It's been a full month since buying this gaming headset, and I think it's safe to say that, despite it being my first gaming headset, it sure does have a very good sound quality. The major problem, however, is that it has a very cheap body. The first time I put these cans on, the right side of the headset cracked. It was unnoticeable though. It didn't effect the clamp on them, but it did make me feel these won't last for awhile. I'm still using them as I type this review, but I'm sure going to buy new ones, and much better.
NOTE: I am not an audiophile, and I know little of sound, so my review should only be based as a second opinion from an honest, average customer, myself.
Comfort - 3.5/5
Okay, these aren't the most comfy headsets out there, but the pleather on these cans are very soft and spongy. There's also another same quality pleather just under the arc for your cranium. The over-ear design and tight clamp keeps the phones on your head still. Unlike most headsets, the Alphas won't make your ears hot or bleed, but they sure make them feel numb after taking them off after excessive hours of gaming.
What comes with the box is the manual on setting up the headset, the Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Alpha headset, and a USB adapter. The Alphas are able to connect to your sound card for optimum sound quality, but if your don't want to use your cheap on-board sound card, you can just use the USB adapter and still have great quality!
Sound - 4/5
I am not an audiophile, but I do know some basics of sound. For the price of 60$, the Alphas have astounding sound quality for it's price, maybe even better than headphones in a more expensive price range. There's a mid range of bass and becomes very noticeable on most games and music. These phones can virtually do 5.1, 7.1, and Surround sound.
Software -1/5
I seriously can't get the drivers to work. The Alphas don't come with a cd driver, so you're only option is the download the drivers from the website. That's not the problem. The problem is that the drivers don't even work! I tried everything from restarting my computer, to exchanging it. I simply can't get the drivers to work! It simply just opens up the Sound Blaster Control Panel, and stops responding. Can't do anything with it, other than cursing at ir and closing it down with my trusty ol' Task Manager.
Build - 2/5
As I said before, this headset is cheap! It cracked on the first day, until it worsen over the month. It's not that bad now really, but it lost its tight clamp. I'm still using them, but I'd be glad to get some new ones. Cheap Plastic, bleh.
Microphone - 4/5
The mic is great. I love it. The sound quality is excellent, minus the fact it really loves recording your breathing. The sound cancelling is wonderful, as it can block out annoying noises such as the fans in your case, or the fan next to your facing blowing on high.
Overall - 3/5
I believe Creative only cared about the sound quality than the actual build quality. I thank Creative for giving us our sound needs, but what's the point when they're broken? The sound quality on the Alphas are amazing for it's price range, and the positioning is somewhat accurate. However, the only thing keeping me back from atleast giving these worthy headphones a 4, is that it has only been a month, and they're damaged. Damnit. Maybe I'll buy the big brother, the Sigma.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Shattered Crystal
Shattered Crystal.com is a marketing website where you could buy game codes and items, such as a cash cards for popular MMORPGs, such as Maple Story, GunZ, and FlyFF! You can also buy trial cards such as the 10 day free trial for World of Warcraft. Shattered Crystal is a complete legit company founded by a fellow gamer, and YouTuber, MarkeeDragon. He plays games and sells items for a living and his videos can be found at http://www.youtube.com/user/markeedragon .
He has set up a challenge for everyone to attend, to see if YOU could play videos for a living! Yes, being PAID to play games. Isn't that a dream every gamer has? I'm sure you do too! So, if you decide to join the challenge, please click on the link below and sign up. You may also buy products from the site for yourself.
http://www.shatteredcrystal.com/signup.php?ref=134760
For more information, please join the forums at http://www.markeedragon.com/forums/index.php .
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
#1 - Lite Reviews - SteelSeries ZBoard
It has now been a week after purchasing the SteelSeries ZBoard. It is also my first ever gaming keyboard, so I don't have much complaints about it since I don't have any experience using other gaming keyboards. However, in a week of use, I manage to find some pros and cons about it.
