My Merc Stealth Gaming Keyboard Write-up

[TheMuffinMan]

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MAJOR WARNING & DISCLAIMER
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SOME OF THE THINGS THIS KEYBOARD CAN DO ARE AGAINST BLIZZARD TOS. IT IS CAPABLE OF MAPPING ONE KEY STROKE TO MULTIPLE KEYPRESSES. I WILL NOT SHOW EXAMPLES OF THIS HERE AS I IN NO WAY CONDONE THE BREAKING OF THE WOW TOS

This is my Merc Stealth Keyboard:
Information - SteelSeries

I love using they keyboard for many reasons. The biggest thing I like about it is that so many keys are just within a twitch of a move of my fingertips or my thumb and RARELY require me (usually only when I am boxing a full group) to move my hand at all. If I had to have 1 thing I did not like about it, its that (to save room on the width of the keyboard because of the left extensino) their is no "group" of buttons for Insert/Delete/Home/End etc... you have to turn the num-lock off and use the num-pad for those functions. Kinda a pain when I am working on software, but I could care less while playing WoW.

From it's website:

SteelSeries Merc Stealth Highlights:

• SteelSeries Z Engine enables programmability of all keys
• Pre-defined profiles for more than 150 games
• 3 color illumination options: blue, purple and red
• Internal hub with 2 USB ports
• Anti-ghosting capability: Up to 7 simultaneous keystrokes
• Special gaming key area
• Rubberized movement keys for enhanced tactile feedback

The SteelSeries Merc Stealth gaming keyboard features 34 dedicated gaming terrain keys, making it easier and more intuitive than ever to walk, run, jump, crouch and move directionally in games. The gaming terrain keys, tilted at an 11° angle, are ergonomic and comfortable even during long gaming sessions. The keyboard features 3 different illumination colors (blue, red and purple), which can be set to 4 different illumination modes (subtle, ambient, intense and off).

SteelSeries Merc Stealth supports simultaneous keystrokes and features a number of hotkeys for multimedia, navigation and other one-click controls. The keyboard features two USB 2.0 ports, gold-plated microphone and headset jacks all connected through a gold-plated USB connector. All keys on the keyboard can be programmed with the powerful SteelSeries Z Engine software, allowing for programmable keys and easy to use drag-and-drop macro creation.

Here is a shot of the left side of the keyboard where I make all my keypressed while multiboxing:
http://pants-optional.net/kb/1.jpg

Here are several closeups of portions of the previous pic:
http://pants-optional.net/kb/2.jpg
http://pants-optional.net/kb/3.jpg
http://pants-optional.net/kb/4.jpg
http://pants-optional.net/kb/5.jpg
http://pants-optional.net/kb/6.jpg

Here is the "keyboard" portion of it:
http://pants-optional.net/kb/7.jpg
http://pants-optional.net/kb/8.jpg

And here is the numpad:
http://pants-optional.net/kb/9.jpg


Something I failed to take a pic of was the stereo jack ports for a headset and a mic, as well as a 2 USB port hub in the keyboard. (all of which are on the top).

Here are some pics of the software you can use to customize the keyboard.
http://pants-optional.net/kb/s1.jpg

The software comes pre-loaded (and can auto-updated for new games/layouts) with various default layouts for a multitude of popular games. You can have any of these automatically "turn on/apply" when the software detects the executable for your game running. This way I have have different keysets automatically engage when I play CoDMW2 and WoW without having to open the software up and switch layouts.
http://pants-optional.net/kb/s2.jpg

Any and all (read: EVER SINGLE EFFING KEY) on the ENTIRE keyboard is programmable via this software. By default (ill use the WoW layout) this is what is maps the keys to (enlarged to show detail):
http://pants-optional.net/kb/s3.jpg

Now say we want the "JUMP" key (lower right) to do something COMPLETELY different... First we click on it to bring up the key edit interface, it appears at the bottom of the application window and looks like this:
http://pants-optional.net/kb/s4.jpg

Here you can change the label of the key on the in-app interface as well as change what key(s) it is mapped to. We can see it is mapped to "space" since that is the default jump key in WoW.

I have a key on my hotbar in WoW that is mapped to Ctrl + Shift + 1. I want to change this "JUMP" button, to be mapped to my key in game. (important note: The app can actually distinguish between left/right ctrl/shift presses, however WoW does not so it does not matter which one you use when programming your custom keys) I am going to label my key PwnBoxer and click in the box towards the bottom that says "Space". Once there I press CTRL SHIFT and 1 simultaneously (NOT one after the other). Once done it looks like this.
http://pants-optional.net/kb/s5.jpg

Just click "Apply" on the left there and your key is ready to use in game!!!



If you have any questions about this keyboards functionality (or how I use it to play), feel free to post here and I will try to answer any/all questions!

[Grondir]

Like the look of this .

Been looking for a new gaming keyboard and was thinking of a Belkin n52e plus keyboard, may give this a look now.

The merc stealth is available for £55 or I can get the merc for £30.

Would you recommend this keyboard then?

[TheMuffinMan]

Originally Posted by Grondir

Like the look of this .

Been looking for a new gaming keyboard and was thinking of a Belkin n52e plus keyboard, may give this a look now.

The merc stealth is available for £55 or I can get the merc for £30.

Would you recommend this keyboard then?

I definitely would.

[Lindline]

I think my favorite part of this was seeing "Pants-optional" so many times.

[TheMuffinMan]

LMFAO

thats my website =)

http://pants-optional.net/forums/

[diamond]

I have been using the merc keyboard for years now, only problem I have found with it is once you get used to it I cant go back gaming on a normal keyboard. I also have a g11 which I plugged back in a few weeks ago and I had to go back to the merc.

[TheMuffinMan]

Originally Posted by diamond

I have been using the merc keyboard for years now, only problem I have found with it is once you get used to it I cant go back gaming on a normal keyboard. I also have a g11 which I plugged back in a few weeks ago and I had to go back to the merc.

LMAO I have this same problem!

[Grondir]

So i've ordered one, it'll be here tomorrow. Should be better for gaming than my current Logitech DiNovo bluetooth keyboard

[Bubba]

I might try this one for my I9 system around summer or so but I still like the G11 and it was priced right. The merc seems a bit pricey at 90 bucks American but I do like the idea of teh keys having different colors. Are the keytrokes stored in the unit or in the software?

[TheMuffinMan]

Originally Posted by Bubba

I might try this one for my I9 system around summer or so but I still like the G11 and it was priced right. The merc seems a bit pricey at 90 bucks American but I do like the idea of teh keys having different colors. Are the keytrokes stored in the unit or in the software?

In the software, but if memory serves they are profile files you can take with you if needed.

And the 90$ is really justified vs. the G11 considering the amount of extra keys and the whole extension on the left in the curve of a human hand =)

That is what tipped the scales for me