keyboard but I was clearly mistaken, I cannot press w+shift+space together and I'm am NOT happy about it. So I am here now wondering what to do next if this is an issue that logitech is now just discovering and are going to deal with or what. Are we going to be able to send ours back into the company and get one that works properly (and works like others have aswell WITHOUT the problem). This is an expensive piece of equipment and I would expect it to work properly. So is the community manager going to give us an update or am I just missing something here? -
Just received my Keyboard in the mail today. Unforunately I have the same problem which lead everyone else here, (W + Shift + Space). In my opinion I believe users have a reasonable expectation from Logitech to assume this keyboard combination works. I also believe it's well within reason that if you're not going to support a very common key combination. You should have to have a disclaimer on the keyboard. I'm surprised no one has sued you for this yet. Keyboard is being returned to newegg.. How embarrassing.. -
Same, here just unboxed the keyboard, launched a game and... That's pretty stupid from you Logitech. I mean this is such a great keyboard and such an obvious mistake is not forgettable. This is not a 10 euros keyboard we're talking about... I'm wondering if I will take it back. I was so happy to finally buy it and now I'm so disappointed, I guess I will have to take a look at the razer Lycosa, there is not so many backlighted keyboards with laptop keys... -
Again, I wanted to reiterate that this is a keyboard matrix design limitation not unique to Logitech. This keyboard was designed for general typing at home and in the office, so the key press combinations that the Illuminated Keyboard were designed and tested around were more for those activities. The key combination in question is not intentionally "blocked". The Consumerist comments thread that brought some of you guys here has a lot of great technical information on this. You can also find more information on this if you google "key ghosting". For folks looking for illuminated keyboards suitable for gaming, the G110[http://www.logitech.com/en-us/keyboards/keyboard/devices/5902] has the same list price as the Illuminated Keyboard. This keyboard was built and tested around the needs of gamers, including complex WASD key combos. The G15[http://www.logitech.com/en-us/keyboards/keyboard/devices/3498] is also currently on sale with the same price as the Illuminated Keyboard. These G series keyboards, at the same price as the illuminated keyboard, will provide you with Illuminated keys and a key matrix optimized for gaming needs. Hope this helps. Regards, -
Sure Anton, thing is we expect always so much from Logitech . I understand the matrix stuff and so on, but how come a very cheap keyboard will not get the same issue? Different matrix I guess but it may have been wiser in this case to put a different one in the Illuminated. There are indeed others logitech products for playing, or gamers, however they're not as silent or comfortable as the Illuminated. I wanted a "laptop feeling " as well as backlight, and for those two things there are two keyboards, I trusted Logitech, shouldn't have. I personally don't feel ripped off or anything like that it is just I wasn't expecting this kind of issue, specially when a previous version of the same keyboard did not have this issue. Anyway if I'm not happy I'll bring it back, but in the future I'll definitely think twice before purchasing a Logitech product. I was a fanboy, I'm not anymore. I also warned all my fellow gamers pals so they're aware of this, not to prevent them purchasing from your brand but to reduce the deception. Finally this "decision" to use this specific matrix or whatever that is may cost you some sells... Let us know if you correct this in a future version -
Hi Naekh, I definitely understand your concerns and I've forwarded this thread to the appropriate business units for consideration. While I can't make any comments regarding future product changes, I will do my best to make sure the community's voice is heard inside Logitech. I do appreciate everyone's honest feedback, and I will keep you updated if I have any news regarding this. Thanks, -
Just one last thing, not all brands will be so considerate and reactive, I have to thank you for that. Specially on forums. I love this keyboard so much I think I'll learn to crouch with shift and run with ctrl I think in comparison I'll end up disappointed with an another keyboard anyway. Anyway thanks again and let's hope the next Illuminated will be perfect. Edit : I brought the Illuminated back and took a K800 instead, working perfectly. I don't like the "wireless" but you can plug it like any other keyboard so it is fine. Just one thing to be perfect : be able to use the same wireless receiver for both the K800 and the G700 I have, that would be awesome. Still as I said I use it mainly plugged so no worries there, just a thought. -
I have a Performance MX and it works on the same receiver Must say this unifying receiver stuff really rocks, especially the size of it. Otherwise this is really something Logitech designers should think about. A $/€ 100 keyboard should not have this issue no matter what. It creates the feeling that you design a totally awesome keyboard only to use the cheapest possible crap matrix inside. what kind of reasoning would that be? And how do you (the designers + marketing) think your customers feel when they get an awesome keyboard with crap matrix? Gee, I wonder what else they went cheap on? - this is what comes to my mind at least. Well, at least in my case, I know of at least one more things you guys went cheap on: key etching quality (see K800 Wireless Illuminated key etching quality of mine - unanswered, of course). At least I was lucky to get a K800 with a "working" matrix. -
I don't have this keyboard but I did stumble upon this thread because I was thinking of buying one. Well, two actually. And in all honesty, I think Logitech's excuse that this keyboard uses a different matrix aimed at office users is a very poor one. A very, very, very poor one and it reeks of an excuse for just trying to save a buck on manufacturing. "This keyboard was designed for general typing at home and in the office, so the key press combinations that the Illuminated Keyboard were designed and tested around were more for those activities." Let's think about this for a second here. For general use, most of the time only a single key is pressed. Once every 100 keystrokes or so, two keys are pressed simultaneously (shift+key for instance). Then once every thousand keystrokes or so three keys are pressed (like shift+ctl+key). Of course, I pulled those numbers (once every 100 keystrokes, once every 1000 keystrokes) from my behind because I have no idea what those numbers really are. But I think we can all agree that most of the time (more than 99% ot the time) only a single key is pressed and if more than one key is pressed, it's always in combination with SHIFT, CTRL and ALT. These keys are called modifier keys. No office application or other general use desktop application exists that requires pressing of two character keys for instance. Now the original Illuminated keyboard had no problems whatsoever with these key combinations (one or more modifier keys + character key). And it had the added bonus that it did support pressing multiple character keys needed for gaming. So there was absolutely no need for this keyboard to be "optimized" for general use. There's nothing the new version of this keyboard can do that the old couldn't. They in fact crippled it and called it "optimizing". That's like saying "Yeah, this new Mercedes? It's actually meant for driving in the city so we 'optimized' it for city use by lowering it's maximum speed". The only reason I can think of for this optimization is because the "new and optimized" keyboard is really the "new and cheaper to manufacture" keyboard. Perhaps I am completely wrong and Logitech can explain what it is the new version of the Illuminated Keyboard can do that the old couldn't.
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