The ZBoard is a unique keyboard, designed by Ideazon(now purchased by SteelSeries). The box comes with a keyboard base and two keyboard layouts; the classic ZBoard gaming keyset, and the standard keyboard keyset. Out of the box, you will be greeted by the ZBoard gaming keyset. You might be wondering, "Is this it?". Well, actually, if you look closely, there is a latch on the side of the keyboard. if you unlatch it, you can detach the gaming keyset and fold it up for easy transport. The detachable keyboard, is not a gimmick as you may think. What also comes with the box is another keyboard, minus another base, The Standard Keyboard. As the name says it, it's a standard keyboard layout. It looks exactly like any other keyboard with a few features that I will go along later. Also, for people with wrist problems, a wrist pad also comes with the keyboard. It's plastic, though. I heard you can also buy a rubberized wrist pad from a third party company. Other than the driver cd and the quick start-up guide, that's all you get in the box.
Let's start with the base. The keyboard base consist of multimedia keys and shortcut hotkeys at the top, along with a ZBoard logo and a dead domain(www.zboard.com). Currently, you cannot edit, rename, or delete any of the hotkeys, but you can do so with the multimedia keys, but do people really do that? If you take out whatever layout is currently attached onto the base, you will be greeted by small, soft, rubberized, concave bumps that allow the keys to be pressed in ease. You can also type with no layout at all; however, I highly recommend not doing so. Another feature are the connectors at the top right. When you attach a layout, the base will automatically recognize which layout you are using and change the settings to whatever you had on that keyboard, like macros or add-ons. At the top right, there are also two USB 2.0 ports for mice, headsets, drives, and such.
Next, lets talk about the Standard Keyboard keyset. It looks like any other keyboard, other than the split-in-half space bar so it can be able to fold. This keyboard, along with the gaming keyset, has a anti-ghosting feature than enables you to press 7-8 keys simultaneously. I was very, very pleased with this feature(again, my first ever gaming keyboard), because my previous gaming keyboards never had that feature. It was great to finally play games such as Elder Scrolls 4 and Fahrenheit and finally be able to turn left while running. This layout is also great for people who like to macro their keyboards. This keyboard has 2 buttons along with the Caps Lock, Scroll Lock, and Number Lock; the Bar Lock and the Pad Lock. The Bar Lock enables the default hotkeys for the F keys and the Pad Lock enables the default hotkeys for the Num pad. That's not all. You can also macro the whole keyboard whether with Bar off/Pad off, Bar on/Pad off, Bar off/Pad on, or Bar on/Pad on. That's four sets of macros!
Now, for the ZBoard Gaming Keyset. I promised myself to use this keyboard for gaming only throughout the first week of purchase before I make this review. The problem is... I just couldn't. The way the butterfly setup is made is uncomfortable and awkward. The keys around it are either too close, or too far. It's such a pain reaching for the reload key, and it's awkward having the run key so damn close to your other fingers. I happened to just use the standard keyboard for gaming anyway. I keep the ZBoard layout on my desk, showing it off to my friends who aren't PC gamers. The only special thing about this layout is the butterfly setup, but you may just stick with the standard and use the common WASD. The Num Pad is completely gone and the whole keyboard is shift to the right, giving room for the butterfly and keeping the same size as a normal keyboard. The keyboard is set up awkwardly though, splitting the keyboard in half, making the gaming layout difficult to type. Oh, one more thing. With the ZEngine, this keyboard comes with hundreds of built-in add ons and macros for popular First-Person Shooters, Action, and Role-Playing Games so you don't have to spend all that time setting up the controls. This layout it recommended for people who have a problem with WASD and use a layout that won't have them remember which keys or which. Although, I'd just tell them all to get used to the standard keyboard.
I'm not done yet. The box comes with a keyboard base, a gaming keyset, and the standard keyboard keyset. You can also buy specific keysets for your ZBoard, such as a Wrath of the Lich King keyset, a Counter-Strike Source keyset, and a Battlefield 2 keyset, giving you easy one-touch controls and prints so you don't have to memorize where all the keys are.
Despite the awkward gaming keyset, I like this keyboard very, very much. I'll be using it for awhile until i get enough money for a new keyboard. A SteelSeries 7G, maybe. I just want to tell you all, this keyboard is not a gimmick. The specific keysets are great for games such as World and Warcraft and so on. Some people prefer the butterfly over the standard. I won't argue, it's all just preference. Without the ZBoard, you wouldn't have the ZBoard Fang, or the Merc/Merc Stealth. The Merc is pretty much an advanced ZBoard with all the problems I have said about the butterfly are fixed. It's very comfortable and natural. I'm not going to go so far with it, since this is my ZBoard review, not a Merc.
Well, these are my opinions for the ZBoard, I recommend this keyboard as a good buy, unless you are sure you can find a better one for less or wanting to spend a bit more money. The ZBoard ranges from 30 to 50 USD, with the specific keysets for 4 USD, although I heard they also range up to 15 USD.
It's pretty much a two-in-one keyboard, so I'll give it two ratings. The Standard Keyboard gets a 4/5. It's like any other gaming keyboard with features you may or may not use and lots of macros. The Gaming keyset sets a 2.5/5 for it's awkward design and uncomfortable hand postion.
Remember, this is my review, which means all of what I said are my opinions.
-Lite
The ZBoard is a unique keyboard, designed by Ideazon(now purchased by SteelSeries). The box comes with a keyboard base and two keyboard layouts; the classic ZBoard gaming keyset, and the standard keyboard keyset. Out of the box, you will be greeted by the ZBoard gaming keyset. You might be wondering, "Is this it?". Well, actually, if you look closely, there is a latch on the side of the keyboard. if you unlatch it, you can detach the gaming keyset and fold it up for easy transport. The detachable keyboard, is not a gimmick as you may think. What also comes with the box is another keyboard, minus another base, The Standard Keyboard. As the name says it, it's a standard keyboard layout. It looks exactly like any other keyboard with a few features that I will go along later. Also, for people with wrist problems, a wrist pad also comes with the keyboard. It's plastic, though. I heard you can also buy a rubberized wrist pad from a third party company. Other than the driver cd and the quick start-up guide, that's all you get in the box.
Let's start with the base. The keyboard base consist of multimedia keys and shortcut hotkeys at the top, along with a ZBoard logo and a dead domain(www.zboard.com). Currently, you cannot edit, rename, or delete any of the hotkeys, but you can do so with the multimedia keys, but do people really do that? If you take out whatever layout is currently attached onto the base, you will be greeted by small, soft, rubberized, concave bumps that allow the keys to be pressed in ease. You can also type with no layout at all; however, I highly recommend not doing so. Another feature are the connectors at the top right. When you attach a layout, the base will automatically recognize which layout you are using and change the settings to whatever you had on that keyboard, like macros or add-ons. At the top right, there are also two USB 2.0 ports for mice, headsets, drives, and such.
Next, lets talk about the Standard Keyboard keyset. It looks like any other keyboard, other than the split-in-half space bar so it can be able to fold. This keyboard, along with the gaming keyset, has a anti-ghosting feature than enables you to press 7-8 keys simultaneously. I was very, very pleased with this feature(again, my first ever gaming keyboard), because my previous gaming keyboards never had that feature. It was great to finally play games such as Elder Scrolls 4 and Fahrenheit and finally be able to turn left while running. This layout is also great for people who like to macro their keyboards. This keyboard has 2 buttons along with the Caps Lock, Scroll Lock, and Number Lock; the Bar Lock and the Pad Lock. The Bar Lock enables the default hotkeys for the F keys and the Pad Lock enables the default hotkeys for the Num pad. That's not all. You can also macro the whole keyboard whether with Bar off/Pad off, Bar on/Pad off, Bar off/Pad on, or Bar on/Pad on. That's four sets of macros!
Now, for the ZBoard Gaming Keyset. I promised myself to use this keyboard for gaming only throughout the first week of purchase before I make this review. The problem is... I just couldn't. The way the butterfly setup is made is uncomfortable and awkward. The keys around it are either too close, or too far. It's such a pain reaching for the reload key, and it's awkward having the run key so damn close to your other fingers. I happened to just use the standard keyboard for gaming anyway. I keep the ZBoard layout on my desk, showing it off to my friends who aren't PC gamers. The only special thing about this layout is the butterfly setup, but you may just stick with the standard and use the common WASD. The Num Pad is completely gone and the whole keyboard is shift to the right, giving room for the butterfly and keeping the same size as a normal keyboard. The keyboard is set up awkwardly though, splitting the keyboard in half, making the gaming layout difficult to type. Oh, one more thing. With the ZEngine, this keyboard comes with hundreds of built-in add ons and macros for popular First-Person Shooters, Action, and Role-Playing Games so you don't have to spend all that time setting up the controls. This layout it recommended for people who have a problem with WASD and use a layout that won't have them remember which keys or which. Although, I'd just tell them all to get used to the standard keyboard.
I'm not done yet. The box comes with a keyboard base, a gaming keyset, and the standard keyboard keyset. You can also buy specific keysets for your ZBoard, such as a Wrath of the Lich King keyset, a Counter-Strike Source keyset, and a Battlefield 2 keyset, giving you easy one-touch controls and prints so you don't have to memorize where all the keys are.
Despite the awkward gaming keyset, I like this keyboard very, very much. I'll be using it for awhile until i get enough money for a new keyboard. A SteelSeries 7G, maybe. I just want to tell you all, this keyboard is not a gimmick. The specific keysets are great for games such as World and Warcraft and so on. Some people prefer the butterfly over the standard. I won't argue, it's all just preference. Without the ZBoard, you wouldn't have the ZBoard Fang, or the Merc/Merc Stealth. The Merc is pretty much an advanced ZBoard with all the problems I have said about the butterfly are fixed. It's very comfortable and natural. I'm not going to go so far with it, since this is my ZBoard review, not a Merc.
Well, these are my opinions for the ZBoard, I recommend this keyboard as a good buy, unless you are sure you can find a better one for less or wanting to spend a bit more money. The ZBoard ranges from 30 to 50 USD, with the specific keysets for 4 USD, although I heard they also range up to 15 USD.
It's pretty much a two-in-one keyboard, so I'll give it two ratings. The Standard Keyboard gets a 4/5. It's like any other gaming keyboard with features you may or may not use and lots of macros. The Gaming keyset sets a 2.5/5 for it's awkward design and uncomfortable hand postion.
Remember, this is my review, which means all of what I said are my opinions.
-Lite
A New Lite
Well, I decided to use Blogger for my very first website. Well, since this will be my very first blog, I guess I have to introduce myself! I am Michael Salve, 14 year old, a PC Gamer, and hopefully to be a product reviewer. I've been a fan of many other reviewers such as SpoonyOne, AngryJoe, LinusTechTips, 3DGAMEMAN, and such. I decided I want to be a reviewer myself, but I thought to myself, what should I review? Well, I know I can't review movies since I never grew up with movies that much. Not my strong point. I'm a gamer! I can review games! However, I'm far form wealthy and therefore cannot review new games. I decided to be a product reviewer. I don't need to be wealthy, I can start from scratch. I have read many other product reviews and I make my own opinions from them and I make my own impressions from them. Hopefully I become known and companies would like to let me review their products. Hey, I'm already thinking ahead of myself!
Well, by the time I finish this post, it'll be around 3:15 PM. I'll be in bed and the next day I'll start my first review.
I guess I'm done with this post already. That was fast.
-Lite
Well, by the time I finish this post, it'll be around 3:15 PM. I'll be in bed and the next day I'll start my first review.
I guess I'm done with this post already. That was fast.
-Lite
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